JP3315111B2 - Electronic camera and electronic camera system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to an electronic camera and an electronic camera system, and more particularly, to a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer).
And an electronic camera system capable of taking information written by the camera into a camera using a removable recording medium.

[0002]

[Prior art]

When the date, serial number, English characters, etc. are superimposed and recorded on the recorded image information, that is,
Conventionally, data is input into the camera body by providing the data output unit on the back cover of the camera body or by attaching a separate data setting unit to the outside. Further, when setting the shooting conditions, for example, when the conditions need to be set based on different program processing for each shooting target such as portrait shooting, close-up shooting, or shooting of a high-speed subject, In recent cameras, for example, for automatic setting of shooting conditions, the shooting condition is determined based on the program by loading an IC memory card into which the above program is input into the camera body and loading the program data into the camera unit. Are commercially available.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the above-described conventional camera capable of imprinting a character or the like on a captured image, the character is displayed based on dot information obtained by turning on an LED. Therefore, the type of the character is limited to a number or an alphabetic character due to the capacity of the internal / external ROM. However, at the time of imprinting, for example, as shown in the imprinted image 41 in FIG. 5, there is a request to display the shooting location and the like in kanji. However, in the case of Kanji, 16 dots x 24 dots per character or
It is necessary to display 4 to 5 Chinese characters in a configuration of 24 dots × 24 dots or the like, which requires an extremely large storage capacity. Therefore, there is a problem that the external shape becomes large even if it is external as well as internal. Further, since the type of the kanji to be selected requires at least about 2,000 characters, it is extremely difficult to incorporate or externally provide the selecting means.

On the other hand, in the above-described conventional camera, in which setting of photographing conditions using an IC card is required, first, it is necessary to replace the IC card for each type of photographing target, which is very convenient. It was bad. Further, when the user wants to change the above program or when a program for setting special shooting conditions for personal use is required, it is necessary to rewrite or write the program in the IC card. However, rewriting and writing of the memory of the IC card requires a specialized device such as a memory writer, which is impossible for ordinary users, and cannot meet the demand.

[0005] Note that the setting of a shooting condition setting program selected for each type of each shooting target described above will be specifically described.
For example, suppose that one condition for a certain shooting target is an aperture of 5.6 shutter speed 1/125 seconds,
Is changed according to a predetermined program, such as changing the amount of incident light and setting the shutter speed to 1/60 second depending on the object to be photographed.

An object of the present invention is to enable a display means of a personal computer to confirm the contents of setting data before transmission to an electronic camera, and to store setting data held in the electronic camera after transmission to the electronic camera. Can be confirmed by the display means of the personal computer, the usability is good, and the exposure setting data from the personal computer is taken into the electronic camera by the communication means, and photographing is performed based on the data. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera system and an electronic camera that can enhance the functions of an electronic camera and allow a general user to easily input shooting conditions for exposure.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

An electronic camera system according to the present invention is an electronic camera system in which an electronic camera and a personal computer are communicably connected, wherein the personal computer transmits setting data for setting photographing conditions related to exposure of the electronic camera. A first communication unit for transmitting to the electronic camera; and a display unit for confirming the contents of the setting data to be transmitted to the electronic camera.
Second communication means for receiving the setting data transmitted from the personal computer; data holding means capable of writing the setting data received by the second communication means; A setting unit configured to perform a setting operation for a corresponding function unit relating to exposure based on the setting data; and a recording unit configured to record a captured image on a recording medium, and written to the data holding unit via the communication unit. The setting data thus obtained is transmitted to the personal computer, and the contents of the setting data are displayed on the display means.

The electronic camera according to the present invention is configured such that communication means for receiving setting data for setting an image capturing condition relating to exposure transmitted from a personal computer, and the setting data received by the communication means can be written. Data holding means, setting means for performing a setting operation for a corresponding function unit related to exposure based on the setting data written in the data holding means, and recording means for recording a captured image on a recording medium. Wherein the communication means is configured to transmit the setting data to the personal computer in order to display the contents of the setting data written in the data holding means on a display means of the personal computer. I do.

[0009]

【Example】

FIG. 1 shows a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
It is a block diagram of a system by a personal computer. This system comprises a personal computer unit 8 and a camera unit 18.

The personal computer unit 8 transmits or receives information related to photographing to the camera unit 18 via a communication interface. Then, a CPU 1, which is a control unit thereof, an input device 2 composed of a keyboard, a display device 3 composed of a CRT, kanji dot data for image superimposition recording or setting information relating to imprinting pattern data such as figures and photographing, for example, A storage device 5 that stores information for photographing, such as program data, which is selected for each photographing object and determines the photographing conditions; a floppy disk drive 4 for storing and reproducing software for operating a personal computer; And an RS-232C communication interface 6. On the other hand, the camera unit 18 includes an RS-232C communication interface 17 for transmitting and receiving a communication signal to and from the communication interface 6 via the cable 7, and two memories 10 a and 10 b for storing data from the interface 17. A system controller 10 that incorporates an output changeover switch 10c of the memory and controls the entire camera, and an imaging unit 11 including an imaging element and an imaging circuit,
An A / D conversion circuit 12 for digitally converting the photographing signal;
Further, a signal processing circuit 13 for superimposing the pattern data on the digitized image signal, an image memory 14 for storing the processed signal as an image signal, and a shutter device 15
And an aperture device 16.

The shutter device 15 and the aperture device 16 are provided in the memory 10
The respective shutter speeds or aperture values are set on the basis of the photographing condition setting programs loaded in the a and 10b based on the programs switched by the changeover switch 10c. The signal processing circuit 13 and the image memory 14 are superimposition recording means for superimposing the storage data pattern of the memory 10a or 10b on the image data which is the image information to be recorded, and the shutter device 15 and the aperture device 16 Is a functional unit that functions based on the setting data. Then, the system controller 10 functions as a photographing condition setting unit that performs a setting operation for the functional unit. The memories 10a and 10b are holding means for storing and holding the pattern data as communication information or the setting information. The number of the memories may be any number. Output changeover switch 10c for the memories 10a and 10b
Supplies the data or setting information in the memories 10a and 10b of the input holding means selectively to the recording means or the photographing condition setting means.

The operation of the present system configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The camera section 18 is connected to the personal computer section 8 by the cable 7, and an information transfer routine is started. First, in step S1, the software of the floppy disk inserted in the floppy disk drive 4 of the personal computer 8 is started. Then, pattern data such as kanji to be copied, a portrait, a type of a shooting target such as a high-speed subject, and the like are input from the input device 2,
The information is temporarily stored in the storage device 5 (step S2).

Subsequently, the CPU 1 receives a communication execution instruction from the input device 2, and transmits pattern data based on data in the storage device 5 or data of a shooting condition setting program to the camera unit 18 via the communication interface 6. Send to interface 17. The data is written into the memories 10a and 10b (step S3). When the processing is performed up to this step, the personal computer 8 can be disconnected from the camera 18, and the camera 18 can take a picture alone.

Then, the process proceeds to step S4, and the process proceeds to step S5 by an ON operation of a release button (not shown) of the camera unit 18. Therefore, the set values of the shutter speed and the aperture are calculated by the system controller 10 based on the shooting condition setting program. Then, in step S6, the aperture operation of the aperture device 16 and the opening and closing of the shutter by the shutter device 15 are executed based on the above set values. Further, in step S7, pattern data such as kanji is output to the signal processing circuit 13 for superimposition on an image. Then, in step S8, the photographed image data on which the pattern data is superimposed is written to the image memory 14. Subsequently, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the shooting has been completed.

At the time of inputting the data in step S2, the input photographing information, that is, the photographing condition setting program data and the pattern data are displayed on the display device 3, and after confirming the input data, Is executed, data input with few errors can be performed.
Further, the respective photographing information recorded in the memories 10a and 10b can be transferred to the personal computer 8 via the communication interface 17, so that the data can be confirmed. Further, since the present embodiment has the memory changeover switch 10c, many types of transfer data can be read into the memory, and can be appropriately selected and used. In addition, there is no need to carry around a large number of setting program IC cards at the time of photographing, unlike the conventional IC card type camera, and it is not necessary to arrange expensive IC cards.

Further, the personal computer section 8 is a so-called generally available personal computer, and it is a great merit that any user can use this system. In addition, the personal computer 8 can be replaced by the electronic notebook or the like on the market in recent years, if the electronic notebook and the like can communicate with the camera unit 18.

Next, as an example related to the present invention, a system in which photographing information is taken into a camera using an IC card which is a solid-state memory card will be described with reference to the block configuration diagrams of FIGS. The photographing information is recorded (burned) in a manner superimposed on the recorded image, that is, pattern data for imprinting, and program information for setting photographing conditions by various photographing targets, which is setting information relating to photographing. And so on.

This system comprises a personal computer unit 8 and a card reader / writer 24
And a camera unit 40, and an IC card 23 for storing shooting information. The personal computer 8 is the same as that of the embodiment. The card reader / writer 24 is controlled by the CPU 20 and has a memory section of the IC card 23.
It incorporates a memory interface 22 for writing or reading the above-mentioned photographing information to / from 23a, and a communication interface 21 by RS-232C. The camera section 40 is a silver halide camera. Then, the IC card 23 in which the photographing information is stored is inserted into a predetermined connector portion, the photographing information is taken in, and the photographing and the printing of the pattern data on the film, that is, the imprinting are performed based on the information. is there. The camera section 40 has a built-in CPU 30 for controlling the entire camera, and the CPU 30 controls an AF (autofocus) device 32 to drive a focusing lens (not shown) by an AF actuator 31.
Drive through. The photometric sensor 33 supplies photometric data to the CPU 30.

The aperture device 34 and the shutter 35 are set according to values calculated by a shooting condition setting program in shooting information stored in the IC card 23. And release button
The shutter is operated in connection with the ON operation of 37. The light emission of the strobe device 36 is also controlled based on the input information of the photometric sensor 33 or the result calculated by the setting program. The on / off state of the printing LED 38 composed of a large number of LED groups is controlled by pattern data such as kanji and graphics for printing stored in the IC card 23. And that
The lighting pattern of the LED 38 is burned on the film 39.

The operation of the present system configured as described above will be described. First, the photographing information is written into the IC card 23 by transmitting the photographing information by the personal computer 8 through the communication interface 6 in the same manner as in FIG.
Of the IC card 23 via the CPU 20 and written into the memory unit 23a of the IC card 23. The reader / writer 24 is an IC
It is also possible to read the stored data of the card 23 and transfer it to the personal computer 8 side, so that the stored contents of the IC card 23 can be confirmed.

On the other hand, in the photographing operation of the camera 40, first, an IC card in which photographing information is recorded is attached to the camera 40, and when the release button 37 is operated, the IC card is stored in the IC card in relation to the operation. The shooting condition setting program is called, and the shutter speed and the aperture value are determined. Subsequently, an aperture operation and a shutter opening / closing operation are performed. And IC card
23, ie, characters and
A figure or the like is output to the imprinting LED 38 and is printed on the film 39 by being superimposed on the pattern image of the kanji or the like, that is, so-called imprinting is performed. Then, the film is wound up, and one photographing sequence ends. Subsequently, when there is no instruction to end the photographing, the camera enters the release operation waiting state again.

As described above, according to the system of the present embodiment, the user can freely write the data on the IC card on which various shooting information is recorded by using the personal computer unit 8. Therefore, the user can also create and use personalized photographing information. Also, unlike the conventional example, it is not necessary to prepare a large number of IC cards 23 according to the purpose, and it is also possible to rewrite and use a small number of IC cards 23 as necessary.

The present invention can be applied to various electronic control cameras such as an electronic still camera using a photographing element, a camcorder, and a camera using a silver halide film. Although the setting information relating to shooting in the above-described embodiment refers to only the aperture and the shutter speed, other shooting conditions, such as setting of flash emission conditions and control of shutter operation timing of interval shooting, are related to shooting. Can be applied to all settings.

[0024]

【The invention's effect】

As described above, according to the present invention, the contents of the setting data can be confirmed by the display means of the personal computer before transmission to the electronic camera, and the setting data is held in the electronic camera after transmission to the electronic camera. The contents of the setting data can be confirmed by the display means of the personal computer, and the usability is good. For example, the contents of the setting data transmitted to the electronic camera can be confirmed by a personal computer before photographing or the like.

[0025] Furthermore, the exposure setting data from the personal computer is taken into the electronic camera by the communication means, and the photographing is performed based on the data. There is no need to prepare a plurality of dedicated IC cards, and the functions of the electronic camera can be enhanced via communication means. Furthermore, since a personal computer is used, a general user can easily perform an input operation on shooting conditions for exposure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of a camera and personal computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a personal computer and an IC card reader / writer in a camera and personal computer system showing an example related to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a camera in a system of a personal computer and the camera of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a data transfer operation and a photographing operation of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image when a kanji or the like is superimposed on a captured image and is printed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 30 CPU 13 Signal processing circuit 14 Image memory 17 Communication interface 10a, 10b Memory 10c Memory switch 8 Personal computer 18, 40 Camera

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-2-309875 (JP, A) JP-A-62-66240 (JP, A) JP-A-63-163439 (JP, A) JP-A-1-151188 (JP, A) , A) Patent 3257672 (JP, B2)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An electronic camera system in which an electronic camera and a personal computer are communicably connected to each other, wherein the personal computer transmits setting data for setting photographing conditions relating to exposure of the electronic camera to the electronic camera. And a display unit for confirming the contents of the setting data to be transmitted to the electronic camera. The electronic camera is configured to receive the setting data transmitted from the personal computer. 2 communication means, a data holding means capable of writing the setting data received by the second communication means, and a setting for a corresponding function unit relating to exposure based on the setting data written in the data holding means. Setting means for performing an operation, and recording means for recording a photographed image on a recording medium, wherein the communication means Electronic camera system, characterized in that the setting data written in the data holding means and transmitted to the personal computer, displays the contents of the setting data to the display means via the. 2. Communication means for receiving setting data transmitted from a personal computer for setting photographing conditions relating to exposure, data holding means capable of writing the setting data received by the communication means, and the data A setting unit configured to perform a setting operation for a corresponding function unit related to exposure based on the setting data written in the holding unit; and a recording unit configured to record a captured image on a recording medium. An electronic camera configured to transmit the setting data to the personal computer so that the contents of the setting data written in the data holding unit are displayed on the display unit of the personal computer.