JP2011229117A - Photographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic device such that a user can securely and suitably perform intuitive selective setting operation without getting confused when performing a plurality of signal processes for special image effect one over the other.SOLUTION: The photographic device includes a photographic unit 12 which photographs a subject, a display unit 18 which displays an image and also displays a list of a plurality of image processes applicable to an image signal acquired by the photographic unit, a selecting operation unit 18b for selecting a desired image process from the list of image processes displayed at the display unit, an image process unit 11b which performs the image process selected through the selecting operation unit on the image signal acquired by an imaging unit, a display control unit 11 which changes the display of the list of image processes to be displayed at the display unit in accordance with the image process selected through the selecting operation unit, and a list data recording unit 14c which records list data showing compatibility between a plurality of image processes when the image processes are carried out on the image signal one over the other, wherein the display control unit changes the display of the list of image processes by reference to the list data recording unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for selecting and setting image processing performed at the time of photographing in a photographing device, specifically, a photographing device such as a digital camera.

  Conventionally, an optical image formed by a photographing optical system is sequentially converted into an image signal by a photoelectric conversion element such as a solid-state imaging element, and an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD) is converted from the obtained image signal. The image signal is converted into image data (still image data or moving image data) in a predetermined format and recorded on a recording medium, and the image recorded on the recording medium. Imaging devices such as digital cameras and video cameras configured to reproduce and display data on the image display device as images are generally put into practical use and widely used.

  The imaging apparatus of such a form has a feature that various image outputs can be easily obtained by performing various signal processing on the acquired image signal (output signal of the image sensor). Therefore, in this type of conventional photographing apparatus, for example, an image effect obtained by arranging various optical filters (for example, a color conversion filter, a contrast adjusting filter, etc.) on the front surface of the photographing lens, or a photographing lens for a specific purpose (for example, For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-2005 discloses an image effect obtained using a fish-eye lens, a photographing lens with a tilt mechanism, and the like, and a function that can realize substantially the same special image effect by signal processing on the acquired image signal. Various proposals have been made and put into practical use in Japanese Patent No. 347886.

  In a conventional photographing apparatus having such a function, the image processing is sequentially executed on the output signal of the image sensor during a photographing operation using an internal processing circuit of the photographing apparatus.

  Therefore, the user can confirm the image effect obtained when various signal processes are executed with the live view image before executing the actual photographing operation. The user can easily obtain a desired shooting result by selecting and setting the type of processing to be applied while viewing the live view image.

  On the other hand, a conventional photographing apparatus includes a position input device such as a touch panel on the display surface of an image display device, and is configured to perform setting operation of the photographing apparatus using the touch panel or the like. Various proposals have been made and put to practical use in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-225237.

JP-A-2005-347886 JP 2009-225237 A

  However, in the conventional photographing apparatus disclosed by the above-mentioned JP-A-2005-347886, JP-A-2009-225237, etc., even if a plurality of types of image processing that can be selected are prepared, the target image signal On the other hand, the use of applying multiple types of image processing in duplicate is not considered.

  When multiple types of image processing are applied to a single image, depending on the combination of applied processing, a more unique expression effect can be obtained compared to the effect of applying a single processing. May be possible. On the other hand, depending on the combination, there is a possibility that the effect of the processing is offset. Therefore, when an operation of overlapping a plurality of processes is performed, there is a problem that the user is confused and the operability of the device is impaired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is an imaging apparatus having a function of performing signal processing on an image signal acquired by an image sensor to obtain a special image effect. Therefore, it is possible to provide a photographing device capable of performing a selection setting operation surely and appropriately without confusion for a user when performing signal processing for special image effects in a plurality of times. It is.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures a subject, and a plurality of image processing that displays an image and can be applied to an image signal acquired by the imaging unit. A display unit for displaying a list of images, a selection operation unit for selecting desired image processing from the image processing list display displayed on the display unit, and the image processing unit selected by the selection operation unit. An image processing unit applied to the image signal, a display control unit that switches an image processing list display to be displayed on the display unit according to the image processing selected by the selection operation unit, and a plurality of images for the image signal A list data recording unit that records list data indicating compatibility between image processes when processing is performed repeatedly, and the display control unit refers to the list data recording unit and And performing switching of the image processing list.

  According to the present invention, a photographing apparatus having a function of performing signal processing on an image signal acquired by an image sensor to obtain a special image effect, and performing a plurality of signal processing for the special image effect. Thus, it is possible to provide a photographing device that can perform an intuitive selection setting operation reliably and appropriately without confusion for the user.

The block block diagram which shows the internal structure of the imaging device of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1 is an external view showing a state in which a menu screen is displayed on the display unit of the rear display device of the photographing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 1 is an external view showing a state in which a filter effect selection setting screen is displayed on the display unit of the rear display device of the photographing apparatus of FIG. The conceptual diagram which shows the selection display screen when it is the operation mode which applies a filter effect process using the imaging device of FIG. 1, and can apply a filter effect process after the second time. The flowchart which shows the effect | action of the imaging device of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the “icon switching display process” (step S114 in FIG. 5). The figure which shows the recommendation degree table referred at the time of the filter effect selection setting in the imaging device of FIG. The figure which shows the concept of the filter effect selection setting screen and selection setting operation in the imaging device of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the effect | action of the imaging device of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display of the filter effect selection setting screen in the imaging device of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the concept of selection setting operation in the filter effect selection setting screen of the imaging device of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The block block diagram which shows the internal structure of the imaging device of the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the photographing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3 are external views of the photographing apparatus of the present embodiment, mainly showing a display unit of the rear display device. Among these, FIG. 2 shows a state where the menu screen is displayed on the display unit. FIG. 3 shows a state where the filter effect selection setting screen is displayed on the display unit.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a selection display screen in an operation mode in which shooting is performed by applying the filter effect processing using the imaging device of the present embodiment, and the second and subsequent filter effect processing can be applied. It is. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the photographing apparatus of the present embodiment. Among these, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of a sequence of device control processing of the photographing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a subroutine showing details of the “icon switching display process” in FIG. 5 (step S114 in FIG. 5). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the content of the recommendation level table data that is referred to when the filter effect selection setting operation is performed prior to the shooting operation in the shooting mode to which the filter effect processing is applied in the shooting device of the present embodiment.

  The photographing apparatus of the present embodiment sequentially converts an optical image formed by a photographing optical system into an image signal by a photoelectric conversion element such as a solid-state imaging element, and the image signal obtained thereby is liquid crystal display (LCD). The image signal is sequentially reproduced and displayed using an image display device, etc., and the image signal is converted into image data (still image data or moving image data) in a predetermined form at an arbitrary timing and recorded on a recording medium. It is a photographing device such as a digital camera or a video camera configured to be able to reproduce and display the image data recorded on the medium as an image on the image display device.

  In the present embodiment, the surface facing the subject when the photographing apparatus is used is referred to as the front surface. The surface that the user faces when using the imaging device is called the back surface. The surface of the operation member on which the shutter release button is disposed is referred to as the upper surface. A surface provided to face the upper surface of the photographing apparatus is referred to as a bottom surface.

  Moreover, in each drawing used for the following description, each component may be shown with a different scale in order to make each component large enough to be recognized on the drawing. Therefore, according to the present invention, the number of constituent elements, the shape of the constituent elements, the ratio of the constituent element sizes, and the relative positional relationship of the constituent elements described in these drawings are limited to the illustrated embodiments. It is not a thing.

  First, an outline of an internal configuration of the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

  The photographing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a signal processing / control unit 11, a photographing unit 12, a recording unit 14, an operation determination unit 16, a communication unit 17, a display unit 18, a touch panel 18 b, and a clock unit 19. Etc. are provided.

  The signal processing / control unit 11 includes a signal processing unit and a control unit, and is a circuit unit including a microcomputer. Among these, the control unit receives various control signals sent from various constituent units of the photographing apparatus 1 and executes various control processes corresponding to the control signals, and comprehensively controls the entire photographing apparatus 1. It is a control circuit to control. The signal processing unit is a signal processing circuit that receives the image signal acquired by the photographing unit 12 and performs signal processing for generating an image signal and image data in a predetermined form (for example, display form, recording form, etc.).

  The control unit of the signal processing / control unit 11 in the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes an icon display control unit 11c as a part of the display control circuit in addition to a control circuit that performs normal control in the photographing apparatus 1. Yes.

  When the icon display control unit 11c performs an operation of selecting and setting the type of special effect processing desired to be applied prior to performing a shooting operation by applying special effect processing (filter effect processing described later), This is a display control unit that performs display control of icon display representing items to be displayed on the display unit 18 for the purpose of assisting the selection setting operation.

  In addition, the signal processing unit of the signal processing / control unit 11 in the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment performs various signal processing (for example, compression / decompression processing) for generating a display image signal, recording image data, and the like. In addition to the processing function, the image processing apparatus includes a special effect processing unit 11b that is an image processing unit that performs image signal processing such as special effect processing on the image signal.

  This special effect processing unit 11b is used for, for example, an image effect obtained when various optical filters (for example, a color conversion filter, a contrast adjustment filter, etc.) are arranged on the front surface of the photographing lens, or a photographing lens for a specific purpose (for example, a fish-eye lens or an orange lens). An image for providing a captured image signal with a special image effect (hereinafter referred to as a filter effect) that is substantially the same as an image effect obtained when a photographing lens with a mechanism is used. It is a circuit part which performs signal processing.

  The photographing unit 12 is a photographing unit mainly composed of a photographing lens 12a and an image sensor 12b. The photographic lens 12a includes an optical lens that forms a subject image, and a mechanism member such as a lens moving mechanism, a diaphragm mechanism, and a shutter mechanism that moves the optical lens in a direction along the optical axis to achieve focus adjustment and zooming operation. And a control circuit for driving and controlling these mechanism members. The imaging device 12b receives an optical image formed by the optical lens of the photographing lens 12a, converts it into an image signal corresponding to the optical image, a control circuit for driving and controlling the photoelectric conversion device, and a photoelectric sensor. It is constituted by a signal processing circuit or the like that performs predetermined signal processing or the like on the output signal from the conversion element. The image signal generated by the image sensor 12 b is output to the signal processing / control unit 11. The photoelectric conversion element applied to the imaging element 12b is, for example, a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), or the like. .

  The recording unit 14 includes a recording medium that stores various data, programs, and the like, and a drive circuit unit that performs recording processing of image data and programs on the recording medium and reading processing of recorded image data and programs. The

  The recording medium of the recording unit 14 is a recording area for storing image data in which recording image data and the like acquired by the photographing unit 12 and generated by performing various signal processes in the signal processing / control unit 11 are recorded. In addition to the above, a special effect processing program storage unit 14b, a list data recording unit 14c and the like are included.

  The special effect processing program storage unit 14b is a recording area in which a special effect processing program necessary for performing the filter effect processing (special effect processing) is stored in advance.

  The list data recording unit 14c is a recording area in which recommendation degree table data (details will be described later; see FIG. 7), which is list data referred to when performing filter effect processing (special effect processing), is stored in advance.

  Note that the recording medium of the recording unit 14 may be a built-in recording medium that is fixedly arranged inside the photographing device 1 or a recording medium that is detachably attached to the photographing device 1 (for example, a card-type memory card). Etc.).

  Further, the special effect processing program and the recommendation degree table data recorded in the special effect processing program storage unit 14b and the list data recording unit 14c may be a recording medium if the recording medium of the recording unit 14 is detachable, for example. By exchanging, various types of programs and data can be easily added and updated.

  Further, the photographing apparatus 1 can perform data communication with various external servers 2 and 3 and the like existing on the external network 4 via the communication unit 17 and the like. Therefore, the special effect processing program and the recommendation degree table data may be downloaded from the external servers 2 and 3 by using such data communication means. Thereby, in addition to the special effect processing program and recommendation level table data originally possessed by the photographing apparatus 1, new programs and table data to be developed later can be added or updated. This can increase the types of filter effect processing, and can facilitate further expansion of variations of expression.

  The operation determination unit 16 is a circuit unit that determines an instruction signal generated when a plurality of operation members (not shown) provided in the photographing apparatus 1 are operated by a user. The signal processing / control unit 11 performs operation control of each component unit based on the determination result by the operation determination unit 16. Here, as a plurality of operation members of the photographing apparatus 1, an operation member involved in a photographing operation, an operation member involved in a reproduction operation, an operation member involved in data communication, an operation member for switching operation modes, and various setting operations are involved. There are operating members to do.

  Specifically, for example, a shutter release button 16a (see FIGS. 2 and 3) for executing a shooting operation and a menu button 16b (FIG. 2) for calling a setting screen (menu screen) for performing various settings. , See FIG. 3).

  Moreover, the imaging device 1 of the present embodiment has a touch panel 18b linked to the display of the display unit 18 as will be described later. The touch panel 18b realizes an operation system in which the user directly touches a part corresponding to the display on the display unit 18. Therefore, the operation determination unit 16 is configured to perform an operation determination in response to display on the display unit 18 and input from the touch panel 18b.

  The display unit 18 displays an image based on a display image signal generated as a result of signal processing by the signal processing / control unit 11, a setting menu display based on data prepared in advance, and an operation display (on the operation member or touch panel 18b). A corresponding display or the like). As the display unit 18, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display, or the like is applied.

  For example, when the photographing apparatus 1 is used in the photographing operation mode, the user determines the composition and timing for shutter release while viewing the live view image displayed on the display unit 18. That is, during the shooting operation, the display unit 18 mainly functions as a viewfinder. When the setting menu screen or the like is displayed on the display unit 18, the user uses an operation member functioning as a selection operation unit including the touch panel 18 b to perform various setting operations and selection operations on the photographing apparatus 1. Etc. can be performed. When the photographing apparatus 1 is used in the playback operation mode, the display unit 18 can display the image data recorded in the recording unit 14 as an image. Furthermore, in the photographing apparatus 1 of the present invention, when shooting is performed by applying the filter effect processing during the shooting operation, a selection setting screen for selecting and setting a desired filter effect processing type is displayed while being superimposed on the live view screen. When a desired filter effect process is selected, the process result can be confirmed on the live view screen.

  The clock unit 19 includes a timing circuit that contributes to a timing operation and the like necessary for controlling the internal electric circuit in the photographing apparatus 1. For example, it is referred to when measuring standby time or the like in each processing step of the operation process (timer function) or recording shooting date / time information at the time of shooting operation.

  In the description of the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the clock unit 19 is configured as a single constituent block (see FIG. 1). Instead, the clock unit 19 is included in the signal processing / control unit 11. It is good also as a form which is comprised including.

  The communication unit 17 is a circuit unit that performs communication with an external device to transmit and receive various data and programs. In the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, for example, by connecting to various external servers 2, 3, etc. existing on the external network 4 such as the Internet via the communication unit 17, the special effect processing program, the recommendation degree table It is assumed that data will be downloaded.

  The photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to include various constituent members in addition to the constituent members described above. However, configurations other than the above-described components are configurations not directly related to the present invention. Therefore, in FIG. 1, in order to avoid complication of drawing, those illustrations are omitted. At the same time, in the present embodiment, a general configuration other than the above description is assumed to have the same configuration as that of a conventional photographing apparatus, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The operation when shooting is performed by applying the filter effect processing when performing a shooting operation using the shooting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

  First, an outline of an operation procedure when performing photographing using the filter effect processing in the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  When the user operates the menu button 16b when the photographing device 1 is activated and can perform a photographing operation or a reproduction operation, the display unit 18 of the photographing device 1 is displayed in FIG. As shown, a menu screen which is a setting screen for performing various settings of the photographing apparatus 1 is displayed. This menu screen is a display screen for displaying a list of a plurality of setting items for performing various settings.

  In the display example of the menu screen shown in FIG. 2, as the selectable menu item 118a, a setting item “strobe” related to the strobe (issuing device), a setting item related to exposure correction “exposure correction”, and a self-timer (delay release). ) A related setting item “self” and a setting item “art filter” related to shooting to which the filter effect processing is applied are displayed.

  As described above, the touch panel 18b is applied to the display unit 18 of the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. Accordingly, when the menu screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit 18, the corresponding setting item is displayed when the user performs a touch operation on the displayed portion of each setting item using a finger or the like. Will be selected and set.

  The setting item “menu” displayed in the center is a setting item for returning to the immediately preceding display screen. Specifically, for example, when the photographing device 1 is in a state where the photographing operation can be performed and the menu button 16b is operated to be in the state of FIG. 2, “Menu” is displayed on the menu screen of FIG. When the touch operation is performed, the menu screen is switched to the live view display and returns to a state in which the shooting operation can be performed.

  When the user touches the setting item “art filter” on the menu screen of FIG. 2, the display on the display unit 18 is switched to a filter effect selection setting screen as shown in FIG. 3.

  The filter effect selection setting screen is a screen that displays a list of filter effect processing that can be executed by the photographing apparatus 1 in a predetermined form.

  In the display example of the filter effect selection setting screen shown in FIG. 3, an icon 118b indicating the type name of the filter effect processing and a sample image 118c when the filter effect processing is performed are displayed.

  In the display example of FIG. 3, two types of process names “Sepia” and “Soft” are displayed. However, when there are a plurality of types of filter effect processes that can be selected, for example, on the touch panel 18b. If you perform a touch slide operation (a series of operations to slide left and right or up and down to stroke on the screen while performing a touch operation), other filter effect processing items appear as if you repeat the book page It has become.

  The user performs such an operation, and selects and operates a desired process from the filter effect processes displayed on the filter effect selection setting screen.

  Here, an example of the type of the filter effect processing when the setting item “art filter” is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 2, that is, when shooting is desired by applying the filter effect processing is shown below.

“Miniature”… The effect of blurring the surrounding focus and finishing the real scenery in front of you just like a toy (miniature) world “Pop”… Colorful and impressively emphasizes the color, creating a fun and bright pop atmosphere “Fisheye”: the effect of finishing a photograph with a fisheye lens. The effect of finishing a composition with a straight line distorted in an arc as if taken with a fisheye lens. “Soft”: the entire screen as if taken with a soft focus lens. The effect of finishing in soft tone “Sepia”… Effect of finishing black-and-white photographs in sepia “Black and white”… Effect of finishing in black-and-white photographic style expressed in gray tone “Sketch”… Effect of finishing sketches in a line drawing When the user touches the desired process icon 118b on the filter effect selection setting screen, the display unit 1 8 switches to a display as shown in FIG.

  The state shown in FIG. 4 shows a situation where the photographic lens 12 a of the photographic device 1 is facing the subject 100. In this state, the photographing apparatus 1 is set to a state in which a photographing operation can be performed (that is, a photographing operation mode), and is further set to a photographing mode in which a filter effect process is applied (that is, an “art filter” mode). In this state, one or more filter effect processes have already been applied.

  When this state is reached, a live view image in a state where the filter effect process selected by the touch operation of FIG. 3 has been performed is displayed on the display unit 18. At the same time, an icon 118d indicating the type of applied process and an applicable process icon 118e indicating the type of process that can be additionally applied are superimposed on the live view image to which the filter effect process has been applied. Are displayed in predetermined areas.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the applied process icon 118 d is displayed alone in the upper left corner area in the display screen of the display unit 18. Further, the additionally applicable process icon 118e is displayed side by side in a region near the lower edge in the display screen of the display unit 18. Here, when the additional applicable process icon 118e cannot be arranged in the screen, it is switched and displayed by, for example, a touch slide operation in the horizontal direction of the screen, as in the above-described selection setting screen. .

  In order to indicate that there is an additional applicable process icon 118e that can be selected in addition to the applicable process icon 118e displayed on the display unit 18, for example, the page instruction icon 118f in FIG. 4 may be displayed. .

  In the display example shown in FIG. 4, “fisheye” processing has already been applied, and in this state, “sepia” and “soft” are displayed as the additional applicable processing icons 118e.

  In the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the filter effect process to be applied first is selected (FIG. 3) by performing the above-described procedure (FIGS. 2 to 4), the effect of applying the process is immediately obtained. It can be confirmed on the live view screen (Fig. 4). Accordingly, the result of the applied filter effect process can be confirmed before the actual shooting operation is performed, so that a desired shooting result can be obtained without performing unnecessary shooting.

  In the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the filter effect process is not only performed once, but another filter effect process can be added to the processing result. The operation screen for that is the display example shown in FIG.

  In the case where a plurality of filter effect processes are provided in an overlapping manner, the filter effect process that is applied for the second time may result in the cancellation of the filter effect process applied first. For example, if the first applied filter effect process is a “pop” process that emphasizes color, applying the “Sepia” process or the “Monochrome” process as the second filter effect process will cause color information to be lost. It will end up. In this case, the effect applied first is also discarded. Therefore, it can be said that such a combination is a combination with poor compatibility.

  On the other hand, for example, when “soft” processing and “sepia” processing for expressing a nostalgic feeling are combined, it is considered that an expression that emphasizes the nostalgic feeling can be made. Therefore, it can be said that the combination in this case is a combination with good compatibility.

  Therefore, in the photographing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the applicable process icon 118e is displayed on the display screen of FIG. 4, only the type of process that does not cancel the filter effect process applied first is displayed. Control is performed.

  Here, when a plurality of filter effect processes are applied, the recommendation level table data (see FIG. 7) as reference data for determining the combination of types that do not cancel the process effects and the priority order are listed data recording unit 14c. Is provided.

  In FIG. 7, the types of filter effect processing are listed in the row direction and the column direction, respectively. The numbers (0 to 5) shown in the respective columns in the figure indicate the recommended degrees when the specific effect process indicated in the row direction and the specific effect process indicated in the column direction are combined. Here, the recommendation level indicates whether the result of the processing effect when the two specific effect processes are executed in combination is a preferable one (combination of effect processes that do not cancel each other), in other words, the degree of compatibility. The higher the number, the higher the recommendation level. In addition, a value of 0 is a combination that cancels each other's processing effect, or a combination that can only obtain a more unnatural effect as a result of the processing effect being over-emphasized by each other's synergistic effect. It stipulates.

  The outline of the display control of the applicable process icon 118e is performed as follows. First, a program for performing various filter effect processes on the output signal of the image sensor 12 b is prepared in advance in the special effect processing program storage unit 14 b of the recording unit 14.

  When the photographing apparatus 1 operates in the “art filter” mode and an operation for applying the first filter effect processing is performed (a series of operations described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4), the signal processing / control unit 11 has special features. The effect processing unit 11b performs corresponding signal processing on the output signal of the image sensor 12b using a predetermined program read from the special effect processing program storage unit 14b. The processing application result is displayed on the display unit 18 as a live view image by the signal processing / control unit 11 controlling the display unit 18.

  At the same time, the icon display control unit 11c of the signal processing / control unit 11 controls the display unit 18 to display the applied processing icon 118d in a predetermined area and is first applied with reference to the list data recording unit 14c. A list of applicable process icons 118e representing a type of process that does not cancel the filter effect process is superimposed and displayed on the live view image of the display unit 18 in a predetermined form.

  The photographing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs display control for the applicable process icon 118e when applying the second and subsequent filter effect processes, so that the user performs a plurality of filter effect processes in an overlapping manner. Even if the operation is performed, there is no confusion, and it is possible to enjoy the generation of an image that realizes an expression according to the user's preference. An image obtained as a result of applying the second and subsequent filter effect processing can be immediately confirmed on the live view screen immediately after the processing is applied. Accordingly, in this case as well, the result of the applied filter effect processing can be confirmed before the actual shooting operation is performed, so that a desired shooting result can be obtained without performing unnecessary shooting. In addition, since the applied processing icon 118d is displayed on the display unit 18 so as to be superimposed on the live view image to which the filter effect processing has been applied, the user can easily confirm the type of the filter processing currently applied. can do.

  Next, the operation of the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described below using the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, the user turns on a power on / off member (not shown) among the operation members of the photographing apparatus 1 in a power off state. As a result, the photographing device 1 is activated and the device control processing sequence of FIG. 5 is started (start).

Of each processing step in FIG.
(1) The processing steps in steps S101 to S108 are processing steps in the shooting operation mode.
(2) The processing steps of steps S131 to S135 are processing steps in the reproduction operation mode,
(3) The processing steps of steps S111 to S121 are the processing steps in the setting operation and the “art filter” mode,
Respectively.

  First, an outline of a processing sequence in the photographing operation mode in the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described below.

  In step S101 of FIG. 5, the signal processing / control unit 11 of the photographing apparatus 1 confirms whether or not the currently set operation mode is set to an operation mode capable of executing a photographing operation, that is, a photographing operation mode. Do.

  Note that, in a normal case, in a photographing apparatus such as a general digital camera, the photographing operation mode is usually set as an initial operation mode immediately after being activated by a power-on operation.

  In addition, as a shooting operation mode of a general shooting device such as a digital camera, there are a still image shooting mode for acquiring still image data and a moving image shooting mode for acquiring moving image data. The photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment also has a still image photographing mode and a moving image photographing mode. And the function of the filter effect process which the imaging device 1 in this embodiment has can be applied to both a still image and a moving image.

  In the process of step S101 described above, when it is confirmed that one of the still image shooting mode and the moving image shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to the next step S102. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the shooting operation mode has not been set, it is determined that another operation mode has been set, for example, by operating the operation mode switching operation member, and the process proceeds to step S131.

  In step S102, the signal processing / control unit 11 controls the photographing unit 12, the display unit 18 and the like to perform predetermined signal processing based on the output signal from the imaging device 12b, and to generate an image signal generated thereby. Based on this, processing for displaying a live view image on the display screen of the display unit 18 is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, the signal processing / control unit 11 monitors an instruction signal from the operation determination unit 16 and starts an imaging operation instruction signal, for example, when the user operates the shutter release button 16a. It is confirmed whether or not a release signal is generated. If the instruction signal for the shooting operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S104. On the other hand, if the instruction signal for the photographing operation is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S104, the signal processing / control unit 11 receives the above-described release signal and controls the photographing unit 12, the display unit 18 and the like to perform actual photographing operations such as AF operation, AE operation, AWB operation, and release operation. Etc. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the signal processing / control unit 11 performs predetermined signal processing based on the acquired image signal to generate an image file of the image signal, that is, generate a recording image data file. Then, the signal processing / control unit 11 controls the recording unit 14 to execute processing for recording the generated recording image data file on the recording medium. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S <b> 106, the signal processing / control unit 11 monitors the instruction signal from the operation determination unit 16 and confirms whether the power-off operation has been performed. If the power-off operation is confirmed here, the process proceeds to the next step S108. If the power-off operation is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S <b> 108, the signal processing / control unit 11 receives the above-described power-off instruction signal and executes a power-off process for turning off the main power supply of the photographing apparatus 1. Thereby, the control sequence of the imaging device 1 is completed.

  On the other hand, in the process of step S106 described above, when the power-off operation is not confirmed and the process proceeds to the process of step S107, the signal processing / control unit 11 changes the state of the operation mode of the photographing apparatus 1 in step S107. An operation mode change operation accepting state in which an operation can be accepted is performed. Thereafter, the processing returns to step S101, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  Next, an outline of a processing sequence when the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment operates in the reproduction operation mode will be described below.

  When it is confirmed in the process of step S101 that the shooting operation mode is not set and the process branches to the process of step S131, the processing sequence of the reproduction operation mode is executed after the process of step S131.

  In step S131 in FIG. 5, the signal processing / control unit 11 confirms the currently set operation mode again, and confirms whether or not the reproduction operation mode is set so that the reproduction operation can be performed. If it is confirmed that the playback operation mode is set, the process proceeds to the next step S132. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the playback operation mode is not set, the process proceeds to the above-described step S101, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  In the description of the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two operation modes of “shooting operation mode” and “playback operation mode” as the operation modes of the photographing apparatus 1.

  However, as a matter of course, it is conceivable that the operation mode of the photographing apparatus 1 has an operation mode other than these two operation modes. In that case, a processing sequence for confirming another operation mode may be provided in the same manner in the processing branch of step S131 described above. However, the processing sequence of another operation mode in that case is a portion not directly related to the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In step S <b> 132, the signal processing / control unit 11 controls the recording unit 14, the display unit 18, and the like to execute a file list display process for image data recorded on the recording medium. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S133.

  In step S133, the signal processing / control unit 11 monitors the instruction signal from the operation determination unit 16 and confirms whether or not a data file selection operation related to an image to be reproduced and displayed has been performed. If it is confirmed that the file selection operation has been performed, the process proceeds to the next step S134. If it is confirmed that the file selection operation has not been performed for a predetermined time or longer, the process proceeds to step S135. In this case, confirmation of the passage of a predetermined time is confirmed by measuring time by the clock unit 19.

  In step S134, the signal processing / control unit 11 controls the display unit 18 and the like, and executes a selected file reproduction display process for reproducing and displaying an image based on the data file selected in the above-described step S133. . Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S135.

  In step S <b> 135, the signal processing / control unit 11 monitors the instruction signal from the operation determination unit 16 and confirms whether or not the reproduction operation end operation has been performed. Here, when the reproduction end operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to the above-described step S106. If the reproduction end operation is not confirmed and another operation (for example, a list display instruction operation) is performed, the process returns to the above-described step S132 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  The specific processing contents of each processing sequence such as the above-described file list display processing (step S132), file selection operation processing (step S133), and selected file reproduction processing (step S134) are directly related to the present invention. The description is omitted because it is a portion that is not performed, and the same processing as that normally performed by a conventional photographing apparatus is performed.

  Next, a setting operation and a processing sequence in the “art filter” mode in the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described below.

  If the shooting operation instruction signal is not confirmed in the process of step S103 and the process branches to the process of step S111, the processing sequence of the setting operation mode is executed after the process of step S111.

  In step S111, the signal processing / control unit 11 monitors an instruction signal from the operation determination unit 16 and confirms whether a menu display instruction signal generated by operating the menu button 16b is generated. If the menu display instruction signal is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S112. If the menu display instruction signal is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S116.

  In step S112, the signal processing / control unit 11 controls the display unit 18 and the like to execute the table processing of the menu screen (see FIG. 2). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S113.

  In step S <b> 113, the signal processing / control unit 11 monitors the instruction signal from the operation determination unit 16, and determines whether or not an instruction signal generated when the setting item “art filter” in FIG. 2 is touched is generated. Confirm. Here, if the instruction signal is confirmed, it is determined that the photographing mode (“art filter” mode) to which the filter effect process is applied is selected, and the process proceeds to the next step S114. If the instruction signal is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S120.

  In step S120, the signal processing / control unit 11 monitors the instruction signal from the operation determination unit 16 and confirms whether or not a setting item other than the setting item “art filter” in FIG. Do. If an instruction to select another setting item is confirmed, an operation screen corresponding to the other setting item instructed to be selected is displayed. Note that the description of the processing sequence when other setting items are instructed for selection is not relevant to the present invention, and will be omitted.

  Further, when the selection instruction for other setting items is not confirmed, that is, when a cancel instruction is issued, the process returns to the above-described step S112 and the subsequent processes are repeated. The cancel instruction in this case is when the setting item “menu” shown in FIG. 2 is touched.

  On the other hand, when the shooting mode (“art filter” mode) to which the filter effect process is applied is selected in the process of step S113 described above and the process proceeds to the process of step S114, the signal processing / control unit 11 in step S114 Then, the display unit 18 and the like are controlled to display the filter effect selection setting screen (see FIG. 3). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S115.

  In step S115, the signal processing / control unit 11 monitors the instruction signal from the operation determination unit 16 and confirms whether any filter effect processing is selected. Here, if it is confirmed that any one of the filter effect processes is selected, the process proceeds to the next step S116. In step S115, the selection setting screen is displayed and a selection setting instruction is awaited until any filter effect processing is selected.

  Separately from this, in the processing of step S115, the signal processing / control unit 11 measures the predetermined time by the clock unit 19, and sets the predetermined time without any instruction to set and select the filter effect processing. If it has elapsed, a cancel instruction signal may be generated and the process may return to step S106 described above.

  On the other hand, when one of the filter effect processes is selected in the process of step S115 and the process proceeds to the process of step S116, the signal processing / control unit 11 refers to the special effect processing unit 11b in step S116. Thus, it is confirmed whether or not there is an image signal to which the filter effect processing has already been applied, that is, whether or not there is an applied shooting setting related to the filter effect processing. Here, when there is an applied shooting setting (that is, when it is desired to apply the filter effect process for the second time or later), the process proceeds to the next step S117. If there is no applied shooting setting (that is, when it is desired to apply the filter effect process for the first time), the process proceeds to step S118.

  In step S117, the special effect processing unit 11b of the signal processing / control unit 11 executes a processing program corresponding to the filter effect processing selected from the special effect processing program storage unit 14b of the recording unit 14 in the processing of step S115 described above. And the corresponding filter effect processing is executed for the output signal of the image sensor 12b using this program. The processing application result is displayed on the display unit 18 as a live view image to which the filter effect processing has been applied, by the signal processing / control unit 11 controlling the display unit 18. At the same time, the icon display control unit 11c of the signal processing / control unit 11 superimposes the applied processing icon and the additionally applicable processing icon on a predetermined area on the display unit 18 so as to be superimposed on the live view image. (See FIG. 4). In this case, the switchable display process is performed according to the setting contents so that only the process icons that can be additionally applied are displayed according to the type (setting contents) of the already applied filter effect processing. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S118.

  In other words, the icon display control unit 11c of the signal processing / control unit 11 displays a list of icons to be displayed on the display unit 18 according to the type (setting contents) of the applied filter effect processing, that is, the type of the selected image processing ( It is a display control unit that performs control (icon display control) for switching (image processing list display). In order to perform this icon display control, the icon display control unit refers to recommendation degree table data (see FIG. 7) recorded in the list data recording unit 14c of the recording unit 14.

  The detailed processing of “icon switching display processing depending on setting contents” in the processing of step S117 will be described below with reference to the subroutine of FIG.

  First, in step S151 in FIG. 6, the signal processing / control unit 11 refers to the special effect processing unit 11b to determine the type of applied filter effect processing.

  Next, in step S152, the signal processing / control unit 11 refers to the recommendation degree table data (see FIG. 7) recorded in the list data recording unit 14c of the recording unit 14.

  Subsequently, in step S153, the signal processing / control unit 11 confirms the compatibility of the applied filter effect processing determined in the above-described processing of step S151 with other filter effect processing. That is, for the applied filter effect process, the filter effect process item with numerical value = 0 and the other items (numerical value ≠ 0) are selected on the recommendation degree table data of FIG.

  And about the item used as numerical value = 0, the control which does not display an icon by the icon display control part 11c is performed in the process of step S155.

  On the other hand, for the item for which the numerical value ≠ 0, in the process of step S154, the icon display control unit 11c performs control such that icon display is performed in descending order of the numerical value. Thereafter, the process returns to the original processing sequence (return).

  Here, a specific example will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when the applied filter effect processing item is “miniature”, the items with the value = 0 in the recommendation table data in FIG. 7 are “miniature”, “fisheye”, “soft”, and “sketch”. is there. Therefore, these items are not displayed as the applicable process icon 118e on the display screen of FIG.

  In addition, items of the numerical value ≠ 0 in the recommendation degree table data in FIG. 7 are “pop = 5”, “sepia = 3”, and “monochrome = 1”. Therefore, these items are displayed as applicable process icons 118e on the display screen of FIG. In this case, a large numerical value is preferentially displayed.

  In addition, when two types of filter effect processing have already been applied as applied filter effect processing items, items whose numerical values of both filter effect processing do not become 0 in common are applicable items. Therefore, for example, when “miniature” and “pop” have already been applied, items that do not become 0 in common are not applicable as shown in FIG. Filter effect processing cannot be added. In this case, since the applicable item is not displayed (or “applicable item is not applicable” may be displayed), the user can know that fact.

  For example, when “fish-eye” and “soft” have been applied, items that do not become 0 as shown in FIG. 7 are “pop = 4, 2”, “sepia = 3, 5”. ”,“ Monochrome = 2, 4 ”. In this case, an item with a high numerical value is preferentially displayed. The numerical value in the case of the two types of combinations may be, for example, a numerical value obtained by adding the numerical values of both filters, and the icons may be displayed in descending order of the numerical values. In addition, when the added numerical value is the same value, you may take measures, such as giving priority to a list registration order, for example. Therefore, in this case, for example, “Sepia = 3 + 5 = 8”, “Pop = 4 + 2 = 6”, and “Monochrome = 2 + 4 = 6” are displayed in this order.

  Thus, the display as shown in FIG. 4 is performed on the display unit 18. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S118 in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 5, in step S <b> 118, the signal processing / control unit 11 monitors the instruction signal from the operation determination unit 16 and confirms whether or not an operation has been performed on the applicable process icon. If it is confirmed that an icon operation has been performed, the process proceeds to the next step S119. If the icon operation is not performed for a predetermined time, the process returns to step S106 described above. In this case, confirmation of the passage of a predetermined time is confirmed by measuring time by the clock unit 19.

  In step S119, the signal processing / control unit 11 performs image processing on the display screen in accordance with the icon operation performed in the processing in step S118 described above. That is, the special effect processing unit 11b of the signal processing / control unit 11 reads the processing program corresponding to the filter effect processing selected in the above-described step S118 from the special effect processing program storage unit 14b of the recording unit 14. The corresponding filter effect processing is executed for the image signal temporarily stored in the special effect processing unit 11b using this program. The processing application result is displayed on the display unit 18 as a live view image to which the filter effect processing has been applied, by the signal processing / control unit 11 controlling the display unit 18. At the same time, the icon display control unit 11c of the signal processing / control unit 11 superimposes the applied processing icon and the additionally applicable processing icon list on each predetermined area on the display unit 18 so as to be superimposed on the live view image. Each is displayed (see FIG. 4). Even in this case, display control is performed so that only additionally applicable process icons are displayed according to the type (setting contents) of the already applied filter effect process. Thereafter, the process returns to step S106.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, in a case where the filter effect processing is performed on the output image signal of the image pickup device 12b multiple times, the applied filter effect processing is determined, and the applied filter is applied. Since only the filter effect processing items that can be applied according to the effect processing can be selected, and the combination of items that are inappropriate for applying repeatedly cannot be selected, the user is not confused. A desired image can be generated.

  When displaying processing items that can be applied for the second time or later, the recommendation degree table data, which is reference data for taking into account combinations with previously applied items, is provided as a set with the processing program. The combination applicable items that become more effective by performing the combination processing with the applied items are preferentially displayed. Since the selection operation is realized by a touch operation using the touch panel 18b while viewing the display screen of the display unit 18, the user can perform a reliable and appropriate operation by an intuitive selection setting operation.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a photographing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 8 shows the display (filter effect selection setting screen) on the display unit according to the operation by the user when performing shooting using the shooting device of the second embodiment of the present invention and the filter effect processing by this shooting device. It is a figure which shows a mode that it switches. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of a sequence of device control processing of the photographing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The configuration of the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is exactly the same as that of the photographing apparatus of the first embodiment described above. In the present embodiment, the operation procedure and the operation method when performing shooting by applying the filter effect process are different, and accordingly, the display control of the display unit 18 is slightly different. Therefore, in the following description of the present embodiment, description of the configuration of the photographing apparatus 1 itself is omitted, and the above-described first embodiment is referred to. In this case, the same names and symbols as those of the above-described first embodiment are used for the names and symbols of the respective constituent members.

  The effect | action of this embodiment is demonstrated below using FIG. 8, FIG.

  First, with reference to FIG. 8, an outline of the procedure of the filter effect processing selection setting operation in the photographing apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

  Similarly to the photographing device 1 of the first embodiment described above, the user operates the menu button 16b when the photographing device 1 is activated and can perform a photographing operation or a reproduction operation. Then, a menu screen (see FIG. 2) is displayed on the display unit 18 of the photographing apparatus 1. When the user touches the setting item “art filter” while the menu screen is displayed, the display on the display unit 18 is switched to a filter effect selection setting screen as indicated by reference numeral 18A in FIG.

  The initial icon list display screen of the filter effect selection setting screen in the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment displays a live view image over the entire screen as shown by reference numeral 18A shown in FIG. An icon display 118g indicating that the currently set operation mode is the “art filter” mode is displayed in the upper right corner area of the screen, and a plurality of areas are displayed in a predetermined area on the lower right side of the screen. Applicable processing icons 118e are displayed in a list in the vertical direction of the screen. The plurality of applicable processing icons 118e are items of filter effect processing that can be applied at the present time. In the example shown in FIG. 8, since the applicable items are displayed in a list in the vertical direction, when there are a plurality of applicable items, all of the applicable items may not be displayed in the predetermined area. . In such a case, for example, the display switching of the applicable item list may be performed by performing a vertical touch slide operation in the region.

  Note that the state of the display screen indicated by reference numeral 18A in FIG. 8 indicates a state in which the user is touch-sliding one of the applicable processing icons 118e on the display screen using the finger 101 or the like. Is. Therefore, in the state indicated by reference numeral 18A in FIG. 8, one of the applicable process icons 118e is slightly moved.

  In the state indicated by reference numeral 18A in FIG. 8, the filter effect processing instruction has not yet been made. Accordingly, the live view image displayed on the display unit 18 at this stage is a normal image acquired by the imaging element 12b.

  In such a state, as shown by reference numeral 18A in FIG. 8, the user touches an applicable process icon 118e representing a filter effect process desired to be applied from among a plurality of applicable items using the finger 101 or the like. In a state where the operation is performed and the touch operation is maintained, a slide operation is performed from the right side to the left side in the arrow X direction, that is, on the display screen of the display unit 18. In other words, the applicable process icon 118e corresponding to the selected filter effect process that is desired to be applied is moved from the area on the right side of the screen to the area on the left side of the screen by a touch slide operation. Thus, the applicable icon 118d that has been selected and applied to the touch slide operation ("fisheye" in the display example of reference numeral 18A in FIG. 8) moves to a predetermined area on the left side of the screen. It becomes. At the same time, the live view image is switched to an image to which the filter effect process corresponding to the applied icon 118d is applied. Further, at this time, the list display of the applicable process icons 118e displayed as the applicable items is switched to the one corresponding to the applied icon 118d. A display example of the display unit 18 at this time is a display of reference numeral 18B in FIG.

  When the reference numeral 18B in FIG. 8 is displayed, the applicable processing icon 118e representing the filter effect processing that the user desires to apply using the finger 101 or the like (in the display example of the reference numeral 18B in FIG. ”), The second applicable processing icon 118e (“ soft ”) that has been selected and touched for the second time is also moved to a predetermined area on the left side of the screen and displayed as a list of applied icons 118d. Is done. At the same time, the live view image is switched to an image to which the filter effect processing corresponding to the second applied icon 118d is applied, and the list display of the applicable processing icon 118e is switched according to the two applied icons 118d. . A display example of the display unit 18 at this time is a display of reference numeral 18C in FIG.

  In the display example indicated by reference numeral 18C in FIG. 8, in order to represent the live view image when the “soft” processing is applied, the contour line is indicated by a dotted line, thereby expressing the “soft” processing expression, that is, the contour line. Represents an expression that is not emphasized.

  Next, the operation of the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described below using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the user turns on a power on / off member (not shown) among the operation members of the photographing apparatus 1 in a power off state. As a result, the photographing device 1 is activated and the device control processing sequence of FIG. 9 is started (start).

  Note that the processing steps in the shooting operation mode (steps S101 to S108) and the processing steps in the playback operation mode (steps S131 to S135) among the effects of the imaging device 1 of the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. It is exactly the same. Accordingly, the description of the same processing steps is omitted, and the processing steps different from those in the first embodiment, that is, the setting operations and the processing steps in the “art filter” mode (steps S161 to S166, S171 to S176), This will be described below.

  If the shooting operation instruction signal is not confirmed in the process of step S103 of FIG. 9, first, the processing sequence of the setting operation mode is executed.

  The processing sequence of this setting operation mode is exactly the same as steps S111 to S113 and S120 in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment described above.

  In the present embodiment, when the menu operation is not confirmed in the process of step S111, the process returns to the process of step S103 again.

  Then, when the “art filter” mode is selected in the process of step S113, the process branches to the process of step S161.

  In step S161 of FIG. 9, the icon display control unit 11c of the signal processing / control unit 11 controls the display unit 18 so as to superimpose it on the live view image being displayed, thereby displaying an initial icon list display process in the “art filter” mode. Execute. By this processing, the display on the display unit 18 becomes as indicated by the reference numeral 18A in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S162.

  In step S162, the signal processing / control unit 11 monitors the instruction signal from the operation determination unit 16 and confirms whether or not the user has performed a vertical touch slide operation on the touch panel 18b with a finger or the like. . Here, if the vertical touch slide operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S163. If the vertical touch slide operation is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S164.

  In step S163, the icon display control unit 11c of the signal processing / control unit 11 controls the display unit 18 to execute an icon switching list display process for displaying a list of applicable process items in the non-display state. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S164.

  In step S164, the signal processing / control unit 11 monitors the instruction signal from the operation determination unit 16, and determines whether or not the user has performed a touch slide operation in the horizontal direction (left and right direction) on the touch panel 18b with a finger or the like. Confirm. If a horizontal touch slide operation is confirmed here, the process proceeds to the next step S165. If the horizontal touch slide operation is not confirmed, the process returns to step S103.

  In step S165, the signal processing / control unit 11 selects the target filter effect processing item for the horizontal touch slide operation confirmed in the processing in step S164 described above. Thereby, the special effect processing unit 11b of the signal processing / control unit 11 reads the processing program corresponding to the filter effect processing selected from the special effect processing program storage unit 14b of the recording unit 14.

  Subsequently, in step S166, the special effect processing unit 11b of the signal processing / control unit 11 performs image processing of a predetermined filter effect process using the filter effect processing program read in the process of step S165 described above. For example, it is executed on the image signal acquired by the element 12b and temporarily stored in an internal memory (not shown) of the signal processing / control unit 11 or the like. The processing application result is displayed as a live view image to which the filter effect processing has been applied by the signal processing / control unit 11 controlling the display unit 18.

  Subsequently, in step S171, the icon display control unit 11c of the signal processing / control unit 11 records in the list data recording unit 14c of the recording unit 14 in order to perform icon display control according to the applied filter effect processing. The recommended degree table data (see FIG. 7) is referred to.

  Subsequently, in step S172, the signal processing / control unit 11 refers to the special effect processing unit 11b to check whether or not there are a plurality of already applied (selected) filter effect processes. If it is confirmed that there are a plurality of applied filter effect processes, the process proceeds to the next step S173. If it is confirmed that the applied filter effect process is single, the process proceeds to step S174.

  In step S173, the icon display control unit 11c of the signal processing / control unit 11 confirms the compatibility of the plurality of applied filter effect processes determined in the process of step S172 described above with other filter effect processes. That is, for the applied filter effect processing, processing is performed for selecting an icon corresponding to the filter effect processing item for which the recommended numerical value ≠ 0 on the recommendation level table data of FIG.

  Subsequently, in step S174, the icon display control unit 11c of the signal processing / control unit 11 performs control such that icon display is performed in descending order of numerical values.

  As a result of the processing in steps S171 to S174 described above, applied processing icons (screen left area) and additional applicable processing icon list (screen right area) for the display of live view images to which filter effect processing has been applied (S167). ) Is superimposed on the display unit 18. In this case, display control is performed such that only the icons that can be applied additionally are displayed according to the type of the filter effect processing that has already been applied (setting contents) in the order of recommendation. The display of the display unit 18 performed by such display control is as indicated by reference numeral 18B in FIG. Thereafter, the process returns to step S106.

  The processing sequence in the setting operation and the “art filter” mode in the present embodiment is as described above.

  In the present embodiment, processing steps in the communication operation mode are further added to the processing steps of steps S181 to S182 in FIG.

  That is, if it is confirmed in step S131 that the currently set operation mode is neither the shooting operation mode nor the playback operation mode, the process proceeds to step S181.

In step S181, the signal processing / control unit 11 confirms whether or not the communication mode is set, communicates with another device, and newly performs a filter effect processing program and recommendation degree table data ( It is confirmed whether or not the operation mode is for obtaining list data. If the communication mode setting is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S182. If the communication mode setting is not confirmed, the process returns to step S101. Alternatively, a processing sequence for confirming another operation mode may be similarly provided.

  In step S182, the signal processing / control unit 11 controls the communication unit 17 to transmit data such as special effect processing programs and recommendation degree table data from the external servers 2 and 3 via the external network 4 shown in FIG. Download. Then, the signal processing / control unit 11 controls the recording unit 14 and the like to record the downloaded special effect processing program in the special effect processing program storage unit 14b, and simultaneously records the downloaded recommendation degree table data as list data. Record in section 14c. Thereafter, the process returns to step S101.

  This series of communication operation mode processing steps (steps S181 and S182) can be added to the flowchart of FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the type of the filter effect processing is selected by an intuitive operation only by performing a touch slide operation while viewing the display screen, and has been applied each time. The list display of applicable items is switched according to the effect processing. Thereby, also in this embodiment, while being able to acquire the effect substantially the same as the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment, it can be easily contributed to the improvement of the further operativity. In addition, since the display unit 18 displays the applied processing icon 118d superimposed on the live view image to which the filter effect processing has been applied, the user can easily determine the type of filter processing currently applied. Can be confirmed.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a photographing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  FIGS. 10 and 11 show an operation method by a user and a display unit according to the operation when performing shooting using the filter effect processing (“art filter” mode) by the shooting apparatus of the third embodiment of the present invention. This shows how the display (filter effect selection setting screen) is switched.

  The configuration of the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is exactly the same as that of the photographing apparatus of the first embodiment described above. In the present embodiment, the display screen of the display unit 18 is slightly different when shooting is performed by applying the filter effect processing by the shooting device 1, and the display control of the display unit 18 is made different accordingly. Therefore, in the following description of the present embodiment, description of the configuration of the photographing apparatus 1 itself is omitted, and the above-described first embodiment is referred to. In this case, the name and code | symbol about each structural member use the same name and code | symbol as the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment.

  The effect | action of this embodiment is demonstrated easily below using FIG. 10, FIG.

  In the photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when photographing is performed to apply the filter effect processing, for example, display screen control as shown in FIG. 10 is performed. That is, in the screen of the display unit 18, an area having a predetermined area on the upper edge side of the screen, an area F 2 where the applied icon is displayed, and an area for repairing the predetermined area on the lower edge side of the screen, which can be applied. There is an area F1 in which a list of icons is displayed and an area G in which a live view image is displayed in an area including the center of the screen.

  In the present embodiment, the filter effect processing can be executed by moving the applicable icon of the region F1 to the image region G by a touch slide operation or the like. When the filter effect process is executed, the applied icon is displayed in the area F2. At the same time, the list of applicable icons is switched according to the applied icons.

  That is, in the state shown in FIG. 10 (assumed as the initial selection screen), for example, “AF-1” among the plurality of selectable icons displayed in the region F1 is moved to the image region G by a touch slide operation. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the applied icon is displayed in the area F2 and disappears from the area F1. In addition, in order to show that the icon display has disappeared, in FIG. 11, it is shown by drawing a dotted frame at the position where it has been displayed.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the plurality of applicable icons displayed in the area F1 are displayed in order of recommendation degree. Furthermore, instead of the numerical value of the recommendation degree table data in the first and second embodiments described above, in this embodiment, the height of the recommendation degree is expressed by changing the display size of the icon itself. . Therefore, the user can intuitively grasp whether or not the application can be applied and the recommended degree of application when applying the filter effect processing a plurality of times by visually observing the display on the display unit 18. effective.

  That is, the second and subsequent applicable icon list displays are displayed in descending order of recommendation as shown in a region F1 in FIG. It can be seen that the larger the icon size, the greater the processing effect.

  When a plurality of filter effect processes are applied, the applied icons are displayed in the order of application as shown in a region F2 in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the item “AF-4” is applied twice in succession. In this case, the icon sizes of the two “AF-4” are different. Specifically, the icon size of “AF-4” of the same item applied later is displayed smaller than the icon size of the item “AF-4” applied earlier. This indicates that when the same process “AF-4” is continuously applied, a double application effect cannot be obtained, and the effect of the process applied later is small.

  As a flowchart for realizing the operation as shown in the third embodiment, a flowchart substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 9 described in the second embodiment can be applied.

  As described above, also in the third embodiment, the same effect as in the first and second embodiments can be obtained. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the operation system can be intuitively performed on the display screen using a touch panel, and the arrangement and size of icons representing applicable items and applied items are devised. By doing so, it is possible for the user to visually and intuitively understand the status indications such as the application recommendation level and the application effect, which can contribute to further improvement in operability.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, an area for displaying applied icons and an area for displaying a list of applicable icons are provided on the display screen, and the filter effect currently applied can be obtained simply by looking at each display area. It is possible to easily confirm the type of processing and the type of filter effect processing that can be applied in the future, thereby contributing to improvement in operability.

[Fourth Embodiment]
For example, as shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, the imaging device of each embodiment described above includes a communication unit 17, and various kinds of devices existing on the external network 4 via the communication unit 17. Data communication can be performed with the external servers 2 and 3. By using this data communication means, the special effect processing program and the recommendation degree table data can be downloaded from the external servers 2 and 3 and the like. With such a configuration, the latest special effect processing program, recommendation degree table data, and the like can be easily added or updated in the photographing apparatus of each of the above-described embodiments, and thus the executable filter effect can be executed. It is easy to cope with the diversification of processing.

  Means for adding and updating the special effect processing program and the recommendation degree table data are not limited to the data communication means. For example, if the recording medium of the recording unit 14 is detachable from the photographing device (for example, a card-type memory card), special effect processing is performed from another external device (not shown) via the recording medium. Program, recommendation degree table data, etc., can be copied and used by the photographing device. Also, even if the recording medium of the recording unit 14 is a built-in type fixed inside the device, an external device (not shown) having a special effect processing program, recommendation degree table data, and the like is connected to the photographing device by a cable. By doing so, it is possible to copy the recommendation degree table data of the external device to the internal recording medium of the photographing device. These means can also be realized in the photographing devices of the above-described embodiments. In addition, a configuration for realizing a detachable recording medium (for example, a configuration of a recording medium attaching / detaching mechanism, a data signal transmission circuit between the mounted recording medium, etc.) and a cable connection with an external device. The structure (for example, the structure of a data signal transmission circuit between an external device and the like via a connection cable connected to the connector or the like) is a technique that is generally popular in conventional photographing devices. It may be used (not shown).

  The configuration of the photographing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 12 is a block configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of the photographing apparatus of the present embodiment. The imaging device 1A of the present embodiment is different from the imaging device 1 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) only in that the data communication means, that is, the communication unit 17 is omitted. Accordingly, in FIG. 12, the external network 4, the external servers 2, 3 and the like become unnecessary. And, as described above, as means for adding and updating the special effect processing program and recommendation degree table data, means other than the data communication means, that is, means for interposing a recording medium, or cable with an external device Use means by connection. Other configurations are exactly the same as those of the photographing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

  In the photographing apparatus 1A of the fourth embodiment having such a configuration, a special effect processing program and recommendation are provided in the same manner as the photographing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, omitting the communication unit 17. The table data can be added and updated. Therefore, in the photographing apparatus 1A of the present embodiment, the internal configuration can be simplified while maintaining the same function as the function of the first embodiment described above, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. can do.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications can of course be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if several constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the above-described embodiment, if the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved and the effect of the invention can be obtained, this constituent requirement is deleted. The configured structure can be extracted as an invention.

  The present invention is not limited to a photographing device that is an electronic device specialized in a photographing function such as a digital camera, and other forms of electronic devices having a photographing function, such as a mobile phone, a recording device, an electronic notebook, and a personal computer. The present invention can also be applied to various electronic devices with photographing functions such as computers, game devices, televisions, watches, navigation devices using GPS (Global Positioning System).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Shooting device 2, 3 ... External server 4 ... External network 11 ... Signal processing / control part 11b ... Special effect processing part 11c ... Icon display control part 12 ... Shooting unit 12a ... Shooting lens 12b …… Image sensor 14 ...... Recording unit 14 b ...... Special effect processing program storage unit 14 c ...... List data recording unit 16 ...... Operation determination unit 16 a ...... Shutter release button 16 b ...... Menu button 17 ...... Communication unit 18 ... Display 18b …… Touch panel 19 …… Clock

Claims (4)

A shooting section for shooting the subject;
A display unit that displays an image and displays a list of a plurality of image processes that can be applied to the image signal acquired by the imaging unit;
A selection operation unit for selecting desired image processing from the image processing list display displayed on the display unit;
An image processing unit that performs image processing selected by the selection operation unit on the image signal acquired by the imaging unit;
A display control unit for switching an image processing list display to be displayed on the display unit according to the image processing selected by the selection operation unit;
A list data recording unit for recording list data indicating compatibility between image processes when a plurality of image processes are performed on an image signal;
Comprising
The photographing apparatus, wherein the display control unit switches the image processing list display with reference to the list data recording unit.   When switching the image processing list display, the display control unit gives priority to the image processing having good compatibility with the image processing selected by the selection operation unit and displays the image processing list on the top of the image processing list. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image processing that is incompatible with the image processing selected by the selection operation unit is not displayed. An icon display control unit that displays a plurality of applicable image processes with corresponding icons;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the icon display control unit forms an image processing list display by arranging and displaying a plurality of icons respectively representing the plurality of image processes. The selection operation unit includes a touch panel,
5. The selection operation by the selection operation unit is an operation of moving an icon of an image processing list display displayed on the display unit by the icon display control unit on a display screen of the display unit. The photographing equipment described in 1.

Images