JP2010074620A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera capable of easily changing the number of photographable pictures into that intended by a user while maintaining a photographing parameter being set currently. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic camera includes an imaging unit, a photographing parameter setting unit, a display unit, a recording unit, a remaining capacity calculating unit, a number-of-photographable-pictures calculating unit and a display control unit. The imaging unit produces image data, the photographing parameter setting unit sets a plurality of photographing parameters by a user input. The display unit displays a photographing condition. The recording unit records image data. The remaining capacity calculating unit calculates the remaining capacity of the recording unit. On the basis of photographic information containing at least the remaining capacity and the plurality of photographing parameters, the number-of-photographable-pictures calculating unit calculates the number of photographable pictures. Furthermore, the number-of-photographable-pictures calculating unit calculates again the number of photographable pictures in a case where any one of the plurality of photographing parameters is changed sequentially. The display control unit controls display contents of a setting picture. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly to an electronic camera including a user interface for setting shooting parameters for generating image data.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic camera having a user interface for setting shooting parameters for generating image data is known. For example, when the user sets the image quality, first, the number of pixels and the compression rate are displayed on the display monitor setting screen in a two-dimensional array format as shooting parameters, and further, shooting is possible that is calculated from the remaining capacity of the recording medium. There has been proposed an electronic camera that displays the number of sheets together (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-346075 A

  In the electronic camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, all combinations of the number of pixels and the compression ratio are displayed in the two-dimensional array format on the setting screen. However, if other shooting parameters are combined and displayed on the setting screen, they cannot be displayed on the setting screen. Or the display content becomes messy or difficult for the user to understand.

  Furthermore, in recent electronic cameras, shooting parameters have become complicated, and setting of shooting parameters has become difficult. Further, after the user specifies the shooting parameters, the number of still images that can be shot and the number of shots that can be shot continuously are determined, but the number is not necessarily the number intended by the user.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that can easily change the number of shootable images to a number intended by the user while maintaining the currently set shooting parameters. .

  An electronic camera according to a first aspect includes an imaging unit, a shooting parameter setting unit, a display unit, a recording unit, a remaining capacity calculation unit, a shootable number calculation unit, and a display control unit. The imaging unit photoelectrically converts the subject image to generate image data. The shooting parameter setting unit can set a plurality of shooting parameters for generating image data by user input. The display unit displays a setting screen for setting shooting conditions including a plurality of shooting parameters and an image based on the image data in a switchable manner. The recording unit records image data. The remaining capacity calculation unit calculates the remaining capacity of the recording unit. The shootable number calculating unit calculates the shootable number of still images based on shooting information including at least the remaining capacity and a plurality of shooting parameters. The shootable number calculating unit recalculates the shootable number when any one of the plurality of shooting parameters is sequentially changed. The display control unit displays the current setting values of the plurality of shooting parameters and the number of shootable images on the setting screen, and displays the number of shootable images recalculated by the shootable number calculation unit on the setting screen according to the calculation result. .

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the display control unit is configured to display a first display unit that displays setting values of a plurality of shooting parameters on the setting screen, and a second display that displays the number of shootable images on the setting screen. And third display means for displaying on the setting screen the number of shootable images recalculated by the shootable number calculating section. The display control unit displays the outputs of the first to third display means together with the setting screen.

  In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the recording unit is a recording medium for recording image data. The shootable number calculation unit calculates all selectable combinations as a first list according to the remaining capacity of the recording medium for the set values of a plurality of shooting parameters and the shootable number of shots based on the set values. .

  In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the recording unit is a buffer memory for recording image data, and the shootable number calculating unit continuously captures still images at predetermined time intervals based on the photographic information. The number of possible shots for continuous shooting for shooting is calculated. Further, the shootable number calculating unit calculates the second combination of all selectable combinations of the set values of a plurality of shooting parameters and the shootable number of continuous shots based on the set values according to the remaining capacity of the buffer memory. Calculate as a list.

  In a fifth aspect based on the third aspect, the shootable number calculating unit is configured to shoot and set a set of shooting parameters when one of the currently set shooting parameters is sequentially changed. A first item consisting of the number of sheets is extracted from the first list and calculated as a third list.

  In a sixth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the shootable number calculating unit is configured to capture a set of shooting parameters and continuous shooting when any one of the currently set shooting parameters is sequentially changed. The second item consisting of the number of shootable images is extracted from the second list and calculated as the fourth list.

  In a seventh aspect based on the fifth aspect, the shootable number calculating unit refers to the third list, and rearranges the first items in ascending order or descending order on the basis of the shootable number. In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, the shootable number calculating unit refers to the fourth list, and arranges the second item in ascending order or descending order based on the shootable number of continuous shots. Change.

  In an eighth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the shootable number calculating unit refers to the third list and extracts a shootable number of sheets larger than the current shootable number. The eighth invention refers to the fourth list in the sixth invention, and extracts the number of continuous shots that can be taken more than the number of shots that can be taken continuously.

  In a ninth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the shootable number calculating unit refers to the third list, and extracts a shootable number of the same number as the current shootable number. In a ninth aspect based on the sixth aspect, the shootable number calculating unit refers to the fourth list, refers to the fourth list, and is the same as the number of shootable images in the current continuous shooting. The number of images that can be taken is extracted.

  In a tenth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the shootable number calculating section refers to the third list and extracts a shootable number of sheets that is equal to or greater than the shootable number specified by the user input. The tenth invention refers to the fourth list in the sixth invention, and extracts the number of continuously shootable images that is equal to or greater than the value of the number of continuously shootable images specified by user input.

  According to the electronic camera of the present invention, it is possible to easily change the number of images that can be shot to the number intended by the user while maintaining the currently set shooting parameters.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a rear view of the electronic camera 1 according to the first embodiment. On the back of the electronic camera 1, an optical finder 2, a liquid crystal display monitor 17, a cross button 3, a power button 4, and a help button 5 are provided. A release button 6 is provided on the upper surface of the electronic camera 1.

  The optical viewfinder 2 is for observing a subject image. The display monitor 17 displays a still image, a through image, a setting screen for an operation menu of the electronic camera 1, and the like. The operation menu setting screen will be described later. The cross button 3 is an operation button for selecting or executing a command by freely switching a menu used for shooting or reproduction. The help button 5 is an operation button for causing the display monitor 17 to display a message such as the operation content of the electronic camera 1.

  Next, the contents of the setting screen of the display monitor 17 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The display monitor 17 can switchably display a setting screen for setting shooting conditions including a plurality of shooting parameters and an image based on image data. The user can set shooting parameters via the user interface on the setting screen. Here, “image format”, “image quality”, “image size”, “Active D Lighting”, “noise reduction”, and “shooting range” exist as examples of shooting parameters.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the imaging parameter and each set value. The setting value (in bold) underlined represents the current shooting parameter.

  Image format setting values include “Jpeg” and “Raw”. Jpeg is an example of a compressed image file, and represents a file format of a joint photographic experts group. Raw represents raw data.

  The set values of image quality include “Fine”, “Normal”, and “Basic”. Fine represents high image quality, and Basic represents low image quality. Normal represents an intermediate image quality between Fine and Basic.

  The set values of the image size include so-called “L”, “M”, and “S” as the number of recording pixels.

  There are “On” and “Off” as the setting values of Active D Lighting. This Active D Lighting (hereinafter simply referred to as “ADL”) is a function of automatically correcting and recording a contrast close to the impression seen by the eyes. The noise reduction set values include “On” and “Off”.

  The setting value of the shooting range includes “FX” format and “DX” format as pixel sizes. The FX format (36 × 24) is a setting value for photographing at an angle of view according to a 35 mm size camera. The DX format (24 × 16) is a setting value for shooting at an angle of view corresponding to a lens having a focal length of about 1.5 times the focal length represented by the lens.

  In the setting screen of FIG. 1, the setting value of the image format: Jpeg, the setting value of the image quality: Normal, the setting value of the image size: M, the setting value of the ADL: On, the setting value of the noise reduction: Off, the setting value of the shooting range : FX. The number of images that can be shot and the number of images that can be shot continuously will be described later. In FIG. 1, in addition to the above-described shooting parameters, shooting parameters under other shooting conditions can be displayed. However, since they are not directly used in a flowchart described later, description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the electronic camera 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic camera 1 includes a photographing lens 10, an imaging unit 11, an image processing unit 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14, an operation unit 15, A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 16, a display monitor 17, a recording interface (recording I / F) 18, a recording medium 19, and a bus 20 are provided. Among these, the image processing unit 12, the RAM 13, the ROM 14, the CPU 16, the display monitor 17, and the recording interface (recording I / F) 18 are connected to each other via a bus 20. The operation unit 15 is connected to the CPU 16.

  The photographing lens 10 includes a plurality of lens groups including a zoom lens and a focus lens. For simplicity, FIG. 3 shows the taking lens 10 as a single lens.

  The imaging unit 11 generates image data by photoelectrically converting the subject image. In the shooting mode for shooting a subject, the imaging unit 11 outputs a recording image at the time of shooting. Further, at the time of shooting standby, the imaging unit 11 outputs a through image for composition confirmation every elapse of a predetermined time. The imaging unit 11 converts an analog signal into a digital signal. Digital signals (RGB signals) output from the imaging unit 11 are temporarily recorded in the buffer memory 13 a of the RAM 13.

  The image processing unit 12 converts the RGB signal image data into YC signal image data represented by luminance (Y) and color (C). The image processing unit 12 performs image processing such as white balance correction processing and gain control processing on the image data recorded in the buffer memory 13a.

  The ROM 14 is a memory that stores a program for controlling the electronic camera 1 in advance.

  The operation unit 15 receives the operation of each operation button (the cross button 3, the power button 4, the help button 5, and the release button 6) provided on the back and top surfaces of the electronic camera 1 already described with reference to FIG. Issue processing instructions.

  The CPU 16 is a processor that controls the electronic camera 1. The CPU 16 calculates a parameter for each process or controls each part of the electronic camera 1 by executing a sequence program stored in advance in the ROM 14. The CPU 16 of the present embodiment also functions as a shooting parameter setting unit 16a, a remaining capacity calculation unit 16b, a shootable number calculation unit 16c, and a display control unit 16d.

  The shooting parameter setting unit 16a sets arbitrary shooting parameters from the above-described shooting parameters such as the image format and image quality by user input (details will be described later).

  The remaining capacity calculation unit 16b calculates the remaining capacity of the recording medium 19 and the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13a.

  The shootable number calculating unit 16c calculates the shootable number of still images based on shooting information including at least the remaining capacity of the recording medium 19 and a plurality of shooting parameters.

  In this case, the shootable number calculation unit 16c first sets all selectable combinations of the set values of the plurality of shooting parameters and the shootable number of shots based on the set values according to the remaining capacity of the recording medium 19. Calculate as a list. Details of the first list will be described later.

  Further, the shootable number calculating unit 16c calculates a shootable number of continuous shots (hereinafter referred to as “continuous shootable number”) that continuously shoots still images at predetermined time intervals based on the shooting information. With respect to the set values of the plurality of shooting parameters and the number of continuously shot images based on the set values, all selectable combinations are calculated as the second list according to the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13a. Details of the second list will be described later.

  Further, the shootable number calculating unit 16c recalculates the shootable number or the continuously shootable number when any one of the plurality of shooting parameters is sequentially changed. For convenience of explanation, RAW data is excluded from the target.

  In addition, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c includes a first item including a set of photographic parameters and a shootable image count when any one of the currently set shooting parameters is sequentially changed. Extracted from the first list and calculated as a third list. Here, the set of shooting parameters is a plurality of shooting parameters, and in this embodiment, it is an image format, image quality, image size, ADL, noise reduction, and shooting range. That is, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c calculates the shootable image count when the set value of the image format is changed, and writes it in the third list. In the same manner, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c calculates the shootable image count when the shooting parameters are sequentially changed one by one, and writes it in the third list.

  In addition, the shootable number calculation unit 16c is a second item including a set of shooting parameters and a shootable number of continuous shots when any one of the currently set shooting parameters is changed. Are extracted from the second list and calculated as a fourth list. Details of the third list and the fourth list will also be described later.

  Further, the shootable number calculating unit 16c refers to the third list, and rearranges the first items in ascending order or descending order on the basis of the shootable number. Further, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c refers to the fourth list, and rearranges the second items in ascending order or descending order on the basis of the continuously shootable image count.

  In addition, the shootable number calculating unit 16c refers to the third list, and extracts a shootable number that is larger than the current shootable number. In addition, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c refers to the fourth list, and extracts a continuously shootable image count that is larger than the continuous shootable image count.

  The display control unit 16d controls the display content of the setting screen of the display monitor 17. The display control unit 16d includes a first display unit that displays setting values of a plurality of shooting parameters on a setting screen, a second display unit that displays the number of shootable images and the number of continuously shootable images on the setting screen, and shooting is possible. And third display means for displaying on the setting screen the number of images that can be shot and the number of images that can be continuously shot that have been recalculated by the number calculation unit 16c.

  For example, the display control unit 16d displays the current setting values of the plurality of shooting parameters, the number of shootable images, and the number of continuously shootable images on the setting screen. Further, the display control unit 16d displays the number of shootable images and the number of continuously shootable images recalculated by the shootable image number calculating unit 16c on the same setting screen according to the calculation result. Thereby, the display control unit 16d can display the outputs of the first to third display means together with the setting screen.

  A connector for connecting a recording medium 19 is formed on the recording interface (recording I / F) 18. The recording interface (recording I / F) 18 accesses the recording medium 19 connected to the connector according to an instruction from the CPU 16 and performs image recording processing.

  Next, a series of operations in setting the shooting parameters of the electronic camera 1 will be described. Here, first, internal processing of the electronic camera 1 that is started after the power is turned on and then the user selects a mode for setting the number of shootable images with the cross button 3 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the internal processing of the electronic camera 1 in setting the shooting parameters. This flowchart starts when the user selects a mode for setting the number of shootable images with the cross button 3 shown in FIG.

  Step S101: The CPU 16 (remaining capacity calculation unit 16b) calculates a free area (remaining capacity) of the recording medium 19 via the recording interface (recording I / F) 18. Further, the remaining capacity calculation unit 16b calculates the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13a.

  Step S102: The CPU 16 obtains the current shooting parameter setting value necessary for calculating the number of shootable images. In this case, the CPU 16 acquires these setting values using the image format, image quality, image size, ADL, noise reduction, and shooting range as shooting parameters.

  Step S103: The CPU 16 (the number of shootable images calculating section 16c) calculates the number of shootable still images by a known technique based on the remaining capacity of the recording medium 19 and the shooting parameters acquired in Step S102. Further, the CPU 16 (capable number of shots calculating unit 16c) is configured to store the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13a, the shooting parameters acquired in step S102, the image processing time determined by these shooting parameters, the shutter speed, and the transfer speed to the recording medium 19. Based on the above, the number of continuously shootable images is calculated by a known technique.

  Step S104: The CPU 16 (display control unit 16d) updates the current number of shootable images and the number of continuously shootable images on the setting screen of the display monitor 17. In FIG. 1, as an example, the state after the process of step S104 is displayed on the setting screen. That is, the remaining number of images that can be shot is currently six. Further, the remaining number of images that can be continuously shot is currently 13 images.

  Step S105: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) selects the set value of the current shooting parameter acquired in step S102 and the number of shots possible based on the set value according to the remaining capacity of the recording medium 19. All possible combinations are calculated as the first list.

  5 to 7 are diagrams illustrating an example of the first list. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the first list when the capacity of the recording medium 19 is 1 Gbyte. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the first list when the capacity of the recording medium 19 is 100 Mbytes. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the first list when the capacity of the recording medium 19 is 12.5 Mbytes.

  As shown in the first list of FIGS. 5 to 7, all shooting parameters (image format, image quality, image size, ADL, noise reduction, and shooting range are shooting parameters) according to the remaining capacity of the recording medium 19. The number of images that can be shot in a combination of setting values is calculated.

  Further, the shootable number calculation unit 16c of the CPU 16 can select the current shooting parameter setting value acquired in step S102 and the continuous shooting possible number based on the setting value according to the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13a. All combinations are calculated as a second list.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second list. As shown in the second list of FIG. 8, the set values of all shooting parameters (image format, image quality, image size, ADL, noise reduction, and shooting range are shooting parameters) according to the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13a. The number of images that can be continuously shot in the pattern is calculated. In FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, for convenience of explanation, an example is described for the item of RAW data.

  Step S106: The CPU 16 (photographable number calculating unit 16c) updates the first list and the second list according to the remaining capacity of the recording medium 19 and the buffer memory 13a after the power is turned on, respectively. To do.

  As described above, after the power is turned on, the internal processing of the electronic camera 1 in setting the shooting parameters is completed.

  Next, the operation of the electronic camera 1 when changing the shootable number or the continuously shootable number shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Here, first, a case where the number of shootable images is changed will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the internal processing operation of the electronic camera 1 until the selection screen for the number of shootable images is displayed. Here, when the user operates the cross button 3 on the setting screen shown in FIG. 1, first, the item of the number of shootable images is displayed with a bold black frame 17a. Subsequently, when the user presses the OK button of the cross button 3 for the item of the number of shootable images, the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 starts. The recording medium 19 has a recording capacity of 12.5 Mbytes.

  Step S201: The CPU 16 acquires setting values of a plurality of currently set shooting parameters and temporarily records them in the RAM 13. That is, the CPU 16 acquires the image format, image quality, image size, ADL, noise reduction, and shooting range setting values, and temporarily records them in the RAM 13. Here, as an example, the currently set shooting parameter setting values are: image format setting value: Jpeg, image quality setting value: Normal, image size setting value: M, ADL setting value: On, noise reduction Set value: Off, and shooting range set value: FX.

  Step S202: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) selects one shooting parameter from among a plurality of shooting parameters as a change target. That is, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c sequentially selects the image format, image quality, image size, ADL, noise reduction, and shooting range as change targets. Note that the order of selection may be arbitrary.

  Step S203: The CPU 16 determines whether all shooting parameters have been checked. When all the items are checked (step S203: Yes), the processing routine proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if all of them are not checked (step S203: No), the processing routine proceeds to step S207. Here, for the convenience of explanation, the processes in steps S207 to S210 will be described first.

  Step S207: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) sequentially changes items in the setting values of the shooting parameters to be changed. That is, taking the case of the image size as an example, the setting value items include L, M, and S. Here, since the current setting value is M, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c changes the setting value of the image size from M to L, for example.

  Step S208: The CPU 16 determines whether or not all setting value items have been changed for setting values other than the current setting value in the shooting parameter to be changed. When all the setting value items have not been changed (step S208: No), the processing routine proceeds to step S209.

  Step S209: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) refers to the first list shown in FIG. 7, sets the image size L, and obtains the number of images that can be shot when other shooting parameters are not changed. In this case, the number of images that can be shot is four. Accordingly, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c sets a set of shooting parameters when only the image size is changed from M to L (image format: Jpeg, image quality: Normal, image size: L, ADL: On Noise reduction: Off, shooting range: FX) and the number of images that can be shot (four) are added to the items in the third list shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the third list. Note that FIG. 10 shows a state after all the shooting parameters have been checked in step S203. In addition, for easy understanding, the current shooting parameter setting values (bold underline) are also shown. Here, one row of the third list represents one item (a set of shooting parameters and the number of shots that can be taken). The setting value of the shooting parameter (bold text without an underline) represents the setting value of the shooting parameter to be changed (hereinafter the same).

  When the shootable number calculating unit 16c adds an item (first item) including the set of photographic parameters and the number of shootable images when changed to the item of the third list, this processing routine is again performed in step S207. Return to. In step S207, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c changes the setting value of the image size from M to S. Then, the process proceeds to step S208. In this case, since the image size (S) has not been checked yet, the process proceeds to step S209.

  In step S209, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c refers to the first list shown in FIG. 7, obtains the shootable image count when the image size S is set and other shooting parameters are not changed. In this case, the number of shootable images is 15. Therefore, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c sets a set of shooting parameters when only the image size is changed from M to S (image format: Jpeg, image quality: Normal, image size: S, ADL: On). , Noise reduction: Off, shooting range: FX) and the number of shootable images (15) are added to the items in the third list shown in FIG. Then, the processing routine returns to step S207.

  In step S207, since there is no setting value item to be changed, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c proceeds to step S208 and changes all setting value items (image size) to be changed (step S208: Yes). The process routine proceeds to step S210.

  Step S210: The CPU 16 returns the first list temporarily recorded in the RAM 13 to the setting value of the photographing parameter at the start of creation (calculation). In the above-described example, the case where the image size is changed from M to L and S is checked, which means that the image size is returned to M. This is because when the parameter is changed by referring to the first list in the internal processing of the CPU 16, the state becomes the current shooting parameter, so that it is necessary to restore it.

  Since the CPU 16 has checked one shooting parameter, the processing routine returns to step S202. In step S202, one of the shooting parameters other than the image size (image format, image quality, ADL, noise reduction, shooting range) is selected as the shooting parameter to be changed, and step S203, as in the case of the image size, is selected. Steps 207 to S210 are sequentially performed. In this way, when the checking is completed for all the shooting parameters (step S203: Yes), the processing routine proceeds to step S204. In this case, the third list shown in FIG. 10 is created (calculated).

  Step S204: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) sorts the items in descending order in the created third list on the basis of the number of shootable images. It may be rearranged in ascending order. Here, the ascending order is preferable in order to suppress the level reduction of the setting value of the imaging parameter as much as possible. Or, in order to greatly increase the number of shootable images, descending order is preferable.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram when the third list is rearranged in descending order. For convenience of explanation, the current shooting parameters are also shown.

  Step S205: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) refers to FIG. 11 and extracts an item of the number of images that can be captured that is larger than the current number of images that can be captured. In this case, since the current number of shootable images is 6, as shown in FIG. 12, items of 6 or less are deleted.

  FIG. 12 is a table listing items of the number of shootable images that are larger than the current number of shootable images. For convenience of explanation, the current shooting parameters are also shown.

  Step S206: The CPU 16 (display control unit 16d) extracts the items enclosed by the dotted frame in FIG. 12, and only the setting values of the shooting parameters to be changed and the number of shootable images after the change are displayed on the setting screen of the display monitor 17. Display. Then, the processing routine shown in FIG. 9 ends.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shootable number selection screen for selecting the shootable number. If the display items cannot fit on the setting screen, they may be displayed by operating the scroll bar 17b shown in FIG. 13 with the cross button 3 shown in FIG. On the setting screen of the display monitor 17, the black frame 17 a currently represents a state that can be changed by the user. In this state, when the user performs a confirming operation to change the image size from M to S with the cross button 3, the CPU 16 (shooting parameter setting unit 16a) inputs the shooting parameter whose image size has been changed from M to S. Set by. Accordingly, in the above-described example, the setting value of the shooting parameter after the change is as follows: image format setting value: Jpeg, image quality setting value: Normal, image size setting value: S, ADL setting value: On, Noise reduction setting value: Off, shooting range setting value: FX. The number of images that can be shot is from 6 to 15. If the user confirms the cancel item in the setting screen with the cross button 3, the setting screen is switched and the setting screen shown in FIG. 1 is restored. The shooting parameter Up item is displayed on the setting screen. If the user confirms the shooting parameter Up item on the setting screen with the cross button 3, the process proceeds to the contents described in the second embodiment. To do. Details will be described later.

  Next, the setting change of the number of continuously shootable images will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, the processing in step S204 is “rearrange in descending order (ascending order) based on the number of continuously shootable images in the created fourth list”. Further, the process of step S209 is “obtain the number of continuously shootable images in the shooting parameters after the change from the second list and add it to the fourth list”. Further, the processing of step S210 is “return to the setting value of the imaging parameter“ at the start of the creation of the second list ”temporarily recorded in the RAM 13”. Other than that, it is basically the same. Therefore, the processing of step S204, step S209, and step S210 will be described. For convenience of explanation, description will be made in the order of step S209, step S210, and step S204.

  Step S209: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) refers to the second list shown in FIG. 8, obtains the number of continuously shootable images with the changed shooting parameters, and adds it to the fourth list.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the fourth list. For example, taking the image size described above as an example, it is as follows. When the image size is changed from M to L, the number of images that can be continuously shot is acquired from the second list when the image size is L and other shooting parameters are not changed. In this case, the number of images that can be continuously shot is 10. Therefore, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c sets a set of shooting parameters as a set of shooting parameters (image format: Jpeg, image quality: Normal, image size: L, ADL: On, noise reduction: Off, shooting range. : FX) and the number of continuously shootable images (10) are added to the items in the fourth list shown in FIG. In this way, when all the setting value items are changed (step S208: Yes), the processing routine proceeds to step S210.

  Step S210: The CPU 16 returns the second list temporarily recorded in the RAM 13 to the setting value of the shooting parameter at the start of creation (calculation). Since the CPU 16 has checked one shooting parameter, the processing routine returns to step S202. In step S202, one of the shooting parameters other than the image size (image format, image quality, ADL, noise reduction, shooting range) is selected as a parameter to be changed, and step S203, step is performed as in the case of the image size. Steps 207 to S210 are sequentially performed. In this way, when the checking is completed for all the shooting parameters (step S203: Yes), the processing routine proceeds to step S204. In this case, the fourth list shown in FIG. 14 is created (calculated).

  Step S204: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) sorts the items in descending order on the basis of the continuously shootable image count in the created fourth list. It may be rearranged in ascending order. And after the process of step S205 is performed, the process of step S206 is performed. In this case, the CPU 16 (display control unit 16d) causes the setting screen of the display monitor 17 to display only the setting value of the shooting parameter to be changed and the number of continuously shootable images after the change. Then, the processing routine shown in FIG. 9 ends.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of the continuously shootable number selection screen for selecting the continuously shootable number. On the setting screen of the display monitor 17, the black frame 17 a currently represents a state that can be changed by the user. Note that a black frame can be displayed in the ADL, image size, or image quality items by operating the cross button 3 shown in FIG.

  In this state, when the user performs a confirming operation for changing the shooting range from FX to DX with the cross button 3, the CPU 16 (shooting parameter setting unit 16a) inputs the shooting parameters whose shooting range has been changed from FX to DX. Set by. Accordingly, in the above-described example, the setting value of the shooting parameter after the change is set as follows: image format setting value: Jpeg, image quality setting value: Normal, image size setting value: M, ADL setting value: On, Noise reduction setting value: Off, shooting range setting value: DX. The number of images that can be continuously shot is 13 to 18.

  As described above, according to the electronic camera 1 of the first embodiment, for example, when the user wants to increase the number of shots in the state of the setting screen of FIG. The setting screen shown in FIG. Thereby, the user can know which imaging parameter should be changed by one. That is, according to the electronic camera 1 of the first embodiment, the number of images that can be shot and the number of images that can be continuously shot can be easily changed to the number intended by the user while maintaining the currently set shooting parameters.

  In addition, by adopting the first to fourth lists by the shootable number calculating unit 16c, it is possible to enhance the arithmetic processing for calculating the shootable number and the continuously shootable number.

  Further, since the display control unit 16d displays the outputs of the first to third display means together with the setting screen, a user interface that is intuitively easy to understand for the user is provided.

  In addition, the shootable number calculation unit 16c rearranges the items in the third list and the fourth list in ascending or descending order, and extracts items that are larger than the current shootable number and the continuously shootable number. To do. Thereby, the display control unit 16d can easily display the number of sheets intended by the user on the setting screen by the third display unit.

  In the above-described example, the case where the number of images that can be shot and the number of images that can be continuously shot are increased has been described. This description is merely an example, and the present invention can also be applied to a case where the user wants to improve image quality and reduces the number of images that can be shot.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 9, the present invention is applied to the case where the user selects the mode for setting the number of shootable images with the cross button 3 after turning on the power. For example, the recording medium 19 is attached to the electronic camera 1 after shooting. When loaded, the flowchart of FIG. 9 may be executed.

  Next, a first modification of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the first modification, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c refers to the third list and extracts a shootable image count that is equal to or greater than the shootable image count value specified by the user input.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shootable number selection screen for selecting the shootable number by user input. As shown in the setting screen of the display monitor 17 in FIG. 16, the current setting values of the shooting parameters are: image format: Raw, image quality: Fine, image size: L, ADL: On, noise reduction: On, shooting range: FX It is. In this state, when the user changes the number of shootable images from 2 to 4 using the cross button 3 and performs a confirmation operation, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c first refers to the first list in FIG. . Subsequently, the shootable number calculation unit 16c extracts a set of photographic parameters whose shootable number is four or more when one photographic parameter is changed, and performs the third list according to the process of the flowchart described above. Add items to. Then, the display control unit 16d displays on the setting screen when the number of shootable images is four or more. In the setting screen of FIG. 16, when the shooting parameter (image quality) surrounded by the black frame 17a is changed from Fine to Normal, the current number of shootable images can be increased from 2 to 4. Therefore, when the user performs a confirmation operation with the cross button 3 shown in FIG. In the above description, the number of shootable images has been described, but the number of continuously shootable images can be increased in the same manner.

  As described above, according to the electronic camera 1 of the first modified example, it is possible to shoot while maintaining the currently set shooting parameters even by designating the number of shootable images or the number of continuously shootable images by manual input by the user. The number of images and the number of images that can be continuously shot can be easily changed to the number intended by the user.

Also, the display control unit 16d displays the third list as a setting screen, allows the number of shootable images to be set by user input, displays the fourth list as a setting screen, and sets the number of shootable images by user input. It may be set.
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c refers to the third list and extracts a shootable image count that is the same as the current shootable image count. Further, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c refers to the fourth list, and refers to the fourth list to extract the number of continuously shootable images that is the same as the current number of continuously shootable images.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention and the second embodiment of the present invention, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  Here, in the number of images that can be shot or the number of images that can be continuously shot, depending on the shooting parameters, the number of images that can be shot or the number of images that can be shot continuously may not be changed even if the shooting parameters are changed. In this case, for a user who wants to prioritize the number of images that can be shot or the number of images that can be shot continuously, this function can be used without hesitation in changing the shooting parameters. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given using the number of continuously shootable images as an example.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the internal processing operation of the electronic camera 1 in the second embodiment. In this case, the internal processing of the electronic camera 1 is performed until the selection screen for the number of continuously shootable images is displayed. This flowchart starts after the user selects a mode for setting the number of continuously shootable images with the cross button 3 shown in FIG.

  Step S301: The CPU 16 acquires setting values of a plurality of currently set shooting parameters and temporarily records them in the RAM 13. Here, as an example, the currently set shooting parameter setting values are: image format setting value: Jpeg, image quality setting value: Normal, image size setting value: M, ADL setting value: On, noise reduction Set value: Off, and shooting range set value: FX.

  Step S302: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) selects one shooting parameter from among a plurality of shooting parameters as a change target.

  Step S303: The CPU 16 determines whether all shooting parameters have been checked. When all the checks have been made (step S303: Yes), the processing routine proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, if all of them are not checked (step S303: No), the processing routine proceeds to step S307. Here, for the convenience of explanation, the processes in steps S307 to S310 will be described first.

  Step S307: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) sequentially changes items in the setting values of the shooting parameters to be changed.

  Step S308: The CPU 16 determines whether or not all setting value items have been changed for setting values other than the current setting value in the imaging parameter to be changed. When all the setting value items have not been changed (step S308: No), the processing routine proceeds to step S309.

  Step S309: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) refers to the second list shown in FIG. 8, and can perform continuous shooting when the image size is changed from M to L and other shooting parameters are not changed, for example. Get the number. In this case, the number of images that can be continuously shot is 23.

  Therefore, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c sets a set of shooting parameters only when the image size is changed from M to L (image format: Jpeg, image quality: Normal, image size: L, ADL: On Noise reduction: Off, shooting range: FX) and the number of continuous shots (23) are added to the items in the fourth list shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the fourth list.

  FIG. 18 shows a state after checking all the shooting parameters in step S303. For easy understanding, the current setting values of the shooting parameters are also shown.

  Step S310: When the shootable image count calculation unit 16c adds the set of shooting parameters and the number of continuously shootable images when changed to the items of the fourth list shown in FIG. Return to S307. In step S307, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c changes the setting value of the image size from M to S. Then, the process proceeds to step S308. In this case, since the image size (S) has not been checked yet, the process proceeds to step S309.

  In step S309, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c refers to the second list shown in FIG. 8, sets the image size S, and acquires the shootable continuous image count when other shooting parameters are not changed. In this case, the number of images that can be continuously shot is 23. Therefore, the shootable number calculating unit 16c sets a set of shooting parameters only when the image size is changed from M to S (image format: Jpeg, image quality: Normal, image size: S, ADL: On). , Noise reduction: Off, Shooting range: FX) and the number of continuously shootable images (23) are added to the items in the fourth list shown in FIG. Then, the processing routine returns to step S307.

  In step S307, since there is no setting value item to be changed, the shootable image count calculation unit 16c proceeds to step S308 and changes all setting value items (image size) to be changed (step S308: Yes). The process routine proceeds to step S310.

  Step S310: The CPU 16 returns the second list temporarily recorded in the RAM 13 to the setting value of the shooting parameter at the start of creation (calculation).

  Since the CPU 16 has checked one shooting parameter, the processing routine returns to step S302. In step S302, one of the shooting parameters (image format, image quality, ADL, noise reduction, shooting range) other than the image size is selected as a parameter to be changed. Processing from 307 to step S310 is performed. In this way, when all the shooting parameters have been checked (step S303: Yes), the processing routine proceeds to step S304. In this case, the fourth list shown in FIG. 18 is created (calculated).

  Step S304: The CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) deletes a set whose level is lower than the set value of the current shooting parameter in the created fourth list.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram of a fourth list after the processing in step S304 is performed. For convenience of explanation, the current shooting parameters are also shown.

  Step S305: With reference to FIG. 19, the CPU 16 (shootable image count calculation unit 16c) extracts items having the same number as the current continuously shootable image count. In this case, since the current number of continuously shootable images is 23, items other than 23 are deleted as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a table listing items of the current number of continuously shootable images. For convenience of explanation, the current shooting parameters are also shown.

  Step S306: The CPU 16 (display control unit 16d) extracts the items enclosed by the dotted line frame in FIG. 20, and displays only the setting value of the shooting parameter to be changed and the number of continuously shootable images after the change. (FIG. 21). Then, the processing routine shown in FIG. 17 ends.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for improving the level of the setting value of the shooting parameter. In this case, it is possible to improve the level of the setting value of the shooting parameter while maintaining the same number of continuously shot images.

  Here, depending on the user, there may be a case where the user may wonder that the number of continuously shootable images does not change when the setting value of the shooting parameter is changed. Therefore, when the user presses the help button 5 shown in FIG. 1, the display control unit 16d switches to the setting screen shown in FIG. 22 as an example.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen that is notified to the user by the guide function. Since the display control unit 16d displays a guide having the contents shown in FIG. 22, the user can know that the number of shootable images can be maintained when changing the setting value of the shooting parameter. When the user presses the help button 5 again, the display control unit 16d switches again to the setting screen shown in FIG.

  In the setting screen shown in FIG. 21, the black frame 17a currently represents a state that can be changed by the user. In this state, when the user performs a confirmation operation to change the image quality setting value from Normal to Fine using the cross button 3 shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 16 (imaging parameter setting unit 16a) changes the image quality setting value from Normal to Fine. The shooting parameters changed to are set by user input. Accordingly, in the above-described example, the setting values of the shooting parameters after the change are the image format setting value: Jpeg, the image quality setting value: Fine, the image size setting value: M, and the ADL setting value: Off, Set value for noise reduction: On, set value for shooting range: FX. However, the number of images that can be continuously shot can be maintained at 23.

  In the above description, the number of continuously shootable images has been described as an example. Next, a description will be given using the number of shootable images as an example.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining an example of a setting screen for improving the level of the setting value of the shooting parameter. In this case, the level of the set value of the shooting parameter can be improved while maintaining the same number of shots. In the setting screen of the display monitor 17 of FIG. 23, the black frame 17a currently represents a state that can be changed by the user. In this state, when the user performs a confirmation operation to change the ADL setting value from Off to On with the cross button 3 shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 16 (shooting parameter setting unit 16a) changes the ADL setting value from Off to On. The shooting parameters changed to are set by user input. Accordingly, in the above-described example, the setting value of the shooting parameter after the change is set as follows: image format setting value: Jpeg, image quality setting value: Normal, image size setting value: M, ADL setting value: On, Noise reduction setting value: Off, shooting range setting value: FX. However, the number of images that can be shot can be maintained at six.

  As described above, according to the electronic camera 1 of the second embodiment, the number of images that can be shot and the number of images that can be continuously shot can be easily changed to the number intended by the user while maintaining the currently set shooting parameters. In addition, the user can increase the level of the setting value of the shooting parameter without impairing the number of images that can be captured or the number of images that can be continuously captured.

<Supplementary items of the embodiment>
(1) In the above-described embodiments, the number of still images that can be captured and the number of images that can be continuously captured have been described for easy understanding. The CPU 16 calculates the remaining recording / recording time at the time of moving image shooting in accordance with the remaining capacity of the recording medium 19, and changes one shooting parameter among a plurality of shooting parameters used for moving image shooting, for example. In this case, the shooting recording time may be displayed on the setting screen. The shooting parameters in this case may be shooting parameters employed for normal moving image shooting, such as a moving image recording format, frame rate, frame size, and the like. In moving image shooting, the electronic camera 1 may easily change the moving image recording time to the time intended by the user while maintaining the currently set shooting parameters.
(2) The display mode of the setting screen of the display monitor 17 in the above-described embodiment is an example, and is not limited to these. For example, the display control unit 16d may directly display the third list in FIG. 12, the fourth list in FIG. 20, and the like so that the number of images that can be shot or the number of images that can be continuously shot can be set by user input. Good.

The rear view of the electronic camera 1 of 1st Embodiment Diagram showing the relationship between shooting parameters and each setting value 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic camera 1 according to a first embodiment. A flowchart showing the operation of internal processing of the electronic camera 1 in setting of shooting parameters The figure explaining an example of the 1st list The figure explaining an example of the 1st list The figure explaining an example of the 1st list The figure explaining an example of the 2nd list The flowchart showing the operation of the internal processing of the electronic camera 1 until the selection screen for the number of shootable images is displayed. The figure explaining an example of the 3rd table Figure when rearranging the third list in descending order Figure that lists items that can be taken more than the current number The figure explaining an example of the photographable number selection screen for selecting the number of shootable pictures The figure explaining an example of the 4th list The figure explaining an example of the continuous photographing possible number selection screen for selecting the continuous photographing possible number of sheets The figure explaining an example of the imaging | photography possible number selection screen for selecting the imaging | photography possible number of sheets by user input A flowchart showing operation of internal processing of electronic camera 1 in a 2nd embodiment. The figure explaining an example of the 4th list The figure of the 4th table after performing processing of Step S304 List of items for the current number of continuous shots The figure explaining an example of the setting screen for improving the level of the setting value of an imaging parameter The figure explaining an example of the setting screen alert | reported to a user by a guide function The figure explaining an example of the setting screen for improving the level of the setting value of an imaging parameter

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic camera, 16a ... Shooting parameter setting part, 16b ... Remaining capacity calculation part, 16c ... Shootable number calculation part, 16d ... Display control part, 17 ... Display monitor

Claims (10)

An imaging unit that photoelectrically converts a subject image to generate image data;
A plurality of shooting parameters for generating the image data, a shooting parameter setting unit that can be set by user input,
A display for switching a setting screen for setting shooting conditions including the plurality of shooting parameters and an image based on the image data; and
A recording unit for recording the image data;
A remaining capacity calculation unit for calculating a remaining capacity of the recording unit;
A shootable number calculating unit that calculates a shootable number of still images based on shooting information including at least the remaining capacity and the plurality of shooting parameters;
A display control unit for controlling the display content of the setting screen,
The shootable number calculation unit recalculates the shootable number when any one of the plurality of shooting parameters is sequentially changed,
The display control unit displays the current setting values of the plurality of shooting parameters and the number of shootable images on the setting screen, and calculates the number of shootable images recalculated by the shootable number calculation unit according to the calculation result. An electronic camera displayed on the setting screen. The electronic camera according to claim 1,
The display control unit
First display means for displaying setting values of the plurality of shooting parameters on the setting screen;
Second display means for displaying the number of shootable images on the setting screen;
Third display means for displaying the number of shootable images recalculated by the shootable number calculation unit on the setting screen according to a calculation result;
The display control unit displays an output of the first to third display means together with the setting screen. The electronic camera according to claim 1,
The recording unit is a recording medium for recording the image data,
The shootable number calculating unit has a first list of all combinations that can be selected for the set values of the plurality of shooting parameters and the shootable number based on the set values according to the remaining capacity of the recording medium. An electronic camera that is calculated as a table. The electronic camera according to claim 1,
The recording unit is a buffer memory for recording the image data,
The shootable number calculation unit calculates a shootable number of continuous shots for continuously shooting still images at predetermined time intervals based on the shooting information, and sets a set value of the plurality of shooting parameters and a set value thereof And a second list of all combinations that can be selected according to the remaining capacity of the buffer memory. The electronic camera according to claim 3.
The shootable number calculation unit includes a first item including a set of photographic parameters and a shootable number when any one of the plurality of currently set shooting parameters is sequentially changed. An electronic camera that is extracted from one list and calculated as a third list. The electronic camera according to claim 4,
The shootable number calculating unit includes a second item including a set of shooting parameters and a shootable number of continuous shots when any one of the currently set shooting parameters is sequentially changed. An electronic camera extracted from the second list and calculated as a fourth list. The electronic camera according to claim 5 or 6,
The shootable number calculation unit refers to the third list, sorts the first items in ascending order or descending order on the basis of the shootable number, or refers to the fourth list. An electronic camera wherein the second items are rearranged in ascending order or descending order on the basis of the number of images that can be taken in continuous shooting. The electronic camera according to claim 5 or 6,
The shootable image count calculation unit refers to the third list, extracts a shootable number of images that is larger than the current shootable number of images, or refers to the fourth list to determine the current continuous shooting number. An electronic camera characterized by extracting the number of continuous shots that can be taken more than the number of shots that can be taken. The electronic camera according to claim 5 or 6,
The shootable number calculation unit refers to the third list, extracts a shootable number of the same number as the current shootable number, or refers to the fourth list, An electronic camera that extracts the number of continuous shots that is the same as the number of shots that can be taken. The electronic camera according to claim 5 or 6,
The shootable image number calculating unit refers to the third list, extracts a shootable number of images that is equal to or greater than the value of the shootable number specified by user input, or refers to the fourth list, An electronic camera that extracts a shootable number of continuous shots that is equal to or greater than a shootable number of images specified by user input.

Images