JP2005354606A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera, with which the enjoyment of learning how to operate digital camera for photographing and improving photographic techniques are increased. <P>SOLUTION: When a shutter button 29 is depressed, a system controller 41 controls respective sections to make photographic processing executed. If image data are stored in a buffer memory 52, the system controller 41 controls a photographed image analyzing circuit 61 to analyze the image data. The photographed image analyzing circuit 61 analyzes composition of the photographed image and its photographic situation, based on the image data. The photographed image analyzing circuit 61 updates corresponding data among data of the number of photographed sheets stored to a first information storage section 63 thereafter, based on the result of the analysis. If the data of the number of photographed pictures meet predetermined conditions, the system controller 41 displays photographer information, corresponding to the predetermined conditions on an LCD panel 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera having a support function for improving a photographer's skill level with respect to a shooting operation.

  In recent years, cameras have become smaller and lighter, and portability has improved. In addition to the reduction in size and weight, the camera body has various shooting functions. For this reason, the camera operation method becomes complicated, and there are problems that it is troublesome and annoying for beginners to learn the camera operation method, and that it is difficult to master all the functions of the camera.

  In order to solve such a problem, there is known a digital camera that displays detailed information on a camera operation method in a stepwise manner on a display unit based on a photographer's operation (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to this digital camera, when the photographer operates the operation member, necessary information regarding the operation method can be selected and displayed according to the level of skill. Therefore, it is possible to provide the photographer with appropriate information according to the skill level of the photographer. Also, a training mode is provided to improve the skill level of the photographer. In this training mode, the photographer is prompted to perform a specific photographing operation, and it is determined whether or not the photographing operation performed in accordance therewith is correct. A digital camera that displays a determination result on a display means is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to this digital camera, it is possible to improve the skill level of the shooting operation while enjoying various operations.

  In addition, a camera is known in which the number of shots and usage times are counted, and the shooting function of the camera is expanded as the usage record increases (see, for example, Patent Document 3). According to this camera, only a function corresponding to the photographing experience of the photographer can be used, and the photographer can easily use the photographing function of the camera.

JP 2003-319211 A JP 2003-244504 A JP 2004-29423 A

  However, the cameras described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have a problem that the photographer feels troublesome because the photographer is forced to perform a special operation. Further, the camera described in Patent Document 3 determines the skill level based on only the cumulative number of shots and the usage time, and does not consider the actual skill level of the photographer. The function of the camera was felt unsatisfactory, and there was a problem that the enjoyment of learning the operation method and the enjoyment of improving the shooting technique were impaired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and provides a digital camera that increases the enjoyment of acquiring a shooting operation method and improving shooting techniques without forcing a photographer to perform a special operation. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above problems, the digital camera of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image, and in the digital camera that records image data captured by the imaging unit, the size and arrangement of the main subject on the shooting screen. First information storage means for storing the number of shots for each composition such as position, and the number of shots for each shooting situation such as backlight shooting and close-up shooting, and an image captured by the imaging unit when shooting is performed And a photographed image analyzing means for analyzing the composition and the photographing situation based on the data and updating the corresponding data among the photographed number data stored in the first information storage means based on the analysis result. The photographer is notified of photographer information corresponding to the predetermined condition when the photographed number data satisfies the predetermined condition. .

  Also, the second information storage means for storing the number of shots for each shooting mode and the shooting interval data that is the elapsed time from the previous shooting, and the shooting mode of the shooting is analyzed when shooting is performed. A photographing mode analyzing means for updating corresponding data among the photographing number data and the photographing interval data stored in the second information storage means based on the analysis result and date and time information of the built-in clock; When the photographed number data and the photographing interval data satisfy a predetermined condition, photographer information corresponding to the predetermined condition is notified to the photographer.

  Further, a shooting mode is selected based on at least one of the number of shots data stored in the first information storage unit, the number of shots data stored in the second information storage unit, and the shooting interval data. It is preferable to update the shooting mode selection menu to be selected or the function selection menu to select various functions to a menu most suitable for the photographer.

  Further, it is suitable for a photographer based on at least one of the number-of-shots data stored in the first information storage unit, the number-of-shoots data stored in the second information storage unit, and the shooting interval data. It is preferable to set a shooting mode and add the shooting mode to the shooting mode selection menu.

  According to the digital camera of the present invention, the captured image data is analyzed, and based on the result of the analysis, the number of shots for each composition and the number of shots for each shooting situation are updated. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, photographer information corresponding to the predetermined condition is notified to the photographer. For this reason, it is possible to determine the skill level of the photographer with respect to the photographing operation based on the actually photographed image and to notify the photographer of the skill level of the photographer with respect to the photographing operation. It can arouse fun and enjoyment of shooting technology. In addition, the photographer can naturally acquire the shooting operation while performing normal shooting without performing a special operation, and can improve the shooting technique.

  Further, a shooting mode selection menu or a function selection menu based on at least one of the shooting number data stored in the first information storage unit or the shooting number data and shooting interval data stored in the second information storage unit Is updated to a menu suitable for the photographer, so that the menu is customized to suit the photographer. For this reason, the operativity of a digital camera can be improved according to a photographer.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the front side of the digital camera, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the back side. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 includes a lens barrier 12 that is slidable in the direction of the arrow in the figure on the front side of the camera body 11. By sliding the lens barrier 12 to the open position shown in FIG. 1, the photographing lens 13 and the strobe light emitting unit 14 are exposed to the front surface. Further, the lens barrier 12 also serves as a power switch. When the lens barrier 12 is slid to the open position, the power is turned on to enable photographing, and the photographing lens 13 and the strobe light emitting unit 14 are shielded. When the slide operation is performed, the power is turned off. Further, a finder objective window 15 constituting an optical finder is provided on the front surface of the camera body 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the rear side of the camera body 11, an LCD panel 16, a viewfinder eyepiece window 17 constituting an optical viewfinder, and an operation unit 18 operated by a photographer and constituted by a plurality of operation members are provided. ing. A recorded image, various setting screens, and the like are displayed on the LCD panel 16. The LCD panel 16 is also used as an electronic viewfinder by displaying subject images in real time. Furthermore, the LCD panel 16 is a notification means for displaying a predetermined message and notifying the photographer of information, and displays a message regarding the skill level of the camera operation method.

  The operation unit 18 includes a mode switch 21, a return button 22, a feed button 23, a zoom button 24, a menu button 25, a cancel button 26, and a display button 27. The mode changeover switch 21 is slid by the photographer when the mode is switched between the shooting mode and the reproduction mode, and each mode is selected. The feed button 23 and the return button 22 are pressed when the playback image is forwardly and backwardly fed in the playback mode.

  The zoom button 24 is pressed in the vertical direction by the photographer when the zoom lens of the photographing lens 13 is moved in the optical axis direction between the wide end and the tele end to change the optical photographing magnification. The menu button 25 is pressed by the photographer when displaying the menu screen on the LCD panel 16. The cancel button 26 is pressed to stop various setting operations in the menu screen or return to the previous screen. The display button 27 is pressed by the photographer when the LCD panel 16 is switched on and off.

  A shutter button 29 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 11. The shutter button 29 is a two-stage push switch. When the photographer performs framing using the LCD panel 16 or the optical viewfinder and then gently presses (half-presses) the release button 29, various photographing preparation processes such as exposure adjustment and focus adjustment of the photographing lens 13 are performed. When the shutter button 29 is pressed once more (fully pressed), shooting is performed.

  A memory card slot 30 and an external output terminal 31 are provided on the side surface of the camera body 11. The memory card slot 30 is detachably loaded with a memory card 32 as a recording medium on which image data is recorded. The external output terminal 31 is a USB terminal, for example, and is used when outputting image data recorded on the memory card 32 to an external device such as a personal computer.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the digital camera 10 is provided with a system controller 41 which is a control means for controlling the entire camera. The system controller 41 includes a memory in which a control program and various control data are stored, and controls each unit based on these programs and data.

  The photographing lens 13 includes a zoom lens 13a, a diaphragm 13b, and a focus lens 13c. Motor drivers 42 to 44 are connected to the system controller 41, and motors (not shown) are connected to the motor drivers 42 to 44, respectively. The system controller 41 controls the motor drivers 42 and 44 to drive the motor and move the zoom lens 13a and the focus lens 13c forward and backward in the optical axis direction to change the optical photographing magnification and adjust the focus. The system controller 41 controls the amount of light incident on the light receiving surface of a CCD image sensor 45 described later by driving the motor by controlling the motor driver 43 and switching the diaphragm 13b.

  A CCD image sensor 45 is disposed behind the photographic lens 13. The CCD image sensor 45 is connected to the system controller 41 via a CCD driver 46. The system controller 41 drives the CCD image sensor 45 by controlling the CCD driver 46, and outputs an imaging signal obtained by converting the subject image into an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion to the correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 47.

  The image pickup signal that is an analog signal is denoised by the CDS 47 and further amplified by the AMP 48. Thereafter, the image pickup signal is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the A / D converter 49 and output to the image input controller 50 as image data.

  The image input controller 50 is connected to the system controller 41 via the data bus 51. Further, a buffer memory 52 and a video memory 53 are connected to the image input controller 50 via a data bus 51. The system controller 41 controls the image input controller 50 to store the image data in the buffer memory 52 and the video memory 53.

  The buffer memory 52 temporarily stores captured high-resolution image data. An image signal processing circuit 54 is connected to the system controller 41 via a data bus 51. The image signal processing circuit 54 performs various image processing such as gradation conversion, color conversion, hypertone processing, and hyper sharpness processing while the captured high-resolution image data is stored in the buffer memory 52. Apply.

  The video memory 53 temporarily stores low-resolution image data when displaying an image on the LCD panel 16. The image data stored in the video memory 53 is transmitted to the LCD driver 55 via the data bus 51. The LCD driver 55 performs signal processing on the image data so that the image can be displayed on the LCD panel 16 and causes the LCD panel 16 to display the image.

  The system controller 41 is connected to the compression / decompression processing circuit 56, the external output terminal 31, and the media controller 57 via the data bus 51. The compression / decompression processing circuit 56 performs compression processing on the image data stored in the buffer memory 52 in a compression format such as the JPEG method. The system controller 41 controls the media controller 57 to store the compressed image data in the memory card 32. The compression / decompression processing circuit 56 performs decompression processing on the compressed image data when reproducing the image data stored in the memory card 32. Further, the compression / decompression processing circuit 56 has a normal compression mode and an ultra-high compression rate mode in which the compression rate is higher than that of the normal compression mode.

  Further, an AF detection circuit 58 and an AE / AWB detection circuit 59 are connected to the system controller 41 via the data bus 51. The AF detection circuit 58 detects the in-focus position where the amplitude value of the high frequency component of the image data is maximized, and outputs the AF detection value to the system controller 41. The AE / AWB detection circuit 59 detects the exposure amount, that is, the shutter speed of the electronic shutter, the AE detection value at which the aperture value of the aperture 13b is optimal, and the AWB detection value at which the white balance is optimal, Output to the system controller 41.

  The detection circuits 58 and 59 sequentially transmit the detection values to the system controller 41 via the data bus 51 when the shutter button 29 is half-pressed. The system controller 41 controls the operations of the focus lens 13c, the diaphragm 13b, and the CCD image sensor 45 based on the detection values acquired from the detection circuits 58 and 59.

  Further, the shutter button 29, the operation unit 18, and the clock unit 60 are connected to the system controller 41. The shutter button 29 outputs a signal corresponding to a half-press operation or a full-press operation to the system controller 41. The operation unit 18 outputs a signal corresponding to each operation to the system controller 41 when operated by the photographer. The clock unit 60 is a built-in clock of the digital camera 60, and information at this time is used for date and time data added to the image data.

  In addition, the system controller 41 is connected to a captured image analysis circuit 61 and a capture mode analysis circuit 62 via a data bus 51. A first information storage unit 63 is connected to the captured image analysis circuit 61 via a data bus 51. The first information storage unit 63 includes photographic image information including photographic number data for each composition such as the size and arrangement position of the main subject on the photographic screen and photographic number data for each photographing situation such as backlight photographing and close-up photographing. Is a first information storage means for storing. In addition, a second information storage unit 64 is connected to the shooting mode analysis circuit 62 via the data bus 51. The second information storage unit 64 is a second information storage unit that stores shooting information including shooting number data for each shooting mode and shooting interval data that is an elapsed time from the previous shooting. Note that a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM is used for the first information storage unit 63 and the second information storage unit 64, and the information is retained without being erased even when the power of the digital camera 10 is turned off.

  The captured image information 71 stored in the first information storage unit 63 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a parameter A1 indicating the number of images captured with backlight, a parameter A2 indicating the number of images captured at the wide end, and imaging at the tele end. A parameter A3 indicating the number of images, a parameter A4 indicating the number of images captured by placing the main subject in the upper right of the shooting screen, a parameter A5 indicating the number of images captured by placing the main subject in the lower right, and a main subject positioned at the lower left. This is composed of a parameter A6 indicating the number of shots and a parameter A7 indicating the number of shots with the main subject arranged at the upper left. The captured image information 71 indicates not only the number of captured images for each main subject placement position but also a parameter indicating the number of captured images for each size of the main subject and the number of captured images for each background color as the number of captured images for each composition. A parameter may be provided, or a parameter indicating the number of shots in the close-up shooting may be provided as the number of shots for each shooting situation.

  The shooting information 72 stored in the second information storage unit 64 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a parameter B1 indicating the total number of shots, a parameter B2, 1 indicating a shooting interval that is an elapsed time from the previous shooting. It comprises an average number of shots B3 per month, a parameter B4 indicating the number of shots in the normal shooting mode, a parameter B5 indicating the number of shots in the landscape shooting mode, and a parameter B6 indicating the number of shots in the night scene shooting mode. The shooting information 72 is not limited to these parameters, but may include a parameter indicating the number of shots for each number of pixels, a parameter indicating the number of times the flash is used, a parameter indicating the number of shots in other shooting modes, and the like.

  The captured image analysis circuit 61 analyzes the composition of the captured image and the captured state based on the image data when high-resolution image data is stored in the buffer memory 52. The composition of the captured image is analyzed, for example, by determining the position of the main subject by detecting the focus position within the shooting screen based on the image data. The shooting situation is analyzed, for example, by determining whether or not the backlight shooting is based on the luminance signal of the image data. Data of the parameters A1 to A7 stored in the first information storage unit 63 is updated. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the main subject 73 that is a person is arranged at the upper right of the shooting screen 74, the shot image analysis circuit 61 analyzes the image data and the main subject 73 is at the upper right of the image 74. It is detected that one is added to the corresponding parameter A4, and the data in the first information storage unit 63 is updated. When the captured image information 71 includes a parameter indicating the number of captured images for each size of the main subject, the captured image analysis circuit 61 may detect the size of the main subject on the captured screen.

  When the photographed image analysis circuit 61 analyzes the image data and detects that it is backlight photography, 1 is added to the parameter A1, which is a corresponding parameter, and the data stored in the first information storage unit 73 is updated. When the captured image information 71 includes a parameter indicating the number of captured images for each background color, the captured image analysis circuit 61 may analyze the image data to detect the background color.

  The shooting mode analysis circuit 62 analyzes the shooting mode at the time of shooting processing, adds 1 to the corresponding parameter among the parameters B4 to B6 indicating the number of shots for each shooting mode, and is stored in the second information storage unit 64. Update the parameter data. Note that the shooting mode analysis is performed by the shooting mode analysis circuit 62 acquiring information related to the shooting mode from the system controller 41. Further, the shooting mode analysis circuit 62 similarly updates the data of the parameter B1 indicating the total number of shots and the parameter B3 indicating the average number of shots per month. Further, the shooting mode analysis circuit 62 acquires date and time information from the clock unit 60 via the system controller 41 during shooting processing, and based on this date and time information, parameter B2 data indicating the elapsed time from the previous shooting is obtained. Update.

  In addition, the system controller 41 controls the LCD driver 55 when each parameter stored in the first and second information storage units 63 and 64 satisfies a predetermined condition, so that a message corresponding to the predetermined condition is displayed on the LCD panel. 16 is displayed. This message is photographer information indicating the degree of skill of the photographer in the operation method.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the photographer slides the lens barrier 12 to the open position, the power of the digital camera 10 is turned on. The photographer presses the menu button 25 to display a menu screen and select a desired shooting mode. Further, the photographer changes the optical photographing magnification by operating the zoom selection switch 24. Thereafter, when using the LCD panel 16 as an electronic viewfinder, the photographer performs framing while looking at the LCD panel 16. When an optical finder is used, framing is performed by looking through the finder eyepiece window 17.

  Thereafter, when the shutter button 29 is not pressed by the photographer, the photographing standby state is maintained. When the shutter button 29 is pressed, the system controller 41 acquires a shooting command from the shutter button 29 and controls each unit to execute shooting.

  When the photographing process is executed, the photographed image is analyzed. The captured image analysis process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The system controller 41 controls the image input controller 50 to store the image data acquired by the CCD image sensor 45 in the buffer memory 52. Further, the system controller 41 controls the captured image analysis circuit 61 to analyze the image data stored in the buffer memory 52. Further, the captured image analysis circuit 61 analyzes the image data to detect information regarding the composition and the captured state of the captured image, and updates the data of the parameters A1 to A7 stored in the first information storage unit 63. To do.

  For example, when the photographed image analysis circuit 61 detects that it is backlight photography, 1 is added to the parameter A1, and the data stored in the first information storage unit 63 is updated. When the backlight shooting is not performed, the parameter A1 is not updated. Further, when it is detected that the main subject 73 is arranged at the upper left of the image 74, 1 is added to the parameter A7, and the data stored in the first information storage unit 63 is updated. If the main subject 73 is not arranged at the upper left of the image 74, the parameter A7 is not updated. Further, the data is similarly updated for the parameters A2 to A6.

  Thereafter, the system controller 41 acquires data of the parameters A1 to A7 from the first information storage unit 63, and performs photographer information notification processing based on this data. An example of this notification processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The system controller 41 determines whether the parameters A1, A4 to A7 are larger than 20. When it is determined that all of these parameters A1, A4 to A7 are larger than 20, the system controller 41 controls the LCD driver 55 to, for example, “up to bold composition level 5 as shown in FIG. The message 80 “I did” is displayed on the LCD panel 16. The “bold composition level” is set based on the number of shots. For example, when all of the parameters A1, A4 to A7 are larger than 30, “bold composition level 6” is obtained.

  If any one of the parameters A1, A4 to A7 is 20 or less, the system controller 41 acquires data of the parameter B1 indicating the total number of shots from the second information storage unit 64, and the parameters A1, It is determined whether the sum of A4 to A7 is less than 10% with respect to the parameter B1. If it is 10% or more, the notification process is terminated. If it is less than 10%, the system controller 41 determines whether or not the parameter B1 is larger than 1000. When the parameter B1 is larger than 1000, the system controller 41 controls the LCD driver 55 to display a message 81 “Up to orthodox photo level 6” as shown in FIG. When the parameter B1 is 1000 or less, the notification process is terminated. The “orthodox photo level” is set based on the number of shots. For example, the sum of the parameters A1, A4 to A7 is less than 10% of the parameter B1, and the parameter B1 is 2000. If it is larger than that, it becomes “orthodox photo level 7”.

  After that, a shooting mode analysis process and a photographer information notification process are performed. Hereinafter, the analysis processing and notification processing of the shooting mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The system controller 41 controls the shooting mode analysis circuit 62 to count the total number of shots, the number of shots for each shooting mode, and the average number of shots per month for each shot. Based on this count data, the shooting mode analysis circuit 62 updates the corresponding parameter data among the parameters B1 to B6 stored in the second information storage unit 64 for each shooting. For example, the parameter B1 indicating the total number of shots is always counted for each shot, and 1 is added to the data to update the data in the second information storage unit 64.

  Thereafter, the system controller 41 acquires data of the parameter B1 from the second information storage unit 64 and determines whether or not the parameter B1 is 100. When it is determined that the parameter B1 is 100, the system controller 41 controls the LCD driver 55 to display a message 82 indicating that the total number of shots has reached 100 as shown in FIG. 16 to finish the shooting mode analysis process and the notification process.

  When it is determined that the parameter B1 is not 100, it is determined whether or not the parameter B1 is 200. When it is determined that the parameter B1 is 200, the system controller 41 controls the LCD driver 55 to display a message indicating that the total number of shots has reached 200 as in the case where the parameter B1 is 100. The image is displayed on the LCD panel 16, and the shooting mode analysis process and the notification process are terminated. If it is determined that the parameter B1 is not 200, the same processing is repeated until it is determined whether or not the parameter B1 is 1000.

  Further, the message regarding the total number of shots has been described as being displayed on the LCD panel 16 every 100 sheets, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the message may be displayed every 50 sheets. In addition, although the notification process of the parameter B1 indicating the total number of shots has been described, other parameters, for example, the parameters B4, B5, and B6 indicating the number of shots for each shooting mode are also set when the predetermined number is reached. A message may be displayed on the LCD panel 16 indicating that the number of shots has reached a predetermined number.

  Thereafter, when the lens barrier 12 is slid to the shielding position and the digital camera 10 is turned off, or switched to the playback mode or the like, the photographing process is terminated. If the power remains on, the camera is on standby until the shutter button 29 is pressed again. Thereafter, when the shutter button 29 is pressed, the above process is repeatedly executed.

  Thus, based on the photographed image information 71 and the photograph information 72, the skill level for the operation method of the digital camera 10 is determined, and photographer information indicating the skill level for the operation method is displayed on the LCD panel 16 to display the photographer. Notify For this reason, since the photographer's skill level for the photographing operation can be determined based on the photographed image information obtained by analyzing the actually photographed image, the photographer's skill level can be accurately grasped.

  In addition, the photographer is notified that the skill level has increased when the skill level for the shooting operation is improved only by repeatedly performing normal shooting without performing a special operation. For this reason, the enjoyment of improving the skill level of the shooting operation of the digital camera 10 and the improvement of the shooting technique is amplified, so that the photographer learns the shooting operation naturally while enjoying normal shooting without performing any special operation. Thus, the photographing technique can be improved.

  In the description of the above-described operation, the shooting mode analysis process is performed after the shot image analysis process. However, the shot image analysis process may be performed after the shooting mode analysis process is performed. Image analysis processing and shooting mode analysis processing may be processed in parallel.

  Further, the system controller 41 changes the setting of the digital camera 10 based on at least one of the captured image information and the captured information, for example, setting a new capture mode, updating the capture mode selection menu, and adding a new function. The digital camera 10 is customized to a setting suitable for the photographer.

  Below, the setting change process of the digital camera 10 is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG. The system controller 41 acquires a parameter B1 indicating the total number of shots and a parameter B3 indicating the number of shots per month from the second information storage unit 64. The system controller 41 determines whether the parameter B1 is greater than 1000.

  If it is determined that the parameter B1 is 1000 or less, the setting change process is terminated without changing the setting. If it is determined that the parameter B1 is greater than 1000, the system controller 41 determines whether the parameter B3 is greater than 100. If the parameter B3 is 100 or less, the setting change process is terminated without changing the setting. When it is determined that the parameter B3 is greater than 100, the system controller 41 enables the ultra-high compression rate recording mode in which the compression rate is higher than the normal compression rate, and ends the setting change process.

  That is, when the total number of shots is greater than 1000 and the number of shots per month is greater than 100, the ultra-high compression recording mode is added to the function selection menu and displayed on the function menu screen on the LCD panel 16. . As a result, the photographer can select the ultra-high compression rate recording mode, and the number of images that can be recorded on the memory card 32 can be increased.

  Further, the system controller 41 updates the shooting mode selection screen, which is a shooting mode selection menu for selecting the shooting mode, to a menu most suitable for the photographer based on the parameters B4, B5, and B6 indicating the number of shots in each shooting mode. May be. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a selection button 85 for selecting a frequently used shooting mode, for example, a normal shooting mode, is arranged above the menu, and a selection button for selecting a landscape shooting mode in descending order of usage. 86. A selection button 87 for selecting the night scene shooting mode is arranged below. In addition, a shooting mode that is not frequently used may be displayed on the next page. As described above, if the shooting mode selection screen is customized so that a frequently used shooting mode can be easily selected, the operability of the digital camera 10 can be improved according to the shooting style of the photographer.

  Further, the system controller 41 may update the shooting mode selection screen based on the parameters A1 to A7 of the shooting image information 71. For example, when the parameter A1 becomes larger than 100, the system controller 41 newly sets a backlight shooting mode, and newly adds a selection button 88 for selecting the backlight shooting mode to the shooting mode selection menu, so that the shooting mode is set. The selection screen is updated and displayed on the LCD panel 16. At this time, the selection button 88 for selecting a shooting mode that is not frequently used, for example, a night scene shooting mode, is deleted.

  Thereby, the photographer can select a new photographing mode called a backlight photographing mode. In addition, a parameter indicating the number of shots for each background color is added to the shot image information 71, and when the number of shots with a white background color is large, it is determined that the shooting frequency at the ski resort is high, and shooting at the ski resort A suitable shooting mode may be set. Further, the system controller 41 may add a setting mode for performing image quality adjustment, color adjustment, exposure adjustment, and the like when the captured image information 71 satisfies a predetermined condition, and display the setting mode on the selection menu screen.

  Thus, by setting a new shooting mode suitable for the photographer based on the shot image information 71, it is possible to customize the digital camera to suit the shooting style. For this reason, the operativity of the digital camera 10 can be improved according to a photographer.

  Further, the system controller 41 may update the menu by setting shooting modes and functions that will be required in the future based on both parameters of the shot image information and the shot information.

  As described above, based on at least one parameter included in the captured image information 71 or the captured image information 72, the number of captured images, the total number of captured images, the composition of the captured images, or the tendency of the captured state is determined. By setting new shooting modes and functions and customizing various setting menus, operability can be improved in accordance with the shooting style of the photographer.

  In the present embodiment, the first information storage unit that stores the captured image information and the second information storage unit that stores the captured information are separately provided. However, the captured image information and the captured information are stored in one storage unit. You may memorize.

  In this embodiment, the LCD panel is used as a notification means for notifying the photographer of the photographer information, and the photographer information is displayed on the LCD panel to notify the photographer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a speaker may be provided in the camera body to notify the photographer information by voice.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of the front side of a digital camera. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of the back side of a digital camera. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a digital camera. It is explanatory drawing which shows the parameter which comprises picked-up image information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the parameter which comprises imaging | photography information. It is explanatory drawing which shows a main subject in a picked-up image. It is a flowchart explaining the effect | action of a digital camera. It is a flowchart explaining a picked-up image analysis process. It is a flowchart explaining the notification process of photographer information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the photographer information notified to a photographer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the photographer information notified to a photographer. It is a flowchart explaining an imaging mode analysis process and a notification process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the photographer information notified to a photographer. It is a flowchart explaining a setting change process. It is explanatory drawing which shows a photography mode selection screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows a photography mode selection screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital camera 16 LCD panel 29 Shutter button 41 System controller 45 CCD image sensor 61 Shooting image analysis circuit 62 Shooting mode analysis circuit 63 1st information storage part 64 2nd information storage part 71 Shooting image information 72 Shooting information 74 Shooting screen 80, 81,82 Message A1-A7 Parameter B1-B6 Parameter

Claims (4)

In a digital camera comprising an image pickup means for picking up a subject image and recording image data picked up by the image pickup means,
A first information storage means for storing the number of shots for each composition such as the size and arrangement position of the main subject on the shooting screen, and the number of shots for each shooting situation such as backlight shooting and close-up shooting;
When the photographing is performed, the composition and the photographing state are analyzed based on the image data picked up by the image pickup means, and the number of shots data stored in the first information storage means based on the analysis result A photographed image analyzing means for updating the corresponding data,
A digital camera characterized by notifying a photographer of photographer information corresponding to the predetermined condition when the photographed number data satisfies a predetermined condition. Second information storage means for storing shooting number data for each shooting mode and shooting interval data that is an elapsed time from the previous shooting;
When shooting is performed, the shooting mode of the shooting is analyzed, and based on the analysis result and date and time information of the built-in clock, the number of shots data and the shooting interval data stored in the second information storage unit A shooting mode analysis means for updating the corresponding data,
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein when the number of shots data and the shooting interval data satisfy a predetermined condition, photographer information corresponding to the predetermined condition is notified to the photographer.   Shooting for selecting a shooting mode based on at least one of the shooting number data stored in the first information storage unit, the shooting number data stored in the second information storage unit, and the shooting interval data 3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection menu or the function selection menu for selecting various functions is updated to a menu most suitable for the photographer.   Shooting suitable for a photographer based on at least one of the number-of-shooting-data data stored in the first information storage unit, the number-of-shooting-image data stored in the second information storage unit, and the shooting interval data 4. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein a mode is set, and the shooting mode is added to the shooting mode selection menu.

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