JP2006180069A - Imaging apparatus, image parameter setting method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of properly setting an initial value of an image parameter without the need for a user to particularly care about the parameter settings. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus acquires particular setting information other than image parameters for expressing hue of a photographed image obtained by a CCD 23, determines the initial value of the image parameters on the basis of the particular setting information and stores the determined initial value to a parameter storage section 32a. The particular setting information is e.g. regional information and language information in the world time, which are information items set at first at the purchase of the imaging apparatus (camera). Utilizing the regional information can set the initial value of the image parameters appropriate to a region wherein the apparatus is in use. Further, utilizing the language information can set the initial value of the image parameters suitable for the color sense of a race using the language. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus, an image parameter setting method, and a program suitable for setting initial values of image parameters such as saturation.

  A digital camera has various parameters such as saturation, sharpness, contrast, and white balance, and expresses the hue of a captured image by performing predetermined image processing according to the values of these parameters. These parameters are referred to as “image parameters”.

Usually, in a digital camera, this image parameter can be arbitrarily changed by a user. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a sample image corresponding to each shooting scene is displayed at the time of shooting, and an optimal parameter value is set for the shooting scene based on the sample image selected by the user.
JP 2004-48786 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, a parameter value suitable for the shooting scene at the time of shooting is set according to a user instruction, and an initial value of an image parameter serving as a setting reference is not set.

  In general, the color sensation varies slightly from region to region. This is because, for example, the incidence angle of sunlight differs between Japan and Europe and the United States, and the same image color feels a slightly different color due to the influence of the wavelength component contained in the sunlight. . Also, the color sensation is different in racial aspects (especially the color of the eyes). For example, Westerners with bright blue eyes (French, Italians, etc.) have a different blue identification sensitivity from those of other regions. For example, set the saturation lower, weaken blue, It needs to be strong.

  In this way, there are differences in the camera usage region and racial color sense, and it is difficult to determine the initial value of the image parameter in consideration of such differences by the user's judgment. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an imaging apparatus, an image parameter setting method, and a program that can appropriately set initial values of image parameters without any particular attention of the user. Objective.

  An image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an image pickup unit for shooting a subject, an acquisition unit that acquires specific setting information other than an image parameter that expresses a hue of a captured image obtained by the image pickup unit, The image processing apparatus includes: a determination unit that determines an initial value of the image parameter based on specific setting information obtained by the acquisition unit; and a storage unit that stores the initial value of the image parameter determined by the determination unit. The

  According to such a configuration, specific setting information other than the image parameter is acquired, and the initial value of the image parameter is automatically set to an appropriate value based on the specific setting information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a region setting unit that sets region information indicating a region where the device is used, and the acquisition unit is set by the region setting unit. The determined area information is acquired as the specific setting information, and the determining means determines an initial value of an image parameter suitable for a use area of the apparatus based on the area information.

  According to such a configuration, when regional information is set, initial values of image parameters suitable for the region where the apparatus is used are automatically set using the regional information.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising language setting means for setting language information indicating a language used for message display of the apparatus, wherein the acquisition means includes the language setting. Language information set by a means is acquired as the specific setting information, and the determination means determines an initial value of an image parameter suitable for a color sensation of a race using the language based on the language information. It is characterized by.

  According to such a configuration, when language information is set, initial values of image parameters suitable for the color sensation of the race using the language are automatically set using the language information.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, a region setting means for setting region information indicating a region where the device is used, and a language indicating a language used for displaying a message of the device Language setting means for setting information, and the acquisition means acquires at least one of the area information set by the area setting means and the language information set by the language setting means as the specific setting information. The determination means is suitable for an initial value of an image parameter suitable for a use region of the apparatus when the region information is acquired, and suitable for a race using the language when the language information is acquired. Determining initial values of image parameters satisfying both of the initial values of the image parameters, the regional information and the language information when acquired. That.

  According to such a configuration, when at least one of the area information and the language information is set, the initial value of the image parameter is automatically set using the setting information at that time. In this case, a more appropriate initial value of the image parameter can be set by using both the area information and the language information.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image parameter includes at least a parameter for determining a saturation of the captured image. It is characterized by.

  According to such a configuration, the saturation can be initially set to an appropriate value as one of the image parameters.

  An image parameter setting method according to claim 6 of the present invention is an image parameter setting method used in an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup unit for shooting an object, and represents an image representing a hue of a shot image obtained by the image pickup unit. An acquisition step for acquiring specific setting information other than parameters, a determination step for determining an initial value of an image parameter based on the specific setting information obtained by the acquisition step, and an image parameter determined by the determination step And a storing step for storing the initial value.

  According to such an image parameter setting method, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be achieved by executing the processing according to each of the steps.

  A program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a program executed by a computer used in an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit for imaging a subject, and the captured image obtained by the imaging unit on the computer An acquisition function for acquiring specific setting information other than the image parameter expressing the hue of the image, a determination function for determining an initial value of the image parameter based on the specific setting information obtained by the acquisition function, and the determination function A storage function for storing an initial value of the determined image parameter is realized.

  Therefore, when the computer executes the program for realizing each function, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be achieved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately set the initial values of image parameters in consideration of, for example, the use environment of the camera and the difference in racial color sense, without the user being particularly conscious. Thus, it is possible to always obtain a good captured image.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration when a digital camera is taken as an example of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is mainly a front configuration, and FIG. It is a perspective view which mainly shows the structure of a back surface.

  The digital camera 1 has a photographing lens 3, a self-timer lamp 4, an optical finder window 5, a strobe light emitting unit 6, a microphone unit 7 and the like on the front surface of a substantially rectangular thin plate-like body 2 on the upper surface (for the user). On the right end side, a power key 8 and a shutter key 9 are provided.

  The power key 8 is a key operated every time the power is turned on / off, and the shutter key 9 is a key for instructing a photographing timing at the time of photographing.

  Also, on the back of the digital camera 1, a shooting mode (R) key 10, a playback mode (P) key 11, an optical viewfinder 12, a speaker unit 13, a macro key 14, a strobe key 15, a menu (MENU) key 16, a ring A key 17, a set (SET) key 18, a display unit 19, and the like are provided.

  The shooting mode key 10 is operated automatically from the power-off state to automatically turn on the power and shift to the still image shooting mode. On the other hand, by repeatedly operating from the power-on state, the still image mode and the moving image mode are switched. Set cyclically. The still image mode is a mode for photographing a still image. The moving image mode is a mode for shooting a moving image. In particular, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a moving image with sound can be shot.

  The shutter key 9 is commonly used for these photographing modes. That is, in the still image mode, a still image is taken at the timing when the shutter key 9 is pressed. In the moving image mode, shooting of a moving image is started at a timing when the shutter key 9 is pressed, and shooting of the moving image is ended when the shutter key 9 is pressed again.

  When the playback mode key 11 is operated from the power-off state, the playback mode key 11 is automatically turned on to enter the playback mode. The optical viewfinder 12 is used for optically confirming a subject to be photographed by a user during photographing. The macro key 14 is operated when switching between normal shooting and macro shooting in the still image shooting mode. The strobe key 15 is operated when switching the light emission mode of the strobe light emitting unit 6. The menu key 16 is operated when selecting various menu items. The ring key 17 is integrally formed with item selection keys in the up, down, left, and right directions, and the set key 18 located in the center of the ring key 17 sets the item selected at that time. To operate.

  The display unit 19 is composed of a color liquid crystal panel with a backlight, and displays a through image on the monitor as an electronic viewfinder in the photographing mode, and reproduces and displays the selected image and the like in the reproduction mode.

  Although not shown, the digital camera 1 has a memory card slot for attaching / detaching a memory card used as a recording medium, a serial interface connector for connecting to an external personal computer, etc., for example, USB (Universal). Serial Bus) connector and the like are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit configuration of the digital camera 1.

  In the digital camera 1, a lens optical system 22 including a focus lens and a zoom lens (not shown) constituting the photographing lens 3 is provided so as to be movable within a predetermined range in the optical axis direction by driving a motor 21. A CCD 23, which is an image sensor, is disposed behind the optical axis. The CCD 23 receives light from each part of the subject input through the photographing lens 3 and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the light.

  In the recording mode, which is the basic mode, the CCD 23 is scanned and driven by a timing generator (TG) 24 and a driver 25, and outputs a photoelectric conversion output corresponding to a light image formed at regular intervals for one screen. The photoelectric conversion output of the CCD 23 is appropriately gain-adjusted for each primary color component of RGB in the state of an analog value signal, sampled and held by the sample hold circuit 26, and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 27. The

  Then, in the color process circuit 28, image processing including pixel interpolation processing and γ correction processing is performed to generate a digital luminance signal Y and color difference signals U and V (Cb, Cr), and DMA (Direct Memory Access). ) Output to the controller 29.

  The DMA controller 29 once uses the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals U and V output from the color process circuit 28 by using the composite synchronization signal, the memory write enable signal, and the clock signal from the color process circuit 28 once. And the DMA transfer to the DRAM 31 used as the buffer memory via the DRAM interface (I / F) 30.

  The control unit 32 controls the entire digital camera 1 and is constituted by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM storing an operation program executed by the CPU, a RAM used as a work memory, and the like. . The control unit 32 is provided with a parameter storage unit 32a, a region storage unit 32b, and a language storage unit 32c. These storage units 32a to 32c will be described later.

  After the DMA transfer of the luminance and color difference signals to the DRAM 31 is completed, the control unit 32 reads the luminance and color difference signals from the DRAM 31 via the DRAM interface 30 and writes them to the VRAM 34 via the VRAM controller 33.

  The digital video encoder 35 periodically reads the luminance and color difference signals from the VRAM 34 via the VRAM controller 33, generates a video signal based on these data, and outputs the video signal to the display unit 19.

  As described above, the display unit 19 functions as a monitor display unit (electronic finder) at the time of shooting. By performing display based on the video signal from the digital video encoder 35, the display unit 19 captures from the VRAM controller 33 at that time. An image based on the image information is displayed in real time.

  As described above, when the image at that time is displayed in real time as the monitor image on the display unit 19, for example, when the shutter key 9 is pressed at a timing at which still image shooting is desired, a trigger signal is generated.

  In response to the trigger signal, the control unit 32 immediately stops the path from the CCD 23 to the DRAM 31 immediately after the DMA transfer of the luminance and color difference signals for one screen captured from the CCD 23 to the DRAM 31 is completed. , Transition to the record storage state.

  In this recording and storage state, the control unit 32 outputs the luminance and color difference signals for one frame written in the DRAM 31 to 8 pixels × 8 pixels for each of Y, Cb, and Cr components via the DRAM interface 30. The data is read out in units called basic blocks and written in a JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) circuit 37. The JPEG circuit 37 uses an ADCT (Adaptive Discrete Cosine Transform) and an entropy coding system. Data compression is performed by processing such as conversion.

  The obtained code data is read out from the JPEG circuit 37 and written in the recording memory 38 as a data file of one image. The memory 38 includes a memory card that is detachably mounted as a recording medium in addition to an internal memory such as a flash memory built in the main body in advance. With the compression processing of the luminance and color difference signals for one frame and the completion of writing all the compressed data to the memory 38, the control unit 32 activates the path from the CCD 23 to the DRAM 31 again.

  The control unit 32 is further connected with an audio processing unit 39, a USB interface (I / F) 40, and a strobe driving unit 41.

  The sound processing unit 39 includes a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source, digitizes a sound signal input from the microphone unit (MIC) 7 during sound recording, and performs a predetermined data file format such as MP3 (MPEG-1 audio layer). 3) Data compression is performed in accordance with the standard to create an audio data file and send it to the memory 38. On the other hand, when reproducing the audio, the audio data file read from the memory 38 is uncompressed and converted into an analog signal. The sound is output through a speaker unit (SP) 13 provided on the back side.

  The USB interface 40 performs communication control when image data and other information are transmitted / received to / from another information terminal device such as a personal computer connected by wire via a USB connector. The strobe drive unit 41 charges a strobe capacitor (not shown) at the time of shooting, and then drives the strobe light emitting unit 6 to flash based on control from the control unit 32.

  In addition to the shutter key 9 described above, the key input unit 36 includes a power key 8, a shooting mode key 10, a playback mode key 11, a macro key 14, a strobe key 15, a menu key 16, a ring key 17, and a set key. 18 and the like, and signals accompanying these key operations are sent directly to the control unit 32.

  Further, when shooting a moving image instead of a still image, when the shutter key 9 is pressed, the above-described JPEG circuit 37 compresses the captured moving image using a technique such as motion-JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group). To the memory 38. When the shutter key 9 is operated again, the recording of the moving image data is finished.

  On the other hand, in the playback mode which is the basic mode, the control unit 32 selectively reads out the image data recorded in the memory 38 and is compressed by a procedure completely opposite to the procedure of data compression in the recording mode by the JPEG circuit 37. Decompress image data. The decompressed image data is held in the DRAM 31 via the DRAM interface 30, and then the content held in the DRAM 31 is stored in the VRAM 34 via the VRAM controller 33. The image data is periodically read out from the VRAM 34. A video signal is generated and reproduced and output by the display unit 19.

  If the selected image data is not a still image but a moving image, the multiple frames of still image data that make up the moving image data are played back and displayed sequentially in chronological order, and all the still image data is played back. For example, the top still image data is displayed until the next playback instruction is given.

  Next, an operation for initial setting of image parameters of the digital camera 1 will be described.

  The “image parameter” referred to here is information for expressing the hue of the captured image, and specifically includes “saturation”, “sharpness”, “contrast”, “white balance”, and the like. Normally, these image parameters are initially set according to the destination on the manufacturing side. However, the initial setting value is not always suitable for the use environment of the camera. Therefore, in the first embodiment, focusing on the setting operation of the world time (local time) performed by the user at the time of camera purchase or the like, the initial value of the image parameter is set using the regional information of the world time.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing initial setting processing of image parameters of the digital camera 1 in the first embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed by the control unit 32, which is a microprocessor, reading a program recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. The same applies to the processing of the other embodiments, and the control unit 32 is executed by reading a program for realizing processing corresponding to each embodiment.

  Assume that the user sets the world time when purchasing a camera. The setting of the world time is performed, for example, by selecting a setting item of “world time” on a menu screen (not shown) displayed by operating the menu key 16 provided in the digital camera 1.

  When the user gives an instruction to set the world time (step A11), a time zone selection screen 51 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 19 (step A12). In this time zone selection screen 51, when a time zone including the user's area (camera use area) is selected by operating the ring key 17, for example (step A13: Yes), the area selection as shown in FIG. A screen 52 is displayed (step A14). In this region selection screen 52, the time difference between the time difference based on the Greenwich Mean Time of the city where the list of representative cities in each region belonging to the selected time zone is set at home and the time difference based on the Greenwich Mean Time of the representative city is displayed. Displayed with the difference.

  When the user selects a desired region (city) on the region selection screen 52 (Yes in step A15), the control unit 32 stores the selected region information in the region storage unit 32b, and then stores the selected region information in the region information. Based on this, the world time is set (step A16). Specifically, processing is performed such that the current date and time of the clock provided in the digital camera 1 is adjusted according to the time difference of the selected regional information.

  Here, with such world time setting processing, the control unit 32 acquires the region information, which is the setting information at that time, from the region storage unit 32b (step A17). The control unit 32 determines the initial value of the image parameter corresponding to the area information by referring to a table in which the initial value of the image parameter is defined in advance for each area, for example (step A18). The initial value is stored in the parameter storage unit 32a for use in the subsequent photographing process (step A19).

  More specifically, for example, if the digital camera 1 is used in the European region, the initial value of “saturation” which is one of the image parameters in consideration of the incident angle of sunlight in the European region. Is set about 5% lower than other areas. Thus, for example, when the user can arbitrarily adjust the saturation at five levels of “+2”, “+1”, “0 (corresponding to the initial value)”, “−1”, and “−2” at the time of shooting. In this case, a value about 5% lower than the initial value stored in the parameter storage unit 32a is set.

  In addition to “saturation”, initial values of “sharpness”, “contrast”, “white balance”, and the like are automatically set according to the region of use as described above. Specific parameter values are not disclosed because of know-how.

  In this way, by using the world time (local time) setting operation performed first by the user at the time of camera purchase or the like, the initial value of the image parameter is set based on the area information obtained at that time. However, it is possible to always obtain a good captured image using image parameters in consideration of the area where the digital camera 1 is used, even if the user is not particularly conscious.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the initial value of the image parameter is set in consideration of the region where the digital camera 1 is used. In the second embodiment, the color sense of the race using the digital camera 1 is taken into consideration. The initial value of the image parameter is set. In this case, the race is determined by the language used by the user.

  The processing operation as the second embodiment will be described below. Note that since the external configuration and circuit configuration of the digital camera 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment, a processing difference when the image parameters are initially set will be described here.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing initial setting processing of image parameters of the digital camera 1 according to the second embodiment.

  Assume that the user sets the language used when the user purchases a camera. This language setting is performed, for example, by selecting a “language” setting item on a menu screen (not shown) displayed by operating a menu key 16 provided in the digital camera 1.

  When the user gives a language setting instruction (step B11), a language selection screen 53 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 19 (step B12). In this digital camera 1, in addition to “Japanese”, “English (English)”, “Francais (French)”, “Deutsch (German)”, “Espanol (Spanish)”, “Italiano (Italian) "," Chinese ", etc. are prepared, and the language used by the user can be selected from these languages.

  In the language selection screen 53, for example, when the user selects a language to be used by operating the ring key 17 (Yes in Step B13), the control unit 32 stores the selected language information in the language storage unit 32c. The message display is set based on the language information (step B14). Specifically, the dictionary used for message display is switched to a dictionary corresponding to the selected language information, and thereafter, various messages are displayed using the switched dictionary.

  Here, along with such language setting processing, the control unit 32 acquires language information, which is setting information at that time, from the language storage unit 32c (step B15). Then, the control unit 32 determines the initial value of the image parameter corresponding to the language information by referring to a table in which the initial value of the image parameter is defined in advance for each language, for example (step B16). The initial value is stored in the parameter storage unit 32a to be used in the subsequent photographing process (step B17).

  For example, when a language such as “Japanese”, “Chinese”, or the like is selected, it is determined that the user with the black eyes uses the digital camera 1 and the color sense when viewing through the black eyes is obtained. In addition, an initial value of “saturation” which is one of the image parameters is set. On the other hand, when a language such as “English (English)”, “Francais (French)”, “Deutsch (German)”, etc. is selected, it is determined that the user with blue eyes uses the digital camera 1. Then, an initial value of “saturation”, which is one of the image parameters, is set in accordance with the color sensation when viewed through a blue pupil.

  The same applies to “sharpness”, “contrast”, “white balance”, and the initial values are automatically set according to the language used. Specific parameter values are not disclosed due to know-how.

  In this way, by using the language setting operation performed first by the user at the time of camera purchase or the like, and by setting the initial value of the image parameter based on the language information obtained at that time, the user is not particularly conscious. In both cases, it is possible to always obtain a good captured image using image parameters that take into account the difference in racial color sense of the user who uses the digital camera 1.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment is characterized in that the initial value of the image parameter is set based on the area of use and the language.

  The processing operation as the third embodiment will be described below. Note that since the external configuration and circuit configuration of the digital camera 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment, a processing difference when the image parameters are initially set will be described here.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an initial setting process of image parameters of the digital camera 1 according to the third embodiment.

  Assume that the user sets the world time and language when purchasing a camera. These settings are made by selecting appropriate setting items on a menu screen (not shown) displayed by operating the menu key 16 as described above.

  When there is an instruction to set the world time (Yes in step C11), a time zone selection screen 51 as shown in FIG. 4 and a region selection screen 52 as shown in FIG. 5 are displayed in order to set the world time (current time). (Step C12). The world time setting process is the same as steps A11 to A17 in FIG. 3, and a detailed description thereof is omitted here. In this case, the region information of the world time selected on the region selection screen 52 is stored in the region storage unit 32b.

  If there is a language setting instruction (Yes in step C13), a language selection screen 53 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and the language used for message display is set (step C14). Since the language setting process is the same as steps B11 to B14 in FIG. 6, detailed description thereof is omitted here. In this case, the language information selected on the language selection screen 53 is stored in the language storage unit 32c.

  Here, when either one of the world time and language setting processing is performed, the control unit 32 acquires the setting information at that time (step C15), and uses the setting information to change the image parameter. The initial value is determined, and the initial value is stored in the parameter storage unit 32a to be used in the subsequent photographing process (step C16).

  That is, when the world time setting process is performed, as described in the first embodiment, the control unit 32 acquires the region information that is the setting information at that time from the region storage unit 32b. Then, for example, an initial value of the image parameter corresponding to the area information is determined by referring to a table in which the initial value of the image parameter is defined in advance for each area, and the initial value is stored in the parameter storage unit 32a. Remember.

  On the other hand, when the language setting process is performed, as described in the second embodiment, the control unit 32 acquires the language information that is the setting information at that time from the language storage unit 32c. Then, for example, the initial value of the image parameter corresponding to the language information is determined by referring to a table in which the initial value of the image parameter is previously defined for each language, and the initial value is stored in the parameter storage unit 32a. Remember.

  Further, when both world time and language setting processing is performed, the control unit 32 acquires the regional information from the regional storage unit 32b and the language information from the language storage unit 32c, for example, The initial value of the image parameter is determined by referring to a table using such information as a search condition, and the initial value is stored in the parameter storage unit 32a.

  As described above, the initial value of the image parameter is determined using at least one of the area information and the language information. In this case, if both regional information and language information are used, a more appropriate initial value can be set in consideration of the difference between the usage environment (region) and racial color sense (pupil color). As a result, a better captured image can be obtained.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, for example, when the camera is purchased, whether or not the world time and language are set is determined at the same time, and the initial value of the image parameter is set based on the setting information obtained at that time. However, not only when purchasing the camera, but when one of the setting operations is performed, the initial value of the image parameter is set using the setting information obtained at that time, and then the other setting operation is performed. In this case, the initial value of the image parameter may be reset in consideration of the setting information obtained at that time.

  That is, for example, if only the world time is set at the time of camera purchase, first, the initial value of the image parameter is determined based on the regional information of the world time obtained at that time, and the value is set in the parameter storage unit 32a. Keep it. Thereafter, when the language used for message display is set, the initial value of the image parameter is reset by taking into account the language information obtained at that time, and the parameter storage unit 32a uses the initial value as the latest information. To remember.

  In each of the embodiments, the digital camera 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an imaging function such as a mobile phone with a camera or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) with a camera is used. The present invention is applicable to all the electronic devices provided.

  In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the respective embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  Further, the method described in each of the above-described embodiments is a program that can be executed by a computer, such as a magnetic disk (flexible disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.), and a semiconductor memory. It is possible to write the program on a recording medium and apply it to various apparatuses, or to transmit the program itself via a transmission medium such as a network to apply to various apparatuses. A computer that implements this apparatus reads a program recorded on a recording medium or a program provided via a transmission medium, and performs the above-described processing by controlling the operation by this program.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an external configuration when a digital camera is taken as an example of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is mainly a front configuration, and FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit configuration of the digital camera in the embodiment. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating initial setting processing of image parameters of the digital camera according to the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the time zone selection screen displayed at the time of the setting of the world time of the digital camera in the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the area selection screen displayed at the time of the setting of the world time of the digital camera in the embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing initial setting processing of image parameters of a digital camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the language selection screen displayed at the time of the setting of the world time of the digital camera in the embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing initial setting processing of image parameters of a digital camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera, 2 ... Body, 3 ... Shooting lens, 4 ... Self-timer lamp, 5 ... Optical finder window, 6 ... Strobe light emission part, 7 ... Microphone part, 8 ... Power key, 9 ... Shutter key, 10 ... Photographing Mode key, 11 ... Playback mode key, 12 ... Optical viewfinder, 13 ... Speaker unit, 14 ... Macro key, 15 ... Strobe key, 16 ... Menu (MENU) key, 17 ... Ring key, 18 ... Set key, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... Display part, 21 ... Motor, 22 ... Lens optical system, 23 ... CCD, 24 ... Timing generator (TG), 25 ... Driver, 26 ... Sample hold circuit (S / H), 27 ... A / D converter 28 ... Color process circuit, 29 ... DMA controller, 30 ... DRAM interface (I / F), 31 ... DRAM, 32 ... Control unit, 32a ... Meter storage unit 32b Regional storage unit 32c Language storage unit 33 VRAM controller 34 VRAM 35 Digital video encoder 36 Key input unit 37 JPEG circuit 38 Memory 39 Audio processing 40: USB interface (I / F), 41: Strobe drive unit.

Claims (7)

Imaging means for photographing the subject;
Acquisition means for acquiring specific setting information other than image parameters expressing the hue of the captured image obtained by the imaging means;
A determination unit that determines an initial value of the image parameter based on the specific setting information obtained by the acquisition unit;
An imaging apparatus comprising: storage means for storing an initial value of the image parameter determined by the determination means. A region setting means for setting region information indicating a region where the device is used;
The acquisition means acquires the area information set by the area setting means as the specific setting information,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines an initial value of an image parameter suitable for a use area of the apparatus based on the area information. Language setting means for setting language information indicating a language used for displaying messages of the apparatus;
The acquisition means acquires the language information set by the language setting means as the specific setting information,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines an initial value of an image parameter suitable for a color sense of a race using the language based on the language information. An area setting means for setting area information indicating an area where the apparatus is used;
Language setting means for setting language information indicating a language used for message display of the apparatus;
The acquisition means acquires at least one of the area information set by the area setting means and the language information set by the language setting means as the specific setting information,
The determination means includes an initial value of an image parameter suitable for a region where the apparatus is used when the region information is acquired, and an image suitable for a race using the language when the language information is acquired. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an initial value of the parameter, the area information, and the language information are acquired, an initial value of the image parameter that satisfies both of them is determined.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image parameter includes at least a parameter for determining a saturation of a captured image. In an image parameter setting method used in an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup unit for shooting an object,
An acquisition step of acquiring specific setting information other than an image parameter expressing a hue of a captured image obtained by the imaging unit;
A determination step of determining an initial value of the image parameter based on the specific setting information obtained by the acquisition step;
An image parameter setting method comprising: a storage step for storing an initial value of the image parameter determined by the determining step. A program executed by a computer used in an imaging apparatus provided with imaging means for photographing a subject,
In the computer,
An acquisition function for acquiring specific setting information other than image parameters expressing the hue of a captured image obtained by the imaging means;
A determination function for determining an initial value of an image parameter based on specific setting information obtained by the acquisition function;
A storage function for storing an initial value of an image parameter determined by the determination function is realized.

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