JP4965315B2 - IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING METHOD, AND INFORMATION DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device, an imaging method, and an information device, and more particularly, to an imaging device, an imaging method, and an information device that can be used for instruction such as a teacher or an instructor instructing students to take a picture in a photographic classroom.

In recent years, with the widespread use of imaging devices such as digital cameras and information devices, the number of shooting classes has increased and the number of participants has also increased. When a shooting classroom is held in a large place such as a park, it is difficult for the instructor, who is a student, to capture the shooting situation in real time. For this reason, it is difficult to convey appropriate advice that respects the will of the photographer at the time of shooting, and when time elapses until receiving appropriate advice, it is difficult to recapture using the advice.

Therefore, various types of communication systems have been proposed in which image communication technology is used to remotely control a camera using a camera system or a mobile phone that transmits a model shot image and accompanying information. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a photographed image serving as a model on the instructor side and accompanying information are sent to a photographer who is a student and a similar photograph is taken accordingly. Patent Document 2 discloses a system for remotely operating a camera with a mobile phone or the like.
JP 2001-8089 A JP 2003-250079 A

However, in the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, since it is limited to an object photographed in advance by the instructor, the photographing intention that the photographer (student) values is respected, and the photographer cannot be advised in real time. In addition, the system disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem that the remote control side will enter the will of the remote control because it is a remote control, but it cannot cope with the confirmation of the shooting situation and the shooting by the photographer himself. .

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and an information device that enable a photographer to easily learn imaging techniques while receiving appropriate advice from an instructor. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image pickup apparatus that performs shooting by receiving assist information for shooting from the external device while bidirectionally communicating with the external device for assisting shooting. An imaging unit that shoots a subject and generates image data representing the captured through image; and an image transmission request for shooting advice is made from the external device. a transmission unit that transmits to the device, and displays the through image, and a display unit for displaying the assist information transmitted Ri by the above external device, and operation unit photographer operable in accordance with the assist information, the predetermined period from an external device has received the assist information, as well as prohibiting the operation for photographing, the photographing operation control unit for the fixed display of the display unit Provided.

In the imaging apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the photographing operation control unit determines whether or not there is guidance from the instructor, and does not accept the operation when there is guidance. The operation for executing the instruction of the instructor is permitted without being prohibited.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect, the external device includes a display unit that displays the assist information, and the assist information of the external device is displayed on the display unit on the image pickup device side. To do.

The imaging apparatus according to the fourth invention, in the third invention, the display unit, the frame displaying the assist information, that displays in brightness of the cursor display or image.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention receives assist information for photographing from the external device for a photographed image while bidirectionally communicating with the external device for assisting photographing. An image capturing method for capturing an image of a subject and generating image data representing the captured through image; and when an image transmission request for shooting advice is made from the external device, Transmitting image data to the external device ; displaying the through image; displaying the assist information transmitted by the external device; and a step operated by a photographer based on the assist information; During the predetermined period when the assist information is received from the external device, the photographing operation is prohibited and the display on the display unit is fixed. Comprising the step of the.

To achieve the above object, an external device according to a sixth invention is the external device according to the first invention, wherein a receiving unit that receives photoelectrically converted image data relating to an image from the imaging device, and the receiving unit A display unit for displaying the image data received by the control unit, an operation unit for generating assist information for assisting shooting based on an image displayed on the display unit, and an operation of the operation unit. A transmission unit configured to transmit the assist information to the imaging apparatus ;

An external device according to a seventh invention, in the sixth invention, requests the imaging device to transmit the image data, and generates the assist information based on the image data transmitted in response to the request. .
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the external device performs the reception and the transmission with the imaging device by wireless communication or infrared communication.

Furthermore, an external device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes a pointing member that instructs to change the focal length in the sixth aspect of the invention, and the imaging apparatus changes the frame display in response to the instruction.
Furthermore, an external device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention includes an instruction member that instructs to change exposure correction in the sixth aspect of the invention. In response to the instruction, the imaging apparatus changes the brightness of the image.
Furthermore, an external device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention includes the operation member for changing the position of the cursor in the sixth aspect of the invention, and the imaging apparatus displays a cursor in response to this operation.

According to the present invention, the assist information is displayed or transmitted while the assist information is bidirectionally communicated with the external device in order to assist the photographing, so that the photographer receives appropriate advice from the instructor. You can easily learn shooting techniques . In addition, since the image data of the through image representing the shooting subject is transmitted to the instructor, he can receive shooting advice from the instructor in the same situation in real time. Shooting can be performed . In addition, instructors are advised how to take shooting advice to prohibit operations for shooting for a certain period of time when assist information is received from an external device and to fix the display of the through image and assist information on the display unit. You won't be able to check if it is being used.

A preferred embodiment will be described below using a camera and a photographing system to which the present invention is applied according to the drawings. The photographing system in the present embodiment assumes that a teacher instructs a student in a photography classroom or the like. In this photographing system, an instructor, a lecturer, or a teacher (second photographer) uses wireless communication, infrared communication, or the like to transmit a composition or image to a student / photographer (first photographer) by image transmission. Confirmation and instruction can be performed. In other words, this system consists of two or more cameras, and the first photographer (student) 's live view display (also called live view or electronic view display) is used as the second photographer (instructor / instructor / teacher). ) So that the instruction of the second photographer can be confirmed on the camera of the first photographer.

Prior to describing details of the configuration of the present embodiment, an operation method of the system will be described with reference to FIG. The first camera 10a is a camera used by the student (first user) 31a, and the second camera 10b is a camera used by the instructor (second user) 31b. The image and composition displayed on the monitor of the first camera 10a are transmitted to the second camera 10b by wireless communication or infrared communication. Therefore, the image being displayed on the first camera 10a can also be displayed on the second camera 10b.

The second user 31b confirms the image displayed on the monitor of the second camera 10b, and the second camera 10b performs a composition and shooting operation that the second user 31b considers appropriate. When an operation is performed with the second camera 10b, shooting assist information based on the operation is transmitted to the first camera 10a and displayed on the display panel 8. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, when the instructor 31 b sees the image and determines that it is better to enlarge the image, the second camera 10 b is operated and the display panel 8 of the first camera 10 a The display frame 8c is reduced, and an instruction is given to increase the display frame 8c.

With such a system configuration, the student (first user) 10a can receive shooting advice (shooting assist information) that the instructor (second user) 10b takes in this way in the same situation in real time. The photographer can take a photograph with respect to his / her own willingness with reference to the photographing advice.

The instructor makes an image transmission request to the student in order to make a shooting advice. The instructor can check the student's shooting judgment and surrounding conditions in real time, such as the subject that the student is viewing, the light source, the background state, and the composition.

The instructor performs an operation in which the instructor performs this operation while considering the attention point and direction of the student rather than the operation performed by the student, and transmits the instruction to the student. Students can shoot on the spot with their own will while referring to the shooting method of the instructor. There is always an instructor next door, and you can achieve the same thing as a student trying again by showing you a sample of shooting like this.

Consider the case where this system is applied. For example, suppose a student wants to photograph a ginkgo tree in autumn colors in a park. Students operate the camera with the sun in the center of the ginkgo tree and background. The instructor confirms the through image, and the autumnal ginkgo is beautifully backlit, so the sun position is composed in a position that seems to be beautiful, and the camera is operated and the exposure is considered to be appropriate. The student can resume shooting on the spot while referring to the image of the best operation considered by the instructor.

In this way, in a photo classroom that is held in a large place such as in a park, the instructor cannot always give advice on the spot to all participants. It can only be commented from. For this reason, students are not always able to shoot under the same conditions even if they receive a comment, and because they cannot take advantage of that shoot, ginkgo scatters and they cannot check the progress of the shooting technique until the next year.

However, in this embodiment, after the second photographer (instructor) confirms the situation that the first photographer (student) is about to photograph on the monitor, an accurate operation utilizing the photographing scene is performed. The advice is displayed on the camera of the first photographer (student). The instruction at this time can be made with respect to the will of the first photographer (student), and the operation instruction given by the second camera (instructor) is displayed on the monitor of the first camera. The The first photographer (student) can photograph in real time with reference to the advice (operation instruction) of the instructor in real time.

Next, a digital camera used in the photographing system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera and a photographing system. As described above, this system assumes a situation in which two or more cameras are operated by a student and a teacher in a photography classroom or the like. Since each camera has the same configuration, the first camera 10a, Of the two cameras 10b, only the first camera 10a is displayed in detail.

The first camera 10a used by the user includes a photographing lens 2, an AF (autofocus) control unit 2a, an aperture 2b, an aperture control unit 2c, an image sensor 3, and an analog front end (hereinafter abbreviated as AFE) unit 4. Is provided. The photographic lens 2 is a zoom lens that can change the focal length, and has a focus lens inside, and forms an image of an incident subject 20 on the image sensor 3.

The AF control unit 2a performs image processing in an image processing unit 5 to be described later, detects an in-focus position of the photographic lens 2, detects it by a so-called hill-climbing method, drives the focus lens, and moves it to the in-focus position. Note that the hill-climbing method is a method for detecting the in-focus position (focus position) from the contrast signal peak of the photographed image. It may be replaced. When the in-focus position is reached by AF, the distance determination unit 5c described later can perform distance determination by detecting the photographing lens 2 at this time. In this case, when the photographing lens 2 is a zoom lens, the distance is determined in consideration of the zoom position and the like.

A diaphragm 2b that provides the effects of a shutter and a diaphragm is provided in or near the photographing lens 2. The diaphragm 2b is opened to a predetermined aperture at the time of photographing, and is closed when the exposure is finished to finish the exposure. The aperture control unit 2c drives the aperture 2b to set the aperture diameter. By changing the aperture, the depth of field of the lens changes, so you can change the expression by adjusting the blurring of the background, etc. Can do.

Further, the shutter can be controlled by the aperture 2b and the aperture control can be switched by the exposure correction operation to brighten or darken the image. Further, by switching the autofocus by the AF control unit 2b to manual (manual), the user can give various effects when taking a picture. Of course, the angle of view can be changed by adjusting the focal length of the zoom lens.

The image pickup device 3 is a CCD or CMOS sensor composed of a large number of light receiving pixels, and receives an image from the subject 20 via the photographing lens 2 and converts it into an image signal. The analog front end (AFE) unit 4 includes analog-to-digital conversion (AD) means, and converts a signal from the image sensor 3 into a digital signal. The AFE unit 4 performs various processes on the image signal output from the image sensor 3. The AFE unit 4 is also provided with a function of reading several pixels of the image pickup device 3 together and reading them together. For example, when the signal level of each pixel is small, such as 4 pixels (2 × 2) and 9 pixels (3 × 3), several pixel signals can be added to improve the S / N. Sensitivity can also be increased.

Sensitivity can be increased by such an operation, and it is possible to devise photography such as increasing the shutter speed. When the shutter speed is high, it is possible to shoot as if the moving subject is stopped. For cameras that allow the user to switch the shutter speed and control the appropriate exposure by controlling the aperture and sensitivity, if the shutter speed is generally slowed down, for example, when shooting a river flow, the water flow stretches like a thread. Can be described. If you increase the shutter speed, you can capture the same river flow, capture the moment, and make it possible to reproduce the moment when the splashes rise and the state of ripples. Even in sports photos, if the shutter speed is increased, the movement of the subject can be stopped and the expression can be clearly captured.

The AFE unit 4 has a function of selecting signals output from the image sensor 3 and can extract image data in a limited range from the light receiving range. In general, when pixel signals thinned out from the pixels of the image sensor 3 are extracted, high-speed reading is possible. Thereby, as will be described later, the image signal for composition confirmation can be processed at high speed by the image processing unit 5 and displayed on the display panel 8 via the display control unit 8a.

The output of the AFE unit 4 is connected to the image processing unit 5. The image processing unit 5 corrects the color, gradation, and sharpness of the input signal. Further, it has a sensitizing unit 5b that amplifies an image signal obtained from the image sensor 3 to a predetermined level and sets the correct gray level and the correct gray level. This is a digital operation so that the digitized signal level becomes a predetermined level. In addition, the image processing unit 5 includes resizing means for processing the signal from the image sensor 3 into a size that can be displayed on the display panel 8 so that a live image can be displayed on the display unit in real time.

With this configuration, it is possible to confirm a subject image incident on the imaging unit prior to shooting, and to determine shooting timing and a photo opportunity while looking at the image instead of the optical viewfinder. The acquired image at the time of framing is displayed on the display panel 8 and is transmitted to another second camera 10b via the external transmission unit 9b. The second camera 10b also has a display unit, and is configured to display the sent image. In addition, the advice of the instructor and the like is displayed by using the multi-image unit 8b.

In addition, the image processing unit 5 has an image determination function for determining characteristics of an image input from the image sensor using the signal of the image processing unit 5. For example, from a contour information obtained by processing image information, a shape determination unit 5a that detects the shape of what is being imaged, a distance determination unit 5c that determines the distance of the subject by determining the contrast of the signal level of the image, Also included is a face detection unit 5d that examines image characteristics and detects the position of the main subject. This is for optimizing the shooting control by determining what kind of photo the user is going to take at the time of shooting.

Of these, the distance determination unit 5c has a function of determining the contrast of the image described above, and performs autofocus control in conjunction with the focusing means of the photographing lens. The distance of the subject, the distance of the background, and the like can be determined based on the information on the lens position when the photographing lens 2 is focused. However, if you want to enjoy elaborate photography, not only can you decide various controls automatically like this, but as mentioned above, the user manually performed operations such as exposure, focus, zoom control, etc. There are situations where this is preferable. However, such photography is not easy to master, and the teacher's guidance is a quick way to improve.

Further, the camera 10a is provided with a compression unit 6, a recording unit 9a, a recording medium 9, an external communication 9b, a teacher-and-teacher recording unit 9c, a display panel 8, a display control unit 8a, and a multi-image processing unit 8b. The compression unit 6 compresses the signal output from the image processing unit 5 at the time of shooting. The compression unit 6 includes MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 4 and H.264. A compression unit for moving images composed of a compression core unit such as H.264 and JPEG (Joint
A still image compression unit such as a Photographic Experts Group) core unit is provided. The compression unit 6 also performs image expansion when reproducing an image recorded on the recording medium 9 on the display panel 8.

The recording unit 9 a records the compressed image signal on the recording medium 9. The recording medium 9 is a storage recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the camera. In addition, in the recording unit 9a, as will be described later, there is provided an apprentice relation recording unit 9c that records the setting of whether the person who uses the camera is an instructor (instructor / teacher) or a student. .

The display panel 8 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal or an organic EL, and displays a subject image for observation at the time of photographing, and displays an expanded recorded image at the time of reproduction. The display control unit 8 a controls display on the display panel 8. The multi-image processing unit 8b is an image processing unit for displaying a plurality of images on the display panel 8, and as described above, photographing advice (assist information) from the instructor is displayed.

The camera 10a is provided with an auxiliary light emitting unit 11, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 1 as an arithmetic control unit, and various switches 1a to 1c (actually composed of three or more switches). . The auxiliary light emitting unit 11 includes a white LED and a Xe discharge light emitting tube, and the amount of light can be controlled by the amount of current. Depending on the situation, the subject 20 is irradiated with light to prevent lack of brightness and uneven brightness. The light emission control by the auxiliary light emitting unit 11 may be manually controlled.

The MPU 1 is a control unit that controls the entire camera. A ROM (not shown) or a flash memory (not shown) storing the switches 1a to 1c and programs is connected to the MPU1. The operation of the camera user is detected by the state of the switches 1a to 1c, and the MPU 1 determines it, reflects each manual operation on each mechanism, and sequentially controls each block during shooting. In accordance with the operation of these switches 1a to 1c, it is possible to switch the shooting / playback mode and the shooting mode. Further, the MPU 1 functions as a shooting control unit that controls the AF control unit 2a, the aperture control unit 2c, and the like during shooting.

Further, by operating the switches 1a to 1c, the second camera 10b used by the instructor can control the first camera 10a used by the student. That is, by operating the switches 1a to 1c, the setting operation of the teacher / student relation is transmitted / received via the external transmission unit 9b, and the control unit (MPU1) of the camera that has received the teacher / student relation performs the actual image processing, This is reflected in the control of each function. In this way, the second camera 10b used by the instructor and the first camera 10a used by the student have the same configuration, but their functions differ depending on the direction in which the image is transmitted and the direction in which the operation is transmitted. , Which of which functions will be recorded in the above-mentioned teacher-student relation recording unit 9c.

The MPU 1 is provided with a clock 1t for detecting the time, detects the shooting date and time of the photo, and associates it with the shot image. In the MPU 1, an operation prohibiting unit 1d that prohibits part or all of the switches 1a to 1c is provided. The external communication unit 9b is a communication unit for transmitting / receiving to / from the second camera 10b, and transmits / receives through-image images displayed on the display panel 8, and various types of shooting information such as exposure control values and subject distances. Is possible.

Next, an operation method of the first camera 10a and the second camera 10b configured as shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. An image to be photographed using the first camera 10a used by the student is displayed as a through image on the display panel 8 of the first camera 10a. The through image at this time is also transmitted to the second camera 10b via the external communication unit 9b and displayed. The second camera 10b is used by an instructor (lecturer, teacher), and can confirm what composition (angle of view), what focus position, and what exposure correction the student is going to shoot.

When the instructor gives an instruction to the student that it is better to take a larger image, the instruction is given by performing a zoom operation of the second camera 10b. As a result, a frame display 8c indicating that effect appears on the display panel 8 of the student's first camera 10a, so that the student can follow the instruction of the teacher by moving closer or zooming.

The instructor may select and send a predetermined message. Such an operation is performed by the instructor operating the switch 1b such as a cross key of the second camera 10b, or operating a zoom switch (not shown). If the focus position that the student is trying to focus on is not desirable, a cursor display 8d or the like is transmitted to specify the focus location or the like.

If the student performs other operations when the shooting advice is transmitted from the instructor, the instruction of the teacher is not correctly reflected, so the operation prohibition unit 1d changes the student's screen in the state instructed by the instructor. In order not to accept student operations.

Next, the operation of the first camera 10a and the second camera 10b will be described with reference to the control flowchart shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not shooting is performed (S1). Whether or not the image is taken is determined by detecting the state of the release button. When the release button is fully pressed, it is determined that the image is taken. If the result of determination is shooting, the process proceeds to step S2 and shooting is performed. In the shooting operation, the first camera 10a or the second camera 10b acquires an image signal by the image sensor 3, and records image data based on the image signal on the recording medium 9.

Next, in step S1, if it is not shooting, it is subsequently determined whether or not the playback mode is selected (S11). If the playback mode has been selected, playback display is performed (S12). In this reproduction display, the image data recorded on the recording medium 9 is displayed on the display panel 8.

If it is determined in step S11 that the reproduction mode is not selected, it is determined in step S21 whether or not the instructor instructs the student (S21). Whether the camera operates for the instructor or the student is set in advance, and the setting result is stored in the teacher-apprentice relation recording unit 9c. When stored for the instructor, the camera operates as the second camera 10b. When guidance is given, the switch is operated to set that.

If the result of determination in step S21 is that guidance is not in effect, a through image display (live view) is performed (S31). In this step, as described above, a through image is displayed using the imaging result obtained by the imaging device 3 in order to confirm the composition and the imaging effect before imaging.

As a result of the determination in step S21, when the instructor instructs the student, step S21 is branched to Yes, and an image of the student is acquired (S22). In this step, the first camera 10a is prompted to transmit an image, and an image signal based on a wireless signal (radio wave or infrared ray) is received from the first camera 10a and displayed on the display panel 8. If the instructor observes the received image and needs shooting advice, the instruction operation described with reference to FIG. 3 is performed (S23), and shooting assist information based on the operation result is sent to the first camera 10a. It is transmitted (S24). The operation result transmission subroutine will be described later with reference to FIG.

When a live view display is performed in step S31, it is subsequently determined whether or not an image transmission request for photographing advice in step S22 has been made by the instructor (S32). If there is an image transmission request, the first camera 10a used by the student transmits the same image as the through image display (S33).

Next, it is determined whether or not there is guidance from a leader (S34). In this step, in steps S23 and S24, the instructor transmits photographing assist information based on the operation result as photographing advice, and determines whether or not this information has been received. If there is guidance as a result of the determination, the first camera 10a does not accept the student's operation by the operation prohibiting unit 1d, and the screen of the display panel 8 is also fixed as it is (S35). However, regarding the operation for executing the instruction of the instructor, the operation is permitted without being prohibited. In this state, the student operates the first camera 10a to perform shooting control (S36).

The operation prohibition in step S35 is determined by the MPU 1 of the first camera 10a used by the student when a guidance signal for photographing advice is received from the instructor, and the input of the operation member and the accompanying camera control are performed. It is forbidden. This prohibition of the operation is canceled after the display based on the photographing assistance information from the instructor is performed for only a few seconds. Alternatively, the switch provided on the first camera 10a used by the student may be canceled by operating the switch when the student is satisfied with the shooting advice.

Furthermore, even if a special switch is not provided, the image signal of the first camera 10a is monitored, and the control of the MPU 1 is programmed so as to release the operation prohibition when this changes greatly over a period of about 10 seconds. You can leave it. In this case, if the student shakes the first camera 10a, the image changes, and the operation prohibition can be released.

Next, the operation result transmission in step S24 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. As described above, this subroutine is a routine for transmitting photographing assistance information by the instructor to the student. First, it is determined whether or not the instructor has performed a zoom operation of the second camera 10b (S41). If the zoom operation is performed as a result of the determination, the frame display 8c is switched (S44), and this is transmitted to the first camera 10a as shooting assist information (S47).

By executing these steps S41, S44, and S47, the photographing assist information can be displayed on the student's first camera 10a. For example, when instructing to take a larger image, the frame display 8c in the screen of the display panel 8 of the first camera 10a used by the student is reduced by zooming up the second camera 10b. Shooting assist information can be communicated to the students as shown in the figure so that they are fully captured within the frame. Students can look at it, zoom in, or get closer to the subject. When it is better to make it wider, it is not possible to display it with a frame, so the instructor's operation may be expressed by a character display such as “Wide to wide angle”.

If the result of determination in step S41 is that there is no zoom operation, it is then determined whether exposure correction is being performed (S42). When the instructor recommends the exposure correction, the exposure correction of the second camera 10b is performed. If the result of the determination is that the exposure correction is detected, the screen is brightened (S45). To the camera 10a (S47).

For example, when the instructor corrects the exposure correction operation member of the second camera 10b to the minus side, the fact is transmitted to the first camera 10a as photographing assistance information, and the display image on the display panel 8 is darkened. Students look at it, change the way the exposure is adjusted, and take pictures according to the teacher's advice.

If the result of determination in step S <b> 42 is not an exposure correction operation, it is subsequently determined whether a cursor operation is being performed (S <b> 43). When the instructor gives shooting advice for focusing, the cursor is operated with the cross key or the like. If the result of determination is that a cursor has been operated, the cursor is moved (S46), and this is then transmitted to the first camera 10a (S47).

In these steps S43, S46, and S47, the focus position and the like are changed by the cursor display, and the student may perform the focusing operation at the position indicated by the cross key or the like. As a result, for example, how to distribute the in-focus part and the blurred part in macro photography can be determined and determined with confidence from the instructor's photography advice.

After completing these steps, the routine returns to the original routine. However, each time the instructor performs zoom processing, exposure correction processing, and cursor processing, the operation result transmission subroutine shown in FIG. I can tell you.

As described above, in the present embodiment, assist information for photographing is received from the camera 10a or 10b which is an external device while bidirectional communication is performed with the camera 10a or 10b which is the external device for assisting photographing. Take a picture. An imaging unit including the imaging element 3 that shoots the subject 20 and generates image data representing the captured image, an external communication unit 9b that transmits the image data to the external device, and assist information transmitted by the external device A display unit including a display panel 8 to be displayed and an operation unit such as switches 1a to 1c that can be operated by a photographer according to assist information are provided. For this reason, the photographer can easily learn the photographing technique while receiving appropriate advice from the instructor (lecturer, teacher). That is, the observation image of the first camera 10a used by the student is observed by the second camera 10b used by the instructor, and the photographing advice is fed back to the first camera 10a. You can receive guidance in real time.

In the present embodiment, the first camera 10a used by the student is prohibited from operations other than executing the shooting advice when receiving the shooting advice. If an operation different from the shooting advice is performed, the instructor cannot confirm how the shooting advice is utilized. However, in the present embodiment, the operation prohibiting unit 1c is provided. Such a problem does not occur.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when assist information indicating photographing advice is displayed as a graphic or the like without using characters such as the display frame 8c, the cursor display 8d, and the brightness of the screen, the assist is intuitively performed. The information can be understood and is easy to understand.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the imaging device is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, the digital camera can be applied to any so-called digital single-lens reflex camera or compact camera, and is not limited to a digital camera. It can also be applied to digital image viewers, storage with screens, and mobile phones. The present invention is not limited to only capturing and recording an image, but can also be applied to information equipment for acquiring information. In particular, the second camera 10b for the instructor need not be a general digital camera.

In the present embodiment, when the instruction is given from the second camera 10b for the instructor to the first camera 10a for the student, transmission of image transmission is requested (S22 in FIG. 4). Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first camera 10a for students may be configured to transmit an image and request guidance.

Furthermore, the image is transmitted from the first camera 10a for the student to the second camera 10b for the instructor, and the instructor sends the photographing advice based on the image, but the information is not limited to the image. Needless to say, various types of shooting information such as exposure control values and subject distances may be acquired, and the information may be comprehensively determined to give shooting advice.

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera and its imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the use condition of the imaging | photography system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the operating method of the 1st camera 10a and the 2nd camera 10b in one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating camera control of a digital camera in an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of an operation result transmission subroutine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MPU, 1a ... switch, 1b ... switch, 1c ... switch, 1d ... operation prohibition part, 1t ... watch, 2 ... taking lens, 2a ... AF (Autofocus) control unit, 2b ... aperture, 3 ... imaging element, 4 ... analog front end (analog front end) unit, 5 ... image processing unit, 5a ... shape determination unit, 5b ... Sensitization unit, 5c ... Distance determination unit, 5d ... Face detection unit, 6 ... Compression unit, 8 ... Display panel, 8a ... Display control unit, 8b ... Multi-image part, 8c ... display frame, 8d ... cursor display, 9 ... recording medium, 9a ... recording part, 9b ... external transmission part, 9c ... indication relation recording part, 10a ... 1st camera, 10b ... 2nd camera, 11 ... Auxiliary light emitting part, · Subject, 31a ··· first user, 31b ··· second user

Claims (11)

An imaging device that performs shooting by receiving assist information for shooting from the external device while interactively communicating with the external device for assisting shooting,
An imaging unit that shoots a subject and generates image data representing the captured through image;
When an image transmission request for photographing advice is made from the external device, a transmission unit that transmits the image data to the external device;
And displays the through image, and a display unit for displaying the assist information transmitted Ri by the above external device,
An operation unit that can be operated by the photographer according to the assist information;
A shooting operation control unit for prohibiting an operation for shooting for a predetermined period of receiving the assist information from the external device, and fixing the display of the display unit;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The shooting operation control unit determines whether or not there is guidance from the instructor. When there is instruction, the operation is not accepted, and the operation for executing the instruction of the instructor is prohibited. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation is allowed without being performed.   2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the external device includes a display unit that displays the assist information, and the assist information of the external device is displayed on a display unit on the imaging device side.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display unit displays the assist information in a frame display, a cursor display, or an image brightness. An imaging method for performing photographing by receiving assist information for photographing from the external device with respect to a photographed image while interactively communicating with the external device for assisting photographing,
Photographing a subject and generating image data representing the photographed through image;
When an image transmission request for shooting advice is made from the external device, the step of transmitting the image data to the external device;
Displaying the through image and displaying the assist information transmitted by the external device;
A step that the photographer operates based on the assist information;
Prohibiting an operation for photographing for a predetermined period of receiving the assist information from the external device, and fixing the display on the display unit;
An imaging method comprising: The external device is
A receiving unit that receives image data relating to an image that has been photoelectrically converted from the imaging device ;
A display unit for displaying the image data received by the receiving unit;
An operation unit for generating assist information for assisting photographing based on an image displayed on the display unit;
A transmission unit that transmits the assist information generated by the operation of the operation unit to the imaging device ;
The external device according to claim 1, further comprising: The external device according to claim 6 , wherein the imaging device is requested to transmit the image data, and the assist information is generated based on the image data transmitted in response to the request. The external apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the image pickup apparatus performs the reception and the transmission by wireless communication or infrared communication. The external device according to claim 6 , further comprising an instruction member for instructing a change in focal length, wherein the imaging apparatus changes a frame display in response to the instruction. The external device according to claim 6 , further comprising an instruction member for instructing a change in exposure correction, and in response to the instruction, the imaging apparatus changes the brightness of the image. The external device according to claim 6 , further comprising an operation member that changes a position of the cursor, wherein the imaging apparatus displays a cursor in response to the operation.