JP4499276B2 - Electronic camera system and electronic camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an electronic device that allows a user of an electronic camera to obtain a favorite icon image from among a large number of icon images disclosed via a network such as the Internet and use it for a menu screen of the camera body. The present invention relates to a camera system, an electronic camera, a server computer, and a portable information terminal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a subject image is imaged on a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD two-dimensional image sensor by an imaging optical system and converted into an electrical signal, and the image data of the still image obtained thereby is recorded as in a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk. So-called electronic cameras that record on a medium are becoming widespread.
[0003]
Most electronic cameras of this type are equipped with a monitor for reproducing captured images, and the user can immediately view the captured images on the spot.
[0004]
Further, this monitor is used not only for reproducing an image but also for displaying an operation guide. For example, in the case of an electronic camera that has multiple modes such as program mode and manual mode as shooting modes, a menu screen with characters such as “program mode” and “manual mode” or marks representing these as icons Are displayed on the monitor, and these are selected and instructed so that they can be operated easily.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such a menu screen that uses uniform character strings, marks, etc. as an option has no personality as a user interface, and it is completely impossible for the user to design or customize this menu screen. Since it was not possible to do so, the operation was not interesting and it was difficult to give the user a feeling of attachment to the product.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and the user of an electronic camera obtains a favorite icon image from among a large number of icon images published via a network such as the Internet, for example. and to provide an electronic camera system and an electronic camera that allows the use the menu screen of the camera body.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, an electronic camera system of the invention comprises a that electronic cameras each item icon having a function of arranging and displaying on the menu screen for setting the operation of the camera body, the electronic An electronic camera system in which a server computer that provides icon image data to a camera is connected via a network, and the server computer is an icon image arranged on a menu screen displayed by the electronic camera a data, and the image data storage means for storing the image data of the icon made from the captured image, to expose the image data for the icon consisting stored the captured image in the image data storage means via said network comprising an image data publishing section, wherein the electronic camera includes a display device, said server computer A communication controller for receiving image data for the icon consisting of captured images to be exposed through a serial network, the image data of the icon consisting of the received captured image displayed by using the display device, from the captured image And an icon registration unit for registering the shooting condition item selected in association with the icon image data corresponding to the icon image data including the captured image .
[0008]
In the electronic camera system of the present invention, each user can arbitrarily select and register from a wide variety of icon images disclosed via a network such as the Internet, so that each user can create a unique menu screen. It is possible to do.
[0009]
In addition, since each electronic camera is provided on the menu screen and receives provision of suitable image data from the server computer, there is no need to provide each electronic camera with a function for creating this icon image. By making it always available, it is not necessary for each electronic camera to manage a wide variety of icon images.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, in this electronic camera system, a server computer 1 and an electronic camera 2 are connected via the Internet A. Here, for ease of explanation, only one electronic camera 2 is shown in FIG. 1, but actually, a plurality of electronic cameras 2 are connected to the server computer 1 via the Internet A. .
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the server computer 1.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 2, the server computer 1 includes a CPU 11, a system memory 12, a hard disk device 13, a display controller 14, a keyboard controller 15, and a communication controller 16.
[0016]
The CPU 11 controls the entire server computer 1 and operates in accordance with descriptions of various programs including an operating system and utilities stored in the system memory 12. The system memory 12 is a memory device serving as a main memory of the server computer 1. The system memory 12 is used for various programs including an operating system and utilities describing the operation procedure of the CPU 11 and the various programs, or is created by the various programs. Stores various data. All functions of the server computer 1 are realized by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with descriptions of various programs stored in the system memory 12.
[0017]
The hard disk device 13 is a memory device serving as an external storage for the server computer 1 and stores various programs and various data loaded into the system memory 12 or swapped from the system memory 12. The hard disk device 13 stores various image data (icon images) for icons that are disclosed on the Internet A and arranged on the menu screen as icons of items for setting the operation of the electronic camera 2 main body. The
[0018]
The display controller 14 controls the output of the user interface in the server computer 1 and controls the display data created by the CPU 11 on a display device such as an LCD. On the other hand, the keyboard controller 15 controls input of the user interface in the server computer 1 and converts the operation of the keyboard, the mouse, etc. into data and transfers it to the CPU 11.
[0019]
The communication controller 16 executes data communication with the electronic camera 2 via the Internet A, and controls connection with the electronic camera 2 and data exchange based on a predetermined protocol.
[0020]
In the server computer 1 having such a configuration, first, various icon images stored in the hard disk device 13 are disclosed to the electronic camera 2 via the Internet A. The icon image is created with a size and image quality suitable for display as an icon on the monitor of the electronic camera 2, and the electronic camera 2 that has obtained the icon image does not need to perform any processing. That is, the electronic camera 2 does not need to have any means for creating and processing icon images.
[0021]
This publication is performed in a format that can be referred to by a browsing program (browser), so-called homepage format. On this home page, each icon image is displayed as a sample, and when a transfer request for any icon image is transmitted from the viewing program of the electronic camera 2, the corresponding icon image is returned. Note that these functions are realized by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with descriptions of various programs stored in the system memory 12 as described above.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the electronic camera 2.
[0023]
In FIG. 3, the amount of light of the subject light is controlled by the diaphragm 22 after passing through the lens 21. The lens 21 is driven by an AF motor 23, and the diaphragm 22 is driven by a diaphragm motor 24. The subject light that has passed through the lens 21 and the diaphragm 22 is incident on a CCD two-dimensional color image sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as a CCD) 25 that is a color solid-state imaging device, whereby a subject image is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 25. The
[0024]
The CCD 25 is configured by arranging a plurality of pixels that perform photoelectric conversion in a two-dimensional matrix to form an imaging surface, and further arranging a color filter on the imaging surface, and is driven and controlled by the CCD driver 26. Signal charges corresponding to the subject image formed on the imaging surface are accumulated. The signal charge accumulated on the imaging surface is read from the CCD 25 as an electrical signal called a pixel signal.
[0025]
The pixel signal read from the CCD 25 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 27 and then input to an AE (automatic exposure) processing unit 28, an AF (automatic focus adjustment) processing unit 29, and an image processing unit 30. Is done.
[0026]
The AE processing unit 28 receives the digitized pixel signal output from the A / D converter 27, performs arithmetic processing mainly including cumulative addition of the pixel signal from each pixel, and based on the cumulative addition value, the subject An AE evaluation value corresponding to the brightness of the image is obtained.
[0027]
The AF processing unit 29 receives the digitized pixel signal output from the A / D converter 27, extracts, for example, a high-frequency component of the pixel signal for one screen by a high-pass filter, and performs cumulative addition or the like on this. An AF evaluation value corresponding to the contour component amount on the high frequency side is calculated by performing arithmetic processing.
[0028]
The image processing unit 30 performs ISO sensitivity setting, auto white balance (AWB), luminance / color signal generation, gamma processing, and the like on the pixel signal, thereby generating a color image signal of a predetermined format.
[0029]
The color image signal generated by the image processing unit 30 is temporarily stored in a buffer memory 31 composed of, for example, a DRAM. A compression / decompression processing unit 34 is connected to the buffer memory 31, and a recording / reproduction processing unit 35 is further connected to the compression / decompression processing unit 34. The compression / decompression processing unit 34 performs a compression (encoding) process on the image signal stored in the buffer memory 31 to obtain a form suitable for recording on the recording medium 36, and the recording medium 36. And a decompression processing unit that performs decompression (decoding) processing on the image data recorded in the image data. As the compression processing method, for example, the JPEG method is used, but is not limited thereto. At the time of reproduction, the decompressed image signal is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 31 and is appropriately displayed on the color liquid crystal display 33 via the display processing unit 22.
[0030]
On the other hand, the recording / reproduction processing unit 35 performs processing for recording image data on the recording medium 36 and reading image data from the recording medium 36. As the recording medium 36, a memory card composed of a semiconductor memory such as a card type flash memory is generally used. However, the recording medium 36 is not limited to a memory card, and a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk or a floppy disk. Etc., various forms can be used.
[0031]
The communication controller 37 executes data communication with the server computer 1 via the Internet A, and controls connection with the server computer 1 and data exchange based on a predetermined protocol.
[0032]
The above operations are all controlled by the system controller 38, and the system controller 38 controls each unit based on the processing results of the AE processing unit 28 and the AF processing unit 29 and commands from the operation unit 39. Specifically, the system controller 38 drives the image processing unit 30, the buffer memory 31, the display processing unit 32, the compression / decompression processing unit 34, the recording / playback processing unit 35, the communication controller 37, the AF motor 23, and the aperture motor 24. The motor drivers 40 and 41 are controlled.
[0033]
That is, the system controller 38 controls the motor driver 41 based on the AE evaluation value obtained by the AE processing unit 28, controls the light amount by controlling the diaphragm 22 through the diaphragm motor 24, and further controls the CCD. An automatic exposure (AE) process is performed by controlling the charge accumulation time of the CCD 25 via the driver 26. Further, the system controller 38 controls the motor driver 40 based on the AF evaluation value obtained by the AF processing unit 29 and moves the imaging lens 21 in the optical axis direction via the AF motor 23 to perform automatic focus adjustment (AF ) Perform processing.
[0034]
The operation unit 39 generates command signals for performing various operations based on operations by the user of the camera and transmits them to the system controller 38. Specifically, a command signal corresponding to the operation of a release switch for instructing shooting, a mode switch for instructing the operation mode of the electronic camera, a cross key for instructing detailed settings in each mode, etc. Is generated.
[0035]
Further, in addition to the various controls described above, the system controller 38 performs icon image control unique to the present invention, such as obtaining an icon image released by the server computer 1 via the Internet A and using it for the menu screen of the camera body. Has the function to perform. Hereinafter, this icon image control will be described in detail.
[0036]
In order to perform this icon image control, the system controller 38 includes an icon image registration unit 42 and a menu display control unit 43. For this purpose, an icon image holding unit 44 for storing icon images is provided in the camera body.
[0037]
First, the icon image registration unit 42 operates as a browser for browsing a homepage published via the Internet A, and acquires homepage data published by the server computer 1 via the communication controller 37. And displayed on a color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33. In response to the display of the home page, when an instruction to acquire any icon image is given from the operation unit 39, a transfer request for the corresponding icon image is transmitted to the server computer 1 via the communication controller 37. In addition, the icon image returned in response to this request is stored in the icon image holding unit 44.
[0038]
Second, the icon image registration unit 42 uses which icon image held in the icon image holding unit 44 as an icon of each item when the menu display control unit 43 controls display of various menu screens. Manage what to do. When using the icon image acquired from the server computer 1, the user operates the operation unit 39 to set the operation mode to the custom mode. On the other hand, the icon image registration unit 42 displays each item that can have an icon on a color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33 as a list, selects any item for changing the icon, and stores it in the icon image holding unit 44. The displayed icon images are displayed in a list on a color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33, and any icon image for the previously selected item is selected. Then, the icon image registration unit 42 records an item ID indicating the item in the icon image holding unit 44 in association with the icon image.
[0039]
Even if the user does not have a function of creating an icon image by the function of the icon image registration unit 42, the user obtains a favorite icon image from the server computer 1, and uses the obtained icon image for a desired item on the menu screen. It can be used as an icon.
[0040]
On the other hand, the menu display control unit 43 controls the display of a menu screen, which is an operation guide for prompting the user to perform an operation instruction, on the color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33 according to the user's operation, and stores an icon image. While using the icon image held in the unit 44 as the icon of each item, display control of various menu screens is performed. The icon image holding unit 44 that holds the icon image holds an item ID indicating which item icon is to be used as an icon in association with each icon image. This association is performed by the icon image registration unit 42 as described above.
[0041]
As an example of this icon image, for example, the image in FIG. 4 is an image of a flower field photographed in the “macro mode” which is the most suitable photographing mode for close-up photography, and the image in FIG. In this case, the inside of the party was taken in “flash off mode” in which the flash was not fired. That is, the image in FIG. 4 is an image that symbolically represents “macro mode”, and the image in FIG. 5 can be said to be an image that symbolically represents “light emission inhibition mode”.
[0042]
It is assumed that the image of FIG. 4 is held in the icon image holding unit 44 as an icon image of “macro mode”, and the image of FIG. 5 is held as an icon image of “light emission inhibition mode”.
[0043]
Here, assuming that the “macro mode” and the “light emission inhibition mode” are items that are guide-displayed on the same menu screen, the menu display control unit 43 shows this menu screen as shown in FIG. And are displayed on a color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33.
[0044]
Therefore, for example, if the server computer 1 discloses a plurality of icon images that symbolically represent “macro mode” and “light emission prohibition mode”, the user obtains icon images from among them and displays the menu screen. It can be used as the upper icon, and each user can create a desired menu screen. Further, since this icon image is always available, there is no need to manage the various icon images with the electronic camera 2.
[0045]
Note that the “macro mode” and the “emission prohibition mode” are not necessarily set to be exclusively selected, but are set by selecting one image and then setting the other image. It is also possible to perform both settings by performing.
[0046]
Next, the operation procedure of the electronic camera system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the server computer 1.
[0047]
First, the server computer 1 publishes an icon image to the electronic camera 2 via the Internet (step A1). When a transfer request for any icon image is received from the electronic camera 2 (YES in step A2), the requested icon image is returned (step A3).
[0048]
8 and 9 are flowcharts for explaining the operation procedure of the electronic camera 2.
[0049]
The electronic camera 2 first accesses the home page of the server computer 1 published via the Internet A (step B1 in FIG. 8), and refers to the icon image published on this home page. If there is an icon image to be obtained (YES in step B2 in FIG. 8), a request for transferring the icon image is transmitted to the server computer 1 (step B3 in FIG. 8). Then, the icon image returned in response to the transfer request is received and stored in the icon image storage unit 44 (step B4 in FIG. 8).
[0050]
Further, the electronic camera 2 displays a list of items that can have icons on the color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33 (step C1 in FIG. 9), and allows the user to select any item whose icon is to be changed (step C1). Step C2 in FIG. Next, a list of icon images stored in the icon image storage unit 44 is displayed (step C3 in FIG. 9), and the user selects a desired icon image from the icon images displayed in the list (step in FIG. 9). C4). Then, the ID of this item is recorded in the icon image holding unit 44 in association with the icon image (step C5 in FIG. 9). Thereby, this icon image is used for the menu screen displayed by the menu display control unit 43.
[0051]
As described above, in this electronic camera system, the server computer 1 publishes various icon images suitable for placement on the menu screen of the electronic camera 2 via the Internet A, and the user of the electronic camera 2 A favorite icon image can be taken from the various icon images and used on the menu screen.
[0052]
Here, an example in which items for so-called imaging condition setting such as “macro mode” and “light emission prohibition mode” are selected and indicated by icon images representing them symbolically has been described. Various icon images may be used for arbitrary items without being trapped by the icon image shown in FIG. Further, the present invention is not limited to shooting conditions, and can naturally be applied to items for setting playback conditions, for example.
[0053]
In addition, here, an example in which two icons are displayed at the same time is shown. However, these icons are not necessarily displayed at the same time. For example, the icons are sequentially displayed one by one according to the operation of the operation unit 39. It doesn't matter.
[0054]
Here, an example in which the electronic camera 2 is provided with a data communication function with the server computer 1 has been described. For example, a so-called portable information terminal is interposed between the server computer 1 and the electronic camera 2, and this portable information terminal Alternatively, the data communication function may be substituted and an icon image may be transmitted from the portable information terminal to the electronic camera 2. In this case, the functions installed in the electronic camera 2 can be reduced.
[0055]
Further, the communication means is not limited to the Internet / homepage format described above, and may communicate directly via, for example, a dedicated line.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the server computer publishes various icon images suitable for arrangement on the menu screen of each electronic camera via a network such as the Internet, and each electronic camera. Users can take in their favorite icon images from these various icon images and use them on the menu screen, so users can select from a wide variety of icon images that are publicly available via networks such as the Internet. Since the user can arbitrarily select and register, each user can create a unique menu screen.
[0057]
In addition, since each electronic camera is provided on the menu screen and receives provision of suitable image data from the server computer, it is not necessary to provide each electronic camera with a function for creating this icon image. By making it always available, it is not necessary for each electronic camera to manage a wide variety of icon images.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing an internal configuration of a server computer according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the electronic camera of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a first diagram illustrating an icon image used in the electronic camera system of the embodiment (icon image for macro mode);
FIG. 5 is a second diagram illustrating an icon image used in the electronic camera system of the embodiment (icon image for the light emission inhibition mode);
FIG. 6 is an exemplary view illustrating a menu screen displayed by the electronic camera according to the embodiment using an icon image obtained from a server computer.
FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the server computer in the electronic camera system according to the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a first flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the electronic camera in the electronic camera system of the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a second flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the electronic camera in the electronic camera system of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server computer 2 ... Electronic camera 11 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... System memory 13 ... Hard disk device 14 ... Display controller 15 ... Keyboard controller 16 ... Communication controller 21 ... Lens 22 ... Aperture 23 ... AF motor 24 ... Aperture motor 25 ... CCD two-dimensional color image sensor (CCD)
26 ... CCD driver 27 ... A / D converter 28 ... AE processing unit 29 ... AF processing unit 30 ... Image processing unit 31 ... Buffer memory 32 ... Display processing unit 33 ... Color liquid crystal display (LCD)
34 ... Compression / decompression unit 35 ... Recording / playback processing unit 36 ... Recording medium 37 ... Communication controller 38 ... System controller 39 ... Operation unit 40, 41 ... Motor driver 42 ... Icon image registration unit 43 ... Menu display control unit 44 ... Icon image Holding part A ... Internet

Claims (2)

Through a that electronic cameras each item icon having a function of arranging and displaying on the menu screen for setting the operation of the camera body, and a server computer network that provides image data of the icon to the electronic camera Connected electronic camera system,
The server computer
Image data storage means for storing icon image data consisting of captured images, which is image data for icons arranged on a menu screen displayed by the electronic camera;
Image data publishing means for publishing image data for an icon composed of the photographed image stored in the image data storage means via the network ;
Comprising
The electronic camera is
A display device;
A communication controller that receives image data for an icon including a photographed image that the server computer discloses via the network;
The icon image data composed of the received photographed image is displayed using the display device, and the item of the photographing condition selected corresponding to the icon image data composed of the photographed image is displayed from the photographed image. An icon registration unit for registering in association with image data for an icon,
An electronic camera system comprising: An electronic camera that has a function of arranging and displaying icons of each item for setting the operation of the camera body on the menu screen and can be connected via a network to a server computer that provides icon image data consisting of photographed images Because
A display device;
A communication controller that receives image data for an icon including a photographed image that the server computer discloses via the network;
The icon image data composed of the received photographed image is displayed using the display device, and the item of the photographing condition selected corresponding to the icon image data composed of the photographed image is displayed from the photographed image. An electronic camera, comprising: an icon registration unit that registers the image data for the corresponding icon.

Images