JP2012104903A - Digital still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that if the exposure time is longer than the GPS logging data acquisition time when shooting long seconds with a GPS logging data memory of small capacity, shooting may be carried out in the same location and extra memory is consumed.SOLUTION: The digital still camera comprises a means for acquiring the GPS logging data, a means for setting the number of seconds required for acquiring the GPS logging data, a means for acquiring an exposure time, a means for comparing the exposure time with the set number of seconds required for acquiring the GPS logging data, and a means for setting the acquisition time of the GPS logging data longer than the exposure time if the exposure time is longer as a result of comparison.

Description

  The present invention incorporates a GPS (Global Positioning System) device having a logging function that records position information data acquired from GPS every tens of seconds in a memory, a digital still camera to which the GPS device can be connected, and a GPS device. The present invention relates to a digital still camera having a logging function.

In recent years, GPS devices have been commercialized and connected to a digital still camera via a communication interface with the GPS device, and when the digital still camera captures an image, the GPS position information data received from the GPS device is added to the EXIF information of the image. The product has been released. The GPS device stores GPS position information data in a memory every few tens of seconds (logging), loads the position information data into a personal computer (PC), and captures the data captured on the PC with lines on an electronic map, for example. It is possible to display the associated trajectory. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
A digital still camera with a built-in GPS function and capable of logging has been commercialized.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-348888

  However, the capacity of the memory for recording the position information data acquired from the GPS device every few tens of seconds is small, and the exposure time is longer than the time interval for recording the position information data acquired from the GPS device in the memory during long-second shooting. If it is long, there is a problem that the position information data received from the GPS device is photographed at the same place without changing, and the same data is recorded in the memory. For this reason, there was a problem that extra memory was consumed.

  It has means for recording the position information data acquired from the GPS device in the memory, has means for setting the number of seconds for acquiring the position information data acquired from the GPS device, has means for setting the exposure time, A means for comparing the exposure time with the number of seconds for acquiring the position information data acquired from the GPS device. If the comparison result shows that the exposure time is greater, the acquisition time of the position information data acquired from the GPS device is calculated. A digital still camera having means for setting a time longer than an exposure time

  The location information data of the same place is not recorded from the GPS device, and the extra memory is not consumed.

Block diagram of GPS device in the first embodiment Operational flow chart of GPS device in the first embodiment Connection diagram of GPS device and digital still camera in the first embodiment Connection diagram of GPS device and PC in the first embodiment Block diagram of a digital still camera with a built-in GPS function in the second embodiment Operation flowchart of the digital still camera according to the second embodiment.

  First, the connection form between the GPS device and the digital still camera according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  1000 is a GPS device fixed at the strobe mounting position of the digital still camera. 3002 is a digital still camera. 3003 uses a USB communication cable because the USB communication method is used in this embodiment as a communication method for connecting a GPS device and a digital still camera.

  Next, a connection form between the GPS device and the PC will be described with reference to FIG. 1000 is a GPS device. 4002 is a PC. 4003 uses a USB communication cable in this embodiment because a USB communication method is used as a communication method for connecting a GPS device and a PC.

  Next, a GPS device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, 1000 is a GPS device of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 1001 denotes a CPU that receives position information data from the GPS module 1002. The CPU that has received the position information data communicates the position information data to the digital still camera via the communication I / F 1005, and the digital still camera captures an image. At that time, the information is added to the image file. In addition, position information data is received from the GPS module 1002, and the position information data is recorded in the flash memory 1004 every 15 seconds. When the recorded information is requested from the PC via the communication I / F 1005, the data is read from the flash memory 1004, and the data is communicated via the communication I / F 1005. Further, the remaining battery LED 1006 is turned on / flashed, and the LED 1007 for displaying the capture state is turned on / flashed. When the DISP button 1008 is pressed, the LED 1006 and LED 1007 are turned on / flashing according to the state. The state of the power switch 1009 is detected and the system is turned on. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the communication I / F between the GPS device and the camera uses a USB.

  Reference numeral 1002 denotes a GPS module that receives radio waves from GPS satellites orbiting the earth and calculates a position.

  Reference numeral 1003 denotes an electronic compass that calculates the current orientation.

  A flash memory 1004 reads / writes data in accordance with a read / write / erase command from the CPU 1001 and stores logging data.

  A communication I / F 1005 communicates position information data from a GPS module, communicates data from an electronic compass, and communicates logging data recorded in a flash memory in response to a command from the CPU 1001. This communication I / F uses a USB I / F in this embodiment, but is a BlueTooth (trademark) I / F, IEEE 1394 I / F, RS232C communication I / F, wireless LAN I / F, or wired LAN I / F. May be.

  Reference numeral 1006 denotes a battery remaining amount LED that blinks for 2 seconds when the remaining battery level is low, and lights for 2 seconds when the remaining battery level is not low. Further, when the DISP button 1008 is pressed, this LED is lit / flashed according to the state.

  Reference numeral 1007 denotes a GPS capture LED that blinks when GPS is being captured, and is lit for 2 seconds and extinguished when capture is completed, and then is lit once every 15 seconds. Further, when the DISP button 1008 is pressed, this LED is lit / flashed according to the state.

  A DISP button 1008 is pressed to turn on / flash the LED 1006 and the LED 1007 when the user wants to know the remaining battery level and the GPS capture state.

  Reference numeral 1009 denotes a power switch that is slid to start / end the GPS device.

  A battery 1010 supplies power to the GPS device.

  Reference numeral 1011 denotes a RAM that temporarily stores position information data.

  Next, the operation of the GPS device in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the power SW 1009 is slid to turn on the power (S201). Next, the GPS is initialized. At this time, an interval for recording logging data is set. This time, T = 15 seconds is temporarily set (S202). Next, it is determined whether or not the GPS module can perform positioning (S203). If the GPS module can perform positioning, position information data (latitude / longitude / altitude / UTC time) is stored in the flash memory 1004 (S204). Thus, the first logging data is recorded. Next, it is determined whether or not the time for acquiring the logging memory data has passed (T = 15 seconds in this case) (S205). Next, when the shutter is half-pressed, the digital still camera 3002 calculates and determines the exposure time. Next, it is determined whether or not the shutter is half-pressed (S210). If half-pressed, the exposure time is communicated from the digital still camera 3002 via the USB I / F 1005, the GPS device receives the exposure time, and the exposure time is greater than the set value (this time T = 15 seconds or more). If so (S211), the logging interval is set to a value larger than the exposure time (S212). This time, T = 30 seconds is set. When T = 30 seconds have elapsed, the position information data is recorded in the logging memory (flash memory 1004) (S214). Next, it is determined whether or not the interval of the logging memory should be T = 30 seconds (S207). If T = 30 seconds is not good, the interval is reset (S208). If T = 30 seconds is acceptable, leave it as it is. Next, it is determined whether or not the power is turned off (S209). If the power is not turned off, it is further determined whether or not T seconds have passed (S205).

  If the elapsed time of the logging data has reached T seconds in S205, the position information data is recorded in the logging memory (flash memory 1004) (S206). Next, it is determined whether or not the interval of the logging memory is T seconds (S207), and if it is not T seconds, the interval is reset (S208). If T seconds are acceptable, leave it as it is. Next, it is determined whether or not the power is turned off (S209). If the power is not turned off, it is further determined whether or not T seconds have passed (S205).

  As described above, it has means for acquiring the exposure time determined by half-pressing the shutter, and has means for comparing the exposure time with the number of seconds for acquiring the set logging data. If it is longer, it is possible to avoid using unnecessary memory by setting the acquisition time of GPS logging data to a time longer than the exposure time.

  In the first embodiment, the exposure time setting value is obtained by half-pressing the shutter. However, when the shutter speed (TV value) is changed by the main electronic dial, the camera shooting mode dial is changed, The TV value may be changed. In the first embodiment, the GPS device and the digital still camera are configured as separate products. However, a product in which a GPS module is incorporated in the digital still camera may be used. The explanation is described below.

  The digital still camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 10012 denotes a mechanical shutter for controlling the exposure amount to the image sensor 10014, and 10014 denotes an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electric signal. A light beam incident on the lens 10310 can be guided through the aperture 10312, lens mounts 10306 and 10106, the mirror 10130, and the mechanical shutter 10012 by the single-lens reflex method, and can be formed on the image sensor 10014 as an optical image.

  Reference numeral 10016 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 10014 into a digital signal.

  A timing generation unit 10018 supplies an electronic shutter control signal and clock signal to the image sensor 10014, and a control signal and clock signal to the A / D converter 10016. The timing generation unit 10018 is controlled by the memory control unit 10022 and the digital unit system control unit 10051. .

  Reference numeral 10051 denotes a digital unit system control unit that controls a digital unit of the digital still camera, and can communicate with the camera unit system control unit 10050. The digital unit system control unit 10051 controls data display of the image display unit 10022. Further, the position information data received from the GPS module is recorded in the EXIF information of the photographing data, and the logging data is recorded in the ROM 10060.

  Reference numeral 10020 denotes an image processing unit, which performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 10016 or the data from the memory control unit 10022, and determines whether the image processing is in progress. Notify the controller 10051. Further, in the image processing unit 10020, predetermined calculation processing is performed using the captured image data as necessary, and the system control unit 10050 is configured to perform exposure control unit 10040 and distance measurement control unit based on the obtained calculation result. An AE (automatic exposure) process and an EF (flash dimming) process can be performed to control 10042. The image processing unit 10020 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.

  Reference numeral 10022 denotes an image display unit (including a video controller) composed of a TFT LCD or the like, which displays a menu, captured image data, and the like.

  Reference numeral 10054 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker that displays an operation state or a message using characters, images, sounds, and the like in accordance with execution of a program in the camera unit system control unit 10050. One or a plurality of places are provided near the operation unit in an easily visible position, and are configured by, for example, a combination of an LCD, an LED, a sound generation element, and the like. Further, among the display contents of the display unit 10054, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 10104 is, for example, in-focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, shutter speed display, There are an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, a recording medium writing operation display, and the like.

  Reference numeral 10060 denotes a mode dial, which is a dial for changing the shooting mode according to the scene that the user wants to shoot and shooting. Further, by changing this dial, the Av value and the Tv value are automatically changed according to the scene.

  Reference numeral 10062 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned ON during operation of a shutter button (not shown), and performs AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash dimming) processing, and the like. Instruct to start operation. Here, the exposure time is determined, and photographing is performed with the set exposure time.

  Reference numeral 1003 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on upon completion of an operation of a shutter button (not shown), and an exposure process for writing a signal read from the image sensor 10012 to the RAM 10030 via the A / D converter 10016 and the memory control unit 10022. A series of development processes using operations in the image processing unit 10020 and the memory control unit 10022, recording processing for reading image data from the RAM 10030, compression in the compression / decompression unit 10032, and writing the image data in the recording medium 10200 or 10210 Instructs the start of processing operation.

  An operation unit 10070 includes various buttons, a touch panel, a main electronic dial, and the like, and includes a main electronic dial that can set a menu button, a TV value, an AV value, and the like.

  Reference numeral 10104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can guide and display a light beam incident on the lens 10310 through an aperture 10312, lens mounts 10306 and 10106, and mirrors 10130 and 10132 as an optical image by a single lens reflex system. Accordingly, it is possible to perform shooting using only the optical viewfinder 10104 without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 10022. In the optical viewfinder 10104, some functions of the display unit 10054, for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are installed.

  Reference numeral 10110 denotes a wireless communication unit for wireless connection between a digital still camera and a personal computer, a digital camera and an access point, and digital cameras. Actually, the communication unit is composed of IEEE802.11a / b / g.

  Reference numeral 10112 denotes an antenna for connecting the digital still camera to other devices by the communication means 10110.

  Reference numerals 10130 and 10132 denote mirrors that can guide a light beam incident on the lens 10310 to the optical viewfinder 10104 by a single-lens reflex system.

  Reference numeral 10600 denotes a ROM which stores a digital still camera program and records position information data (logging data) acquired by the GPS module 10601.

  10601 is obtained by positioning the position information data with the GPS module, and notifies the digital system control unit 10051 that the positioning has been completed.

  Next, the operation of the digital still camera incorporating the GPS function according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the power switch 10080 is slid to turn on the power (S601). Next, the GPS is initialized. At this time, an interval for recording logging data is set. This time, T = 15 seconds is temporarily set (S602). Next, it is determined whether or not the GPS module can be positioned (S603), and if the GPS module can be positioned, position information data (latitude / longitude / altitude / UTC time) is stored in the ROM 10600 (S604). Thus, the first logging data is recorded. Next, it is determined whether or not the time for acquiring the logging memory data has passed (T = 15 seconds in this case) (S605). If not, if the TV value is changed by the main electronic dial 10070 or if the shooting mode is changed by the mode dial 10060 and the TV value is changed (S608), then the shutter is half-pressed. In order to calculate and determine the exposure time, the digital still camera 3002 next determines whether or not the shutter is half-pressed (S609). If half-pressed, the exposure time is acquired from the camera system control unit 10050, the digital system control unit 10051 receives the exposure time, and if the exposure time is equal to or greater than a set value (this time T = 15 seconds or more). (S610) The logging interval is set to a value larger than the exposure time (S611). This time, T = 30 seconds is set. When T = 30 seconds have elapsed, the position information data is recorded in the ROM 10600 (S613). Next, it is determined whether or not the interval of the logging memory may be T = 30 seconds (S607). If T = 30 seconds is not satisfactory, the interval is reset (S608). If T = 30 seconds is acceptable, leave it as it is. Next, it is determined whether or not the power is turned off (S609). If the power is not turned off, it is further determined whether or not T seconds have passed (S605).

  If the elapsed time of logging data has reached T seconds in S605, the position information data is recorded in the ROM 10600 (S606). Next, it is determined whether or not the interval of the logging memory is T seconds (S607). If the interval is not T seconds, the interval is reset (S608). If T seconds are acceptable, leave it as it is. Next, it is determined whether or not the power is turned off (S609). If the power is not turned off, it is further determined whether or not T seconds have passed (S605).

  In the above, when the TV value is changed by the main electronic dial, the camera shooting mode dial is changed, and when the TV value is changed, the product in which the GPS module is built in the digital still camera has been described.

  As described above, when the TV value is changed by the main electronic dial, the camera shooting mode dial is changed, and when the TV value is changed, the exposure time is obtained, and the exposure time and setting are also provided. If the exposure time is larger as a result of the comparison, the GPS logging data acquisition time is set to a time longer than the exposure time. It is possible to avoid using a large amount of memory.

1000 GPS device 1001 CPU
1002 GPS module 1004 Flash memory 1005 Communication I / F
1011 RAM

Claims (7)

It has means (S204, S214) for acquiring GPS logging data, has means (S206) for setting the number of seconds for acquiring GPS logging data, has means (S211) for acquiring exposure time, and the exposure Means (S211) for comparing the time and the number of seconds for acquiring the set logging data, and if the exposure time is larger as a result of the comparison, the acquisition time of the GPS logging data is set to a time longer than the exposure time. A digital still camera comprising means for setting (S212). The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein the communication means (1005) with the GPS device is performed by USB in the digital still camera. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein the communication means (1005) with the GPS device is performed by Bluetooth. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein the communication means (1005) with the GPS device is performed by IEEE1394. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein means for communicating with a GPS device (1005) is performed by RS232C. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein means for communicating with a GPS device (1005) is performed by a wireless LAN. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein communication means (1005) with a GPS device is performed by a wired LAN.