JP3925054B2 - Camera device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera device, a recording medium, and a shooting mode setting data creation device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in an electronic still camera, various photographing conditions such as shutter speed and aperture value can be automatically set or manually set according to a photographer's preference. Furthermore, for example, a plurality of shooting modes that automatically set shooting conditions suitable for the type of subject such as portrait, landscape, and night scene are prepared, and the photographer selects the shooting mode in advance, thereby enabling the shutter. Many beginners who do not have specialized knowledge such as speed and aperture value can set more appropriate shooting conditions.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the photographer manually sets the above-described various photographing conditions, it is not always possible to obtain a photographing result that is intended by the photographer. In addition, even when shooting conditions are automatically set using a shooting mode prepared in advance, the shooting conditions are set to the greatest common divisor, so that shooting results can be obtained according to the photographer's preference. There was a problem that it was not always possible.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems, and a camera device, a recording medium, and a shooting mode setting capable of easily setting an appropriate shooting condition for obtaining a shooting result according to a photographer's preference. An object is to provide a data creation device.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is a camera device capable of selectively setting a plurality of shooting modes according to the type of subject, and taking the shot image as image data together with the shooting conditions. Image storage means for recording, control means for controlling the photographing conditions of the apparatus at the time of photographing according to each photographing mode, a plurality of sample images corresponding to the photographing modes, and explanation information for explaining the contents of the photographing conditions in advance A shooting condition storage means for storing the image, a shooting condition of a reduced image of the image stored in the image storage means, a shooting condition corresponding to the reduced image shooting condition, and an image are added to the shooting condition storage means Means for storing; display means for displaying a sample image stored in the photographing condition storage means; explanation information corresponding to the sample image; and the reduced image; and the display means Operation means for sending and displaying the displayed sample image and the reduced image, selection means for selecting the sample image or the reduced image displayed on the display means, and the selection means selected by the selection means And setting means for setting a shooting mode corresponding to the sample image or the reduced image .
[0006]
In such a configuration, when the user requests it, the setting unit sets the same shooting conditions as when the currently displayed image was shot. Therefore, the user can use the image obtained as a result of shooting in the past. While confirming, it is possible to set the same shooting conditions as when shooting the image.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a file having a predetermined format including image data of a photographed image and photographing conditions is stored in the image storage means, and the image storage means is the photographing condition storage means. To function as. In such a configuration, when setting the shooting conditions of the apparatus, an image shot by the same type of apparatus can be used.
[0008]
Further, in the invention of claim 3, wherein the imaging condition storage means stores the sample image image the imaging is reduced, the control means for displaying the sample image on the display means in a predetermined mode And the setting means sets shooting conditions of the apparatus based on shooting conditions corresponding to the sample image in response to a user request in a state where the sample image is displayed on the display means. It was.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the shooting condition storage means stores a reduced image of an image stored in advance in a plurality of sets of the image storage means and shooting conditions corresponding to the reduced image. Has been secured .
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic still camera 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a rear view, FIG. 1 (b) is a plan view, and FIG. 1 (c) is a front view.
[0016]
The electronic still camera 1 has a fixed lens 4 on the front side, a TFT liquid crystal monitor 18 on the back side, and an optical finder 51 and a strobe 19. The electronic still camera 1 has a power switch 52, a shutter key 53, a zoom operation switch 54, an operation mode switching switch 55 for switching between a recording mode (REC mode) and a playback mode (PLAY mode). Various switches such as a liquid crystal monitor switch 56, a flash key 57, a self-timer key 58, and a menu key 59 are provided.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of the electronic still camera 1. The electronic still camera 1 converts an image captured by the CCD 2 as an imaging means into encoded data based on a predetermined standard. The MPU 3 having an image processing function such as the above is mainly configured. An optical image of the subject is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 2 through the fixed lens 4, the focus lens 5, and the diaphragm 6. The focus lens 5 is held by a drive mechanism 7 made of an AF motor or the like, and moves forward and backward on the optical axis when a drive signal output from the AF driver 8 is supplied to the drive mechanism 7 by a control signal from the MPU 3. Perform focusing operation. The diaphragm 6 is driven by a drive signal generated by the diaphragm drive unit 9 based on a control signal from the MPU 3 and adjusts the amount of light of the subject image incident on the CCD 2.
[0018]
The MPU 3 is connected with a TG (Timing Generator) 10 that generates a timing signal, and the V driver 11 (vertical driver) drives the CCD 2 based on the timing signal generated by the TG 10, and the subject is driven by the CCD 2 accordingly. An analog imaging signal corresponding to the luminance of the image is output and sent to the unit circuit 12. The unit circuit 12 includes a CDS that holds an imaging signal output from the CCD 2, a gain adjustment amplifier (AGC) that is an analog amplifier to which the imaging signal is supplied from the CDS, and an imaging signal that is amplified and adjusted by the gain adjustment amplifier. It comprises an A / D converter (AD) that converts it into image data, and the output signal of the CCD 2 is sampled with the black level matched and sent to the MPU 3 as a digital signal. The sent digital signal (imaging signal) is temporarily stored in the DRAM 13 and subjected to various image processing by the MPU 3 and then finally stored as an image file consisting of compressed video signal data. It is stored in a removable flash memory (FLASH) 14 as means.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the format of the image file 100 stored in the flash memory 14. This format is, for example, an image format that conforms to the unified standard DCF (Design rule for Camera File system), and is mainly encoded image data (image data body) and a code / code used when decoding image data. An image data storage area 100a for storing data such as a decoding table; an additional data storage area 100b for storing additional data of the image such as shooting date data such as a shooting date and shutter speed and aperture value; The user data storage area 100c can be freely used by the user. In the present embodiment, when the image file 100 is stored, a reduced image of the image to be recorded is generated, and the generated video signal data of the reduced image is stored in the user data storage area 100c. Further, the video signal data of the main body image and the reduced image stored as the image file 100 is read out to the MPU 3 as necessary, and subjected to processing such as expansion processing, addition of a luminance signal and a color signal, and the like. Generated into a video signal.
[0020]
Further, the MPU 3 is connected to the MROM 15, the power supply circuit 16, the operation key unit 17 including the various switch groups shown in FIG. 1, the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18, and the strobe 19. The MROM 15 is a program ROM in which an operation program for the MPU 3 is recorded. Further, the MROM 9 stores program AE data constituting a program diagram showing a combination of an aperture value (F) corresponding to an appropriate exposure value (EV) at the time of shooting and a shutter speed. The MPU 3 functions as a setting unit and a limiting unit of the present invention by operating according to the operation program using the built-in RAM as a working memory. Further, according to the program diagram, the charge accumulation time of the CCD 2, the degree of opening of the diaphragm 6, the gain setting of the gain adjustment amplifier (AGC) of the unit circuit 12, etc. are performed. The charge accumulation time set by the MPU 3 is supplied as a shutter pulse to the V driver 11 via the TG 10, and the charge accumulation time, that is, the exposure time is controlled by the V driver 11 driving the CCD 2 according to this. That is, the CCD 2 functions as an electronic shutter. The operation program stored in the MROM 9 includes a program related to autofocus control. Based on the program, the MPU 3 drives the focus lens 5 to perform focusing (autofocus).
[0021]
Note that the program data and the like stored in the MROM 15 are recorded on another recording medium such as an IC card that is separately provided, or an IC card that can be detachably attached, as long as the recorded contents can be retained. The program data may be supplied from another device such as a personal computer.
[0022]
The TFT liquid crystal monitor 18 displays sequentially captured images as through images in the recording mode, and displays images based on analog video signals generated from the image data recorded in the flash memory 14 in the reproduction mode. The strobe 19 is driven as necessary to emit auxiliary light when the video capture key is operated (when shooting).
[0023]
Next, in the electronic still camera 1 having the above-described configuration, an example of an operation when the photographer performs shooting after selecting a shooting condition setting mode by setting a shooting condition by a predetermined key operation is illustrated in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0024]
That is, when “setting from playback image” is selected from a menu screen (not shown) displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18 in a state where the shooting condition setting mode is set (YES in step SA1), the playback screen is displayed. The mode is changed to the selection mode, and the image recorded in the flash memory 14 is displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18 (step SA2). Further, at this time, when the screen switching is designated by the photographer's key operation, the images recorded in the flash memory 14 are sequentially reproduced and displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18. At this time, a plurality of the reduced images described above may be displayed simultaneously in response to a photographer's request.
[0025]
In this state, when any image (or reduced image) displayed by the photographer's predetermined key operation is selected (YES in step SA3), the additional data storage area 100b of the image file 100 described above is selected. Then, the photographing condition data acquired when the selected image is photographed is read (step SA4), the photographing condition is set based on the photographing condition data, and the mode shifts to the REC mode to enter the photographing standby state (step). SA5). Thereafter, the photographer presses the shutter key 53 to complete the photographing under the photographing conditions described above (step SA6).
[0026]
That is, the photographer sets the same photographing conditions as when photographing a new image while confirming the image of the photographing result with an image photographed in the past displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18. be able to. Thereby, the photographer can easily set an appropriate photographing condition for obtaining a photographing result according to his / her preference. In this embodiment, the captured image is stored in the above-described image format 100 (see FIG. 3), and the shooting condition data used for setting the shooting condition is inseparably integrated with the image data in the flash memory. 14 shows a case where it is configured to be stored, but the shooting condition data may be stored separately from the image data as long as the correspondence with the image data can be confirmed. However, as in the present embodiment, when both of them are stored in an integral manner in an image file, an image captured by the user or another person using an electronic still camera of the same type as the electronic still camera 1 is captured. This is advantageous in that it can be used for setting.
[0027]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. That is, this embodiment relates to an electronic still camera having the same configuration as that shown in FIGS.
[0028]
That is, in the electronic still camera according to the present embodiment, in addition to the data already described in the first embodiment, the shooting condition data 101 shown in FIGS. The additional information data 102 shown and image data constituting a plurality of sample images 103 as exemplified in FIGS. 7A to 7C are stored. The shooting condition data 101 includes shooting conditions of an electronic still camera that are set in advance corresponding to each of a plurality of scene shooting modes (24 types in the present embodiment) that can be selected when setting a scene selection mode to be described later. The setting data in the present invention shown, more specifically, is composed of the following data as shown in the figure. That is, parameters indicating the control contents of a plurality of control items that can be controlled by the electronic still camera 1 such as focus control, shutter speed, aperture, EV shift amount, sensitivity,..., That is, shooting condition data in the first embodiment. It consists of the same data.
[0029]
The additional information data 102 (FIG. 7) is additional information data stored corresponding to the above-described scene shooting mode together with shooting condition data, and specifically, a scene description such as “photographs a landscape and a person”. , Is composed of three types of comment data, such as advice information such as “The background is clearly blurred when using zoom”, and control explanation such as “macro mode is set and the saturation is set higher”. A plurality of sample images 103 shown in FIG. 8 are images corresponding to each scene shooting mode together with the shooting condition data and the additional information data, and serving as samples of subjects suitable for shooting in each scene shooting mode. 8A shows a sample image corresponding to the scene shooting mode “1” (person and landscape 1), and FIG. 8B corresponds to the scene shooting mode “2” (people and landscape 2). An example of a sample image corresponding to scene shooting mode “3” (up) is shown in FIG.
[0030]
Each of these data is expanded in the predetermined storage area of the above-described DRAM 13 at the start of use of the electronic still camera, and constitutes a single photographing condition data table as a whole, and is transferred to the DRAM 13. In the state, in addition to the 24 types of scene shooting modes described above, five types of scene shooting modes that can be used by the user, that is, use areas with shooting mode numbers “25” to “29” are secured. ing.
[0031]
Next, in the present embodiment configured as described above, a procedure when the user sets (registers) a new scene shooting mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, when the shooting condition preset mode is set by a predetermined key operation by the user (YES in step SB1), the mode is shifted to the preset selection screen selection mode, and the image recorded in the flash memory 14 is transferred to the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18. Display (step SB2). Further, at this time, when the screen switching is designated by the photographer's key operation, the images recorded in the flash memory 14 are sequentially reproduced and displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18. At this time, a plurality of the reduced images described above may be displayed simultaneously in response to a photographer's request.
[0032]
In this state, when any one of the displayed images (or reduced images) is selected by a predetermined key operation of the photographer (YES in step SB3), the additional data storage area 100b of the image file 100 described above is selected. Then, the shooting condition data acquired when the selected image is shot is read, and the shooting condition data of the shooting mode numbers “25” to “29” in the above-described shooting condition data table is still stored. Store in a use area that is not stored (step SB4). Further, the selected image is converted into a size to be displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18, and the converted reduced image or the reduced image read out from the image file 100 is stored in the DRAM 13 as a sample image as it is as configuration data of the photographing condition data table. (Step SB5). Thereafter, the preset operation of the image is completed by a predetermined key operation by the photographer, and the setting (registration) of a new scene shooting mode is finished (step SB6).
[0033]
In the above description, the shooting condition data and the sample image obtained from the image file 100 are stored in the DRAM 13, but for example, five types of scene shooting modes (shooting mode number “25”) that can be used by the user are used. To "29") may be set in a predetermined area of the flash memory 14, and shooting condition data and a sample image may be stored in the predetermined area. In that case, by attaching the flash memory 14 to another electronic still camera of the same type as the present embodiment, it is possible to use a new scene shooting mode set (registered) by the above-described scene shooting mode setting operation. It becomes.
[0034]
On the other hand, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation when the mode selection is designated by the operation of the menu key 59 described above after the scene shooting mode setting operation is performed.
[0035]
In other words, in the electronic still camera of the present embodiment, when the shooting mode setting mode is selected, first, the mode selection screen 201 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18 (step SC1). . The mode selection screen 201 includes three shooting modes “normal (full auto)”, “portrait”, “landscape”, and “night view” similar to those described in the prior art for the photographer, and the above-described shooting condition data table. This is a screen for selecting either the scene select mode for specifying the shooting mode using, or the predetermined function setting mode, and displaying these selection candidates and displaying this screen The explanation of the keys assigned to the predetermined operation is simultaneously displayed.
[0036]
Next, it is determined whether or not the scene select mode has been selected (step SC2). If the scene select mode is not selected (NO in step SC2), the process returns to step SC1 and if another mode is selected, the operation proceeds to that mode. On the other hand, when the scene select mode is selected, the display on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18 is switched to the scene select selection screen 202 shown in FIG. 12 (step SC3).
[0037]
On the scene selection selection screen 202 displayed here, the scene number “1” in the shooting mode, the sample image 103 corresponding to this, the additional information, that is, the description of the scene (“Landscape and people are photographed”), and advice information ("Frame is displayed"). In addition, when displaying the sample image 103 of the scene number in which the corresponding control description exists, the control description is also displayed. The description of the keys assigned to the predetermined operation is also continuously displayed on the scene select selection screen 202. Thereafter, in response to the operation of the selection button (in this embodiment, [+] and [−] of the zoom button 54), the scene number “1”, the sample image 103, and the additional information constituting the scene selection selection screen 202 are displayed. Are changed in ascending order or descending order in the order of the scene numbers, that is, feed display is performed (step SC4). During this time, the sample image (reduced image) set by the above-described scene shooting mode setting operation is also displayed.
[0038]
On the other hand, if one of the sample images 103 is displayed in the meantime, that is, if one of the shooting modes is selected and the shutter key 53 (decision key) is pressed (YES in step SC5), the electronic The shooting conditions at the time of shooting with the still camera are set based on the parameters set according to the scene number corresponding to the selected sample image 103, and the mode is shifted to the REC mode to display a through image on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18. (Step SC6), a shooting standby state is entered.
[0039]
That is, when the photographer selects the sample image 103 corresponding to the subject to be photographed, photographing conditions suitable for photographing the subject are automatically set. Thereby, the photographer can easily obtain the photographing result according to his / her preference.
[0040]
The display state of the through image 301 described above is maintained until the shutter key 53 is pressed (NO in step SC7), and if the shutter key 53 is pressed during that time (YES in step SC7), the above-described step SC6 is performed. In addition to performing imaging under the imaging conditions set in step 1, the captured image is recorded (step SC8). Thereafter, until the scene select mode is canceled (NO in step SC9), the above-described operations after step S4 are repeated. When the scene select mode is canceled, the process returns to step S1 and the above-described processing is repeated.
[0041]
Here, in the present embodiment, in the above-described scene shooting mode setting operation, a new shooting condition set using an image (image file 100) shot by the user in the past is deleted. It can be used even later. In addition, the user can respond to his / her preference while referring to the sample image 103 (sample images with the shooting mode numbers “1” to “24” in the present embodiment) in the existing shooting conditions prepared in advance. New shooting conditions can be set. Therefore, as compared with the first embodiment described above, the use environment is better when the photographer sets appropriate shooting conditions for obtaining shooting results according to his / her preference and uses them.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the case where data of existing photographing conditions prepared in advance is stored in the MROM 15 has been described. However, for example, from another device such as a personal computer or via communication means using the Internet or the like. It may be configured to be supplied from another device.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, the user can set the same shooting conditions as when shooting the image while checking the image of the shooting result with the image shot in the past. Therefore, the user (photographer) can easily set an appropriate photographing condition for obtaining a photographing result according to his / her preference.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of an electronic still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of the electronic still camera.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a format of image data stored in a flash memory.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electronic still camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing photographing condition data recorded in a program ROM according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram continuing from the bottom of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing additional information data recorded in the program ROM.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sample image recorded in the program ROM.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation for registering shooting condition data.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electronic still camera at the time of shooting using the scene select mode.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a mode selection screen.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a scene select selection screen and its change.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Electronic still camera 2 CCD
3 MPU
13 DRAM
14 Flash memory 15 MROM
101 shooting condition data 102 additional information data 103 sample image 104 selection history table 202 scene selection selection screen 204 frame image 301 through image

Claims (4)

A camera device capable of selectively setting a plurality of shooting modes according to the type of subject,
  Image storage means for recording captured images as image data together with shooting conditions;
  Control means for controlling the shooting conditions of the apparatus at the time of shooting according to each shooting mode;
  Shooting condition storage means for storing in advance a plurality of sample images corresponding to the shooting mode and explanation information explaining the contents of the shooting conditions;
  Means for additionally storing a reduced image of the image stored in the image storage means and a shooting condition corresponding to the reduced image in the shooting condition storage means;
  Display means for displaying a sample image stored in the photographing condition storage means, explanation information corresponding to the sample image, and the reduced image;
  Operation means for sending and displaying the sample image and the reduced image displayed on the display means;
  Selecting means for selecting the sample image or the reduced image displayed on the display means;
  Setting means for setting a shooting mode corresponding to the sample image or the reduced image selected by the selection means;
  A camera device comprising:   2. The file having a predetermined format including image data of a photographed image and photographing conditions is stored in the image storage means, and the image storage means functions as the photographing condition storage means. Camera equipment. Together with the imaging condition storage means comprises the control means for storing and displaying sample image image the imaging is reduced, the sample image at a predetermined mode on the display unit, the setting means, wherein the sample images 2. The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing condition of the apparatus is set based on a photographing condition corresponding to the sample image in response to a user request in a state displayed on the display means. The area for storing reduced images of images stored in a plurality of sets of the image storage means and shooting conditions corresponding to the reduced images is secured in the shooting condition storage unit. 1. The camera device according to 1.

Images