JP4499908B2 - Electronic camera system, electronic camera, server computer, and photographing condition correction method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an electronic camera system that can receive a return of a shooting condition that has been changed to correct an improvement point by simply transmitting a shot image with a shooting condition via a network such as the Internet, for example. about the electronic camera and the server computer.
[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]
In this type of electronic camera, not only narrow shooting conditions common to silver halide cameras, such as exposure, shutter speed, strobe emission, emission correction, etc., but also white balance, color processing (color table), gamma, etc. The image processing conditions must be set appropriately.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when various shooting conditions can be set as described above and the setting range is widened, a user who is familiar with the handling of the camera has more freedom in shooting, but is unskilled. For users, setting the shooting conditions according to the situation at that time becomes more difficult, and what should be corrected even if you try to adjust the shooting conditions while looking at the image obtained by trial shooting The current situation is that it is difficult to grasp.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and for example, by simply sending a photographed image with a photographing condition via a network such as the Internet, the photographing condition has been changed to correct the improvement. electronic camera system capable of receiving a return of, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic camera and the server computer.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, an electronic camera system of the present invention includes a multiple of the electronic camera, and a server computer for assisting the setting of imaging conditions in these electronic camera is connected via a network electronic In the camera system, the server computer is received by the image data receiving unit and the image data receiving unit that receives the image data with the shooting conditions transmitted from the electronic camera via the network. and improvements detection means for detecting the improvements of the shooting conditions that are attached by analyzing the image data, photographing conditions changing unit for making changes to the image capturing conditions in order to correct the improvements that have been detected by the improvements detecting means And the shooting condition changed by the shooting condition changing means to the electronic camera via the network. Image data transmission means for sending image data acquired by photographing to the server computer via the network, with the image data attached thereto, and the image data and imaging condition receiving means for receiving image capturing conditions in which the changes have been made in response sent back via the network from the server computer to transmit the image data by the transmitting means, said received by the imaging condition receiving means And a photographing condition setting means for setting the photographing condition to which the change has been made .
[0007]
In the electronic camera system of the present invention, even if the user cannot make appropriate settings because he / she does not know what meaning each parameter of the shooting condition has, the shooting condition at the time of shooting is changed to the shot image. By simply sending it over the network, the shooting conditions after the best correction can be easily obtained.
[0008]
The electronic camera system according to the present invention further includes simulation means for performing image processing on the image data so that the server computer reflects the change made by the photographing condition changing means, and returns the photographing condition return. The means replaces the image data received by the image data receiving means and returns the image data subjected to the image processing by the simulation means, while the electronic camera is displayed by the display device and the photographing condition receiving means. The image processing apparatus further includes simulation image display means for displaying image data received together with photographing conditions on the display device.
[0009]
In the electronic camera system of the present invention, the user of the electronic camera can visually confirm the effect of the correction made by the server computer with the simulation image.
[0010]
Further, for example, a so-called portable information terminal is interposed between the server computer and the electronic camera, and the portable information terminal is substituted for the data communication function, and the corrected photographing condition is transmitted from the portable information terminal to the electronic camera. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the functions installed in the electronic camera.
[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 and a wireless communication path. The wireless station B, on the one hand, communicates with the server computer 1 via the Internet A, and on the other hand, forms a service area in a predetermined geographical area, and wirelessly communicates with the electronic camera 2 located in this service area. By communicating via the communication path, the communication between the server computer 1 and the electronic camera 2 is mediated. Here, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, only one wireless station B and one electronic camera 2 are shown in FIG. 1, but in actuality, in each service area formed by a plurality of wireless stations B. One or more 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. That is, 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 data for analyzing the captured image transmitted from the electronic camera 2. This data holds, for example, an appropriate range of exposure values as a threshold value.
[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 a wireless communication path, and controls connection and data exchange with the electronic camera 2 based on a predetermined protocol. .
[0020]
The server computer 1 having such a configuration first waits for transmission of a photographed image with photographing conditions from the electronic camera 2. For example, when the captured image is stored in an Exif format file, the imaging condition is held in a form in which a predetermined tag number (ex. Exposure time: 0x829a) is added to the setting value of each parameter.
[0021]
Next, the server computer 1 analyzes the transmitted captured image using various data stored in the hard disk device 13 to detect improvement points. Then, in order to improve this improvement, the shooting conditions are changed, and the shot image is subjected to image processing to simulate the change, and a simulation shot image accompanied by the changed shooting conditions is added. Return to the electronic camera 2.
[0022]
Accordingly, even if the user of the electronic camera 2 is not familiar with the camera handling and the shooting conditions are not set as expected, the shooting conditions changed to correct the improvement points are added. Can be easily obtained together with the simulation image for confirmation.
[0023]
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.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the electronic camera 2.
[0025]
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
[0026]
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.
[0027]
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.
[0028]
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.
[0029]
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.
[0030]
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.
[0031]
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 23 via the display processing unit 22.
[0032]
On the other hand, the recording / reproducing processor 35 performs processing for recording image data on the recording medium 36 and reproducing 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.
[0033]
The communication controller 37 performs data communication with the server computer 1 via the Internet A and a wireless communication path, and controls connection and data exchange with the server computer 1 based on a predetermined protocol.
[0034]
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.
[0035]
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.
[0036]
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 an operation mode of the electronic camera, a cross key for instructing a detailed operation in each mode, etc. Is generated.
[0037]
In addition to the various controls described above, the system controller 38 performs shooting condition correction control unique to the present invention, such as receiving a return of an improved shooting condition by transmitting a shot image with a shooting condition. Has the function to perform. Hereinafter, this photographing condition correction control will be described in detail.
[0038]
In order to perform this shooting condition correction control, the system controller 38 includes an image transmission / reception unit 42 and a shooting condition setting unit 43. For this reason, in this camera, the returned simulation image with the shooting conditions is provided. A simulation image holding unit 44 that is a memory device for storing the image is provided.
[0039]
The image transmission / reception unit 42 adds the image data generated by the image processing unit 30 and stored in the buffer memory 31 at the time of shooting such as trial shooting to the server computer 1 via the communication controller 37 with the shooting conditions at that time attached. The simulation image that is transmitted and returned in response to the transmission and with the changed imaging condition is stored in the simulation image holding unit 44.
[0040]
On the other hand, the photographing condition setting unit 43 displays the simulation image stored in the simulation image holding unit 44 on the color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33 and, in response to this display, the photographing condition of the simulation image from the operation unit 39. Is set based on the shooting conditions attached to the simulation image.
[0041]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the photographing condition change. FIG. 4A is an original image transmitted from the electronic camera 2 to the server computer 1 and data for image analysis stored in the hard disk device 13 of the server computer 1. Is assumed to be below the allowable exposure value. In view of this, the server computer 1 performs exposure correction of the photographing conditions so as to improve the exposure value within a range allowed by the image analysis data, and performs image processing on the image data to reflect the exposure correction. And perform simulation. Then, the server computer 1 attaches the imaging condition changed to the simulation image and returns it to the electronic camera 2. (B) is a simulation image returned from the server computer 1 to the electronic camera 2.
[0042]
As a result, even if the shooting conditions cannot be set as expected, the user can simply change the correction to correct the improvement point by simply sending a shot image with the shooting conditions via the Internet A. It is possible to receive a simulation image accompanied by the added shooting condition, and to set the shooting condition after confirming the effect of the correction.
[0043]
Next, the operation procedure of this electronic camera system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the server computer 1.
[0044]
First, the server computer 1 waits for reception of a photographed image with photographing conditions transmitted by the electronic camera 2 (step A1). When the captured image is received (YES in step A2), the server computer 1 analyzes the received captured image and detects an improvement point (step A3). If no improvement point is detected (NO in step A4), the server computer 1 returns a notification that no improvement is necessary to the electronic camera 2 (step A5).
[0045]
On the other hand, if any improvement point is detected (YES in step A4), the server computer 1 changes the shooting condition so as to improve the detected improvement point (step A6) and changes the shooting condition. In order to reflect the above, image processing is applied to the image data to create a simulation image (step A7). Then, the server computer 1 attaches the imaging condition with a change to the simulation image and returns it to the electronic camera 2 (step A8). It should be noted that this improvement point may be detected while a specialized person in charge looks at the image.
[0046]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the electronic camera 2.
[0047]
First, the electronic camera 2 transmits, for example, a photographed image taken as a trial or a photographed image that was not obtained as intended to the server computer 1 with a photographing condition (step B1). Next, it waits for the return of the simulation image to which the corrected shooting condition is attached in response to this transmission (step B2). When this simulation image is returned (YES in step B2), this simulation image is stored in the buffer memory. 31 and displayed on the color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33 (step B3). Then, when an instruction to set the shooting conditions attached to the simulation image is given (YES in step B4), the shooting conditions are set based on the corrected shooting conditions (step B5). Note that not all of the images are selectively transmitted, but all the captured images may be transmitted. In this case, the time and labor for selecting can be saved.
[0048]
As described above, in this electronic camera system, even if the user cannot make appropriate settings because he / she does not know what meaning each parameter of the shooting condition has, the shooting condition at the time of shooting is shot. By simply attaching the image to the image and transmitting it via the network, the shooting conditions after the best correction can be easily obtained.
[0049]
Here, an example in which a data communication function with the server computer 1 is mounted on the electronic camera 2 has been described. For example, a so-called portable information terminal is interposed between the server computer 1 and the electronic camera 2, and the portable information terminal In addition to the data communication function, the mobile information terminal transmits a photographed image with photographing conditions to the server computer 1, and a simulation image with corrected photographing conditions returned from the server computer 1 is provided. You may make it receive, and may be made to transmit with respect to the electronic camera 2 this received simulation image with imaging | photography conditions. In this case, it is possible to reduce the functions mounted on the electronic camera 2.
[0050]
Further, the communication means is not limited to the Internet described above, and may communicate directly via a dedicated line, for example.
[0051]
Furthermore, here, an example is shown in which the changed shooting conditions are attached to the simulation image and returned, but the simulation image is not essential, and only the shooting conditions attached to the transmitted shot image are replaced. It may be returned, or it may be returned with a shooting condition that has been separately modified attached to the shot image with the shooting conditions attached, or only the shooting conditions that have been changed may be returned.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the electronic camera system of the present invention, the server computer receives from each electronic camera a photographed image with a photographing condition with an inappropriate setting that requires some correction. Even users who cannot make appropriate settings because they do not know what the parameters of the shooting conditions mean because they are sent back to the electronic camera after making the necessary corrections. The shooting conditions after the best correction can be easily obtained simply by attaching the shooting conditions at the time of shooting to the shot image and transmitting them via the network.
[0053]
Also, by providing a simulation image that has undergone image processing to reflect the changes made at this time, the user of the electronic camera can visually see the effect of the correction made by the server computer using the simulation image. It becomes possible to confirm.
[0054]
Further, for example, a so-called portable information terminal is interposed between the server computer and the electronic camera, and the portable information terminal is substituted for the data communication function, and the corrected photographing condition is transmitted from the portable information terminal to the electronic camera. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the functions installed in the electronic camera.
[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 diagram showing an example of image processing executed by the server computer of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the server computer in the electronic camera system according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the electronic camera in the electronic camera system according to 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 ... Image transmission / reception unit 43 ... Shooting condition setting unit 44 ... Simulation image holding Part A ... Internet B ... Radio station

Claims (11)

And electronic camera, an electronic camera system and the server computer are connected via a network to support the setting of the photographing condition in the electronic camera,
The server computer
Image data receiving means for receiving image data attached with the photographing conditions transmitted from the electronic camera via the network;
Improvement point detecting means for analyzing the image data received by the image data receiving means and detecting improvement points of the attached photographing conditions;
Photographing condition changing means for changing the photographing condition to correct the improvement point detected by the improvement point detecting means;
A photographing condition returning means for returning the photographing condition changed by the photographing condition changing means to the electronic camera via the network;
The electronic camera is
Image data transmission means for transmitting image data acquired by shooting to the server computer via the network with the shooting conditions attached thereto;
A shooting condition receiving unit that receives the changed shooting condition returned from the server computer via the network in response to transmission of image data by the image data transmitting unit;
An electronic camera system comprising: an imaging condition setting unit configured to set an imaging condition to which the change received by the imaging condition reception unit is added .   The server computer is characterized in that the imaging condition returning means returns the imaging conditions that are separately attached to the image data received by the image data receiving means and modified by the imaging condition changing means. Item 2. The electronic camera system according to Item 1.   In the server computer, the imaging condition returning unit returns the imaging condition changed by the imaging condition changing unit, replacing the imaging condition attached to the image data received by the image data receiving unit. The electronic camera system according to claim 1, wherein: The server computer
Further comprising simulation means for performing image processing on the image data so as to reflect the change made by the photographing condition changing means,
4. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein the photographing condition returning means returns the image data subjected to image processing by the simulation means in exchange with the image data received by the image data receiving means. system.   2. The electronic camera system according to claim 1, wherein, when the improvement point detection unit does not detect an improvement point, the server computer returns only information indicating that the improvement point detection unit does not detect the improvement point. . The electronic camera is
A display device;
5. The electronic camera system according to claim 4, further comprising simulation image display means for displaying image data received together with the photographing conditions by the photographing condition receiving means on the display device. An electronic camera connectable via a network with a server computer for supporting shooting condition setting,
Image data transmission means for transmitting image data acquired by shooting to the server computer via the network with the shooting conditions attached thereto;
An imaging condition receiving unit that receives the imaging condition that is returned from the server computer via the network in response to the transmission of the image data by the image data transmitting unit and that has been modified to correct the improvement;
An electronic camera comprising: an imaging condition setting unit configured to set an imaging condition to which the change received by the imaging condition reception unit is added . The electronic camera is
A display device;
Simulation image display means for displaying, on the display device, image data that has been subjected to image processing so as to reflect changes made to the shooting conditions, received together with the shooting conditions by the shooting condition receiving means. The electronic camera according to claim 7, wherein: A server computer connected to a plurality of electronic cameras via a network for supporting setting of shooting conditions in these electronic cameras,
Image data receiving means for receiving image data attached with the photographing conditions transmitted from the electronic camera via the network;
Improvement point detecting means for analyzing the image data received by the image data receiving means and detecting improvement points of the attached photographing conditions;
Photographing condition changing means for changing the photographing condition to correct the improvement point detected by the improvement point detecting means;
A server computer comprising: imaging condition returning means for returning imaging conditions changed by the imaging condition changing means to the electronic camera via the network. Electrostatic and child camera, a portable information terminal contact Ru is continued through the electronic camera and a data communication path, the connected portable information terminal and via a network, to support the setting of the photographing condition in the electronic camera An electronic camera system comprising a server computer of
The server computer
Image data receiving means for receiving image data attached with the photographing conditions transmitted from the portable information terminal via the network;
Improvement point detecting means for analyzing the image data received by the image data receiving means and detecting improvement points of the attached photographing conditions;
Photographing condition changing means for changing the photographing condition to correct the improvement point detected by the improvement point detecting means;
A photographing condition returning means for returning the photographing condition changed by the photographing condition changing means to the electronic camera via the network;
Before Symbol electronic camera,
Image data transmitting means for transmitting image data attached with the photographing condition to the portable information terminal via the data communication path;
An imaging condition receiving means for receiving the changed imaging condition transmitted from the portable information terminal via the data communication path in response to transmission of image data by the image data transmitting means;
An electronic camera system comprising: an imaging condition setting unit configured to set an imaging condition to which the change received by the imaging condition reception unit is added . A photographing condition correction method of a server computer connected through the electronic camera and a network,
Receiving the image data attached with the photographing condition transmitted from the electronic camera via the network;
Analyzing the received image data and detecting improvements in the incidental imaging conditions;
Changing the shooting conditions to correct the detected improvements;
Returning the changed imaging condition to the electronic camera via the network. The imaging condition correcting method comprising:

Images