JP2008135937A - Imaging apparatus, automatic photographing program setting method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which can easily perform photographing at an optional photographic angle of view. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes: operation members 111 and 112 each setting an angle of view at the start time of photographing, an angle of view at the end time of photographing, and a photographing time; a display means 110 for displaying a setting picture; and photographing control means 104, 105, 108 and 109 each of which preserves the angle of view at the start time of photographing, the angle of view at the end time of photographing, and the photographing time from the angle of view at the start time of photographing to the angle of view at the end time of photographing which are indicated on the setting picture of the display means as an automatic photographing program and performs a photographing operation in accordance with the automatic program at photographing when selecting the automatic program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an automatic shooting program setting method, and a storage medium related to an automatic shooting program at an arbitrary shooting angle of view.

In recent years, an imaging apparatus such as a digital video camera has a function for assisting shooting, enabling a user to perform various shootings. As an example, an optical zoom setting as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is performed.
JP 2005-175882 A

  However, with regard to the function of automatically shooting, only optical zoom and iris can be set, and the setting is complicated. Moreover, the degree of freedom of the settable angle of view was low.

(Object of invention)
An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus, an automatic shooting program setting method, and a storage medium that can easily perform shooting at an arbitrary shooting angle of view.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an operation member for setting a shooting start angle of view, a shooting end angle of view, and a shooting time, display means for displaying a setting screen, and a setting screen of the display means. The instructed shooting start angle of view, shooting end angle of view, and shooting time from the shooting start angle of view to the shooting end angle of view are saved as an automatic shooting program, and at the time of shooting when the automatic program is selected The imaging apparatus includes an imaging control unit that executes an imaging operation according to the automatic program.

  Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a step of setting an instructed shooting start angle of view, a step of setting an instructed shooting end angle of view, and the shooting end angle of view from the shooting start angle of view. An automatic shooting program setting method comprising: a step of setting a shooting time up to a step; and a step of creating an automatic shooting program for executing the shooting start angle of view, the shooting end angle of view, and the shooting time, and storing them in a storage medium It is.

  Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention saves a shooting start angle of view, a shooting end angle of view, and a shooting time from the shooting start angle of view to the shooting end angle of view as an automatic shooting program. This is a storage medium provided in the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus, an automatic shooting program setting method, or a storage medium that can easily perform shooting at an arbitrary shooting angle of view.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention is as shown in the following examples.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic circuit configuration of a video camera which is an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a video camera lens, and reference numeral 102 denotes an image sensor such as a CCD (charge coupled device) that converts video information from the lens 101 into a voltage. Reference numeral 103 denotes an A / D conversion circuit that converts an analog video signal from the image sensor 102 into a digital signal, and reference numeral 104 performs standardized signal processing on the video signal digitally converted by the A / D conversion circuit 103 to be standardized. This is a video signal processing circuit for converting into a video signal. Reference numeral 105 denotes a digital signal processing circuit that converts a video signal subjected to various processes by the video signal processing circuit 104 into a signal suitable for recording on a video tape or the like. Reference numeral 106 denotes a recording medium such as a digital video tape.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor (LCD) for displaying images during recording / reproduction and information necessary for recording / reproduction, and 107 denotes a display control circuit for controlling the display device 110. Reference numeral 108 denotes a microprocessor for comprehensively controlling the entire video camera system, and reference numeral 109 denotes a storage medium such as a memory. Reference numeral 111 denotes a mechanical switch that is an operation member for setting and using a main body function provided in the video camera main body. Reference numeral 112 denotes a zoom key which is an operation member for controlling and using the zoom lens provided in the video camera body.

  An operation of the video camera configured as described above at the time of automatic program transfer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 201 in FIG. 2, the camera is activated in a predetermined shooting mode. In step 202, a process for shifting to the automatic photographing program mode is performed. In the next step 203, a still image is shot and stored at an arbitrarily set angle of view, and in the subsequent step 204, the still image is displayed on the display device 110.

  In the next step 205, an automatic shooting program such as a shooting angle of view (start / end angle of view of digital zoom) and shooting time is set on the setting screen of the display device 110. In actual processing, the shortest distance and the size of the angle of view at the center of the angle of view from the shooting start angle of view to the shooting end angle of view are linearly changed over the set shooting time. A single program or a combination of multiple small programs for the shooting start / end angle of view and shooting time is used to create a large program for the entire automatic shooting. Details at this time will be described below using a flowchart on the right side of FIG. 2 (steps 211 to 224) and a display example on the setting screen of the display device 110 at the time of setting shown in FIGS. .

  At the start of the automatic photographing program in step 211 in FIG. 2, the display 301 (still image) in FIG. 3A is displayed on the display device 110. From this state, the starting angle of view in the first small program is determined (see step 212 in FIG. 2, display 302 in FIG. 3B), and the pixel area of the image sensor 102 corresponding to the pixel area of the display device 110 is determined. It is stored in a storage medium 109 such as a memory. The shooting start view angle is set by the user setting the position with the cross key 111 and the size of the view angle with the zoom key 112 while viewing the display of the current view angle in all the view angles. Next, the end angle of view in the first small program is set (see step 213 in FIG. 2, display 303 in FIG. 3C), and the pixel area of the image sensor 102 corresponding to the pixel area of the display device 110 is stored. It is stored in the medium 109. As with the setting of the shooting start angle of view, the end angle of view is set by the user using the cross key 111 and the zoom key 112 while viewing the current angle of view at all angles. Will be set respectively.

  Next, the shooting time in the first small program is set (see step 214 in FIG. 2, display 304 in FIG. 3D), and the set time is stored in the storage medium 109.

  This is the operation for creating one small program, and when another small program is to be created, the process returns from step 215 to step 213 to shift to the creation of a second small program.

  Specifically, when creating the second small program, the end angle of view in the second small program is set (see step 213 in FIG. 2, display 303 in FIG. 3C), and the display device 110 The pixel area of the image sensor 102 corresponding to the pixel area is stored in the storage medium 109. Since each small program is continuously photographed, if the angle of view between consecutive small programs is different, the angle of view changes rapidly when the small program is transferred. Therefore, the shooting start angle of view in the second small program is the same position as the shooting end angle of view in the first small program.

  Next, the shooting time in the second small program is set (see step 214 in FIG. 2, display 304 in FIG. 3D), and the set time is stored in the storage medium 109. If another small program is to be created, the process returns from step 215 to step 213 to shift to the creation of a third small program, and the same processing as the creation of the second small program is performed.

  Further, when the creation of the small program is terminated, a list in which the shooting times of the small programs are displayed as a list is created and displayed on the display device 110. At the same time, a large program in which the small programs are combined is created and displayed as a demo (see step 216 in FIG. 2 and display 305 in FIG. 3E). At this time, the display / playback speed of the demo can be freely set.

  After confirming the demonstration display or during confirmation, the user selects whether there is no problem with the created large program for automatic photographing, that is, whether correction is necessary (step 217 in FIG. 2).

  If correction is selected as a result of the above, the small program to be corrected is selected from the list displaying each small program (step 219 in FIG. 2), and correction is performed. When the correction is performed, when the small program selected from the list displaying each small program is, for example, the first small program (step 220 in FIG. 2), the correction is performed as follows. The start angle of view, end angle of view, and shooting time in the first small program are determined by the same processing as the creation of the first small program (step 220 → step 221 → step 222 → step in FIG. 2). 223).

  On the other hand, when the small program selected from the list displaying each small program is not the first small program, the following correction is made. In the same process as the creation of the second small program, the end angle of view and shooting time for each small program are set (step 220 → step 222 → step 223 in FIG. 2).

  After resetting each small program, it is subsequently selected whether or not to modify / reset other small programs (step 218 in FIG. 2). As a result, when the correction is to be continued, the list displaying each small program is displayed again, and the small program to be corrected is selected from the list (step 219 in FIG. 2), and the correction is performed. That is, the correction at this time is performed by determining whether or not the small program selected from the list is the first small program, and performing the correction through the same processing as the above-described correction operation (step in FIG. 2). 220-step 223).

  When it is determined that the modification of each small program has been completed (step 218 in FIG. 2), a list in which the shooting times of each small program are displayed again is created and displayed on the display device 110. At the same time, a large program in which the small programs are combined is created and displayed as a demonstration (step 216 in FIG. 2 and display 305 in FIG. 3E). At that time, the display and playback speed of the demo can be freely set as described above. In FIG. 3 (e), a program list is shown in the lower right of the display 305, where the shooting times of the first to fourth small programs are displayed. Further, an elapsed time during program shooting is displayed in the upper left part of the display 305, and a total shooting time of all small programs is displayed in the lower part.

  After confirming the demonstration display or during confirmation, the user selects whether there is no problem with the created large program for automatic photographing (step 217 in FIG. 2). When the correction is performed again, the small program to be corrected is selected from the list in which each small program is displayed (step 219 in FIG. 2), and the correction is performed (step 220 to step 223 in FIG. 2). On the other hand, if there is no problem, the automatic photographing program is terminated (step 224 in FIG. 2).

  Thereafter, photographing is started using an automatic photographing program created at an arbitrary timing (step 206 in FIG. 2). When the photographing start function is started, automatic photographing using an automatic photographing program is automatically performed, and photographing is automatically ended after the time set by the program has elapsed.

  At the time of shooting, the microprocessor 108 reads out the pixel area information of the image sensor 102, the angle of view information, the shooting time information, and the like from the storage medium 109. Then, control of the video signal processing circuit 104 is started. Then, the video signal processing circuit 104 electrically cuts and enlarges the video data being photographed in real time in accordance with the control from the microprocessor 108 and transfers the video data to the digital signal processing circuit 105. The digital signal processing circuit 105 that receives the video data converts the format of the video data into a format suitable for each imaging apparatus, and records the video data on a recording medium 106 such as a tape or a disk.

  According to the above embodiment, the program processing for determining the digital zoom start angle of view, the digital zoom end angle of view, and the shooting time from the digital zoom start angle of view to the digital zoom end angle of view, which are arbitrarily designated, is performed. Can be executed. Thereby, it can be set as the video camera provided with the automatic imaging | photography program function in the imaging | photography angle of view desired.

  Furthermore, a function is also provided in which a plurality of the above-described automatic photographing programs having a plurality of different photographing angles are connected to form one automatic photographing program. In addition, a list of automatic shooting programs at a plurality of different shooting angles of view and a function of displaying a demonstration of the automatic shooting program at each shooting angle of view are provided. Furthermore, the display speed of the demo display can be arbitrarily set. Further, in the case where it is desired to correct an already determined automatic shooting program, a function for selecting the automatic shooting program to be corrected from the list of automatic shooting programs is also provided. In addition, a function of associating the pixel region of the image sensor 102 with the pixel region of the digital zoom start field angle and the digital zoom end field angle is also provided. Furthermore, the pixel area of the image sensor 102 is electrically cut out, enlarged, and recorded on the recording medium 106.

  Therefore, it is possible to set the angle of view and the shooting time at the time of shooting using an imaging device such as a digital video camera in the imaging device main body without using an external device such as a personal computer as in the past. Accordingly, an imaging apparatus having a simpler automatic shooting function can be provided to the user.

  Specifically, since the shooting angle of view and the shooting time can be set in advance before shooting, it is possible to automatically perform shooting at a desired angle of view thereafter. In other words, it becomes easy to take a picture of the scenery as you imagined. In addition, when shooting a subject whose event flow has been decided, such as the area and time that you want to shoot, the time and the time you want to shoot are determined. Can do and concentrate on the event. Furthermore, since setting is possible using operation members such as the display device 110, the cross key 111, the zoom key 112, and the like provided in the imaging device body, complicated operations are not performed.

  The present invention can be applied not only to digital zoom but also to optical zoom or a combination of optical zoom and digital zoom.

It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the video camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the automatic imaging | photography program mode transfer in one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display with the display apparatus at the time of the automatic imaging | photography program in one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

Reference Signs List 101 Lens 102 Image Sensor 103 A / D Conversion Circuit 104 Video Signal Processing Circuit 105 Digital Signal Processing Circuit 106 Recording Medium 107 Display Control Circuit 108 Microprocessor 109 Storage Medium 110 Display Device 111 Cross Key 112

Claims (6)

An operation member for setting a shooting start angle of view, a shooting end angle of view, and a shooting time;
Display means for displaying a setting screen;
The shooting start angle of view, the shooting end angle of view, and the shooting time from the shooting start angle of view to the shooting end angle of view, designated on the setting screen of the display means, are saved as an automatic shooting program, An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging control means for executing an imaging operation in accordance with the automatic program at the time of imaging with a program selected.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the automatic photographing programs are connected and set as one automatic photographing program.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a list of the plurality of automatic photographing programs connected together is displayed on the display means.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set automatic photographing program can be corrected by the operation member.   Setting an instructed shooting start angle of view, setting an instructed shooting end angle of view, setting a shooting time from the shooting start angle of view to the shooting end angle of view, and starting the shooting An automatic photographing program setting method comprising: creating an automatic photographing program for executing an angle of view, a photographing end angle of view, and a photographing time, and storing the automatic photographing program in a storage medium.   A storage medium provided in an imaging apparatus for storing a shooting start angle of view, a shooting end angle of view, and a shooting time from the shooting start angle of view to the shooting end angle of view as an automatic shooting program.

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