JP2008042349A - Photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support a camera operator so that his or her photographing skill is improved. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 6 displays question information expressing a question in a display part 10, acquires answer information indicating an answer to the question from an operation part 7, and judges the photographing skill of a person operating the photographing apparatus on the basis of the answer information. Then, according to the judged result, at least either of a function and a performance provided in an imaging apparatus is changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for a photographing apparatus such as a camera, and particularly to a technique for improving the operability of the photographing apparatus.

  In recent years, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of shooting functions in digital cameras. However, if you do not understand the effects of each function on the shooting results and how to use those functions, you cannot fully use such a camera. Especially for beginners with inexperienced shooting skills, such a multi-functional camera can be avoided by giving an impression that it is difficult to handle.

As a technology to improve the operability of a multifunctional camera, guidance information such as characters and images representing explanations of operation members and operation methods is displayed on the display unit, and settings for various functions are set for the camera operator. There is known a technique that makes it easy to perform the above. As one of such techniques, for example, in Patent Document 1, when any one of a plurality of operation members is operated, among the guidance information for each operation member, the operation member for which the operation is performed is described. A technique of selecting and displaying a thing is disclosed.
JP 2003-330057 A

  With the technique described above, the camera operator can know an operation method for enabling a certain function in a certain shooting scene. However, at this time, it is impossible to know what effect can be obtained by enabling the function. Further, simply operating the camera in accordance with the provided explanation makes it difficult for the camera operator to feel fun and does not lead to motivation to actively understand and use the function.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a problem to be solved is to support the improvement of shooting skills of the camera operator.

  An imaging apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an imaging apparatus that performs imaging of a subject, and provides a presentation unit that presents question information expressing a question and an answer to the question expressed by the question information. Answer information acquisition means for acquiring the answer information shown, and shooting skill determination means for determining shooting skill of a person who operates the shooting apparatus based on the answer information. Yes, this feature solves the aforementioned problems.

  The above-described photographing apparatus according to the present invention further includes display means for displaying an image, and the presenting means displays the image associated with the question information on the display means. Can be configured.

  Further, the above-described photographing apparatus according to the present invention further includes storage means for storing the question information and correct answer information indicating a correct answer to the question expressed by the question information in association with each other, The shooting skill determination means includes a comparison means for comparing the correct answer information stored in the storage means in association with the question information presented by the presenting means and the answer information acquired by the answer information acquiring means. And the imaging skill is determined based on the result of the comparison by the comparison means.

  In this configuration, the storage means further stores image information representing an image in association with the correct answer information, and the display means for displaying the image and the comparison means include the answer information. Display control means for causing the display means to display an image expressed by the image information stored in the storage means in association with the correct answer information compared with the display information.

  Further, in the above-described imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the imaging apparatus is controlled in accordance with the imaging skill determination result by the imaging skill determination unit, and at least of the functions and performance provided by the imaging apparatus. It can comprise so that it may have further the control means which changes either one.

  In this configuration, the control unit is configured to add a function provided by the imaging device when the determination result by the shooting skill determination unit indicates an improvement in the shooting skill. Can do.

  Further, in this configuration, the control unit is configured to improve the performance provided by the imaging device when the determination result by the shooting skill determination unit indicates the improvement of the shooting skill. Can do.

  Further, in this configuration, the question information, correct answer information indicating a correct answer to the question expressed by the question information, and a function and performance provided by the imaging device are changed by control by the control unit. It further includes a storage unit that stores information to be changed in association with the target information to be changed, and the imaging skill determination unit is associated with the question information presented by the presenting unit. Comparing means for comparing the correct answer information stored in the storing means with the answer information acquired by the answer information acquiring means, and determining the shooting skill based on the comparison result by the comparing means And the control means is provided by the imaging device when it is found by comparison by the comparison means that the correct answer information and the answer information match. Among features and performance, in association with the reply information and the question information to change what is shown in the change target information stored in said storage means, can be configured to.

  Further, in the above-described photographing apparatus according to the present invention, the question information is classified into a plurality of groups, and a selection information acquisition unit that acquires selection information that is information for specifying a selected one of the groups is further provided. The presenting means may be configured to present question information classified into those specified by the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition means in the group.

  Further, the above-described photographing apparatus according to the present invention further includes photographing number counting means for counting the number of photographing performed by the photographing apparatus, and the control means performs the photographing counted by the photographing number counting means. The imaging apparatus can be further controlled according to the number of times to change at least one of the functions and performance provided by the imaging apparatus.

  According to the present invention, by configuring as described above, it is possible to support the improvement of the shooting skill of the camera operator.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a photographing apparatus (digital camera) that implements the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an optical system 1 includes a lens for forming an image of a subject on an image sensor 2 and a lens frame that supports the lens. The optical system 1 is configured such that the lens position moves when the lens frame is driven, and the focal length can be changed or the subject can be focused by this driving operation.

The image sensor 2 is composed of a large number of photoelectric conversion elements, and converts a subject image formed on the light receiving surface into an electric signal.
The imaging control unit 3 controls the operation of the imaging device 2 and also performs a process of converting an electrical signal that is an analog signal output from the imaging device 2 into digital data.

The AE (Auto Exposure) signal processing unit 4 obtains luminance information of the subject image from the output data of the image sensor 2.
The lens frame control unit 5 performs drive control of the lens frame included in the optical system 1.

  The control unit 6 is configured to include an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and the MPU executes a predetermined control program so that the operation of each component of the photographing apparatus is integrated and managed between the components. Manage the exchange of various data.

The operation unit 7 generates electrical signals corresponding to the contents of operations performed by the camera operator on various operation members provided in the photographing apparatus, and outputs them to the control unit 6.
The built-in memory 8 stores the digital data output from the imaging control unit 3. It is also used as a working memory when the image processing unit 11 executes processing. Further, a non-volatile memory which is a part of the built-in memory 8 stores a control program executed by the MPU of the control unit 6 in advance, and also stores a data file for a learning function which will be described later.

  The external memory 9 is a memory for recording various image data such as image data of a photographed subject image and image data edited by an editing function provided in the photographing apparatus. It is configured to be detachable.

  The display unit 10 displays a through image, that is, displays an image of a subject image formed on the image sensor 2 and displays a still image or a moving image expressed by image data stored in an external memory. At the same time, various information (camera information) relating to the operation of the photographing apparatus is displayed.

The image processing unit 11 performs various kinds of image processing on the original image of the subject photographed by the photographing apparatus.
The imaging apparatus of FIG. 1 is configured as described above.

Next, FIG. 2 will be described. This figure is a rear view showing an overview of the photographing apparatus shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) color liquid crystal 20 (hereinafter referred to as “TFT 20”) is included in the display unit 10 in FIG. 1, and performs various image displays and information displays.

The release button 21 is operated to give an instruction to execute a shooting operation.
The zoom button 22 is operated to give an instruction to change the focal length.
The mode setting dial 23 is a rotary type, and is operated to give an instruction to select an operation mode (operation mode) of the photographing apparatus such as a still image photographing mode, a reproduction mode, a camera shake reducing photographing mode, and a moving image photographing mode. It is also possible to instruct the selection of the GUIDE mode described later.

  The key switch 24 is formed in a cross shape and is also referred to as a “cross key”. The key switch 24 is operated to give instructions for setting various shooting conditions such as exposure correction setting, flash setting, self shooting mode setting, macro shooting mode setting, and the like. In the following description, the key switch 24 is referred to as a “cross key 24”.

  The index 25 indicates the exposure correction setting position. When the triangle mark of the cross key 24 in the index direction is pressed, exposure correction can be set. An index 26 indicates a flash setting position. When the triangle mark of the cross key 24 in the index direction is pressed, the photographing operation mode of the photographing apparatus is changed to the flash emission mode. The index 27 indicates the setting position of the self-photographing mode. When the triangle mark of the cross key 24 in the index direction is pressed, the photographing operation mode of the photographing apparatus is changed to the self-photographing mode. The index 28 indicates the macro shooting mode setting position. When the triangle mark of the cross key 24 in the index direction is pressed, the shooting operation mode of the shooting apparatus is changed to the macro shooting mode.

In addition to this, the cross key 24 is also operated for a cursor movement instruction and a menu hierarchy switching instruction when a menu setting screen described later is displayed.
The key switch 29 is also referred to as a “MENU button”, and is a switch operated to instruct display of the menu setting screen to the TFT 20. In the following description, the key switch 29 is referred to as “MENU button 29”.

  The key switch 30 is also referred to as an “OK key”, and is arranged at the center of the cross key 24. The key switch 30 is operated in order to confirm the selection result from various menu items and to instruct to change the operation mode of the photographing apparatus to the function setting mode. In the following description, the key switch 30 is referred to as “OK key 30”.

  Note that the operations on the operation members of the release button 21, the zoom button 22, the mode setting dial 23, the cross key 24, the MENU button 29, and the OK key 30 are detected by the operation unit 7 shown in FIG. The

Next, a learning function (imaging skill determination / improvement function) provided by the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
First, a camera operator (hereinafter simply referred to as “operator”) depresses a MENU button 29 provided in the photographing apparatus. Then, the first hierarchy menu as illustrated in FIG. 3 is displayed on the TFT 20.

  When the operator presses the cross key 24 while the first hierarchy menu is displayed, the cursor frame indicating the selection target on the screen displayed on the TFT 20 moves. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the character “Study” is surrounded by a cursor frame, and this shows a state where “Study” representing a learning function in this photographing apparatus is selected. Yes. When the operator depresses the OK key 30 in this state, a second level menu related to the learning function as illustrated in FIG. 4 is displayed on the TFT 20.

  In the second hierarchy menu shown in FIG. 4, it is instructed to select one of four different questions. When the operator presses the cross key 24 here, the cursor frame moves on the display screen of the TFT 20. FIG. 4 shows a state in which question 1 is selected in the cursor frame. When the operator depresses the OK key 30 in this state, a question screen as illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on the TFT 20.

  The question screen is composed of a question sentence showing the contents of the question in text and an image related to the question contents. In the example of FIG. 5, the question sentence “The main subject appears dark. What do you want to do?” And the image of the example in which the main subject is dark are related to the contents of this question. The question screen is composed of.

  When the operator depresses the OK key 30 while such a question screen is displayed, an answer selection menu in which answer options are listed as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the TFT 20. Here, the operator depresses the cross key 24 to move the cursor frame on the display screen, and selects what the operator thinks is the correct answer from the answer options listed in the answer selection menu. When the operator depresses the OK key 30 in this state, a screen indicating whether the selected answer is a correct answer is displayed on the TFT 20.

  FIG. 7 will be described. The figure shows an example of a correct answer notification screen. The correct answer notification screen is a screen that is displayed on the TFT 20 in response to an operation of pressing the OK key 30 when an operator selects a correct answer from the answer options listed on the answer option screen. In this screen example of FIG. 7, the correct answer to the question shown in the question screen of FIG. 5 has been selected from the answer selection menu “correct answer. In this case,“ make spot metering ”is the correct answer ”And an image of a sample that is shown with the darkness of the main subject eliminated by functioning spot metering, which is related to the contents of the explanatory text, is configured as a correct answer notification screen.

  Next, FIG. 8 will be described. This figure shows a screen example of the function addition notification screen. In the function addition notification screen, when the answer selected by the operator from the answer selection menu is a correct answer to the question shown on the question screen, a new function that was not provided by this camera has been added. It is a screen for notifying the operator that it has been made available. In other words, when the operator selects a correct answer to the question, the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has the imaging skill of a predetermined level or more, so that the imaging apparatus can be used even if the function is increased. It is determined that it is possible to increase the available functions.

  This function addition notification screen is displayed on the TFT 20 when the operator depresses the OK key 30 while the correct answer notification screen is displayed on the TFT 20. In the screen example of FIG. 8, the “ultra-high speed multi-continuous shooting function”, which is a function for performing continuous shooting at extremely short time intervals and displaying a plurality of obtained images side by side on the TFT 20, can be used. I have been informed.

  Other functions added to the photographing apparatus include, for example, an interval photographing function (a photographing function capable of setting a photographing interval), a bracket photographing function (a plurality of frames of the same subject with different exposure correction values). Shooting function). Further, the function to be added is not limited to the function related to the shooting operation, and may be an editing function or a correction function for a shot image. As such a function, for example, a trimming editing function (an editing function that can specify a cutout range of a reproduction image) or a red-eye correction function (a so-called red-eye part in a reproduction image is detected and image processing for correcting the red-eye part is performed. Editing function), but other functions may also be used.

Next, FIGS. 9A and 9B will be described. Each of these shows an example of an incorrect answer notification screen.
The wrong answer notification screen is displayed on the TFT 20 in response to a pressing operation of the OK key 30 when an operator selects an incorrect answer from the answer options listed in the answer selection menu as illustrated in FIG. It is a screen displayed on the screen.

  The screen example of FIG. 9A is an explanation showing that the answer “Make flash forced to fire” selected from the answer selection menu to the question shown on the question screen of FIG. The sentence “Incorrect.“ Force flash to flash ”does not reach the flash because the main subject is far away. The error answer notification screen is configured. Further, the screen example of FIG. 9B shows that the answer “select exposure correction plus” selected from the answer selection menu for the question shown in the question screen of FIG. The explanatory text “Incorrect.“ Adjust exposure compensation ”is best used when the entire screen is dark. The error answer notification screen is configured.

  Note that when this incorrect answer notification screen is displayed, the addition of functions available for the photographing apparatus and the performance improvement are not performed. That is, when the operator selects an incorrect answer to the question, the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has an increased function because the operator has not yet reached a predetermined level. It is determined that it can be used well, and it does not add available functions or improve performance.

  In addition, although the example of each screen shown above showed the thing regarding the question of exposure correction | amendment, it can also comprise so that the screen regarding the question as shown below, for example may be displayed instead.

・ What should I do with a photo that is out of balance?
・ What should I do with blurred photos?
・ What should I do with red-eye photography?

・ How can I stop moving subjects and shoot them?
・ What should I do with photos that have not received the flash light?
・ What should I do for a subject with a difference in brightness?

・ What should I do to make black objects blacker?
・ What should I do to take a white object whiter?
・ What should I do to take a beautiful view of the blue sky?

・ What should I do to shoot with a blurred background?
・ What should I do to take a picture that is in focus from the front to the distance?
・ What should I do to shoot large subjects at close range?

  Next, FIG. 10 will be described. This figure is a flowchart showing the contents of the control process performed by the control unit 6 in FIG. This process is realized by the MPU provided in the control unit 6 executing a control program stored in the built-in memory 8 in advance.

  The execution of the processing in FIG. 10 is started when the operator turns on the power of the photographing apparatus by performing a predetermined operation on a power switch (not shown). If an operation on the mode setting dial 23 is detected during the execution of each process shown in FIG. 10, the ongoing process is interrupted and the process shown in FIG. 10 is executed again from the beginning.

  First, in S101, processing for determining whether the mode setting dial 23 is set to the GUIDE mode or another mode is performed. Here, when the mode setting dial 23 is set to a mode other than the GUIDE mode (for example, a still image shooting mode, a playback mode, a scene mode, a moving image shooting mode, etc.), the processing proceeds to S102, and processing related to that mode is performed. Execute. Note that the processing in modes other than the GUIDE mode is not directly related to the present invention, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, when the mode setting dial 23 is set to the GUIDE mode in the determination process of S101, the process proceeds to S103, and a process of causing the TFT 20 to display the first hierarchical menu as illustrated in FIG. 3 is performed. At this time, a process of displaying the cursor frame on the TFT 20 is also performed. When the first hierarchy menu shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, for example, the position surrounding “Study” is set as the initial position of the cursor frame.

  In S104, an OK key determination process, which is a subroutine for performing a determination process for determining whether or not the OK key 30 is pressed, a movement process of the cursor frame in accordance with the operation of the cross key 24, and the like is performed. Details of this subroutine will be described later, but if it is determined that the OK key 30 is pressed, the process proceeds to S105.

  In S105, a process for causing the TFT 20 to display the second hierarchical menu as illustrated in FIG. 4 is performed. At this time, a process of displaying the cursor frame on the TFT 20 is also performed. When the second hierarchy menu shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, for example, the position surrounding question 1 is set as the initial position of the cursor frame.

In S106, the same OK key determination process as in S104 is performed. If it is determined that the OK key 30 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S107.
In S107, a process of acquiring the number (question number) of the question selected by the cursor frame displayed on the second hierarchy menu displayed on the TFT 20 is performed, and in the subsequent S108, the acquired question number is acquired. A process for displaying on the TFT 20 a question screen corresponding to is performed. The question screen illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed when Question 1 is selected from the second hierarchy menu illustrated in FIG.

  In S109, a process for determining whether or not the OK key 30 is pressed is performed, and the process of S109 is repeated until it is determined that the OK key 30 is pressed (until the determination result is Yes).

  In S110, a process for displaying the answer selection menu illustrated in FIG. 6 on the TFT 20 is performed. At this time, a process of displaying the cursor frame on the TFT 20 is also performed. When the answer selection menu shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, for example, the position surrounding the answer of “select spot metering” is set as the initial position of the cursor frame.

In S111, an OK key determination process similar to S104 is performed. If it is determined that the OK key 30 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S112.
In S112, processing for determining whether or not the answer selected by the cursor frame on the answer selection menu displayed on the TFT 20 is a correct answer is performed. Here, when it is determined that the correct answer has been selected (when the answer selection menu shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, it is determined that the cursor frame is in a position surrounding the “Spot metering” answer. If it is determined that the shooting skill of the operator has reached a predetermined level, the process proceeds to S113. On the other hand, if it is determined that the wrong answer has been selected, it is determined that the shooting skill of the operator has not reached the predetermined level, and the process proceeds to S117. That is, the operator's shooting skill is determined based on the answer to the question by the determination process in S112.

In S113, a process for displaying the correct answer notification screen illustrated in FIG. 7 on the TFT 20 is performed.
In S114, a process for determining whether or not the OK key 30 is pressed is performed, and the process in S114 is repeated until it is determined that the OK key 30 is pressed (until the determination result is Yes).

In S115, a process for displaying the function addition notification screen illustrated in FIG. 8 on the TFT 20 is performed.
In S116, processing for adding the function for which additional notification is performed on the function addition notification screen displayed on the TFT 20 to the photographing apparatus is performed, and thereafter, the processing proceeds to S118. The function addition notification screen shown in FIG. 8 notifies that the “ultra-high-speed multi-continuous shooting function” is available, and therefore when the screen of FIG. 8 is displayed on the TFT 20 by the processing of S115, In S116, processing for adding the ultra-high speed multi-continuous shooting function to the shooting mode of the shooting apparatus is performed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the wrong answer is selected in the determination process of S112, in S117, a process of displaying the error answer notification screen as illustrated in FIG. 9A or FIG. 9B on the TFT 20 is performed.

  In S118, a process for determining whether or not the OK key 30 is pressed is performed, and the process of S118 is repeated until it is determined that the OK key 30 is pressed (until the determination result is Yes). Here, when it is determined that the OK key 30 has been pressed (when the determination result is Yes), the processing returns to S103 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  When the control unit 6 performs the control processing of FIG. 10, the question is presented by presenting the question to the operator by displaying the question screen on the TFT 20 in the photographing apparatus of FIG. 1 and acquiring the selection result from the answer selection menu. An answer from the operator is acquired, and the operator's shooting skill is determined based on the answer, and an available function is added based on the determination result.

  Next, FIG. 11 will be described. This figure is a flowchart showing the contents of OK key determination processing, which is a subroutine executed as the processing of S104, S106, and S111 of FIG.

Note that the MPU of the control unit 6 starts the execution of this subroutine and activates a timer provided therein to measure the elapsed time from the start of execution.
In FIG. 11, first, in S151, processing for determining whether or not the OK key 30 has been pressed is performed. Here, when it is determined that the OK key 30 is pressed (when the determination result is Yes), the OK key determination process is terminated and the process returns to the original process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the OK key 30 has not been pressed (when the determination result is No), the process proceeds to S152.

  In S152, processing for determining whether or not the cross key 24 has been pressed is performed. If it is determined that the cross key 24 is pressed (when the determination result is Yes), the process proceeds to S153, and the TFT 20 is displayed together with various menu screens according to the direction indicated by the pressed portion of the cross key 24. A process of moving the cursor frame displayed on the screen in the vertical direction is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the cross key 24 is not pressed (when the determination result is No), the process proceeds to S154 without performing the process of S153.

  In S154, processing for determining whether or not the MENU button 29 has been pressed is performed. Here, when it is determined that the MENU button 29 has been pressed (when the determination result is Yes), this OK key determination process is terminated, and the process of S103 in FIG. The process proceeds to the process to be performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the MENU button 29 has not been pressed (when the determination result is No), the process proceeds to S155.

  In S155, a process for determining whether or not the above-described timer has counted the lapse of a predetermined time is performed. Here, when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (when the determination result is Yes), it is determined that none of the various key switches are operated within the predetermined time, and the operation mode of the photographing apparatus is set to sleep. The mode is changed to an operation mode in which power consumption in the photographing apparatus is reduced by turning off the display or illumination of the TFT 20. On the other hand, when it is determined that the elapse of the predetermined time has not yet been measured (when the determination result is No), the process returns to S151 and the above-described process is repeated.

The above process is the OK key determination process.
Next, FIG. 12 will be described. This figure shows the structure of the data file for the learning function stored in the internal memory 8.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in this data file, question number information, question information, question sample image information, answer option information, correct / incorrect information, commentary information, correct answer sample information, additional function information, and explanation image information Each information is associated with each other. Hereinafter, these pieces of information will be described.

  The question number information is information on the question number displayed on the second hierarchy menu. When the control unit 6 executes the process of S105 in FIG. 10, it acquires the question number information shown in this data file, creates a second-level menu in which the obtained question number information is arranged, and displays it on the TFT 20 Let

  The question information is text information expressing the question content displayed on the question screen. The question sample image information is information for specifying an image data file for an image displayed on the question screen together with the question information. This image data file is also stored in the built-in memory 8 in advance. When the process of S108 in FIG. 10 is executed, the control unit 6 first acquires the question information and the question sample image information associated with the question number information obtained in the process of S107 from this data file. Then, the image data file specified by the obtained question sample image information is read from the built-in memory 8, and an image represented by this image data file and the obtained question information are arranged to create a question screen, and the TFT 20 is displayed. Display. Thus, the question information and the image associated with the question information are presented to the operator.

  The answer option information is text information representing answer options displayed in the answer selection menu. When the control unit 6 executes the process of S110 of FIG. 10, first, from this data file, the answer option information associated with a plurality of pieces of question information included in the question screen displayed on the TFT 20 in the process of S108 is obtained. get. Then, an answer selection menu in which the obtained answer option information is arranged is created and displayed on the TFT 20.

  The correct / incorrect information is information indicating whether the associated answer option information is a correct answer or an incorrect answer. The correct / incorrect information includes correct answer information (circles in FIG. 12) indicating that the associated answer option information is a correct answer, and incorrect answer information indicating that the associated answer option information is an incorrect answer. (X mark in FIG. 12). When the control unit 6 executes the determination process of S112 of FIG. 10, first, information indicating the selection result of the answer option information indicated by the cursor frame on the answer selection menu displayed on the TFT 20 is used as the answer information. get. Then, it is compared whether or not the selection result of the answer option information indicated by this answer information matches the answer option information associated with both the question information and the correct answer information in this data file. Here, when a comparison result that the two match is obtained, it is determined that the correct answer has been selected, and it is determined that the shooting skill of the operator has reached a predetermined level. Proceed with the process. On the other hand, if a comparison result that the two do not match is obtained, it is determined that the wrong answer is selected, and it is determined that the shooting skill of the operator has not yet reached the predetermined level. Then, the process proceeds to S117.

  The commentary information is text information expressing the question content displayed on the correct answer notification screen or the incorrect answer notification screen. The correct answer example image information is information for specifying an image data file for an image displayed on the correct answer notification screen together with the explanation information. This image data file is also stored in the built-in memory 8 in advance.

  When the control unit 6 executes the process of S114 of FIG. 10, first, in this data file, the comment information and the correct answer example image information associated with both the question information and the correct answer information are acquired. Then, the image data file specified by the obtained correct answer sample image information is read from the built-in memory 8, and the correct answer notification screen is created by arranging the image expressed in the image data file and the obtained commentary information. To display.

  When the control unit 6 executes the process of S117 in FIG. 10, first, in this data file, the control unit 6 is associated with both the question information described above and the answer option information selected by the answer information described above. Get commentary information. Then, an incorrect answer notification screen is created using the obtained commentary information and displayed on the TFT 20.

  The additional function information is text information that identifies a function to be added when the operator selects a correct answer to the question. The additional function explanation image information is information for specifying an image data file for an image displayed on the function addition notification screen together with the additional function information. This image represents an outline of the function indicated by the additional function information. This image data file is also stored in the built-in memory 8 in advance.

  When the control unit 6 executes the process of S115 in FIG. 10, first, in this data file, the additional function information and the function addition notification screen associated with both the question information and the correct answer information described above are acquired. Then, the image data file specified on the obtained function addition notification screen is read from the built-in memory 8, and an image represented by the image data file and the obtained additional function information are arranged to create a function addition notification screen. Display on the TFT 20. Further, when executing the processing of S116 in FIG. 10, the control unit 6 adds the function indicated by the additional function information to the photographing apparatus.

As described above, the control unit 6 controls the imaging device according to the determination result of the imaging skill of the operator, and performs a change to add a function provided by the imaging device.
As described above, the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 provides an explanation of the effectiveness of functions and operations to the operator by guidance in the Q & A format, so that the operator can easily understand the explanation. Further, since the function of the photographing apparatus increases when the operator correctly answers the question, the operator can improve the photographing skill while having fun. Further, since the functions of the photographing apparatus are increased in accordance with the photographing skill of the operator, it is possible to prevent a beginner with a low photographing skill from giving a difficult impression due to the multi-function when purchasing the photographing apparatus.

  When the operator selects a correct answer to the question, the control unit 6 makes a change that improves the performance of the photographing apparatus instead of making a change that adds a function that can be used in the photographing apparatus of FIG. It can also be configured to do. Examples of the performance to be improved in this case include, for example, expansion of an operable range of exposure correction (for example, expanding ± 1 Ev correction range to ± 2 Ev), addition of a photometric method (for example, adding multi-evaluation photometry), The setting range of ISO sensitivity can be expanded (for example, the setting range of ISO 100 to 800 is expanded to ISO 100 to 3200). In this case, in the data file shown in FIG. 12, information for specifying a function to be improved may be stored as additional function information. Further, for example, when an operator selects a correct answer to a question related to exposure correction, the performance to be improved may be related to the question so that the operable range of exposure correction is expanded. .

  Further, in the process of S113 in FIG. 10, instead of displaying only the correct answer notification screen illustrated in FIG. 7 on the TFT 20, the correct response notification screen is displayed on the TFT 20 together with the question screen illustrated in FIG. 5 as illustrated in FIG. 13A. You may make it make it. Furthermore, in the process of S117 in FIG. 10, instead of displaying only the error notification screen illustrated in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B on the TFT 20, the question notification screen illustrated in FIG. You may make it display on TFT20 with a screen.

  In addition, an example of the shooting screen may be displayed on the wrong answer notification screen under the wrong answer condition. In this case, in addition to the correct answer example screen information shown in FIG. 12, erroneous answer example image information is stored in the built-in memory 8 as an image data file.

Further, in the photographing apparatus of FIG. 1, problems with different difficulty levels may be presented according to the degree of the photographing skill of the operator reported by the operator.
FIG. 14 shows a screen example of the learning step hierarchy menu. When the operator depresses the cross key 24, the cursor frame indicating the selection target on the screen displayed on the TFT 20 moves. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the text “STEP 1: Introduction” is surrounded by a cursor frame, which is a state of self-reporting to the photographing apparatus that his photographing skill is at the introductory level. Show.

When the operator depresses the OK key 30 in the state shown in FIG. 14, a second hierarchical menu related to the learning function similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4 is displayed on the TFT 20.
Here, FIG. 15 will be described. This figure shows the processing contents of the learning step hierarchy menu processing in a flowchart. This process is executed by the control unit 6 between the process of S104 and the process of S105 in the control process shown in FIG.

  In S201 executed following the process of S104 of FIG. 4, a process of displaying the learning step hierarchy menu as illustrated in FIG. 13 on the TFT 20 is performed. At this time, a process of displaying the cursor frame on the TFT 20 is also performed. When the learning step hierarchy menu shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, for example, the position surrounding “STEP 1: Introduction” is set as the initial position of the cursor frame.

  In S202, the OK key determination process shown in FIG. 11 is performed. If it is determined that the OK key 30 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S105 in FIG. Thereafter, the control process shown in FIG. 10 is performed.

At this time, in the data file shown in FIG. 12, the question information is classified in advance into different groups according to the shooting skills.
For example, as a group corresponding to the shooting skill of “STEP 1: Introduction” in the learning step hierarchy menu shown in FIG. Summarize important questions.

・ What should I do when backlit?
• What should I do with underexposed photos?
・ What should I do with a photo that is out of balance?

・ What should I do with blurred photos?
・ What should I do with red-eye photography?
・ How can I stop moving subjects and shoot them?

・ What should I do with photos that have not received the flash light?
In order to provide guidance on techniques for improving the quality of photographs as a group corresponding to the shooting skill of “STEP 2: Intermediate” in the learning step hierarchy menu shown in FIG. deep.

・ What should I do with a photo with poor composition?
・ What should I do to shoot with a blurred background?
・ What should I do to take a picture that is in focus from the front to the distance?

・ What should I do to shoot large subjects at close range?
Further, in order to guide more advanced techniques as a group corresponding to the shooting skill of “STEP 3: Advanced” in the learning step hierarchy menu shown in FIG. 14, for example, the following questions are collected.

・ What should I do to take a beautiful view of the blue sky?
・ What should I do for a subject with a difference in brightness?
・ What should I do to make black objects blacker?

・ What should I do to take a white object whiter?
In the data file shown in FIG. 12, the question information is classified in advance into different groups according to the shooting skills. When the process of FIG. 10 is performed following the process of FIG. 15, the question screen displayed on the TFT 20 in the process of S108 corresponds to the shooting skill selected by the cursor frame from the learning step hierarchy menu. To display the questions that are classified in the group. In this way, it is possible to support skill improvement in accordance with the current shooting skill of the operator.

  Next, FIG. 16 will be described. This figure is a flowchart showing the contents of the photographing control process performed by the control unit 6 in FIG. This process is also realized by the MPU provided in the control unit 6 executing a control program stored in the built-in memory 8 in advance.

  In this process, the photographing apparatus of FIG. 1 performs photographing of a subject and counts the number of photographing performed by the photographing apparatus. Then, when this count value reaches a predetermined number, it is determined that the operator's shooting skill has improved due to a certain amount of shooting experience, and a change to add a function provided by the imaging device or The change is to improve the performance provided by the imaging apparatus. This process is started when a first release (so-called half-press) for the release button 21 is detected when the operation mode of the photographing apparatus is set to the photographing mode.

  In FIG. 16, first, a photometric process is performed in S301. That is, an electrical signal obtained by converting light received by the light receiving surface of the image sensor 2 is stored in the built-in memory 8 as a video signal through the imaging controller 3 and input to the AE signal processor 4. Then, the AE signal processing unit 4 generates an AE signal (luminance information for each block obtained by dividing the video screen) and stores it in the built-in memory 8.

  In S302, AF (Auto Focus) processing is performed. That is, for example, a contrast method, which is a well-known technique of AF technique, is used to give an instruction to the lens frame control unit 5 to perform drive control of a focus lens (not shown) included in the optical system 1 to focus on the subject. Move to.

  In S303, a process for determining whether or not a second release (so-called full press) for the release button 21 has been detected is performed, and this determination process is repeated until a second release is detected (until the determination result is Yes). It is.

  In S304, an exposure calculation process, that is, a process for calculating a shutter speed value and an aperture value at the time of exposure based on the preset exposure setting and the AE signal stored in the built-in memory 8 is performed. In subsequent S305, an exposure process is performed. That is, the image pickup control unit 3 is controlled based on the obtained shutter speed value and aperture value, and the optical system 1 is driven and controlled so as to obtain an appropriate exposure.

  In S306, a recording process is performed. That is, the electrical signal obtained by converting the light received by the light receiving surface of the image sensor 2 at this time is temporarily stored in the built-in memory 8 as a video signal through the imaging control unit 3, and an instruction is given to the image processing unit 11. The video signal is processed and converted into image data of a desired format (for example, JPEG format or TIFF format), and the obtained image data is recorded in the external memory 9.

  In S307, the count value of the counter for counting the number of shots in the photographing apparatus of FIG. 1 is read from the built-in memory 8, updated by 1, and the updated count value is stored in the built-in memory 8 again.

  In S308, processing for determining whether or not the count value of the counter that counts the number of shots has reached a predetermined value set in advance is performed. Here, when it is determined that the count value has reached the predetermined value (when the determination result is Yes), the process proceeds to S309. On the other hand, when it is determined that the count value has not yet reached the predetermined value, the processing of FIG. 16 is terminated and the photographing apparatus is shifted to a standby state in the photographing mode.

  In S309, processing for displaying the function addition notification screen illustrated in FIG. 8 on the TFT 20 is performed. In subsequent S <b> 310, processing for adding a function for which additional notification is performed on the function addition notification screen displayed on the TFT 20 to the imaging apparatus is performed.

  In S311, processing for determining whether or not the OK key 30 is pressed is performed, and the processing in S311 is repeated until it is determined that the OK key 30 is pressed (until the determination result is Yes). Here, when it is determined that the OK key 30 has been pressed (when the determination result is Yes), the processing in FIG. 16 is terminated, and the photographing apparatus is shifted to a standby state in the photographing mode.

  Since the above processing is performed by the control unit 6, when the number of times of photographing performed by the photographing apparatus of FIG. 1 reaches a predetermined number, functions provided by the imaging apparatus are added. The operator can improve shooting skills while having fun. In addition, if the operator's shooting skills are improved by accumulating photography experience, the functions of the camera will be increased, so beginners with low shooting skills will have a difficult impression due to the multi-functions when purchasing a camera. Is prevented.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment of the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment mentioned above, and various improvement and change are possible within the range which does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the answer to the question by the operator is a correct answer, the control unit 6 performs control for making a change to add a function to the photographing apparatus in FIG. 1 or a change to improve the performance. However, if the answer to the question by the operator is an incorrect answer, the control unit 6 performs a control to change the function of the photographing apparatus in FIG. 1 or to reduce the performance. Also good.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the imaging device which implements this invention. It is a rear view which shows the external appearance of the imaging device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of a 1st hierarchy menu. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of a 2nd hierarchy menu. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of a question screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of an answer selection menu. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of a correct answer notification screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of a function addition notification screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the incorrect answer notification screen (the 1). It is a figure which shows the screen example (the 2) of an incorrect answer notification screen. It is the figure which showed the processing content of the control processing with the flowchart. It is the flowchart which showed the processing content of the OK key judgment processing. It is a figure which shows the structure of the data file for a learning function. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which combined the question screen and the correct answer notification screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which combined the question screen and the incorrect answer notification screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of a learning step hierarchy menu. It is the figure which showed the processing content of the learning step hierarchy menu process with the flowchart. It is the figure which showed the processing content of imaging | photography control processing with the flowchart.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical system 2 Image pick-up element 3 Imaging control part 4 AE signal processing part 5 Mirror frame control part 6 Control part 7 Operation part 8 Built-in memory 9 External memory 11 Image processing part 20 TFT color liquid crystal 21 Release button 23 Mode setting dial 24 Key switch (the cross key)
25, 26, 27, 28 Indicator 29 Key switch (MENU button)
30 Key switch (OK key)

Claims (10)

An imaging device for imaging a subject,
A presentation means for presenting question information expressing a question;
Answer information acquisition means for acquiring answer information indicating an answer to the question represented by the question information;
Based on the answer information, shooting skill determination means for determining the shooting skill of the person who operates the shooting apparatus;
A photographing apparatus comprising: It further has a display means for displaying an image,
The presenting means causes the display means to display an image associated with the question information.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A storage means for storing the question information and the correct answer information indicating the correct answer to the question represented by the question information;
The photographing skill determining means is a comparing means for comparing correct answer information stored in the storing means in association with question information presented by the presenting means and answer information obtained by the answer information obtaining means. And determining the shooting skill based on the result of comparison by the comparison means,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: In the storage means, image information representing an image is further stored in association with the correct answer information,
Display means for displaying an image;
Display control means for causing the display means to display an image represented by image information stored in the storage means in association with correct answer information compared with the answer information by the comparison means;
Further having
The imaging device according to claim 3.   The apparatus further includes a control unit that controls the imaging device according to a result of the shooting skill determination by the shooting skill determination unit and changes at least one of a function and a performance provided by the imaging device. The imaging device according to claim 1.   The said control means adds the function provided with this imaging device, when the determination result by the said imaging skill determination means shows the improvement of the said imaging skill, The said imaging device is added. Shooting device.   The said control means improves the performance provided with this imaging device, when the determination result by the said imaging skill determination means shows the improvement of the said imaging skill, The said imaging device is improved. Shooting device. The question information, the correct answer information indicating the correct answer to the question expressed in the question information, and the functions and performance provided by the imaging device that are to be changed by the control by the control means And storage means for storing the information to be changed in association with each other,
The photographing skill determining means is a comparing means for comparing correct answer information stored in the storing means in association with question information presented by the presenting means and answer information obtained by the answer information obtaining means. And determining the shooting skill based on the result of comparison by the comparison means,
When it is determined by the comparison by the comparison means that the correct answer information and the answer information match, the control means includes the answer information and the function and performance provided by the imaging device. Change what is indicated in the change target information stored in the storage means in association with the question information;
The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein: The above question information is divided into multiple groups.
Further comprising selection information acquisition means for acquiring selection information which is information for identifying a selected one of the groups;
The presenting means presents the question information classified into the group specified by the selection information acquired by the selection information acquiring means in the group,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: It further has a photographing number counting means for counting the number of photographing performed by the photographing device,
The control means controls the imaging device further according to the number of times of photographing counted by the photographing number counting means, and changes at least one of the function and performance provided by the imaging device. ,
The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein: