JP2006042395A - Imaging apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience when instructing imaging conditions. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus comprises a storage means for storing control data comprised of combination of setting information of the imaging apparatus corresponding to various photographing conditions and a control means for controlling an imaging unit according to the control data stored in the storage means. This imaging apparatus includes a display means that displays model images corresponding to photographing conditions and performs guidance for a user to select a desired model image, the control means being configured to control the imaging unit in accordance with the control data corresponding to the photographing conditions of the selected model image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to data communication control in a case where an image taken by an imaging device such as a video camera is printed by a printing device such as a printer.

  Conventionally, peripheral devices of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) such as hard disks and printers have a general-purpose interface for small computers represented by SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) which is a digital interface (hereinafter referred to as digital I / F). Data communication is being performed with a PC connected.

  In recent years, cameras that perform image capturing processing electronically, such as digital cameras and digital video cameras, are also used as peripheral devices for inputting images to a personal computer. In other words, the technology in the field of taking still images and videos taken with digital cameras and video cameras, and the accompanying audio to a personal computer, storing them on a hard disk, or editing them on a personal computer and then printing them with a printer, Users are also increasing rapidly. In this technique, when image data is taken from a camera to a personal computer and the image data is output from the personal computer to a printer or hard disk, data communication is performed via the SCSI or the like. In this case, since image data having a large amount of data is transferred, a digital I / F is required to have a high transfer data rate and versatility.

  FIG. 33 shows a system configuration when a conventional digital camera, personal computer and printer are connected. In FIG. 33, 31 is a digital camera, 32 is a personal computer, and 33 is a printer. Further, 34 is a memory that functions as a recording unit of the digital camera 31, 35 is a decoding circuit for image data, 36 is an image processing unit, 37 is a D / A converter, 38 is an EVF that functions as a display unit, and 39 is a digital camera. 31 is a digital I / O unit, 40 is a digital I / O unit with the digital camera 31 of the personal computer 32, 41 is an operation unit such as a keyboard or mouse, 42 is a decoding circuit for image data, 43 is a display, 44 is a hard disk Device 45, memory such as RAM, 46 MPU of processing unit, 47 PCI bus, 48 SCSI interface (board) of digital I / F, 49 SCSI interface of printer 33 connected to personal computer 32 with SCSI cable , 50 is a memory, 61 is a printer head, 52 is a printer controller of the printer controller. Over La, 53 is a driver.

  The procedure for taking an image captured by the digital camera 31 into the personal computer 32 and outputting it from the personal computer 32 to the printer 33 is as follows. That is, in the digital camera 31, when image data stored in the memory 34 is read, the image data is decoded by the decoding circuit 35, and image processing for display is performed by the image processing circuit 36. Displayed on the EVF 38 via the / A converter 37. On the other hand, the digital I / O unit 39 transfers the cable to the digital 1 / O unit 40 of the personal computer 32 for output to the outside.

In the personal computer 32, image data input from the digital I / O unit 40 is stored in the hard disk 44 when stored using the PCI bus 47 as a mutual transmission bus, and is decoded by the decoding circuit 42 when displayed. After being decoded, it is stored in the memory 46 as display image data, converted into an analog signal on the display 43 and displayed. Operation input at the time of editing on the personal computer 32 is performed from the operation unit 41, and control of the entire personal computer 32 is performed by the MPU 46 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-219422

Here, it has been demanded to improve convenience when instructing imaging conditions.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an imaging apparatus, a method for controlling the imaging apparatus, and a storage medium that can improve convenience when an imaging condition is designated.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a storage unit that stores control data including a combination of setting information of an imaging apparatus corresponding to different shooting conditions, and controls the imaging unit according to the control data stored in the storage unit. And a display unit that displays a model image corresponding to each shooting condition and guides a user to select a desired model image. The control unit includes: The imaging unit is controlled in accordance with the control data corresponding to the captured condition of the model image.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a storage unit that stores control data including a combination of setting information of an imaging apparatus corresponding to different shooting conditions, and an imaging unit according to the control data stored in the storage unit In a method for controlling an imaging apparatus including a control unit that controls a display, a display process for displaying a model image corresponding to each shooting condition and guiding a user to select a desired model image, and the selected model A control step of controlling the imaging unit in accordance with the control data corresponding to an image capturing condition is provided.

  According to the present invention, a model image corresponding to each shooting condition is displayed, and the user corresponds to the desired model image only by performing a simple operation of viewing the model image and selecting the desired model image. Shooting according to shooting conditions can be executed. Therefore, it is possible to improve convenience when instructing imaging conditions.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system environment to which an imaging control apparatus according to the present invention is applied. This system environment is a serial bus cable (hereinafter referred to as a 1394 bus cable) of IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electrical Engineers, Inc.) 1394. Each device is connected at C).

  1, 101 is a TV monitor device, 102 is an AV amplifier connected to the TV monitor device 101 by a 1394 bus cable C, and a specific device is selected from various video / audio devices connected by the 1394 bus cable C. And the audio / video data from the selected device is transferred to the TV monitor 101.

  A personal computer 103 is connected to the AV amplifier 102 via a 1394 bus cable C, and a printer 104 is connected to the personal computer 103 via a 1394 bus cable C. The personal computer 103 can also capture images from various video devices connected by the 1394 bus cable C and print them out by the printer 104.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes a first digital VTR connected to the printer 104 and the 1394 bus cable C, reference numeral 106 denotes a second digital VTR connected to the first digital VTR and the 1394 bus cable C, and reference numeral 107 denotes a second digital VTR. And a DVD player 108 connected by the 1394 bus cable C, and a CD player 108 connected by the 1394 bus cable C.

  The network in FIG. 1 is an example, and a configuration in which other devices are connected to the TV monitor 101 and the CD player 108 may be employed. The device connected by the 1394 bus cable C may be an external storage device such as a hard disk, a second CD player, a second DVD player, or the like.

  Here, in the present invention, since the IEEE 1394 serial bus is used as a digital I / F for connecting each device, the IEEE 1394 serial bus will be described in detail in advance.

[Technology overview of IEEE 1394]
With the advent of home digital VTRs and DVDs, the need to transfer large amounts of data such as video data and audio data in real time is increasing. As described above, in order to transfer video data and audio data in real time to be taken into a personal computer or transferred to other digital devices, an interface capable of high-speed data transfer is required. An interface developed from such a viewpoint is IEEE 1394-1995 (high performance serial bus: 1394 serial bus).

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a network system configured using a 1394 serial bus. In this system, devices A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are provided. Between A-B, A-C, B-D, D-E, C-F, A 1394 serial bus twisted pair cable is connected between CG and CH. Specifically, these devices A to H are configured by a personal computer, a digital VTR, a DVD, a digital camera, a hard disk, a monitor, and the like.

  As the connection method between the devices, the daisy chain method and the node branch method can be mixed, and a connection with a high degree of freedom is possible. Each device has a unique ID, and configures one network in a range connected by a 1394 serial bus by recognizing each other's ID. By simply connecting each digital device sequentially with one 1394 serial bus cable, each device serves as a relay device, and constitutes one network as a whole. The Plug & Play function, which is also a feature of the 1394 serial bus, automatically recognizes the device and the connection status when the cable is connected to the device.

  In the system shown in FIG. 2, when a device is deleted or newly added from the network, the bus is automatically reset, and after resetting the network configuration up to that point, a new device is added. Rebuild the network. This function makes it possible to always set and recognize the network configuration at that time.

  The data transfer rate includes three transfer rates of 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, and 400 Mbps, and a device having a high transfer rate supports a low transfer rate so as to be compatible. As the data transfer mode, asynchronous data such as a control signal (Asynchronous data: hereinafter referred to as Async data) is transferred. Asynchronous transfer mode in which real-time video data or audio data is synchronized (Isochronous data: hereinafter referred to as Iso data). There is an isochronous transfer mode. The Async data and Iso data are mixed in the cycle while giving priority to the transfer of the Iso data following the transfer of the cycle start packet (CSP) indicating the start of the cycle in each cycle (usually one cycle of 125 μS). Forwarded.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows components of the 1394 serial bus. As shown in FIG. 3, the 1394 serial bus has a layer structure as a whole. The most hardware is a 1394 serial bus cable C, which has a connector port to which a connector of the cable C is connected, and a physical layer and a link layer as hardware are located above it. The hardware part is a substantial interface chip part, of which the physical layer performs encoding and connector-related control, and the link layer performs packet transfer, cycle time control, and the like.

  The transaction layer of the firmware unit manages data to be transferred (transaction) and issues a read / write command. The serial bus management of the firmware unit is a part that manages the network configuration, and manages the connection status and ID of each connected device. The hardware and firmware up to this is the actual configuration of the 1394 serial bus. The application layer of the software section differs depending on the software used, and is a part that defines how data is loaded on the interface, and is defined by a protocol such as the AV protocol.

  Next, an address space in the 1394 serial bus is shown in FIG. Each device (node) connected to the 1394 serial bus must have a 64-bit address unique to each node. By storing this address in the ROM, it is possible to always recognize the node address of itself and the other party, and to perform communication specifying the other party. The addressing of the 1394 serial bus is based on the IEEE1212 standard, and the address setting is used for specifying the bus number for the first 10 bits and for specifying the node ID number for the next 6 bits. The The remaining 48 bits are the address width given to the device, and each can be used as a unique address space. In the last 28 bits of this unique address space, an identification code of each device, specification information for use conditions, and the like are set as a unique data area.

  Next, a characteristic technique of the 1394 serial bus will be described in more detail.

[Electric specifications of 1394 serial bus]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the 1394 serial bus cable C. In the 1394 serial bus, two pairs of twisted pair signal lines are accommodated in the connection cable, and in addition to this, a power supply line can be accommodated. As a result, it is possible to supply power to devices that do not have a power supply or devices whose voltage has dropped due to a failure. In addition, some simple connection cables are not provided with a power supply line after limiting devices to be connected. The power supply voltage flowing in the power supply line is specified as 8 to 40 V, and the current is specified as the maximum current DC1.5A.

[DS-Link encoding]
Next, a data transfer format DS-Link encoding method employed in the 1394 serial bus will be described with reference to FIG. In the 1394 serial bus, a DS-Link (Data / StrobeLink) encoding method is adopted. This DS-Link encoding method is suitable for high-speed serial data communication and requires two signal lines. Main data is sent to one of the twisted pairs, and a strobe signal is sent to the other pair. On the receiving side, the clock can be reproduced by taking an exclusive OR of the received data and the strobe signal.

  Advantages of using this DS-Link encoding method are that the transfer efficiency is higher than other serial data transfer methods, the PLL circuit is unnecessary, the circuit scale of the controller LSI can be reduced, and further, the transfer should be performed Since there is no need to send information indicating that the device is in an idle state when there is no data, the transceiver circuit of each device can be put into a sleep state, thereby reducing power consumption.

[Bus reset sequence]
In the 1394 serial bus, each connected device (node) is given a node ID so that each device is recognized as a network configuration. When there is a change in this network configuration, for example, when a change occurs due to an increase or decrease in the number of nodes due to insertion / extraction of nodes, power ON / OFF, etc., and a new network configuration needs to be recognized, a change has been detected. Each node enters a mode to recognize a new network configuration by transmitting a bus reset signal on the bus. The change detection method at this time is performed by detecting a change in bias voltage on the 1394 port board.

  When the bus reset signal is transmitted from one node and the physical layer of each node receives the bus reset signal, the physical layer transmits the occurrence of the bus reset to the link layer and the bus reset to the other nodes. Communicate the signal. After all nodes have finally detected the bus reset signal, the bus reset process is started. The bus reset process is activated by hardware detection due to cable disconnection or network abnormality as described above, and is also activated by issuing a command directly to the physical layer by host control from the protocol. When the bus reset process is activated, the data transfer is temporarily suspended, and after the bus reset process is completed, the data transfer is resumed under a new network configuration.

[Node ID determination sequence]
When the bus reset process ends, each node enters an operation of giving an ID to each node in order to reconstruct a new network configuration. A general sequence from bus reset to node ID determination at this time will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  The flowchart of FIG. 7 shows a series of bus operations from when a bus reset occurs until a node ID is determined and data transfer can be performed. First, in step S101, the occurrence of a bus reset in the network is constantly monitored, and if a bus reset occurs due to power ON / OFF of the node, the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, in order to know the connection status of the new network from the state in which the network is reset, a parent-child relationship is declared between the directly connected notes.

  When the parent-child relationship is determined between all nodes (step S103), one root node that functions as a root node (hereinafter referred to as a root node) is determined between all the nodes. Note that the root node is not determined until the parent-child relationship is determined among all the nodes. When the root node is determined in step S104, node ID setting work for giving an ID to each node is performed in step S105. This node ID setting operation is repeated until all nodes are assigned IDs in the order of leaf node → branch node → root node (to be described later) (step S106). Since the configuration has been recognized in all the nodes, in step S107, it becomes possible to transfer data between arbitrary nodes, and data transfer is executed as necessary. In the state of step S107, a mode for monitoring the occurrence of a bus reset is entered again. When a bus reset occurs, the setting operation from step S101 to step S106 is repeated.

  Next, the details of the procedure from the bus reset to the route determination in the flowchart of FIG. 7 and the procedure from the route determination to the end of ID setting will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, the procedure from bus reset to root node determination will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the occurrence of a bus reset is detected in step S201, the process proceeds to step S202, and a flag indicating that each device is a leaf node is the first step in re-recognizing the connection status of the reset network. Stand up. Next, in step S203, it is confirmed how many other nodes the port of each device is connected to.

  Then, according to the confirmation result of the number of connection ports, in order to start the declaration of the parent-child relationship from now on, the number of undefined ports (the parent-child relationship is not determined) is examined (step S204). Immediately after the bus reset, the number of ports = the number of undefined ports, but as the parent-child relationship is determined, the number of undefined ports recognized in step S204 changes. First, immediately after a bus reset, only a leaf node can declare a parent-child relationship. It can be known that the node is a leaf node because the confirmation result of the number of undefined ports in step S204 is “1”.

  If it is a leaf node, in step S205, the node connected to itself is declared “I am a child and the other party is a parent”, and the operation ends. In step S203, the node that has a plurality of connection ports and recognizes itself as a branch node is that the number of undefined ports> 1 in step S204 immediately after the bus reset. In step S207, the process waits to accept “parent” in the parent-child relationship declaration from the leaf node. The leaf node declares the parent-child relationship, and the branch node that has received the declaration in step S207 appropriately checks the number of undefined ports in step S204, and remains if the number of undefined ports is “1”. It is possible to declare “I am a child” in step S205 to a node connected to a certain port.

  From the second time, even if the number of undefined ports is confirmed in step S204, for the branch node having two or more undefined ports, the “parent” reception from the leaf node or another branch node is again performed in step S207. Wait to do. Eventually, if any one branch node, or exceptionally a leaf node (because it did not operate quickly enough to make a child declaration), becomes zero in the determination of the number of undefined ports in step S204. This means that the declaration of the parent-child relationship of the entire network has ended, so the only node for which the number of undefined ports is zero (all determined as parent ports) is the flag of the route in step S208. Is established, and the root node is recognized in step S209.

  Next, details of the procedure from the determination of the root node to the end of ID setting will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  Since the flag information of each node such as leaf, branch, and root is set in the sequence of FIG. 8, the information is classified into leaf node, branch node, and root node in step S301. As an operation to assign an ID to each node, it is a leaf node that can first set an ID, and the ID is set from a smaller number (node number = 0) in the order of leaf node → branch node → root node. It will be done.

  In the leaf node, in step S302, the number N (N is a natural number) of leaf nodes existing in the network is set. Thereafter, in step S303, each leaf node requests the root node to give an ID. In step S304, the root node that has received this request from a plurality of leaf nodes performs arbitration (work to mediate to one). In step S305, the winning node is given an ID number, and the remaining losing nodes are notified of the failure result.

  On the leaf node side, in step S306, it is determined whether or not an ID has been acquired. If the ID cannot be acquired, the process returns to step S303, an ID request is issued again, and the same processing is repeated. If the ID can be acquired, in step S307, the self ID packet is broadcasted to all nodes. This self-ID packet has the ID information of the node, the number of ports of the node, the number of connected ports, whether each port is a parent or a child, or whether the node can be a bus manager. Information such as “No” (if there is an ability to become a bus manager, the contender bit in the self ID packet is set to “1”, and if there is no ability to become a bus manager, the contender bit is set to “0”). ing.

Here, the ability to become a bus manager
(1) When power management of the bus, that is, whether each device on the network configured as shown in Fig. 1 is a device that requires power supply or a device that can supply power using the power line in the connection cable Such as whether to supply power,
(2) Maintenance of speed map, that is, maintenance of communication speed information of each device on the network,
(3) Maintenance of network structure (topology map), that is, maintenance of network tree structure information as shown in FIG.
(4) Bus optimization based on information obtained from the topology map,
This means that the node that becomes the bus manager by the procedure described later performs the bus management of the entire network. In addition, a node capable of becoming a bus manager, that is, a node that broadcasts with the contender bit of the self ID packet set to “1”, each information of the self ID packet transferred by broadcast from each node, communication speed, etc. Information is stored, and when it becomes a bus manager, a speed map and a topology map are constructed based on the stored information.

  When one node ID information is broadcast, the number of remaining leaf nodes is decremented by one in step S308. If it is determined in step S309 that the number of remaining leaf leads for which no ID has been acquired is “1” or more, the process returns to step S303 and the same processing is repeated. On the other hand, if the counter N = 0, that is, if the number of remaining leaf nodes that have not acquired an ID is “0” and all the leaf nodes have acquired ID information and broadcasted, the branch node Move on to ID setting.

  The branch node ID setting is performed in the same manner as in the leaf case. First, in step S310, the number M of branch nodes existing in the network (M is a natural number) is set. Thereafter, in step S311, each branch node requests the root node to give an ID. On the other hand, the root node performs arbitration in step S312. Then, in order from the winning branch node, IDs are given from the next young number given to the leaf nodes. In step S313, the root node notifies ID information or a failure result to the branch node that has issued the ID request.

  On the branch node side that has made the ID request, in step S314, it is determined whether or not the ID has been acquired. If the ID cannot be acquired, the process returns to step S311 to issue the ID request again and perform the same processing. repeat. If the ID can be acquired, in step S315, the self ID packet is broadcasted to all nodes. When the broadcast of ID information of one branch node is completed, the number of remaining branch nodes is decremented by 1 in step S316. If it is determined in step S317 that the number of remaining branch nodes that have not acquired an ID is “1” or more, the process returns to step S311 and the same processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the counter M = 0, that is, if the number of remaining branch nodes that have not acquired an ID becomes “0” and all branch nodes acquire ID information and broadcast it, finally, Since the only node that has not obtained ID information is the root node, in step S318, the largest number not given as an ID is set as its own ID number, and in step S319, the self ID packet of the root node is set. Broadcast.

  The processing so far makes it clear whether each node has the ability to become a bus manager. When a plurality of nodes finally have the ability to become a bus manager, the node with the largest ID number becomes the bus manager. If the root node has the ability to become a bus manager, the root node is naturally the bus manager because the ID number of the root node is the largest in the network. If not, the branch node having the next highest ID number after the root node and having the contender bit “1” in the self ID packet becomes the bus manager.

  Further, as to which node has become the bus manager, each node broadcasts a self-ID packet at the time when each node obtains an ID in the process of FIGS. 9 to 10, and each node grasps this broadcast information. It can be grasped as recognition common to each node.

  Next, the above operation in the network example shown in FIG. 11 will be described. In FIG. 11, the node A and the node C are directly connected below the root node B, the node D is directly connected below the node C, and the node E and the node are further connected below the node D. It has a hierarchical structure in which Fs are directly connected.

  The procedure for determining this hierarchical structure, root node, and node ID is as follows. That is, after the bus is reset, in order to recognize the connection status of each node, a parent-child relationship is declared between the ports directly connected to each node. This parent-child means that the parent side is higher in the hierarchical structure and the child side is lower. In FIG. 11, after the bus reset, it is the node A that first declared the parent-child relationship. Basically, a node that has a connection to only one port of the node, that is, a leaf node, can first declare a parent-child relationship. This is because it is easy to know that only one port is connected to itself, and this recognizes that it is at the end of the network, and the parent-child relationship starts from the node that operated earlier in that. Will be decided.

  In this way, the port on the side that declared the parent-child relationship (node A between nodes A and B) is set as a child, and the port on the other side (node B) is set as a parent. As described above, the node A-B is determined as the child single parent, the node E-D is determined as the child single parent, and the node FD is determined as the child single parent. Further, one branch up, this time, among the branch nodes having a plurality of connection ports, the declaration of the parent-child relationship is performed in order from the one receiving the declaration of the parent-child relationship from another node. In FIG. 11, the node D first determines the parent-child relationship between D-E and DF, and then declares the parent-child relationship for the equivalent branch node C. As a result, the node D-C Has been decided. The branch node C receiving the declaration of the parent-child relationship from the node D declares the parent-child relationship with respect to the node B connected to the other port, and determines that the node C-B is a child-parent. ing.

  In this way, the hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. 11 is configured, and the node B that becomes the parent in all the finally connected ports is determined as the root node. There is only one root node in one network configuration. In FIG. 11, the node B is determined as the root node. If the node B receiving the parent-child relationship declaration from the node A makes a parent-child relationship declaration to other nodes at an early timing, The root node may have moved to another node. In other words, depending on the transmission timing, any node may become the root node, and the root node is not uniquely determined even in the same network configuration.

  When the root node is determined, a mode for determining each node ID is entered. Here, all nodes notify their determined nodes 1D to all other nodes (broadcast function). The self ID information includes its own node number, information on the connected position, the number of ports it has, the number of ports connected, information on the parent-child relationship of each port, and the like.

  As a procedure for assigning node ID numbers, first, an ID determination operation can be started from a leaf node connected to only one port, and node numbers 0, 1, 2,. The node that acquired the node ID broadcasts information including the node number to each note by broadcast. As a result, the other node recognizes that the ID number is “allocated”. When all leaf nodes have acquired their own node IDs, the branch nodes next acquire IDs. Here, a node ID number subsequent to the leaf node is assigned to each branch node. Similarly to the leaf node, node ID information is broadcasted sequentially from the branch node to which the node ID number is assigned. Finally, the root node acquires its own ID and broadcasts it. In other words, the root node has the largest node ID number in the network.

[arbitration]
In the 1394 serial bus, the bus use right is always arbitrated before data transfer. The 1394 serial bus is a logical bus-type network configured so that each individually connected device relays the transferred signal to transmit all signals to all devices (nodes) in the network. Since it is constructed, arbitration is necessary to prevent packet collision. This arbitration allows only one node to perform the transfer at a certain time.

  This arbitration operation will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12A shows an example of a bus use request. When arbitration is started, one or a plurality of nodes issue a bus use right request to the parent node. In FIG. 12A, nodes C and F are nodes that have issued a bus use right request. Upon receiving this, the parent node (node A in FIG. 12A) further issues (relays) a bus use right request toward the parent node. This request is finally delivered to the mediation route. The root node that has received the bus use request determines which node uses the bus.

  This arbitration work can be performed only by the root node, and a bus use permission is given to the node that has won the arbitration. FIG. 12B shows a state where use permission is given to the node C and use of the node F is denied. As shown in FIG. 12B, the node that lost the arbitration sends a DP (Data Prefix) packet to notify that the bus use request has been rejected. The rejected node bus use request is awaited until the next arbitration. In this way, a node that has won arbitration and has obtained permission to use the bus can subsequently start data transfer.

  Here, a series of arbitration flows will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In order for a node to begin data transfer, the bus needs to be an idle bear. In order to recognize that the previous data transfer has been completed and the bus is currently empty, a predetermined idle time gap length (for example, a subaction gap) set individually in each transfer mode is used. ), Each node determines that its own transfer can be started.

  Therefore, in step S401, in order to recognize that the current bus is empty, it is determined whether a predetermined gap length corresponding to the data to be transferred, such as Async data and Iso data, has been obtained. As long as the predetermined gap length cannot be obtained, the bus use right required to start the transfer cannot be requested, so the process waits until the predetermined gap length is obtained. If a predetermined gap length is obtained in step S401, it is determined in step S402 whether there is data to be transferred. If it is determined that there is no data to be transferred, the process waits as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is data to be transferred, the process proceeds to step S403, and a request for the right to use the bus is issued to the root node, requesting to secure the bus. At this time, the signal indicating the request for the right to use the bus is finally delivered to the root node while relaying each device in the network, as shown in FIG.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S404, and if the root receives one or more bus use right requests in step S403, the root node checks the number of nodes that have issued use requests in step S405. . As a result, if there is one node that has issued a use right request, the bus use permission immediately after that is given to that node (step S408).

  On the other hand, if there are a plurality of nodes that have issued usage right requests, the root node performs arbitration processing in step S406 to determine one node to which usage permission is granted. This arbitration process is fair and is configured such that permission is not given to the same node every time, but permission for use is given equally. Among the plurality of nodes that have issued use requests, the bus use permission signal immediately after is transmitted to the one node to which the root node has arbitrated and granted the use permission (step S407) (step S408). The node that has received the permission signal starts transfer of data (packet) to be transferred using a predetermined idle time gap length obtained immediately after reception.

  On the other hand, a DP (Data Prefix) packet indicating an arbitration failure is transmitted to the nodes related to the remaining usage requests that have not been granted usage permission (step S407) (step S409). The node that has received the request returns to step S401 to issue a bus use request again, and waits until a predetermined gap length is obtained.

[Asynchronous transfer]
Asynchronous transfer is asynchronous transfer. FIG. 14 shows a temporal transition state in asynchronous transfer. The first subaction gap in FIG. 14 indicates the bus idle time. When this idle time reaches a certain value, the node desiring to transfer determines that the bus can be used, and requests arbitration for acquiring the bus. When the bus use permission is obtained by arbitration, data transfer is executed in a packet format. The node that has received the transfer data returns an ack signal (return code for confirmation of reception) after a short gap of ack gap and responds or sends a response packet in order to send back a receipt confirmation for the transfer data. The ack signal includes 4-bit information and a 4-bit checksum, and the 4-bit information includes information indicating whether reception is successful, busy state, or pending state.

  Next, FIG. 15 shows an example of a packet format for asynchronous transfer. Asynchronous transfer packets have a header portion in addition to a data portion and error correction data CRC. The header portion includes a target node ID, a source node ID, and a transfer data length as shown in FIG. Various codes are written. The asynchronous transfer is a one-to-one communication from the self node to the partner node. Asynchronous transfer packets transferred from the transfer source node are distributed to each node in the network, but those other than the address addressed to the node are ignored, so that only one destination node reads.

[Isochronous (synchronous) transfer]
Isochronous transfer is synchronous transfer. This isochronous transfer, which can be said to be the greatest feature of the 1394 serial bus, is a transfer mode suitable for transferring data that requires real-time transfer, such as multimedia data such as VIDEO video data and audio data. Asynchronous transfer (asynchronous) is a one-to-one transfer, but this isochronous transfer is uniformly transferred from one node of the transfer source to all other nodes by the broadcast function.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a temporal transition state in isochronous transfer. Isochronous transfer is executed at regular intervals on the bus. This time interval is called an isochronous cycle. The isochronous cycle time is 125 μS. The cycle start packet has a role of indicating the start time of each cycle and adjusting the time of each node. The cycle start packet is transmitted by a node called a cycle master. After the transfer in the previous cycle is completed, the cycle is started after a predetermined idle period (subaction gap). Send a telling cycle start packet. The time interval for transmitting this cycle start packet is 125 μS.

  Also, as indicated by channel A, channel B, and channel C in FIG. 16, a plurality of types of packets can be distinguished and transferred by being given channel IDs within one cycle. As a result, real-time transfer between a plurality of nodes is possible at the same time, and the receiving node captures only the data of the desired channel ID. This channel ID does not represent the address of the transmission destination, but merely gives a logical number for the data. Therefore, transmission of a certain packet is transferred by broadcast that spreads from one source node to all other nodes.

  Prior to isochronous transfer packet transmission, arbitration is performed in the same manner as asynchronous transfer. However, since it is not one-to-one communication as in asynchronous transfer, there is no ack (reception confirmation reply code) in isochronous transfer. Also, the iso gap (isochronous gap) shown in FIG. 16 represents an idle period necessary for recognizing that the bus is in an empty state before performing isochronous transfer. When this idle period has elapsed, a node that wishes to perform isochronous transfer determines that the bus is free and can perform arbitration prior to transfer.

  Next, FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a packet format for isochronous transfer. Each packet divided into each channel has a header part in addition to a data part and error correction data CRC, and the header part has a transfer data length, a channel No. as shown in FIG. Various other codes, header CRC for error correction, etc. are written.

[Bus cycle]
In actual transfer on the 1394 serial bus, isochronous transfer and asynchronous transfer can be mixed. FIG. 18 shows a temporal transition state of the transfer state on the bus in which isochronous transfer and asynchronous transfer are mixed. As shown in FIG. 18, isochronous transfer is executed with priority over asynchronous transfer. The reason is that after the cycle start packet, isochronous transfer can be started with a gap length (isochronous gap) shorter than the gap length (subaction gap) of the idle period required to start asynchronous transfer. It is.

  In the general bus cycle shown in FIG. 18, at the start of cycle #m, a cycle start packet is transferred from the cycle master to each node. As a result, the time is adjusted at each node, and after waiting for a predetermined idle period (isochronous gap), the node that should perform isochronous transfer requests arbitration and enters packet transfer.

  In FIG. 18, channel e, channel s, and channel k are transferred in an isochronous order. The operations from the arbitration request to the packet transfer are repeated for the given channel, and after the isochronous transfer in cycle #m is completed, the asynchronous transfer is performed. When the idle time reaches the subaction gap where asynchronous transfer is possible, it is determined that a node that wishes to perform asynchronous transfer can move to an arbitration request.

  However, during the period in which asynchronous transfer can be performed, a sub-action gap for starting asynchronous transfer is obtained between the time when isochronous transfer is completed and the time when the next cycle start packet is to be transferred (cycle sync). Limited to

  In cycle #m in FIG. 18, isochronous transfer for three channels and then asynchronous transfer (including ack) are transferred in two packets (packet 1 and packet 2). After the asynchronous packet 2 is transferred, the cycle (m # + 1) reaches a time (cycle sync) at which the cycle (m # + 1) is to be started, and thus the transfer in the cycle #m ends here.

  However, during the asynchronous or synchronous transfer operation, if it is time to transmit the next cycle start packet (cyclesync), do not forcibly suspend and wait for the idle period after the transfer ends, Send cycle start packet of this cycle. That is, when one cycle continues for 125 μS or more, the next cycle is assumed to be shorter than the reference 125 μS.

  As described above, the isochronous cycle can expand and contract based on 125 μS. However, isochronous transfer is always executed every cycle if necessary in order to maintain real-time transfer, and asynchronous transfer may be sent to a subsequent cycle due to a reduction in cycle time. Including such delay information, the cycle master adjusts the time of each node. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing portions of the printer 104 and the D-VTR 105 in the network configuration of FIG. 1, and features of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 19, 3 in the D-VTR 105 is a magnetic tape, 4 is a recording / playback head, 5 is a playback processing circuit, 6 is a video decoding circuit, 7 is a D / A converter, 9 is an external output terminal, and 10 is an instruction. An input operation unit, 11 is a VTR system controller, 12 is a frame memory, 13 is a VTR 1394 interface (I / F) unit, and 14 is a selector that selects specific data from a plurality of types of data. In FIG. 19, only the playback system is illustrated for the D-VTR 105.

  Reference numeral 17 in the printer 104 denotes a 1394 interface (I / F) unit of the printer, 18 denotes an image processing circuit for rasterizing the image data to be printed, 19 denotes a memory for storing the rasterized image data, and 20 denotes a memory for storing the rasterized image data. A printer head, 21 is a driver that controls the operation of the printer head 20 and a paper feed operation, 22 is a printer operation unit, 23 is a printer controller that generally controls the operation of the printer 104, 24 is an operation status of the printer 104, A printer information generation unit 25 for generating print performance such as resolution and color / monochrome as printer information, and 25 is a data selector.

  Under such a configuration, in the D-VTR 105, the video data recorded on the magnetic tape 3 is read out by the recording / reproducing head 4, and the data format of the reproduction format is read out from the read video data by the reproduction processing circuit 5. Convert to. The read video data is encoded and recorded by a predetermined compression method based on DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) and VLC (Variable Length Coding) as a band compression method for home digital video. Then, a predetermined decoding process is performed by the decoding circuit 6, the analog signal is returned to the D / A converter 7, and then output from the external output terminal 9 to the external device.

  Further, when transferring desired video data or the like to another node using the 1394 serial bus (1394 cable C), the video data decoded by the decoding circuit 6 is temporarily stored in the frame memory 12. After that, the data is sent to the 1394 I / F unit 13 via the data selector 14 and transferred to, for example, the printer 104 or the personal computer 103 via the 1394 cable C. The data selector 14 transfers various control data from the system controller 11 to the 1394 I / F unit 13 in addition to the video data. When the transferred video data is for direct printing by the printer 104, the printer 104 takes the video data into the printer via the 1394 I / F unit 17 and transfers it to another node such as the personal computer 103. Is transferred to the target node via the 1394 I / F unit 17.

  An instruction input such as a reproduction operation of the D-VTR 105 is performed from the operation unit 10. Based on the instruction input from the operation unit 10, the system controller 11 controls each operation unit including control of the reproduction processing circuit 5 of the VTR. Depending on the instruction input, for example, a control command to the printer 104 is generated and transferred to the printer 104 via the data selector 14, the 1394 I / F unit 13, and the 1394 cable C.

  Printer information data such as the operating state of the printer 104 sent from the printer 104 via the 1394 cable C can be taken into the system controller 11 from the 1394 I / F unit 13 via the data selector 14. However, if the printer information data is unnecessary for the D-VTR 105, it is transferred to the D-VTR 106 via the 1394 I / F unit 13 and the 1394 cable C without being taken into the system controller 11 ( (See connection state in FIG. 1). The printer information data can also be transferred to the personal computer 103 via the 1394 I / F unit 17 and the 1394 cable C of the printer 104.

  The data selector 14 of the D-VTR 105 and the data selector 25 of the printer 104 perform selection of each data to be input or output, and each data is sequentially input / output to / from a predetermined component while being distinguished for each data type.

  Next, the operation of the printer 104 will be described. The data input to the 1394 I / F unit 17 is classified for each data type by the data selector 25, and the data to be printed is input to the image processing circuit 18 and subjected to image processing suitable for printing. The print image is stored in the memory 19 under the control of the controller 23. Further, the printer controller 23 transfers the print image read from the memory 19 to the printer head 20 for printing. The driver 21 directly controls the drive control of the printer head 20 and the paper feed, and the printer controller 23 controls the driver 21 indirectly by controlling the driver 21. The operation unit 22 of the printer 104 inputs instructions for operations such as paper feed, reset, ink check, and standby / stop of the printer operation, and each unit is controlled by the printer controller 23 in accordance with the instruction input.

  If the data input to the 1394 I / F unit 17 is command data for the printer 104 issued from the personal computer 103, the D-VTR 105, or the like, the command data is transferred from the data selector 25 to the printer controller 23, and the printer The controller 23 controls each part of the printer. The printer information generation unit 24 also displays a printer operation status, a message indicating whether printing is complete or ready to start, a paper jam or malfunction, a warning message indicating the presence or absence of ink, and print image information. Etc. are generated as printer information. This printer information can be output to the outside via the data selector 25 and the 1394 I / F unit 17.

  Based on the output printer information, the personal computer 103 and the D-VTR 105 perform display and processing according to the printer status. Based on this printer information, the message or print image information displayed on the personal computer 103 (displayed on the D-VTR 105 if the D-VTR 105 has a direct print function) is appropriately displayed by the user. In order to take appropriate measures, a command is input to the printer 104 from the personal computer 103 (and the D-VTR 105), control command data is transmitted by the 1394 serial bus, and operation control of each part of the printer 104 is controlled by the printer controller 23. In addition, the print image can be controlled by the image processing unit 18.

  As described above, video data, various command data, and the like are appropriately transferred to the 1394 serial bus connecting the personal computer 103 or D-VTR 105 and the printer 104. The transfer format of each data transferred from the D-VTR 105 is based on the specification of the 1394 serial bus described above. Mainly, video data (and audio data) are transferred on the 1394 serial bus as iso data by the isochronous transfer method. Command data is transferred as asynchronous data by the asynchronous transfer method.

  However, in some cases, it may be more convenient to send certain data using the asynchronous transfer method rather than isochronous transfer. In such a case, the asynchronous transfer method is always used. The printer information data transferred from the printer is transferred as asynchronous data by the asynchronous transfer method. However, when print image data having a large amount of information is transferred, it may be sent as Iso data by the isochronous transfer method.

  When the network as shown in FIG. 1 is configured by the 1394 serial bus, the D-VTR 105 and the printer 104 are both the personal computer 103, the D-VTR 106, the DVD player 107, the CD player 108, the AV amplifier 102, and the TV monitor 101. Based on the specifications of the 1394 serial bus, bidirectional transfer of each data is possible.

  The TV monitor 101, the AV amplifier 102, the personal computer 103, the D-VTR 106, the DVD player 107, and the CD player 108 are equipped with a function control unit specific to each device, but are necessary for information communication using the 1394 serial bus. The data selector to which data to be transmitted is input from each block in the device, that is, the received data is appropriately distributed to each block in the device, and the 1394 I / F unit are the same as those of the D-VTR 105 and the printer 105. . The above is an outline of the technology of 1EE1394.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a video camera 2600 having an IEEE 1394 serial I / F unit. The video camera 2600 includes an optical lens unit (not shown), an aperture 2603, a CCD 2604, an AGC 2605, an A / D converter 2606, an aperture drive unit 2607, a CCD driver 2608, and a timing generator 2069, and a digital signal processing unit 2601. The camera system control unit 2602 is roughly classified.

  Image light imaged on the imaging surface of the CCD 2604 via the optical lens unit and the diaphragm 2603 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 2604 and output as an analog image signal. The analog image signal is gain-controlled by the AGC 2605, converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 2606, and input to the digital signal processing unit 2601.

  Of the image signal input to the digital signal processing unit 2601, the luminance component Y is level-compared with the reference signal generated by the aperture control reference signal generation circuit 2615 in the signal processing block 2614, and the comparison result is subjected to signal processing. By outputting to the aperture drive unit 2607 from the block 2614, the aperture 2603 is automatically controlled so that an appropriate aperture value is always obtained for the imaging light.

  The color signal component in the image signal input to the digital signal processing unit 2601 is input to the color separation matrix 2610. The color separation matrix 2610 separates the color signal component into three color signal components of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). In particular, for the color signal components of R and B, level control circuits are provided. The level is controlled by 2611 and 2612. The G color signal component and the R and B color signal components output from the level control circuits 2611 and 2612 are converted into RY and BY color difference signals by the color difference matrix 2613.

  Similar to the aperture value control, the color signal component level is controlled by the signal processing block 2614 using the RY and BY color difference signal levels, which are output signals of the color difference matrix 2613, respectively. The level is compared with the reference signal generated by the control reference signal generation circuit 2616 and the BY level control reference signal generation circuit 2617, and the comparison result is output from the signal processing block 2614 to the level control circuits 2611 and 2612. To do. By controlling the level of the color signal component, an appropriate white balance can always be obtained.

  The time for accumulating charges corresponding to the amount of imaging light imaged on the imaging surface of the CCD 2604 in the cells in the CCD 2604, that is, the shutter speed, is controlled by a CCD drive signal supplied from the timing generator 2609 to the CCD 2604 via the CCD driver 2608. Is done. The timing generator 2609 is connected to the I / F 2625 in the camera system control unit 2602 and controls the CCD accumulation time according to a control command from the CPU 2626. The output levels of the aperture control reference signal generation circuit 2615, the RY level control reference signal generation circuit 2616, and the BY level control reference signal generation circuit 2617 are also connected to the camera system via the I / F circuits 2625 and 1618. It can be changed by a control signal sent from the control unit 2602.

  The camera system control unit 2602 is configured to be able to communicate with the personal computer 103 outside the video camera 2600 via the 1394 cable C and the 1394 I / F unit 2627. With this communication function, the CPU 2626 outputs the aperture control reference signal generation circuit 2615, the RY level control reference signal generation circuit 2616, and the BY level control reference signal generation circuit 2617 in accordance with a camera control command from the personal computer 103. By outputting a signal to change the level, the reference value for controlling the aperture value, the RY level, and the BY level is changed. As a result, the aperture value, hue, color density, etc. The control target can be controlled from outside the camera.

  The reference values of the output levels of the aperture control reference signal generation circuit 2615, the RY level control reference signal generation circuit 2616, and the BY level control reference signal generation circuit 2617 are stored in the standard control data storage area 2621 of the RAM 2629. Normally, the data in this area 2621 is transferred to the control data storage area 2623 of the RAM 2630, and the aperture control reference signal generation circuit 2615 and the RY level control reference signal generation circuit are appropriately set via the CPU 2626. 2616, the BY level control reference signal generation circuit 2617 and the timing generator 2609 are transmitted as control conditions, and appropriate photographing conditions are automatically set.

  When controlling the video camera 2600 from the personal computer 103, the camera control command transmitted from the personal computer 103 to the 1394 I / F unit 2627 is appropriately replaced by the CPU 2626 with data suitable for the video camera 2600, and via the I / F 2625. Is output to the digital signal processing unit 2601. On the other hand, data output to the digital signal processing unit 2601 via the I / F 2625 is also stored in the adjustment control data storage area 2622 of the RAM 2629 and is read out to the CPU 2626 via the control data storage area 2623 as necessary. The By doing so, the camera control information transmitted from the personal computer 103 is temporarily stored in the video camera 2600, and can be read out when necessary to perform the same control repeatedly.

  The CPU 2626 executes access control to the RAMs 2629 and 2630 via the address designation unit 2620 and the R / W designation unit 2624. When setting the shooting conditions set by the personal computer 103, the adjustment control data When data in the storage area 2622 is written in the control data storage area 2623 and standard imaging conditions are set, the data in the standard control data storage area 2621 is written in the control data storage area 2623.

  The ROM 2628 is preset with control programs corresponding to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 10 and FIG. 13 and the flowchart of FIG. 22 described later, and these control programs are executed by the CPU 2626. Further, the control program corresponding to the flowcharts of FIGS. 21, 23, 27, 29 to 30 described later executed by the personal computer 103 and the image contents, data, etc. shown in FIGS. 24, 25, 26, 28, 31, 32 are as follows. These can be supplied to the personal computer 103 by a storage medium such as a floppy disk (registered trademark), a hard disk, and a CD-ROM (not shown).

  When the 1394 cable C is connected, the video camera 2600 and the personal computer 103 each determine whether or not to enter the mode setting operation. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21, for example, when the execution of processing is started in step S501, the personal computer 103 side determines whether or not the 1394 cable C is connected in step S502. It is recognized by detecting whether or not it has occurred.

  If no bus reset has occurred, the process stands by without executing any processing. If a bus reset has occurred, it is determined in step S503 whether the video camera 2600 is connected by the 1394 cable C. To do. Whether or not the video camera 2600 is connected is determined, for example, by reading the 64-bit address of the address space shown in FIG. 4 in the 1394 serial bus of the video camera 2600 and based on the 64-bit address.

  If it is determined in step S503 that the video camera 2600 to be controlled is not connected, the process returns to step S502. On the other hand, if it is determined that the video camera 2600 to be controlled is connected, it is determined in step S504 whether or not the video camera 2600 side is ready to accept a mode setting command from the personal computer 103 side. . The state in which the mode setting command can be accepted is the case where the video camera 2600 is not in the tape playback mode, that is, in the state where it is in the manual setting mode instead of the camera mode or various auto modes (not shown).

  If the mode setting command is not acceptable, the process returns to step S503, and after confirming again whether or not the video camera 2600 to be controlled is still connected, the process of step S504 is executed again. When it is recognized in step S504 that the video camera 2600 is ready to accept the mode setting command, in step S506, the mode setting program is started, and the mode setting command is transmitted from the personal computer 103, whereby the video camera 2600 is Remote control is performed from the personal computer 103.

  On the other hand, on the video camera 2600 side, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22, when the execution of the process is started in step S506, a normal camera operation is executed in step S507. The normal camera operation is an operation in a state where the standard control data in the standard control data storage area 2621 is written in the control data storage area 2623 of FIG.

  While performing normal camera operation, the CPU 2626 constantly monitors whether or not the 1394 cable C is connected in step S508. Examples of the method for detecting the connection of the 1394 cable C include a method for detecting a change in the bias voltage of the port. If the connection of the 1394 cable C is not confirmed in step S508, the process returns to step S507. If the connection of the 1394 cable C is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S509 and waits for the completion of the bus reset. Then, in step S510, it is determined whether or not the connection partner of the 1394 cable C is the personal computer 103. Confirm. Whether or not the connection partner is the personal computer 103 is confirmed by reading the 64-bit address in the address space of FIG. 4 in the 1394 serial bus of the video camera, for example, as the personal computer 103 performs. Based on.

  If the connection partner is the personal computer 103, it is checked in step S511 whether the personal computer 103 is operating the mode setting program. This confirmation can be performed, for example, by reading the information of the application layer in FIG. 3 or recognizing Async data in mutual communication. If it is confirmed in step S512 that the personal computer 103 side is operating the mode setting program, the process proceeds to step S512, and the control reference value and shutter speed are changed as described above in accordance with a command from the personal computer 103 side. In addition, the mode setting operation by the video camera 2600 is executed by rewriting the storage contents of the control data storage area 2623.

  The video camera 2600 side determines whether or not to execute the mode setting operation in accordance with a command from the personal computer 103 by sequentially executing each determination process in steps S508 to S511. If the condition is not satisfied in any of the processes, an operation not following the command from the personal computer 103, that is, a normal camera operation is repeated.

  When the video camera 2600 performs a mode setting operation in accordance with a command from the personal computer 103, it is necessary to execute a mode setting program on the personal computer 103 side as described above. FIG. 23 shows a schematic flowchart of a mode setting program (corresponding to step S505 in FIG. 21) on the personal computer 103 side.

  First, in step S5051, the type of setting mode selected by operating a mouse or a keyboard (not shown) is determined. Then, depending on the type of the selected setting mode, one of the shooting condition setting mode in step S5052, the standard setting mode in step S5053, and the captured image confirmation and condition setting mode program in step S5054 is executed.

  Hereinafter, the standard setting mode in step S5053, the shooting condition setting mode in step S5052 and the standard setting mode in step S5053 will be described in detail.

[Standard setting mode]
In the standard setting mode, the setting contents of the video camera 2600 corresponding to various shooting conditions are stored on the personal computer 103 side, representative shooting conditions are selected on the personal computer 103, and the personal computer 103 is suitable for the shooting conditions. In this mode, the setting is performed on the video camera 2600.

  When the standard setting mode is selected, a screen 601 in FIG. 24 is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 103. On this screen 601, several types of shooting scenes that are difficult to shoot with the normal setting of the video camera 2600 are displayed. When the sunset shooting mode is selected with a mouse or the like, the display is switched to a screen 602 in FIG. 25, and a sunset shooting example 603, a sunset shooting mode explanation 604, a mode setting confirmation message 605, and a camera setting button 606 are displayed. The

  When shooting sunsets, you usually want to shoot red, but with the normal video camera 2600 auto setting, the auto white balance function works to suppress the red color component and make it as close to white as possible. Will end up working. Therefore, the captured image is also faint red and cannot be photographed like a sunset.

  When the sunset shooting mode is selected in the standard setting mode, for example, the output levels of the RY level control reference signal generation circuit 2616 and the BY level control reference signal generation circuit in FIG. The image is changed to a value and an image in which red is emphasized is output from the video camera 2600. At the same time, a predetermined appropriate shutter speed and aperture value for preventing the CCD 2604 from being saturated are also sent from the personal computer 103 to the video camera 2600 so that the sunset can be photographed more clearly. When the operator of the personal computer 103 clicks the camera setting button 606 in FIG. 25, the above various setting values and the like are transferred from the personal computer 103 to the video camera 2600, and the settings according to the setting values in the video camera 2600 and the transfer data are transferred. Is memorized.

  As the camera setting conditions in the sunset shooting mode, white balance, shutter speed, and aperture value are listed, but other camera setting conditions listed in FIG. 26 can be changed from the personal computer 103 side. Therefore, for example, in the wedding reception shooting mode (see FIG. 24), the iris (iris) 2603 opens in the darkness of the background, so that the bride and groom's face does not fly white. It becomes possible to close 2603 and control it.

  Further, in the biological observation (close-up) mode (see FIG. 24), it is possible to set the focal length to be short and set the optical conditions that allow macro photography by control from the personal computer 103 side. Further, in the ski resort mode (see FIG. 24), in order to prevent light diffraction due to excessive aperture of the aperture 2603 under high illuminance, the aperture amount is suppressed to a predetermined value by the control from the personal computer 103 side, and the shutter speed is increased. It is possible to cope with it by making it. Further, in the night scene shooting mode (see FIG. 24), the aperture, shutter speed, and white balance can be set to appropriate values from the personal computer 103 side so that the neon color can be satisfactorily shot.

[Shooting condition setting mode]
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing processing in the photographing condition setting mode (step S5052 in FIG. 23) executed by the personal computer 103. When the processing of the shooting condition setting mode is started, a mode selection screen similar to that shown in FIG. 24 is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 103, and the operator selects a scene to be shot. Therefore, the personal computer 103 stands by until the mode selection of the scene to be photographed by the operator is completed (step S521). When the selection of the scene mode is completed, the process proceeds to step S522, and the standard camera setting conditions for the selected scene mode are read from the memory in the personal computer 103. If the operator selects the sunset shooting mode, the standard camera setting conditions that are read first in step S522 are the same as those in the standard setting mode described above.

  Next, in step S523, the screen 2401 shown in FIG. 28 is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 103. A screen 2401 in FIG. 28 includes a mode description 2402, sunset imaging example 2409, a hue adjustment knob 2403, a color density adjustment knob 2404, an aperture value adjustment knob and an aperture value display 2405, a shutter speed adjustment knob and a shutter speed display. 2406, a description 2407 of the next operation, and a camera setting button 2408 are displayed.

  Therefore, in the shooting condition setting process in step S524, the operator operates the mouse or the like to move each adjustment knob, and changes the settings of the video camera 2600 from the standard setting state according to individual preferences. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing details of the photographing condition setting process in step 524 of FIG.

  When the execution of the process is started in step S524 in FIG. 27, it is confirmed in step S5241 in FIG. 29 which item the operator is trying to adjust. Specifically, since the knob displayed at the cursor position of the mouse is operated, the coincidence between the cursor position of the mouse and the display position of each knob is detected. For example, if the mouse is moved to the left while being dragged right on the color adjustment knob 2403, the setting content is changed to emphasize red in step S5242, and at the same time, the knob display is moved to the left in accordance with the movement of the mouse. .

  Similar adjustments and setting changes are made in step S5243, step S5244, and step S5245 with respect to color density, aperture value, and shutter speed, respectively. In step S5246, it is confirmed whether or not the camera setting button 2408 in FIG. 28 has been clicked. As a result, if the camera setting button 2408 has not been clicked, the process returns to step S5241 to accept the next adjustment. If the camera setting button 2408 is clicked, the process is terminated.

  In accordance with the above-described series of adjustment operations, the color of the image pickup example 2409 on the screen 2401 in FIG. 28, the color intensity, the screen brightness, etc. are changed, and what kind of image is obtained when the knob is moved. If the operator recognizes it, the convenience is further improved.

  When the setting of the shooting conditions is completed in this way, the camera setting conditions in the personal computer 103 are rewritten and stored in step S525 of FIG. Next, in step S526, the above-described various setting values and the like are transferred from the personal computer 103 to the video camera 2600, whereby the camera setting conditions are rewritten in the video camera 2600. During this time, the personal computer 103 checks in step S527 whether the setting process on the video camera 2600 side is completed. If it is not completed, the process returns to step S526, and if completed, the process ends.

  In this way, the operator can further adjust the standard settings for each shooting mode, so that the setting state of the video camera 2600 that suits the operator's preference can be obtained by remote control from the personal computer 103. become.

[Shooting image confirmation & condition setting mode]
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of the captured image confirmation & condition setting mode in step S5054 of FIG. When the captured image confirmation & condition setting mode process is started, a screen equivalent to that shown in FIG. 24 is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 103, and the operator selects a scene to be captured. In step S541, the personal computer 103 waits until selection of a scene to be photographed using the operation sound is completed. When the selection of the scene mode is completed, the process proceeds to step S542, and the standard camera setting conditions of the selected scene mode are read from the memory in the personal computer 103. If the operator selects the sunset shooting mode, the standard camera setting conditions that are read first in step S542 are the same as those in the standard setting mode described above.

  In step S543, the screen 2501 shown in FIG. 31 is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 103. A screen 2501 in FIG. 31 displays a mode description 2502, a display 2504 indicating that an image is being captured, a description 2503 of the next operation, and a camera image capture button 2505. Therefore, the operator searches for the photographed sunset image while reproducing the tape (not shown) of the video camera 2600 according to the displayed instruction, and specifies an appropriate image as a sample. Then, by clicking the camera capture button 2505 while reproducing the image, the reproduction image of the video camera is captured in the personal computer 103 in step S544. Since it takes a certain amount of time to capture the playback image of the video camera, whether or not the capture of the image is completed is monitored in step S545, and when the capture of the image is completed, in step S546, FIG. Screen 2506 is displayed.

  On this screen 2506, description of the mode 2502, the image captured in step S544 (ie, the actual sunset imaging screen) 2507, the hue adjustment knob 2403, the color density adjustment knob 2404, the aperture value adjustment knob, and the aperture value display 2405, a shutter speed adjustment knob and a shutter speed display 2406, a description 2407 of the next operation, and a camera setting button 2408 are displayed.

  Therefore, in the shooting condition setting process in step S547, the operator operates the mouse or the like to move each adjustment knob, and changes the setting of the video camera 2600 from the standard state to the individual preference. In accordance with the above-described series of adjustment operations, the color of the imaging example 2409 on the screen 2401 in FIG. 28, the color intensity, the screen brightness, etc. are changed, and what kind of image is obtained when the knob is moved. If the operator recognizes it, the convenience is further improved.

  When the setting of the shooting conditions is completed in this way, the camera setting conditions in the personal computer 103 are rewritten and stored in step S548. This is a process necessary for starting the operation from the previous adjustment state in the case where it is desired to perform an adjustment again after taking an image with the setting of the imaging condition in step S547.

  Next, in step S549, the above-described various setting values and the like are transferred from the personal computer 103 to the video camera 2600 so that the camera camera 2600 can rewrite the camera setting conditions. Meanwhile, the personal computer 103 checks in step S550 whether the setting process on the video camera 2600 side is completed. If it is not completed, the process returns to step S549, and if completed, the process ends.

  As described above, by further adjusting the standard setting of each shooting mode while confirming the actually captured image, the specific setting state of the video camera 2600 according to the preference of the operator can be changed from the personal computer 103. Can be obtained by remote control.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since it is possible to change the control content that has been fixedly set in the conventional video camera from the personal computer 103, various types corresponding to the subject (field of view) on the personal computer 103 side. It is possible to set the video camera control conditions from the personal computer 103 according to the type of subject to be photographed without storing a large amount of control information in the video camera in advance. In addition, the operator can adjust the video camera control conditions set in advance in the personal computer 103 on the personal computer 103 to create video camera control conditions that suit the photographer's preference. Further, when the operator makes adjustments on the personal computer 103, the captured image can be simulated in advance on the personal computer 103 by taking the actually captured image into the personal computer 103 in advance.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, when control data such as an aperture, shutter speed, and white balance corresponding to one specific shooting condition such as a night view is stored in a personal computer. It is also possible to send the control data to the video camera in a fully automated manner by detecting the connection with the video camera. Further, the present invention can also be applied to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera that captures still images other than a video camera that captures moving images.

  Further, when the imaging device and the printer are connected by a 1394 cable, the printing performance (resolution, printing speed, color / monocolor, etc.) of the printer is detected, and a captured image (reproduced image) with an accuracy corresponding to the printing performance of the printer is detected. ) Can be automatically transmitted from the imaging apparatus to the printer, or the captured image can be automatically transmitted to the printer at a transmission speed corresponding to the printing performance for printing. In this case, the information regarding the printing performance may be read from the printer information generation unit 24 and actively transmitted from the printer side to the imaging device, or the imaging device may ask the printer to send an inquiry. It may be.

It is a figure which shows the network structural example by the IEEE1394 communication system. It is a figure which shows the example of a connection form of the apparatus by an IEEE1394 serial bus. It is a figure which shows the component of an IEEE1394 serial bus. It is a figure which shows the address space in an IEEE1394 serial bus. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an IEEE 1394 serial bus cable. It is a figure for demonstrating the DS-Link encoding system of the data transfer format in an IEEE1394 serial bus. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the process from a bus reset to node 1D determination. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed process from the bus reset in FIG. 7 to route determination. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed process from the route determination in FIG. 7 to ID setting. FIG. 10 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 9. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of the actual determination of the parent-child relationship at the time of node ID determination. It is a figure for demonstrating a bus use request and bus use permission. It is a flowchart which shows the arbitration process of a bus use right. It is a figure which shows the temporal transition state in asynchronous transfer. It is a figure which shows the packet format example of asynchronous transfer. It is a figure which shows the temporal transition state in isochronous transfer. It is a figure which shows the packet format example of isochronous transfer. It is a figure which shows the time transition of the transfer state on the bus | bath where isochronous transfer and asynchronous transfer were mixed. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of an information transmission path | route including an IEEE1394 I / F part. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the video camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process until the mode setting program execution start of the personal computer in FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing up to a mode setting operation of the video camera in FIG. 20. It is a flowchart which shows the schematic process of a mode setting program. It is a figure which shows the mode selection menu screen of a personal computer. It is a figure which shows the personal computer screen at the time of sunset photography mode selection. It is a figure which shows the kind of camera control command. It is a flowchart which shows the process of imaging condition setting mode. It is a figure which shows the personal computer screen at the time of sunset shooting condition setting mode execution. It is a flowchart which shows the process of imaging condition setting. It is a flowchart which shows the process of captured image confirmation & condition setting mode. It is a figure which shows the personal computer screen at the time of image taking in in captured image confirmation & condition setting mode. It is a figure which shows the personal computer screen at the time of the camera setting in captured image confirmation & condition setting mode execution. It is a figure which shows the example of a data communication system using the conventional SCSI.

Explanation of symbols

103: PC 104: Printer 2600: Video camera 2601: Digital signal processing unit 2602: Camera system control unit 2603: Aperture 2604: CCD
2607: Aperture drive unit 2608: CCD driver 2609: Timing generator 2614: Signal processing block 2615: Reference signal generation circuit for aperture control 2616: Reference signal generation circuit for RY level control 2617: Reference signal generation for BY level control Circuit 2621: Standard control data storage area 2622: Adjustment control data storage area 2623: Control data storage area 2626: CPU
2627: IEEE 1394 I / F
2628: ROM
2629, 2630: RAM
C: IEEE1394 bus cable

Claims (9)

In an imaging apparatus comprising: storage means for storing control data composed of combinations of setting information of imaging apparatuses corresponding to different imaging conditions; and control means for controlling the imaging unit in accordance with the control data stored in the storage means.
Display means for displaying a model image corresponding to each photographing condition and guiding the user to select a desired model image;
The image pickup apparatus, wherein the control unit controls the image pickup unit in accordance with the control data corresponding to a shooting condition of a selected model image.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a model image corresponding to each photographing condition and information for explaining the model image.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a changing unit that changes the control data corresponding to the model image displayed by the display unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display unit displays a model image corresponding to the control data changed by the changing unit. An imaging apparatus control method comprising: storage means for storing control data composed of combinations of setting information of imaging apparatuses corresponding to different imaging conditions; and control means for controlling the imaging section in accordance with the control data stored in the storage means In
A display process for displaying a model image corresponding to each photographing condition and guiding a user to select a desired model image;
A control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: a control step of controlling the imaging unit in accordance with the control data corresponding to a shooting condition of a selected model image.   6. The method according to claim 5, wherein in the display step, a model image corresponding to each photographing condition and information for explaining the model image are displayed.   The method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a changing step for changing the control data corresponding to the model image displayed in the display step.   The method of controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a second display step of displaying a model image corresponding to the control data changed by the changing unit.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 5.

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