JP4764787B2 - Imaging apparatus, display control method for imaging apparatus, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a display control method for the imaging apparatus, and a computer program.

  In order to improve the operability of the image pickup apparatus, one having a function of displaying various types of shooting information is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a camera device that performs display in accordance with a user's shooting skill level and knowledge of shooting information. Such various types of shooting information are easier to understand if they are displayed in large size or graphically, but if they are displayed superimposed on a shot image, it is difficult to see the subject and there is a risk of missing a photo opportunity.

  For the same problem, in Patent Document 2, when a menu is superimposed on a captured image, the captured image is superimposed and displayed when the shutter is half-pressed (shooting preparation state) so that the captured image is not hidden in the menu. An image recording apparatus for deleting a menu is disclosed.

JP 2005-348196 A JP 2001-242529 A

  However, in an imaging device in which the exposure conditions (aperture, shutter speed, sensitivity) can be changed when the shutter is half-pressed (shooting preparation state), the subject is difficult to see and is displayed superimposed on the captured image when the shutter is half-pressed. If the exposure conditions are erased, inconvenience arises. Specifically, the user cannot grasp the changed exposure condition, and it becomes difficult for the user to set the desired exposure condition.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and makes it easy to see the exposure conditions except in the shooting preparation state. In the shooting preparation state, the exposure conditions are not erased, but priority is given to the visibility of the subject. The purpose is to be able to display exposure conditions.

An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image to acquire image data, a display unit that displays a captured image based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit, and an exposure condition for changing an exposure condition. comprising an operation unit for accepting a change operation, and a display control means for superimposing display information about the exposure conditions in the photographed image displayed on said display means, said display control means, the first state is a camera shooting When the exposure condition changing operation is performed, information on the exposure condition is displayed so that the captured image is easier to see than when the exposure changing operation is performed in the second state, which is the other state .
The display control method of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that performs imaging to acquire image data, a display unit that displays a captured image based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit, and an exposure condition. and an operation unit that receives the exposure conditions change operation for changing to a display control method for an imaging apparatus that causes superimposed display of information relating to the exposure conditions in the photographed image displayed on the display means, photographing preparation a state at the time of the exposure conditions change operation in the first state, the so easily visible that the captured image than the time of exposure change operation in a second state is the other states, view information about the exposure conditions It is characterized by making it .
The computer program according to the present invention includes an imaging means for obtaining image data by performing imaging, and display means for displaying the captured image based on the image data acquired by the imaging means, for changing the exposure condition and an operation unit that receives the exposure conditions change operation, a computer program for controlling an imaging apparatus that makes information superimposed about the exposure conditions in the photographed image displayed on the display means is the photographing preparation state A process of displaying information on the exposure condition so that the captured image is easier to see at the time of the exposure condition change operation in the first state than at the time of the exposure change operation in the second state, which is the other state; and characterized by causing a computer to execute.

According to the present invention, other than the shooting-ready state is to easily see the exposure conditions, even in photographing preparation state, the exposure condition is not to erase, it is possible to display the exposure conditions in favor of visibility of the object.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens. Reference numeral 12 denotes a shutter having an aperture function. An image sensor 14 converts an optical image into an electric signal. Reference numeral 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

  An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data. Then, the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 based on the obtained calculation result, TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (Automatic exposure) processing and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data. TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing is also performed based on the obtained calculation result.

  A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. The data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is directly passed through the memory control circuit 22. It is.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory. Reference numeral 26 denotes a D / A converter. Reference numeral 28 denotes an image display unit composed of a TFT LCD or the like, and display image data written in the image display memory 24 is displayed by the image display unit 28 via the D / A converter 26. If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized. The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the electronic finder function according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the electronic finder function is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 is significantly increased. Can be reduced.

  The image display unit 28 displays an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, and the like in accordance with execution of a program by the system control circuit 50. If the electronic finder function is ON, the display of these operation states and messages is superimposed on the image data, and if the electronic finder function is OFF, only these operation states and messages are displayed. The display contents of the image display unit 28 include, for example, focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter time display, aperture value display, ISO sensitivity display, AE lock (hereinafter referred to as AEL) There are icon display, exposure correction value display, light emission setting display, continuous shooting / timer setting display, camera posture icon display, mode icon display, shootable number display, photometry setting display, compression rate setting display, and image size setting display. There are buzzer setting display, clock battery level display, battery level display, error display, date / time display, and multi-digit information display as content display related to system settings. Examples of the content display regarding the connection state with the external device include the attachment / detachment state display of the recording media 200 and 210, the attachment / detachment state display of the lens unit 300, the communication I / F operation display, and the display indicating the connection state with the external computer.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving image data, and has a sufficient storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of still images and moving image data for a predetermined time. Thereby, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 32 denotes a compression / decompression circuit that compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and stores the processed data in the memory 30. Write to.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control unit that controls the shutter 12 having an aperture function, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48. A distance measuring control unit 42 controls focusing of the photographing lens 10. A zoom control unit 44 controls zooming of the photographing lens 10. A barrier control unit 45 controls the operation of the barrier 102 as a protection unit. A flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function. The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method. Based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement. The controller 42 is controlled.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 100. A memory 52 stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operating the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM. Reference numerals 60, 61, 62, 64, 66, and 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50, and may be a single unit such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by line-of-sight detection, a voice recognition device, or the like. It consists of multiple combinations.

  Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given. Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which can switch and set each function shooting mode such as an automatic shooting mode, a program shooting mode (P mode), a shutter speed priority shooting mode (Tv mode), and an aperture priority shooting mode (Av mode). it can.

  Reference numeral 61 denotes an ISO dial switch, which can switch and set ISO sensitivity such as ISO 80, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO auto, ISO high sensitivity auto, and the like.

  Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned on during operation of a shutter button (not shown), and performs AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and the like. Instruct the start of operation. Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when an operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and exposure in which a signal read from the image sensor 14 is written into the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Processing begins. The image data written in the memory 30 is subjected to development processing using calculations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22. Then, a compression process is performed by the compression / decompression circuit 32 to write image data to the recording medium 200 or 210.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes a playback mode switch, which can set various function modes such as a playback mode, a multi-screen playback / erase mode, and a PC connection mode. Reference numeral 68 denotes an attitude mode switch, which sets the attitude mode ON / OFF. When the posture mode is set to ON, the posture of the imaging device 100 is detected by the camera posture detector 106, and the detected result is used as an image posture flag together with an image obtained by photographing the detected posture of the imaging device 100 at the time of shooting. Record on a recording medium. During reproduction, an operation for switching the image display method is performed in accordance with the read image orientation flag.

  An operation unit 70 includes various buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and includes an exposure correction button for setting exposure conditions, an aperture change button (dial), a shutter time change button (dial), an AE lock button, and the like. In addition, there is a menu button, an image display ON / OFF switch for setting ON / OFF of the image display unit 28, a quick review ON / OFF switch for setting a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after shooting, and the like. is there.

  Reference numeral 72 denotes a power switch, which can be set to switch between power ON and power OFF modes. A power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. The power supply control unit 80 detects the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level, controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and an instruction from the system control circuit 50, and requires a necessary voltage. It is supplied to each part including the recording medium for a period.

  Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  Reference numerals 90 and 94 denote interfaces with recording media such as memory cards and hard disks. Reference numerals 92 and 96 denote connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. A recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit 98 detects whether or not the recording medium 200 or 210 is attached to the connectors 92 and 96.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two interfaces and connectors for attaching the recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems, any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard. The interface and the connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like based on a standard. In that case, various communication cards such as a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, an IEEE 1394 card, a P1284 card, a SCSI card, and a communication card such as a PHS can be connected. As a result, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from peripheral devices such as other computers and printers.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. Similarly to the image display unit 28, the optical viewfinder 104 has display functions such as in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter time display, aperture value display, and exposure correction value display.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a camera posture detector, which can detect the state of horizontal position shooting or vertical position shooting by detecting the posture state of the imaging apparatus 100.

  A communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication. Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the imaging apparatus 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 204 with the imaging device 100, and a connector 206 that connects to the imaging device 100. Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 214 with the imaging device 100, and a connector 216 that connects to the imaging device 100.

  The recording media 200 and 210 include not only a memory card such as a PCMCIA card or a compact flash (registered trademark), a hard disk, but also a micro DAT, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk such as a CD-R or CD-RW, a DVD, or the like. The phase change type optical disk or the like may be used. Further, the recording media 200 and 210 may be a composite medium in which a memory card and a hard disk are integrated, or may be configured to be partly removable from the composite medium. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the recording media 200 and 210 have been described as being separated from the imaging device 100 and can be arbitrarily connected. However, any or all of the recording media are fixed to the imaging device 100. Also good.

  Next, the processing operation of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts of a main routine of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Upon power-on such as battery replacement, the system control circuit 50 initializes flags, control variables, and the like (step S101), and initializes the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28 to an OFF state (step S102). In step S101, the AEL flag is turned off.

  The system control circuit 50 determines the set position of the power switch 72 (step S103). When the power switch 72 is set to power OFF (step S103), the system control circuit 50 performs a predetermined end process (step S104), and then returns to step S103. As an end process, the display on the image display unit 28 is changed to an end state. Further, the barrier 102 is closed to protect the imaging unit. In addition, necessary parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags and control variables are recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56. Further, an unnecessary power source of each part of the image pickup apparatus 100 including the image display unit 28 is shut off by the power source control unit 80.

  When the power switch 72 is set to ON (step S103), the system control circuit 50 determines the setting position of the mode dial switch 60. When the mode dial switch 60 is set to the shooting mode (step S105), the process proceeds to step S107. When the mode dial switch 60 is set to another mode (step S105), the system control circuit 50 executes a process according to the selected mode (step S106). Return.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether there is a problem in the operation of the image capturing apparatus 100 with respect to the remaining capacity and operation status of the power source 86 configured by a battery or the like by the power source control unit 80 (step S107). If there is a problem with the power supply 86, the system control circuit 50 performs a predetermined warning display with an image using the image display unit 28 (step S109), and then returns to step S103. If there is no problem with the power supply 86, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the recording medium 200 or 210 is loaded, and determines whether or not there is a problem with the recording / reproducing operation of the image data on the recording medium ( Step S108). If there is a problem with the recording medium 200 or 210, etc., a predetermined warning is displayed with an image using the image display unit 28 (step S109), and the process returns to step S103. If there is no problem with the recording medium 200 or 210, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S108, the system control circuit 50 also acquires the final shooting number Nmax of the image data recorded on the recording medium 200 or 210. The final shooting number Nmax is read from the recording medium 200 or 210 via the connector 92 or 96 and the interface 90 or 94 and stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50.

  The system control circuit 50 uses the image display unit 28 to display various setting states of the imaging apparatus 100 using images (step S110), and proceeds to step S111. In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that the electronic finder function of the image display unit 28 is set to ON in step S110.

  When the AEL flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 is set (step S111), the process proceeds to step S113 without performing the photometry process and the AE process. When the AEL flag is not set (step S111), the system control circuit 50 performs photometry processing and AE processing, controls the aperture value, shutter time, and sensitivity (step S112), and proceeds to step S113.

  The system control circuit 50 performs AEL setting and release processing (step S113), and proceeds to step S114. Details of the AEL setting / cancellation process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the AEL flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 is set (step S114). If the AEL flag is set (step S114), an AEL exposure change process is performed (step S115), and the process proceeds to step S151 in FIG. Details of the AEL exposure change process will be described later with reference to FIG. If the AEL flag is not set (step S114), non-AEL exposure change processing is performed (step S116), and the process proceeds to step S151 in FIG. Details of the non-AEL exposure change process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the shutter switch SW1 has not been pressed (step S151), the process returns to step S103. When the shutter switch SW1 is pressed (step S151), the process proceeds to step S152. The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the AEL flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 is set (step S152). When the AEL flag is set (step S152), the process proceeds to step S154 without performing the photometry process and the AE process. If the AEL flag is not set (step S152), the system control circuit 50 performs photometry processing and AE processing, controls the aperture value, shutter time, and sensitivity (step S153), and proceeds to step S154.

  The system control circuit 50 performs the distance measurement process and the AF process to focus the photographing lens 10 on the subject (step S154). At this point, the focusing operation is completed, and the camera is ready for shooting.

  When the Av / Tv bar is displayed, the system control circuit 50 superimposes and displays the aperture value and shutter time used at the time of still image shooting on the display unit such as the image display unit 28. After the display is turned off (step S155), the process proceeds to step S156.

  If the shutter switch SW2 is not pressed (step S156) and the shutter switch SW1 is also released (step S161), the process returns to step S103. If the shutter switch SW2 is not pressed (step S156) and the shutter switch SW1 is pressed (step S161), the process proceeds to step S162.

  The system control circuit 50 sets AEL (step S162), and proceeds to step S163. Details of the AEL setting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 performs an exposure change process at the time of the shutter switch SW1 (step S163), and returns to step S156. Details of the shutter switch SW1 exposure changing process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the shutter switch SW2 is pressed (step S156), the process proceeds to step S157. In preparation for shooting, the system control circuit 50 manages files and folders, such as determining a storage file name and creating a new folder (step S157).

  The system control circuit 50 executes shooting processing (step S158). The photographing process includes an exposure process and a development process. In the exposure processing, an image photographed in the memory 30 via the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter via the memory control circuit 22. Write data. In the development process, the image data written in the memory 30 is read out and various processes are performed using the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20. Details of this photographing process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the photographing process is finished, a quick review display is performed (step S159). When the quick review display is completed, the system control circuit 50 reads the captured image data written in the memory 30 and performs various image processing using the memory control circuit 22 and the image processing circuit 20 as necessary. In addition, a compression process for performing an image compression process according to the mode set using the compression / decompression circuit 32 is performed. Thereafter, a recording process for writing image data to the recording medium 200 or 210 such as a memory card or a compact flash (registered trademark) card is executed via the interface 90 or 94 and the connector 92 or 96 (step S160). Note that when the image display unit 28 is ON, a display such as “BUSY” that clearly indicates that the writing operation is being performed while the image data is being written to the recording medium 200 or 210 is displayed on the image display unit 28. To do. Further, a recording medium writing operation display such as blinking the LED is also performed. When the recording process is finished (step S160), the process returns to step S103.

  FIG. 4 shows a detailed flowchart of the AEL setting / cancellation process in step S113 of FIG. The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the AEL button included in the operation unit 70 is pressed (step S401). If the AEL button has not been pressed (step S401), the process proceeds to step S405. If the AEL button has been pressed (step S401), the process proceeds to step S402.

  The system control circuit 50 determines the setting position of the mode dial switch 60 (step S402). When the mode dial switch 60 is set to the Av mode, the Tv mode, and the P mode (step S402), the AE lock is validated and the AEL flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 is set ( Step S403). Subsequently, the display of the Av / Tv bar is updated (step S404), and the process proceeds to step S405. In step S404, if the Av / Tv bar is not displayed on the image display unit 28, it is newly displayed, and if it is displayed, the display is updated. The Av / Tv bar is deleted in consideration of the ease of viewing the captured image when there is no operation by the user for a certain period of time.

  FIG. 10 shows a display example of the image display unit 28 when the Av / Tv bar is displayed. The image display unit 28 displays a shutter time 28a, an aperture value 28b, and an ISO sensitivity 28c as current exposure setting values, and an Av / Tv bar 28d. The Av / TV bar 28d is displayed so that the current set value of the aperture and shutter time to be changed, the values before and after the value, and the relationship between them can be easily understood. In addition, a portion that cannot be realized can be visually grasped (dot portion in FIG. 10). In the present embodiment, the AEL icon 28e, the exposure correction value 28f, the light emission setting 28g, the continuous shooting / timer setting 28h, the camera posture icon 28i, the mode icon 28j, the shootable number 28k, and the photometry setting are also displayed on the image display unit 28. It is assumed that 28l, compression rate setting 28m, and image size setting 28n are displayed.

  When the mode dial switch 60 is set to a mode other than the Av mode, Tv mode, or P mode (step S402), the process proceeds to step S405.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not an operation corresponding to AEL cancellation is performed (step S405). If the AEL canceling operation has not been performed (step S405), the AEL setting / release processing routine is terminated. When the AEL canceling operation is performed (step S405), the system control circuit 50 turns off the display of the Av / Tv bar on the image display unit 28 (step S406). Then, the AEL flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 is turned off (step S407), and the AEL setting / cancellation processing routine is ended. The AEL is canceled when, for example, the mode dial switch 60 is operated or when a menu is displayed by pressing a menu button included in the operation unit 70.

  FIG. 5 shows a detailed flowchart of the AEL exposure change process in step S115 of FIG. This is one of the exposure changing processes other than the shooting preparation state. The system control circuit 50 determines the setting position of the mode dial switch 60 (step S501). When the mode dial switch 60 is set to the Av mode, the Tv mode, and the P mode (step S501), the process proceeds to step S502. If the other mode is set (step S501), the AEL exposure change processing routine is terminated.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the ISO dial switch 61 is operated and the ISO sensitivity is changed (step S502). If the ISO sensitivity has not been changed (step S502), the process proceeds to step S506. When the ISO sensitivity is changed (step S502), the system control circuit 50 updates the ISO value display on the image display unit 28 (step S503). Further, the Av / Tv value display is updated (step S504), the Av / Tv bar display is updated (step S505), and the process proceeds to step S506. In step S505, if the Av / Tv bar is not displayed on the image display unit 28, it is newly displayed, and if it is displayed, the display is updated. The Av / Tv bar is deleted in consideration of the ease of viewing the captured image when there is no user operation for a certain period of time.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the aperture change button (dial) included in the operation unit 70 is operated and the Av value is changed (step S506). If the Av value has not been changed (step S506), the process proceeds to step S509. When the Av value is changed (step S506), the system control circuit 50 updates the Av / Tv value display on the image display unit 28 (step S507), updates the display of the Av / Tv bar (step S508), The process proceeds to step S509. In step S508, if the Av / Tv bar is not displayed on the image display unit 28, it is newly displayed, and if it is displayed, the display is updated. The Av / Tv bar is deleted in consideration of the ease of viewing the captured image when there is no user operation for a certain period of time.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the shutter time change button (dial) included in the operation unit 70 is operated and the Tv value is changed (step S509). If the Tv value has not been changed (step S509), the AEL exposure change processing routine ends. When the Tv value is changed (step S509), the system control circuit 50 updates the Av / Tv value display on the image display unit 28 (step S510), updates the display of the Av / Tv bar (step S511), The AEL exposure change process routine is terminated. In step S511, if the Av / Tv bar is not displayed on the image display unit 28, it is newly displayed, and if it is displayed, the display is updated. The Av / Tv bar is deleted in consideration of the ease of viewing the captured image when there is no user operation for a certain period of time.

  A display example of the image display unit 28 in step S511 is as shown in FIG. Since this is an exposure change operation other than the shooting preparation state, not only the minimum value display 28a, 28b, 28c of the exposure condition but also a graphic display such as the Av / Tv bar 28d is displayed in a large size so that the exposure condition can be changed. It can make it easier to grasp.

  FIG. 6 shows a detailed flowchart of the non-AEL exposure change process in step S116 of FIG. This is one of the exposure changing processes other than the shooting preparation state. The system control circuit 50 determines the setting position of the mode dial switch 60 (step S601). If the mode dial switch 60 is set to a mode other than the M mode, Av mode, Tv mode, or P mode (step S601), the non-AEL exposure change processing routine is terminated.

  When the mode dial switch 60 is set to the M mode (step S601), the system control circuit 50 determines whether the ISO dial switch 61 is operated and the ISO sensitivity is changed (step S602). If the ISO sensitivity has not been changed (step S602), the process proceeds to step S604. When the ISO sensitivity is changed (step S602), the system control circuit 50 updates the ISO value display on the image display unit 28 (step S603), and proceeds to step S604.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the aperture value change button (dial) included in the operation unit 70 has been operated to change the AV value (step S604). If the Av value has not been changed (step S604), the process proceeds to step S607. When the Av value is changed (step S604), the system control circuit 50 updates the Av value display on the image display unit 28 (step S605), updates the display of the Av bar (step S606), and proceeds to step S607. . The Av bar is displayed so that the current set value of the aperture to be changed and the values before and after it can be easily grasped. As the display, the upper half of the Av / Tv bar 28d in FIG. 10 is displayed as an Av bar. In step S606, if the Av bar is not displayed on the image display unit 28, it is newly displayed, and if it is displayed, the display is updated. The Av bar is deleted in consideration of the ease of viewing the captured image when there is no user operation for a certain period of time.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the shutter time change button (dial) included in the operation unit 70 has been operated to change the Tv value (step S607). If the Tv value has not been changed (step S607), the non-AEL exposure change processing routine is terminated. When the Tv value is changed (step S607), the system control circuit 50 updates the Tv value display on the image display unit 28 (step S608), updates the display of the Tv bar (step S609), and the non-AEL exposure. The change processing routine ends. The Tv bar is displayed so that the current set value of the shutter time to be changed and the values before and after it can be easily grasped. As a display, the lower half of the Av / Tv bar 28d in FIG. 10 is displayed as a Tv bar. In step S609, if the Tv bar is not displayed on the image display unit 28, it is newly displayed, and if it is displayed, the display is updated. The Tv bar is deleted in consideration of the ease of viewing the captured image when there is no operation by the user for a certain period of time.

  When the mode dial switch 60 is set to the Av mode (step S610), the system control circuit 50 determines whether the ISO dial switch 61 is operated and the ISO sensitivity is changed (step S610). If the ISO sensitivity has not been changed (step S610), the process proceeds to step S612. When the ISO sensitivity is changed (step S610), the system control circuit 50 updates the ISO value display on the image display unit 28 (step S611), and proceeds to step S612.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the aperture change button (dial) included in the operation unit 70 is operated and the Av value is changed (step S612). If the Av value has not been changed (step S612), the non-AEL exposure change processing routine is terminated. When the Av value is changed (step S612), the system control circuit 50 updates the Av value display on the image display unit 28 (step S613), updates the display of the Av bar (step S614), and the non-AEL exposure. The change processing routine ends. In step S614, if the Av bar is not displayed on the image display unit 28, it is newly displayed, and if it is displayed, the display is updated. The Av bar is deleted in consideration of the ease of viewing the captured image when there is no user operation for a certain period of time.

  When the mode dial switch 60 is set to the Tv mode (step S615), the system control circuit 50 determines whether the ISO dial switch 61 is operated and the ISO sensitivity is changed (step S615). If the ISO sensitivity has not been changed (step S615), the process proceeds to step S617. When the ISO sensitivity is changed (step S615), the system control circuit 50 updates the ISO value display on the image display unit 28 (step S616), and proceeds to step S617.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the aperture change button (dial) included in the operation unit 70 has been operated to change the Tv value (step S617). If the Tv value has not been changed (step S617), the non-AEL exposure change processing routine is terminated. When the Tv value is changed (step S617), the system control circuit 50 updates the Tv value display on the image display unit 28 (step S618), updates the display of the Tv bar (step S619), and the non-AEL exposure. The change processing routine ends. In step S619, if the Tv bar is not displayed on the image display unit 28, it is newly displayed, and if it is displayed, the display is updated. The Tv bar is deleted in consideration of the ease of viewing the captured image when there is no operation by the user for a certain period of time.

  When the mode dial switch 60 is set to the P mode (step S620), the system control circuit 50 determines whether the ISO dial switch 61 has been operated and the ISO sensitivity has been changed (step S620). If the ISO sensitivity has not been changed (step S620), the non-AEL exposure change processing routine is terminated. When the ISO sensitivity is changed (step S620), the system control circuit 50 updates the ISO value display on the image display unit 28 (step S621), and ends the non-AEL exposure change processing routine.

  FIG. 7 shows a detailed flowchart of the photographing process in step S158 of FIG. In accordance with the photometric data stored in the internal memory or the memory 52, the system control circuit 50 exposes the image sensor 10 by opening the shutter 12 having the aperture function according to the aperture value by the exposure control unit 40 (Step S701). S702).

  It is determined whether or not the flash 48 is necessary based on the flash flag (step S703), and if necessary, the flash is emitted (step S704). The system control circuit 50 waits for the exposure of the image sensor 14 to end in accordance with the photometric data (step S705), closes the shutter 12 (step S706), and reads the charge signal from the image sensor 14. Then, the data of the photographed image is written in the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter 16 via the memory control circuit 22 (step). S707). When the series of processing is finished, the photographing processing routine is finished.

  FIG. 8 shows a detailed flowchart of the AEL setting process in step S162 of FIG. The system control circuit 50 determines whether an AEL button included in the operation unit 70 is pressed (step S801). If the AEL button has not been pressed (step S801), the AEL setting process routine ends. If the AEL button has been pressed (step S801), the process proceeds to step S802.

  The system control circuit 50 determines the setting position of the mode dial switch 60 (step S802). When the mode dial switch 60 is set to the Av mode, the Tv mode, and the P mode (step S802), the AE lock is enabled and the AEL flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 is set ( Step S803). Then, the display of the Av / Tv bar is updated (step S804), and the AEL setting processing routine is ended. In step S804, if the Av / Tv bar is not displayed on the image display unit 28, it is newly displayed, and if it is displayed, the display is updated. The Av / Tv bar is deleted in consideration of the ease of viewing the captured image when there is no user operation for a certain period of time. When the mode dial switch 60 is set to a mode other than the Av mode, the Tv mode, and the P mode (step S802), the AEL setting processing routine is ended.

  FIG. 9 shows a detailed flowchart of the exposure change process at the time of shutter switch SW1 in step S163 of FIG. This is an exposure change process in the shooting preparation state. The system control circuit 50 determines the setting position of the mode dial switch 60 (step S901). When the mode dial switch 60 is set to the Av mode, the Tv mode, and the P mode (step S901), the process proceeds to step S902. If any other mode is set (step S901), the exposure change processing routine for the shutter switch SW1 ends.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether the ISO dial switch 61 is operated and the ISO sensitivity is changed (step S902). If the ISO sensitivity has not been changed (step S902), the exposure change processing routine for the shutter switch SW1 ends. When the ISO sensitivity is changed (step S902), the system control circuit 50 updates the ISO value display on the image display unit 28 (step S903), updates the Av / Tv value display (step S904), and the shutter switch SW1. The exposure change processing routine ends.

  FIG. 11 shows a display example of the image display unit 28. Since the exposure change process is performed in the shooting preparation state, only the value display is performed so that the minimum values can be grasped for the shutter time 28a, the aperture value 28b, and the ISO sensitivity 28c. That is, in order not to miss a photo opportunity, priority is given to the visibility of the subject, and a large graphic display such as an Av / Tv bar is not performed. In FIG. 11, the exposure correction value 28f is also displayed as other information.

As described above, in the exposure change process other than the shooting preparation state such as the AEL exposure change process (step S115) and the non- AEL exposure change process (step S116), the exposure condition is largely illustrated using a diagram. indicate. This makes it easier to grasp the exposure conditions. On the other hand, in the exposure changing process in the shooting preparation state such as the exposure changing process at the time of the shutter switch SW1 (step S163), the exposure condition that should be displayed as a minimum with respect to the subject visibility is given priority. Only the value of is displayed. As a result, it is difficult to miss a photo opportunity and it is easy to check the focus of the subject.

  In the exposure changing process other than the shooting preparation state, it may be displayed near the center of the screen or the display time may be lengthened to make it easier to grasp the exposure conditions. Conversely, during exposure change processing in the shooting preparation state, other information related to exposure conditions is displayed in a smaller size, displayed at the edge of the screen, and the display time is shortened to make the subject easier to see. May be.

  Note that the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device.

  An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and store the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus in the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main routine of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main routine of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of an AEL setting / cancellation process. It is a flowchart of the exposure change process at the time of AEL. It is a flowchart of a non-AEL exposure change process. It is a flowchart of an imaging process. It is a flowchart of an AEL setting process. It is a flowchart of exposure change processing at the time of shutter switch SW1. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an image display part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an image display part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Shooting lens 12 Shutter provided with aperture function 14 Image sensor 16 A / D converter 18 Timing generation circuit 20 Image processing circuit 22 Memory control circuit 24 Image display memory 26 D / A converter 28 Image display unit 30 Memory 32 Compression / decompression Circuit 40 Exposure control unit 42 Distance control unit 44 Zoom control unit 46 Barrier control unit.
48 Flash 50 System control circuit 52 Memory 56 Non-volatile memory 60 Mode dial switch 61 ISO dial switch 62 Shutter switch SW1
64 Shutter switch SW2
66 Playback mode switch 68 Attitude mode switch 70 Operation unit 72 Power switch 80 Power control unit

Claims (8)

An imaging means for performing imaging to acquire image data ;
Display means for displaying a captured image based on the image data acquired by the imaging means;
Operation means for accepting an exposure condition change operation for changing the exposure condition ;
And a display control unit for superimposing display information about the exposure conditions in the photographed image displayed on the display means,
The display control means makes the captured image easier to see at the time of the exposure condition changing operation in the first state , which is a shooting preparation state , than at the time of the exposure changing operation in the second state, which is the other state. An image pickup apparatus displaying information related to the exposure condition . The display control means does not perform a graphic display indicating the exposure condition during the exposure condition change operation in the first state, and performs the graphic display during the exposure change operation in the second state. The imaging device according to claim 1. 2. The display control means causes the information regarding the exposure condition to be displayed smaller during the exposure condition change operation in the first state than during the exposure change operation in the second state. Or the imaging device of 2. The display control means displays the information related to the exposure condition at a position closer to the end of the captured image at the time of the exposure condition change operation in the first state than at the time of the exposure change operation in the second state. the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that cause. The display control means shortens a display time of information related to the exposure condition during the exposure condition change operation in the first state than during the exposure change operation in the second state. Item 5. The imaging device according to any one of Items 1 to 4 . A second operation means for accepting an operation for executing a shooting preparation operation;
The shooting preparation state imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said a state in which the second operating means by which accepts an operation for executing the photographic preparation operation . An imaging unit that performs imaging to acquire image data, a display unit that displays a captured image based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit, and an operation unit that receives an exposure condition change operation for changing an exposure condition. comprising, a display control method for an imaging apparatus that makes information superimposed about the exposure conditions in the photographed image displayed on the display means,
Information related to the exposure condition so that the captured image is easier to see at the time of the exposure condition change operation in the first state which is the shooting preparation state than at the time of the exposure change operation in the second state which is the other state. display control method of an imaging apparatus characterized by displaying the. An imaging unit that performs imaging to acquire image data, a display unit that displays a captured image based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit, and an operation unit that receives an exposure condition change operation for changing an exposure condition. comprising a computer program for controlling an imaging apparatus that makes information superimposed about the exposure conditions in the photographed image displayed on the display means,
Information related to the exposure condition so that the captured image is easier to see at the time of the exposure condition change operation in the first state which is the shooting preparation state than at the time of the exposure change operation in the second state which is the other state. A computer program for causing a computer to execute a process of displaying a message .

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