JP2005348298A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for setting up photography condition such as exposure and shutter speed quickly and easily, and to provide a method for utilizing an example of successful photographing in the past or a photographing technology of professionals easily, for a digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: As for the digital camera according to the present invention, a photographed picture is recorded in a storage unit, along with a photography condition with which the picture is photographed. A photography condition for a recorded picture is set up by displaying the recorded picture on a display and selecting it, and photographing is carried out on the basis of the condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera that sets shooting conditions, electronically captures an image with an image sensor for image capture, and stores the image in a storage medium.

  In recent years, digital cameras that take an image electronically with an image pickup device as disclosed in JP-A-2002-199272 and store the image in a storage medium have rapidly become popular, and the functions of the digital cameras have been remarkably improved. In order to improve the resolution of the lens and the number of pixels of the image sensor and increase the expressive power, a digital camera has been developed that has the same expressive power as a silver halide camera, such as setting of exposure and shutter speed.

  In conventional digital cameras, as a method for setting shooting conditions such as exposure and shutter speed, the digital camera measures the distance to the subject and the brightness, and manually sets it to increase the expressive power other than auto mode, which is set automatically There was a mode to do. In the manual mode, a method of setting shooting conditions such as exposure and shutter speed using an operation means such as a liquid crystal screen display device and buttons has been adopted.

  However, for example, a value such as (1.0, 1.4, 2.0, 2.8, 4.0, 5.6, 8.0, 11, 16, 22) is set for the exposure, and (1/1000, 1 / 250, 1/60, 1/15, 1/4, 1, 4, 15, 30 seconds), etc., and since these interact with each other, In the method of setting the shooting conditions using the liquid crystal screen and the buttons, there are problems that the operation method becomes complicated and the setting takes time. If you try to change every shot, there is a problem of missing a photo opportunity. There was also a problem that it was difficult to understand the finished image.

  The shooting conditions are often the same as the shooting conditions that are very similar to the ones that were taken once, but it was very troublesome to repeat the settings every time. There has been a demand for a method of easily setting appropriate shooting conditions that suit the photographer's intention.

  By the way, when taking a picture, many photographers should keep a low exposure and shutter speed. In photo magazines, etc., posted photos are accompanied by exposure and shutter speed. This is for the purpose of referring to these data for the next time a similar picture is taken.

  However, the conventional digital camera cannot store the shooting conditions, and the photographer has to keep the data on a sheet or the like separately from the digital camera. This was very time consuming, and there was a risk of losing paper with data. Also, in order to use this data for photography again, it was necessary to look at those papers and manually input them again with a digital camera, which was very troublesome.

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and the invention of claim 1 shoots a photograph using an image sensor, records the photographed image in a storage device, and records the recorded image. In the digital camera displayed on the display device, the image capturing condition is stored in association with the image together with the image.

  According to this configuration, there is no need to keep other shooting data, there is no chance of data loss, the relationship between the stored image and the stored shooting condition data becomes clear, and the data of which shooting condition It is very convenient because it can prevent accidents that you don't know which image corresponds to.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, an image stored in a storage device is displayed on a display device, and a photographer selects an image from a plurality of stored images by an operation means such as a button, and selects the selected image. Shooting conditions such as exposure and shutter speed, which are associated and recorded in the storage device, are set as shooting conditions for shooting from now on, and shooting is performed.

  According to this configuration, if the photographer of the past photographing example and photographing conditions for photographing the image are provided as a library, when the photographer performs photographing, the current photographing is selected from the recorded images. Photographers have taken pictures in the past, such as macro shots, extremely different contrasts, blurred backgrounds, or in focus from short to long distances. By selecting the captured image, the photographer is automatically set to the shooting conditions used when the image was shot, such as exposure and shutter speed, and the current shooting is performed under the shooting conditions. As a result, the photographer can select the photographing condition with reference to the image, so that the photographing condition suitable for the intention of the photographer can be set quickly and easily.

  The storage device for storing the library may be a memory card that can be attached to and detached from the digital camera, in addition to being incorporated in the digital camera body.

  Also, together with images of shooting scenes taken by professional photographers, the shooting conditions at the time of shooting are put in a storage device built into the digital camera body or a memory card that can be attached to and detached from the digital camera, and shot. By providing the photographer, the photographer can easily use the photographing technique of the professional photographer.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image recorded in a storage device and a shooting condition associated with the image are displayed on a display device. According to this configuration, the photographer can view both the image in the storage device and the photographing conditions, and can be used as a reference for photographing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when a photographer takes a picture, the photographing condition used for photographing is recorded in a storage device in association with the photographed image together with the photographed image.

  According to this configuration, the photographer does not need to keep other shot data, there is no chance of data loss, and the relationship between the stored image and the stored shooting condition data becomes clear. This is very convenient because it can prevent accidents that make it difficult to know which image the shooting condition data corresponds to.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an image photographed by a digital camera is displayed on a display device, and an image is taken from a plurality of images stored by a photographer using an operation means such as a button. Is selected, and shooting conditions such as exposure and shutter speed, which are associated with the selected image and recorded in the storage device, are set as shooting conditions for shooting in the future, and shooting is performed.

  According to this configuration, the photographer can easily shoot taking advantage of past experience by collecting successful examples of past shoots into a library.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the photographing conditions under which the photographer photographed and recorded in the storage device are simultaneously displayed. With this configuration, the photographer can easily know the photographing conditions used for the photographed image.

  As described above, since it is not necessary to load extra hardware, it can be realized at low cost without incurring hardware load, and it is easy to operate shooting conditions easily and quickly without impairing portability. It can be set and it becomes very easy to aim for a photo opportunity. In addition, it is possible to easily utilize the photographer's past assets by storing and storing successful examples photographed in the past. In addition, a photographer can easily utilize professional skills by putting a photographer's example photographed in a storage device such as a memory card that can be removed / attached from the camera, and selling and distributing it.

  The configuration of Embodiment 1 of the digital camera according to the second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining main functions of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera of the first embodiment includes a lens 101, a CCD 102 for converting light from a subject passing through the lens into an electrical signal, and an analog data processing unit for processing an electrical signal from the CCD. 103, A / D converter 104 for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, a digital signal for image correction and data compression, an image processing unit 105, a RAM / RAM for storing programs and storing image data and work data A ROM memory 106, a CPU 107 for processing, an operation unit 108 for a photographer to operate with buttons and the like, and a display unit 109 for displaying images and data on a color liquid crystal screen are provided. The operation unit includes a shutter button 203 for shooting in FIG. 2, a setting mode switch 204 for switching a mode for setting shooting conditions, a selection button 205 for centering an image, and a setting button 206 for determining an image. In this embodiment, software for carrying out the present invention is written in a ROM, but may be provided by a storage medium such as a memory card that can be attached to and detached from this digital camera.

  In normal use, when the photographer turns on the power with the power switch 210 and then presses the shutter button on the operation unit 108, the light from the subject that has passed through the lens 101 is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD 102, and is analog. The data processing unit 103 adjusts signal intensity and color signal correction, white balance, and the like. The A / D converter 104 converts analog data into digital data. The image processing unit 105 performs image correction such as contour enhancement, and further performs compression to reduce the image data size, and stores the image data in the RAM / ROM memory 106 or the memory card 111. When the shutter button is pressed immediately after turning on the power, the shooting condition setting mode is set to the auto mode, and the exposure and shutter speed are automatically set.

  Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. The photographer attaches a memory card 209 to the digital camera 202 as shown in FIG. The memory card stores images and shooting condition data associated therewith.

  When the power supply 210 is turned on, the shooting condition setting mode is set to exposure and the shutter speed is set to auto mode. When the setting mode switch 204 is pressed, the shooting condition setting mode is changed from the auto mode to the manual mode. When the setting mode switch 204 is pressed again, the library selection mode is set. Press again to return to auto mode.

  When the library selection mode is set, the liquid crystal display device 208 displays an image stored in the memory card 209 as seen in FIG. Each time the selection button 303 is pressed, the images stored in the memory card 209 are displayed in order. When the photographer displays an image that meets the conditions to be photographed from these, and presses the setting button 304, the photographing conditions recorded in the memory card in association with the image are set as photographing conditions. . Next, when the photographer presses the shutter button 203, shooting is performed with the exposure and shutter speed under the set shooting conditions.

  The memory card image and data can be provided by the manufacturer of the digital camera or others. By using an example of a photograph taken by a professional cameraman using these images and data, a photographer who shoots with the digital camera of the present invention can easily set the shooting conditions such as exposure and shutter speed visually by viewing the image. You can take pictures that you have selected and used.

  In this embodiment, images are recorded in association with images on a memory card. However, a built-in RAM or ROM in the digital camera body or other storage devices may be used.

  In the present embodiment, exposure, shutter speed, and the like are shown as shooting conditions, but other settings related to shooting such as flash ON / OFF and continuous shooting ON / OFF may be performed.

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

  In step 401, the variable n is initialized to zero. This is because the shooting condition setting mode is switched every time the shooting mode switch 204 is pressed.

  In steps 402 and 403, the photographing mode switch 204 and the shutter button 203 are monitored. When the setting mode switch 204 is pressed, n changes each time the setting mode switch 204 is pressed, and each mode is switched.

  If n = 0, the auto mode is set in step 412.

  When n = 1, the manual mode is set and the shooting conditions are set manually. Display the setting screen for exposure, shutter speed, etc., and operate the select button 205 and setting button 206 to adjust the exposure (1.0, 1.4, 2.0, 2.8, 4.0, 5.6, 8.0, 11, 16, 22), shutter speed (1 / 1000, 1/250, 1/60, 1/15, 1/4, 1, 4, 15, 30 seconds), flash on / off, continuous shooting mode on / off, etc.

  If n = 2, the first image is displayed on the display device 312 from the memory in step 418. In step 419, it is detected that the setting button has been pressed. In step 420, it is detected that the selection button 205 has been pressed. If it is detected in step 420 that the selection button 205 has been pressed, the next image is displayed from the memory and the process returns to the loop. If it is detected in step 419 that the setting button 206 has been pressed, the shooting conditions such as exposure and shutter speed associated with the image displayed in step 421 are set, and the library selection mode is also set in step 422. In step 423, n = 0 is set. n is for setting the auto mode when the setting mode switch is pressed next time.

  If it is detected in step 403 that the shutter button 203 has been pressed, the distance and brightness are measured in step 404. If the auto mode is set at step 405, the photographing condition is automatically set at step 406. If it is not in auto mode, the shooting conditions already set are used.

  Shooting is performed according to the shooting conditions set in step 407, image processing is performed on the image shot in step 408, compression is performed, and the image shot in step 409 is associated with the shooting conditions. Both of the images taken in are stored in the memory.

(Other embodiments)
In the first embodiment, the digital still image camera has been described. Needless to say, the first embodiment can be applied to an electronic image capturing apparatus such as a digital video camera that captures moving images.

  A second embodiment according to the invention of claim 3 will be described. The configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Also, since the normal shooting procedure is the same as that of the first embodiment, it is omitted.

  In Example 2, when displaying an image stored in the memory card library in step 419, the exposure and shutter speed can be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 502 as shown in FIG. However, this is different from the first embodiment. As a result, the shooting condition data provided by the memory card can be used as a reference for shooting by selecting it with the photographed image, and it is more expressive with the knowledge of professional photographers. Images can be taken.

  In the second embodiment, the selected image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 502, and when the setting button 304 is pressed, the setting mode switch 204 is pressed to shift to the manual mode. As a result, the shooting conditions can be changed based on the shooting conditions associated with the displayed image. The shooting condition set by the professional photographer can be changed to a more suitable shooting condition.

  The flowchart of Example 2 is shown in FIG. Compared with the flowchart of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, in the subroutine of the library selection mode, in addition to the image screen display in step 618, the display of exposure and shutter is added. Even during the library selection mode, the setting mode switch is monitored in step 620.If the setting mode switch is pressed, the shooting conditions are set in step 622, and then the procedure for shifting to the manual mode is performed. It has been added.

  A third embodiment according to the inventions of claims 4, 5 and 6 will be described. The configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Also, since the normal shooting procedure is the same as that of the first embodiment, it is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the image and the shooting conditions associated with the image are stored in the memory card and provided. In the third embodiment, the shooting conditions such as the image taken by the photographer and the exposure and shutter speed are provided. However, the difference is that it is added to the library as well as the provided library. As a result, not only the provided professional photographer's shooting example library but also the successful examples taken by the photographer in the past can be easily used.

  FIG. 7 shows a difference between the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the first embodiment. The image written in the memory in step 410 in FIG. 4 after shooting differs from the image and the exposure and shutter speed written in the memory together with the image as shooting conditions.

It is a block diagram of the Example of this invention. It is an example of use of Example 1 of this invention. It is a rear view of Example 1 of the present invention. It is a flowchart of Example 1 of this invention. It is a rear view of Example 2 of the present invention. It is a flowchart of Example 2 of this invention. This is a difference between the third embodiment of the present invention and the flowchart of the first embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101 lens
102 CCD
103 Analog data processor
104 A / D converter
105 Image processing unit
106 RAM / ROM memory
107 CPU
108 Control panel
109 Display
110 Memory card adapter
111 Memory card
112 Printer interface
201 subjects
202 A digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention
203 Shutter button
204 Setting mode switch
205 Select button
206 Settings button
207 Finder
208 LCD display
209 Memory card
210 Power switch
301 viewfinder
302 LCD display
303 Select button
304 Settings button
501 viewfinder
502 LCD display
503 Select button
504 Settings button

Claims (6)

In a digital camera that takes a picture using an image sensor, records the captured image in a storage device, and displays the recorded image on a display device.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein a photographing condition is stored in association with the image. The digital camera of claim 1.
The image recorded in the storage device is displayed on the display device, and the image is selected by the operating means, and the shooting condition recorded in the storage device in association with the image is set as the shooting condition of the camera. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is used for shooting. The digital camera of claim 1.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein an image recorded in the storage device and a photographing condition associated with the image are displayed on a display device. The digital camera of claim 1.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein at the time of shooting, together with the shot image, the shooting condition used at the time of shooting is recorded in a storage device in association with the shot image. The digital camera according to claim 4.
The image recorded in the storage device is displayed on the display device, and the image is selected by the operating means, and the shooting condition recorded in the storage device in association with the image is set as the shooting condition of the camera. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the digital camera is photographed. The digital camera according to claim 4.
5. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the photographing condition associated with the image is displayed on the display device together with the image recorded in the storage device.

Images