JP5318244B2 - Imaging control apparatus and imaging control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize full depression and half-depression by an imaging device and one operation means on an imaging controller side during remote photographing when the imaging device and an imaging controller are connected. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging controller includes: operation means operating a connected imaging device; display means displaying an operation symbol showing the operation means and an instruction execution symbol to the imaging device; and instruction command determination means determining an instruction command to the imaging device based on a combination of instruction operation time to the command execution symbol by the operation means and a time interval, or a position of the operation symbol and the instruction operation to the command execution symbol. In the combination of the instruction operation time to the command execution symbol by the operation means and the time interval, an operation is set to be a photographing execution command to the imaging device. Thus, a state such as focusing and exposure is confirmed to perform photographing after AF control and AE control are performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging control device and an imaging control method, and more particularly to a technique suitable for use in remote imaging of an imaging device.

  Recently, remote shooting is widely performed by connecting an imaging device such as a digital camera to a personal computer (camera and personal computer). In this way, by performing remote shooting, it is possible to take a large number of photos according to the disk capacity of the personal computer without worrying about the capacity of the memory card.

  In addition, when performing remote shooting, there is also disclosed a device that enables more operability than operating the camera itself while performing remote shooting by using a dedicated control device, a so-called remote controller (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

JP-A-11-176286

  By the way, in general, when shooting with a digital camera or a silver halide camera, the release button is half-pressed to be used as a trigger for distance measurement, AF control, AE control, and the like.

  However, when the camera is connected to a personal computer and remote shooting is performed on the personal computer side, the release cannot be half-pressed. Therefore, when AF control or AE control is performed, shooting is performed thereafter. Will go up.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention enables full pressing and half pressing with one operation means on the imaging device and the imaging control device side during remote shooting where the imaging device and the imaging control device are connected. The purpose is to do.

An imaging control apparatus of the present invention is an imaging control apparatus that controls an imaging apparatus, and includes display means for displaying an image obtained from the imaging apparatus and a command execution symbol, and operating means for performing an instruction operation on the imaging apparatus. And the first instruction operation for selecting the command execution symbol by the operation means causes the imaging apparatus to execute shooting preparation, and the operation is performed within a predetermined time after the first instruction operation is performed. When the second instruction operation is performed by the means, the second instruction operation is used as a shooting execution instruction. When the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the second instruction operation is performed. In response to the instruction operation, the imaging apparatus is caused to execute shooting preparation.

Imaging control method of the present invention is an imaging control method for controlling an imaging device, selecting an image obtained from the imaging device, and a display step of displaying the instruction execution symbol, the instruction execution symbol by the operation means When the first instruction operation causes the imaging apparatus to execute shooting preparation, and after the first instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation by the operation means is performed within a predetermined time. Uses the second instruction operation as a shooting execution command, and when the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the second instruction operation is received to prepare the imaging apparatus for shooting. It is made to perform.

The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute an imaging control method for controlling an imaging apparatus, an operation symbol indicating an operation means for operating the imaging apparatus , an instruction execution symbol, and an image obtained from the imaging apparatus And the first instruction operation by the operation means to cause the imaging apparatus to execute shooting preparation, and after the first instruction operation is performed, the operation means performs the operation within a predetermined time. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is used as a shooting execution instruction. When the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the second instruction operation is performed. It is characterized by causing a computer to execute each process of a remote control method for receiving an operation and causing the imaging apparatus to execute shooting preparation.

  According to the present invention, although it is a single button, it is possible to perform half-press and full-press, and after performing AF control / AE control, after confirming the state of focus / exposure, etc., shooting is performed. It becomes possible to execute.

It is a block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment and shows the structural example of an imaging control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows 1st Embodiment and shows an example of the procedure which performs half-press control. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment and shows an example of the procedure which performs half-press control. It is a schematic diagram which shows 1st Embodiment and shows a half-press control method.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging control apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention. In FIG. 1, a reading unit 100 is an imaging device configured with a known CCD element or the like.
It has a function to read an image. The input unit 101 includes a keyboard and a pointing device, and the user operates the input unit 101 to input data and instruct operation.

  The storage unit 102 stores binary data and metadata, and is composed of, for example, a hard disk. The display unit 103 displays binary data stored in the storage unit 102 or displays image data read by the reading unit 100, and is configured by a CRT or a liquid crystal panel, for example.

  The image input unit 107 is configured by an image input device such as a digital camera, and inputs a captured image and information at the time of shooting. The CPU 104 is involved in all processing performed in this embodiment, and the ROM 105 and RAM 106 provide a memory and work area necessary for the processing. In addition, a control program for realizing a processing procedure of the present embodiment described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 or 3 is stored in the ROM 105.

Next, a method for performing release in two stages by the imaging control apparatus shown in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S201, it is determined whether the release button is pressed. As a result of the determination, if the button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S202. If the button is not pressed, the process returns to step S201. That is, it waits until the release button is pressed.

In step S202, half-press control is started. Here, the half-press control is to perform distance measurement and photometry with a connected imaging device, and to perform AF (automatic focus control) control and AE (automatic exposure) control.
Next, in step S203, it is determined whether the button has been released. If the result of this determination is that the button has not been released, processing returns to step S202 and half-press control is continued. If the button is released, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, it is determined whether or not it has been pressed again within a predetermined time. If the result of this determination is that the button has been pressed again after a time longer than a certain time, the process returns to step S201 to determine whether or not the release button has been pressed again. Push control is performed. If it is pressed again within a certain time, the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, a release is performed to complete the shooting.

  By executing the above processing, one button can be released by pressing halfway and pressing once again within a fixed time after pressing and holding one button.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the above. In FIG. 4A, after half-pressing, pressing again within a certain time (T) realizes the operation of releasing half-pressed.
Further, in FIG. 4B, the operation of pressing halfway and pressing halfway again is realized by pressing again after a predetermined time (T) or more after halfway pressing.

  Here, since distance measurement, AF control, and AE control are performed during half-press control, these pieces of information are transferred to the connected imaging control device to calculate subject distance, depth of field, and the like. May be displayed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to perform half-pressing with one button, and AF, AE control can be performed, and focus, exposure, etc. can be confirmed. .

(Second Embodiment)
In the above-described first embodiment, it is necessary to press the button twice even when manually performing focus, exposure, and the like.
On the other hand, the second embodiment shows an example in which when the mouse is over the button, half-press control is performed so that the release can be performed with a single button operation even during a manual operation.

Next, the operation procedure of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.
In step S301, it is determined whether the mouse is over the release button. As a result of the determination, if the mouse is over, the process proceeds to step S302, and if not, the process returns to step S301. That is, it waits until the mouse is over.

  In step S302, half-press control is performed. Here, the half-press control is to perform distance measurement and photometry with a connected imaging device, and to perform AF control and AE control.

  Next, in step S303, it is determined whether or not the button has been pressed. If the result of this determination is that the mouse has not been pressed, the routine returns to step S301, where it is determined whether or not the mouse is over the release button. If it has been mouse over, half-press control is continued in step S302.

If the result of determination in step S303 is that the button has been pressed, processing proceeds to step S304.
In step S304, a release is performed and the shooting is completed.

  As described above, by half-pressing control with mouse over and releasing with mouse click, even if exposure and shutter speed are determined manually, release can be performed with one click and continuous shooting is performed. Is also possible.

(Other embodiments)
Also, the object of each embodiment is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Perform some or all of the actual processing. Needless to say, the process includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU included in the function expansion card or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

  When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3 described above. A storage medium (or recording medium) in which the ram code is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Reading part 101 Input part 102 Accumulation part 103 Display part 104 CPU
105 ROM
106 RAM
107 Image input unit

Claims (14)

An imaging control device for controlling an imaging device,
Display means for displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and a command execution symbol ;
Operation means for performing an instruction operation on the imaging device;
After the first instruction operation for selecting the command execution symbol by the operation means causes the imaging apparatus to perform shooting preparation and the first instruction operation is performed, the operation means performs the operation within a predetermined time. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is used as a shooting execution instruction. When the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the second instruction operation is performed. An image pickup control apparatus that receives an operation and causes the image pickup apparatus to perform preparation for shooting. An imaging control device for controlling an imaging device,
Display means for displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and a command execution symbol ;
Operation means for performing an instruction operation on the imaging device;
The imaging device is caused to execute shooting preparation by a first instruction operation by the operation means, and the command execution symbol by the operation means is selected within a predetermined time after the first instruction operation is performed. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is used as a shooting execution instruction. When the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the second instruction operation is performed. An image pickup control apparatus that receives an operation and causes the image pickup apparatus to perform preparation for shooting. An imaging control device for controlling an imaging device,
Display means for displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and a command execution symbol;
Operation means for performing an instruction operation on the imaging device;
After the first instruction operation for selecting the command execution symbol by the operation means causes the imaging apparatus to perform shooting preparation and the first instruction operation is performed, the operation means performs the operation within a predetermined time. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is set as an imaging execution command for executing imaging without causing the imaging apparatus to perform imaging preparation, and the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed. When the second instruction operation is performed, the imaging control apparatus is configured to receive the second instruction operation and cause the imaging apparatus to perform preparation for photographing. An imaging control device for controlling an imaging device,
Display means for displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and a command execution symbol;
Operation means for performing an instruction operation on the imaging device;
The imaging device is caused to execute shooting preparation by a first instruction operation by the operation means, and the command execution symbol by the operation means is selected within a predetermined time after the first instruction operation is performed. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is set as a shooting execution command for executing shooting without causing the imaging apparatus to perform shooting preparation. When the second instruction operation is performed, the imaging control apparatus is configured to receive the second instruction operation and cause the imaging apparatus to perform preparation for photographing. The shooting preparation and at least an automatic focus control, imaging control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that either one of the automatic exposure control. An imaging control method for controlling an imaging device,
A display step of displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and an instruction execution symbol ;
After the first instruction operation for selecting the command execution symbol by the operation means causes the imaging apparatus to execute shooting preparation, and after the first instruction operation is performed, the first instruction operation by the operation means is performed within a predetermined time. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is set as a shooting execution command. When the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the second instruction operation is performed. Receiving, and causing the imaging apparatus to execute shooting preparation. An imaging control method for controlling an imaging device,
A display step of displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and an instruction execution symbol ;
First imaging operation is performed by the imaging device by the first instruction operation by the operation means, and after the first instruction operation is performed, the instruction execution symbol by the operation means is selected within a predetermined time. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is set as a shooting execution command. When the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the second instruction operation is performed. Receiving, and causing the imaging apparatus to execute shooting preparation. An imaging control method for controlling an imaging device,
A display step of displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and an instruction execution symbol;
After the first instruction operation for selecting the command execution symbol by the operation means causes the imaging apparatus to execute shooting preparation, and after the first instruction operation is performed, the first instruction operation by the operation means is performed within a predetermined time. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is set as a shooting execution command for executing shooting without causing the imaging apparatus to perform shooting preparation, and the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed. When the instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is received, and the imaging apparatus is caused to execute shooting preparation. An imaging control method for controlling an imaging device,
A display step of displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and an instruction execution symbol;
First imaging operation is performed by the imaging device by the first instruction operation by the operation means, and after the first instruction operation is performed, the instruction execution symbol by the operation means is selected within a predetermined time. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is set as a shooting execution command for executing shooting without causing the imaging apparatus to perform shooting preparation, and the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed. When the instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is received, and the imaging apparatus is caused to execute shooting preparation. A program for causing a computer to execute an imaging control method for controlling an imaging apparatus,
A display step of displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and an instruction execution symbol;
After the first instruction operation for selecting the command execution symbol by the operation means causes the imaging apparatus to execute shooting preparation, and after the first instruction operation is performed, the first instruction operation by the operation means is performed within a predetermined time. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is set as a shooting execution command. When the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the second instruction operation is performed. And a program for causing the computer to execute each process of the remote control method for causing the imaging apparatus to perform preparation for photographing. A program for causing a computer to execute an imaging control method for controlling an imaging apparatus,
A display step of displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and an instruction execution symbol;
First imaging operation is performed by the imaging device by the first instruction operation by the operation means, and after the first instruction operation is performed, the instruction execution symbol by the operation means is selected within a predetermined time. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is set as a shooting execution command. When the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the second instruction operation is performed. And a program for causing the computer to execute each process of the remote control method for causing the imaging apparatus to perform preparation for photographing. A program for causing a computer to execute an imaging control method for controlling an imaging apparatus,
A display step of displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and an instruction execution symbol;
After the first instruction operation for selecting the command execution symbol by the operation means causes the imaging apparatus to execute shooting preparation, and after the first instruction operation is performed, the first instruction operation by the operation means is performed within a predetermined time. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is set as a shooting execution command for executing shooting without causing the imaging apparatus to perform shooting preparation, and the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed. When the instruction operation is performed, the computer causes the computer to execute each process of a remote control method that receives the second instruction operation and causes the imaging apparatus to execute imaging preparation. A program for causing a computer to execute an imaging control method for controlling an imaging apparatus,
A display step of displaying an image obtained from the imaging device and an instruction execution symbol;
First imaging operation is performed by the imaging device by the first instruction operation by the operation means, and after the first instruction operation is performed, the instruction execution symbol by the operation means is selected within a predetermined time. When the second instruction operation is performed, the second instruction operation is set as a shooting execution command for executing shooting without causing the imaging apparatus to perform shooting preparation, and the second instruction operation is performed after the predetermined time has elapsed. When the instruction operation is performed, the computer causes the computer to execute each process of a remote control method that receives the second instruction operation and causes the imaging apparatus to execute imaging preparation. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to any one of claims 10 to 13 .

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