JP5390311B2 - Camera and display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera and a display method, and more particularly to a camera capable of photographing underwater and a display method in the camera.

  In recent years, in portable devices such as cameras, waterproof functions have been improved, and many cameras that can operate even when dropped in water have been provided, and more cameras that can be used in water have been increasing. Underwater photography can take pictures that cannot be seen on land, and an increasing number of users enjoy underwater photography.

  However, when shooting at the waterside, if shooting both underwater and on the water at the same time as well as underwater, shooting with more variety becomes possible. However, the current underwater camera is not suitable for photographing both at the same time, and a liquid crystal monitor or the like used for framing with a digital camera has very poor visibility from the water.

  Various improvements have been proposed in the past for improving the visibility of a display unit such as a liquid crystal monitor. For example, in the display control method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the amount of external light is detected in the display unit, and when the external light is large, the dominant color component of the main subject is highlighted and displayed under high brightness. In this case, the visibility of the monitor is improved. In Patent Document 2, color information corresponding to the water depth is stored, and by changing the color information displayed according to the water depth, various information displayed on the focus position and the monitor screen even in underwater shooting. A camera that can be viewed well is disclosed.

JP 2007-324888 A JP 2005-328226 A

  As described above, various proposals have been made for improving the visibility in a display unit such as a liquid crystal monitor. However, there is no proposal for improving the visibility in the display unit when observing both underwater and on the water at the same time. That is, the display control method disclosed in Patent Document 1 solves the problem of display on land, and the camera disclosed in Patent Document 2 solves the problem of display in water.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera and a display method with improved visibility when displaying both underwater and on-water subjects at the same time.

  In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit that converts a subject image into image data and outputs the image, a display unit that displays the subject image based on the image data, and imaging of the subject image. The screen includes a setting unit that sets a semi-submersible mode in which an underwater subject and a water subject are simultaneously photographed, and a display control unit that limits a display range on the display unit when the semi-submersible mode is set.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera according to the first aspect, further comprising: an image conversion unit that reduces the entire subject image based on the image data. The display control unit is reduced by the image conversion unit. The displayed image is displayed within the limited display range.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera according to the first aspect, further comprising: an image conversion unit that divides the subject image based on the image data, wherein the display control unit is an image divided by the image conversion unit. Is displayed within the limited display range.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera according to the first aspect, further comprising: an image conversion unit that extracts only the underwater subject image based on the image data, and the display control unit includes the underwater subject image. Only within the limited display range.
The camera according to a fifth aspect is the camera according to the first aspect, wherein the display control unit displays at least one of a moving direction of the camera, a photographing mode, and a rough indication of the water surface position outside the limited display range. To do.

  A camera according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the camera according to the first aspect, further comprising a posture detection unit that detects the posture of the camera, and the setting unit detects that the camera is upside down by the posture detection unit. If this happens, the semi-underwater mode is automatically set.

A camera according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the camera according to the first aspect, further comprising an automatic focus adjustment unit for focusing the photographing lens of the camera, and when the semi-underwater mode is set by the setting unit. The automatic focus adjustment unit corrects the focus position closer to the near side than the focus position with respect to the subject on the water.
In the camera according to an eighth aspect based on the first aspect, the display control unit limits the display range on the display unit to a range corresponding to the position of the photographing lens.
In a camera according to a ninth aspect based on the first aspect, the setting unit automatically detects that the camera is in semi-water and sets the semi-water mode.
The camera according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the camera according to the ninth aspect, wherein the setting unit sets the semi-submersible mode when it detects that the camera is in a semi-submersible state based on the image data.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera that converts an object image into image data and outputs the image data, a display unit that displays the object image based on the image data, and an underwater subject and an air subject. When performing, it has the display restriction part which restrict | limits a display range to the part from which the said display part comes out on the water.
A camera according to a twelfth aspect of the invention is an imaging unit that converts a subject image into image data and outputs it, a display unit that displays the subject image based on the image data, and an underwater subject within the subject image shooting screen. A determination unit that determines whether or not to set a semi-submersible mode for simultaneously photographing a water subject and an indicator unit that displays a determination result by the determination unit on the display unit when the semi-submersible mode is set. Have.

  In the display method according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a semi-underwater mode is set in which a subject image is converted into image data and output, and an underwater subject and an air subject are simultaneously photographed in the subject image shooting screen. If the semi-underwater mode is set, the display range on the display unit is limited.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when displaying the to-be-photographed object on both water and water simultaneously, the camera and display method which improved visibility can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the camera concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. In the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (a) shows a photographed image when a subject is photographed in the semi-underwater mode, and (b) shows a photographer at the display unit when photographing in the semi-underwater mode. It is a figure which shows a mode that the to-be-photographed object is observed. In the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in the case of semi-underwater shooting, it is a diagram for explaining how the subject appears on the display unit, in which (a) shows how light rays travel from the display unit to the photographer. (B) shows how the display unit looks when no special measures are taken, (c) shows how the display unit looks in the present embodiment, and (d) shows a modification of the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows how a display part looks. It is a flowchart which shows the display switching operation | movement of the camera concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the relationship of a focus position at the time of image | photographing on water and underwater simultaneously in the camera concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining focus adjustment in the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a photographing lens is extended from a focus position to a subject on water, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that it narrows down. In the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in the case of semi-underwater shooting, it is a diagram for explaining how the subject appears on the display unit, where (a) shows a captured image and (b) shows the display unit. (C) is a figure which shows the modification of how it looks on a display part. It is a flowchart which shows the display switching operation | movement of the camera concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance and imaging | photography state of the camera concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention, (a) is the external appearance perspective view seen from the front side, (b) is the external appearance perspective view seen from the back side. is there. It is a figure which shows a mode that it is image | photographing using the camera concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention, (a) shows a mode that the photographer entered underwater and image | photographed in semi-submersible mode, (b) Shows a state of shooting in semi-underwater mode from land. In the camera concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure explaining the display in a semi-submersible mode, Comprising: (a) is an external appearance perspective view of the camera seen from the front side, (b) shows an imaging | photography state. (C) is a diagram showing a display state on the display unit, and (d) is a diagram showing instructions in a non-display area of the subject image. It is a flowchart which shows the display switching operation | movement of the camera concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. In the camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram for explaining the display in the semi-submersible mode, (a) is an external perspective view of the camera holding the camera upside down and seen from the diagonally front upper side, (B) is a figure which shows a photography state, (c) is a figure which shows the display state in a display part, (d) is a display example of the water surface standard in a display part, (e) is the water surface in a display part. It is another example of a display of a standard. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the automatic mode switching of the camera concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. In the camera concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention, in order to set semi-underwater mode automatically, it is a figure which shows a mode that the photographer image | photographed the to-be-photographed object in semi-water. It is a figure which shows the image at the time of image | photographing in semi-underwater mode in the camera concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of semi-underwater discrimination | determination in the camera concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of display switching in the camera concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5A shows a use state of a camera according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5A shows a display indicating that the semi-submersible mode is set, FIG. 5B shows a case where the camera is not tilted, and FIG. Is a diagram showing a case where the camera is tilted forward, and (d) is a diagram showing a case where the camera is tilted backward.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments using a digital camera to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. The camera according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a waterproof mechanism, and the camera function operates without being immersed in the camera body even when the camera is in water. The camera also has an imaging unit. The imaging unit converts the subject image into image data. Based on the converted image data, the subject image is displayed in a live view on a display unit disposed on the back of the main body. . The photographer determines the composition and the photo opportunity by observing the live view display. During the release operation, image data of still images and moving images is recorded on a recording medium, and information such as the shooting date and time, the shooting mode, and the like is also recorded. The captured image recorded on the recording medium can be reproduced and displayed on the display unit when the reproduction mode is selected.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of a camera 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The camera 10 is a digital camera, and includes a control unit 1, an imaging unit 2, a recording unit 4, an operation determination unit 6, an acceleration detection unit 7, a display unit 8, a clock unit 9, and the like. The imaging unit 2 includes a photographing lens (zoom lens) having a zoom function, an exposure control unit such as a shutter / aperture, an imaging element, a driving and reading circuit for the imaging element, and the like, and captures an object image formed by the photographing lens. It is converted into image data by the element and output. It also has a focusing mechanism for the photographic lens, and performs automatic focus adjustment based on the image processing and control signals from the control unit 1.

  The control unit 1 controls the entire sequence of the camera 10 according to a program stored in a storage unit (not shown). The image processing and control unit 1 includes an image conversion unit 1a and a display control unit 1b. The image conversion unit 1a performs image processing such as converting the image data output from the imaging unit 2 into image data of a reduced image, and changing the aspect ratio of the image, that is, the aspect ratio. Further, the display control unit 1b controls the display range when displaying an image based on the image data on the display unit 8. In the present embodiment, as described later, when the semi-underwater mode is set, the display range of the display screen of the display unit 8 is limited to the upper half and no image is displayed on the lower half. The display control unit 1b also performs display control at this time.

  In addition, the image processing and control unit 1 takes in the image data output from the imaging unit 2, performs various image processing such as thinning processing, resizing processing, clipping processing, edge enhancement, color correction, and image compression, and records them. The image processing such as recording of still images and moving images and reproduction / display of still images and moving images is performed in the unit 6. Further, the image processing and control unit 1 extracts a high frequency component of the image data input from the imaging unit 2, adjusts the position of the photographing lens of the imaging unit 2 so that the high frequency component becomes a peak value, and automatically focuses. Make adjustments.

  The operation determination unit 6 determines the operation state by the user of operation members such as a power button, a release button, a playback button, and a mode button, and outputs a determination result to the image processing and control unit 1. The image processing and control unit 1 described above controls shooting and reproduction in a predetermined sequence according to the operation state of the operation member. The semi-underwater mode can be set with the mode button. This semi-underwater mode is a mode in which when the camera 10 is at the boundary between water and water, both an underwater subject and a water subject are photographed simultaneously.

  The acceleration detection unit 7 includes a six-axis sensor and the like, detects acceleration in the three-axis direction and around the three axes of the camera 10, and detects the posture of the camera 10 by detecting the direction of gravity. Based on the detection output of the acceleration detection unit 7, camera shake correction or the like is performed. The recording unit 4 records still images and image data acquired by the imaging unit 2 and compressed by the image processing and control unit 1 when a shooting instruction is given by the release button. The clock unit 9 performs a time measuring operation and outputs photographing date / time information. This shooting date / time information is recorded when image data of a still image or a moving image is recorded in the recording unit 6.

  The display unit 8 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel disposed on the back surface of the camera 10 and performs live view display before shooting, normal playback display of recorded images, camera information display, and the like. The photographer can observe the live view display and determine the composition and timing. When the semi-underwater mode is selected, a portion of the display screen of the display unit 8 that is underwater is difficult to see from the water under the control of the display control unit 1b, and thus this portion is not displayed. Note that the photographing lens 2a (see FIG. 3) of the camera 10 in the present embodiment is disposed in the front of the camera body and in the vicinity of the center of the center of gravity, and the display screen of the display unit 8 is an abbreviated rear surface. Arranged throughout.

  Next, photographing in the semi-submersible mode according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 (b) shows a state where photographing in semi-water is performed, and FIG. 2 (a) shows an image obtained at that time. In this image, there are scenery such as the face of the subject 23, a floating ring, and a ship on the water, and there are creatures such as fish 24, turtles and aquatic plants in the water. Shooting such a landscape of both water and water is referred to as “semi-underwater shooting” in this specification.

  When performing semi-underwater shooting, the photographer 21 generally desires to take a picture in the air as shown in FIG. 2B. If you shoot with your face in the water, you will not be able to concentrate on shooting because you will not breathe, and if you wear an oxygen cylinder, you will not be able to enjoy shooting easily. . In order to shoot underwater and on-water subjects at the same time, the lower half of the photographic lens portion of the camera 10 needs to be submerged under the water surface 31, so that the display screen of the display unit 8 is also submerged in half. In order to avoid this, it is conceivable to turn the display unit 8 upward or attach a dedicated adapter. However, accessories for this purpose are fragile and cannot maintain robustness.

  As a result, about half of the screen of the display unit 8 is photographed in a submerged state as shown in FIG. That is, the lower half of the main body of the camera 10 is below the water surface 31 and the upper half is above the water surface 31. At this time, the lower half of the photographing lens 2 a of the imaging unit 2 is below the water surface 31 and the upper half is above the water surface 31. The lower half of the display screen of the display unit 8 is below the water surface 31 and the upper half is above the water surface 31.

  When the photographer 21 looks at the display screen of the display unit 8 during semi-underwater shooting, since the upper half of the screen is on the water surface 31, the light emitted from the display screen enters the eyes 21a of the photographer 21 as it is. . However, the lower half of the display screen is reflected on the water surface 31 due to the difference in refractive index between water and air and does not enter the eye 21a of the photographer 21. Accordingly, the relationship as shown in FIG. 3A, that is, the display screen of the display unit 8 is on the opposite surface of the photographing lens 2a, and the center of the optical axis of the photographing lens 2a and the center of the area of the screen of the display unit 8 are. When the semi-underwater shooting is performed with the substantially matched cameras, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the photographer 21 looks at the display screen of the display unit 8, the lower side becomes black, and the subject image The lower side cannot be observed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the subject image is not displayed on the screen portion of the display unit 8 below the water surface 31, that is, the submerged display screen portion, as shown in FIG. All the subject images are displayed on the display screen 31. In other words, when the semi-submersible mode is set, the display range on the display unit 8 is limited to a portion that is on the water. In the example shown in FIG. 3C, the subject image is reduced and displayed while maintaining the aspect ratio. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the vertical size is reduced as shown in FIG. The subject image may be displayed on a screen on the water surface 31. In the present embodiment, since it is not directly detected whether or not the position is underwater on the display screen, the display range is limited to a portion substantially above the optical axis of the photographing lens.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. This flow is executed by the image processing and control unit 1 based on a program stored in advance. If the display switching flow is entered during the overall camera control flow, it is first determined whether or not the camera is in the semi-underwater mode (S1). In this step, the operation determination unit 6 determines whether or not the semi-underwater mode is set.

  If the result of determination in step S1 is that the semi-underwater mode has not been set, normal display is performed (S10). In this step, the subject image is displayed on the entire screen of the display unit 8 based on the image data output from the imaging unit 2. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1 is that semi-underwater mode is set, reduced display is performed on the upper half of the display screen of the display unit 8 (S2). Here, a reduced image as shown in FIG. 3C or FIG. 3D is generated by the image conversion unit 1a, and this generated reduced image is displayed on the upper half of the display screen of the display unit 8 by the display control unit 1b. To display.

  When the reduced display in step S2 or the normal display in step S10 is performed, the process returns to the original flow.

  Next, automatic focus adjustment in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Comparing water and water, the degree of freedom is higher on the water because it does not keep breathing and is not stabilized by buoyancy, and the fish move more actively. Therefore, it is preferable to focus on a subject on the water preferentially and to perform autofocus so that the subject is in focus as much as possible.

  FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the focus positions when photographing water and water at the same time. The cover glass 2b, the photographing lens 2c, and the image sensor 2d constitute the image capturing unit 2 of the camera 10. Now, a case is assumed where the optical axis of the photographic lens 2c coincides with the water surface 31. The light ray 25a is emitted from the subject 23, passes through the water, passes through the cover glass 2b and the photographing lens 2c, and forms an image on the image pickup device 2d. When the photographing lens 2c is in a position where the light beam 25a passing through the water is in focus, the light beam 25c passing through the water from a distance from the subject 23 forms an image on the image sensor 2d and is emitted from the subject 23 No image is formed on the image sensor 2d. This is because the refractive indexes of air (on the water) and water (underwater) are different.

  Accordingly, when the photographic lens 2c is simply focused on the subject 23 on the water, the subject 23 in the water can be seen in front due to the refractive index of water, so that what is in the water is behind the human subject 23. The subject is in focus. This is not convenient because the fish 24 in front of the subject 23, which is a person, tends to be out of focus. Also, underwater is not convenient because it is difficult to see distant views due to the transparency of water.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the case of semi-underwater shooting, priority is given to the result of focusing on the water, but it is not used as it is, but rather than the result of focusing on the water as shown in FIG. The taking lens 2c is extended so as to focus on a close distance. As a result, the balance between the water and the water can be balanced.

  In normal automatic focus adjustment, as described above, a high frequency component of image data is extracted by the image processing and control unit 1, and the position of the photographing lens of the imaging unit 2 is adjusted so that the high frequency component becomes a peak value. Yes. When the semi-submersible mode is set, the image processing and control unit 1 detects the position where the peak value of the high-frequency component is detected using the subject luminous flux that has passed on the water. On the other hand, since it is the in-focus position, control is performed so that the position is extended by a predetermined value from this position.

  In addition, when the semi-submersible mode is set, as shown in FIG. 6B, the diaphragm 2e may be further narrowed to reduce the blur amount. Since the amount of light is reduced because the aperture is reduced, the amount of blur is reduced, so that the shift of the focus position in water and on the water can be made inconspicuous.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, when the semi-underwater mode is set, the subject image is not displayed on the lower half of the display screen of the display unit 8 and the upper half of the display screen is displayed. The entire subject image is displayed. Therefore, even if the photographer's eyes are on the water, the entire subject image can be confirmed.

  In the present embodiment, the photographing lenses 2a and 2c are in front of the camera body and in the middle of the vertical position direction, and the display screen of the display unit 8 shows a substantially entire area on the back of the camera body. For this reason, when the semi-submersible mode is set, when the optical axes of the photographing lenses 2a and 2c are made to coincide with the water surface 31, the approximate center of the display screen is the water surface. However, there are cases where the position of the photographing lens is not substantially in the middle. In that case, the display range may be determined by performing display restriction according to the position of the photographing lens.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, the entire subject image is reduced and displayed on the portion of the display screen of the display unit 8 that corresponds to the area above the water surface 31. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the subject image is divided into portions corresponding to above the water surface 31 or the subject image below the water surface is displayed without reducing the subject.

  FIG. 7A shows an image obtained when the photographer makes the water surface and the optical axis of the photographing lens substantially coincide with each other, as in FIG. 2B. Similar to FIG. 2A, a photographed image is obtained in which the subject 23 is above and below the water surface 31, and the fish 24 is swimming in the water. In the second embodiment, when the semi-underwater mode is set, an image as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 8.

  That is, the lower display screen 8b in the lower half of the display screen is not visible to the photographer due to the refractive index of water, and thus does not display the subject image in this portion. Further, the partial image 33 in FIG. 7A is divided vertically, the upper half is displayed on the upper partial display screen 8c corresponding to the left side of the upper half of the display screen, and the lower half of the partial image 33 is the upper half of the display screen. It is displayed on the upper part display screen 8d corresponding to the right side. Therefore, when the photographer observes the display screen of the display unit 8, the subject 23 on the water surface is displayed side by side on the left side, and the subject 23 below the water surface is displayed side by side on the right side.

  There is also an idea that it is not necessary to show all the captured images. That is, the subject image on the water surface can be easily confirmed with the naked eye while the subject image below the water surface cannot be seen with the naked eye, so only the subject image below the water surface is displayed on the display unit. There is an idea that it is only necessary to display on the display screen of No. 8. The display shown in FIG. 7C follows this concept. That is, the underwater subject image 34 below the water surface 31 in FIG. 7A is displayed on the upper display screen 8a as it is. In this case, since the subject image above the water surface 31 is not displayed on the display screen of the display unit 8, it is only necessary to make a direct visual registration by analogy with the underwater image.

  Such a configuration of the present embodiment is substantially the same as the block diagram of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. The image conversion unit 1a divides the image as shown in FIG. 7B based on the image data from the image pickup unit 2, and the underwater portion as shown in FIG. 7C. Only images can be extracted. The display switching operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This flow is executed by the image processing and control unit 1 based on a program stored in advance.

  When the display switching flow is entered during the overall camera control flow, first, as in the case of the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the mode is the semi-underwater mode (S1). In this step, the operation determination unit 6 determines whether or not the semi-underwater mode is set.

  As a result of the determination in step S1, if the semi-underwater mode is not set, normal display is performed as in the case of the first embodiment (S10). In this step, the subject image is displayed on the entire screen of the display unit 8 based on the image data output from the imaging unit 2. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1 is that semi-underwater mode is set, split display or only underwater display is performed in the upper half (S3).

  In step S3, as described in FIG. 7B, the partial subject image 33 is divided and displayed on the upper display screen 8a, or as described in FIG. 7C, the upper display screen 8a. The underwater subject image 34 that is only under the water surface is displayed. When normal display in step S10 is performed, or when split display or only underwater display is performed in step S3, the process returns to the original flow.

  Thus, in the second embodiment of the present invention, when the semi-underwater mode is set, the subject image is not displayed on the lower display screen 8b of the lower half of the display screen of the display unit 8, and the display screen is displayed. The entire subject image is divided on the upper half upper display screen 8a, or only the subject image below the water surface is displayed. Therefore, the subject image can be confirmed without reducing the subject image.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the photographing lenses 2a and 2c are arranged at the approximate center of the front of the camera body, and the position corresponding to the water surface on the display screen of the display unit 8 is at the approximate center of the screen. there were. In 3rd Embodiment, it has arrange | positioned in the position which remove | deviated from the approximate center of the front of the camera main body. In the present embodiment, an optimal display for such a camera is performed.

  FIG. 9A is an external perspective view of the camera 10 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 9B is an external perspective view of the camera 10 as viewed from the back side. A release button 9a, which is one of the operation members, is disposed on the upper surface of the camera 10 main body. In addition, a photographing lens 2a is disposed on the right side of the front side of the main body. Further, a strobe 3a is disposed on the left side relatively on the front side of the main body. The photographing lens 2a is a zoom lens, and the optical path of the zoom lens is bent and stored in the camera body.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the display screen of the display unit 8 occupies most of the back side of the camera 10 as shown in FIG. A mode setting switch 9b is arranged on the back side and on the side of the display screen of the display unit 8.

  When semi-underwater shooting is performed with the camera 10 according to this embodiment, the photographer enters the water and the optical axis of the shooting lens 2a substantially coincides with the water surface 31, as shown in FIG. To do so. Even if the photographer does not enter the water, as shown in FIG. 10B, only the camera 10 may be placed in the water so that the water surface 31 and the optical axis of the photographing lens substantially coincide.

  When the camera 10 arranged as shown in FIG. 9 is used, as shown in FIG. 11, many parts of the display unit 8 are obtained by placing the camera 10 in a vertical position and sinking substantially half of the photographing lens 2a. It is possible to shoot with the camera exposed on the water. In this case, only the vertical composition can be taken, but this arrangement is better when it is desired to take a deep part of the water.

  By setting the vertical position, many parts of the display screen of the display unit 8 can be used. Therefore, the unused area is determined based on the position of the photographing lens 2a. That is, as shown in FIG. 11C, the water surface standard 8f on the display screen of the display unit 8 is displayed corresponding to the position of the photographing lens 2a. The upper display screen 8a above the water level guide 8f is set as an available area, and the lower display screen 8b below the water level guide 8f is set as a non-use area. In this non-use area, as shown in FIG. 11D, the moving direction of the camera 10 is displayed so that photographing in the semi-underwater mode can be easily performed. In the example shown in FIG. 11D, the “half-submersible mode” mode display is performed, “soaked in water” is displayed, and the direction is displayed by a downward arrow.

  In this way, even if the user does not know how to use the semi-submersible mode by displaying the water level guide 8f on the display screen of the display unit 8 and indicating the mode display and the direction display, the semi-submersible mode can be easily used. You can shoot with.

  Such a circuit configuration of the present embodiment is substantially the same as the block diagram of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the first embodiment, the display control unit 1b sets the limit range for displaying the subject image to the upper side from the middle in the horizontal position, but in the present embodiment, the display lens 2a is in the vertical position. Take it above the position of.

  The display switching operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Similar to the first and second embodiments, this flow is executed by the image processing and control unit 1 based on a program stored in advance. When the display switching flow is entered during the overall camera control flow, first, as in the case of the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the mode is the semi-underwater mode (S1). In this step, the operation determination unit 6 determines whether or not the semi-underwater mode is set.

  As a result of the determination in step S1, if the semi-underwater mode is not set, normal display is performed as in the case of the first embodiment (S10). In this step, the subject image is displayed on the entire screen of the display unit 8 based on the image data output from the imaging unit 2. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1 is that the semi-underwater mode has been set, live view display is performed in the screen water usage area (S4).

  In step S4, as described with reference to FIG. 11C, live view display is performed based on the image data from the imaging unit 2 in the area of the upper display screen 8a, that is, the use area. Subsequently, mode display, direction display, and water surface guide display are performed in the unused area (S5). In this step, as described with reference to FIG. 11C, the mode display “semi-submersible mode” is displayed in the area of the lower display screen 8b, that is, the unused area, and “soaked in water” is displayed from the arrow. Direction indication and display of the water surface standard 8f. When the normal display in step S10 is performed or the display in step S5 is performed, the original flow is returned.

  As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the display screen exposed on the water can be effectively used when the photographing lens 2a is not disposed at the approximate center of the camera body. Further, by displaying the water level guide 8f, the camera 10 can be positioned efficiently, and shooting can be performed quickly in the semi-underwater mode.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. 13 and FIG. In the third embodiment, the display screen is used in the vertical position, but in the fourth embodiment, it is used in the horizontal position. In the first to third embodiments, the semi-submersible mode is manually set. However, in the present embodiment, the semi-submersible mode is automatically set.

  The external view of the camera 10 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 9, but when performing semi-underwater shooting, the camera 10 is used upside down as shown in FIG. FIG. 13A is an external perspective view seen from the front side with the camera 10 turned upside down, and FIG. 13C is an external perspective view seen from the back side. By turning the camera 10 upside down, the photographing lens 2a is positioned on the left side relatively lower than the front of the main body, and the strobe 3a is positioned on the right side relatively lower than the front of the main body. The light emission position of the strobe 3a is further lower than the photographing lens 2a. By setting such a light emitting position, most of the strobe light is projected in water, so that sufficient illumination can be given to a subject in water.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13C, the display screen of the display unit 8 occupies most of the back side of the camera 10. A mode setting switch 9b is arranged on the back side and on the side of the display screen of the display unit 8.

  When semi-underwater shooting is performed with the camera 10 according to this embodiment, the photographer enters the water and the optical axis of the shooting lens 2a substantially coincides with the water surface 31, as shown in FIG. To do so. Of course, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), even if the photographer does not enter the water, only the camera 10 may be placed in the water so that the water surface 31 and the optical axis of the photographing lens substantially coincide.

  When the camera 10 having such an arrangement is used, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), the camera 10 is placed in the horizontal position, and approximately half of the photographing lens 2a is submerged, so that many parts of the display unit 8 are made. Shooting is possible while exposed on the water. However, in this case, only an upside down composition can be taken, but there is an advantage that a large area of the screen can be used on the water as shown in FIG. Also, the release button 9a is on the opposite side, and the release operation is not easy. In order to solve this problem, when the semi-submersible mode is set, another switch such as the mode setting switch 9b may be switched so that it can be used as a release button.

  By setting the horizontal position, a wide portion of the display screen of the display unit 8 can be used. Therefore, as in the third embodiment, the unused area is determined based on the position of the photographing lens 2a. That is, as shown in FIG. 13C, the water surface standard 8f on the display screen of the display unit 8 is displayed in correspondence with the position of the photographing lens 2a. The upper display screen 8a above the water level guide 8f is set as an available area, and the lower display screen 8b below the water level guide 8f is set as a non-use area.

  Similarly to the third embodiment, mode display (here, “semi-underwater mode”) is displayed in the unused area, and the moving direction of the camera 10 is displayed with an arrow. In addition to the straight line as shown in FIG. 13D, the water level guide 8f may be displayed in a waveform as shown in FIG. 13E. Rather than displaying the water surface guide 8f as a straight line, it is possible to intuitively determine that it is a water surface by displaying it as a waveform.

  Such a circuit configuration of the present embodiment is substantially the same as the block diagram of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The display control unit 1b limits the display range above the photographing lens 2a with the camera turned upside down. Unlike the first to third embodiments, the display switching operation in this embodiment is automatically switched. This automatic mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As in the first to third embodiments, this flow is executed by the image processing and control unit 1 based on a program stored in advance.

  If the automatic mode flow is entered during the overall camera control flow, it is first determined whether or not the camera posture is reversed (S21). In the fourth embodiment, when the semi-underwater shooting is performed, the camera 10 is turned upside down as shown in FIG. 13A. Therefore, in this step, the acceleration detection unit 7 performs the posture of the camera 10. Is detected and judged.

  If the result of determination in step S1 is that camera orientation has not been reversed, normal display is performed as in the first embodiment (S24). In this step, the subject image is displayed on the entire screen of the display unit 8 based on the image data output from the imaging unit 2. On the other hand, if the camera posture is determined as a result of the determination in step S21, the semi-underwater mode is set (S22). Here, the semi-underwater mode is automatically set as the camera mode.

  Subsequently, the release is switched to the mode setting switch 9b (S23). As described above, when the camera 10 is used upside down, the position of the release button 9a is opposite and difficult to use. Therefore, the function is switched so that the mode setting switch 9b can be used as the release button. When the process of step S23 or step S24 is performed, the process returns to the original flow.

  Thus, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the display screen exposed on the water can be effectively used when the camera 10 is not arranged in the approximate center of the camera body. . Further, by detecting that the posture of the camera 10 is reversed, it is possible to automatically switch to the semi-submersible mode and to omit troublesome switching operations.

  In the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the mode display, the mode direction, and the water surface standard are displayed in the unused area. However, all of these may not be displayed. Moreover, although demonstrated as another embodiment, since the basic structure of the camera 10 is the same, the attitude | position of a camera is detected by the acceleration detection part 7, and it respond | corresponded to the vertical position or the horizontal position according to this detection result. You may make it perform in semi-underwater mode.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first to fourth actual embodiments, the semi-underwater mode is manually set. However, in the present embodiment, the semi-underwater mode is automatically set in a state suitable for semi-underwater shooting. I have to.

  A method for determining whether or not it is semi-submersible in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 shows a situation in which the photographer 21 takes a semi-underwater image of the turtle 26 and the underwater aquatic plants 27 that are exposed from the water, and FIG. 16 is a photographed image at this time. is there. The water surface 31 actually fluctuates, and as shown in FIG. 16, the water surface portion does not become a straight line, and the boundary portion becomes a band shape (see the boundary band 28 in FIG. 16).

  Therefore, if a low-contrast portion having no image, such as the boundary band 28, is detected, it can be determined whether or not a semi-underwater state is present. That is, it is only necessary to determine whether or not the low contrast portion extends in a band shape based on the image data output from the imaging unit 2 of the camera 10. At this time, the acceleration detection unit 7 determines whether the camera 10 is in the vertical position or the horizontal position. If the camera 10 is in the horizontal position, a band-like low contrast portion crosses the screen in the longitudinal direction of the shooting screen. When the camera 10 is in the vertical position, it is determined that the camera is in a semi-underwater state when a belt-like low contrast portion crosses the screen in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the shooting screen.

  In the present embodiment, when the camera 10 is in the semi-underwater state based on the above-described concept, the semi-underwater mode is automatically set. Such a circuit configuration of the present embodiment is substantially the same as the block diagram of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The operation of the semi-submersible determination for determining whether or not the semi-submersible state is in the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. As in the first to fourth embodiments, this flow is executed by the image processing and control unit 1 based on a program stored in advance.

  If the semi-underwater discrimination flow is entered during the overall camera control flow, it is first determined whether or not there is a low contrast area at the center of the screen (S31). Here, based on the image data from the imaging unit 2, it is determined whether or not the center portion of the screen has low contrast. Whether the contrast is low or not is determined by detecting whether or not there is a change between adjacent pixels. When the change is small, it is determined that the contrast is low. In addition, when the screen width is set to 10, the ratio of water to water is 5: 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the water is 3 and the water is 7 or vice versa. Since the image may be shot with a composition other than 5: 5, such as 3 is set, the region for detecting whether or not the contrast is low may have a degree of freedom so as to cope with these cases. .

  If the result of determination in step S31 is that there is a low contrast area at the center of the screen, then up / down determination is performed (S32). Here, the acceleration detection unit 7 determines whether the camera 10 is in the horizontal position or the vertical position. Once the up / down determination has been made, it is next determined whether or not the low contrast area is crossed in a strip shape (S33). As described above, when the camera 10 is in the horizontal position, it is determined whether or not the band-like low contrast region extends in the longitudinal direction of the screen. When the camera 10 is in the vertical position, the longitudinal direction of the screen is determined. It is determined whether or not a band-like low contrast region extends in a direction orthogonal to the direction.

  If the result of determination in step S33 is that the low contrast area has crossed the screen in a band shape, it is next determined whether or not the camera 10 has fallen (S34). When shooting in a semi-underwater state, as shown in FIG. 19 (b), if the optical axis of the taking lens 2a and the water surface 31 are not coincident or substantially parallel, the arrangement of the subject on the water and on the water is deteriorated. End up. That is, when the photographic lens 2a faces downward as shown in FIG. 19C, most of the subjects in the water are present. When the photographic lens 2a faces upward as shown in FIG. Most of the subjects will be. Therefore, in step S34, based on the detection result of the acceleration detector 7, it is determined whether or not the camera 10 has fallen.

  If the result of determination in step S34 is that the camera has not fallen, it is next determined whether or not the focus is at a short distance (S35). Focusing of the photographic lens 2a is performed by so-called contrast AF based on image data from the imaging unit 2. In this step, the distance of the subject focused by contrast AF is detected, and it is determined whether or not this distance is near, for example, near 1 m. This is because in the case of a long distance, the object at a long distance is darkened as a subject image because the light is attenuated.

  If the result of determination in step S35 is that the focus is at a short distance, it is determined to be semi-submersible (S36). By steps S31 to S35, the camera 10 has a belt-like low contrast region so as to cross the center of the screen, and the optical axis of the photographing lens 2a of the camera 10 is substantially coincident with or parallel to the water surface 31. Since it is in focus at distance, it is suitable for semi-underwater photography. Therefore, in this step, it is determined that it is semi-submersible. If it is determined to be semi-submersible, the process returns to the main flow.

  If the result of determination in steps S31, S33, S34, S35 is NO, it is not determined to be semi-submersible (S37). If the result of determination in any of steps S31, S33, S34, and S35 is NO, semi-underwater photography is not suitable, so that it is not determined as semi-submersible. If it is decided not to be determined to be semi-submersible, the process returns to the main flow.

  Next, the display switching operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. If the display switching flow is entered during the overall camera control flow, it is first determined whether or not it is semi-submersible (S41). In this step, since it is determined in step S36 or S37 described above whether or not the setting is to be set in the semi-submersible, the determination is made according to this determination.

  If the result of determination in step S41 is that it is in semi-water, then mode display is performed on the upper half of the display unit 8 (S42). Here, as shown in FIG. 19A, the mode display of “Half water” is displayed on the upper half of the display unit 8 of the camera 10. In this mode display, in addition to this display, other display such as “semi-submersible mode” may be performed, and of course, it may be displayed with an icon or a symbol. In addition, after performing mode display or while performing mode display, as described in the first to fourth embodiments, the underwater and the subject image on the water are displayed on the exposed portion of the display unit 8 on the water. To do.

  If the result of determination in step S41 is not semi-submersible, normal display is performed as in step S10 (S43). In this step, the subject image is displayed on the entire screen of the display unit 8 based on the image data output from the imaging unit 2. When the display in step S42 or S43 is performed, the process returns to the main flow.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, when in a state suitable for semi-underwater shooting, the semi-underwater mode is automatically set so that the subject image on the water and on the water can be easily displayed. This is convenient because it is automatically set without setting the semi-underwater mode. In addition, it is determined whether or not it is in a semi-submersible state based on the image data, and there is no need to provide a special sensor for determining whether or not it is in a semi-submersible state.

  In the present embodiment, it is determined in steps S31 to S35 whether or not it is in a semi-submersible state. However, the determination may be made in consideration of time changes, such as using information on camera shake and the positional relationship between the low-con areas. . If there is a camera angle change due to camera shake, if the low-con strip pattern changes with camera shake, it is considered that the water surface is detected. When shooting landscapes such as the sky without contrast, there may be a low contrast area, but in this case, the shape pattern such as the width of the low contrast area does not change with camera shake, so it is distinguished from the water surface. can do.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the state is a semi-submersible state using image data or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if a sensor or the like may be added, for example, a water detection sensor for detecting whether the water surface 31 is coincident with or parallel to the optical axis of the photographic lens 2a is provided. The semi-underwater mode may be automatically set based on the detection result.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the semi-submersible mode is set manually. However, it is of course possible to add the semi-submersible discrimination in this embodiment and automatically switch to the semi-submersible mode.

  As described above, in each embodiment of the present invention, when the semi-underwater mode is set, the display range on the display unit is limited, so that both the underwater and water subjects are displayed simultaneously. If it becomes easier to observe.

  In each embodiment of the present invention, the case where a liquid crystal monitor is used as the display unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the liquid crystal monitor, and other monitor displays such as an organic EL may of course be used.

  In each embodiment of the present invention, a digital camera has been described as an apparatus for photographing. However, the camera may be a digital single lens reflex camera or a compact digital camera, such as a video camera or a movie camera. It may be a camera for moving images, or may be a camera built in a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a game device, or the like. In any case, the present invention can be applied to any photographic device that can shoot in water.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, you may delete some components of all the components shown by embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing and control part, 1a ... Image conversion part, 1b ... Display control part, 2 ... Imaging part, 2a ... Shooting lens, 2b ... Cover glass, 2c ... Photographic lens, 2d, image sensor, 3a, strobe, 4 ... recording unit, 6 ... operation determination unit, 7 ... acceleration detection unit, 8 ... display unit, 8a ... Upper display screen, 8b ... lower display screen, 8c ... upper partial display screen, 8d ... upper partial display screen, 8f ... water surface guide, 8f '
... Water level guide, 9 ... Clock part, 9a ... Release button, 9b ... Mode setting switch, 10 ... Camera, 21 ... Photographer, 21a ... Photographer's eyes, 23 ... Subject, 24 ... Fish, 25a ... Ray, 25b ... Ray, 25c ... Ray, 26 ... Turtle, 27 ... Aquatic plant, 28 ... Border zone, 31 ... Water surface, 33 ... Partial subject image, 34 ... Underwater subject image

Claims (13)

An imaging unit that converts a subject image into image data and outputs the image data;
A display unit for displaying the subject image based on the image data;
A setting unit for setting a semi-underwater mode in which an underwater subject and a water subject are simultaneously shot in the subject image shooting screen;
A display control unit for limiting a display range in the display unit when the semi-submersible mode is set;
A camera characterized by comprising: An image conversion unit that reduces the entire subject image based on the image data;
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the image reduced by the image conversion unit in the limited display range. An image conversion unit that divides the subject image based on the image data;
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the image divided by the image conversion unit in the limited display range. An image conversion unit that extracts only the image of the underwater subject based on the image data;
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays only the image of the underwater subject within the limited display range.   2. The display control unit according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays at least one of a guide of a moving direction of the camera, a shooting mode, and a water surface position outside the limited display range. Camera. Furthermore, it has a posture detection unit that detects the posture of the camera,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit automatically sets the semi-underwater mode when the posture detection unit detects that the camera is upside down. In addition, it has an automatic focus adjustment unit that focuses the camera lens.
2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein when the semi-underwater mode is set by the setting unit, the automatic focus adjustment unit corrects the focus position closer to the near side than the focus position with respect to the subject on water. .   The camera according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit sets a range according to a position of the photographing lens when limiting the display range on the display unit.   The camera according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit automatically detects that the camera is in semi-water and sets the semi-water mode.   The camera according to claim 9, wherein the setting unit sets the semi-submersible mode when detecting that the camera is in a semi-submersible state based on the image data. An imaging unit that converts a subject image into image data and outputs the image data;
A display unit for displaying the subject image based on the image data;
When shooting an underwater subject and an air subject at the same time, a display restriction unit that restricts the display range to a portion where the display unit comes out on the water,
A camera characterized by comprising: An imaging unit that converts a subject image into image data and outputs the image data;
A display unit for displaying the subject image based on the image data;
A determination unit that determines whether or not to set a semi-underwater mode in which an underwater subject and a floating subject are simultaneously photographed in the subject image shooting screen;
When setting the semi-submersible mode, an indicator unit that displays a determination result by the determination unit on the display unit;
A camera characterized by comprising: Convert the subject image into image data and output it.
In the subject image shooting screen, it is determined whether or not a semi-underwater mode for simultaneously shooting an underwater subject and an air subject is set,
When the semi-underwater mode is set, the display range on the display unit is limited.
A display method characterized by that.