JP2013126013A - Photographic system, photographic device, and information management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set a photographic device to setting that allows the photographic device to take an image similar to a selected image.SOLUTION: A photographic system 1 comprises: an information management device 3; and a photographic device 2 which is able to communicate with the information management device 3. The information management device 3 has stored image data associated with a photographing condition in an image database. The photographic device 2 comprises a photographic unit which takes an image on the basis of a setting parameter. A user selects image data which the user desires to take from the image data stored in the information management device 3 via a display unit and an input unit of the photographic device 2. The image data selected by the user is extracted from the image database, and the information management device 3 calculates the setting parameter such that the parameter allows the photographic device 2 to take an image under the same photographing condition as that added to the image data regarding the extracted image data.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information management apparatus, an imaging apparatus capable of communicating with the information management apparatus, and an imaging system including the information management apparatus and the imaging apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic camera that can search and display an image corresponding to a shooting situation from images recorded in advance in an information management device.

JP 2009-118389 A

  Some users who have displayed sample images acquired from the information management apparatus may have a desire to take an image similar to the sample image with their own hands. However, it is difficult for a user who lacks knowledge about the imaging technique and the imaging apparatus to set the imaging conditions of the imaging apparatus for capturing an image similar to the sample image. Even if the shooting condition is set to the same condition as the sample image, the same image as the sample image may not be shot depending on the shooting date and the shooting time. Furthermore, even if the shooting date, shooting time, and shooting conditions are the same as those of the sample image, the quality of the image shot by the shooting device may be different from that of the sample image. As a result, there is a problem that the user cannot take an image similar to the sample image even though the sample image is displayed.

  An imaging system according to the present invention is an imaging system including an imaging apparatus and an information management apparatus, and the information management apparatus transmits storage means for storing image data associated with imaging information, and the image data. The imaging apparatus includes a transmission unit, and the imaging apparatus selects desired image data from among an imaging unit that performs an imaging operation based on setting parameters, a reception unit that receives the image data, and image data received by the reception unit. And a parameter calculating unit that calculates setting parameters of the imaging unit so that an image equivalent to the image data selected by the selecting unit can be captured using the imaging unit. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily capture an image desired by a user.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the imaging | photography system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the imaging device in the imaging system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the information management apparatus in the imaging | photography system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart regarding the parameter setting process of an imaging device. It is the example of a display of the image data in the display means of an imaging device. It is the example of a display of the image data in the display means of an imaging device. It is the example of a display of the image data in the display means of an imaging device.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. An imaging system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an imaging device 2 and an information management device (for example, a server) 3, and the imaging device 2 and the information management device 3 are connected via a communication network 4. The communication line network 4 includes an Internet line, a mobile phone line, and the like. The photographing device 2 is a digital camera, a mobile phone having a photographing function, or the like, and receives GPS information from a GPS satellite (not shown).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the imaging device 2. The imaging device 2 includes a control unit 20, an input unit 21, a storage unit 22, a display unit 23, a GPS reception unit 24, a communication unit 25, and an imaging unit 26.

  The control unit 20 includes a microprocessor 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, and the like, and in order to execute various processes of the photographing apparatus 2, an input unit 21, a storage unit 22, a display unit 23, a GPS reception unit 24, a communication unit. 25, the imaging unit 26 and the like are controlled. The ROM 202 stores firmware for controlling the photographing apparatus 2. The microprocessor 201 executes the firmware stored in the ROM 202 using the RAM 203 as a work space. The firmware differs depending on the model of the photographing apparatus 2, and the model can be identified by firmware version information.

  The input unit 21 is various operation members such as a power switch and a release button, a touch panel, and the like. A user of the imaging device 2 can operate the imaging device 2 via the input unit 21. The storage unit 22 is a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory, and stores image data picked up by the image pickup unit 26 and various information downloaded from the information management device 3. The display unit 23 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 23 can display a reproduction display of image data, a menu screen, and the like under the control of the control unit 20.

  The GPS receiving unit 24 receives GPS information from a plurality of GPS satellites, and transmits the received GPS information to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 calculates position information of the imaging device 2 based on GPS information from a plurality of GPS satellites. The communication unit 25 is connected to the communication line network 4 under the control of the control unit 20. The photographing apparatus 2 is connected to the information management apparatus 3 via the communication line network 4 and transmits / receives various information described later.

  The imaging unit 26 includes an imaging optical system 261, an aperture 262, an imaging element 263, a strobe 264, and the like, and captures a subject image. The imaging optical system 261 includes a focusing lens, a zoom lens, and the like, and setting parameters related to the position of each lens on the optical axis are set by the control unit 20. Setting parameters relating to settings such as the aperture value of the aperture 262, the sensitivity of the image sensor 263, the shutter speed, the exposure, and the necessity of the strobe 264 during shooting are also set by the control unit 20. The control unit 20 can automatically set the setting parameter based on the processing of the firmware stored in the ROM 202 or can be set based on a user input via the input unit 21.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the information management device 3. The information management device 3 includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, and a communication unit 32. The control unit 30 includes a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (all not shown), and can control the storage unit 31 and the communication unit 32 to execute various processes.

  The storage unit 31 is a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage unit 31 stores an image database 311 and an imaging device database 312, and stores various databases (not shown) such as a map database and an access history database. The control unit 30 retrieves data from various databases stored in the storage unit 31 as necessary when various processes are executed.

  The image database 311 stores, for example, sample image data of a landscape image taken by a professional photographer. For example, in the sample image data stored in the image database 311, shooting information when shooting the sample image data is associated with a header portion or the like. The photographing information associated with the sample image data includes photographing device information (such as photographing device model and firmware version information) indicating various characteristics of the photographing device that photographed the sample image, photographing condition information (aperture value, sensitivity of the image sensor, Shutter speed, exposure, zoom magnification, color setting, white balance, etc.), shooting position, close-up distance, focal length, shooting date / time, weather, presence / absence of strobe, continuous shooting speed, 3D function, etc.

  The imaging device database 312 stores information related to various other imaging devices including the imaging device 2. For example, the photographing apparatus database 312 includes ID information (model of photographing apparatus), firmware version information, function information of each photographing apparatus (aperture value, image sensor sensitivity, shutter speed, exposure, zoom magnification, Information on functions that can be set in the photographing apparatus, such as color settings and white balance). The control unit 30 of the information management device 3 can search for information related to each image capturing device as described above from the image capturing device database 312 using the ID information of the image capturing device as a key.

  The communication unit 32 is connected to the communication line network 4 under the control of the control unit 30. The information management apparatus 3 is connected to the photographing apparatus 2 via the communication line network 4 and transmits / receives various information described later.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart regarding parameter setting processing related to the shooting conditions of the imaging apparatus 2 executed in the imaging system 1. Each step of the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed by the control unit 20 of the imaging device 2 and the control unit 30 of the information management device 3. The imaging device 2 starts executing the processing of FIG. 4 when the user selects an imaging mode in which parameter setting relating to imaging conditions is automatically performed via the input unit 21. The information management device 3 starts the process of FIG. 4 when communication with the imaging device 2 starts.

  In step S <b> 101 of FIG. 4, the control unit 20 of the imaging device 2 detects the position of the imaging device 2. The control unit 20 of the imaging device 2 calculates a position where the imaging device 2 exists based on the GPS information acquired from the GPS reception unit 24, and creates position information. In step S <b> 102, the control unit 20 of the imaging device 2 transmits the position information detected in step S <b> 101 and the ID information of the imaging device 2 to the information management device 3 via the communication unit 25 and the communication line network 4.

  In step S <b> 103, the control unit 30 of the information management device 3 receives position information and ID information transmitted from the imaging device 2 via the communication unit 32. In step S104, the control unit 30 of the information management device 3 extracts sample image data from the image database 311 based on the position information of the imaging device 2 received in step S103. The sample image data to be extracted is, for example, predetermined from the position represented by the position information of the photographing apparatus 2 received in step S103 as the photographing position stored in the related information among the sample image data stored in the image database 311. This is sample image data within the distance range.

  In step S105 of FIG. 4, the control unit 30 of the information management device 3 determines the sample image data extracted in step S104 based on the ID information of the imaging device 2 received in step S103, the date and time when the information was received, and the like. Sample image data that can be photographed by the photographing apparatus 2 is extracted from the inside. In other words, based on the ID information of the imaging device 2 received in step S103, sample image data that cannot be captured by the imaging device 2 is excluded from the sample image data extracted in step S104. For example, if the date when the information is received in step S103 and the shooting date stored in the related information of the sample image data extracted in step S104 are more than three months apart, the sample image is different because the season is different. It is determined that a similar image cannot be taken, and the sample image data is excluded. If the time when the information is received in step S103 is noon, it is determined that an image similar to the sample image whose shooting time stored in the related information of the sample image data extracted in step S104 is midnight cannot be shot. The sample image data is excluded. Further, based on the received ID information, information about the image capturing device 2 is acquired from the image capturing device database 312 and sample image data in which a similar image cannot be captured by the model of the image capturing device 2 or the firmware is excluded. For example, sample image data that needs to be set to an aperture value, shutter speed, and zoom magnification that cannot be set by the function of the photographing apparatus 2 that transmitted the ID information in step S102 is excluded. In addition, sample image data that is photographed by control that cannot be realized by the firmware of the photographing apparatus 2 that transmitted the ID information in step S102 is excluded.

  In step S106, the control unit 30 of the information management device 3 uses the imaging unit 26 of the imaging device 2 for each sample image data extracted in step S105 and uses the imaging unit 26 of the imaging device 2 to obtain the same imaging conditions (aperture value, imaging element). (Sensitivity, shutter speed, exposure, zoom magnification, color setting, white balance, etc.) are calculated. For example, the control unit 30 searches the imaging device database 312 using the ID information of the imaging device 2 received in step S103 as a key, and acquires information regarding the imaging device 2. Next, the setting parameters of the photographing apparatus 2 are calculated based on the information regarding the photographing apparatus 2 acquired from the photographing apparatus database 312 and the photographing condition information of each sample image data extracted in step S105.

  In step S107, the control unit 30 of the information management apparatus 3 transmits the sample image data extracted in step S105 and the setting parameter calculated in step S106 in association with each other to the imaging apparatus 2. In step S108, the control unit 20 of the imaging device 2 receives the sample image data and the setting parameters transmitted from the information management device 3 via the communication unit 25 and the communication line network 4. In step S107, the control unit 30 of the information management device 3 shoots the control unit 20 of the imaging device 2 by associating sample image data, setting parameters, and the like with map image data of a peripheral map centered on the position of the imaging device 2. You may decide to transmit to the apparatus 2. The map image data of the surrounding map is obtained by searching a map database (not shown) stored in the storage unit 31 based on the position information received in step S104, and the shooting position of the sample image data extracted in step S105. It is desirable to put a mark indicating.

  In step S109, the control unit 20 of the imaging device 2 displays the sample image received in step S108 on the display unit 23. For example, thumbnail images of received sample image data may be displayed in a list, thumbnail images may be displayed together with map images of surrounding maps, or sample images may be displayed like a slide show. May be.

  In step S <b> 110, the control unit 20 of the imaging device 2 accepts selection of sample image data desired by the user via the input unit 21. In step S111, the control unit 20 of the photographing apparatus 2 sets the parameters of the photographing apparatus 2 to the setting parameters corresponding to the sample image data selected in step S110.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a screen on which the sample image received in step S108 is displayed on the display unit 23. In FIG. 5, thumbnail images 401 a to 401 d of the sample image data received in step S <b> 108 and an arrow mark 402 are displayed on the display unit 23. When the user selects the thumbnail image 401a via the input unit 21, the parameter of the photographing apparatus 2 is set to the setting parameter corresponding to the sample image data having the thumbnail image 401a. When the user selects the arrow mark 402 via the input unit 21, another sample image received in step S <b> 108 is displayed on the display unit 23.

According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
The imaging system 1 includes an information management device 3 and an imaging device 2 that can communicate with the information management device 3. The information management apparatus 3 has an image database 311 in which sample image data associated with shooting conditions is stored in the storage unit 31. The imaging device 2 includes an imaging unit 26 that performs imaging based on the setting parameters set by the control unit 20, and the user selects image data that the user desires to shoot from the image data stored in the information management device 3. (Step 110 in FIG. 4). The image data selected by the user in step S110 is included in the image data extracted in step S105, and the information management device 3 captures the image data extracted in step S105 with respect to the image data. Setting parameters are calculated so that shooting can be performed under shooting conditions equivalent to the conditions (step S106 in FIG. 4). In this way, the user can easily set the photographing apparatus according to the selected image.

Each embodiment described above can be modified and implemented as follows.
[1] In the above embodiment, the information management device 3 searches the imaging device database 312 based on the model or firmware information of the imaging device 2 transmitted from the imaging device 2, and uses the search result. Setting parameters of the photographing apparatus 2 were calculated. However, the method for calculating the setting parameter is not limited to this method. For example, through image data captured by the image capturing device 2 using the image capturing unit 26 is transmitted to the information management device 3 instead of the firmware information, and the information management device 3 is extracted from the through image data in step S105. Compare with sample image data. Then, the setting parameter may be calculated based on the comparison result and the photographing condition of the sample image data extracted in step S105. By doing in this way, it is possible to calculate the setting parameter even for imaging devices that are not stored in the imaging device database 312.

[2] In the above embodiment, the information management apparatus 3 calculates the setting parameters of the imaging apparatus 2 in step S106. However, the information management apparatus 3 sets the imaging apparatus 2 to setting parameters that can capture an image similar to the sample image. The setting information is not limited to setting parameters. For example, a screen that displays setting items (aperture value, sensitivity, shutter speed, zoom magnification, etc.) that must be changed in order to shoot with the same settings as the sample image data, and prompts the user to change the settings of the photographing device 2 Create image data. Instead of the setting parameter, the created image data for prompting the setting change may be transmitted to the photographing apparatus 2.

[3] In the above embodiment, the information management device 3 determines whether or not the image capturing device 2 can capture an image similar to the sample image in step S105 in FIG. May be. Further, the processing for calculating the setting parameter corresponding to the sample image data extracted in step S105, such as the processing in step S106, may be executed by the photographing apparatus 2.

  For example, after the information management apparatus 3 extracts the sample image data in step S105 of FIG. 4, the information management apparatus 3 transmits the sample image data extracted in step S105 to the imaging apparatus 2 and receives the sample image data. The apparatus 2 may perform the same processing as step S106 based on the photographing condition information associated with the sample image data, and calculate the setting parameter.

  Further, for example, sample image data that cannot be photographed is not excluded from the sample image data extracted in step S104 and is transmitted to the photographing device 2 as sample image data, and the photographing device 2 captures the sample image data from the transmitted sample image data. Possible sample image data may be extracted. The setting parameter corresponding to the sample image data extracted by the image capturing device 2 may be calculated by the image capturing device 2 executing the same process as in step S106, or the sample image data extracted in step S104 is the image capturing device. The information may be calculated by the information management device 3 and transmitted together with the sample image data before being transmitted to 2.

[4] In the above embodiment, in step S105 of FIG. 4, the extraction process of excluding the sample image data that cannot be photographed by the photographing apparatus 2 from the sample image data extracted in step S104 is performed. An extraction process for classifying possible sample image data and non-capable sample image data may be performed. In step S107, sample image data that can be photographed may be transmitted to the photographing apparatus 2, and sample image data that cannot be photographed may be transmitted to the photographing apparatus 2.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a mark 501 representing sample image data determined not to be photographed may be displayed on the display unit 23 together with the sample image determined to be photographable. Note that the display related to the sample image data determined not to be photographed is not limited to the mark 501, and may be a display mode different from the sample image data determined to be photographable.

  FIG. 6 shows a display example when it is determined by the photographing apparatus 2 that the sample image data having the thumbnail image 401d is not photographable. Although the thumbnail image 401d is displayed, a mark 501 indicating that it is determined that photographing is not possible is displayed superimposed on the thumbnail image 401d. If a thumbnail image of sample image data determined not to be photographed is selected, a detailed message indicating the reason why it is determined that photographing is not possible may be displayed on the display unit 23. For example, a message such as “the zoom magnification at the time of shooting is out of the setting range of the shooting device” may be displayed. Instead of displaying the thumbnail image 401d, only the mark 501 indicating that it is determined that photographing is not possible may be displayed. Further, when the photographing apparatus 2 performs the same process as step S106 in FIG. 4, a similar display may be performed.

[5] In the above embodiment, in step S105 of FIG. 4, the image capturing device 2 excludes sample image data that cannot be captured by the image capturing device 2 from the sample image data extracted in step S104. Sample image data that can be taken was extracted. However, for sample image data that cannot be captured by the image capturing device 2, the control unit 30 of the information management device 3 performs image processing so that the image can be captured, and the image capturing conditions corresponding to the image data after image processing are set. The setting parameter may be calculated based on the above. For example, if the weather when the user is about to shoot with the shooting device 2 and the weather when shooting the sample image are different from each other, image processing is performed by matching the white balance of the sample image to the white balance of the current weather. To do.

  Further, the sample image data determined not to be photographed by the photographing apparatus 2 in step S105 may be transmitted to the photographing apparatus 2 as sample image data in step S107 without being excluded. When the sample image data determined not to be photographed by the photographing device 2 is transmitted to the photographing device 2, the sample image data subjected to image processing so as to be photographable may be transmitted, or extracted in step S104. The sampled image data may be transmitted. In addition to the sample image determined to be image-capable, the image capturing device 2 may display the sample image determined to be uncapable of imaging on the display unit 23.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a display screen when a thumbnail image of sample image data determined to be photographable and a thumbnail image of sample image data determined to be uncapable of shooting are displayed on the display unit 23. FIG. 7 shows thumbnail images 401a to 401c of sample image data determined to be photographable by the photographing apparatus 2 in step S105, and thumbnail images 601 of sample image data determined to be uncapable of photographing by the photographing apparatus 2 in step S105. Are displayed on the display unit 23. The thumbnail image 601 corresponds to the thumbnail image 401d in FIG. 5, and among the shooting condition information associated with the sample image data of the thumbnail image 401d, the zoom magnification is out of the setting range of the shooting apparatus 2, so that shooting is possible. In this way, image processing is performed.

  When the user selects a thumbnail image of the sample image data determined not to be photographed, such as the thumbnail image 601, a detailed message indicating that it is determined that photographing is impossible (“the zoom magnification at the time of photographing is It is also possible to set the parameters of the photographing apparatus 2 so that an image similar to the selected thumbnail image can be photographed. Alternatively, the user may be prompted to set parameters of the photographing apparatus 2 so that an image similar to the selected thumbnail image can be photographed. For example, when the zoom magnification is out of the setting range of the photographing apparatus 2, a message such as “Please maximize the zoom magnification” may be displayed.

[6] When the user actually shoots using the thumbnail image selected in step S110 as a sample, the selected thumbnail image and the image data captured through the imaging unit 26 may be stored in the storage unit 22. Good. When sample image data that cannot be captured is selected, such as a sample image on which the mark 501 in FIG. 6 is superimposed, only the thumbnail image corresponding to the mark is stored in the storage unit 22. Good. Alternatively, the image data captured by the imaging unit 26 may be transmitted to the information management device 3 and the control unit 30 of the information management device 3 may determine whether a desired image has been taken. If the control unit 30 determines that an image has not been captured as desired, the control unit 30 may re-transmit the setting parameter that enables the image capturing to the image capturing device 2.

[7] The image database 311 may store not only sample image data of a landscape image taken by a professional photographer but also image data taken in the past by a user or a general person. For image data captured in the past by a user or a general person stored in the image database 311, shooting conditions when the image data is shot are associated with a header portion or the like.

  The embodiments and modifications described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these contents as long as the features of the invention are not impaired. Further, the embodiments and modifications described above may be combined and executed as long as the features of the invention are not impaired.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shooting system 2 Shooting apparatus 3 Information management apparatus 4 Communication network 20 Control part 21 Input part 22 Storage part 23 Display part 24 GPS receiving part 25 Communication part 26 Imaging part 30 Control part 31 Storage part 32 Communication part 311 Image database 312 Photographing Device database

Claims (5)

An imaging system comprising an imaging device and an information management device,
The information management device includes storage means for storing image data associated with photographing information;
Transmission means for transmitting the image data,
The imaging device
A photographing unit that performs a photographing operation based on the setting parameter; a receiving unit that receives the image data;
Selecting means for selecting desired image data from the image data received by the receiving means;
The information management device or the imaging device is
An imaging system comprising: a parameter calculating unit that calculates the setting parameter of the imaging unit so that an image equivalent to the image data selected by the selection unit can be captured using the imaging unit. The imaging system according to claim 1,
The imaging device
Further comprising a transmission means for transmitting ID information of the photographing apparatus to the information management apparatus
The information management device includes:
A receiving unit for receiving the ID information;
A second storage means for storing the ID information received by the receiving unit and imaging apparatus information representing characteristics of the imaging apparatus corresponding to the ID information;
The parameter calculation unit is provided in the information management device, and the imaging device information of the imaging device stored in the second storage unit based on the ID information transmitted by the transmission unit, and the storage unit An imaging system, wherein the setting parameter is calculated based on imaging conditions of stored image data. The imaging system according to claim 1,
The imaging device
Further comprising a through image transmission means for transmitting a through image taken by the photographing means to the information management device;
The parameter calculation means is provided in the information management device, and stores the result of comparing the image data stored in the storage means with the through image transmitted by the through image transmission means, and the storage means. An imaging system, wherein the setting parameter is calculated based on imaging conditions of the image data.   The imaging device used for the imaging system as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3.   The information management apparatus used for the imaging | photography system as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3.

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