JP4259339B2 - Imaging apparatus, imaging condition setting method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera (electronic still camera), and more particularly to an image pickup apparatus suitable for manually setting shooting conditions such as an aperture and a shutter speed according to a shooting scene, and the image pickup apparatus. The present invention relates to a shooting condition setting method and a program used in the above.

  For example, in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, the user can arbitrarily set shooting conditions such as an aperture and a shutter speed by manual operation, and shooting can be performed under the set shooting conditions.

Conventionally, as a method for setting various setting items related to shooting, for example, a slide bar is displayed on the screen, and the setting value for each setting item is adjusted on the slide bar by rotating and pressing the jog dial. There is a known method (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-75712 A

  As described above, conventionally, as a method of setting various setting items related to shooting, a method of inputting specific numerical values using a slide bar or the like is known. However, it is very difficult for a user who does not have specialized knowledge about shooting to input numerical values such as an aperture and a shutter speed accurately according to the shooting scene, and it is not easy for anyone to set.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus, a shooting condition setting method, and a program that enable anyone to easily set shooting conditions such as an aperture and a shutter speed according to various scenes. And

  The imaging apparatus according to the present invention displays a storage unit that stores a sample image of each scene and setting values of shooting conditions for each scene, and a setting screen that represents a numerical range that can be set as shooting conditions in a specific display form. A display means for displaying a sample image at a position corresponding to the setting value of each scene stored in the storage means in the setting screen, and an arbitrary position on the setting screen displayed on the display means are designated. And a shooting condition setting unit that sets shooting conditions based on the position specified by the position specifying unit.

  According to such a configuration, the sample image is displayed at a position corresponding to the setting value of the shooting condition of each scene prepared in advance on the setting screen for setting the shooting condition. Therefore, it is possible to easily set an intended photographing condition with reference to these sample images.

  In the imaging device having the above-described configuration, the imaging device includes at least two setting items as the shooting conditions, and the display unit displays a setting screen that represents a numerical range for each setting item on a multidimensional coordinate axis. It is characterized by displaying.

  According to such a configuration, a numerical range of at least two setting items such as an aperture and a shutter speed is displayed on a multidimensional coordinate axis. Thereby, a plurality of setting items can be set on the same screen.

  According to the present invention, in the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, a preview image is displayed on the setting screen in the case of shooting under shooting conditions corresponding to the specified position in conjunction with the operation of the specified position by the position specifying unit. It further comprises display control means.

  According to such a configuration, when an arbitrary position is specified on the setting screen, a preview image is displayed when shooting is performed under shooting conditions corresponding to the specified position. Can be confirmed in advance.

  In the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display control unit enlarges and displays the preview image in a specific area provided on the setting screen.

  According to such a configuration, when an arbitrary position is designated on the setting screen, a preview image when photographing under photographing conditions corresponding to the designated position is enlarged and displayed in a specific area. It is possible to confirm in advance in an area different from the setting area for the shooting conditions how the image is shot.

  An imaging apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to store, for each scene, a sample image of the scene and setting values of shooting conditions, and a setting that represents a numerical range that can be set as shooting conditions in a specific display form Display means for displaying a screen, position specifying means for designating an arbitrary position on the setting screen displayed on the display means, and a sample having a setting value of an imaging condition corresponding to the position designated by the position designating means It comprises display control means for reading an image from the storage means and displaying it on the setting screen, and photographing condition setting means for setting photographing conditions based on the designated position on the setting screen.

  According to such a configuration, when an arbitrary position is designated on the setting screen for setting the photographing condition, the sample image having the photographing condition setting value corresponding to the designated position is displayed. The intended shooting conditions can be easily set with reference to this sample image.

  In the imaging device having the above-described configuration, the imaging device includes at least two setting items as the shooting conditions, and the display unit displays a setting screen that represents a numerical range for each setting item on a multidimensional coordinate axis. It is characterized by displaying.

  According to such a configuration, a numerical range of at least two setting items such as an aperture and a shutter speed is displayed on a multidimensional coordinate axis. Thereby, a plurality of setting items can be set on the same screen.

  In the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display control unit displays the sample image in an enlarged manner in a specific area provided on the setting screen.

  According to such a configuration, when an arbitrary position is designated on the setting screen, the sample corresponding to the designated position can be confirmed in an enlarged state in an area different from the setting area for the imaging conditions.

  Further, in the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display control unit is configured to display a preview image when the shooting is performed under shooting conditions corresponding to the specified position in conjunction with the operation of the specified position by the position specifying unit. It is displayed on a setting screen.

  According to such a configuration, when an arbitrary position is specified on the setting screen, a preview image is displayed when shooting is performed under shooting conditions corresponding to the specified position. Can be confirmed in advance.

  In the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display control unit enlarges and displays the preview image in a specific area provided on the setting screen.

  According to such a configuration, when an arbitrary position is designated on the setting screen, a preview image when photographing under photographing conditions corresponding to the designated position is enlarged and displayed in a specific area. It is possible to confirm in advance in an area different from the setting area for the shooting conditions how the image is shot.

  Furthermore, the shooting condition setting method of the present invention is a shooting condition setting method used for an imaging apparatus having a memory storing a sample image of each scene and setting values of shooting conditions for each scene, and can be set as shooting conditions. Displaying a setting screen showing a specific numerical range in a specific display form, displaying a sample image at a position corresponding to the setting value of each scene stored in the memory in the setting screen, and the setting The method includes a step of designating an arbitrary position on the screen and a step of setting photographing conditions based on the designated position.

  A shooting condition setting method according to another aspect of the present invention is a shooting condition setting method used for an imaging apparatus having a memory storing a sample image of a scene and a setting value of the shooting condition for each scene, and is set as the shooting condition. A step of displaying a setting screen representing a possible numerical range in a specific display form, a step of designating an arbitrary position on the setting screen, and a sample having a setting value of an imaging condition corresponding to the designated position A step of reading an image from the memory and displaying the image on the setting screen; and a step of setting an imaging condition based on the designated position on the setting screen.

  Furthermore, the program of the present invention is a shooting condition setting program executed by a computer mounted on an imaging apparatus having a memory storing a sample image of each scene and setting values of shooting conditions for each scene, The computer displays a setting screen showing a numerical range that can be set as shooting conditions in a specific display form, and samples the setting screen at a position corresponding to the setting value of each scene stored in the memory. A function of displaying an image, a function of specifying an arbitrary position on the setting screen, and a function of setting shooting conditions based on the specified position are realized.

  The program according to another aspect of the present invention is a shooting condition setting program executed by a computer mounted on an imaging apparatus having a memory storing a sample image of each scene and setting values of shooting conditions for each scene. A function for displaying a setting screen showing a numerical range that can be set as a shooting condition in a specific display form on the computer, a function for designating an arbitrary position on the setting screen, and the designated position. Realizing a function of reading a sample image having a setting value of a corresponding shooting condition from the memory and displaying the sample image on the setting screen, and a function of setting the shooting condition based on the designated position on the setting screen. Features.

  According to the present invention, a sample image of each scene prepared in advance on a setting screen for setting shooting conditions such as an aperture and a shutter speed is displayed at a position corresponding to the setting value of the shooting conditions. Thus, anyone can easily set the intended shooting conditions on the setting screen with reference to these sample images.

  In addition to the sample image, by displaying a preview image when shooting under the shooting conditions corresponding to the specified position on the setting screen, it is possible to confirm in advance how the current settings will be shot. be able to. As a result, even without specialized knowledge, it is possible to perform shooting while accurately setting shooting conditions so that an intended shot image can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an external configuration when a digital camera is taken as an example of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is mainly a front view, and FIG. 1 (b) is mainly. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a back surface.

  The digital camera 1 includes a photographing lens 2, a self-timer lamp 3, an optical viewfinder window 4, a microphone unit 5, a strobe light emitting unit 6, and a rubber grip 7 on the front surface of a substantially rectangular thin plate body. A power key 8 and a shutter key 9 are arranged on the right end side (for the user).

  The rubber grip 7 is made of rubber so that the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger of the right hand can securely hold the housing when the user grips the digital camera 1 from the right side of the housing with the right hand at the time of shooting. It is a band-like projection.

  The power key 8 is a key for operating each time the power is turned on / off. The shutter key 9 is a key for instructing photographing timing.

  In addition, a mode switch (SW) 10, a speaker unit 11, a menu key 12, a cross key 13, a set key 14, an optical viewfinder 15, a strobe charge lamp 16, and a display unit 17 are provided on the back of the digital camera 1. In addition, a shooting condition setting key 18 is provided as an operation key related to the present invention.

  The mode switch 10 is constituted by, for example, a slide key switch, and is for switching between a recording mode “R” and a reproduction mode “P” which are basic modes. The recording mode “R” includes a still image mode “R1” and a moving image mode “R2”. The still image mode “R1” is a mode for shooting a still image, and the moving image mode “R2” is a mode for shooting a moving image.

  The shutter key 9 is commonly used for these modes “R1” and “R2”. That is, in the still image mode “R1”, a still image is taken at the timing when the shutter key 9 is pressed. In the moving image mode “R2”, shooting of a moving image starts at the timing when the shutter key 9 is pressed, and shooting of the moving image ends when the shutter key 9 is pressed again.

  The menu key 12 is operated when selecting various menu items. The cross key 13 is integrally formed with keys for moving the cursor in the up, down, left, and right directions, and is operated when moving a displayed menu item or the like. The set key 14 is disposed at the center position of the cross key 13 and is operated to set the contents of the menu item selected at that time.

  The strobe charge lamp 16 is an LED lamp disposed in the vicinity of the optical viewfinder 15, which is either when the user of the digital camera 1 is looking into the optical viewfinder 15 or looking at the display unit 17. However, the user can visually recognize the charge state of the strobe.

  The display unit 17 is composed of a color liquid crystal panel with a backlight, and displays a through image on the monitor as an electronic viewfinder during shooting, while displaying an image selected as a playback target during playback.

  The shooting condition setting key 18 is an operation key for setting shooting conditions such as a shutter speed and an aperture value at the time of shooting. At the time of shooting, the shooting condition setting screen 51 (FIG. 3) to be described later is displayed on the display unit 17 by pressing the shooting condition setting key 18, and the shooting conditions can be arbitrarily set on the shooting condition setting screen 51. it can.

  Although not shown, the digital camera 1 has a memory card slot for attaching / detaching a memory card used as a recording medium, a serial interface connector for connecting to an external personal computer, etc., for example, USB (Universal). (Serial Bus) connector and the like are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit configuration of the digital camera 1.

  In this digital camera 1, a lens optical system 22 constituting the photographing lens 2 is provided so as to be movable within a predetermined range in the optical axis direction by driving a motor 21, and an image sensor is provided behind the optical axis. A CCD 23 is provided. The CCD 23 receives light passing through the photographing lens 2 and acquires image data corresponding to the amount of received light.

  In the recording mode, which is the basic mode, the CCD 23 is scanned and driven by a timing generator (TG) 24 and a vertical driver 25, and outputs a photoelectric conversion output corresponding to a light image formed at fixed intervals for one screen.

  The photoelectric conversion output of the CCD 23 is appropriately gain-adjusted for each primary color component of RGB in the state of an analog value signal, sampled and held by the sample hold circuit 26, and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 27. The In the color process circuit 28, color process processing including pixel interpolation processing and γ correction processing is performed to generate digital luminance signals Y and color difference signals Cb, Cr, which are sent to a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller 29. Is output.

  The DMA controller 29 once uses the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cb and Cr output from the color process circuit 28 by using the composite synchronization signal, memory write enable signal, and clock signal from the color process circuit 28 once. And the DMA transfer to the DRAM 31 used as the buffer memory via the DRAM interface (I / F) 30.

  The control unit 32 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM that stores an operation program executed by the CPU, and a RAM that is used as a work memory. The control unit 32 controls the entire digital camera 1. After the DMA transfer of the luminance and chrominance signals to the DRAM 31 is completed, the luminance and chrominance signals are read from the DRAM 31 via the DRAM interface 30 and the VRAM controller 33 is read. To the VRAM 34.

  The digital video encoder 35 periodically reads out the luminance and color difference signals from the VRAM 34 via the VRAM controller 33, generates a video signal based on these data, and outputs the video signal to the display unit 17.

  The display unit 17 functions as a monitor display unit (electronic finder) at the time of shooting as described above. By performing display based on the video signal from the digital video encoder 35, the display unit 17 captures from the VRAM controller 33 at that time. An image based on the image information is displayed in real time.

  As described above, when the shutter key 9 is pressed at a timing when it is desired to take a still image while the image at that time is displayed in real time on the display unit 17 as a monitor image, a trigger signal is generated.

  In response to the trigger signal, the control unit 32 immediately stops the path from the CCD 23 to the DRAM 31 immediately after the DMA transfer of the luminance and color difference signals for one screen captured from the CCD 23 to the DRAM 31 is completed. , Transition to the record storage state.

  In this record storage state, the control unit 32 outputs the luminance and color difference signals for one frame written in the DRAM 31 through the DRAM interface 30 for each of Y, Cb, and Cr components of 8 pixels × 8 pixels horizontally. Are written in a JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) processing block existing inside the image processing unit 37, and this image processing unit 37 uses ADCT (Adaptive Discrete Cosine Transform: Adaptive Discrete Cosine). Conversion), and data compression by processing such as Huffman coding, which is an entropy coding method.

  The obtained code data is read out from the image processing unit 37 as a data file of one image and written in the memory 38 for recording. The memory 38 includes, in addition to a memory built in the main body in advance, a memory card that is detachably mounted as a recording medium. With the compression processing of the luminance and color difference signals for one frame and the completion of writing all the compressed data to the memory 38, the control unit 32 activates the path from the CCD 23 to the DRAM 31 again.

  Further, a USB interface (I / F) 39 and a strobe driving unit 40 are further connected to the control unit 32.

  The USB interface 39 performs communication control when image data and other information is transmitted / received to / from another information terminal device such as a personal computer connected by wire via a USB connector. The strobe driving unit 40 charges a large-capacitance capacitor for strobe (not shown) at the time of shooting, and then drives the strobe light emitting unit 6 to flash based on control from the control unit 32.

  The key input unit 36 includes the power key 8, the mode switch 10, the menu key 12, the cross key 13, the set key 14 and the shooting condition setting key 18 in addition to the shutter key 9 described above. A signal accompanying the key operation is directly sent to the control unit 32.

  In addition, when shooting a moving image instead of a still image, a moving picture processing group (MPEG) or motion is a moving image processing block existing inside the image processing unit 37 described above when the shutter key 9 is pressed. -Compress the captured moving image data using a technique such as JPEG, and record the captured moving image data in the memory 38. Then, when the shutter key 9 is operated again, the recording of the moving image data is finished.

  On the other hand, in the playback mode which is the basic mode, the control unit 32 selectively reads out the image data recorded in the memory 38 and is compressed by a procedure completely opposite to the procedure in which the image processing unit 37 compresses the data in the recording mode. Decompress image data. The decompressed image data is held in the DRAM 31 via the DRAM interface 30, and then the content held in the DRAM 31 is stored in the VRAM 34 via the VRAM controller 33, and the image data is periodically read out from the VRAM 34. A video signal is generated and reproduced and output by the display unit 17.

  When the selected image data is not a still image but a moving image, reproduction of MPEG moving image data constituting the selected moving image file is executed, and when reproduction of all moving image data is completed, for example, Then, the still image data positioned at the head is displayed until the next reproduction instruction is given.

  In addition to this, a CD-ROM 42 and a CD-ROM driver 41 for reading various data provided by the CD-ROM 42 are provided. And a battery voltage supply control unit, a voice processing unit for processing voice data for the microphone 5 and the speaker 11, and the like.

  Here, in this embodiment, for example, “when shooting fireworks”, “when shooting people”, “when shooting flowers”, “when shooting sunsets”, etc. On the other hand, the setting values of the shooting conditions such as the shutter speed and the aperture value corresponding to the optimum exposure values when shooting these scenes are stored in the ROM or the like in the control unit 32 as the best shot data together with the sample images of each scene. It is stored in the provided best shot storage unit 32a.

  The best shot data is also referred to as scene program data and the like. In addition to what is previously built in the digital camera 1, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM 42 or the Internet is provided from the outside via a communication medium. It is also possible to do.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a shooting condition setting screen in the embodiment, and shows a case where a shutter speed and an aperture are set on a two-dimensional coordinate axis as shooting conditions.

  When the shooting condition setting key 18 is pressed during shooting, a shooting condition setting screen 51 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 17. The photographing condition setting screen 51 has a two-dimensional matrix diagram 52 showing a numerical range that can be set as a shutter value in the X-axis direction of the screen and a numerical range that can be set as an aperture value in the Y-axis direction. In FIG. 52, an arbitrary position is designated with the cursor 54, so that the shutter speed and the aperture parameter value at the time of photographing can be set relatively.

  Also, on the matrix diagram 52, sample images 53a, 53b, 53c,... Of each scene prepared in advance as best shot data are displayed at positions corresponding to the respective set values. Thus, when setting the shutter speed and aperture, it is possible to determine at a glance what value is appropriate for which scene from the display positions of the sample images 53a, 53b, 53c.

  In FIG. 3, the sample images 53a, 53b, 53c... Are shown by hatching with square frames for the convenience of the drawing size, but actually, as shown in FIG. 4, specific images representing each scene are shown. (Color picture) is displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sample image of each scene. FIG. 4A is a sample image referred to when “photographing fireworks”, and FIG. 4B is a diagram when “photographing a person”. A sample image to be referred to, FIG. 10C shows an example of a sample image referred to when “shooting a flower”, and FIG. 11D represents an example of a sample image referred to “when shooting a sunset”. Yes.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of designating a position on the shooting condition setting screen 51 displayed on the display unit 17 of the digital camera 1. As the position designation method, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a transparent touch panel is arranged on the display unit 17, and the position designated by the user using the pen 55 is a predetermined method such as electrostatic or pressure sensitive. In addition to the method of detecting at, a method of specifying the position by moving the cursor 54 up and down and left and right by operating the cross key 13 as shown in FIG. 5B, and further as shown in FIG. There is a method of specifying a position using a track pad 56 or an external mouse (not shown).

  The operation of the first embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation at the time of shooting by the digital camera 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a processing procedure when shooting is performed by setting an aperture and a shutter speed as shooting conditions. . Note that, here, it is assumed that still images are taken, but the present invention can also be applied to moving images.

  Further, the processing shown in each flowchart including FIG. 6 is executed when the control unit 32 which is a microprocessor mounted in the digital camera 1 reads a program stored in a ROM or the like. The same applies to the processing of other embodiments described later, and is executed by the control unit 32 reading a program for realizing these processing.

  Assume that the user performs shooting while arbitrarily setting the aperture and shutter speed according to the shooting scene. First, when the photographing condition setting key 18 is pressed by the user, the control unit 32, as shown in FIG. 3, shows a two-dimensional matrix diagram 52 in which the shutter value is represented on the X axis and the aperture parameter value is represented on the Y axis. Is displayed on the display unit 17 (step A11).

  Subsequently, the control unit 32 reads the setting data of each best shot stored in the best shot storage unit 32a (step A12), and each scene is positioned at a position corresponding to the setting value of each best shot on the matrix diagram 52. Sample images 53a, 53b, 53c... Are displayed (step A13).

  Further, the control unit 32 determines an initial position (default) of the cursor 54 on the matrix diagram 52 (step A14), and displays the cursor 54 at the determined position (step A15). In addition, as a method of determining the cursor initial position in the step A14, specifically, for example, a method of displaying at a position set in the previous shooting mode or a predetermined position (for example, the center position of the screen). There are a display method, a display method at a position designated by the user, and the like.

  Here, when the user moves the position of the cursor 54 by a predetermined operation method (see FIGS. 5A to 5C) (steps A17 to A18), the control unit 32 displays the movement of the cursor position. Change processing is performed (step A19). As the display change processing, there are the following two methods.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the display change process (1) executed in step A19. As a first method for changing the display, the cursor position designated by the user on the two-dimensional coordinate axis in the matrix diagram 52 is detected (step C11), and the cursor 54 is displayed there (step C12).

  According to such a method, for example, as shown at P1 in FIG. 3, the user freely moves the cursor 54 regardless of the display position of the sample images 53a, 53b, 53c. You can set the speed. In this case, by referring to a nearby sample image, it is possible to visually determine what setting it is and what kind of scene the setting is suitable for.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the display change process (2) executed in step A19. As a second method for changing the display, when the cursor position designated by the user for movement on the two-dimensional coordinate axis in the matrix diagram 52 is detected (step D11), the set value registered as the best shot is Then, the display position of the sample image having the value closest to the cursor position is detected (step D12), and the cursor 54 is displayed there (step D13).

  According to such a method, for example, as indicated by P2 in FIG. 3, the cursor 54 moves in accordance with the display position of the sample images 53a, 53b, 53c. In this case, the aperture and shutter speed can be set only by the display position values of the sample images 53a, 53b, 53c... Of each scene registered as the best shot, but the aperture / shutter speed is set for each best shot. There is an advantage that the effect of changing it is easy to understand visually.

  Returning to FIG. 6, after the cursor 54 is moved to the position of the aperture and shutter speed intended by the user, a predetermined operation such as pressing a “decision button” (not shown) provided on the shooting condition setting screen 51 is performed. When the determination operation is performed (Yes in Step A16), the control unit 32 reads the aperture and shutter speed values corresponding to the current cursor position, and sets them as the shooting conditions at the time of shooting in the corresponding function of the apparatus. (Step A20). In this case, as described above, in the method of FIG. 7, the aperture and shutter speed values at the current cursor position are set as shooting conditions as they are, and in the method of FIG. 7, the closest to the current cursor position. The best shot aperture and shutter speed values are set as shooting conditions.

  When the shutter key 9 is pressed in this state (Yes in step A21), the control unit 32 controls the drive of the apparatus with the set aperture and shutter speed values, and performs a subject photographing process. (Step A22). Note that the specific processing operation of the imaging process has already been described with reference to FIG. The image obtained by photographing is compressed by a predetermined method and recorded on the memory 38 (step A23).

  Similarly, shooting can be performed while arbitrarily setting the aperture and shutter speed on the matrix diagram 52 of the shooting condition setting screen 51. When the shooting mode is terminated by a predetermined operation (Yes in step A24), A series of processes in is completed.

  In this way, in the case of shooting, using the two-dimensional matrix diagram 52 provided on the shooting condition setting screen 51, the sample of each scene displayed at the position corresponding to each setting value on the matrix diagram 52 is displayed. With reference to the images 53a, 53b, 53c..., It is possible to easily set the aperture and shutter speed values intended by the user.

  In this case, the optimum value of each scene can be determined from the sample images 53a, 53b, 53c,... Displayed on the matrix diagram 52. However, it is possible to quickly set the aperture and shutter speed according to the scene currently being shot.

  In the process shown in FIG. 6, after the cursor 54 is moved, a predetermined determination operation such as pressing the “decision button” is performed to set an aperture and a shutter speed according to the current cursor position. However, when the shutter key 9 is pressed after the cursor 54 is moved, the aperture and shutter speed corresponding to the current cursor position are set. A configuration in which shooting processing is performed after setting may be employed. In this way, there is an advantage that shooting can be performed immediately because the determination operation is not required each time.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, another sub-screen 51a is provided in the shooting condition setting screen 51, and when the user designates an arbitrary position on the matrix diagram 52 with the cursor 54, the designation is made. A preview image PR when the image is actually taken with an aperture and a shutter speed corresponding to the position is enlarged and displayed on the child screen 51a. Further, as shown in FIG. A process of gradually changing the aperture and shutter speed for the displayed preview image PR may be added to the display change process (step A19) of FIG.

  In this way, if the preview image PR is configured to be displayed in accordance with the designated position, it is possible to confirm in advance how the current setting content is captured, and the intention can be obtained without specialized knowledge. Thus, it is possible to perform shooting while accurately setting shooting conditions so that a shot image to be obtained can be obtained.

  As another method, as shown in FIG. 11, the sample images 53a, 53b, 53c,... Of each scene are not displayed on the matrix diagram 52, and the user positions an arbitrary position on the matrix diagram 52 with the cursor 54. When designated, the preview image PR when the photograph is actually taken with the aperture and shutter speed corresponding to the designated position is enlarged and displayed on the sub-screen 51a, or the user can display the matrix diagram 52 as shown in FIG. When an arbitrary position above is designated by the cursor 54, a process may be performed in which the sample image SA having an aperture and a shutter speed corresponding to the designated position is enlarged and displayed on the sub-screen 51a. .

  As a specific processing procedure, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the sample image display process (step A13) is eliminated, and in the display change process (step A19), the above-described preview image and sample image are displayed together with the cursor movement display. This can be realized by displaying the child screen.

  Alternatively, the preview image or the sample image may be enlarged and displayed at a position designated by the user on the matrix diagram 52 without providing the child screen 51a as described above.

  If a shutter key selection button is provided in the shooting condition setting screen 51, it is convenient that the shutter key operation can be continuously performed on the same screen together with the aperture and shutter speed setting operations.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the parameter values of the aperture and shutter speed are expressed in two dimensions. However, for example, white balance is added to this to perform three-dimensional display, and the aperture and shutter speed, and white are displayed. A configuration in which three balance elements are set simultaneously is also possible.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the aperture and the shutter speed are set on a two-dimensional coordinate axis. In the second embodiment, these settings are set on a one-dimensional coordinate axis. It is what.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an imaging condition setting screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which a shutter speed is set on the one-dimensional coordinate axis as an imaging condition.

  When the shooting condition setting key 18 is pressed during shooting, for example, a setting item menu screen (not shown) is displayed. By selecting “shutter speed setting” in the setting item menu screen, the shutter speed as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. A setting screen 61 is displayed on the display unit 17. The shutter speed setting screen 61 has a one-dimensional slide bar 62 that represents a numerical range that can be set as a shutter value in the X-axis direction of the screen, and an arbitrary position on the slide bar 62 is designated by a cursor 64. Thus, the shutter speed parameter value at the time of shooting is set.

  On the slide bar 62, sample images 63a, 63b, 63c,... Of each scene prepared in advance as best shot data are displayed at positions corresponding to the respective set values. Thus, when setting the shutter speed, it is possible to determine at a glance what value is suitable for which scene from the display position of the sample images 63a, 63b, 63c.

  In FIG. 13, for convenience of drawing size, the sample images 63a, 63b, 63c,... Are shown by hatching with square frames, but actually, as shown in FIG. (Color picture) is displayed.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an imaging condition setting screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a screen for setting an aperture on a one-dimensional coordinate axis as an imaging condition.

  When the shooting condition setting key 18 is pressed during shooting, for example, a setting item menu screen (not shown) is displayed. By selecting “aperture setting” in the setting item menu screen, an aperture setting screen as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. 71 is displayed on the display unit 17. The aperture setting screen 71 has a one-dimensional slide bar 72 that represents a numerical range that can be set as an aperture value in the X-axis direction of the screen, and an arbitrary position on the slide bar 72 is designated by a cursor 74. Thus, it is configured to set the aperture parameter value at the time of photographing.

  On the slide bar 72, sample images 73a, 73b, 73c,... Of each scene prepared in advance as best shot data are displayed at positions corresponding to the respective set values. This makes it possible to determine at a glance what value is suitable for what kind of scene from the display positions of the sample images 73a, 73b, 73c.

  14, sample images 73a, 73b, 73c,... Are shown with square frame hatching for convenience of drawing size, but in actuality, as shown in FIG. A specific image (color photograph) representative of is displayed.

  In addition, here, the screen configuration when the shutter speed and the aperture are respectively set on the individual setting screens 61 and 71 is not shown, but both the setting screens are combined and the shutter speed and the aperture are set on one screen. A simple configuration is also possible.

  In the following, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the shutter speed and the aperture are set on the individual setting screens 61 and 71, respectively.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing operation at the time of shooting by the digital camera 1 in the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a processing procedure when shooting is performed with a shutter speed set as a shooting condition. The basic processing flow is the same as the processing of FIG. 6 in the first embodiment.

  That is, first, when the user sets the “shutter speed” by depressing the shooting condition setting key 18, the control unit 32 displays a one-dimensional representation of the shutter speed parameter value on the X axis as shown in FIG. 13. The shutter speed setting screen 61 having the slide bar 62 is displayed on the display unit 17 (step E11).

  Subsequently, the control unit 32 reads the setting data of each best shot stored in the best shot storage unit 32a (step E12), and each scene is positioned at a position corresponding to the setting value of each best shot on the slide bar 62. Sample images 63a, 63b, 63c,... Are displayed (step E13).

  Further, the control unit 32 determines the initial position (default) of the cursor 64 on the slide bar 62 (step E14), and displays the cursor 64 at the determined position (step E15). As described above, the method for determining the initial cursor position includes, for example, a method of displaying at the position set in the previous shooting mode, a method of displaying at a predetermined position (for example, the center position of the screen), and the user. There is a method of displaying at the position specified by.

  Here, when the user moves the position of the cursor 64 by a predetermined operation method (see FIGS. 5A to 5C) (steps E17 to E18), the control unit 32 displays the movement of the cursor position. Change processing is performed (step E19). As the display change processing, there are two methods as in FIGS.

  That is, as a first method, the cursor position designated by the user for movement in the one-dimensional coordinate axis of the slide bar 62 is detected, and the cursor 64 is displayed there. Further, as a second method, when the cursor position designated by the user for movement on the one-dimensional coordinate axis of the slide bar 62 is detected, the cursor position is selected from the set values registered as the best shot. The display position of the sample image having the closest value is detected, and the cursor 64 is displayed there.

  After the cursor 64 is moved to the position of the shutter speed intended by the user, for example, when a determination operation is performed by a predetermined operation such as pressing a “decision button” (not shown) provided on the shutter speed setting screen 61 (step) The control unit 32 reads the shutter speed value corresponding to the current cursor position, and sets this as a shooting condition at the time of shooting in the corresponding function of the present apparatus (step E20). In this case, as described above, in the first method, the shutter speed value at the current cursor position is set as the photographing condition as it is, and in the second method, the closest to the current cursor position. The shutter speed value of the best shot is set as the shooting condition.

  When the shutter key 9 is pressed in this state (Yes in step E21), the control unit 32 controls the drive of the apparatus with the set shutter speed value to perform a subject photographing process (step S21). E22). Note that the specific processing operation of the imaging process has already been described with reference to FIG. The image obtained by photographing is compressed by a predetermined method and recorded on the memory 38 (step E23).

  Similarly, shooting can be performed while arbitrarily setting the shutter speed on the slide bar 62 of the shutter speed setting screen 61. When the shooting mode is terminated by a predetermined operation (Yes in step E24), A series of processing ends.

  As described above, when shooting, a sample of each scene displayed at a position corresponding to each set value on the slide bar 62 using the one-dimensional slide bar 62 provided on the shutter speed setting screen 61. The shutter speed value intended by the user can be easily set with reference to the images 63a, 63b, 63c.

  In this case, since the optimum value of each scene can be determined from the sample images 63a, 63b, 63c,... Displayed on the slide bar 62, as in the first embodiment. Even a user who does not have camera expertise can quickly set the shutter speed according to the scene currently being shot.

  Although the case where the shutter speed is set has been described here, the same applies to the case where the aperture is set. The one-dimensional slide bar 72 provided on the aperture setting screen 71 shown in FIG. The aperture value intended by the user can be easily set with reference to the sample images 73a, 73b, 73c,... Of each scene displayed at positions corresponding to the set values on the slide bar 72.

  Further, in the process of FIG. 15, when the shutter key 9 is pressed without performing a determination operation such as pressing the “decision button”, an aperture and a shutter speed corresponding to the current cursor position are set. It is also possible to perform shooting processing.

  In addition, as described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, also in the second embodiment, another sub-screen is provided in the setting screen, and a preview image is enlarged and displayed on the sub-screen. It is also possible to perform a process for enlarging display or a process for enlarging and displaying a preview image or a sample image at a position designated by the user.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the aperture and shutter speed have been described as examples of setting items for shooting conditions. However, for example, white balance, sharpness, contrast, saturation, EV The setting method of the present invention can be applied to various setting items related to shooting such as shift, focal length of AF, and color enhancement.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and can be applied to an electronic device having an imaging function such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) with a camera or a mobile phone, for example, when setting the above-described shooting conditions. .

  In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention at the stage of implementation. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the effects described in “Problems to be solved by the invention” can be solved, and are described in the “Effects of the invention” column. If the effect is obtained, a configuration from which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

  In addition, the methods described in each of the above-described embodiments are, for example, magnetic disks (flexible disks, hard disks, etc.), optical disks (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), recording media such as semiconductor memories, etc. The program itself can be applied to various apparatuses, or the program itself can be transmitted through a transmission medium such as a network to be applied to various apparatuses. A computer that implements this apparatus reads a program recorded on a recording medium or a program provided via a transmission medium, and performs the above-described processing by controlling operations by this program.

  In addition to the above-mentioned recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, for example, next-generation optical discs and red lasers using blue lasers such as Blu-ray Disc (R) and Advanced Optical Disc (AOD) It is possible to implement the present invention using various large-capacity recording media that will be developed in the future, such as HD-DVD 9 to be used and Blue Laser DVD using a blue-violet laser.

1 is a diagram showing an external configuration when a digital camera is taken as an example of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic circuit provided in the digital camera according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the imaging | photography condition setting screen in the embodiment, and is a figure in the case of setting a shutter speed and an aperture stop on a two-dimensional coordinate axis as imaging conditions. The figure which shows an example of the sample image of each scene in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method for designating a position on a shooting condition setting screen displayed on the display unit of the digital camera according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations at the time of shooting by the digital camera in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the display change process (1) performed by step A19 of the said FIG. The flowchart which shows the display change process (2) performed by step A19 of the said FIG. The figure which shows the example in the case of providing a sub-screen in the imaging condition setting screen in the same embodiment, and displaying the preview image corresponding to a cursor position there. The figure which shows the example in the case of changing the preview image of the said FIG. 9 by cursor movement. An example in which a sub-screen is provided in the shooting condition setting screen in the embodiment, only a matrix diagram is displayed on the shooting condition setting screen, and a preview image corresponding to the cursor position is displayed on the sub-screen is shown. Figure. An example in which a child screen is provided in the shooting condition setting screen in the embodiment, only a matrix diagram is displayed on the shooting condition setting screen, and a sample image corresponding to the cursor position is displayed on the child screen is shown. Figure. It is a figure which shows an example of the imaging condition setting screen in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is a figure in the case of setting a shutter speed on a one-dimensional coordinate axis as imaging conditions. It is a figure which shows an example of the imaging | photography condition setting screen in the embodiment, and is a figure in the case of setting a diaphragm on a one-dimensional coordinate axis as an imaging condition. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations at the time of shooting by the digital camera in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera, 2 ... Shooting lens, 3 ... Self-timer lamp, 4 ... Optical finder window, 5 ... Microphone part (MIC), 6 ... Strobe light emission part, 7 ... Rubber grip, 8 ... Power key, 9 ... Shutter key DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mode switch (SW), 11 ... Speaker part (SP), 12 ... Menu key, 13 ... Cross key, 14 ... Set key, 15 ... Optical finder, 16 ... Strobe charge lamp, 17 ... Display part, 18 ... Shooting condition setting key, 21 ... motor, 22 ... lens optical system, 23 ... CCD, 24 ... timing generator (TG), 25 ... vertical driver, 26 ... sample hold circuit (S / H), 27 ... A / D conversion 28 ... color process circuit, 29 ... DMA controller, 30 ... DRAM interface (I / F), 31 ... DRAM, 32 ... control unit, 3 a ... Best shot storage unit, 33 ... VRAM controller, 34 ... VRAM, 35 ... Digital video encoder, 36 ... Key input unit, 37 ... Image processing unit, 38 ... Memory, 39 ... USB interface (I / F), 40 ... Strobe drive unit, 41 ... CD-ROM driver, 42 ... CD-ROM, 51 ... shooting condition setting screen, 51a ... sub-screen, 52 ... matrix diagram, 53a, 53b, 53c ... sample image, 54 ... cursor, 55 ... pen 56 ... Track pad, 61 ... Shutter speed setting screen, 62 ... Slide bar, 63a, 63b, 63c ... Sample image, 64 ... Cursor, 71 ... Aperture setting screen, 72 ... Slide bar, 73a, 73b, 73c ... Sample image 74 ... Cursor.

Claims (13)

Storage means for storing a sample image of each scene and setting values of shooting conditions for each scene;
A setting screen showing a numerical range that can be set as shooting conditions is displayed in a specific display form, and a sample image is displayed at a position corresponding to the setting value of each scene stored in the storage means in the setting screen Display means to
Position designation means for designating an arbitrary position on the setting screen displayed on the display means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: imaging condition setting means for setting imaging conditions based on the position designated by the position designation means. Having at least two setting items as the photographing condition;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a setting screen representing a numerical range for each setting item on a multidimensional coordinate axis.   The apparatus further comprises display control means for displaying a preview image on the setting screen in the case of shooting under shooting conditions corresponding to the specified position in conjunction with the operation of the specified position by the position specifying means. Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit enlarges and displays the preview image in a specific area provided on the setting screen. Storage means for storing a sample image of each scene and setting values of shooting conditions for each scene;
Display means for displaying a setting screen showing a numerical range that can be set as shooting conditions in a specific display form;
Position designation means for designating an arbitrary position on the setting screen displayed on the display means;
Display control means for reading a sample image having a setting value of the photographing condition corresponding to the position designated by the position designation means from the storage means and displaying the sample image on the setting screen;
An imaging apparatus comprising: imaging condition setting means for setting imaging conditions based on the designated position on the setting screen. Having at least two setting items as the photographing condition;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays a setting screen representing a numerical range for each setting item on a multidimensional coordinate axis.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit enlarges and displays the sample image in a specific area provided on the setting screen.   The display control means displays a preview image on the setting screen in the case of shooting under shooting conditions corresponding to the designated position in conjunction with the operation of the designated position by the position designation means. 5. The imaging device according to 5.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display control unit enlarges and displays the preview image in a specific area provided on the setting screen. A shooting condition setting method used for an imaging apparatus having a memory storing a sample image of each scene and a setting value of shooting conditions for each scene,
A setting screen showing a numerical range that can be set as shooting conditions is displayed in a specific display form, and a sample image is displayed at a position corresponding to the setting value of each scene stored in the memory in the setting screen. Steps,
Designating an arbitrary position on the setting screen;
A shooting condition setting method comprising: setting shooting conditions based on the designated position. A shooting condition setting method used for an imaging apparatus having a memory storing a sample image of each scene and a setting value of shooting conditions for each scene,
Displaying a setting screen showing a numerical range that can be set as shooting conditions in a specific display form;
Designating an arbitrary position on the setting screen;
Reading a sample image having a setting value of an imaging condition corresponding to the designated position from the memory and displaying the sample image on the setting screen;
A shooting condition setting method comprising: setting shooting conditions based on the designated position on the setting screen. A shooting condition setting program executed by a computer mounted on an imaging apparatus having a memory that stores a sample image of the scene and a setting value of shooting conditions for each scene,
In the computer,
A setting screen showing a numerical range that can be set as shooting conditions is displayed in a specific display form, and a sample image is displayed at a position corresponding to the setting value of each scene stored in the memory in the setting screen. Function and
A function for designating an arbitrary position on the setting screen;
And a function of setting a shooting condition based on the designated position. A shooting condition setting program executed by a computer mounted on an imaging apparatus having a memory that stores a sample image of the scene and a setting value of shooting conditions for each scene,
In the computer,
A function that displays a setting screen that shows the numerical range that can be set as shooting conditions in a specific display form,
A function for designating an arbitrary position on the setting screen;
A function of reading a sample image having a setting value of an imaging condition corresponding to the designated position from the memory and displaying the sample image on the setting screen;
And a function of setting a shooting condition based on the designated position on the setting screen.

Images