JP4586290B2 - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, after taking an image with an electronic camera, the taken image data is generally taken into a personal computer via a recording medium such as a memory card or a communication cable. The image captured by the personal computer can be printed using a printer. In that case, for example, printing can be performed by designating a print size and a print resolution by application software for printing.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if printing can be performed with a desired print size and print resolution, there is no appropriate method for printing a photographed subject at the same size (equal size) as the actual object or at a specified magnification.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera in which shooting is performed in consideration of the same-size printing and designated magnification printing of a subject image, and the same-size printing and designated magnification printing are facilitated.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) An electronic camera according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image pickup unit that photoelectrically converts a subject image projected on an image pickup region by a photographing optical system, a distance measuring unit that detects a subject distance, and the photographing optical system that captures the image. Based on image information from the imaging unit based on the imaging range and the number of pixels of the imaging unit, and an imaging range calculation unit that calculates an imaging range that is a projection of the imaging region of the unit to the position of the subject distance A print resolution calculation unit that calculates a print resolution at which a subject image is printed to a size approximately equal to the shooting range, a storage control unit that stores the print resolution in a storage area together with the image information, and the imaging unit. a display monitor for displaying a subject image, different print size sizes and at least two the stored print size storage section, is stored in the print size storage section A selection unit that selects any one of the print sizes, and a determination as to whether or not the size of the shooting range calculated by the shooting range calculation unit is less than or equal to the size of the print size selected by the selection unit And a monitor control unit that controls the display monitor to display the mark representing the print size selected by the selection unit and the determination mark representing the determination result of the determination unit together with the subject image. It is characterized by comprising.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
-First embodiment-
1A and 1B are diagrams showing an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view of the electronic camera viewed from above, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the camera viewed from the rear. As shown in FIG. 1A, on the upper surface of the electronic camera 1, a main switch 4 for turning on / off the power, a release button 5, and a dial 6 for switching between a recording mode and a reproduction mode are provided. A display panel 7 for displaying camera information is provided. Here, the recording mode is a mode in which a subject image can be taken and the image data can be recorded, and the reproduction mode is a display LCD 3 (FIG. 1 (b) shown in FIG. This mode is for playback and display in ()).
[0008]
As shown in FIG. 1B, on the back of the camera, in addition to the display LCD 3 for image display, a zoom switch button 9 for zooming the viewfinder eyepiece window 8 and the photographing optical system 2 and various operation buttons. Is provided. The zoom switching button 9 is driven to the wide-angle side when the W side is pushed, and is driven to the telephoto side when the T side is pushed. In the recording mode, a subject image picked up by a CCD 214 (to be described later) is sequentially displayed on the display LCD 3, and in the playback mode, thumbnail display of images stored in a memory card 424 (to be described later), playback display of individual images, and the like are displayed on the display LCD 3. Is called.
[0009]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a menu button for displaying a setting menu on the display LCD 3, and displays a setting menu when performing various settings, and selects an item to be set by the selection buttons 11a to 11d. When setting the print size to be described later, the buttons 10, 11a to 11d are operated to display the print size setting menu on the display LCD 3, and the selection buttons 11a to 11d are operated to select a desired print size from a plurality of print sizes. Select a size. As will be described later, the electronic camera 1 of the present embodiment has a designated magnification shooting mode and a normal shooting mode corresponding to a recording mode of a conventional electronic camera. This mode switching is performed by the mode switching button 12. Details of each mode will be described later.
[0010]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a focus mode button for switching the focus mode. In the present embodiment, there are a normal AF mode corresponding to photographing such as a snapshot and a portrait, a macro mode corresponding to photographing a very close subject, and a distant view mode corresponding to distant photographing such as a landscape or a building. There are three focus modes. Each time the focus mode button 13 is pressed, the three focus modes described above are cyclically switched.
[0011]
FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the electronic camera shown in FIG. The ROM 443 stores a control program for the electronic camera 1. When the main switch 4 is turned on, the power source of the electronic camera 1 is turned on, and this control program is activated by the CPU 439. When the recording mode is set by the dial 6, the electronic camera 1 can shoot. On the other hand, when the reproduction mode is set by the dial 6, an image based on the image data recorded on the memory card 424 as a recording medium can be reproduced and displayed on the display LCD 3. In the recording mode, an image based on the imaging signal from the CCD 214 is displayed on the display LCD 3.
[0012]
The photographing optical system 2 has a plurality of lenses 201 to 204, and the focus adjustment operation is performed by a lens driving circuit 430. The focus adjustment operation by the lens driving circuit 430 is normally performed according to a command from the CPU 439. However, the focus adjustment operation can also be performed by an operation signal output when the distance ring 462 is manually operated.
[0013]
A shutter plate 208 and a diaphragm 215 are provided between the lens 203 and the lens 204 of the photographing optical system 2. The subject light incident on the photographing optical system 2 passes through the lenses 201 to 204, the shutter plate 208 and the diaphragm plate 215, and forms an image on the imaging surface of the CCD 214. The diaphragm plate 215 and the shutter plate 208 are formed in a disc shape, and are driven by step motors 415 and 408 provided at the center of rotation of the disc. The aperture plate 215 is provided with a plurality of aperture openings (not shown) having different aperture areas, and the aperture plate 215 is rotated by the step motor 415 to arrange any one aperture opening on the optical axis. .
[0014]
The shutter plate 208 is provided with a complete light-shielding portion (not shown) that shields all light beams that have passed through the lens 203 and an opening (not shown) that allows all light beams to pass through. At the time of exposure, the opening of the shutter plate 208 is set on the optical path, and the complete light-shielding part is set on the optical path upon completion of exposure. A step motor 415 that rotates the diaphragm plate 215 is driven and controlled by a drive circuit 453. A step motor 408 that rotates the shutter plate 208 is driven and controlled by a shutter drive circuit 454.
[0015]
When photographing, first, the electric charge accumulated in the CCD 214 is discharged, and a predetermined opening of the diaphragm plate 215 is set on the optical path. Then, when the CCD 214 is exposed for a predetermined time, charges are accumulated again. The time from when the electric charge is discharged until the light path is blocked by the complete light blocking portion of the shutter plate 208 again corresponds to the exposure time.
[0016]
When the subject image is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 214 by the photographing optical system 2, signal charges corresponding to the intensity of the light of the subject image are accumulated. The CCD 214 is supplied with a horizontal drive signal from a digital signal processor (hereinafter referred to as DSP) 433 and a vertical drive signal from a CCD drive circuit 434 controlled by the DSP 433. That is, the timing of the CCD 214 is controlled by the DSP 433 and the CCD driving circuit 434, and a signal from the CCD 214 is input to the image processing unit 431.
[0017]
The image processing unit 431 includes a noise removal circuit, a direct current reproduction circuit, and the like, and performs analog processing such as noise removal and gain control on the image signal output from the CCD 214. The analog image signal output from the image processing unit 431 is converted into a digital signal by an analog / digital conversion circuit (hereinafter referred to as an A / D conversion circuit) 432. The converted digital image data is input to the DSP 433 described above.
[0018]
In the DSP 433, image processing such as contour compensation, gamma correction, and white balance adjustment is performed on the image data output from the A / D conversion circuit 432. Further, the DSP 433 controls the data bus connected to the buffer memory 436 and the memory card 424 to temporarily store the image data subjected to various image processing in the buffer memory 436, and then receives the image data from the buffer memory 436. The data is read, compressed in a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG method), and recorded on the memory card 424.
[0019]
Further, the DSP 433 stores in the frame memory 435 image data after being imaged by the CCD 214 and subjected to the above image processing, and image data read from the memory card 424 and decompressed, and an image based on the image data is electronically stored. The image is displayed on a display LCD 3 provided in the camera 1. Further, the DSP 433 also performs data input / output timing management in the above-described recording of image data in the memory card 424 and recording of the captured image data after decompression in the buffer memory 436.
[0020]
The buffer memory 436 in which image data based on the output of the CCD 214 is temporarily stored is used to alleviate the difference in the input / output speed of image data with respect to the memory card 424 and the processing speed in the CPU 439, DSP 433, and the like. The The timer 445 incorporates a clock circuit, outputs time data corresponding to the current time to the CPU 439, and is also used as a timer for monitor on / off control described later. This time data is recorded on the memory card 424 together with the image data described above.
[0021]
The color measuring element 417 detects the color temperature of the main subject and its surroundings, and outputs the detected color temperature data to the color measuring circuit 452. The color measurement circuit 452 performs predetermined processing on the analog signal output from the color measurement element 417 to convert it into a digital value, and outputs the converted digital signal to the CPU 439. The interface 448 is provided to connect a predetermined external device (not shown) and transmit / receive data to / from the CPU 439 and the connected external device. Reference numeral 440 denotes a display circuit for controlling the display panel 7, and setting contents in the photographing operation are displayed on the display panel 7. Reference numeral 440 denotes a display circuit for controlling the display panel 7, and setting contents in the photographing operation are displayed on the display panel 7. The display LCD 3 or the display panel 7 displays a print size described later.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the electronic camera 1 will be described. As described above, in the electronic camera 1, a switching operation between the recording mode and the reproduction mode can be performed with the dial 6. As the recording mode, there are a normal shooting mode corresponding to a recording mode of a conventional electronic camera and a designated magnification shooting mode. When shooting is performed in the designated magnification shooting mode, a print resolution is automatically calculated so that the photographed subject image is printed at the set magnification, and the print resolution is recorded in the memory card 424 together with the image information. When printing is performed at the print resolution recorded on the memory card 424 at the time of printing, a subject image with a specified magnification is printed.
[0023]
[Description of normal shooting mode]
First, the normal photographing mode that is the same operation as that of a conventional electronic camera will be described. The recording mode and the reproduction mode are selected by operating the dial 6. When shooting, the dial 6 is set to the recording mode and the main switch 4 is turned on, or the dial 6 is set to the recording mode after the main switch 4 is turned on. The image signal output from the CCD 214 is subjected to analog processing such as noise removal and gain control in the image processing unit 431, and then converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 432. The digitally converted signal is guided to the above-described DSP 433, where image preprocessing such as contour compensation and gamma correction is performed and temporarily stored in the buffer memory 436.
[0024]
Thereafter, image data is exchanged between the CPU 439 and the buffer memory 436 to obtain a white balance adjustment value from the image data, and the DSP 433 performs white balance adjustment based on this adjustment value. The image data after the white balance adjustment is stored in the buffer memory 436 again. The image data stored in the buffer memory 436 is processed into image data to be displayed on the display LCD 3 by the DSP 433. The processed image data is written into the frame memory 435 and displayed on the display LCD 3 as a photographic monitor image called a through image. The through image is sequentially updated at predetermined intervals based on subject light incident on the photographing optical system 2 by repeating the above operation.
[0025]
When a half-push switch (not shown) is turned on by half-pressing the release button 5, the focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system 2 is detected based on the contrast of the image data, and a focused subject image is formed on the CCD 214. A focus adjustment operation is performed by the lens driving circuit 430 so as to be imaged. When the release button 5 is pressed halfway, the CPU 439 detects the luminance of the subject from the image data, and performs an exposure calculation based on the detected luminance.
[0026]
The electronic camera 1 has a mode called “continuous AF mode” and a mode called “single AF mode” as focus adjustment operations. In the continuous AF mode, the focus adjustment operation is repeatedly performed regardless of the operation of the release button 5, and the focus is locked by half-pressing the release button 5. On the other hand, in the single AF mode, the focus adjustment operation is performed and the focus is locked only when the release button 5 is pressed halfway.
[0027]
If the release button 5 is further fully pressed following the half-press of the release button 5, a full-press switch (not shown) is turned on. As a result, after the signal charge accumulated in the CCD 214 is once discharged, the shutter plate 208 and the diaphragm plate 215 are driven based on the result of the exposure calculation, and imaging by the CCD 214 is performed.
[0028]
The image signal output from the CCD 214 by this imaging is subjected to the above-described series of processing and stored in the buffer memory 436. The image data stored in the buffer memory 436 is processed into image data to be displayed on the display LCD 3 by the DSP 433 and then written into the frame memory 435, and a captured image called a freeze image is displayed on the display LCD 3. The image data subjected to such image preprocessing is further compressed by the DSP 433, given a predetermined data name by the CPU 439, and time information from the timer 445 and a recording medium (PC card) such as a flash memory , CF card, etc.).
[0029]
The CPU 439 receives a zoom signal by operating the zoom switch button 9 and a half-press signal and a full-press signal by operating the release button 5, respectively. When the zoom switching button 9 is operated to the telephoto side (T), the CPU 439 drives the lens driving circuit 430 to optically enlarge the zoom magnification. Conversely, when the zoom switching button 9 is operated to the wide side (W), the zoom magnification decreases.
[0030]
[Explanation of specified magnification shooting mode]
Next, the designated magnification shooting mode will be described. In the electronic camera 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of printing magnifications M are stored in advance in the ROM 443 in FIG. 2, and the setting of the subject image printing magnification M is performed using the menu button 10 and the selection buttons 11a to 11d described above. Do it. For example, when 1 ×, 2 ×, and 3 × are stored as the print magnification M, first, the menu 3 is used to display a print magnification setting menu on the display LCD 3. Each magnification is displayed in the print magnification setting menu, and the print magnification M is set to the selected magnification by selecting any one using the selection buttons 11a to 11d.
[0031]
Although details will be described later, when the print magnification M is set to, for example, twice, a print resolution is calculated such that an image at the time of printing is printed twice as much as the actual image. The ROM 443 stores a plurality of print sizes. For example, one of the print sizes is selected in advance using the menu button 10 and the selection buttons 11a to 11d.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a camera system that performs a process from subject photographing to printing of a normal size image. Image data captured by the electronic camera 1 is taken into the personal computer 20 via a memory card 424 that is detachable from the camera 1. Alternatively, the image data may be transferred from the camera 1 to the personal computer 20 via the communication cable 21, or the image data may be transferred to the personal computer 20 via a wireless or Internet line. A display monitor 22 and a printer 23 are connected to the personal computer 20. Driver software for driving the printer 23 is installed in the personal computer 20, and the resolution and print size for printing an image can be freely set. Note that the image data may be directly input to the printer 23 without using the personal computer 20.
[0033]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a schematic procedure from photographing to printing of the camera system shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, steps S101 to S103 are procedures for photographing performed on the camera 1 side, and steps S104 to S106 are procedures relating to printing. In step S101, the mode switching button 12 is used to switch from the normal shooting mode to the designated magnification shooting mode. In this designated magnification photographing mode, the print magnification M may be displayed on the display LCD 3 or the display panel 7. In step S102, camera shooting is performed in the specified magnification shooting mode. In step S <b> 103, header information and image data including print resolution (described later) are recorded on the memory card 424.
[0034]
In step S104, the header information and the image data are read from the camera 1 to the personal computer 20 side, for example, by removing the memory card 424 from the camera 1 and mounting it in the personal computer 20 of FIG. In step S105, image processing is performed in accordance with the print resolution included in the header information. In step S106, the printer 23 prints the image M times.
[0035]
Regarding the print sizes described above, it is assumed that all the print sizes stored in the ROM 443 are in the selected state in the initial state. The photographer can change the desired print size to the selected state as necessary. In the following description, it is assumed that the sizes of A4, B5, A5, and B6 used as the paper size are stored in advance in the ROM 443 as the print size, and all the sizes are in a selected state.
[0036]
Next, the procedure on the camera side shown in steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 4 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure of a program executed by the CPU 439 of the camera 1. In step S201, it is determined whether or not the mode switching button 12 has been operated to switch to the designated magnification shooting mode. If it is determined in step S201 that the camera is in the designated magnification shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the mode is not the designated magnification shooting mode, that is, if the normal shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to step S206, and a series of processing relating to the normal shooting mode is performed.
[0037]
In step S202, the aperture is opened to reduce the depth of field so that the subject distance can be measured more accurately. In step S203, the photographing optical system 2 is adjusted to the macro state. Since the specified magnification shooting mode is a mode in which the subject image is printed at the same magnification or enlarged at the time of printing, generally, shooting is performed in a state of approaching the subject. For this reason, in step S203, control is automatically performed so as to be a macro area. In step S204, the photographing optical system 2 is adjusted to a predetermined zoom position recommended position. As the recommended zoom position, for example, the lens is moved to an intermediate position between the tele end and the zoom end so that the lens aberration is reduced.
[0038]
In step S205, it is determined whether the macro mode has been canceled. If it is determined that the focus mode button 13 has not been released, the process proceeds to step S205. If it is determined that the focus mode button 13 has been released by operating the focus mode button 13, the process proceeds to step S206 to perform processing in the normal shooting mode. In step S207, it is determined whether or not the release button 5 has been pressed halfway. If it is determined that the release button 5 has been pressed halfway, the process proceeds to step S208. If it is determined that the release button 5 has not been pressed halfway, the process returns to step S201.
[0039]
In step S208, the selected print magnification is read from the ROM 443. In step S209, the lens driving circuit 430 performs the focus adjustment operation of the photographing optical system 2, and when the distance to the subject at that time is calculated, the process proceeds to step S10 and the focal distance is read.
[0040]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the subject and the CCD 214. A subject image within the imaging range W is projected on the entire imaging area of the CCD 214. In FIG. 7, the symbol W indicating the shooting range is the longitudinal dimension of the shooting range at the subject position, that is, the horizontal dimension when the camera 1 in FIG. 1 is held upright, and N is the width of the imaging area of the CCD 214. The number of pixels in the direction. P is the pixel pitch of the CCD 214. The relationship of the following formula (1) always holds among the focal length f, the distance f ′ between the photographing optical system 2 and the imaging surface, and the subject distance L.
[Expression 1]
1 / L + 1 / f ′ = 1 / f
f ′ = L · f / (L−f) (1)
[0041]
Returning to FIG. 5, in step S <b> 211, it is determined whether or not the subject image in the shooting range W shown in FIG. 7 can be printed on A4 size paper at the set print magnification M. If it determines with YES in step S211, it will progress to step S212, and if it determines with NO, it will progress to step S217. If NO is determined in step S211, and the process proceeds to step S217, a rectangular frame WA4 corresponding to the A4 size is displayed on the subject image 30 of the display LCD 3 as shown in FIG. 8B. At this time, the subject LCD 30 of the shooting range W is displayed on the display LCD 3, but since it is printed at a magnification of M, the print range is M · W as shown in FIG. The rectangular frame WA4 in FIG. 8B corresponds to the rectangular frame indicating the A4 size in FIG. That is, the rectangular frame WA4 represents a printable range on A4 size paper.
[0042]
In the subsequent step S218, a warning is given that the photographing range W cannot be printed on A4 size paper. As a warning method, for example, a mark 31 “A4” indicating the print size may be blinked on the display LCD 3 as shown in FIG. 8B, or a speaker is mounted on the electronic camera to notify by voice. Anyway. By displaying the rectangular frame WA4, it is possible to roughly know how close the subject is to printing on A4 paper.
[0043]
If the process proceeds from step S211 to step S212, it is determined in step S212 whether or not the subject image in the shooting range W can be printed on B5 size paper at a print magnification M. If it determines with YES in step S212, it will progress to step S214, and if it determines with NO, it will progress to step S213. In step S214, a rectangular frame corresponding to the B5 size is displayed on the display LCD 3 together with the subject image. At this time, the display LCD 3 displays a subject image in the shooting range W that is equal to or smaller than the A4 size and larger than the B5 size.
[0044]
On the other hand, if the process proceeds from step S212 to step S213, it is determined in step S213 whether or not the subject image in the shooting range W can be printed on A5 size paper at the print magnification M. If YES is determined in the step S213, the process proceeds to a step S215 to display a rectangular frame corresponding to the B6 size on the display LCD 3 together with the subject image. At this time, a subject image in the photographing range W having a size of A5 or less is displayed on the display LCD 3.
[0045]
On the other hand, if NO is determined in step S213, the process proceeds to step S216, and a rectangular frame corresponding to the A5 size is displayed on the display LCD 3 together with the subject image. At this time, the display LCD 3 displays a subject image in the photographing range W that is equal to or smaller than the B5 size and larger than the A5 size. In step S219, it is determined whether or not the release button 5 has been fully pressed, and the process proceeds to step S220 in FIG. 6 where it is determined that the release button has been fully pressed. In other cases, the process returns to step S209.
[0046]
Note that before the release button 5 is fully pressed, the zooming operation may be performed automatically or manually so that the shooting range W is substantially equal to the displayed rectangular frame WA4. When performing automatically, for example, zooming is performed if the subject distance L remains constant for a predetermined time or longer. When the subject distance L changes after zooming, the zoom position is returned to the recommended position.
[0047]
If the release button 5 is not fully pressed in step S219, the processes in steps S209 to S219 are repeatedly executed. At this time, when the photographer approaches or moves away from the subject, the shooting range W changes, and accordingly, the size of the rectangular frame WA4 displayed on the display LCD 3 also changes continuously. For example, when approaching the subject from the state of FIG. 8B, the rectangular frame WA4 indicating the A4 size is increased as shown in FIG. 9A. Further, when the size of the shooting range W that is M times closer to the subject becomes smaller than the A4 size that is the print size, the process proceeds from step S211 to step S212 and step 214 in FIG. At this time, a B5 size rectangular frame WB5 as shown in FIG. 9B and a mark 32 indicating that the rectangular frame WB5 is B5 size are displayed on the display LCD 3.
[0048]
Note that in steps S214, S215, S216, and S217 in FIG. 5, the largest one of the print sizes smaller than the size obtained by multiplying the shooting range W by M is displayed on the display LCD 3. For example, in step S214, since the size obtained by multiplying the shooting range W by M is larger than the B5 size and smaller than the A4 size, B5, A5 and B6 size rectangular frames can be displayed, but in this embodiment, the largest B5 size rectangle is displayed. A frame WB5 is displayed (see FIG. 9B). However, not only the largest rectangular frame but also two rectangular frames WB5 and WA5 may be displayed in descending order as shown in FIG. 9C. At this time, marks 32 “B5” and “A5” indicating the sizes of the rectangular frames WB5 and WA5 are displayed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9B, a center mark C indicating the center of the display LCD 3 may be displayed so that the subject can be easily aligned with the center of the rectangular frame WB5.
[0049]
Returning to FIG. 6, in step S220, an image captured by the CCD 214 is captured. In step S221, the print resolution k for printing the subject image in the shooting range W at the magnification M is calculated. The print range W shown in FIG. 7 is expressed as in Expression (2) using the number of pixels N, the pitch P, the subject distance L, and the distance f ′ calculated by Expression (1). When printing a subject in the shooting range W at a printing magnification M, N pixels correspond to the dimension M · W, and therefore the printing resolution k at the time of printing may be set as shown in Expression (3). When equation (3) is transformed using equation (2), equation (4) is obtained.
[Expression 2]
W = N · P · L / f ′ (2)
k = N / (M · W) (3)
= F ′ / (P · L · M) (4)
Actually, the printing resolution k is expressed by the following equation (5) using the error coefficient α in consideration of the error of the lenses constituting the photographing optical system 2.
[Equation 3]
k = α · f ′ / (P · L · M) (5)
[0050]
Returning to FIG. 6, in step S222, the image data is compressed in a predetermined format. In step S223, together with the compressed image data, the focal length f, the subject distance L, the number of pixels N, the pixel pitch P, the designated print magnification M, the print resolution k, and the like are recorded on the memory card 424 as tag information. In this way, a series of processing from photographing to recording performed on the electronic camera 1 side is completed. The image data to be recorded on the memory card 424 may be data of the entire image captured by the CCD 214, or a range surrounded by the largest rectangular frame among the rectangular frames corresponding to the print size displayed on the display LCD 3. Only the image data may be cut out and stored.
[0051]
When the print resolution k is recorded in the TIFF format, it is recorded in units of the image width resolution, the image height resolution, and the image width and height resolution specified by the tag numbers 282 to 284. The When recording in the Exif format, subject distance, lens focal length, focal plane height resolution, focal plane width resolution, focal plane resolution unit defined by tag numbers 37386, 37382, and 41486 to 41488 are used. Each information is recorded. In this case, since a free area in which the user can write freely is provided, the printing magnification M may be written in this free area and read on the printer side, and the printing resolution k may be calculated by application software.
[0052]
In the case of a camera that records in another file format in the normal shooting mode, the camera may be switched to the TIFF format or the Exif format described above when the designated magnification shooting mode is selected.
[0053]
When the subject image is printed, the image data is taken into the personal computer 20 in FIG. 3 as described above and printed by the printer 23 connected to the personal computer 20. At this time, the printer 23 reads the printing resolution k recorded as tag information and sets it as the printing resolution. That is, by printing at the print resolution k, the subject image is printed M times as desired. If the application software does not automatically read and set the print resolution k, the tag information may be confirmed and manually set to the print resolution k.
[0054]
[Modification 1]
In the embodiment described above, when the photographer changes the subject distance L, the size of the rectangular frame WA4 displayed on the display LCD 3 continuously changes as shown in FIG. In the first modification described below, a rectangular frame R having a fixed size is displayed as shown in FIG. First, the display area of the display LCD 3 is divided into three areas S1, S2, and S3. The region S1 is a region inside the rectangular boundary 35. The region S2 is a region surrounded by a rectangular boundary 34 and a boundary 35. The region S3 is a region surrounded by the display frame of the display LCD 3 and the boundary 34. The rectangular frame R is displayed approximately in the middle between the boundary 34 and the boundary 35.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 10B, when the above-described rectangular frame WA4 is included in the region S1, the rectangular frame R and the mark 37a “> A4” are displayed. Such a display allows the photographer to recognize that the range indicated by the rectangular frame R is larger than the A4 size. In FIG. 10B, the rectangular frame WA4 is shown on the display LCD 3 for explanation, but it is not actually displayed. When the subject distance is changed and the rectangular frame WA4 is included in the region S2 as shown in FIG. 11A, the range indicated by the rectangular frame R is almost the same size as the A4 size. A mark 37b “= A4” is displayed. Furthermore, when the rectangular frame WA4 is included in the region S3 as shown in FIG. 11B, the range indicated by the rectangular frame R is smaller than the A4 size, so the rectangular frame R and the mark “<A4” 37c is displayed.
[0056]
When the shooting range W is further reduced and the process proceeds from step S212 to step S214, a mark “> B5” corresponding to the B5 size is displayed instead of the mark 37a in FIG. As described above, in the first modification, the rectangular frame R having a fixed size is displayed even when the shooting range W changes, and the marks 37a to 37c indicating the size of the rectangular frame R compared to the print size are displayed. By indicating this, it is possible to recognize the approximate size of the range indicated by the rectangular frame R with respect to the print size. In particular, since the size of the rectangular frame R does not change, display control becomes very simple as compared to the case where the size is continuously changed.
[0057]
Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, a display magnification HM that is a ratio between the size of the subject image displayed on the display LCD 3 and the size of the actual object may be displayed on the display LCD 3. When the size of the display LCD 3 is Lw and the equation (3) is used, the display magnification HM is calculated by the following equation (6).
[Expression 4]
HM = Lw / M · W
= Lw / (N / k) (6)
[0058]
[Modification 2]
In the first modification, the size of the rectangular frame R is constant. In the second modification, a case where the size of the rectangular frame R is changed in three stages of R1, R2, and R3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 12A, the display LCD 3 can display three rectangular frames R1, R2, and R3 having different sizes. For example, in the case where the above-described rectangular frame WA4 has a shooting range as shown in FIG. 12B, the rectangular frame R1 closest to the size of the rectangular frame WA4 is displayed. At this time, as in the first modification, marks 37a to 37c such as “> A4”, “= A4”, and “<A4” are displayed according to the size relationship between the rectangular frame R1 and the rectangular frame WA4. ]
When the rectangular frame WA4 is within the shooting range as shown in FIG. 12C away from the subject, the rectangular frame R2 is displayed. Further away, the rectangular frame R3 is displayed when the rectangular frame WA4 is in an imaging range having a size as shown in FIG. When the process proceeds from step S212 to step S214 in FIG. 5, the rectangular frames R1 to R3 correspond to the B5 size frame, and “> B5”, “= B5”, “ A mark such as <B5 ”is displayed. In the case of the modification example 2, since the size is changed in three stages like the rectangular frames R1 to R3, the shooting range can be recognized in more detail than in the case of the modification example 1.
[0060]
[Modification 3]
FIG. 13 is a modified example of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, in which step S202 in FIG. 5 is deleted and steps S301 and S302 are added. If the lens is moved to the macro area in step S203, the zoom position is set to the tele end in step S302. Setting the telephoto end in this way has an advantage that the measurement accuracy of the subject distance L is increased. In step S302, it is determined whether or not the zoom position has been moved. If there is a movement, the normal shooting mode processing in step S206 is executed. If there is no movement, step S207 and subsequent steps in FIG. Execute the process.
[0061]
In the above-described embodiment, the calculation is performed using the equations (4) and (5). However, the print resolution k using the subject distance L and the focal distance f as variables is stored in advance in the ROM 443 as a table. The print resolution k corresponding to the obtained subject distance L and focal length f may be derived from the table.
[0062]
In addition, the calculation of the print resolution k was performed on the electronic camera 1 side in FIG. 3, and based on the subject distance L, the focal length f, the number of pixels N, the pixel pitch P, and the print magnification M recorded as tag information, The print resolution k may be calculated by the PC 20 or the printer 23 on the printing side. Note that when there is no record of the print magnification M as tag data, or when zero is recorded, it is handled that the print magnification is not designated, that is, the same magnification print.
[0063]
In the first embodiment described above, it has been described that the ratio of “vertical dimension: horizontal dimension” of the print size is the same as the ratio of “vertical dimension: horizontal dimension” of the CCD 214. However, when the ratio of “vertical dimension: horizontal dimension” of the shooting range W and the print size is different, for example, when the print size S is longer than the shooting range W as shown in FIG. The vertical dimensions are compared to compare the shooting range W and the print size S. On the other hand, when the print size S is longer than the shooting range W as shown in FIG. 14B, the horizontal dimensions are compared to compare the size of the shooting range W and the print size S. The same applies to the following description.
[0064]
Furthermore, when the print resolution k is too larger or smaller than the preferred print resolution range, the image may be thinned out or the resolution may be increased by interpolation processing (for example, bicubic interpolation processing). For example, an image capturing range with a length of about 50 cm is taken with a CCD 214 having 2000 pixels in the longitudinal direction, and an A4 size portion (length in the longitudinal direction is about 30 cm) is printed at the same magnification. In this case, the printing resolution is reduced to about 40 (dot / cm). In such a case. The printing resolution is increased to 80 (dots / cm) by interpolation processing so that jaggies are not noticeable. On the other hand, when a photographing range having a length in the longitudinal direction of about 5 cm is photographed and printed at the same magnification, the print resolution becomes unnecessarily large as 400 (dots / cm), so 150 (dots / cm ) Decrease the image by thinning out or interpolating to an extent.
[0065]
When a wide converter or a teleconverter is mounted on the front surface of the photographing optical system 2 of the electronic camera, information that these are mounted automatically or manually is transmitted to the camera side. In such a case, the focal length f is corrected. In such a case, the designated magnification shooting mode may be prohibited, or the designated magnification shooting mode may be canceled.
[0066]
The first embodiment described above has the following features.
(A) Since a rectangular frame corresponding to the print size is displayed on the display LCD 3, shooting can be performed while confirming the print image.
(B) If a desired print magnification M is set at the time of shooting, a print resolution k corresponding to M-times printing is automatically calculated, and M-times printing is easily performed by printing at the calculated print resolution k. be able to.
[0067]
-Second Embodiment-
In the first embodiment described above, the print resolution k is calculated by the equation (4) or the equation (5) including the error coefficient α. However, since the error coefficient α is different for each camera, the error for each camera cannot be accurately corrected with the specific error coefficient α. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a method of correcting an error for each camera by photographing a reference chart with the camera will be described. Hereinafter, such a correction mode is referred to as a calibration mode. For example, the dial 6 shown in FIG. 1 is operated to set the electronic camera to the calibration mode, and calibration described later is performed. In the calibration mode, the printing magnification M is automatically set to M = 1.
[0068]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a calibration procedure regarding lens errors. When performing calibration, a reference chart on which a predetermined print size, for example, an A4 size frame and a B5 size frame is printed, is prepared in advance. When the calibration mode is set, the process of FIG. 15 starts. In step S501, the photographing optical system 2 is adjusted to the macro position and the telephoto end.
[0069]
The photographer holds the electronic camera 1 toward the reference chart in the setting state in step S501. In the calibration mode, since it is set to the continuous AF state in which the focus adjustment operation is always performed, the focus adjustment with respect to the reference chart is performed. In step 502, a rectangular frame WA4 corresponding to the A4 size and the reference chart 40 are displayed on the display LCD 3 as shown in FIG. In the reference chart 40, an A4 size frame 41 and a B5 size frame 42 are drawn. In FIG. 16A, the frames 41 and 42 and the rectangular frame WA4 are displayed on the display LCD 3.
[0070]
If the error coefficient α representing the lens error described above is 1, the frame 41 and the rectangular frame WA4 coincide on the display LCD 3. However, since they do not match in FIG. 16A, the error coefficient α ≠ 1. Here, the photographer moves away from the reference chart 40 so that the frame 41 and the rectangular frame WA4 coincide with each other, and presses the release button 5 fully when they coincide. When the release button 5 is fully pressed, the process proceeds from step S503 in FIG. 15 to step S504, and the focusing operation is executed.
[0071]
In step S505, a correction value β is calculated based on the subject distance L2 and the focal length f2 during the focusing operation in step S504. The theoretical printing resolution k1 having no lens error or the like can be obtained by the calculation formula (7). On the other hand, the print resolution k2 including an error calculated based on the focal distance f2 and the subject distance L2 obtained by the focusing operation is expressed by Expression (8). However, f2 ′ = L2 · f2 / (L2−f2). The correction value β is represented by the ratio between k1 and k2, and is calculated as in equation (9). Here, M = 1 and S are A4 size.
[Equation 5]
k1 = N / (print size S) (7)
k2 = f2 ′ / (P · L2 · M) (8)
β = k1 / k2 = P · L2 · M / (f2 ′ · S) (9)
[0072]
Next, in step S506, a rectangular frame WB5 corresponding to the B5 size and the reference chart 40 are displayed on the display LCD 3, as shown in FIG. The photographer moves away from the reference chart 40 so that the frame 42 and the rectangular frame WB5 coincide with each other, and presses the release button 5 fully at the coincidence. When the release button 5 is fully pressed, the process proceeds from step S507 to step S508 in FIG. 15, and a focusing operation is executed. The printing resolution k3 at this time is calculated by the following equation (10) using the focal length f3 and the subject distance L3 obtained by the focusing operation in step S508. However, f3 ′ = L3 · f3 / (L3−f3). In step S509, a correction value γ, which is the ratio between k1 and k3, is calculated. The correction value γ is as shown in Expression (11). In step S510, the average value α2 of the correction value β and the correction value γ is calculated by the equation (12), and this average value α2 is set as the correction coefficient of the first embodiment.
[Formula 6]
k3 = f3 ′ / (P · L3 · M) (10)
γ = k1 / k3 = P · L3 · M / (f3 ′ · S) (11)
α2 = (β + γ) / 2 (12)
[0073]
In the electronic camera of the second embodiment, since the correction coefficient α2 is set for each electronic camera, the lens error is more accurate than in the case of correcting with the specific correction coefficient α as in the first embodiment. Etc. can be corrected.
[0074]
In the correspondence between the embodiment described above and the elements of the claims, the memory card 424 is a storage area, the display LCD 3 is a display monitor, the CCD 214 is an imaging unit, and the menu button 10 and the selection buttons 11a to 11d are input. Means and selection means, ROM 443 is a print size storage unit, rectangular frames R, R1 to R3, WA4, WA5, WB5 are marks, frames 41 and 42 are reference rectangular frames, CPU 439 is a distance measuring unit, and an imaging range calculating unit. , A print resolution calculation unit, a storage control unit, a correction unit, a monitor control unit, and a determination unit, and the mark 37a constitutes a determination mark.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform shooting while grasping the relationship between the shooting range and the print size, which is the size of the paper at the time of printing. Therefore, it is possible to perform shooting as printed image.
According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to check the print image by reproducing the image on the display monitor.
According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to remove the influence of the lens error and the like, and it is possible to display the rectangular frame displayed on the display monitor more accurately.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B are diagrams showing an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a plan view of the electronic camera viewed from above, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the camera viewed from the rear.
FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the electronic camera shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a camera system.
4 is a diagram showing a procedure from shooting to printing in the camera system of FIG. 3; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail a procedure from step S101 to step S103 in FIG. 3;
6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure following FIG.
7 is a diagram showing a relationship between a subject and a CCD 214. FIG.
8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining image display, in which FIG. 8A shows a printing range, and FIG. 8B shows a rectangular frame WA4 displayed on the display LCD 3;
9A and 9B are diagrams showing a rectangular frame displayed on the display LCD 3. FIG. 9A shows changes in the rectangular frame WA4, FIG. 9B shows a rectangular frame WB5, and FIG. 9C shows rectangular frames WA 5 and WB5. Indicates.
10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a rectangular frame R according to a first modification, where FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the rectangular frame R and the regions S1 to S3, and FIG. 10B illustrates a case where a mark 37a is displayed. FIG.
11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a rectangular frame R, where FIG. 11A illustrates a case where a mark 37b is displayed, and FIG. 11B illustrates a case where a mark 37c is displayed.
12A and 12B are diagrams for explaining rectangular frames R1 to R3 according to a second modification, where FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the rectangular frames R1 to R3, and FIG. 12B is a diagram in which the rectangular frame R1 is displayed; (c) is a diagram in which a rectangular frame R2 is displayed, and (d) is a diagram in which a rectangular frame R3 is displayed.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a third modification and shows a modification of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5;
FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing the relationship between the print size S and the photographing range W, where FIG. 14A shows a case where the print size S is horizontally long, and FIG. 14B shows a case where the print size S is vertically long. Indicates the case where there was.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment and shows a flowchart of a calibration mode;
16A and 16B are diagrams showing a relationship between a reference chart displayed on the display LCD 3 and a rectangular frame. FIG. 16A shows a relationship between the frame 41 and the rectangular frame WA4, and FIG. 16B shows a relationship between the frame 42 and the rectangular frame W. The relationship with B5 is shown.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Electronic Camera 2 Imaging Optical System 3 Display LCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Menu button 11a-11d Selection button 12 Mode switching button 23 Printer 40 Reference chart 214 Image pick-up part 430 Lens drive circuit 433 DSP
439 CPU
424 Memory card L Subject distance N Number of pixels P Pixel pitch W Shooting range R, R1 to R3, WA4, WA5, WB5 Rectangular frame

Claims (6)

An imaging unit that photoelectrically converts a subject image projected on the imaging region by the imaging optical system;
A distance measuring unit for detecting a subject distance;
A shooting range calculation unit that calculates a shooting range that is obtained by projecting the imaging region of the imaging unit to the position of the subject distance by the shooting optical system;
A print resolution calculation unit that calculates a print resolution based on the image pickup range and the number of pixels of the image pickup unit to print a subject image based on image information from the image pickup unit in a size substantially equal to the shooting range;
A storage controller that stores the print resolution in a storage area together with the image information;
A display monitor for displaying a subject image captured by the imaging unit;
A print size storage unit in which at least two print sizes of different sizes are stored;
Selecting means for selecting any one of the print sizes stored in the print size storage unit;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the size of the shooting range calculated by the shooting range calculation unit is equal to or smaller than the size of the print size selected by the selection unit;
A monitor control unit that controls the display monitor so as to display the mark representing the print size selected by the selection unit and the determination mark representing the determination result of the determination unit together with the subject image. An electronic camera characterized by The electronic camera according to claim 1,
A reproduction mode in which a subject image based on image information stored in the storage area is displayed on the display monitor;
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the monitor control unit controls the display monitor so that the mark is displayed together with the subject image in the reproduction mode. The electronic camera according to claim 1 or 2,
An electronic camera comprising input means for inputting the print size to the print size storage unit. In the electronic camera in any one of Claims 1-3,
The electronic camera, wherein the mark displayed on the display monitor is a rectangular frame representing the print size. The electronic camera according to claim 4,
A reference rectangular frame having a size equal to the print size is imaged, and the print resolution when the rectangular frame corresponding to the print size matches the image of the reference rectangular frame on the display monitor, and the number of pixels are A correction means for correcting the print resolution based on a value divided by the size of the reference rectangular frame;
The storage control unit stores the print resolution corrected by the correction unit in the storage area together with image information. In the electronic camera in any one of Claims 1-5,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the monitor control unit controls the display monitor so that a center mark indicating a center position of the display monitor is displayed.

Images