JP5776248B2 - Imaging apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a program suitable for a digital camera having a GPS function.

  Recently, various digital cameras having a GPS (Global Positioning System) function have been commercialized. The Exif (Exchangeable image file format) standard stipulates that positioning information (latitude, longitude, altitude) obtained by the GPS function of a digital camera can be included in a part of metadata attached to image data. . Therefore, the positioning information in the metadata attached to the image data recorded by photographing is read and linked with the map information, for example, to display a map image with the photographed image pasted at the corresponding position on the map. It is possible to display the photographed image, the photographing position, and the map in association with each other. Many techniques using this type of positioning information have been proposed in the patent literature. (For example, Patent Document 1)

JP 2008-283347 A

  Although many techniques have been proposed for using the positioning information attached to the captured image in the playback mode, including the techniques described in the above-mentioned patent documents, the positioning information is used in the shooting mode to support the user. There is no suggestion of techniques to be performed.

  In recent years, digital cameras have become more sophisticated year by year, and users can take advantage of each function to capture highly expressive images that take advantage of their intentions. However, it is difficult for general users to understand the contents of many functions and use them, and a user interface that presents many functions in a form that is easy for the user to understand and allows easy setting. Is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to effectively use positioning information, reduce the burden on the user during image shooting, and avoid shooting errors. Is to provide a simple imaging apparatus and program.

An imaging apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a positioning unit that measures current position and acquires position information, shooting point setting information related to shooting conditions for each position information corresponding to the position information, and / or the point The location setting table based on the location setting table configured by limiting the shooting environment setting information related to the local environment to a predetermined number, the imaging means for capturing an image, and the position information obtained by the positioning means searching, the photographing location setting information stored in association with the position information, and or acquires the captured configuration information, in the obtained photographing point setting information, and or the photographing unit according to the shooting environment setting information and imaging control means for setting the photographing conditions, and characterized by including.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively use positioning information, reduce a user's burden at the time of image capturing, and avoid a shooting mistake.

1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which illustrates the content of the point setting table memorize | stored in the map data memory which concerns on the same embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing processing details of image transfer in the shooting mode according to the embodiment. The exposure program diagram used in the environment of AC power supply frequency 60 [Hz] concerning the embodiment. The exposure program diagram used in the environment of AC power supply frequency 50 [Hz] concerning the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of a digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a light image of a subject is incident on an imaging surface of a solid-state imaging device, for example, a CMOS image sensor (IS) 12 via an imaging lens unit 11 disposed on the front surface of the camera housing. .

  In a monitor state, also referred to as through image display or live view image display, an image signal obtained by imaging with the CMOS image sensor 12 is sent to the AGC / A / D conversion unit 13. The AGC / A / D converter 13 digitizes the analog image signal by executing correlation square sampling, automatic gain adjustment, and A / D conversion processing. The digital image data is sent to the image processing unit 14 via the system bus SB.

  The image processing unit 14 appropriately performs necessary image processing on the image data. That is, the image processing unit 14 performs digital development processing, specifically, pixel processing on image data (hereinafter referred to as “RAW (raw) data”) corresponding to the configuration of the color filter of the Bayer array included in the CMOS image sensor 12. By performing a demosaic process such as an interpolation process, a gamma correction process, and a matrix operation, the image data is converted into luminance color difference (YUV) image data.

  The image processing unit 14 creates image data in which the number of pixels and gradation bits are greatly reduced for display from the developed image data, and sends the image data to the display unit 15 via the system bus SB. The display unit 15 displays a through image based on the sent image data.

  The display unit 15 is provided on the back side of the camera casing, and includes, for example, a color liquid crystal panel with a backlight and its controller. A touch input unit 16 using a transparent conductive film is formed integrally with the upper part of the screen of the display unit 15.

  When the user touches the surface with a finger or the like at the touch input unit 16, the touch input unit 16 calculates the operated coordinate position, and sends the calculated coordinate signal to the CPU 20 described later via the system bus SB.

  Similarly to the photographing lens unit 11, a microphone 17 is provided on the front surface of the camera housing, and the sound in the direction of the subject is input. The microphone 17 converts the input sound into an electrical signal and outputs it to the sound processing unit 18.

  The audio processing unit 18 converts the audio signal input from the microphone 17 into digital data when recording the sound alone, shooting a still image with sound, and shooting a moving image. Further, the sound processing unit 18 detects the sound pressure level of the digitized sound data, and compresses the sound data in a predetermined data file format, for example, AAC (moving picture experts group-4 Advanced Audio Coding) format. An audio data file is created and sent to a recording medium to be described later.

  In addition, the audio processing unit 18 is provided with a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source, uncompresses and converts the audio data file sent during audio reproduction into an analog signal, and a speaker 19 provided on the rear side of the housing of the digital camera 10. Drive to emit sound.

  The CPU 20 controls the above circuit in an integrated manner. The CPU 20 is directly connected to the main memory 21 and the program memory 22. The main memory 21 is composed of, for example, an SRAM and functions as a work memory. The program memory 22 is composed of an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, for example, and various operation programs including a shooting condition setting operation in a shooting mode to be described later, exposure program diagram data and various data to be described later. Etc. are memorized in a fixed manner.

  The CPU 20 reads out necessary programs and data from the program memory 22 and executes the control operation of the entire digital camera 10 while temporarily expanding and storing it in the main memory 21 as appropriate.

  Further, the CPU 20 executes control operations corresponding to various key operation signals directly input from the key operation unit 23 and coordinate signals corresponding to the touch operation from the touch input unit 16.

  The key operation unit 23 includes, for example, a power key, a shutter release key, a zoom up / down key, a shooting mode key, a playback mode key, a menu key, a cursor (“↑”, “→”, “↓”, “←”) key, and a set key. , Release key, display key, etc.

  In addition to the AGC / A / D conversion unit 13, the image processing unit 14, the display unit 15, the touch input unit 16, and the audio processing unit 18, the CPU 20 further includes a flash drive unit 24, an image sensor ( IS) connected to the driving unit 25, the GPS receiver 26, the triaxial acceleration sensor 27, the gyro sensor 28, the map data memory 29, and the memory card controller 30.

  The flash drive unit 24 receives a control signal from the CPU 20 during still image shooting, and drives the flash unit 31 including a plurality of white high-intensity LEDs to be lit in synchronization with the shooting timing.

  The image sensor driving unit 25 performs scanning driving of the CMOS image sensor 12 according to the photographing conditions set at that time.

  The image processing unit 14 performs demosaic processing on the image data sent from the AGC / A / D conversion unit 13 at the time of image capturing in accordance with the shutter release key operation of the key operation unit 23, and further performs a predetermined data file format, For example, in the case of JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), data compression processing such as DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) or Huffman coding is performed to create an image data file in which the amount of data is greatly reduced. The created image data file is transferred to the memory card 32 via the system bus SB and the memory card controller 30 and stored therein.

The image processing unit 14 receives image data read from the memory card 32 via the memory card controller 30 via the system bus SB in the reproduction mode. The image processing unit 14 obtains image data of the original size by decompression processing that decompresses the received image data in a procedure reverse to that at the time of recording, reduces the data amount of the obtained image data, and then uses the system bus SB. Via the display unit 15.
The GPS receiver 26 receives the three-dimensional information (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the current position based on incoming radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites (not shown in principle) received by the GPS antenna 33 (latitude, longitude, altitude) and accurate current information. Calculate the time.

  The triaxial acceleration sensor 27 is constituted by, for example, a piezoresistive semiconductor acceleration sensor. From the output of the triaxial acceleration sensor 27, it is possible to detect the moving direction and acceleration of the digital camera 10 for camera shake correction at the time of shooting.

  The triaxial acceleration sensor 27 is combined with the gyro sensor 28 to constitute an inertia measuring unit IM. The gyro sensor 28 detects an angular velocity from Coriolis force acting on, for example, a tuning-fork type vibrating piece.

  The gyro sensor 28 determines the direction and the triaxial acceleration sensor 27 determines the acceleration. By integrating these, the speed associated with the movement of the digital camera 10 is calculated, and the distance associated with the movement of the digital camera 10 is calculated by integrating the same speed. it can.

  Therefore, in indoors or tunnels that cannot receive incoming radio waves from GPS satellites, and in valleys sandwiched between high-rise buildings, the 3D information calculated by receiving incoming radio waves from GPS satellites at the end is used. By accumulating the output of the inertia measuring unit IM and updating the contents, the current position can be continuously acquired by autonomous navigation.

  The map data memory 29 stores map data of major world cities and various parts of Japan in association with the three-dimensional information. The map data includes terrain information, roads, buildings, leisure facilities, parks, sights, museums, museums, tourist facilities, shrines, Buddhist temples, various stores, accommodation facilities, railway stations, ports, airports, and the like.

  Further, the map data memory 29 stores a spot setting table shown in FIG. 2 in addition to the map data associated with the three-dimensional information. As shown in the figure, the point setting table is associated with point name data, two pieces of shooting point setting information according to the attribute of the facility of the shooting point, and one piece of shooting environment setting information according to the attribute of the surrounding environment including the shooting point. Is a table configured to correspond to a plurality of location name data.

Each of the above two shooting point setting information (shooting point setting 1 and 2) and shooting environment setting information (shooting environment setting) includes a setting type code and its setting value.
For example, the point name data “A coast, A plateau, A park, A botanical garden” indicates the setting contents common to the four point name data “A coast”, “A plateau”, “A park” and “A botanical garden”. In the first shooting point setting information (shooting point setting 1), the setting value of the setting type code “saturation” is “strong”, the second shooting point setting information (shooting point setting 2) is not used, and the shooting environment is set. In the setting information (shooting environment setting), the setting value of the setting type code “country favorite color” is “Japanese color”.

  From this, when the user who uses this camera shoots at any one of “A coast”, “A plateau”, “A park”, and “A botanical garden”, the CPU 20 sets “Aya” when reaching the position. The setting value of “degree” is automatically set to “enhance” according to “Japanese color”. More specifically, under this control, the image data is processed with emphasis on blue saturation in the course of the demosaic processing performed by the image processing unit 14 under the control of the CPU 20.

  The memory card controller 30 is connected to the memory card 32 attached to the card connector 34. The memory card 32 is a memory for recording image files and the like that is detachably attached to the digital camera 10 and serves as a recording medium for the digital camera 10. The memory card 32 is provided with a flash memory that is a nonvolatile memory and a drive circuit thereof.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
The operation shown below shows the contents of the shooting condition setting process according to the current position, which is executed under the control of the CPU 20 at regular time intervals, for example, every minute, regardless of the power-on state of the digital camera 10. . The CPU 20 reads out the operation program and flag stored in the program memory 22 and the point setting table of FIG. 2 stored in the map data memory 29, and develops and stores it in the main memory 21 and executes the operation program. To do.

  The operation program stored in the program memory 22, the map data stored in the map data memory 29, the point setting table, and the like are added to those stored at the time of shipment of the digital camera 10 at the manufacturing factory. When the digital camera 10 is upgraded, the digital camera 10 is connected to a personal computer (not shown), or a memory card 32 storing an update program is temporarily attached to the card connector 34, so that a new operation program and point setting are externally provided. This includes installation of control data including tables, map data, and the like.

  In FIG. 3, the CPU 20 obtains from the inertial measurement unit IM when the GPS receiver 26 receives the three-dimensional information of the current position calculated from the incoming radio wave from the GPS satellite 33 or the radio wave from the GPS satellite cannot be received. The three-dimensional information by autonomous navigation is acquired (step S101).

  Based on the acquired three-dimensional information, the CPU 20 updates and stores the current position as necessary, searches the map data stored in the map data memory 29 (step S102), and whether the corresponding point name data exists. It is determined whether or not (step S103).

  If it is determined that there is corresponding spot name data and therefore there is corresponding shooting spot setting information or shooting environment setting information, the CPU 20 is then set for the corresponding spot name data in the spot setting table. Regarding the setting type code of the first shooting point setting information (shooting point setting 1), if there is any content that has already been set at present, it is temporarily stored in the main memory 21 as a backup, and then read from the table again A value is set (step S104).

  For example, when the current position is “A soccer field”, “(exposure) program diagram” is set as the setting type code of the first shooting spot setting information (shooting spot setting 1), and “high speed” is set as the setting value. Read and set it.

  Accordingly, an exposure program diagram for setting the aperture F value to the open side as much as possible and setting the shutter speed at a higher speed in the exposure program giving priority to the shutter speed is read from the program memory 22 and set.

  Next, the CPU 20 has already set the content of the setting type code of the second shooting spot setting information (shooting spot setting 2) that is set for the corresponding spot name data in the spot setting table. If there is, it is temporarily stored in the main memory 21 as a backup, and the setting value read from the table is set again (step S105).

  For example, when the current position is “A soccer field” described above, the setting type code of the second shooting point setting information (shooting point setting 2) is “unused”, and the setting value is “0”. Therefore, the setting process in this case is omitted.

  Thereafter, the CPU 20 further sets the setting value read from the table regarding the setting type code of the shooting environment setting information set for the corresponding point name data in the point setting table (step S106).

  For example, when the current position is “A soccer field”, “AC power supply frequency” is read as the setting type code of the shooting environment setting information, and “50 [Hz]” is read as the setting value, and is set.

  In this case, the exposure program diagram is rewritten so as to limit the minimum shutter speed to “1/50 [second]” by overwriting the previously set exposure program diagram.

  FIG. 5 illustrates the contents of the exposure program diagram at this time. In this figure, brightness (LV) is converted to F value 2.8, and the minimum shutter speed is limited to “1/50 [seconds]”, so that the light source or auxiliary can be used indoors or outdoors. The effect of flicker when a fluorescent tube or other AC-driven discharge tube is used as the light source is eliminated.

  FIG. 4 illustrates the contents of the exposure program diagram when the setting value of the setting type code “AC power supply frequency” is “60 [Hz]” based on the same idea as described above. For example, in Japan, flickering when using an AC drive light source by setting an exposure program diagram to limit the minimum shutter speed to “1/60 [seconds]” as shooting environment setting information in western Japan. Eliminate the effects of

  As described above, the first shooting spot setting information (shooting spot setting 1), the second shooting spot setting information (shooting spot setting 2), and the shooting environment setting information corresponding to the spot name data are set in advance. Is automatically performed, the setting flag register provided in the main memory 21 is set to “1” indicating the set state (step S107), and the series of processes in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S103 that the corresponding spot name data does not exist and there is no corresponding shooting spot setting information or shooting environment setting information, the CPU 20 next sets the setting flag register provided in the main memory 21 at that time. It is determined whether or not it is in a set state (step S108).

  If it is determined that the setting flag register is not in the set state, the series of processes in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S108 that the setting flag register is in the set state, the setting flag has been set by the process of FIG. 3 immediately before, and it has moved from the point where the point name data exists. Therefore, the CPU 20 then reads and resets the setting type code and the set value of the first shooting point setting information (shooting point setting 1) that has been stored as a backup so far (step S109).

  Subsequently, the CPU 20 similarly reads and resets the setting type code of the second shooting spot setting information (shooting spot setting 2) and the set value that have been stored as backups (step S110).

  Thereafter, the CPU 20 clears the set state of the setting flag register provided in the main memory 21 to “0” (step S111), and the series of processes in FIG.

  As described above, two pieces of shooting point setting information can be set. As shown in part of FIG. 2, saturation, (exposure) program diagram, focus setting, focus area, ISO sensitivity, white balance adjustment, A maximum of two items such as contrast, sharpness, exposure correction, photometry, dynamic range expansion, and color filter can be set.

  In this way, it is possible to set up shooting conditions by selecting a maximum of two setting items that are considered appropriate for each point name data, compared with the case where all items are set individually for each point name data. Thus, it is possible to efficiently set the settings that are considered effective for shooting at the point while minimizing the data capacity required for the point setting table.

  In addition to the shooting spot setting information corresponding to each spot name data, as shooting environment setting information, for example, as shown in part of FIG. It is possible to set a combination of items related to a larger environment, such as an AC power supply frequency that varies depending on the region and country.

  In this way, apart from the shooting conditions that differ for each point, it is possible to set a larger range as shooting environment setting information, while preventing the dark expansion of the data capacity required for the point setting table, It is possible to realize a setting that can avoid shooting errors more precisely.

  Therefore, in the actual shooting mode, shooting is performed under the shooting conditions set automatically as described above, except when the user intentionally sets shooting conditions using the scene program function or the like.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively use the positioning information, reduce the burden on the user during image shooting, and avoid shooting errors.

  In the above-described embodiment, the setting information for the shooting conditions can be set by combining the setting information according to the attribute of the facility at the shooting point and the setting information according to the attribute of the surrounding environment including the shooting point. Therefore, it is possible to realize setting of appropriate shooting conditions corresponding to the situation while suppressing the amount of information to be set.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, since the shooting location is indoors or in an environment where it is assumed that the light source is affected by the AC power frequency corresponding thereto, the information on the AC power frequency is included, so flicker caused by the light source The impact can be avoided reliably.

  In the above embodiment, since the GPS function and the autonomous navigation by the inertial measurement unit IM are combined as means for measuring the current position, positioning can be performed even in an indoor environment where radio waves from GPS satellites cannot be received. For example, even when the room is divided into a plurality of facilities, it is possible to set the optimum shooting conditions for each facility.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the shooting condition setting information before reaching the position indicated by the spot name data stored in the map data memory 29 is backed up and stored, and if the position indicated by the spot name data is deviated, the backup is performed. Since the shooting condition setting information is automatically reset, the user does not erase the shooting condition setting information arbitrarily set by the user, and the user is not troubled for resetting. Therefore, the convenience for the user before and after entering the position indicated by the point name data is not reduced.

  Although the above embodiment has been described for a case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera, the present invention is not limited to this, and is similarly applicable to a mobile phone terminal, an electronic book, a smartphone, or the like having a camera function. .

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, the functions executed in the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate as possible. The above-described embodiment includes various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by an appropriate combination of a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, if the effect is obtained, a configuration from which the constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

The invention described in the claims of the present application of the present application will be appended below.
The invention according to claim 1 is a positioning means for measuring the current position to acquire position information, a map storage means for storing a plurality of map information corresponding to the position information and shooting condition setting information, and an image The map storage unit is searched on the basis of the position information obtained by the image capturing means for capturing the image and the positioning means, the setting information of the image capturing condition stored in association with the position information is acquired, and the acquired setting information of the image capturing condition is acquired. And a photographing control means for setting a photographing condition in the photographing means according to the above.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the shooting condition setting information includes setting information according to an attribute of the facility at the shooting point and setting information according to an attribute of the surrounding environment including the shooting point. It is characterized by combining.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the setting information corresponding to the attribute of the surrounding environment including the photographing point includes information on an AC power supply frequency.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the positioning means includes first positioning means for receiving incoming radio waves from a plurality of satellites and calculating a current position in a three-dimensional space. And a second positioning means for detecting a displacement associated with the movement and rotation of the apparatus and measuring the current position from the accumulated position by an inertial measurement method.

  The invention described in claim 5 further comprises backup storage means for backing up and storing the setting information of the photographing conditions in the invention described in claim 1, wherein the photographing control means is position information obtained by the positioning means. Using the backup storage means before and after entering the range indicated by the position information stored in the map storage means, and continuously setting the shooting condition setting information used before entering the range after leaving the range. It is characterized by using.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning unit that measures the current position and obtains position information, map information corresponding to the position information, and a map storage unit that stores a plurality of association information of shooting conditions, and an image. A program executed by a computer incorporated in an apparatus having a photographing unit that shoots, searches the map storage unit based on the position information obtained by the positioning unit, and stores the photographing conditions stored in association with the position information. A shooting control function for acquiring setting information and setting shooting conditions in the shooting unit according to the acquired setting information of shooting conditions is realized.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 11 ... Shooting lens part, 12 ... CMOS image sensor, 13 ... AGC / A / D conversion part, 14 ... Image processing part, 15 ... Display part, 16 ... Touch input part, 17 ... Microphone, 18 ... Audio processing unit, 19 ... speaker, 20 ... CPU, 21 ... main memory, 22 ... program memory, 23 ... key operation unit, 24 ... flash drive unit, 25 ... image sensor drive unit, 26 ... GPS receiver, 27 ... 3-axis Acceleration sensor, 28 ... Gyro sensor, 29 ... Map data memory, 30 ... Memory card controller, 31 ... Flash unit, 32 ... Memory card, 33 ... GPS antenna, 34 ... Card connector, IM ... Inertial measurement unit, SB ... System bus .

Claims (6)

Positioning means for measuring the current position and obtaining position information;
Corresponding to the location information, the location setting table configured by limiting the shooting location setting information related to the shooting conditions for each location information and / or the shooting environment setting information related to the local environment of the location to a predetermined number,
Photographing means for photographing an image;
The point setting table is searched based on the position information obtained by the positioning means, the shooting point setting information and / or shooting environment setting information stored in association with the position information is acquired, and the acquired shooting point setting is acquired. Shooting control means for setting shooting conditions in the shooting means according to information and / or shooting environment setting information;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The shooting point setting information is setting information related to saturation, program diagram, focus setting, focus area, ISO sensitivity, white balance adjustment, contrast, sharpness, exposure correction, photometry, dynamic range expansion, and color filter. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shooting environment setting information is information relating to an AC power supply frequency and information relating to a local favorite color.   The positioning means is a first positioning means that receives incoming radio waves from a plurality of satellites and calculates a position in the current three-dimensional space, detects a displacement associated with movement and rotation of the apparatus, and calculates inertia based on the accumulated position. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second positioning unit that measures a current position by a measuring method. Further comprising backup storage means for backing up and storing the setting information of the photographing conditions,
The photographing control means uses the backup storage means before and after the position information obtained by the positioning means enters the range indicated by the position information in the point setting table , and sets the photographing conditions used before entering the range. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is continuously used after leaving the range. A positioning unit that measures the current position and acquires position information, corresponding to the position information, shooting position setting information related to shooting conditions for each position information, and / or shooting environment setting information related to the local environment of the point, A program executed by a computer built in a device including a spot setting table configured to be limited to a predetermined number and a photographing unit for photographing an image,
The point setting table is searched based on the position information obtained by the positioning unit, the shooting point setting information and / or shooting environment setting information stored in association with the position information is acquired, and the acquired shooting point setting information is acquired. And / or a shooting control function for setting shooting conditions in the shooting unit according to shooting environment setting information,
A program characterized by realizing.

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