JP4821812B2 - Imaging apparatus, photographing confirmation method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a kind of shooting preparation instruction during shooting settings used for radiography in the imaging apparatus such as a digital camera to be checked with hearing, the imaging device, imaging confirmation method relates及 beauty program.

  In recent years, a camera that does not have a mechanical drive in the shutter mechanism does not generate a shutter sound when the shutter key is operated, so the photographer cannot confirm whether or not shooting has been performed and feels anxiety. It will be.

  Therefore, a digital camera has been proposed in which, when a photographer presses a shutter key, it is possible to confirm whether or not a subject image has been stored in a recording medium by outputting a sound (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition to the information related to the shutter operation, there has been proposed a camera that outputs various camera information such as the remaining number of films and subject distance by voice (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  A detecting unit for detecting the number of shots recorded on a recording medium of the electronic still camera; and a unit for selectively generating a plurality of types of sounds according to the remaining number of shots that can be shot by an output from the detecting unit; There is proposed an electronic still camera shooting number alarm device that selectively outputs warning information of the number of shots by voice so as not to unintentionally fail to shoot during shooting (for example, Patent Documents) 3).

  In addition, there has been proposed a digital camera that stores a plurality of shutter sounds in a memory and outputs a shutter sound associated with the shooting mode at the time of shooting so that the shooting mode of the captured image data can be confirmed (for example, patents). Reference 4).

  In addition, a focus sound generation method and apparatus have been proposed in which a focus sound is output during autofocus so that it can be confirmed whether or not the focus state is achieved (for example, Patent Document 5).

JP 2003-179795 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-183638 JP-A-62-98873 JP 2001-69389 A JP 2002-277727 A

  However, in the case of continuous shooting in which multiple images are shot continuously with a single shutter, a sound is output at the start of shooting preparations such as a shutter half-press operation, or a shutter full-press operation, etc. When a shooting instruction is given, a notification to that effect is output, a confirmation sound is output that the set number of shots has been shot and recorded reliably, and the type of shot image, scene, Although it is convenient if the number of images can be confirmed by sound or display, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the photographer outputs sound when the shutter is fully pressed, so the subject image is recorded. You can check whether it has been stored on the medium, but know how many photos are taken with continuous shooting, how many photos were taken with a single shutter, and how many or how many continuous images to play during playback Can There is a problem that had.

  Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 4, the shooting mode can be confirmed by voice, but there is a problem that the number of continuous images cannot be confirmed as in the techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3. Furthermore, there is a problem that even if the shooting mode can be confirmed, the type and scene of the image cannot be confirmed.

  In addition, the technique described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 5 is designed to confirm whether or not the in-focus state is obtained with the in-focus sound. I can't confirm whether or not.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, a type of photographing preparation instruction during the shooting to be checked with hearing in the case of performing the shooting in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, an imaging apparatus , and an object thereof is to provide a shooting confirmation method,及 beauty program.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, sound data associated with the type of shooting setting is stored in an imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject, generates image data thereof, and records the image data in a storage memory. Storage means, type determination means for determining the type of shooting setting at the time of shooting preparation instruction, and sound data acquisition means for retrieving sound data corresponding to the type of shooting setting determined by the type determination means from the storage means; Sound output means for demodulating the extracted sound data at the time of shooting preparation instruction and outputting to the outside as a sound for notifying that there has been a shooting preparation instruction, and the shooting preparation instruction is a self-timer shooting operation to provide an imaging apparatus characterized by some.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, a storage unit that stores sound data associated with the type of shooting setting is provided, the subject is shot to generate image data, and the image data is stored in a storage memory. In the shooting confirmation method of the imaging device recorded in the above, a type determination step for determining the type of shooting setting at the time of shooting preparation instruction, and sound data corresponding to the type of shooting setting determined by the type determination step are extracted from the storage means a sound data obtaining step demodulates the sound data taken out the at the time of shooting preparation instruction, seen containing an acoustic output step of outputting to the outside, as sound notifying that there was a shooting preparation instruction, the instruction of photographing preparation is An imaging confirmation method is provided which is a self-timer imaging operation .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores sound data associated with a type of shooting setting, and an acoustic output unit that outputs the sound data as sound. A computer that generates the image data and records the image data in a storage memory, a type determination procedure for determining the type of shooting setting at the time of shooting preparation instruction, and a sound corresponding to the type of shooting setting determined by the type determination procedure A sound data acquisition procedure for retrieving data from the storage means, an output control procedure for controlling the sound output means to output sound data read out by the sound data acquisition procedure as sound, and the shooting preparation instruction is , to provide a program that features a self-timer photographing operation der Rukoto.

The type of shooting preparation instruction during the shooting according to the present invention can be confirmed by hearing.

(Embodiment 1)
In the following description, a digital camera will be described as an example of an imaging device, but the term imaging device is not limited to a digital camera.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an embodiment of a digital camera to which the photographing confirmation method / reproduced image confirmation method of the present invention can be applied. The digital camera 100 has an imaging lens 111 on the front side (FIG. 1A). An optical viewfinder 112 and a photometric sensor 113.

  On the rear surface of the digital camera 100 (FIG. 1B), switches and keys such as a liquid crystal monitor screen 41, an optical viewfinder 112, a mode dial 31 for switching modes, a liquid crystal monitor switch 32, a menu key 34, a cursor key 35, and the like. Is provided.

  A zoom lever 33, a shutter key 36, a flash setting key 37, and a power switch 91 are provided on the top surface (FIG. 1C), and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) or a modem is provided on the side. A USB terminal connection unit 95 used when connecting the apparatus and the USB cable is provided. Note that an optical transmission / reception port for near field communication such as infrared communication or Bluetooth, a radio communication antenna, or a GPS reception antenna may be provided on the front surface or the like.

  FIG. 1D is a detailed view of the mode dial 31. On the upper surface of the mode dial 31, icons and characters as shown by reference numerals 31-1 to 31-6,. Is displayed by printing or pressing, and the mode is switched when the user turns the mode dial to set a desired icon or the like at the mode selection position 31-0. In the illustrated example, reference numeral 31-1 represents the reproduction mode, reference numerals 31-2 to 31-6 represent the photographing mode, reference numeral 31-2 represents the normal photographing mode, and reference numeral 31-3 represents the best shot mode ( (Scene selection mode), reference numeral 31-4 indicates a coupling mode, reference numeral 31-5 indicates a night view mode, and reference numeral 31-6 indicates a movie (moving picture) shooting mode.

  When the user turns the mode dial 31 to set the normal shooting mode and presses the shutter key 36 halfway to perform exposure / automatic focusing, the digital camera 100 causes the sound output unit 16 to continue to press the shutter key 36. As shown in FIG. 2, image shooting information such as the number of shots, shooting patterns, and the like is notified to the user by outputting a single syllable, compound syllable, voice message, melody or other notification sound, and can be confirmed. In the playback mode, the digital camera 100 uses the notification sound as described above to display the shooting mode, the number of playback images, the type of playback image, the shooting scene, the confirmation sound belonging to the same group, and the like. The user can be notified, and the number of shots can be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor screen 41 to be confirmed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the digital camera shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 100 includes an optical system 11, a signal conversion unit 12, a signal processing unit 13, a DRAM 14, an acoustic memory 15, an acoustic output unit 16, an interface 17, a control unit 20, an operation unit 30, a display unit 40, and a flash. A memory 50 and a power supply 90 are included.

  The optical system 11 includes an imaging lens 111, a photometric sensor 113, a zoom mechanism 114, an automatic focusing mechanism 115, an automatic aperture mechanism 116, an automatic exposure mechanism 117, and the like. The light beam is imaged on a subsequent image sensor (CCD).

  The signal conversion unit 12 includes a signal conversion circuit such as an A / D converter, and also converts an image formed through the preceding optical system 11 into an electric signal by the CCD, and converts the electric signal into digital data. Convert and output at a fixed period.

  The signal processing unit 13 processes the output from the signal conversion unit 12 in the normal imaging mode to obtain signal components such as digital luminance and color difference multiplexed signals (Y, Cb, Cr data), and Y, Cb, Cr data (hereinafter referred to as image data) is transferred to the DRAM 14 and temporarily stored. Further, in order to display the through image, the captured image data is thinned out and sent to the display unit 40. When the shutter operation is performed, the image data at that time is sent to the display unit 40 to display a still image.

  In addition, the signal processing unit 13 reads the image data written in the DRAM 14 at the time of recording and storage, performs compression processing, and decompresses the compressed image data stored and recorded in the flash memory (storage memory) 50 at the time of reproduction. A compression / decompression unit that performs processing to reproduce image data is provided. Further, a high-speed expansion unit that expands the compressed image data at high speed may be provided.

  The DRAM 14 is used as a work memory, and an image buffer area for temporarily storing captured images, a work area for image data compression / expansion, and an image composition area are secured.

  The sound memory 15 is a memory that can be erased / rewritten in units of blocks such as a flash memory, and sound data (digital data) such as single syllables, words, voice messages, and melody is associated with the number of shots, image patterns, and the like in advance. Stored. Sound data can be added or updated (rewritten). The acoustic memory 15 may not be provided, and a part of the flash memory 50 may be used as the acoustic memory.

  The sound output unit 16 includes a sound signal conversion unit, an amplifier, a speaker, and the like. The sound data (digital data) taken out from the sound memory 15 is converted into analog data by the sound signal conversion unit and amplified by the amplifier. Then, the sound is output as a notification sound such as sound, word, message, melody from the speaker.

  The interface 17 exchanges data with an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) or a modem via the USB terminal connection unit 95.

  The control unit 20 has a microprocessor configuration having a timing mechanism such as a CPU, a RAM, a program storage ROM, and a timer. The CPU is connected to the above-described circuits and a power supply switch (not shown) via a bus line. The entire digital camera 100 is controlled by a control program stored in the program storage ROM, and each mode stored in the program storage ROM corresponding to the status signal from the operation unit 30 is supported. An operation program and a processing program are taken out and execution control of each function of the digital camera 100 is performed.

  The operation unit 30 includes buttons and switches such as a mode dial 31, a liquid crystal monitor switch 32, a zoom lever 33, a menu key 34, a cursor key 35, a shutter key 36, and a strobe setting key 37, and these keys and buttons. Alternatively, when the switch is operated, a status signal or the like is sent to the control unit 20.

  The display unit 40 is composed of a video encoder, a VRAM (not shown), a liquid crystal monitor screen (LCD) 41, and the like. Through display control of the control unit 20, a through image at the time of imaging, a reproduced image at the time of reproduction, and processing The menu for selection (or icon) at the time of selection is displayed.

  The flash memory 50 records image data (compressed image data). Also, it is possible to record a management file, image information including an image shooting mode, shooting date and time, and image identification information. In addition to the flash memory 50, a removable storage medium such as a memory card may be used.

  The photometric sensor 113 measures the amount of light around the digital camera 100 and sends the measured value to the control unit 20. The zoom mechanism 114 changes the focal length to the telephoto or wide-angle side based on the slide operation of the zoom lever 33 by the user. The automatic focusing mechanism 115 performs movement of a lens for automatic focusing by so-called AF (autofocus) under the control of the control unit 20. The automatic diaphragm mechanism 116 performs the diaphragm according to the diaphragm value determined under the control of the control unit 20 based on the peripheral light amount measured by the photometric sensor 113. The automatic exposure mechanism 117 determines the shutter speed according to the exposure value (the light amount taken into the CCD) determined under the control of the control unit 20 based on the peripheral light amount measured by the photometric sensor 113.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the notification sound for confirming the number of sheets output at the time of continuous shooting or image reproduction. In this example, words are stored in the acoustic memory 15 as sound data 131 in association with the number of shots. Thus, every time one image is taken, the sound data 131 associated with the number of shots can be taken out from the acoustic memory 15 and passed to the acoustic output unit 16 to be output as a notification sound.

  In FIG. 3, for example, when five images are continuously shot, “do” is output for the first image, “re” for the second image,... The user is informed of “Doremifaso” through the user, and the user can confirm by hearing that five images have been taken.

  In the example of FIG. 3, an example in which one syllable or one word corresponds to the number of shots is shown, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, “Do” on the first sheet, “Lele” on the second sheet, “Mimimi” on the third sheet, “Fafa fafa” on the fourth sheet, “Sosososo” on the fifth sheet, etc. .

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the digital camera 100 during continuous shooting. Steps S <b> 5 to S <b> 8 correspond to operations performed by the control unit based on the shooting confirmation operation program using the notification sound.

  When switching to the continuous shooting mode is performed, the control unit 20 controls the optical system 11, the signal conversion unit 12, and the signal processing unit 13 to send the image data of the captured subject image to the DRAM 14, and the still image buffer area The image data that is temporarily stored and thinned out for the through image is sent to the display unit 40 to display the through image (step S1).

  The control unit 20 examines the status signal from the operation unit 30, and proceeds to step S3 if the user half-presses the shutter key 36, and returns to step S1 otherwise (step S2).

  When the shutter key 36 is half-pressed in step S2, the control unit 20 sends a control signal to the automatic exposure mechanism 117 and the automatic focusing mechanism 115 to perform exposure / automatic focusing, and then proceeds to step S4 (step S4). Step S3).

  The control unit 20 examines the status signal from the operation unit 30, and proceeds to step S5 if the user fully presses the shutter key 36, and returns to step S3 otherwise (step S4).

  When the shutter key 36 is fully pressed in step S4, the control unit 20 clears the number counter to zero (step S5), adds 1 to the number counter (step S6), and is stored in the acoustic memory 15. Sound data corresponding to the value of the number counter is extracted from the sound data and sent to the sound output unit 16 (step S7), and the sound data is demodulated and output to the outside as a notification sound (step S8).

  The control unit 20 captures one frame of image data into the DRAM 14 at a time interval (or a predetermined time interval) set at the time of continuous shooting processing, for example, when the continuous shooting mode is selected in the preceding stage of step S1, and performs compression processing to flash memory. 50, and processing such as recording image information including the type of image (in this example, a continuously shot image in the continuous shooting mode) in association with the compressed image data, the optical system 11, the signal converter 12, and The signal processing unit 13 and the like are controlled (step S9), and if the shutter key 36 is released or the number of shots is equal to the predetermined number M of shots, the continuous shooting process is terminated. If the shutter key 36 is not opened and the number of shots is not the predetermined number of shots, the process returns to step S6 (step S10).

  Although the continuous shooting processing operation in step S9 is shown in FIG. 4 to be performed after step S8 is completed, it is desirable that the continuous shooting processing operation be performed in parallel with the notification operation of the number of shots by the notification sound in steps S5 to S8.

  With the operation shown in steps S5 to S8 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 above, every time one shot is taken in continuous shooting, a notification sound corresponding to the number of shots is output. Can be checked without looking away from the subject.

  The notification sound is configured such that various notification sound patterns are registered in the acoustic memory 15 in advance, and the user can select the notification sound pattern by selecting the “notification sound selection screen” on the selection menu screen or the like in advance. May be. Further, a desired notification sound may be set in the acoustic memory 15 on the “notification sound setting screen”. Further, the sound data can be updated from the outside through the interface 17 so that the contents of the acoustic memory 15 can be updated.

  Also, a setting screen is provided for setting the number of shots and the shooting state (ISO sensitivity continuous shooting, white balance continuous shooting, etc.) in the continuous shooting mode, and steps S2 and S3 (or S3 and S4) in the flowchart of FIG. In the meantime, a step for notifying what kind of continuous shooting state is provided may be provided to notify what kind of continuous shooting state when the shutter key 36 is half-pressed (for example, “ISO sensitivity continuous shooting”, Guide sound notification such as “White balance continuous shooting”). Further, a step for notifying the number of shots set between steps S2 and S3 (or S3 and S4) in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is provided, and the number of continuous shots is notified when the shutter key 36 is half-pressed. You may do it. For example, in the case of continuously shooting 5 images, if the shutter key 36 is pressed halfway, after the shutter key 36 is fully pressed, every time one image is shot, “DO”, “RE”, “MI” are obtained in step S8. ,... May be notified. In this way, the photographed side can easily understand the information and make a facial expression at the time of photographing, and can easily change the posture and the like.

<Modification>
In the above description, an example in which the number of shots is notified with a notification sound during continuous shooting has been described, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to continuous shooting. For example, it can be applied to AEB shooting (also referred to as auto blanket shooting). Here, AEB is an abbreviation for Automatic Exposure Brancketing (multi-stage exposure), and refers to a function of photographing a plurality of images with different exposure values in one photographing. That is, in AEB shooting, a plurality of images are shot with a single shutter operation, and the plurality of images can be shot while gradually changing the shutter speed, exposure, zoom, and the like to obtain an optimal image.

  Therefore, by setting step S8 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 to “AEB imaging processing”, the number confirmation method of the present invention, that is, the operation of steps S5 to S8 (control of the control unit 20 based on the imaging confirmation operation program using notification sound). Can be applied to the case of AEB shooting as it is.

  For example, when AEB shooting is set to shoot three images with exposure values changed by 0.5 EV in one shooting, “do” for the first shooting, “mi” for the next shooting, “So” can be associated with the last image and output as a notification sound. Thereby, the user can confirm what number is being shot in AEB shooting without taking his eyes off the subject.

(Embodiment 2)
In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the number of shots is confirmed using the notification sound has been described. However, the application range of the present invention is not limited to the confirmation of the number of shots. For example, it is possible to make it possible for the user to confirm the shooting contents by outputting a notification sound corresponding to the selected scene at the time of shooting as in the scene selection mode (hereinafter referred to as the best shot mode). Here, the best shot means a shooting mode in which various scenes registered in advance are selected, and when a scene to be shot is selected from a plurality of scenes, the optimum setting for the scene is automatically selected (for example, When shooting a person, it is a function that automatically sets the color emphasis to the skin color and automatically adjusts the setting so that the background is beautifully blurred when the telephoto side is set.

  FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are diagrams showing an example of a notification sound for scene confirmation output at the time of shooting in the best shot mode. FIG. 5A shows a sound or melody reminiscent of the scene in the acoustic memory 15. Is stored in association with a scene as sound data. FIG. 5B is an example in which a sound phrase and a melody associated with a scene are stored in the acoustic memory 15 as sound data in association with the scene.

  Thus, every time an image is taken, sound data associated with the selected scene is extracted from the sound memory 15 and passed to the sound output unit 16 to be output as a notification sound.

  For example, in the sound data configuration as shown in FIG. 5A, when a scene for taking a child is selected, a scene for taking a child in the scene field 151 when the shutter key 36 is pressed halfway in the best shot mode. The “fun children's song” sound data corresponding to is taken out from the notification sound data storage field 152 and passed to the sound output unit 16 to output “fun children's songs”. I listen and concentrate on the camera, and I can take pictures of children who are easy to move. In addition, when a scene to shoot fireworks is selected, when the shutter key 36 is pressed halfway in the best shot mode, a “taiko sound” sound that imitates the fireworks sound corresponding to the scene to shoot fireworks in the scene field 151. Data is taken out from the notification sound data storage field 152 and passed to the sound output unit 16 to output a “taiko sound” imitating the sound of fireworks, so the child in front of the camera listens to the sound and concentrates on the camera. Will be. Similarly, a melody, a sound, a wording, or the like associated with each scene of the best shot can be output to concentrate the subject person or the user's interest on the camera.

  FIG. 6A shows an example in which shutter sound and half shutter sound output at the time of shutter operation in the best shot mode are stored in the acoustic memory 15 in association with the scene, and FIG. 6B shows the self shot in the best shot mode. This is an example in which a self-timer sound output at the time of timer setting is stored in the acoustic memory 15 in association with a scene.

  As a result, when shooting with the scene selected in the best shot mode, the description of the scene such as the scene to be shot and sound data including sounds and melody associated with the scene are taken out from the acoustic memory 15. It can be passed to the sound output unit 16 for output.

  For example, in the sound data configuration as shown in FIG. 5B, when a scene for taking a forest or green is selected, if the shutter key 36 is pressed halfway in the best shot mode, the forest field 151 The “scene description” sound data corresponding to the scene where the green is to be taken is taken out from the sound data storage field 152 and passed to the sound output unit 16, and a message “take a forest or green” is output. The “sound data” is extracted from the sound data storage column 153 and passed to the sound output unit 16 to output “scream of cuckoo”, so that the user can concentrate the interest on the camera. Similarly, a scene explanation message associated with each scene of the best shot and a melody or sound reminiscent of the selected scene can be output to focus the subject person or the user's interest on the camera.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the digital camera 100 in the best shot mode, and the operations in Step T5 to Step T15 correspond to the operations by the control of the control unit 20 based on the scene shooting confirmation operation program using the notification sound.

  In FIG. 7A, when the user turns the mode dial 31 to switch to the best shot mode, the control unit 20 displays a best shot selection screen on the display unit 40 and prompts the user to select a scene. When a desired scene is selected (step T1) and a confirmation button (SET button 351 in FIG. 1 in the embodiment) is pressed, the selected scene is set (step T2).

  Next, the control unit 20 controls the optical system 11, the signal conversion unit 12, and the signal processing unit 13 to send the image data of the captured subject image to the DRAM 14, temporarily stores it in the still image buffer area, and captures the captured image. Data is thinned out for a through image and sent to the display unit 40 to display the through image (step T3).

  The control unit 20 examines the status signal from the operation unit 30. If the user half-presses the shutter key 36, the control unit 20 proceeds to step T5, otherwise returns to step T3 (step T4).

  When the shutter key 36 is pressed halfway in step T4, the control unit 20 takes out the half shutter sound data 163 (see FIG. 6A) associated with the selected scene 161 from the sound memory 15. The sound is output to the sound output unit 16 (step T5), and the sound output unit 16 outputs a shutter half-press sound most suitable for the selected scene (step T6).

  Further, it is checked whether or not the self-timer is set. If it is set, the process proceeds to step T8, and if not, the process proceeds to step T10 (step T7).

  When the self-timer is set, the control unit 20 extracts the self-timer sound data 166 (see FIG. 6B) associated with the selected scene 165 from the sound memory 15, and outputs the sound output unit 16. (Step T8), the sound output unit 16 outputs the self-timer sound most suitable for the selected scene 165 and starts the self-timer. (Step T9).

  The control unit 20 sends a control signal to the automatic exposure mechanism 117 and the automatic focusing mechanism 115 to perform exposure / automatic focusing most suitable for the selected scene, and proceeds to step T11 (step T10).

  The control unit 20 checks the status signal from the operation unit 30 and the elapsed time of the self-timer. If the user fully presses the shutter key 36 or if the set time of the self-timer has arrived, the process proceeds to step T12. In this case, the process returns to step T7 (step T11).

  When the shutter key 36 is fully pressed in step T11 or when the set time of the self-timer has arrived, the control unit 20 releases shutter sound data associated with the scene selected from the acoustic memory 15 (FIG. 6A )))) Is taken out and passed to the sound output unit 16 (step T12), and the sound output unit 16 outputs a shutter full press sound most suitable for the selected scene (step T13).

  Further, the control unit 20 extracts sound data associated with the selected scene from the sound data stored in the sound memory 15 (see FIG. 5) and sends it to the sound output unit 16 (step T14). The output unit 16 generates a notification sound and outputs it to the outside (step T15).

  The control unit 20 performs a process of fetching into the DRAM 14 image data for one frame (image data by the best shot) when the user fully presses the shutter key 36 or when the set time of the self-timer has arrived. The signal conversion unit 12 and the signal processing unit 13 are controlled to perform the operation, the image data of the DRAM 14 is sent to the display unit 40 to display a still image (step T16), and the image data taken into the DRAM 14 is compressed and flashed. Processing such as recording in the memory 50 and recording image information including the type of image (in this example, a captured image in the best shot mode) in association with the compressed image data is performed by controlling the signal processing unit 13 and the like. The shooting in the best shot mode is completed (step T17).

  Note that the still image display operation and the image recording processing operation in the best shot mode in steps T16 and T17 are shown to be performed after step T15 in FIG. 7, but the scene generated by the notification sound in steps T14 and T15 is shown in FIG. It is desirable to perform in parallel with the notification operation.

  By the operation based on the flowchart of FIG. 7A, the sound data associated with the selected scene is taken out from the sound memory 15 every time one image is taken and passed to the sound output unit 16 as a notification sound. Since it can be output, the melody, sound, or wording associated with each scene of the best shot can be output, so that the interest of the subject person can be concentrated on the camera and the user can confirm the scene by hearing Can do. In addition, if the scene is wrong, the mistake can be recognized before recording, so the scene can be set again.

  Also, when the shutter key 36 is half-pressed, the shutter half-press sound most suitable for the selected scene is output, so that the subject's person's attention can be directed to the camera when shooting a person, and exposure and auto-focusing can be performed. It can be prevented that the subject person sometimes moves greatly. In addition, the self-timer sound that is most suitable for the scene selected when setting the self-timer can be output, creating a fun atmosphere and allowing the subject's attention to be focused on the camera. Can be prevented.

  In addition, when the shutter key 36 is fully pressed, the shutter full press sound most suitable for the selected scene is output, so that both the user and the subject person can confirm that the image has been taken and can feel secure. .

  Note that the half-pressing sound output operation steps (steps T5 and T6) and the shutter key 36 full-pressing sound output operation steps (steps T12 and T13) are not essential. That is, these steps may be omitted.

  Further, a scene explanation message output step (steps T6-2 and T6-3) as shown in FIG. 7B is added after the step of outputting the half-pressed sound of the shutter key 36 (steps T5 and T6). You may make it do.

  That is, after a half-press sound of the shutter key 36 is output in step T6 of FIG. 7A, as shown in FIG. 7B, the scene associated with the scene selected from the acoustic memory 15 is displayed. The explanatory sound data (see FIG. 5B) is taken out and passed to the sound output unit 16 (step T6-2), and the sound output unit 16 outputs the description message of the selected scene (step T6-3).

  If the step of outputting the half-pressed sound of the shutter key 36 (steps T5 and T6) is omitted, the step of outputting the scene explanation message (steps T6-2 and T6-3) is the step when the shutter key 36 is half-pressed (steps T6 and T6-3). It is added after step S4).

  In the example of the sound data stored in the acoustic memory 15 in FIG. 6 and the flowchart in FIG. 7, the shutter full press sound, the shutter half press sound, and the self-timer sound are taken as an example. Other key operation sounds that do not produce sound due to operation can be output as notification sounds of various operations by storing each scene and sound data in the acoustic memory 15 in association with each other.

(Embodiment 3)
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the example in which the notification sound is output at the time of shooting and the shooting can be confirmed has been described. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to the confirmation of the number of shots. Confirmation, for example, confirmation of the number of shots when playing back continuously shot images, confirmation of the shooting scene of the best shot mode playback image, confirmation of the image group to which the playback image belongs, confirmation of the folder to which the playback image belongs, etc. Applicable. Hereinafter, a reproduction image confirmation method and the like at the time of image reproduction based on the present invention will be described. The following description will be made using the digital camera 100 shown in FIGS. It is assumed that image information including image type information is recorded in the flash memory 50 in association with each image. Also, “image type information” in this embodiment means information that can determine whether or not belonging to the same group, such as a shooting mode, a shooting date and time,.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the digital camera at the time of image reproduction, showing an operation example at the time of reproducing continuously shot images taken by the digital camera 100 of FIG. 1, and informing the operation of step U4 to step U7. This corresponds to the operation by the control of the control unit based on the image confirmation operation program during reproduction by sound.

  In FIG. 8, when the playback mode is selected by turning the mode dial 31 after the power switch 91 of the digital camera 100 is turned on, the control unit 20 clears the number counter to zero (step U1) and is designated from the flash memory 50. The compressed image data of the captured image and the image information stored in the flash memory 50 associated with the image are extracted, the compressed image data is subjected to decompression processing (step U2), and the image data is displayed. The reproduced image is displayed by sending it to the unit 40 (step U3).

  The control unit 20 checks the type of image included in the extracted image information (that is, the type of reproduced image), and proceeds to step U5 if the reproduction target image is a continuously shot image, and other types if not. The process proceeds to the image confirmation process (step U4).

  When the reproduction target image is a continuously shot image, the control unit 20 adds 1 to the number counter (step U5), and extracts sound data corresponding to the value of the number counter from the sound data stored in the acoustic memory 15. The sound data is sent to the sound output unit 16 (step U6), and the sound data is demodulated and outputted to the outside as a reproduced image number notification sound (step U7).

  Next, the control unit 20 examines a signal from the operation unit 30 and determines whether or not the user has performed a reproduction instruction operation for the next image (for example, pressing down “>” of the cursor key 35 (including continuous pressing)). If there is a reproduction instruction operation, the process returns to step U2. If there is an end instruction operation, the image reproduction process is ended (step U8).

  With the configuration of the flowchart in FIG. 8 described above, the sound data associated with the number of shots is stored in the acoustic memory 15 as shown in FIG. Thereby, since it can be confirmed by hearing that the currently reproduced image is a continuously shot image, it is easy to understand and can provide a sense of security. Also, when playing back continuous shot images, even if the images may be similar, you can see how many are currently being played and displayed. This is convenient when deciding which image to leave and which to erase.

<Modification 1>
In the above description, an example in which the number of reproduced images can be confirmed with a notification sound at the time of reproducing an image has been described. For example, the present invention can be applied to the above-described AEB photography (auto blanket photography).

  That is, by making Step U4 of the flowchart of FIG. 8 “determination operation as to whether or not the reproduction target image is an AEB photographed image”, the reproduction image confirmation method of the present invention, that is, the operation (notification sound) of Step U4 to Step U7. The operation by the control of the control unit based on the image confirmation operation program at the time of reproduction) can be applied to the reproduction of the AEB photographed image as it is.

  For example, in AEB shooting, with respect to an image obtained by shooting three images in which the exposure value is changed by 0.5 EV in one shooting, “first time” for the first playback image, “second time” for the next shooting, “Last” is associated with the last shooting and can be output as a notification sound. As a result, the user can know what number of the AEB photographed image is being reproduced, and can confirm which number is the image with the best exposure state. Thereby, it becomes easy to perform an operation of which image is stored and which image is deleted.

<Modification 2>
When the flash memory 50 contains image data shot in various shooting modes, for example, when a series of continuous shot image data and still image data shot in another shooting mode are mixed There is. In such a case, image data is stored in the flash memory 50 such as a series of continuous images, other images, another series of continuous images,...

  Here, assuming that the digital camera 100 is configured so that the playback image is fast-forwarded when the user performs a fast-forwarding operation of the image (for example, pressing and holding “>” of the cursor key 35), the playback image is fast-forwarded. As the images are taken one by one, there is no sound or a beeping sound such as “beep” or “beep”, and continuously shot images are “1”, “2”, etc. for each group. Thus, the number of images is output as a sound, or a reproduction notification sound such as “dodododo”, “relerererere ...” is outputted for each group.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the digital camera at the time of image reproduction, and shows an operation example at the time of reproducing a captured image taken by the digital camera 100.

  Here, FIG. 9A shows an example of silence when an image other than a continuously shot image is reproduced. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, the “Usage counter is cleared to zero” step U10 as shown in FIG. If the reproduced image is not a continuously shot image in step U4 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the process proceeds to step U9 to clear the number counter to zero and then step of FIG. Proceed to U8.

  Thus, for example, the flash memory 50 has three images, five images continuously shot, seven images continuously shot, one image, four images shot continuously,... Are recorded in the fast-forward playback, the playback notification sound is output as follows: silence, silence, silence, “dododododo”, “relererererere”, silence, “mimi mimi”, and so on.

  FIG. 9B shows an example in which when an image other than the continuously shot image is played back, a sound different from the playback notification sound of the continuously shot image is output. The flowchart of FIG. Step U9 for clearing the number counter and the step U9 for “extracting sound data representing an image other than the continuously shot image” from the acoustic memory 15 as shown in FIG. If it is determined in step U4 that the reproduced image is not a continuously shot image, the process proceeds to step U9 to clear the number counter to zero. In step U10, sound data indicating an image other than the continuously shot image is read from the acoustic memory 15. After the removal, the process proceeds to step U7 (output of notification sound) in FIG.

  Thus, for example, the flash memory 50 has three images, five images continuously shot, seven images continuously shot, one image, four images shot continuously,... If it is recorded, the playback notification sound such as “beep”, “beep”, “beep”, “dododododo”, “re-re-re-re-re-re-re”, “b-p”, “mimi-mimi”, etc. is output during playback. Can be.

<Modification 3>
In the description of the second embodiment, the first modified example, and the second modified example, the example in which the number of reproduced images can be confirmed by the notification sound at the time of image reproduction has been described. However, the scope of application of the present invention is limited to the notification of the number of reproduced images. Not. For example, if the playback image is a shot image in the best shot mode, a melody or the like reminiscent of the scene is output, or the images in the same group of playback images are the same group (images of the same shooting date, images of the same folder, etc.) It is also possible to output a sound that can be easily recognized.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the digital camera at the time of image reproduction, and illustrates an operation example at the time of reproducing a captured image captured by the digital camera 100.

  That is, when the reproduced image is not a continuously captured image in the image type determination in step U4 of the flowchart of FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 10, “whether the reproduced image is an image captured in the best shot mode or not”. "Check" step U20, "Retrieve sound data corresponding to best shot scene from memory" step U21, "Check whether the reproduced images are in the same group" step U22, and "Check sound data corresponding to the group" A step U23 for “retrieving from memory” is added, and for the best shot image, a melody or the like reminiscent of the scene is output, and images of the same group, that is, image type information (shooting mode, shooting date and time, ,..., Folders, etc.) are reproduced, the same notification sound is output.

  Specifically, if the reproduced image is not a continuously captured image in step U4 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the control unit 20 checks the image type information and the captured image shooting mode is the best shot. In the case of the mode, the process proceeds to Step U21. Otherwise, the process proceeds to Step U22 (Step U20).

  In the case of an image shot in the best shot mode, the scene is examined, and sound data (melody data in the example of FIG. 5) corresponding to the scene as shown in FIG. 5 is extracted from the acoustic memory 15, and step U7 in FIG. Proceed to (Output of notification sound) (step U21).

  If it is not an image shot in the best shot mode, it is checked whether or not the reproduced image belongs to the same group (for example, an image having the same shooting date and time). If it is the same group, the process proceeds to step U23. The process proceeds to Step U8 in FIG. 8 (Step U22).

  With the configuration of the flowchart of FIG. 10 described above, when the reproduced image is an image shot in the best shot mode, a notification sound associated with the scene is output, so that the user can view a scene in which the reproduced image is shot in the best mode. Can be confirmed.

  Further, when the reproduced image is an image taken on the same shooting date, a notification sound associated with the shooting date is output, so that the user can confirm that the reproduced image is an image on the same shooting date. Further, the determination of whether or not the group is the same in step U22 is not limited to only images having the same shooting date. For example, even for images with the same folder, a folder in which image data is recorded can be examined, and a notification sound associated with the folder can be output for images in the same folder. I can confirm that.

  It should be noted that it is desirable that the determination criteria for the same group can be selected by the user by displaying a selection screen displaying the group category (for example, shooting date / time, folder, shooting mode,. At this time, when a notification sound is displayed in association with a group category or when a group category is selected, a corresponding notification sound example may be output.

<Embodiment 4>
In the third embodiment, an example has been described in which the number of shots can be confirmed using a notification sound when playing back continuously shot images. However, in the case of continuous shooting, the playback images are often similar. At the time of reproduction, in addition to the output of the notification sound, it is also possible to display the number of images of the continuously photographed reproduced images. Further, it is also possible to display the number of images of continuously captured images that are currently displayed without any notification sound.
FIG. 11 shows a display example of the number of shots displayed when a continuously shot image shot with the digital camera 100 is played back. FIG. 11A shows an example in which only the number of images is displayed, and FIG. 11B shows an example in which the number of images in the number of shots is displayed. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the digital camera at the time of image reproduction, and shows an operation example when reproducing continuously shot images taken by the digital camera 100 of FIG.

  When the playback mode is selected in FIG. 12A, the control unit 20 clears the number counter to zero (step V1), the compressed image data of the image specified from the flash memory 50, and the flash memory 50 associated with this image. The image information stored in is extracted, the compressed image data extracted is subjected to decompression processing of the compressed image (step V2), and the image data is sent to the display unit 40 to display the reproduced image (step V3).

  The control unit 20 checks the type of image included in the extracted image information (that is, the type of reproduced image), and proceeds to step V5 if the image to be reproduced is a continuously shot image, and other types otherwise. The process proceeds to the image confirmation process (step V4).

  When the reproduction target image is a continuously shot image, the control unit 20 adds 1 to the number counter (step V5), and extracts sound data corresponding to the value of the number counter from the sound data stored in the acoustic memory 15. It is sent to the sound output unit 16 (step V6), the sound data is demodulated and outputted to the outside as a reproduced image number notification sound (step V7), and the value of the number counter is sent to the display unit 40 for continuous shooting (= continuous shooting). The reproduced number of reproduced images is displayed (step V8).

  Next, the control unit 20 checks the signal from the operation unit 30 to check whether or not the user has performed a reproduction instruction operation for the next image. If there is a reproduction instruction operation, the process returns to step V2. If there is an end instruction operation, the image reproduction process is ended (step V9).

  With the configuration of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12A, the number of images taken continuously can be displayed (see FIG. 11A). As a result, in the case of continuous shot images, even if the images may be similar, it is possible to know how many continuous shot images are currently being played back, so the images were shot at the same start timing during playback. This is convenient when deciding which image to leave and which to erase in a series of continuous shots.

  Note that the steps V6 and V7 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12A are omitted, no notification sound is generated, and the number of images of the continuously captured images is displayed. You may do it.

  Further, between steps V8 and V9 in the flowchart of FIG. 12A, as shown in FIG. 12B, a step V5-2 for acquiring the total number of continuous shot images (= total number of continuous shots) is obtained. Further, in step V6, the value of the number counter and the total number of continuous shots may be sent to the display unit 40 to display the number of reproduced images / total number of reproduced images. Note that the total number of a series of continuously shot images can be acquired in step V5-2 by storing the total number in the management file or image information.

  With the configuration of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12B, the number of continuously shot images and the total number of images can be displayed (see FIG. 11B). In this way, in continuous shooting, even if the images are similar, it is possible to know what number of continuous shot images the currently playing image is, so a series of images shot at the same start timing during playback This is more convenient when deciding which image to leave and which to erase in continuous shooting.

<Modification>
The number of images may be displayed together with the shooting notification sound during continuous shooting, not during playback.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation for displaying the number of shots at the time of continuous image shooting, and shows an example of the operation when shooting the continuously shot images with the digital camera 100 of FIG.
Between step S8 and step S9 in the flowchart of FIG. 4, step S8-2 is provided as shown in FIG. 13, and the value of the number counter is sent to the display unit 40 and displayed as the number of images taken continuously (= continuous shooting). You may make it make it. The number display step may be provided between step S6 and step S7 or between step S7 and step S8 in the flowchart of FIG.

  With the configuration of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to display the number of images (including images taken by AEB shooting) and the total number of images taken continuously (see FIG. 11B). In this case, the number of sheets may be displayed until the power is turned off.

(For playback on an external device)
In the description of the present embodiment, an example in which an image is played back by an imaging device such as the digital camera 100 is taken as an example. However, from the imaging device such as the digital camera 100, from the imaging device via a cable, short-range wireless communication, or a cradle. Even when image data is transferred to an external image processing apparatus such as a personal computer, a program having the same configuration as the operation program shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 12A and 12B is stored in the program storage memory of the personal computer 200. When the image data is received from the digital camera via a cable or short-range wireless communication, or when the image data is transferred from the personal computer via the cradle, the corresponding program is started by starting the program. When playing back images with the image processing device, the number of continuously shot images is displayed as a notification sound. While, (the same is true for the points optional output of the notification sound) that can be displayed.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made. For example, the terms “electronic camera” and “imaging device” can be applied to an information device having an imaging unit in addition to a mobile phone, and can also be applied to a moving image camera as well as a still image camera. The term mobile phone includes various types of mobile phones such as CDMA and GSM, PHS, PDA with a built-in telephone function, mobile phone with a built-in camera function, and the like.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of one Example of the digital camera which can apply the imaging | photography confirmation method / reproduction image confirmation method of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structural example of the digital camera shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the notification sound for number confirmation output at the time of continuous imaging | photography or image reproduction. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example at the time of continuous imaging | photography of the digital camera which can apply the imaging | photography confirmation method of this invention. It is a figure which shows one Example of the notification sound for a scene confirmation output at the time of imaging | photography by the best shot mode. It is a figure which shows one Example of the notification sound for a scene confirmation output at the time of imaging | photography by the best shot mode. It is a flowchart which shows the example of operation | movement of the digital camera at the time of the best shot mode. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example at the time of the image reproduction of the digital camera which can apply the reproduction image confirmation method of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the digital camera at the time of image reproduction. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the digital camera at the time of image reproduction. The example of a display of the imaging | photography number displayed when reproducing a continuous picked-up image is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the example of an imaging | photography number display at the time of reproducing | regenerating a continuously captured image. It is a flowchart which shows the example of an imaging | photography number display at the time of continuous image imaging | photography.

Explanation of symbols

15 Acoustic memory (memory)
16 Sound output part (sound output means)
20 control unit (photographing number counting means, reproduction number counting means, type determination means, group determination means, sound data acquisition means, second sound data acquisition means)
50 Flash memory (storage memory)
100 Digital camera (imaging device)
131, 152, 153 Sound data 162 Fully pressed shutter sound (sound data)
163 Half shutter sound (sound data)
166 Self-timer sound (sound data)

Claims (3)

In an imaging device that shoots a subject, generates image data thereof, and records the image data in a storage memory,
Storage means for storing sound data associated with the type of shooting setting;
Type determination means for determining the type of shooting setting at the time of shooting preparation instruction,
Sound data acquisition means for retrieving sound data corresponding to the type of shooting setting determined by the type determination means from the storage means;
A sound output means for demodulating the extracted sound data at the time of shooting preparation instruction, and outputting to the outside as a sound for notifying that there was a shooting preparation instruction;
Equipped with a,
The imaging apparatus , wherein the imaging preparation instruction is a self-timer imaging operation . In a shooting confirmation method of an imaging apparatus, comprising storage means for storing sound data associated with a type of shooting setting, shooting a subject, generating image data thereof, and recording the image data in a storage memory.
A type determination step for determining the type of shooting setting at the time of shooting preparation instruction;
A sound data acquisition step of retrieving sound data corresponding to the type of shooting setting determined by the type determination step from the storage means;
A sound output step of demodulating the extracted sound data at the time of shooting preparation instruction and outputting to the outside as a sound for notifying that there was a shooting preparation instruction;
Only including,
The photographing confirmation method , wherein the photographing preparation instruction is a self-timer photographing operation . A storage unit that stores sound data associated with the type of shooting setting; and an acoustic output unit that outputs the sound data as sound, and shoots a subject to generate image data; To the computer that records to the storage memory,
Type determination procedure for determining the type of shooting setting when shooting preparation instructions are given,
A sound data acquisition procedure for retrieving sound data corresponding to the type of shooting setting determined by the type determination procedure from the storage means;
An output control procedure for controlling the sound output means to output the sound data read out by the sound data acquisition procedure as a sound;
Was executed,
The shooting preparation instruction, program characterized self-timer photographing operation der Rukoto.

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