JP2009159524A - Imaging apparatus, imaging control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ease burdens when setting new photographing conditions, leaving photographing conditions required for a scene program function. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes: a nonvolatile memory 18 storing a plurality of photographing conditions rewritably; a key inputting part 19 selecting one of the plurality of photographing conditions stored in the nonvolatile memory 18; photographing systems 11 to 13, 20, 21, 27, and 28 setting the selected photographing condition and photographing a subject image; the nonvolatile memory 18 updating and storing use frequency information in the selected photographing condition depending on a photographing operation; and a controller 16 indicating rewriting to the plurality of photographing conditions stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 according to a change of a predetermined condition which is preliminarily set, eliminating a part of the photographing conditions based on the stored contents in the nonvolatile memory 18, and alternatively receiving new photographing conditions to store them to the nonvolatile memory 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging control method, and a program suitable for a digital camera having a scene program function for setting one of a plurality of imaging conditions prepared in advance by specifying an imaging scene.

  Conventionally, for example, a scene program in which shooting conditions for each of a plurality of patterns of shooting scenes such as portraits and night scenes are stored in advance, and the user can easily set shooting conditions by selecting one. The function is installed in many digital cameras.

With regard to this type of scene program function, a camera apparatus technology that sets an optimal shooting condition in accordance with a half-press operation of the shutter key and displays a sample image in a through image as well. Was considered. (Patent Document 1)
JP 2005-151375 A

  Although it is desirable that there are more shooting conditions that can be set by the scene program function, including the technique described in Patent Document 1, the number of shooting conditions that can be set in the camera is naturally limited and not used by the user. Even if the shooting conditions are set, there is a lot of waste.

  Furthermore, even if the number of shooting conditions that can be set to darkness is increased, it only increases the effort for the user to select a desired shooting condition, and this leads to the problem of missing an important photo opportunity. It can happen.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to reduce the burden of setting new shooting conditions while leaving the shooting conditions necessary for the scene program function. It is an object to provide a possible imaging device, an imaging control method, and a program.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scene program storage unit that stores a plurality of shooting conditions in a rewritable manner, a selection unit that selects one of the plurality of shooting conditions stored in the scene program storage unit, and the selection unit. Shooting means for setting the selected shooting conditions and shooting a subject image; selection means for selecting shooting conditions satisfying a predetermined deletion condition from a plurality of shooting conditions stored in the scene program storage means; Deletion control means for deleting a part of the shooting conditions from the scene program storage means based on the selection by the selection means, and a writing control means for inputting new shooting conditions and storing them in the scene program storage means It is characterized by having.

  The invention according to claim 2 further comprises usage level storage means for updating and storing the usage level information of the photographing condition in the invention according to claim 1, wherein the selection means is the usage level of the usage level storage means. Based on the information, a shooting condition to be deleted is selected, and the deletion control unit deletes a part of the shooting condition from the scene program storage unit based on the selection by the selection unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the instruction means for instructing deletion of a part of the photographing conditions stored in the scene program storage means when a predetermined condition set in advance is satisfied. Is further provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the deletion control means and the write control means operate simultaneously.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned third aspect of the present invention, the recording apparatus is further provided with a recording medium that records image data obtained by photographing with the photographing means and is detachable from the apparatus main body. Is characterized in that the predetermined condition is the mounting of the recording medium to the apparatus main body.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the position acquisition means for acquiring the current position and the determination means for determining a movement beyond a predetermined distance corresponding to the current position acquired by the position acquisition means. And the instructing means determines the movement of a predetermined distance or more by the determining means as the predetermined condition.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the position acquisition means for acquiring the current position and the determination means for determining the movement of the segment area corresponding to the current position acquired by the position acquisition means. Further, the instructing means uses the predetermined condition to determine the movement of the segmented area by the determining means.

  The invention described in claim 8 further comprises network connection means for inputting new photographing conditions by network connection with the outside of the apparatus according to the invention described in claim 1, wherein the writing control means is the network connection means. And storing the new photographing condition input by the above-mentioned scene program storage means.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the selection means corresponds to the instruction means and corresponds to a relationship between a usage level stored in the usage level storage means and a predetermined threshold value. A part of the scene program storage means is deleted.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the second aspect, the usage level storage means uses the usage level information under the selected shooting conditions as time information at the time of shooting in accordance with the shooting operation of the shooting means. The deletion control means corresponds to the instruction means, and the scene program storage means corresponds to the relationship between the usage level within a predetermined period stored in the usage level storage means and a predetermined threshold value. It is characterized in that a part of is deleted.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the second aspect, the usage level storage means uses the usage level information under the selected shooting conditions as time information at the time of shooting in accordance with the shooting operation of the shooting means. The deletion control means corresponds to the instruction means, and the scene program storage means corresponds to the relationship between the usage degree of the predetermined time section stored in the usage degree storage means and a predetermined threshold value. It is characterized in that a part of is deleted.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the second aspect, the deletion control means is configured to use the scene program according to a relationship between a usage level for each shooting condition stored in the usage level storage section and a predetermined threshold value. A part of the storage means is deleted.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the deletion control unit deletes a photographing condition that matches a predetermined condition from the scene program storage unit, and inputs a new photographing condition instead. And stored in the scene program storage means.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the deletion control means deletes a predetermined ratio of photographing conditions from the scene program storage means, and the writing control means is the deletion control means. After the predetermined shooting condition is deleted, a new shooting condition corresponding to the predetermined ratio is input and stored in the scene program storage means.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourteenth aspect, the deletion control unit variably sets a predetermined ratio for deleting the shooting condition from the scene program storage unit.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the second aspect, the usage level storage means updates and stores the usage frequency of the shooting condition used for the shooting operation by the shooting means as usage level information. And

  The invention according to claim 17 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the usage level storage means updates and stores the total time set in the shooting enabled state using the shooting conditions as usage level information. To do.

  According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, by selecting one shooting condition from a scene program memory in which a plurality of shooting conditions are stored in a rewritable manner, the selected shooting condition is set, and an imaging unit is used to capture a subject image. A method for controlling an apparatus, comprising: a selection step of selecting a shooting condition satisfying a predetermined deletion condition from a plurality of shooting conditions stored in the scene program memory; and the scene based on the selection in the selection step And a deletion control step for deleting a part of the shooting conditions from the program memory, and a writing control step for inputting a new shooting condition and storing it in the scene program memory.

  According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, imaging is performed by selecting one shooting condition from a scene program memory in which a plurality of shooting conditions are stored in a rewritable manner, thereby setting the selected shooting condition and shooting a subject image by the imaging unit. A selection step for selecting a shooting condition satisfying a predetermined deletion condition from a plurality of shooting conditions stored in the scene program memory, the program executed by a computer built in the apparatus, and the selection in the selection step A deletion control step of deleting a part of the shooting conditions from the scene program memory based on the above and a writing control step of inputting new shooting conditions and storing them in the scene program memory. Features.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden of setting new shooting conditions while leaving the shooting conditions necessary for the scene program function.

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of a digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a lens optical system 11 forms an optical image of a subject on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 12 that is an imaging device.

  An image signal obtained by imaging with the CCD 12 in the monitor state is sent to the image processing unit 13, and after performing automatic gain adjustment and A / D conversion processing according to the ISO sensitivity set at that time, pixel interpolation is performed. Processing and color process processing including γ correction processing are performed and temporarily held in the buffer memory 14.

  The image data held in the buffer memory 14 is read out to the image processing unit 13, sent to the display unit 15, and displayed as a monitor image.

  The control unit 16 performs overall control of all the operations described above. The control unit 16 is composed of a CPU, and is connected to a main memory 17 composed of SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) and a non-volatile memory 18 that stores an operation program including scene programs to be described later and data. The unit 16 reads out necessary programs, data, and the like from the nonvolatile memory 18 and manages the control operation of the entire digital camera 10 while temporarily expanding and storing it in the main memory 17 as appropriate.

  The non-volatile memory 18 stores a plurality of scene program functions as a part of the operation program as described above, and uses frequency information for each scene program (hereinafter referred to as “usage frequency table”). Stored).

  The control unit 16 executes various control operations in response to a key operation signal directly input from the key input unit 19, and in addition to the image processing unit 13 and the display unit 15 through the system bus SB, a lens. The optical system drive unit 20, flash drive unit 21, internal memory 22, memory card 23, GPS receiver 24, wireless LAN interface (I / F) 25, and audio processing unit 26 are also connected.

  The key input unit 19 includes, for example, a power key, a shooting mode key, a playback mode key, a menu key, a cursor key, a set key, a scene program key, and the like.

  The lens optical system driving unit 20 receives a control signal from the control unit 16 and controls the rotation of the lens motor (M) 27, and a part of lenses constituting the lens optical system 11, specifically, a focus lens and a zoom lens. Are moved along the optical axis direction.

  The flash drive unit 21 charges a large-capacitance capacitor for driving a flash (not shown) at the time of still image shooting, and receives a control signal from the control unit 16 to set a flash bulb 28 composed of a xenon discharge tube or the like at shooting timing. Synchronous flash drive.

  The internal memory 22 is a memory for recording image data and the like built in the digital camera 10, and records image data and the like acquired by photographing when the memory card 23 is not attached.

  The memory card 23 is a memory for recording image data and the like that is detachably attached to the digital camera 10 via the card connector C. In addition to recording the image data and the like in preference to the internal memory 22, Various data can be copied to and from the internal memory 22.

  Under the control of the control unit 16, the GPS receiver 24 receives incoming radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites (not shown) by the GPS antenna 29, and performs a mutual operation to obtain a current position (latitude / longitude) in the three-dimensional space. / Altitude) and the current time.

  When the digital camera 10 is in a wireless LAN environment, the wireless LAN interface 25 performs data transmission / reception control according to, for example, the IEEE 802.11a / b / g standard via the wireless LAN antenna 30.

  The sound processing unit 26 includes a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source, and at the time of recording sound, the sound processing unit 26 digitizes the sound signal input from the microphone unit 31 disposed on the front surface of the digital camera 10, and has a predetermined data file format. For example, an audio data file is created by compressing data according to the MP3 (Moving Picture coding Experts-1 audio layer 3) standard, and sent to the memory card 23 or the internal memory 22.

  On the other hand, the audio processing unit 26 uncompresses and converts the audio data file read from the memory card 23 or the internal memory 22 during audio reproduction, and drives the speaker unit 32 provided on the back of the digital camera 10. And make a loud sound.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 exemplifies the basic processing contents executed in the still image shooting mode, and the control operation is performed by the control unit 16 developing the operation program stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 in the main memory 17. To be executed.

In the figure, first, it is determined whether or not an operation of a scene program key constituting the key input unit 19 has been performed (step S101).
If it is determined that the scene program key has not been operated, it is next determined whether or not the shutter key has been operated for shooting (step S102).

If it is determined that the shutter key has not been operated, it is next determined whether or not the memory card 23 has been newly inserted (step S103).
If it is determined that the memory card 23 is not installed, the current position information is acquired from the GPS antenna 24, and then compared with the previous position information stored in advance, is there a movement of a predetermined position or more? It is determined whether or not (step S104).

  Specifically, the movement of the position above the specified position is different from the position information acquired at the latest timing, for example, one hour (predetermined time) or more, in the prefecture level division area where the current position exists. Whether or not is a criterion.

If it is determined that there is no movement beyond the predetermined position, it is then determined whether or not an operation for canceling the still image shooting mode has been performed (step S105).
Here, the operation for canceling the still image shooting mode includes power-off, moving image shooting mode, sound-only recording mode, and mode switching operation to playback mode.
If it is determined that the operation for canceling the still image shooting mode has not been performed, the process returns to step S101.
Thus, by repeatedly executing the processes of steps S101 to S105, the process waits for a state indicated by any one of them.

  If it is determined in step S101 that the scene program key has been operated, a process for selecting any one of a plurality of scene program functions provided in the digital camera 10 is executed, and the selected scene is selected. After changing the shooting conditions according to the program function (step S106), the process proceeds to step S102.

  If it is determined in step S102 that the shutter key has been operated for shooting, an immediate AF (automatic focus) process and an AE (automatic exposure) process are executed to obtain an accurate focal length and exposure value. Thereafter, if the scene program function is set at that time, the CCD 12 is scanned and taken in consideration of the photographing conditions (step S107).

  Then, after appropriately compressing the image data obtained by photographing, the image data is recorded in the memory card 23 if the memory card 23 is attached, and in the internal memory 22 if the memory card 23 is not attached (step S108).

  At the same time, if the scene program function is set, the contents of the use frequency table stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 corresponding to the scene program function that has taken the image are updated and set (step S109).

  FIG. 5 illustrates one of a plurality of usage frequency tables PT stored in the nonvolatile memory 18. The figure exemplifies the contents of the usage frequency table PT001 of the “sunset shooting mode” which is the first (SP No. 001) scene program among all ten still image scene programs provided in the digital camera 10. .

  By the way, according to the scene program of “Sunset shooting mode”, the focus (focus position) is automatically set to “∞ (infinity)”, the emphasis color filter is set to “red”, and the white balance is set to “sunlight”. Is done.

  However, in all the usage frequency tables PT including the usage frequency table PT001, the day is divided into five time zones of “morning”, “noon”, “evening”, “night”, and “midnight” with respect to the past usage frequency. In addition, this is used as a column item, and “Today”, “1 day ago”, “2 days ago”, etc., the last week of “6 days ago” and its “subtotal”, and more than 7 days ago are summarized. ”,“ Total ”which is a grand total,“ magnification ”corresponding to the current time zone, and“ point ”which is the product of the above total and magnification.

The item of “magnification” includes the current time zone with “× 1” as the time zone corresponding to the current time, “× 0.5” as the time zone adjacent to it, and “× 0” as the time zone that is not adjacent at all. Is for weighting the past use frequency.
When the update setting to “+1” the frequency value corresponding to the current date and time in the usage frequency table PT is completed in step S109, the process proceeds to step S103.

If it is determined in step S103 that the memory card 23 is newly installed, a first replacement process of the scene program is performed corresponding to the installation of the memory card 23 (step S110).
FIG. 3 shows a subroutine relating to the first replacement processing of the scene program. Initially, a new memory that is not currently stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 is newly stored in the newly installed memory card 23. It is determined whether or not a scene program is stored (step S201).

  If it is determined that a new scene program is not stored, the first replacement process of FIG. 3 is immediately terminated and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 2 and proceeds to step S104.

  If it is determined that a new scene program is stored in the memory card 23 mounted in step S201, all scene programs currently stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 are evaluated for each scene program. In step S202, the scene program to be deleted is checked.

  FIG. 6 illustrates the process of calculating the evaluation value of the usage frequency table PT001 shown in FIG. Here, the magnification for the point “18” over the entire period is “× 10”, the magnification for the usage frequency “10” within the predetermined period (the most recent week) is “× 5”, and the total use The magnification for the total number of times “30” is “× 1”, the calculated points are “180”, “50”, “30”, and the final calculated value “260” is get.

  FIG. 7 illustrates the calculated values of all ten scene programs stored in the non-volatile memory 18 at the current time point and the ranks based on the calculated values. Here, for example, the lower half of the ranking, that is, the 6th to 10th scene programs are to be deleted.

  After calculating the evaluation value of the scene program to be deleted in this way and determining the deletion target, the deletion target scene program is deleted from the nonvolatile memory 18 and is stored in the newly installed memory card 23 instead. The same number of scene programs are read out and stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 to complete the scene program replacement process (step S203).

  It should be noted that the replacement of the scene program may be performed by the control unit 16 so that the deletion is performed first to secure the free space and the new scene program is stored, or the deletion and storage are performed simultaneously. It may be configured.

  Thereafter, the usage frequency table PT corresponding to the newly stored scene program is reproduced in the nonvolatile memory 18 (step S204), and the first replacement process of FIG. Returning to FIG. 2, the process proceeds to step S104.

If it is determined in step S104 in FIG. 2 that there has been a movement of a predetermined position or more from the current position and the previous position information, a second replacement process of the scene program is performed in response to the movement. (Step S111).
FIG. 4 shows a subroutine relating to the second replacement process of the scene program. Initially, the subroutine is set so as to temporarily prohibit the photographing operation including the CCD 12 (step S301). ) Whether the current position is in a wireless LAN usage environment such as a hot spot via the wireless LAN interface 25, and is it possible to access a website for a registered user operated by the manufacturer of the digital camera 10. It is determined whether or not (step S302).

  If it is determined that the current position is not in the wireless LAN usage environment, after the temporary prohibition state of the photographing operation in the photographing system set in step S302 is canceled (step S306), 4 ends, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 2 and proceeds to step S105.

  If it is determined in step S302 that there is a wireless LAN usage environment, the scene program to be deleted is evaluated by evaluating all the scene programs currently stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 for each scene program. Is investigated (step S303).

  The investigation of the scene program to be deleted is as described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. After the evaluation value of the scene program to be deleted is calculated and the deletion target is determined, the scene program to be deleted is nonvolatile. By erasing from the memory 18 and accessing a website for a registered user operated by the manufacturer of the digital camera 10 instead, the same number of new scene programs corresponding to the model of the digital camera 10 can be obtained and nonvolatile By storing in the memory 18, the scene program replacement process is completed (step S304).

  It should be noted that the replacement of the scene program may be performed by the control unit 16 so that the deletion is performed first to secure the free space and the new scene program is stored, or the deletion and storage are performed simultaneously. It may be configured.

  Thereafter, a usage frequency table PT corresponding to the newly set scene program is created in the nonvolatile memory 18 (step S305), and the temporary prohibition state of the photographing operation in the photographing system set in step S302 is canceled. In step S306, the second replacement process in FIG. 4 is completed, and the process returns to the main routine in FIG. 2 and proceeds to step S105.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the burden of setting a new scene program while reliably leaving necessary ones in a plurality of scene programs.

  In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the memory card 23 is a recording medium for image data that is detachable from the main body of the digital camera 10, and the scene program replacement process is performed when the memory card 23 is newly installed. It was supposed to be.

  Thereby, the user of the digital camera 10 prepares the memory card 23 in which the new scene program is recorded, so that the replacement process of the new scene program can be surely performed at a timing reflecting the user's intention.

  In the above embodiment, the scene program is replaced when the current position is compared with the previous position information stored in advance, and there is a movement of a predetermined position or more, specifically when there is a movement of a divisional area at the prefecture level. The processing was to be performed.

  As a result, the setting level of the segmented area can be varied depending on the need, but it is possible to grasp the movement of the user more objectively, for example, distinguishing movement within the same prefecture and movement to other prefectures. A new scene program can be replaced at an appropriate timing.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the scene program may be replaced when the linear movement distance exceeds an arbitrary threshold, and map data and the like for corresponding to the current position are prepared in advance. This is not necessary, and the number of movements can be determined more easily.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which new shooting conditions are input through a network connection with the outside of the digital camera 10 so as to have a wireless LAN function.
Thereby, it is not particularly necessary for the user to prepare a new scene program for replacement in advance, and replacement can be performed easily.

  In addition, in the above embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the magnification is set for the past use frequency for each scene program according to the time zone, and weighting corresponding to the current time zone is performed. As a result, unnecessary scene programs can be automatically deleted with emphasis on the factor of the current time zone.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a scene program with lower usage frequency may be automatically deleted by simply comparing the total number of usage frequencies with a threshold value, and is not affected by factors such as time zones. It is possible to delete scene programs that are not used objectively.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the usage frequency within a predetermined period is added to the other usage frequencies, as in the case of using the index obtained by adding the usage frequency within the last week to the overall usage frequency. Therefore, it is more suitable for determining which scene program the user currently needs and which scene program the user does not need.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the order using the use frequency is calculated for a plurality of scene programs stored in the non-volatile memory 18 and then a certain percentage of, for example, half of the scene programs are replaced. However, the number of scene programs to be erased can always be kept constant, so that many scene programs are not erased at once, and the user can safely replace the scene programs.

  In addition, although not described in the above embodiment, if the user can arbitrarily variably set the ratio of scene programs to be replaced at one time, the usability for individual users can be further improved.

In addition, instead of performing replacement based on a relative evaluation of replacement at a predetermined rate as in the above embodiment, a certain condition, for example, a usage frequency of less than 20 in the last week A scene program to be erased may be selected as an absolute evaluation such as erasing.
In this way, when there are many scene programs that are not used in particular, the scene programs can be actively replaced and the scene programs can be updated efficiently.

  Further, the scene program may be deleted when the absolute evaluation satisfies a predetermined condition.

  In the above embodiment, a plurality of scene programs for shooting a still image have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a scene program for shooting a moving image can be similarly replaced. Of course.

  In the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not the memory card is inserted in step S103 of FIG. 2, but it may be configured to determine whether or not the memory card 23 is removed. Such a second operation mode may be settable.

  Usually, when the memory card 23 is not mounted, the captured image is stored in the nonvolatile memory 18, but the nonvolatile memory 18 has a smaller storage capacity than the memory card 23. Therefore, when the memory card is removed, in FIG. 3, before the step S201, the photographing prohibition setting is performed in the step S200-1, and then it is determined whether or not the memory card is inserted in the step S200-2. If not mounted, the system may be configured to wait on the spot, proceed to step S201 when the mounting is confirmed, and provide a step S205 immediately before the return to cancel the photographing prohibition setting.

  As a result, the captured image can be stored only in the memory card 23 without storing the captured image in the nonvolatile memory 18.

  Further, normally, the captured image is stored in the non-volatile memory 18, and is provided with capacity detecting means for detecting whether or not the capacity of the non-volatile memory 18 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In this case, the second operation mode may be set.

  Thereby, it is possible to efficiently save the captured image in both the nonvolatile memory 18 and the memory card 23.

  In the above embodiment, the shooting prohibition setting is arranged outside the loop of steps S302 to S305 in FIG. 4, but this is not the case, and step S301 is arranged between S302 and S303, and in S302. Instead of moving to S306 when it is determined NO, it may be configured to move to return.

  As a result, when it is determined that the camera is not in the LAN environment, it is possible to eliminate the time for which shooting is prohibited.

  In the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not the environment is a LAN environment in FIG. 4. However, as long as communication is naturally possible, another communication method such as infrared communication or USB may be used instead of LAN. I do not care.

  Further, in the above embodiment, in S104 of FIG. 2, the presence of the current position with respect to the position information acquired at the latest timing one hour (predetermined time) or more as the determination criterion for determining the position movement of a predetermined amount or more. Whether or not the division area at the prefecture level to be used is different. Regardless of this, the location information obtained at the latest timing one hour (predetermined time) or more at the prefecture level where the current position exists It may be whether or not the divided areas are separated by a predetermined distance or more.

  In other words, for example, residents who live on prefectural borders often move across two sections, so it is more appropriate to use only when they are separated by more than a predetermined distance, because it is possible to reliably detect movement exceeding a predetermined distance. May be a criterion.

  In addition, the division area may not be a division area at the prefectural level, but may be a division area at a municipality level or a facility level (for example, an amusement park).

  In addition, the timing for acquiring the position information is every predetermined time, every time the shooting mode is executed, every time the power is turned on, or every time the user instructs by a predetermined input method, or a combination thereof. May be.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although comprised so that the usage frequency of the imaging condition used for imaging | photography operation | movement may be updated and memorize | stored as usage degree information, the total time set to the imaging | photography possible state using imaging conditions is updated as usage degree information. You may comprise so that it may memorize | store.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the method of instructing the deletion of the scene program is described with respect to the movement of the place. However, the passage of time may be used. For example, when the time changes from 2007 to 2008, the scene program for 2008 may be recorded after the scene program for the event of 2007 is deleted.

  In the above embodiment, a plurality of configurations for automatically instructing deletion of a scene program have been disclosed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and shooting condition deletion processing is executed when the user operates a deletion key or the like at a desired timing. You may do it.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the shooting condition is deleted using the shooting degree information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the position information is stored in association with the shooting condition, and the position of the imaging device is recognized by GPS. In this case, it may be configured to delete a shooting condition that is less relevant to the current position.

  In this case, what is executed when deleting the shooting conditions may be to delete the shooting information itself, or to turn on a deletion flag stored in association with the shooting information. .

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, the functions executed in the above-described embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combination as much as possible. The above-described embodiment includes various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by an appropriate combination according to a plurality of disclosed structural requirements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, if the effect is obtained, a configuration from which the constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a functional circuit of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing basic processing contents in a still image shooting mode according to the embodiment; 3 is a flowchart showing a first replacement processing subroutine of the scene program of FIG. 2 according to the embodiment; 3 is a flowchart showing a second replacement processing subroutine of the scene program of FIG. 2 according to the embodiment; The figure which illustrates one of the usage frequency table which concerns on the embodiment. The figure which illustrates the process of calculating the evaluation value of the use frequency table of FIG. 5 which concerns on the embodiment. The figure which illustrates the calculation value of all the scene programs which concern on the embodiment, and the order | rank based on the calculation value.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 11 ... Lens optical system, 12 ... CCD, 13 ... Image processing part, 14 ... Buffer memory, 15 ... Display part, 16 ... Control part, 17 ... Main memory, 18 ... Non-volatile memory, 19 ... Key Input unit 20 ... Lens optical system drive unit 21 ... Flash drive unit 22 ... Internal memory 23 ... Memory card 24 ... GPS receiver 25 ... Wireless LAN interface (I / F) 26 ... Audio processing unit 27 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Lens motor (M), 28 ... Flash valve, 29 ... GPS antenna, 30 ... Wireless LAN antenna, 31 ... Microphone part, 32 ... Speaker part, C ... Card connector, SB ... System bus, PT ... Usage frequency table.

Claims (19)

Scene program storage means for storing a plurality of shooting conditions in a rewritable manner;
Selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of shooting conditions stored in the scene program storing means;
Photographing means for photographing the subject image by setting the photographing condition selected by the selection means;
A selection means for selecting a photographing condition satisfying a predetermined deletion condition from a plurality of photographing conditions stored in the scene program storage means;
A deletion control means for deleting a part of the shooting conditions from the scene program storage means based on the selection by the selection means;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a writing control unit that inputs new shooting conditions and stores the new shooting conditions in the scene program storage unit. It further comprises a usage level storage means for updating and storing the usage level information of the photographing conditions,
The selection unit selects a shooting condition to be deleted based on the usage level information of the usage level storage unit,
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deletion control unit deletes a part of the shooting conditions from the scene program storage unit based on the selection by the selection unit.   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising instruction means for instructing deletion of a part of shooting conditions stored in the scene program storage means when a predetermined condition set in advance is satisfied.   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deletion control unit and the writing control unit operate simultaneously. A recording medium that records image data obtained by photographing with the photographing means and is detachable from the apparatus main body;
4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the instruction unit sets the recording medium to the apparatus main body as the predetermined condition. Position acquisition means for acquiring the current position;
A judgment means for judging movement of a predetermined distance or more corresponding to the current position acquired by the position acquisition means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the instructing unit uses the predetermined condition to determine a movement of a predetermined distance or more by the determining unit. Position acquisition means for acquiring the current position;
A judgment means for judging movement of the segment area corresponding to the current position acquired by the position acquisition means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the instructing unit sets the predetermined condition to determine the movement of the divided area by the determining unit. Further comprising network connection means for inputting new photographing conditions by network connection with the outside of the apparatus,
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the writing control unit stores the new photographing condition input by the network connection unit in the scene program storage unit.   The selection means corresponds to the instruction means and performs a partial deletion of the scene program storage means in accordance with a relationship between a usage level stored in the usage level storage means and a predetermined threshold value. Item 3. The imaging device according to Item 2. The usage level storage means updates and stores the usage level information under the selected shooting conditions in association with the time information at the time of shooting in accordance with the shooting operation by the shooting means.
The deletion control means corresponds to the instruction means and performs a partial deletion of the scene program storage means according to the relationship between the usage level within a predetermined period stored in the usage level storage means and a predetermined threshold value. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2. The usage level storage means updates and stores the usage level information under the selected shooting conditions in association with the time information at the time of shooting in accordance with the shooting operation by the shooting means.
The deletion control means corresponds to the instruction means and performs a partial deletion of the scene program storage means in accordance with the relationship between the usage level of the predetermined time section stored in the usage level storage means and a predetermined threshold value. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2.   3. The scene program storage unit according to claim 2, wherein the deletion control unit performs partial deletion of the scene program storage unit in accordance with a relationship between a usage level for each photographing condition stored in the usage level storage unit and a predetermined threshold value. Imaging device.   The deletion control means deletes a shooting condition that matches a predetermined condition from the scene program storage means, and instead inputs a new shooting condition and stores it in the scene program storage means. The imaging device described. The deletion control means deletes a predetermined ratio of shooting conditions from the scene program storage means,
The writing control means, after deleting a predetermined shooting condition by the deletion control means, inputs a new shooting condition corresponding to the predetermined ratio and stores it in the scene program storage means. The imaging apparatus according to 1.   15. The imaging apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the deletion control unit variably sets a predetermined ratio for deleting the shooting condition from the scene program storage unit.   3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the usage level storage unit updates and stores the usage frequency of the imaging condition used for the imaging operation by the imaging unit as usage level information.   3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the usage level storage unit updates and stores the total time set in the shooting enabled state using the shooting conditions as usage level information. A control method for an imaging apparatus that sets a selected shooting condition and shoots a subject image with an imaging unit by selecting one shooting condition from a scene program memory that stores a plurality of shooting conditions in a rewritable manner,
A selection step of selecting a shooting condition that satisfies a predetermined deletion condition from a plurality of shooting conditions stored in the scene program memory;
A deletion control step of deleting a part of the shooting conditions from the scene program memory based on the selection in the selection step;
And a writing control step of inputting a new shooting condition and storing it in the scene program memory. By selecting one shooting condition from a scene program memory that stores a plurality of shooting conditions in a rewritable manner, a computer built in an imaging apparatus that sets the selected shooting condition and shoots a subject image is executed. A program,
A selection step of selecting a shooting condition satisfying a predetermined deletion condition from a plurality of shooting conditions stored in the scene program memory;
A deletion control step of deleting a part of the shooting conditions from the scene program memory based on the selection in the selection step;
A program for causing a computer to execute a writing control step of inputting a new photographing condition and storing it in the scene program memory.

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