JP2005175950A - Image processing apparatus and display system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera enabling a user to confirm which setting should be performed in order to easily shift to continuous photographing condition when the residual number of photographing availability is zero, and to release a shutter at a right moment. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera is provided with: a means for converting an optical image into an electric image signal by a photoelectric conversion element; a storage medium; a means for storing the electric image signal in the storage medium; a display means for displaying the photographed images and each information; an operating means for bringing the information into a display state; a means for setting the types of photographed images; and a photographing available residual number determining means for comparing image capacity corresponding to the selected type of a photographed image with a capacity of writing availability of the storage medium, and determining the residual number of photographing availability. If the photographing available residual number determining means is in a state where it cannot record at the set type of images by the setting means, it is determined how many photos can be photographed per other photographed image setting state, and the information is displayed on the display means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic still camera that converts an optical image into an electrical image signal by a photoelectric conversion element and stores the electrical image signal in a storage medium.

Conventionally, if the expected image capacity exceeds the remaining capacity that can be stored in the storage medium in the set ISO sensitivity, image size, and image quality, “0” is displayed or recorded. It was impossible to shoot with a warning that the media capacity was insufficient. However, in practice, it is often possible to shoot by switching the ISO sensitivity setting to the low ISO side, reducing the image size setting, or setting the image quality to the high compression ratio side. This is because, in recent years, the number of pixels of digital cameras is increasing, and in order to take advantage of the number of pixels, normal shooting often takes a larger size and higher image quality, and the remaining number of shots is often zero. This tendency is particularly noticeable when shooting with RAW data without image processing.
JP-A-6-133193 JP 2001-78061 A

  However, if the remaining number of shots disappears while shooting, but the user wants to continue shooting, the photographer switches the ISO, image size, and image quality settings to check the number of shots that can be taken and They were forced to perform inefficient operations such as shooting with appropriate settings.

  In other words, the conventional digital camera has a problem that it is not easy to check what setting is made so that shooting can be continued, and a photo opportunity may be missed.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention is based on the ISO, image size, and image quality that can be set by operating an information display member that normally displays shooting information when the number of remaining shots is 0 (zero). Displaying whether or not shooting is possible on a display member such as EVF. If the remaining number of shots becomes zero for the setting ISO, image size, and image quality, what settings should be made to easily enable shooting to continue. The purpose is to provide a digital camera that can confirm whether or not it is good and has a strong shutter chance.

  Furthermore, even when the remaining number of shootable images is not 0 (zero), each setting can be easily performed by simultaneously operating any one of the ISO setting button, the image size setting button, the image quality setting button, which is a setting button for the shot image, and the information display button. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital camera that can check the number of storable images in a state and can optimally use the remaining storage capacity according to the situation.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a means for converting an optical image into an electrical image signal by a photoelectric conversion element, a storage medium, a means for storing the electrical image signal in the storage medium, a captured image, Display means for displaying information, an operation member for displaying information, a setting means for the type of captured image, an image capacity corresponding to the set type of the captured image, and a writable remaining amount of the storage medium A remaining shootable number determining unit for comparing and determining the remaining number of shootable images, and when the remaining shootable number determining unit is in a state where it cannot record with the type of image set by the setting unit, It is characterized by determining how many images can be taken for each image setting state and displaying the information on the display means.

  Further, means for converting an optical image into an electric image signal by a photoelectric conversion element, a storage medium, a means for storing the electric image signal in the storage medium, a display means for displaying a photographed image and each information, and information The operation member for setting the image display state, the setting means for the type of captured image, the image capacity corresponding to the type of captured image and the remaining writable amount of the storage medium, and the remaining number of storable images are determined. A number determination unit, which determines how many images can be captured for each captured image setting state that can be set by a specific operation, and displays the information on the display unit.

  According to the present invention, even when the remaining number of images that can be captured becomes zero, it is possible to immediately know the conditions under which imaging can be performed, and it is possible to continue shooting without missing a photo opportunity. In addition, the remaining capacity of the storage medium can be effectively used simply, easily and efficiently.

  In addition, the conditions for the number of images that can be shot in the shooting setting state can be readily known at any time, and the remaining capacity of the storage medium can be easily, efficiently and effectively used. In the case of shooting with a limited recording medium, it is easy to determine to perform settings suitable for the shooting situation.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  Below, the 1st Example of this invention is described based on FIGS. 1-4.

  In this embodiment, when the remaining number of images that can be captured is 0 (zero), how many images can be captured in the ISO, image size, and image quality that can be set by operating an information display member that normally displays the captured information. An embodiment in which the symbol is displayed on a display member such as EVF will be described.

   FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the camera according to the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a photographing lens, and an AF (autofocus) drive circuit unit 2 is configured by, for example, a stepping motor, and adjusts the focus by changing the position of the focus lens in the lens 1 under the control of the microcomputer 16. The defocus amount used for the focus calculation is calculated by using the video signal processing circuit 10 for a specific area of the CCD output.

  The zoom drive circuit unit 3 is configured by, for example, a stepping motor, and changes the focal length of the photographing lens by changing the position of the variable magnification lens in the lens 1 under the control of the microcomputer 16.

  The aperture drive circuit unit 4 is configured by, for example, an auto iris or the like, and changes the optical aperture value under the control of the microcomputer 16.

  A CCD or the like is used as the image sensor section 6, and a film image formed on the image sensor by the optical lens 1 is photoelectrically converted and taken out as an electric signal.

The clamp / CDS circuit 7 and AGC 8 perform basic analog processing before A / D conversion. The microcomputer 16 can change the clamp level and the AGC reference level. The A / D conversion unit 9 converts the analog CCD output signal into a digital signal (therefore, the image sensor unit 6, the clamp / CDS circuit 7, the AGC 8, and the A / D conversion unit 9 convert the optical image into an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion device. It corresponds to means for converting to an image signal).

  The video signal processing circuit 10 performs filter processing, color conversion processing, and gamma / knee processing on the digitized CCD image data, and outputs the result to the memory controller 13. On the other hand, this video signal processing circuit is also incorporated in the DA conversion, converts the video signal input from the CCD 6 and the image data input reversely from the memory controller 13 into an analog signal, and displays it through the EVF drive circuit 11. It is also possible to output to the EVF monitor 12 as means. These functions are switched by exchanging data with the microcomputer 16, and exposure information, focus information, white balance, and autofocus information of the CCD signal can be output to the microcomputer 16 as necessary. Based on the information, the microcomputer 16 performs white balance and gain adjustment. Also, the focus information is evaluated and communicated to the AF drive circuit 2 to drive the focus lens.

  Further, it is possible to store the image data in the buffer memory 19 through the memory controller 13 without doing anything by the instruction of the microcomputer 16. The video signal processing circuit 10 also has a function for compression processing such as JPEG. In the case of continuous shooting, shooting data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 19, and when there is processing time, unprocessed image data is read through the memory controller 13, and image processing and compression processing are performed by the video signal processing circuit 10. Earn copying speed. The number of continuous shots greatly depends on the size of the buffer memory 19.

The microcomputer 16 can check and compare the memory capacity through the memory controller 13 on the basis of the predicted image size data corresponding to the ISO sensitivity, image size, and image quality set before shooting, and can shoot. The remaining number is calculated and displayed on the display member (therefore, the video signal processing circuit 10, the memory controller 13, and the microcomputer 16 set the type of captured image (either ISO sensitivity setting, image size setting, image quality setting). Compares the image size corresponding to the set photographed image type and the remaining writable remaining amount of the storage medium, and functions as a remaining shootable number determining unit that determines the remaining number of shootable images. ).

  The memory controller 13 stores unprocessed digital image data input from the video signal processing circuit 10 in the buffer memory 19 and stores the processed digital image in the memory 14 as a recording medium, or conversely, the buffer memory. 19 and image data from the memory 14 to the video signal processing circuit unit 10. Further, the controller can store the video sent from the external interface 15 in the memory 14 and can output the image stored in the memory 14 from the external interface 15. The memory 14 may be free to remove.

  The power supply unit 17 supplies power necessary for each IC and drive system. The operation member 18 informs the microcomputer 16 of the state of the operation member, and the microcomputer 16 controls each part in accordance with the change of the operation member.

  A release button 20 is an input switch of the operation member 18. When only 20 (a) is on, the release button is half-pressed, and when both 20 (a) and 20 (b) are on, the release button is on to hold and record the captured image.

  In addition to the release button 20, switches 18 (not shown) such as an ISO setting button, an image size setting button, an image quality setting button, and an information display button are connected to the 18 operation members, and the switch state is detected.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a liquid crystal drive circuit which drives the external liquid crystal display 22 and the liquid crystal display 23 in the finder according to the display content command of the microcomputer 16. The liquid crystal display in the finder 23 is provided with a backlight such as an LED (not shown), and the LED is also driven by the liquid crystal drive circuit 21.

  Next, the operation of the camera used in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Starting from the camera operation start state (S300), it is determined whether or not the power-off timer has been typed out (S301). If it is determined that time-out has occurred, the process proceeds to S318 for power-off processing and time-out has not occurred. In this case, various settings such as the camera mode are performed by inputting the operation member 18 for performing various settings (S302). In this embodiment, ISO sensitivity setting, image size setting, image quality setting, and information display setting are also performed in S302.

  The state set in S302 and various setting states are displayed on the external liquid crystal display member 22 and the like, and based on the predicted value data of the image size according to the ISO sensitivity, image size, and image quality set in S302, the memory controller Through 13, the capacity of the memory is checked and compared, the remaining number of images that can be photographed is calculated, and displayed on the display member (S 303).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the release button 20 is in a half-pressed state (S304). If only 20 (a) is in a half-pressed state, the power-off timer is updated for timer update (S305). If it is not pressed at all (the state where neither 20 (a) nor 20 (b) is pressed), the process proceeds to S301.

  In S306, the image of the CCD 6 is captured by each of the clamp / CDS circuit 7, the AGC 8, and the A / D converter 9, and the lens driving amount is calculated and determined based on the focus information that is the output of the video signal processing circuit 10. A part of the lens 1 is driven using the AF driving circuit to adjust the focus (S307).

  The gain value sent to the AGC 8, the aperture value sent to the aperture drive circuit 4, and the electronic shutter value for controlling the CCD 6 are adjusted so that the brightness is appropriate based on the exposure condition information output from the video signal processing circuit 10. The calculation is determined and controlled (S308), and the R and B gains used in the video signal processing circuit 10 are calculated and determined so as to obtain an appropriate color based on the white balance information output from the video signal processing circuit 10. Control is performed (S309).

  Next, the captured image signal is sent to the EVF drive circuit 11 and displayed on the EVF 12 (S310). Further, the photographing information determined in S307 to S309 is sent to the liquid crystal drive circuit 21 and displayed on the external liquid crystal display 22 and the in-finder liquid crystal display 23. The backlight of the liquid crystal display 23 is also turned on.

  In S311, it is determined whether or not the release is possible and the release button is completely pressed (20 (a) and 20 (b) are simultaneously turned on), and the release button is completely pressed. In the state, in order to save the image, an image signal is sent to the memory control 13 and the image is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 19. If not, the process returns to S301.

  In addition, an unprocessed image stored in the buffer memory 19 is processed and compressed when the load of the 10 video signal processing circuits is at a level that allows image processing, and the operation of storing in the memory 14 is started (S313). In the case of continuous shooting or the like, images are stored in 19 buffer memories, but image processing may be stopped.

  Here, it is determined whether or not there is a storable area in the memory 14, but when the determination is made, the determination is still made in consideration of the unprocessed image on the buffer memory 19 (S314).

  As a result of determining whether there is a storable area in the memory 14, it is determined whether or not shooting is possible (S 315). If shooting is possible, it is determined whether or not the release button 20 is pressed (20 (A) or whether both 20 (a) and 20 (b) are pressed) is determined (S316). If not, the process returns to S301, and if pressed, the process proceeds to S305. If the photographing is not possible, a warning display indicating that the release is not possible is performed (S317). Then, the image size corresponding to the type of captured image (ISO, image size, image quality) is compared with the remaining writable amount of the storage medium, and if the storage capacity is insufficient, a warning display of that state is issued.

  Then, the EVF drive circuit 11 turns off the EVF display 12, turns off the backlight of the liquid crystal display 23 (S318), completes the image processing, compression, and memory storage processing, and sets the buffer memory 19 to an empty state. It waits until it becomes (S319). Thereafter, the power supply circuit 17 is instructed to turn off unnecessary power (S320), and the process ends (S321).

  Next, features of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 1, the ISO sensitivity setting, the image size setting, the image quality setting and the information display setting related to the portions of S302 and S303 in FIG. 3, and the ISO sensitivity, the image size, and the image quality are set. The process of checking and comparing the memory capacities through the memory controller 13 based on the predicted value data of the image size, calculating the number of remaining images that can be photographed, and displaying on the display member will be described in detail.

  Starting from the processing start state (S100), the memory capacity is checked and compared through the memory controller 13 based on the predicted value data of the image size according to the ISO sensitivity, image size, and image quality set in S302, and shooting is performed. When it is determined that the possible remaining number is zero, the process proceeds to S102, and when it is not zero, the end process (S104) is performed.

  In S102, it is determined whether or not the information display button has been pressed. If the information display button has been pressed, as shown in the example of FIG. 4, not only the currently set ISO sensitivity, image size and image quality, but also the number of images that can be taken. Then, all or a part of the combinations that can be set are displayed on a display member such as EVF (S103). If it is not pressed, the end process (S104) is performed.

  FIG. 4 shows an EVF display example of the present embodiment, in which the number of shootable images by ISO sensitivity for each image quality and image size is displayed.

  For example, when the image size is “Large”, the image quality is “Fine · ISO 200”, the number of remaining images is zero, and the information display button is pressed, the display as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the EVF. If the size is “Large” and the image quality is “Normal / ISO 100”, it is immediately possible to determine that “2” can be shot later, and the setting can be switched to continue shooting.

  By using the embodiment described above, even if the remaining number of images that can be captured becomes 0, it is possible to immediately know the conditions for capturing images, and it is possible to continue capturing without missing a photo opportunity.

In addition, the remaining capacity of the storage medium can be used easily, easily and efficiently.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this embodiment, even when the remaining number of shootable images is not zero, shooting can be easily continued by pressing both the ISO setting button, the image size setting button, the image quality setting button, and the information display button, which are setting buttons for the shot image. A description will be given of an embodiment in which it is possible to confirm what kind of setting should be made to make it possible.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, the processing in S302 and S303 in FIG. 3 will be described in detail.

Starting from the process start state (S500), it is determined whether or not an information display button (not shown) detected by the operation member 18 is pressed (S501), and if it is pressed, the process proceeds to S508. If it is not pressed, it is determined whether or not an ISO setting button (not shown) detected by the operation member 18 is pressed to confirm ON / OFF of other buttons (S502). If so, the ISO setting corresponding to the button operation is performed for the ISO setting (S503). If it is not pressed, it is determined whether or not an image size setting button (not shown) detected by the operation member 18 is pressed (S504). If it is pressed, button operation is performed to set the image size. The image size is set according to (S505), and if not pressed, S506)
In S506, it is determined whether or not an image quality setting button (not shown) detected by the operation member 18 is pressed. If the button is pressed, image quality setting corresponding to the button operation is performed for image quality setting (S507). ). If not, the process proceeds to (513).

  In S508, it is determined whether or not an ISO setting button (not shown) detected by the operation member 18 is pressed simultaneously with an information display button (not shown). If not, the image quality, image size, and ISO are set. The process of S512 is performed in order to display the number of possible shots on the EVF. If not simultaneously pressed, it is determined whether or not an image size setting button (not shown) detected by the operation member 18 is simultaneously pressed with an information display button (not shown) (S509). If not, the process proceeds to S512 in order to display the number of shootable images corresponding to the image quality, image size, and ISO on the EVF. If not simultaneously pressed, the process proceeds to S510.

  In S510, it is determined whether or not an image quality setting button (not shown) detected by the operation member 18 is simultaneously pressed with an information display button (not shown). If not simultaneously pressed, the image quality, image size, The process proceeds to S512 in order to display the number of shootable images according to ISO on the EVF. If they are not simultaneously pressed, the process proceeds to S511 to display shooting information, and shooting information, mode setting information, and the like are displayed on the EVF.

  In S512, the number of shootable images (an example is shown in FIG. 4) corresponding to the image quality, image size, and ISO is displayed on the EVF, and the process proceeds to an end process (S513).

  By using the second embodiment described above, it is possible to immediately know the conditions for the number of images that can be shot in the shooting setting state at any time, and the remaining capacity of the storage medium can be used easily, easily and efficiently. Become. In the case of shooting with a limited recording medium, it is easy to determine to perform settings suitable for the shooting situation.

  The above is the correspondence between each configuration of the present invention and each configuration of the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of these embodiments, and the mechanism or the configuration of the embodiment shown in the claims awaits. Any configuration that can achieve the function may be used.

It is a flowchart of the 1st example concerning the present invention. It is a block diagram of the 1st example concerning the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the camera operation | movement of the 1st Example which concerns on this invention. It is an example of EVF display of the first embodiment according to the present invention. It is a flowchart of the 2nd Example concerning the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shooting lens 2 AF drive circuit 3 Zoom drive circuit 4 Aperture drive circuit 5 Aperture 6 CCD
7 Clamp CDS
8 AGC
9 A / D conversion 10 Video signal processing circuit 11 EVF drive circuit 12 EVF
13 Memory control 14 Memory 15 External interface 16 Microcomputer 17 Power supply 18 Operation member 19 Buffer memory 20 Release button 21 Liquid crystal drive circuit 22 External liquid crystal display 23 Liquid crystal display in the viewfinder

Claims (4)

Means for converting an optical image into an electrical image signal by a photoelectric conversion element, a storage medium, a means for storing the electrical image signal in the storage medium, a display means for displaying a captured image and each information, and displaying information The operation member to be put in a state, the setting unit for the type of the captured image, the image capacity corresponding to the set type of the captured image and the remaining writable amount of the storage medium are compared, and the remaining number of shootable images is determined And a remaining number determination unit that can shoot,
If the remaining shootable number determination means is in a state where it cannot be recorded with the type of image set by the setting means, it determines how many shots can be taken for each of the other photographic image setting states, and the information is A digital camera characterized by displaying on a display means.   2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein when a button for displaying shooting information is operated in a state where the image set by the settable means determines that the image set by the setting means can no longer be recorded, A digital camera characterized in that it is determined how many pictures can be taken in a photographed image setting state and displayed on the display means. Means for converting an optical image into an electric image signal by a photoelectric conversion element, a storage medium, a means for storing the electric image signal in the storage medium, a display means for displaying captured images and information, and information display The remaining number of shootable images that determines the remaining number of shots and compares the operation member to be put into state, the setting unit for the type of shot image, the image capacity corresponding to the type of shot image and the remaining writable amount of the storage medium Determination means,
A digital camera that determines how many shots can be taken for each set of photographed image settings that can be set by a specific operation, and displays the information on the display means. 4. The digital camera according to claim 3, wherein the specific operation is a simultaneous operation of the information display operation member and a photographed image type setting member (any one of an ISO sensitivity setting member, an image size setting member, and an image quality setting member). A digital camera characterized by that.

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