JP2006203691A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device capable of performing automatic photographing according to various predetermined photographing procedures and easily creating and changing a photographing procedure program itself which defines such photographing procedures without requiring technical knowledge about a computer program. <P>SOLUTION: In the image pickup device, various control items displayed on the screen of a monitor 18 are set in an interactive manner by the operation of an operating part 25 to thereby enable a user to create a photographing procedure program in which set states of control items is changed time-sequentially. Then, a control part 24 performs automatic photographing while changing the set states of the control items time-sequentially according to the photographing procedure program created by such a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device that captures still images and / or moving images, and more particularly to an imaging device that automatically controls various control items that can be normally operated by a user to perform imaging.

  With the advancement of IT technology in recent years, photographing apparatuses (so-called digital still cameras and video cameras) have become popular with many users due to their high performance, high functionality and low price. However, it cannot be denied that it has become difficult for general users to use it with higher functionality. On the other hand, as a matter of course, the user has a demand for more advanced shooting as he / she becomes familiar with the operation of the shooting apparatus.

  In order to satisfy both requirements, for example, it is conceivable to program the imaging procedure. For beginners, by using a programmed shooting procedure prepared in advance, a satisfactory shooting result can be obtained without performing complicated settings, and for a user who wants a higher level of shooting. By programming various special photographing techniques, it is possible to obtain a considerably high degree of photographing results without the need for special training.

  For the above-mentioned purposes, full-automatic cameras with programmed exposure (aperture value and shutter speed) and focus (focusing) have been put into practical use in still cameras since the time when conventional silver halide films were used. Even in video cameras that mainly shoot moving images, exposure and focus are automated by programming. In addition, there is a still camera configured to automatically adjust the zoom magnification so that a person who is a subject falls within a frame when shooting a portrait of the person.

  However, the technique described above is merely a technique for automating troublesome exposure adjustment and focus adjustment when the user performs photographing, and a self-timer for a still camera exists as a technique for automating the photographing procedure itself. It was about.

  Under such circumstances, for example, an invention of a video camera device as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been made. In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, by specifying “automatic recording”, each part is set according to the setting conditions specified by the program, and recording of the video signal is started at the set time. It is configured. The program is recorded on a PC card, and is updated by writing a program created or modified by a personal computer to the PC card.

Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for program-controlling a digital still camera. In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, the digital still camera is automatically controlled in accordance with a command described in an “automatic operation file” regarded as a unit program. Therefore, it is possible to control the digital still camera by a plurality of different procedures by preparing a plurality of automatic control files.
JP 11-341339 A JP 2003-250120 A

  However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, automatic recording, that is, recording can be started at a time designated by the program, and various setting conditions at that time can be designated by the program in advance. It is not assumed that more complicated control is performed. In other words, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 has substantially the same technical contents as the reservation recording of the video deck. In view of the fact that the video camera has a configuration substantially similar to that of the video deck, this is merely the application of the reserved recording technique used in the video deck to the video camera. Must be within an easily conceivable range.

  In addition, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 mainly targets a digital still camera, not a video camera that shoots moving images, and an automatic operation file in which a program is described is created externally via an interface. It is configured to be input to a digital still camera. Further, the automatic operation file itself needs to be created in advance externally as a text file. Therefore, only the user who has a certain degree of knowledge necessary for creating a computer program can create the automatic operation file. This is difficult for a user who only needs to be able to shoot normally. The reason why the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 uses such an automatic operation file that seems to be difficult for general users is that it is a program (automatically usable) for various digital still cameras. It seems to be caused by the purpose of providing action files. However, such considerations are inconvenient for ordinary users.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and by performing program control of the photographing apparatus, it is possible to automatically photograph according to various predetermined photographing procedures. The main purpose is to provide a photographing apparatus that can easily create and change programmed photographing procedure information itself without requiring specialized knowledge about a computer program.

  In short, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention can easily create programmed photographing procedure information in which various control items are set in time series in an interactive manner, and time according to such information. This is a configuration in which photographing is automatically performed while changing the setting state of the control items in series.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention has an exposure control mechanism and an optical zoom mechanism, and acquires an optical image acquisition unit that acquires an optical image of a subject, and an optical image acquired by the optical image acquisition unit as an electrical video signal. Imaging means, recording means for recording the video signal acquired by the imaging means, control means for controlling the exposure control mechanism, the optical zoom mechanism, and the recording means, and exposure control to the control means In a photographing apparatus comprising a mechanism, the optical zoom mechanism, and an accepting means for accepting an instruction for controlling the recording means from the outside, a photographing procedure storage means for storing photographing procedure information defining a photographing procedure is provided. The control means controls the exposure control mechanism, the optical zoom mechanism, and the recording means according to the photographing procedure information stored in the photographing procedure photographing procedure storage means. Characterized in that are configured to.

  In such a photographing apparatus of the present invention, according to the photographing procedure information stored in the photographing procedure storage means, at least the exposure control mechanism, the optical zoom mechanism, and the recording means are controlled to automatically photograph and record.

  The photographing apparatus according to the present invention is the above photographing apparatus, wherein the photographing procedure information includes an exposure value by the exposure control mechanism, a zoom magnification of the optical zoom mechanism, and a video signal recording process by the recording means. It is defined that the means is controlled in time series.

  In such an imaging apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described imaging apparatus, imaging is performed while automatically changing the setting state of various control items in time series according to the imaging procedure information stored in the imaging procedure storage unit, Record.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the exposure control mechanism includes an aperture mechanism and a shutter mechanism, and the imaging procedure information includes an aperture value of the aperture mechanism and a shutter speed of the shutter mechanism, respectively. Are individually determined in a time-series manner by the control means.

  In such a photographing apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described photographing apparatus invention, photographing is performed while automatically changing the setting values of the aperture value of the diaphragm mechanism and the shutter speed of the shutter mechanism in accordance with the photographing procedure information.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that in the invention of the imaging apparatus described above, the imaging procedure information is determined so that the control means controls the zoom magnification of the optical zoom mechanism in time series. To do.

  In such a photographing apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described photographing apparatus invention, photographing is performed while automatically changing the setting state of the zoom magnification of the optical zoom mechanism in accordance with photographing procedure information.

  Further, in the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the imaging procedure information is set such that the recording process of the video signal by the recording unit is controlled in time series by the control unit. Features.

  In such an imaging apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described imaging apparatus invention, imaging is performed while automatically changing the recording state of the video signal on the recording medium in accordance with the imaging procedure information.

  Still further, in the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the optical image acquisition unit includes a focus control mechanism, and the imaging procedure information includes the focus position by the focus control mechanism in time series with the control unit. It is characterized in that it is determined to be controlled.

  In such an imaging apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described imaging apparatus invention, imaging is performed while automatically changing the focus position state of the focus mechanism in accordance with the imaging procedure information.

  Furthermore, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention further includes illumination means in the invention of the above-described imaging apparatus, and the imaging procedure information is determined so that the control means controls the on / off of the illumination means in time series. It is characterized by being.

  In such a photographing apparatus according to the present invention, in the invention of the photographing apparatus described above, photographing is performed and recorded while automatically changing the state of the illumination means according to photographing procedure information.

  Still further, in any one of the above-described photographing apparatus inventions, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a display device, and the accepting unit designates an arbitrary position on the image displayed on the display device. An instruction receiving unit configured to receive an instruction to input an arbitrary character and / or numeral at a position on the image designated by the unit; and the control unit includes the imaging procedure. Control for displaying control items that can be controlled by information on the display device, and control for changing the display state of the control items according to the photographing procedure information displayed on the display device in accordance with an instruction received by the receiving unit; The display state after the change is controlled to be stored in the photographing procedure storage means as photographing procedure information.

  In such a photographing apparatus according to the present invention, photographing procedure information is created by changing settings of various control items on the image displayed on the display device in any of the above-described photographing apparatus inventions, and photographing Stored in the procedure storage means.

  Still further, in the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the imaging procedure storage means stores in advance a plurality of templates in which control items displayed on the display device are grouped, and the control means The display unit is configured to perform control to display any one of a plurality of templates stored in the photographing procedure storage unit in response to an instruction received by the reception unit. And

  In such a photographing apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described photographing apparatus invention, a plurality of templates in which various control items necessary for creating photographing procedure information are grouped are displayed on the display device.

  Still further, in the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the control items include an aperture value of an aperture mechanism of the exposure control mechanism and a shutter speed of the shutter mechanism, a recording process of a video signal by the recording unit, Including one or more of a zoom magnification of an optical zoom mechanism, a focus position by the focus control mechanism, and on / off of the illumination unit, and the control unit controls each of the controls according to an instruction received by the reception unit It is configured to generate imaging procedure information in which setting values of items are set in association with elapsed time from the control start time.

  In such a photographing apparatus according to the present invention, in the above photographing apparatus invention, photographing procedure information is created by changing settings of various control items on an image displayed as a template prepared in advance. Stored in the procedure storage means.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention as described above, at least the exposure control mechanism, the optical zoom mechanism, and the recording are performed according to the photographing procedure stored in the photographing procedure storage means without the user having to directly operate the photographing apparatus by himself / herself. By automatically controlling the means, it is possible to perform shooting in a desired shooting procedure.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, in the above photographing apparatus, the user does not need to directly operate the photographing apparatus by himself / herself, according to the photographing procedure information stored in the photographing procedure storage means, at least the exposure control mechanism and the optical zoom. Since the mechanism and the recording means are automatically controlled in time series, it is possible to perform shooting in a desired shooting procedure.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, in the above photographing apparatus invention, the aperture value of the diaphragm mechanism and the setting state of the shutter speed of the shutter mechanism are automatically controlled in time series according to the photographing procedure information. The photographing can be performed by a desired photographing procedure.

  Further, according to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, in the above photographing apparatus invention, the zoom magnification setting state of the optical zoom mechanism is further automatically controlled in time series according to the photographing procedure information, so that a desired photographing procedure is obtained. You can shoot with.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, in the above photographing apparatus invention, the recording state of the video signal on the recording medium is automatically controlled in time series according to the photographing procedure information, so that the desired photographing procedure can be achieved. Shooting can be performed.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, in the above photographing apparatus invention, the state of the focus position of the focus mechanism is automatically controlled in time series according to the photographing procedure information, so that photographing can be performed in a desired photographing procedure. Can be done.

  Further, according to the photographing apparatus according to the present invention, in the above photographing apparatus invention, the state of the illumination means is automatically controlled in time series according to the photographing procedure information, so that photographing can be performed in a desired photographing procedure. it can.

  Furthermore, according to the photographing apparatus according to the present invention, in any of the above-described photographing apparatus inventions, photographing procedure information is created by an easy operation of changing settings of various control items on an image displayed on the display device. Is done.

  Further, according to the photographing apparatus according to the present invention, in the above photographing apparatus invention, a template in which various control items necessary for creating photographing procedure information are grouped is displayed on the display device. The shooting procedure can be set with an easy operation.

  Further, according to the photographing apparatus according to the present invention, in the above photographing apparatus invention, a template in which various control items necessary for creating photographing procedure information are grouped is displayed on the display device. The shooting procedure can be set by an easier operation of changing the setting of various control items on the displayed image.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a video camera as an embodiment of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is viewed from the left rear and FIG. 1 (b) is viewed from the left front. Shows the state. Note that the photographing apparatus according to the present invention basically functions as a video camera for moving image photographing, but also functions as a digital still camera as described later.

  A video camera 1 as a photographing apparatus according to the present invention is similar in appearance to a general video camera, and the uppermost lens of the lens group 10L of the optical system 10 is exposed at the upper front end, and the upper part is exposed. A viewfinder 19 is provided at the rear end. Further, a microphone 28 is provided in a portion near the lower portion of the front end portion. Further, a monitor 18 as a display device using a liquid crystal display panel is attached to the left side portion so as to be openable and closable by being pivotally supported at the front end portion with respect to the main body. Reference numeral 18S denotes a screen of the monitor 18, and 19S denotes a screen of the viewfinder 19. Reference numeral 20 denotes a speaker for reproducing sound.

  Further, on the left side surface of the video camera 1 exposed when the monitor 18 is opened, the user directly operates the video camera 1 manually or performs various settings (including settings such as a shooting procedure program described later). For this purpose, an operation unit 25 provided with various switches, buttons and the like necessary for the operation is provided. Further, a moving image shooting button 25M for shooting a moving image is provided on the rear surface of the video camera 1, and a still image shooting button 25S for shooting a still image is also provided on the upper surface.

  25ZT and 25ZW are buttons for the user to operate the zoom mechanism of the optical system 10, as will be described in detail later. Specifically, the button 25ZT is a tele button for moving the entire focal length of the lens group 10L to the telephoto side (telephoto side), and the button 25ZW is used to change the focal length of the entire lens group 10L to the wide side ( This is a wide button for moving to the wide-angle side. Therefore, the zoom mechanism is a so-called electric zoom. Further, the arrangement positions of the operation unit 25, the moving image shooting button 25M, the still image shooting button 25S, and the like are merely examples, and may be arranged in other portions of the video camera 1.

  The moving image shooting button 25M is turned on (specifically, pressed by the user) when a moving image mode (a mode for shooting a video signal as a moving image) to be described later is set, thereby recording the video signal as a moving image. (In this case, the sound input from the microphone 28 is also usually recorded), and can be locked in the ON state. That is, when the moving image mode is set, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention functions as a video camera for moving image photographing. The still image shooting button 25S is turned on (specifically, pressed by the user) when a later-described still image mode (a mode in which a video signal is captured as a still image) is set. This is a button for recording a video signal as a still image. The still image shooting button 25S cannot be locked in the on state, but by continuing the on operation, so-called continuous shooting can be performed at predetermined time intervals. That is, when the still image mode is set, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention functions as a digital still camera for still image photographing.

  Note that a still image memory 21M, which is a recording medium for still images, is mounted near the lower left portion of the back of the video camera 1. Specifically, the still image memory 21M is a non-volatile recording medium that can be attached to and detached from a reader / writer as a still image recording unit 21R (see FIG. 2) built in the video camera 1, such as a stick or card. A semiconductor memory, an ultra-small hard disk drive, and the like are mounted in a state of being inserted into a reader / writer slot provided on the back of the video camera 1. Needless to say, the still image memory 21M can be detached from the video camera 1 when the user presses an eject button (not shown). However, it may be configured to be used also as a randomly accessible moving image recording medium 23 (see FIG. 2) such as a hard disk drive described later without providing the still image memory 21M.

  Furthermore, an accessory shoe 27 is fixed to a portion near the front end portion of the upper surface of the video camera 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the illumination unit 26 is attached to the accessory shoe 27. However, for example, a highly directional microphone or the like can also be attached. The illumination unit 26 includes both a video light 26L used as illumination during moving image shooting and a flash 26F used during still image shooting. The video light 26L is normally turned on when the user turns on a predetermined switch when the moving image mode is set. In addition, the flash 26F is normally set when a still image mode is set and the user sets the flash 26F to be used by turning on a predetermined switch and operates the still image shooting button 25S. Flashes in sync with the shooting timing.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the video camera 1 as the photographing apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is configured as a so-called digital video camera for moving image shooting, the function as a digital still camera for still image shooting is described above. I also have. In the block diagram shown in FIG. 2, the video / audio signal is indicated by a solid line and the control signal is indicated by a broken line.

  The internal configuration of the video camera 1 is roughly divided into a photographing system, a recording / reproducing system, and a control system. The photographing system includes an optical system 10 as an optical image acquisition unit, an imaging unit 11 such as a CCD, which is an imaging unit, a microphone 28, a camera signal processing unit 12, an NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13, a monitor 18, and a viewfinder 19. , Speaker 20 and the like.

  In order to capture an image, the optical system 10 causes an optical image of a subject to enter from a lens group 10 </ b> L composed of a plurality of lenses, converts it into an analog video signal by the imaging device 11, and outputs it to the camera signal processing unit 12. The optical system 10 performs zooming by bringing a zoom lens included in the lens group 10L into and out of contact with the imaging device 11, and when autofocus is set, the focus lens included in the lens group 10L is used. A zoom / focus mechanism 10Z that adjusts the position of the lens to perform focus control is provided.

  In the zoom / focus mechanism 10Z, the control unit 24 (to be described later) controls the actuator 10ZA according to the operation of the zoom buttons 25ZT and 25ZW described above, so that the zoom lens included in the lens group 10L has an imaging device as described above. 11 is made to move toward and away from the lens 11, and the focus lens is also adjusted to perform focus control. However, when the autofocus control is not set, manual focusing is possible in which the user manually adjusts the position of the focusing lens. The optical system 10 is provided with a mechanical aperture mechanism 10I. When the control unit 24 controls the actuator 10IA, the aperture mechanism 10I changes its aperture and controls the aperture value (F value).

  The imaging device 11 is provided with a drive circuit 11D. The control unit 24 controls the drive circuit 11D to change the timing at which the imaging device 11 converts the optical image into an electrical signal and the time for receiving the optical image. In other words, the time during which the imaging device 11 receives the optical image corresponds to the shutter speed. Therefore, exposure control by the exposure mechanism is performed by both the aperture value of the aperture mechanism 10I and the shutter speed, which is the time during which the imaging device 11 receives an optical image.

  When the illumination unit 26 is attached to the accessory shoe 27, the control unit 24 controls the drive circuits 26LD and 26FD of the video light 26L and the flash 26F to emit light. The video light 26L is lit when the user manually operates a predetermined switch to turn on when the moving image mode is set, and the flash 26F is set to the still image mode and the user further presses the predetermined switch. When the still image shooting button 25S is turned on while manually operating in the on state, light is emitted in synchronization therewith.

  The camera signal processing unit 12 converts an analog video signal output from the imaging device 11 into a digital video signal, converts an analog audio signal input from the microphone 28 into a digital audio signal, and converts the digital video / audio signal. Output as. As described above, when a highly directional microphone is attached to the accessory shoe 27, the camera signal processing unit 12 receives an analog audio signal from the microphone attached to the accessory shoe 27 instead of the microphone 28. Automatically select and convert to digital audio signal.

  The NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13 converts the digital video signal output from the camera signal processing unit 12 into an NTSC (or PAL) analog composite signal and converts digital audio into an analog audio signal. The analog composite signal is output to the viewfinder 19 and the monitor 18, and the analog audio signal is output to the speaker 20. The NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13 converts the reproduced video read from the recording medium 23 into an NTSC (or PAL) analog composite signal and converts a digital audio signal into an analog audio signal. In the same manner as described above, an analog composite signal is output to the viewfinder 19 and the monitor 18, and an analog audio signal is output to the speaker 20. However, when the monitor 18 is closed, that is, when the monitor 18 is in close contact with the left side of the main body, the composite signal to the monitor 18 and the audio signal to the speaker 20 are not output. .

  The viewfinder 19 and the monitor 18 display NTSC (PAL) analog composite signals converted and output by the NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13, and the speakers 20 are converted by the NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13. And output the analog audio signal. Note that the audio from the speaker 20 is not reproduced when recording a video signal in which the moving image mode and the still image mode are set.

  The recording / reproducing system includes a video / audio encoding unit 14, a video / audio decoding processing unit 15, a recording buffer 16, a reproducing buffer 17, an optical pickup 22, and a moving image recording medium 23 composed of a hard disk drive. Has been. Note that the recording medium 23 is not limited to a hard disk drive, and various recording media can be used, but a recording medium that can be randomly accessed is preferable. As another example, for example, a combination of a DVD drive and a DVD is preferable. In particular, when a DVD drive and a DVD are combined and used as a moving image recording medium 23, the DVD itself as a recording medium is used as a video camera even if it is used as a still image memory 21M, which is a recording medium for still images. 1 can be taken out. In the present embodiment, the video camera 1 has a configuration in which the recording medium 23 is incorporated, but a configuration in which the recording medium 23 is not incorporated is also possible. In the case where the recording medium 23 is not built in, a moving image and a still image may be recorded in a recording device connected to the video camera 1 by wired or wireless communication.

  The video / audio encoding unit 14 is a control unit based on an encoding method such as MPEG2 for recording a digital video signal among the digital video / audio signals output from the camera signal processing unit 12 on the recording medium 23. The digital audio signal is encoded according to the control signal from the control unit 24 by an encoding method such as PCM for recording the digital audio signal on the recording medium 23 and output to the recording buffer 16. . The recording buffer 16 once buffers the encoded video / audio signal output from the encoded video / audio encoding unit 14 and then outputs it to the optical pickup 22.

  The optical pickup 22 writes and records the encoded video / audio signal buffered in the recording buffer 16 on the recording medium 23 according to the control signal from the control unit 24, and conversely, the code recorded on the recording medium 23. The video / audio signal is read and reproduced according to the control signal from the control unit 24 and output to the video / audio decoding processing unit 15.

  The reproduction buffer 17 buffers the encoded video / audio signal read from the recording medium 23 by the optical pickup 22 and then outputs it to the video / audio decoding processing unit 15. The video / audio decoding processing unit 15 decodes the encoded video / audio signal buffered in the reproduction buffer 17 into a digital video / audio signal in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 24, and an NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit. 13 to output.

  Since the digital video / audio signal decoded by the video / audio decoding processing unit 15 is supplied to the NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13 described above, the encoded video / audio signal read from the recording medium 23 is also final. Specifically, it is displayed on the monitor 18 and the viewfinder 19 and reproduced and output from the speaker 20.

  Furthermore, the video camera 1 is provided with a still image recording unit 21R for recording a still image in the still image memory 21M. The still image memory 21M and the still image recording unit 21R may be built in the apparatus as an integrated configuration. However, as described above, the still image memory 21M is attached to and detached from the still image recording unit 21R such as a reader / writer. It is desirable to be a portable stick-like or card-like recording medium. The still image recording unit 21R is connected to the NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13, and in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 24, the NTSC system (or PAL system) for one frame converted by the NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13 is used. ) Analog composite signal is recorded as still image data in the still image memory 21M.

  Therefore, the still image memory 21M can record the same image as the image displayed on the monitor 18 and / or the viewfinder 19 when the control signal from the control unit 24 is given as a still image. At this time, the still image recording unit 21R encodes an NTSC (or PAL) analog composite signal for one frame supplied from the NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13 by a compression encoding method such as the JPEG method. To the still image memory 21M.

  The control unit 24 is a microprocessor with a built-in ROM, RAM, and the like, and controls each component of the video camera 1 described above according to a control program pre-recorded in the ROM, and needs to be temporarily generated and stored therebetween. Various data are temporarily stored in the RAM. The operation unit 25 includes various switches and buttons necessary for the user to operate the video camera 1. In response to the operation of the operation unit 25 by the user, the control unit 24 controls the video camera 1 according to a control program stored in the ROM. The ROM also stores a shooting procedure program creation program, which will be described later.

  Reference numeral 29 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory 29 such as FRAM (trade name), flash memory, EEPROM or the like, which functions as a shooting procedure storage means for storing a shooting procedure program which is shooting procedure information and has a template and the like which will be described later. Pre-stored. However, instead of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 29, a recording procedure program, a template, and the like may be stored in the recording medium 23.

  Next, a diagram showing a processing procedure by the control unit 24 regarding the basic operation of the video camera 1 as the photographing apparatus according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, specifically, the operation when the user manually operates. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the video camera 1 is powered on, the control unit 24 controls the camera signal processing unit 12, the NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13, and the viewfinder 19, and is acquired by the optical system 10 and the imaging device 11. Both an analog video signal and an analog audio signal input from a microphone (not shown) are converted into digital data by the camera signal processing unit 12, and an NTSC (or PAL) analog composite is converted by the NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13. The signal is converted into a signal and displayed on the viewfinder 19 (step S11). In this case, the audio signal input from the microphone is not reproduced from the speaker 20.

  The video camera 1 is provided with a moving image mode and a still image mode as shooting modes, and either mode is set by the user operating the operation unit 25. When the still image mode is set (NO in step S12), the following conventionally known still image mode processing is performed (step S13). That is, when the still image shooting button 25S of the operation unit 25 is operated, a control signal is given from the control unit 24 to the still image memory 21M, so that the view is output from the NTSC (PAL) signal processing unit 13 at that time. A signal for one frame of the image displayed on the finder 19 is output to the still image memory 21M and recorded.

  When the moving image mode is set (YES in step S12), the control unit 24 waits until the moving image shooting button 25M of the operation unit 25 is turned on (NO in step S14). When the moving image shooting button 25M is turned on (YES in step S14), the control unit 24 controls the video / audio encoding unit 14 and the optical pickup 22 to thereby output the digital video output from the camera signal processing unit 12. The video / audio encoding unit 14 encodes the signal and the audio signal, and the optical pickup 22 starts writing (recording) processing of the encoded video / audio signal to the recording medium 23 (step S15).

  Thereafter, when the moving image shooting button 25M is turned off (YES in step S16), the recording of the video signal on the recording medium 23 is stopped (step S17).

  In both the moving image mode and the still image mode as described above, the exposure control, specifically, the opening degree of the aperture mechanism 10I and the light receiving time of the imaging device 11 are usually adjusted by the control of the control unit 24. Thus, a video signal can be obtained with an appropriate exposure, and so-called autofocus control is usually performed. In addition, when the user operates a predetermined switch as necessary, the video light 26L can be turned on in the moving image mode, and the still image still image shooting button 25S is turned on in the still image mode. The flash 26F emits light in synchronization with the timing.

  By the way, as described above, the video camera 1 that is the photographing apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the exposure control mechanism, the zoom mechanism, the focus control mechanism, the video light 26L of the illumination unit 26, the flash 26F, and the like are controlled by the control unit 24. It is. This means that the control unit 24 can be controlled according to the program without directly operating the operation unit 25 and the moving image shooting button 25M, the still image shooting button 25S, the tele button 25ZT, the wide button 25ZW, and the like. ing.

  Therefore, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention can automatically perform photographing according to a preprogrammed procedure. In the following, referring to the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 4 to 33 showing the display state of the screen 18 (monitor screen) 18S of the monitor 18 for the shooting procedure information defining the shooting procedure, that is, the operation procedure for creating the shooting procedure program. I will explain. In the procedure for creating the shooting procedure program described below, the control unit 24 makes a predetermined display on the monitor screen 18S in accordance with the shooting procedure program creation program stored in advance in the ROM built in itself. On the other hand, when the user operates and sets various switches, buttons, and the like arranged on the operation unit 25, a shooting procedure program is sequentially created in an interactive format.

  Note that the shooting procedure program creation program may be stored in advance in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 29 instead of the ROM built in the control unit 24. As described above, when the shooting procedure program creation program is stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 29, the control unit 24 operates according to the shooting procedure program creation program stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 29. Therefore, when the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 29 is added to the existing video camera 1 and the control program processed by the control unit 24 is subjected to a predetermined operation on the operation unit 25, the nonvolatile program is not a built-in ROM. It is only necessary to rewrite the control unit 24 so as to operate according to the photographing procedure program creation program stored in the semiconductor memory 29.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a shooting procedure program creation menu screen that is first displayed on the monitor screen 18S when the shooting procedure program is created. On this menu screen, the user selects whether to use a template or to create a shooting procedure program by making individual settings on his own, and at the same time, whether to create a shooting procedure program for still image mode or movie mode. You can choose. When the user operates the operation unit 25 on this menu screen and selects, for example, “program by myself” and “still image mode”, the control unit 24 performs the shooting procedure program in the still image mode as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the monitor screen 18S.

  In the screen for the user to create a shooting procedure program in the still image mode shown in FIG. 5, “shooting count”, “exposure”, “focus”, “zoom (magnification)”, “flash (whether to use?) The user can make a setting such as “No”. First, for example, when the user selects "number of times of photographing" by operating the operation unit 25, the control unit 24 displays a detailed setting for setting the number of times of photographing on the monitor screen 18S as shown in FIG.

  In the screen for detailed setting of the number of times of photographing shown in FIG. 6, the “number of times of photographing” and the “photographing interval” in units of seconds can be set by the user operating the operation unit 25. However, when “0” is set as the number of times of shooting, maximum shooting is performed according to the current state of the video camera 1 (remaining battery capacity, remaining capacity of the storage capacity of the still image memory 21M, etc.). It is. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the number of shootings is set to 10 and the shooting interval is set to 10 seconds. Accordingly, when control by the shooting procedure program is started, 10 still image shootings are performed at 10 second intervals.

  When the detailed setting of the number of photographing is completed, the control unit 24 displays the detailed setting for setting the exposure on the monitor screen 18S as shown in FIG.

  On the detailed exposure setting screen shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to select any one of “auto (automatic exposure)”, “fixed”, and “specify every time” and to set a bracket. When auto is selected, automatic exposure control is performed each time a still image is taken. When “fixed” is selected, the aperture value and shutter (shutter speed) are set in advance by the user by operating the operation unit 25. In the example shown in FIG. 7, since the aperture is set to F = 2.8 and the shutter speed is set to 1/250, when “fixed” is selected, each time shooting is performed, these values are used. Shooting is performed. When “Specify every time” is selected, a screen for detailed setting shown in FIG. 8 described later is displayed.

  Note that bracketing refers to shooting a plurality of images with different exposures in one still image shooting. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the exposure value of three images is changed by ± 0.5 at the time of one still image shooting. Specifically, the setting value is set regardless of whether it is auto or fixed. A total of three images are taken, one at +0.5, one at +0.5 overexposed, and one at -0.5 underexposed.

  When “Specify every time” is selected, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S detailed settings for setting the exposure at each photographing time point as shown in FIG. In the detailed setting screen for setting the exposure at each shooting point shown in FIG. 8, the aperture value and the shutter speed can be set for each shooting number according to the number of shootings set by the user. is there. Note that the downward triangle shown at the bottom end of the monitor screen 18S in FIG. 8 has a portion that cannot be displayed on the screen, indicating that it can be displayed by scrolling (other monitors). The same applies to the schematic diagram of the screen 18S). In the example shown in FIG. 8, both the aperture value and the shutter speed are set to the same value, but this is a default value. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily change and set the aperture value and the shutter speed for each number of photographing by operating the operation unit 25.

  When the detailed exposure setting is completed as described above, the control unit 24 displays the detailed setting for setting the focus on the monitor screen 18S as shown in FIG.

  On the focus detail setting screen shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to select any one of “auto (autofocus)”, “change every time”, and “fixed”. When “Auto” is selected, autofocus control is performed each time a still image is taken. When “fixed” is selected, the screen is fixed in a state where the user has previously manually focused, as “Please release autofocus and focus” is displayed. Further, when “change every time” is selected, the control unit 24 displays detailed settings for setting the focus each time on the monitor screen 18S as shown in FIG.

  In the detailed setting screen for setting the focus at each shooting time point shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to set the distance to be focused for each shooting number according to the shooting number set by the user previously. It is. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the same value is set for all, but this is a default value. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily change and set the distance to be focused on each number of photographing by operating the operation unit 25.

  When the detailed focus setting is completed as described above, the control unit 24 displays the detailed setting for setting the zoom magnification on the monitor screen 18S as shown in FIG.

  In the detailed zoom magnification setting screen shown in FIG. 11, either “fixed” or “changed” can be selected. When “Fixed” is selected, the user manually sets the zoom magnification (specifically, by operating the zoom buttons 25ZT and 25ZW) before the start of photographing. When “change” is selected, it is further possible to select either “designate first and last” or “designate every time”. When “specify first and last” is selected, the zoom magnification at the first shooting time and the zoom magnification at the last shooting time of the number of shootings set by the user can be specified. In this case, the zoom magnification is gradually changed from the first shooting time to the last shooting time of the number of shooting times set by the user. For example, when recording the growth of a plant, the seed is photographed at the start of photographing, so the zoom magnification is increased, and the zoom magnification is decreased as the plant grows. Thus, it is possible to use the camera so that the entire image can be taken at all times.

  When “Specify every time” is selected, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S detailed settings for setting the zoom magnification each time as shown in FIG.

  In the detailed setting screen for designating the zoom magnification every time shown in FIG. 12, the zoom magnification can be set for each number of times of photographing according to the number of times of photographing previously set by the user. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the same value is set for all, but this is a default value. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily change and set the zoom magnification for each number of photographing by operating the operation unit 25.

  When the detailed setting of the zoom magnification is completed as described above, the control unit 24 displays the detailed setting for setting whether or not to use the flash on the monitor screen 18S as shown in FIG.

  In the detailed setting screen for determining whether or not to use the flash shown in FIG. 13, one of “not use”, “use every time”, and “specify the time to use” can be selected. When “not use” is selected, the flash is not used at all shooting times. When “use every time” is selected, the flash is used at all shooting times. When “specify the time to use” is selected, the control unit 24 displays a detailed setting on the monitor screen 18S for setting whether or not to use the flash each time as shown in FIG.

  In the detailed setting screen for designating whether or not to use the flash shown in FIG. 14 every time, setting of whether or not to use the flash for each shooting number according to the number of shootings set by the user previously. Is possible. By operating the operation unit 25, the user can arbitrarily set whether or not to use the flash at each shooting number.

  When the still image mode is selected, the setting is completed. As a result, the control unit 24 specifically displays the shooting procedure programmed as the shooting procedure program on the monitor screen 18S, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 15, in the first shooting, when shooting is started according to the shooting procedure program, the aperture value is F = 2.8, the shutter speed is 1/250, the focus is autofocus, and the zoom magnification is fixed. (Zoom magnification manually set by the user before shooting is started), and the flash is not used. In the second shooting, the aperture value is F = 5.6, the shutter speed is 1/125, the focus is autofocus, 10 seconds after the shooting is started according to the shooting procedure program (that is, at intervals of 10 seconds), It is shown that the zoom magnification is fixed and the flash is not used. In the following, conditions set for each of the number of shootings set by the user are displayed on the monitor screen 18S, so what procedure is taken by the user according to the shooting procedure program set and created by the user. It is possible to confirm.

  When the user operates the operation unit 25 on the menu screen shown in FIG. 4 and selects, for example, “program by myself” and “moving image mode”, the control unit 24 operates in the moving image mode as shown in FIG. A display for creating a photographing procedure program is displayed on the monitor screen 18S.

  In the screen for the user to create the shooting procedure program in the moving image mode shown in FIG. 16, “shooting time”, “exposure”, “focus”, “zoom (magnification)”, “light (use or not use) ")", "Microphone (whether to use or not)" and the like can be set by the user. First, for example, when the user selects "shooting time" by operating the operation unit 25, the control unit 24 displays a detailed setting for setting the shooting time on the monitor screen 18S as shown in FIG.

  In the detailed shooting time setting screen shown in FIG. 17, the user operates the operation unit 25 to set either by time or by time (elapsed time from the shooting start point by the shooting procedure program). It is possible to select by doing. If it is selected to set by time, if “0” is set as the start, the first shooting is performed when shooting by the shooting procedure program is started, and “0” is ended as the end. Is set, maximum shooting is performed according to the current state of the video camera 1 (remaining battery capacity, remaining storage capacity of the moving image memory 21M, etc.).

  Note that the example shown in FIG. 17 is a screen for setting at the time of the first shooting, but in both cases of setting by time and setting by time, a display of “setting the second time” Is done. Therefore, if the user selects “second time setting” by operating the operation unit 25, it is possible to perform settings for the second shooting. Then, a message “set the third time” is displayed on the screen for the second setting. In the same manner, since a display for inquiring the user whether or not to perform the next shooting is performed in the same manner, if the user selects it, it is possible to set the number of shootings desired by the user. If the user selects “Next” by operating the operation unit 25, the number of times of shooting set up to that point becomes the number of times of shooting specified by the user. Accordingly, since the first shooting time is set on the screen shown in FIG. 17, if the user selects “Next” by operating the operation unit 25 on this screen, the user performs shooting only once. Can be set.

  When the detailed setting of the number of photographing is completed, the control unit 24 displays the detailed setting for setting the exposure on the monitor screen 18S as shown in FIG. In the following, a case where setting by time is selected will be described.

  18, it is possible to select “auto (automatic exposure)”, “fixed”, or “detailed designation” at the time of the first shooting. Is selected, the automatic exposure control is performed each time a moving image is taken in. When “fixed” is selected, the user operates the operation unit 25 to set the aperture value and shutter (which are set in advance). In the example shown in Fig. 7, the aperture is set to F = 2.8 and the shutter speed is set to 1/250, so that "fixed" is selected. The exposure is set with these values, and when “detailed designation” is selected, the screen shown in FIG.

  When “detailed designation” is selected, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S a detailed setting for setting the exposure during the first shooting as shown in FIG. In the detailed setting screen for setting the exposure at the time of the first shooting shown in FIG. 19, the aperture value is set according to the time from the start point to the end point of the first shooting set by the user. The shutter speed can be set. In the example shown in FIG. 19, during the first shooting from 12:00 (12:00) to 13:00, the aperture value is set to F = 2.8 from 12:00 to 12:30. When the shutter speed is 1/250, the aperture value is set to F = 5.6 and the shutter speed is set to 1/125 between 12:30 and 13:00. As described above, the user can arbitrarily set the exposure value, specifically the aperture value and the shutter speed, in more detail during each shooting by operating the operation unit 25.

  When the detailed exposure setting at the time of the first shooting is completed as described above, the control unit 24 displays a screen for the details of the exposure at the time of the second shooting on the monitor screen 18S. This is the same as the screen shown in FIG. In this way, the user can make the detailed exposure settings as described above for all of the previously set photographing times. When the exposure setting is completed, the control unit 24 displays the detailed setting for setting the focus on the monitor screen 18S as shown in FIG.

  On the focus detail setting screen shown in FIG. 20, it is possible to select any one of “auto (autofocus)”, “fixed”, and “detailed designation”. When “Auto” is selected, autofocus control is performed each time a moving image is taken. When “Fixed” is selected, “Please cancel the autofocus and focus” is displayed, and the camera is fixed in a state where the user has manually focused in advance and each shooting is performed. . Further, when “detailed designation” is selected, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S for detail designation of the focus at each photographing as shown in FIG.

  When “detailed designation” is selected, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S a detailed setting for setting the focus during the first shooting as shown in FIG. In the detailed setting screen for setting the focus at the time of the first shooting shown in FIG. 21, the focus is set for each time from the start time to the end time of the first shooting set by the user. Is possible. In the example shown in FIG. 21, during the first shooting from 12:00 to 13:00, the focus (focus distance) is 100 cm from 12:00 to 12:30, and from 12:30 to 13 : Up to 00, the focus is set to 150 cm. In this way, the user can arbitrarily set the focus in more detail during each shooting by operating the operation unit 25.

  When the detailed setting of the focus at the time of the first shooting is completed as described above, the control unit 24 displays a screen for details of the exposure at the time of the second shooting on the monitor screen 18S. This is the same as the screen shown in FIG. In this way, the user can perform the above-described detailed focus setting for all the number of shooting times set in advance. When the focus setting is completed, the control unit 24 displays a detailed setting for setting the zoom magnification on the monitor screen 18S as shown in FIG.

  In the zoom magnification detail setting screen shown in FIG. 22, either “fixed” or “detailed designation” can be selected. When “Fixed” is selected, the user manually zooms in advance (specifically, by operating the zoom buttons 25ZT and 25ZW) so that “Please zoom manually before shooting” is displayed. Shooting is performed each time with the magnification set. When “detailed designation” is selected, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S for detailed setting of the zoom magnification at each photographing as shown in FIG.

  When “detailed designation” is selected, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S detailed settings for setting the zoom magnification during the first shooting as shown in FIG. In the detailed setting screen for setting the zoom magnification at the time of the first shooting shown in FIG. 23, the zoom magnification by time is set between the start time and the end time of the first shooting set by the user. Can be set. In the example shown in FIG. 23, during the first shooting from 12:00 to 13:00, the zoom magnification is 1.0 times from 12:00 to 12:15, and from 12:15 to 12:15. The zoom magnification is set to 2.0 times up to 30, and the zoom magnification is set to 3.0 times from 12:30 to 13:00. As described above, the user can arbitrarily set the zoom magnification in more detail during each shooting by operating the operation unit 25.

  When the detailed setting of the zoom magnification at the time of the first shooting is completed as described above, the control unit 24 displays a screen for details of the exposure at the time of the second shooting on the monitor screen 18S. Is the same as the screen shown in FIG. In this way, the user can perform the detailed setting of the zoom magnification as described above for all the number of photographing times set in advance. When the setting of the zoom magnification is completed, the control unit 24 displays a detailed setting for setting whether or not to use the video light 26L on the monitor screen 18S as shown in FIG.

  On the detailed setting screen for determining whether or not to use the video light 26L shown in FIG. 24, it is possible to select any one of “not use”, “always use”, and “detail designation”. When “not use” is selected, the video light 26L is not used at all. When “always use” is selected, the video light 26L is always turned on at each shooting. When “detailed designation” is selected, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S for setting in detail at each photographing whether or not the video light 26L is used as shown in FIG. .

  When “detailed designation” is selected, the control unit 24 sets on / off of the video light 26L during the first shooting, that is, whether to use the video light 26L, as shown in FIG. Detailed settings for this are displayed on the monitor screen 18S. In the detailed setting screen for turning on / off the video light 26L at the time of the first shooting shown in FIG. 25, the first shooting is set by the user from the start time to the end time of the first shooting. It is possible to set whether to use the video light 26L according to time. In the example shown in FIG. 25, during the first shooting from 12:00 to 13:00, the video light 26L is not used from 12:00 to 12:15, and from 12:15 to 12:30. It is set that the video light 26L is used during the period up to and the video light 26L is not used again between 12:30 and 13:00. As described above, the user can arbitrarily set whether or not to use the video light 26L in more detail during each shooting by operating the operation unit 25.

  When the detailed setting as to whether or not to use the video light 26L is completed in the first shooting as described above, the control unit 24 determines whether or not to use the video light 26L in the second shooting. A screen for setting is displayed on the monitor screen 18S, which is basically the same as the screen shown in FIG. In this way, the user can make detailed settings as to whether or not to use the video light 26L as described above for all the number of shooting times set previously. When the setting as to whether or not to use the video light 26L is completed, the control unit 24 sets detailed settings for setting whether or not to use the microphone 28 as shown in FIG. The display is performed on the monitor screen 18S.

  On the screen for detailed setting as to whether or not to use the microphone 28 shown in FIG. 26, it is possible to select one of “not use”, “always use”, and “detail designation”. If “not use” is selected, the microphone 28 is not used at all. When “always use” is selected, the microphone 28 is always used at the time of each shooting and recording is performed simultaneously. If “detailed designation” is selected, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S for detailed setting at the time of each shooting as to whether or not to use the microphone 28 as shown in FIG.

  When “detailed designation” is selected, the control unit 24 turns on / off the microphone 28 during the first shooting, that is, whether or not to use the microphone 28 as shown in FIG. Detailed setting for setting whether or not to perform) is displayed on the monitor screen 18S. In the detailed setting screen for setting ON / OFF of the microphone 28 at the time of the first shooting shown in FIG. 27, between the start time and the end time of the first shooting set by the user, It is possible to set whether to use the microphone 28 according to time. In the example shown in FIG. 27, during the first shooting from 12:00 to 13:00, the microphone 28 is used (recording is performed) from 12:00 to 12:15, and from 12:15. Until 13:00, the microphone 28 is not used (recording is not performed). In this way, the user can arbitrarily set whether or not to use the microphone 28 in more detail during each shooting by operating the operation unit 25.

  When the detailed setting of whether or not to use the microphone 28 is completed in the first shooting as described above, the control unit 24 sets the detailed setting of whether or not to use the microphone 28 in the second shooting. The monitor screen 18S is displayed on the monitor screen 18S, which is basically the same as the screen shown in FIG. In this way, the user can make detailed settings as to whether or not to use the microphone 28 as described above for all of the previously set photographing times.

  When the moving image mode is selected, the setting is completed. As a result, the control unit 24 specifically displays the photographing procedure programmed as the photographing procedure program on the monitor screen 18S as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 28, in the first shooting, the aperture value is F = 2.8, the shutter speed is 1/250, the focus (focus distance) is 100 cm, and the zoom magnification at 12:00 according to the shooting procedure program. Is 1.0 times, the video light 26L is not used, and the microphone 28 is not used. The exposure is changed from 12:30 to 13:00, the aperture value is changed to F = 5.6, and the shutter speed is changed to 1/125, and the focus is in the focus position from 12:30 to 13:00. Has been changed to 150cm, zoom magnification has been changed to 2.0 times from 12:15 to 12:30, and 3.0 times from 12:30 to 13:00, and the video light 26L has been changed from 12:15 Setting to light up from 12:30, light off from 12:30 to 13:00, microphone 28 is on from 12:15 to 12:30, and off from 12:30 to 13:00 It is shown that the first shooting is performed.

  It is shown that the second shooting is started at a time of 14:00 according to the shooting procedure program with settings such as an aperture value of F = 2.8, a shutter speed of 1/250, and a focus of 100 cm.

  By the way, since it is necessary to have a certain degree of photographic knowledge in order to use the above-described shooting procedure program creation procedure, the video camera 1 which is a shooting apparatus according to the present invention has a template prepared in advance. It is also possible to easily create a shooting procedure program using. FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing a display state of the monitor screen 18S by the control unit 24 when the user selects to use the template on the monitor screen 18S shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 29, the user can select one of the modes, and the user can select a template for performing reserved shooting or a template for performing interval shooting in each mode. First, when the user operates the operation unit 25 to select interval shooting in the still image mode, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 30, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S selection items for shooting interval, number of shots, exposure, focus, zoom, and flash necessary for performing interval shooting in the still image mode. The user inputs desired numerical values for the shooting interval and the number of times of shooting, and selects whether to set the exposure, focus and zoom to auto or manual. If the exposure and zoom are selected to be manual, desired numerical values are input, and if the focus and zoom are selected to be fixed, they are manually adjusted before shooting. For flash, select auto, use, or not use.

  This completes the template setting for interval shooting in the still image mode.

  When the user operates the operation unit 25 on the screen shown in FIG. 29 and selects reservation shooting in the still image mode, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 31, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S the selection items of shooting time, exposure, focus, zoom, and flash necessary for performing reserved shooting in the still image mode. The user inputs a desired numerical value (time) as the shooting time, and selects whether to set the exposure, focus and zoom to auto or manual. If the exposure and zoom are selected to be manual, desired numerical values are input, and if the focus and zoom are selected to be fixed, they are manually adjusted before shooting. For flash, select auto, use, or not use. As described above, the setting of the template when performing the reserved shooting in the still image mode is completed.

  When the user operates the operation unit 25 and selects interval shooting in the moving image mode, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. When interval shooting is performed with a moving image, shooting is performed frame by frame at a predetermined time interval.

  In the example shown in FIG. 32, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S the selection items of shooting interval, number of shots, exposure, focus, zoom, and flash necessary for performing interval shooting in the moving image mode. The user inputs desired numerical values for the shooting interval and the number of times of shooting, and selects whether to set the exposure, focus and zoom to auto or manual. If the exposure and zoom are selected to be manual, desired numerical values are input, and if the focus and zoom are selected to be fixed, they are manually adjusted before shooting. For flash, select auto, use, or not use.

  This completes the template setting when performing interval shooting in the moving image mode.

  Furthermore, when the user operates the operation unit 25 on the screen shown in FIG. 29 and selects the reserved shooting in the moving image mode, the control unit 24 displays on the monitor screen 18S as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 33, the shooting start time, shooting end time, exposure, focus, zoom, flash, and microphone 28 (required for scrolling the microphone 28 in FIG. The control unit 24 displays each of the selection items on the monitor screen 18S. The user inputs desired numerical values (time) at the shooting disclosure time and the shooting end time, and selects whether exposure, focus, and zoom are set to auto or manual. If the exposure and zoom are selected to be manual, desired numerical values are input, and if the focus and zoom are selected to be fixed, they are manually adjusted before shooting. For flash, select auto, use, or not use. Further, although not shown with respect to the microphone 28, one of use and non-use is selected. As described above, the setting of the template when performing reservation shooting in the moving image mode is completed.

  As described above, when the template is used, more detailed setting is not possible as compared with the case where the user creates the shooting procedure program himself, but items that need to be set are displayed on one screen (scrolling is performed). Therefore, even if it is a beginner, it is possible to easily program the shooting procedure even for users who have relatively little knowledge about photography and programming.

  In any case, the photographing procedure program created as described above is stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 29 as program storage means. Therefore, when the user starts the shooting procedure program stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 29 by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 25, the video camera 1 as the shooting device according to the present invention follows the contents of the shooting procedure program. It goes without saying that shooting is automatically performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the video camera that mainly shoots moving images is configured to be able to shoot still images. However, the present invention can be applied to a device that shoots only moving images and vice versa. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus that takes only images. Further, contrary to the above-described embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus in which a digital still camera that mainly captures still images is configured to be capable of capturing moving images.

It is a typical perspective view which shows the external appearance of the video camera as one Embodiment of the imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structural example of the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence by the control part for demonstrating the fundamental operation | movement of the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the display screen explaining the operation procedure for creating the imaging | photography procedure program for the video camera as an imaging device which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Video camera 10 Optical system 10L Lens group 10Z Zoom / focus mechanism 10I Aperture mechanism 10ZA Actuator 10IA Actuator 1
11 Imaging Device 11D Drive Circuit 11D
12 Camera Signal Processing Unit 13 NTSC (PAL) Signal Processing Unit 14 Video / Audio Coding Unit 15 Video / Audio Decoding Unit 18 Monitor 19 Viewfinder 21R Still Image Recording Unit 21M Still Image Memory 22 Optical Pickup 24 Control Unit 25 Operation Unit 25ZT Tele button 25ZW Wide button 26 Lighting unit 26
26L video light 26L
26F Flash 26F
28 Microphone 29 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory

Claims (10)

An optical image acquisition means that has an exposure control mechanism and an optical zoom mechanism, and acquires an optical image of a subject;
Imaging means for acquiring the optical image acquired by the optical image acquisition means as an electrical video signal;
Recording means for recording video signals acquired by the imaging means;
Control means for controlling the exposure control mechanism, the optical zoom mechanism, and the recording means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: an accepting unit that accepts an instruction for causing the control unit to control the exposure control mechanism, the optical zoom mechanism, and the recording unit;
A shooting procedure storage means for storing shooting procedure information defining a shooting procedure;
The control unit is configured to control the exposure control mechanism, the optical zoom mechanism, and the recording unit according to shooting procedure information stored in the shooting procedure storage unit. .   The photographing procedure information is determined so that the control means controls the exposure value by the exposure control mechanism, the zoom magnification of the optical zoom mechanism, and the video signal recording processing by the recording means in time series. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The exposure control mechanism has an aperture mechanism and a shutter mechanism,
2. The photographing according to claim 1, wherein the photographing procedure information is determined so that the control unit individually controls the aperture value of the diaphragm mechanism and the shutter speed of the shutter mechanism individually in time series. apparatus.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing procedure information is determined so that the control means controls the zoom magnification of the optical zoom mechanism in time series.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing procedure information is determined so that the recording means controls the recording processing of the video signal by the recording means in time series. The optical image acquisition means includes a focus control mechanism,
2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing procedure information is determined so as to cause the control means to control a focus position by the focus control mechanism in time series. Further comprising illumination means,
2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing procedure information is determined so as to cause the control means to control on / off of the illumination means in time series. A display device;
The accepting means has means for accepting an instruction for designating an arbitrary position on the image displayed on the display device, and an arbitrary character and / or number is input to the position on the image designated by the means. Configured to accept instructions from outside,
The control means displays on the display device a control item that can be controlled by the shooting procedure information, and an instruction received by the receiving means for the display state of the control item based on the shooting procedure information displayed on the display device 8. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to perform control to change the display state according to the recording procedure and control to store the changed display state in the shooting procedure storage unit as shooting procedure information. The imaging device as described in one. The photographing procedure storage means stores in advance a plurality of templates in which control items displayed on the display device are grouped,
The control means is configured to perform control to display any one of a plurality of templates stored in the photographing procedure storage means on the display device in accordance with an instruction received by the reception means. The photographing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the photographing apparatus is provided. The control items include an aperture value of the aperture mechanism of the exposure control mechanism and a shutter speed of the shutter mechanism, a video signal recording process by the recording means, a zoom magnification of the optical zoom mechanism, a focus position by the focus control mechanism, and the illumination Including any one or more of means on / off,
The control means is configured to generate photographing procedure information in which the set values of the control items are set in association with the elapsed time from the control start time according to the instruction received by the receiving means. The photographing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the photographing apparatus is characterized in that

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