JPH06334914A - Camera system and photometric method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a camera system and a photometric method capable of properly executing photometry in accordance with the photographing condition of a subject. CONSTITUTION:A processor 12 controls a camera 10 to execute preshot for previously photographing the image of a subject for photometry. Picture data expressing the preshot picture of the subject picked up by preshot are reduced by a control part 38 in the camera 10, the reduced data are transferred to the processor 12 and a preshot picture is displayed on a prescribed area of a display device 16. Area information expressing a photometric area in the preshot picture and a photometric method is determined, an exposure value is calculated from picture data expressing the preshot picture based upon the area information, exposure information expressing shutter speed and an iris value corresponding to the exposure value is generated, and the subject image is photographed by the camera 10 again based upon the generated exposure information and the control of the processor 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera system for taking a subject image and a photometric method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in cameras for obtaining image data representing a subject image, there are known photometric systems such as an average photometric system, a center-weighted photometric system, and an evaluation photometric system for photometrically measuring the brightness of a subject and a background. Further, depending on the camera, some photometric methods are switched according to the subject to perform photometry. Based on the photometric information obtained by photometry in this way, the shooting conditions of the shutter speed and the aperture value that represent the exposure for shooting the subject are determined. Image data representing a subject image photographed based on the determined photographing condition is subjected to a predetermined process such as a compression process and recorded on an information recording medium such as an optical disk or an IC memory card. Further, this image data is output to a monitor device or a printing device, and the image represented by this image data is displayed or printed.

[0003]

However, in the conventional photometric method, the preset photometric area cannot be changed, and the photometric area cannot be arbitrarily selected. For example, in the central area averaged photometry, only the preset central area is focused on, and in the evaluation photometry, only the divided photometric areas are selected and metered. Therefore, in the conventional photometry method, since the photometry area is fixed, the photometry cannot be appropriately performed according to the content of the image. Therefore, in the conventional photometric method, for example, when the contrast of the subject is very strong or the reflectance of the subject is significantly different from the standard reflectance assumed as the standard, it is not possible to obtain an appropriate exposure value. Further, since the area to be metered is difficult to see in the viewfinder, it is difficult to select an appropriate metering area according to the subject at the time of shooting. Furthermore, since the photometric area is fixed in the conventional photometric method, it is necessary to change the direction of the camera each time so that the photometric area matches the desired photometric part of the subject.
In particular, there is a problem that the operation for photometry is extremely difficult to perform when the subject is photographed while the camera is fixed to a support such as a tripod.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera system and a photometric method capable of solving the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and performing appropriate photometry according to photographing conditions.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a camera system for imaging a subject and generating image data corresponding to pixel signals representing the subject image. , An image pickup apparatus for generating image data from an optical image representing a subject, a processing apparatus for controlling the image pickup apparatus to process the image data generated by the image pickup apparatus, and an image processed by the processing apparatus The imaging device includes a display device that displays an image represented by the data and an input device that detects operation information from the operator that is input based on the image displayed on the display device. A conversion unit that generates a pixel signal that represents the subject image, an adjustment unit that adjusts the exposure in the conversion unit, and a control unit and a conversion unit that are driven under the control of the processing device. In addition, the control means receives the instruction from the processing device, receives the instruction from the processing device, and receives the instruction from the processing device that drives the adjusting means and the conversion means. A first image representing a first image obtained by reducing the size of the image represented by the pixel signal based on the pixel signal generated by the converting means.
And a screen generation unit for generating image data of the image data, the processing device obtains a first image for calculating an exposure value in the actual shooting prior to the actual shooting, and an input processing unit for recognizing the operation information. For this purpose, a pre-shot processing means for controlling the photographing processing means and the screen generation means, and a display processing means for performing processing for displaying the first image represented by the first image data generated by the screen generation processing means on the display device. And area processing means for generating area information indicating a photometric area and a photometric method in the first image represented by the first image data generated by the screen generating means in accordance with operation information, and an image corresponding to the area information. A photometric processing unit that calculates an exposure value for actual shooting based on the data and generates exposure information corresponding to the calculated exposure value. The adjusting unit and the converting unit are driven based on the exposure information generated by the stage, and the imaging device drives the second image data corresponding to the pixel signal obtained by the converting unit that is driven based on the exposure information. It is characterized by generating.

[0006] In a photometric method in which a subject image is photographed and an image pickup device for generating image data representing the subject image performs photometry according to the subject image, this method obtains a first image for performing photometry. A first photographing step, an area designating step of designating a photometric area in the first image, and a photometric step of calculating an exposure value based on the first image corresponding to the photometric area designated in the area designating step. And a transmission step of transmitting exposure information according to the exposure value to the imaging device, and based on the exposure information transmitted to the imaging device in this transmission step,
A second photographing step of photographing a subject image to obtain a second image.

In this case, the area designating step may include a selecting step of selecting a photometric mode in which the size of the photometric area is different.

[0008]

According to the camera system and the photometric method of the present invention, the image pickup device shoots a subject image under the control of the processing device in order to obtain the first image for calculating the exposure value in the actual shooting. First image data representing a first image reduced in size from the image data obtained by shooting is generated by the imaging device and transferred to the processing device. The first image is displayed on the display device, and based on the displayed image, region information indicating a desired photometric region and a desired photometric method is determined by the processing device in accordance with the operation information input to the input device. An exposure value is calculated from the first image data based on the determined area information, the imaging device is controlled by the processing device based on the calculated exposure value, and a subject image is captured. The image data of No. 2 is generated by the imaging device.

[0009]

Embodiments of the camera system according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of a camera system to which the present invention is applied. The camera system 1 processes a pixel signal obtained by capturing an image of a subject with the camera 10 to generate a video signal, and further processes the generated video signal with a processing device 12 to obtain an image. This is a system for recording data on an information recording medium mounted on the image recording device 14. Further, when capturing an image of a subject, the camera system 1 performs a pre-shot of capturing an image of the subject in advance to obtain an appropriate exposure according to the subject and shooting conditions, and obtains the pre-shot obtained by the pre-shot. A system that sets the desired photometric method and photometric conditions such as the photometric position based on the image data that represents the image, and performs exposure (shots) for actual shooting based on the exposure calculated by photometry under the photometric conditions. is there. In the following description, parts not directly related to the present invention will not be shown and described, and the reference numerals of signals will be represented by the reference numbers of the connecting lines in which they appear.

The camera system 1 will be described in detail. The camera system 1 includes a camera 10 for picking up an image of a subject and generating image data representing the subject image.
From the processing device 12, which sets the photometric condition according to the operation state of the operator based on the image data representing the pre-shot image generated in 10, and controls the camera 10 based on the set information, and the processing device 12. An image recording device 14 for recording the output image data for recording on an information recording medium, and a processing device
A display device 16 for displaying an image represented by the image data output from 12 and an input device 18 for detecting an operation state of an operator and notifying the processing device 12 of operation information indicating the detected operation state. There is.

The camera 10 in this embodiment is a still image camera that images a subject and generates image data representing the subject image. The camera 10 includes an image pickup lens 30 that forms an optical image of a subject, a diaphragm 32 that adjusts the amount of light that enters through the image pickup lens 30, and an image pickup lens 30 that receives light through the image pickup lens 30 and the diaphragm 32. A photoelectric conversion unit 34 that generates a pixel signal corresponding to an optical image formed on a surface, and a video processing unit that processes the pixel signal generated by the photoelectric conversion unit 34 and generates image data representing the pixel signal. 36, and a control unit 38 that controls the operations of the diaphragm 32 and the photoelectric conversion unit 34 included in the camera 10 under the control of the processing device 12.

The diaphragm 32 of the camera 10 is a mechanism that opens and closes the opening according to a drive signal 40 supplied from the controller 38 and adjusts the amount of light flux passing through the diaphragm 32. The diaphragm 32 adjusts its opening to a size corresponding to the diaphragm value represented by the drive signal 40.

The photoelectric conversion section 34 is an image pickup circuit having an image pickup element (not shown) which receives an optical image of a subject and generates a pixel signal representing the optical image. The photoelectric conversion unit 34 receives the drive signal 42 supplied from the control unit 38, drives the image sensor at a shutter speed according to the drive signal 42, reads the pixel signal generated by the image sensor, and reads the pixel signal. A pixel signal representing the subject image is output to the output 44. Photoelectric conversion unit 34
Is composed of, for example, a three-plate type optical system having three sets of solid-state image pickup devices corresponding to three primary color signals, and these solid-state image pickup devices have approximately 900,000 effective pixels, and HDTV (High Defini
tion TV) Generates a pixel signal that reproduces the equivalent image quality. The output 44 of the photoelectric conversion unit 34 is connected to the video processing unit 36.

The image processing section 36 is a process circuit for subjecting the pixel signal generated by the photoelectric conversion section 34 to predetermined signal processing and for amplifying the pixel signal to a desired signal level. For example, the image processing unit 36 performs color correction and contour correction on the pixel signal output from the photoelectric conversion unit 34, and also performs gamma correction on the pixel signal to correct the gamma value, and further adds a blanking signal and white. A video signal is generated by performing video signal processing such as a clip. The video processing unit 36 also performs analog-to-digital conversion on the generated video signal, and outputs the image data converted into a digital value to the output 46. The output 46 of the video processing unit 36 is connected to the control unit 38.

The control unit 38 is a control circuit that controls the camera 10 based on an instruction signal notified from the processing device 12. The control unit 38 controls the diaphragm 32 and the photoelectric conversion unit 34, respectively, based on the information and the instruction signal from the processing device 12 appearing at the input 50. Specifically, the control unit 38 includes a frame memory (not shown) that temporarily stores image data, and stores the image data output from the video processing unit 36 and appearing at the input 46 in the storage area of the frame memory. The control unit 38
In accordance with the instruction signal appearing at the input 50, a reduction process is performed to reduce the size of the image represented by the image data stored in the frame memory to 1/8 of the size, and the processing device 12
Image data representing a pre-shot image to be displayed on the display screen of the display device 16 connected to is generated. The control unit 38 outputs the image data representing the generated pre-shot image to the output 50. The output 50 of the controller 38 is the output of the controller 12
It is connected to the. The output 50 is connected to the processing unit 12 via a SCSI bus 50 that conforms to the SCSI standard, for example. Further, the control unit 38 has a drive control function of performing exposure control in the camera 10 to drive the camera 10. Specifically, the control unit 38 recognizes the aperture value in the aperture 32 and the shutter speed in the photoelectric conversion unit 34 represented by the instruction signal based on the instruction signal representing the exposure information appearing at the input 50, and the recognized information Drive control to the diaphragm 32 and the photoelectric conversion unit 34 is performed based on the.

The processing device 12 is a control device for controlling the camera 10 according to the operation state of the operator. The processing device 12 in this embodiment is a computer system including a personal computer. The processing device 12 displays an image representing the operation screen for controlling the camera 10 on the display screen of the display device 16 to perform pre-shot and production shots, and the pre-shot obtained by the pre-shot. The image is displayed in the preview screen area set in the operation screen. The processing device 12 performs a process for obtaining an aperture value and a shutter speed when performing a shot, based on image data representing a pre-shot image. The processing device 12 is, according to the operation information from the operator input based on the operation screen displayed on the display device 16,
Perform these controls. Specifically, an input device 18 such as a keyboard or a mouse for detecting an operation state by an operator is connected to the input 64 of the processing device 12, and the processing device 12 is based on the operation information detected by the input device 18. The camera 10 is controlled to perform a pre-shot to obtain an exposure when the shot is taken. Further, the processing device 12, based on the operation information detected by the input device 18, the photometry of the brightness of the desired area of the pre-shot image obtained by the pre-shot, and further obtained by photometry. Based on the information, the camera 10 is controlled to take a shot for actual shooting. Further, the processing device 12 is
When the shot is performed, the image data obtained by the camera 10 is subjected to a predetermined process for recording it on the information recording medium and is output to the output 62. The processing device 12 is connected to a display device 16 for displaying the image represented by the image data on its display screen at the output 60, and is output by the image recording device 14 for recording the image data representing the image captured by the camera 10. Connected to 62.

The processing device 12 generates image data for displaying an operation screen 300 as shown in FIG. 3 on the screen of the display device 16, for example. For details, see this operation screen 300
A preview screen area 302, which is an area for displaying a pre-shot image representing a reduced image obtained by reducing the image captured by the camera 10, is formed on the left side of the. A default button 304, which is a photometric button for selecting a photometric mode (AE mode), an area button 306, and a point button 308 are arranged above and to the right of the operation screen 300. Below these photometry buttons, an AE button 310 for starting photometry is arranged according to the photometry mode selected by the photometry button. Operation screen 300
A pre-shot button 312 for capturing the subject image in advance to determine the photometric area and a shot button 314 for performing actual shooting based on the exposure calculated by photometry are arranged on the lower right side of the Has been done.

Now, the processing device 12 and the control unit 38 of the camera 10 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
A functional block diagram of the processing device 12 and the control unit 38 is shown in the figure. The processing device 12 includes functional units including an input processing unit 200, a pre-shot processing unit 202, a cursor processing unit 204, a display processing unit 206, a region processing unit 208, a photometry processing unit 210, and a recording processing unit 212. It consists of Also,
The control unit 38 of the camera 10 includes a photographing processing unit 214 and a reading processing unit.
216 and a screen generation processing unit 218.

The input processing unit 200 connects the input device 18 to the connecting line.
A functional unit that recognizes the operation information indicating the operation state of the operator notified via 64 and notifies the recognized operation information to each functional unit. The input processing unit 200 corresponds to an operation screen 300 generated by a display processing unit 206 described later, and displays operation information indicating the selection state of each button displayed on the operation screen 300 and coordinates of the operation screen 300. The operation information indicating the instruction is recognized, and the recognized operation information is used as the pre-shot processing unit 202, the cursor processing unit 204, and the area processing unit 208.
And the image capturing processing unit 214 and the reading processing unit 216, respectively.

The pre-shot processing section 202 includes an input processing section 20.
It is a functional unit that makes settings for obtaining a pre-shot image by imaging with the camera 10 based on the operation information notified from 0. The pre-shot processing unit 202 is the input processing unit 20.
When operation information indicating that the pre-shot button 312 has been selected is notified from 0, initial information for automatic exposure for capturing a pre-shot image is set. The pre-shot processing unit 202 outputs the set initial information to the photometry processing unit 21.
0 and the photographing processing unit 214 are notified. Further, the pre-shot processing unit 202 notifies the reading processing unit 216 of a reading instruction signal for reading the image data obtained by the camera 10,
Further, the screen generation processing unit 218 is notified of a generation instruction signal for generating a pre-shot image.

The cursor processing section 204 is a functional section for generating cursor information representing a cursor for designating a desired position on the operation screen 300, based on the operation information notified from the input processing section 202. The cursor processing unit 204 displays the operation screen according to the operation information detected by the input processing unit 202.
Cursor information including position information indicating the position of the cursor on 300 is generated. The cursor processing unit 204 sends the generated cursor information to the display processing unit 206 and the area processing unit 20.
Notify 8.

The display processing unit 206 displays the operation screen shown in FIG.
The image data representing 300 is generated and displayed on the display device 16, and the pre-shot image represented by the image data generated by the screen generation processing unit 218 described later is displayed in the preview screen area 302 of the operation screen 300. It is a functional unit that performs processing. In addition, the display processing unit 206 includes a cursor processing unit 20.
Based on the cursor information notified from 4, the image of the cursor represented by the cursor information is displayed on operation screen 300. Further, the display processing unit 206 includes an area processing unit 20 described later.
Based on the area information indicating the photometric area set in 8, image data for causing the display device 16 to display the image indicating the area information is generated, and the image represented by the generated image data is displayed on the preview screen area 302. To be displayed inside.

The area processing unit 208 is a screen generation processing unit described later.
A functional unit for setting a photometric area in the pre-shot image generated in 218. The area processing unit 208 includes the operation information detected by the input processing unit 200 and the cursor processing unit 204.
Area information representing a photometric area in the pre-shot image is generated based on the position information of the cursor notified from. For example, when the area processing unit 208 indicates that the operation button detected by the input processing unit 200 indicates that the point button 308 is selected, as shown in FIG. 5, the preview screen area 302 is measured by point photometry. Area information for displaying a cross-shaped area display 500 representing an area to be generated is generated. In this case, the area processing unit 208 generates area information representing a predetermined area centered on the intersection of the vertical and horizontal lines of the area display 500.

Further, the area processing unit 208 uses the area button 30.
When 6 is selected, as shown in FIG. 7, area information for displaying a square area display 700 representing the area to be measured by area photometry is generated in the preview screen area 302. In this case, the area processing unit 208 generates area information representing the range within the rectangular frame of the area display 700. As the area information representing the area display 500 and the area display 700, a plurality of area information may be generated according to the subject. In that case, for example, the area processing unit 208 may operate the operation recognized by the input processing unit 200. Depending on the information, weighting may be applied to each of the generated area information pieces. The area processing unit 208 also displays the area to be generated.
The size of 700 is set according to the operation information recognized by the input processing unit 200. The area processing unit 208 notifies the display processing unit 206 of the generated area information, and further, the area processing unit 208
Transfers the image data corresponding to the generated area information to the photometric processing unit 210.

The photometric processing unit 210 is a functional unit that measures the brightness based on the image data representing the pre-shot image corresponding to the area information generated by the area processing unit 208. Based on the image data corresponding to the area information transferred from the area processing unit 208, the photometric processing unit 210 photometers the brightness represented by this image data and generates photometric information representing the brightness. The photometric processing unit 210 also has a function of determining the exposure value of the camera 10 based on the photometric information obtained by photometry. The exposure processing unit 212 in this embodiment determines the aperture value and the shutter speed according to the exposure value, and outputs the exposure information representing the aperture value and the shutter speed to the control unit 38.
To the image capturing processing unit 214.

The recording processing unit 212 is a functional unit that converts the image data representing the shot image read out from the frame memory of the control unit 38 by the reading processing unit 216 into a predetermined format for recording on an information recording medium. is there. For example, the recording processing unit 212 subjects the image data read by the reading processing unit 216 to compression processing based on a compression format of a predetermined length, and generates compressed recording data for storage. The recording processing unit 212 outputs the generated recording data to the image recording device 14 connected to the output 62.

The photographing processing unit 214 of the control unit 38 is a processing unit 12
It is a functional unit that controls the entire camera 10 based on the information transferred from. The shooting processing unit 214 receives the initial information from the pre-shot processing unit 202 and performs shooting control for obtaining a pre-shot image. The photographing processing unit 214 receives the initial information, determines the aperture value and the shutter speed in accordance with the initial information, and sets the aperture 32 to the determined aperture value.
Is driven, and the photoelectric conversion unit 34 is driven so as to achieve the determined shutter speed. The photographing processing unit 214 includes the photoelectric conversion unit 34.
Is driven to pick up a subject image, and a pixel signal representing the subject image is generated. Further, the photographing processing unit 214 receives the exposure information calculated by the photometry processing unit 210 by performing the pre-shot, and according to the operation information notified from the input processing unit 200, the diaphragm 32 and the photoelectric conversion unit 34. To control. For example, when the shot button 314 is selected on the operation screen 300, the photographing processing unit 214 drives the diaphragm 32 and the photoelectric conversion unit 34 based on the received exposure information.

The read processing unit 216 is a functional unit that reads out the image data stored in the frame memory of the control unit 38.
The read processing unit 216 reads the image data corresponding to the pre-shot image stored in the frame memory based on the read instruction signal notified from the pre-shot processing unit 202, and the read image data is used as the screen generation processing unit 218. Transfer to. When the input processing unit 200 recognizes the operation information indicating that the shot button 314 is selected, the reading processing unit 216 reads the image data stored in the frame memory and records the read image data. Processing unit 212
Transfer to.

The screen generation processing unit 218 is a functional unit that processes the image data transferred from the read processing unit 218 and reduces the size of the image represented by the image data. Specifically, when the screen generation processing unit 218 is notified of the generation instruction signal from the pre-shot processing unit 202, the image data transferred from the read processing unit 216 is subjected to thinning processing, for example, in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image. Then, the size of the image represented by the image data is reduced. The screen generation processing unit 218 in this embodiment generates image data representing a pre-shot image in which the size of the image represented by the image data is reduced to about ⅛ in the vertical and horizontal directions, that is, to ⅙. The screen generation processing unit 218 reduces the image represented by the image data read by the reading processing unit 216 to represent the pre-shot image 400 displayed in the preview screen 302, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. Generate image data. The screen generation processing unit 218 transfers the generated image data to the display processing unit 206 and the area processing unit 208.

Returning to FIG. 1, the display device 16 is a device for displaying the image represented by the video signal output from the controller 12. The display device 16 is, for example, a monitor that inputs a video signal corresponding to the NTSC standard and displays an image represented by the video signal on a display screen.

The image recording device 14 is an information recording device for recording the image data imaged by the camera 10 and processed by the processing device 12 on an information recording medium. The image recording device 14
For example, an optical disk device that records image data is applied to an information recording medium such as an optical disk in which data can be written.

The operation of the camera system 1 having the above configuration will be described below. Referring to FIG. 9, an operation flow chart of this camera system 1 is shown. First, the camera unit 10 of the camera system 1 is directed toward a subject, and the light flux incident through the imaging lens 30 and the diaphragm 32 is converted into a photoelectric conversion unit.
Image data representing the operation screen 300 shown in FIG. 3 generated by the display processing unit 206 of the processing device 12 is output to the output 60 in a state where the image is formed on the imaging surface of 34. This image data is input to the display device 16 and the operation screen is displayed on the display screen.
300 is displayed.

In step 900 shown in FIG. 9, the input device 18 is operated and the pre-shot button is displayed on the operation screen 300.
When 312 is selected, the operation state is recognized by the input processing section 200, operation information indicating this operation state is transferred to the pre-shot processing section 202, and a pre-shot image is captured from the pre-shot processing section 202. The shooting processing unit 214 is notified of the initial information for performing the operation. Further, this operation information is notified to the cursor processing unit 204 and cursor information is generated, and the generated cursor information is notified to the display processing unit 206 and the cursor is displayed on the pre-shot button 312. The cursor is omitted in FIGS. 3 to 8.

When the photographing processing unit 214 is notified of the initial information, the aperture value and the shutter speed corresponding to the initial information are set,
A drive signal for driving the diaphragm 32 is output to the output 42, and a drive signal for driving the photoelectric conversion unit 34 is output to the output 46. The diaphragm 32 and the photoelectric conversion unit 34 operate according to the respective drive signals output from the imaging processing unit 214, and the photoelectric conversion unit 34
At, a pixel signal representing the subject image is generated and output to the output 44. The pixel signal input to the video processing unit 36 is subjected to amplification and correction processing, further converted into image data represented by a digital value, and output to the output 46. The image data appearing at the input 46 of the control unit 38 is stored in a frame memory (not shown), and the stored image data is read by the reading processing unit 216. The read image data is
In the screen generation processing unit 218, reduction processing for reducing the image size is performed to generate image data representing a pre-shot image. The generated image data is transferred to the display processing unit 206 and the area processing unit 208 of the processing device 12 via the connection line 50. The image data representing the pre-shot image transferred to the display processing unit 206 is combined in the preview screen area 302 arranged in the operation screen 300, and the combined image data is output to the output 60 of the processing device 12. Has been
As shown in FIG. 4, the pre-shot image represented by the image data is displayed in the preview screen area 302.

Next, in step 902, when the input device 18 is operated and the point button 308 displayed on the operation screen 300 is selected as shown in FIG. 5, the process proceeds to step 904 and also shown in FIG. If the area button 306 is selected, the process proceeds to step 916.

Step in which the point button 308 is selected
At 904, the operation information detected by the input processing unit 200 is notified to the cursor processing unit 204, and cursor information based on the operation information is generated. The generated cursor information is transferred to the display processing unit 206 to display the selected point button 308 as shown in FIG. Also, the input processing unit
When the operation information detected in 200 is notified to the area processing unit 208, the area information according to the operation information is generated,
The generated area information is transferred to the display processing unit 206. When this area information is transferred to the display processing unit 206, image data representing an area display 500 showing an area for performing point photometry is generated in a predetermined area in the preview screen area 302, and is displayed on the display device 16. The area display 500 is displayed at a predetermined position within the preview screen area 302 displayed on the screen.

Next, at step 906, the input device 18 is operated, operation information indicating the operation state is notified to the cursor processing unit 204, and the cursor information recognized by the cursor processing unit 204 is displayed on the display processing unit 206. The area display 500 transferred and displayed in the preview screen area 302 is moved to a desired position. Also, the cursor information including the position information of the area display 500 is transferred to the area processing unit 208, and the area processing unit 208 recognizes the area where point photometry is performed.

Next, in step 908, when the AE button 310 on the operation screen 300 is selected as shown in FIG. 6, the area processing unit 20 which has received the operation information from the input processing unit 200.
8 generates area information corresponding to this cursor information based on the cursor information notified from the cursor processing section 204, and displays the image data transferred from the screen generation processing section 218 corresponding to the generated area information. The data is transferred to the photometric processing unit 210.

In step 910, when the image data corresponding to the area information is transferred to the photometric processing unit 210, the exposure value corresponding to the brightness of the transferred image data is calculated, and the exposure value corresponding to the calculated exposure value is calculated. Exposure information indicating the aperture value and the shutter speed to be used is determined.

Next, in step 912, step 910 is performed.
The exposure information determined in step S1 is the photometric processing unit 210 of the processing device 12.
Is transferred to the photographing processing unit 214 of the control unit 38. When the exposure information is transferred to the shooting processing unit 214, the camera 10 is in a ready state for controlling the diaphragm 32 and the photoelectric conversion unit 34, and the input processing unit 200 notifies the operation information indicating the state in which the shot button 314 is selected. Wait until

In step 914, the shot button 31
When 4 is selected and the operation information indicating that state is notified to the imaging processing unit 214, the diaphragm 32 and the photoelectric conversion unit 34 are driven based on the exposure information transferred to the imaging processing unit 214, and the photoelectric conversion unit 34 is driven. A pixel signal representing the subject image photoelectrically converted by the conversion unit 34 is generated and output to the output 44. The generated pixel signal is subjected to predetermined processing such as amplification and correction processing in the video processing unit 36, and the pixel signal is further converted into image data represented by a digital value. Are transferred to the control unit 38 via the connection line 46.
The image data transferred to the control unit 38 is stored in a frame memory (not shown). The image data stored in the frame memory is read by the reading processing unit 216 of the control unit 38,
It is transferred to the recording processing unit 212 of the processing device 12 via the connection line 50. The image data transferred to the recording processing unit 212 is subjected to compression processing to generate recording data for storage. The generated recording data is output to the output 62 and the image recording device
Entered in 14. The image data input to the image recording device 14 is recorded on the information recording medium mounted on the image recording device 14.

In step 902, the operation screen 30
Area button 306 located at 0 is the selected step
At 916, the point button 306 selected based on the operation information detected by the input processing unit 200 is brought into the selected state as shown in FIG. 7, as in step 904. Further, when the operation information is notified to the area processing unit 208, area information according to the operation information is generated, and the generated area information is transferred to the display processing unit 206. When this area information is transferred to the display processing unit 206, image data representing an area display 700 indicating an area for performing area photometry is generated in a predetermined area in the preview screen area 302 as shown in FIG. The preview screen area 302 displayed on the operation screen 300.
The area display 700 is displayed at a predetermined position inside.

Next, in step 918, when the input device 18 is operated to move the area display 700 combined on the pre-shot image area 302 displayed in the preview screen area 302 to a desired photometric position. The operation information indicating the operation state is notified to the cursor processing unit 204. When the cursor processing unit 204 is notified of the operation information, the cursor information corresponding to the operation information is recognized, and the recognized cursor information is transferred to the display processing unit 206. When the cursor information is transferred to the display processing unit 206, the area display 700 is displayed at the position of the pre-shot image area 302 according to the cursor information. In this way, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the area display 700 is moved to a desired position on the subject.

Then, in step 920, the operation screen 30
When the AE button 310 arranged at 0 is selected, the area processing unit 208 generates area information corresponding to the cursor information based on the cursor information generated by the cursor processing unit 204. When the area information is generated by the area processing unit 208, the image data transferred from the screen generation processing unit 218 corresponding to the area information is transferred to the photometric processing unit 210.

Next, in step 922, the photometric processing unit 21
When the image data corresponding to the area information is transferred to 0, the exposure value corresponding to the brightness of the transferred image data is calculated, and the exposure information indicating the aperture value and the shutter speed corresponding to the calculated exposure value is displayed. It is determined. When the exposure information is determined, the steps 912 to 914 are continuously performed thereafter, the subject image at the time of the shot is photographed, and the recording data representing the obtained image is recorded on the information recording medium by the image recording device 14. Recorded in.

As described above, the camera system 1 is
A pre-shot for photometry is performed prior to the actual shot. The image data representing the subject image obtained by the pre-shot is processed by the control unit 38 of the camera 10 to generate the image data representing the pre-shot image,
The generated image data is transferred to the processing device 12, and the pre-shot image is displayed in the preview screen area 302 of the display device 16. Based on the pre-shot image displayed in the preview screen area 302, the operator selects and specifies the photometric mode and the photometric area on the screen in order to obtain the exposure when performing the actual shot. As a result, it is possible to select the photometric mode according to the subject image obtained by the pre-shot, and to specify the photometric area at the desired position of the subject image. Therefore, for example, even under the shooting conditions of a subject for which an appropriate image cannot be obtained by a normal photometry method, the camera 10 is operated at an appropriate aperture value and shutter speed based on the photometry result of photometry of a desired area. Since the actual shot can be performed under control, it is possible to shoot an image according to the operator's intention.

Further, photometry can be easily performed at a plurality of positions within the pre-shot image displayed in the preview screen area 302, and the designated photometry area can be displayed as an area.
It can be easily confirmed by 500 and area display 700. Furthermore, it is possible to weight the photometric values at a plurality of positions of the pre-shot image displayed in the preview screen area 302 according to the operation of the operator.

Furthermore, by storing a plurality of set photometric conditions such as the photometric method and the photometric area, it is possible to easily realize photometry under the photometric conditions that have already been set according to the subject.

[0049]

As described above, according to the camera system and the photometric method of the present invention, the subject is photographed prior to the actual photographing, the first image data for photometry is generated, and the generated first image data is generated. The exposure value is calculated by designating the photometric area and the photometric method based on the image data. Therefore, the photometric region and the photometric method suitable for the image represented by the first image data can be designated by the operator, and an appropriate exposure value can be obtained when the subject image is photographed. The photographing device photographs the subject based on the exposure information corresponding to the exposure value calculated by the processing device. As a result, it is possible to obtain an image according to the photographer's intention by appropriately performing photometry according to the shooting conditions for shooting the subject.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a camera system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing configurations of a control unit and a processing device in this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen in this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen in this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen in this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen in this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the camera system in this example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Camera 12 Processing device 14 Image recording device 16 Display device 18 Input device 30 Imaging lens 32 Aperture 34 Photoelectric conversion unit 36 Video processing unit 38 Control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A camera system for capturing an image of a subject and generating image data corresponding to a pixel signal representing the subject image, wherein the camera system is an imaging device for generating the image data from an optical image representing the subject. A processing device that controls the imaging device to process image data generated by the imaging device; a display device that displays an image represented by the image data processed by the processing device; An input device that detects operation information from the operator that is input based on the image displayed on the image pickup device, wherein the imaging device receives the subject image and generates a pixel signal that represents the subject image. An adjusting means for adjusting the exposure in the converting means, and a control for driving the adjusting means and the converting means based on the control of the processing device to photograph the subject image. The control means includes a photographing processing means for driving the adjusting means and the converting means in response to an instruction from the processing device, and an instruction from the processing device for performing the conversion. Screen processing means for generating, based on the pixel signal generated by the means, first image data representing a first image obtained by reducing the size of the image represented by the pixel signal. Input processing means for recognizing operation information, and pre-shot processing for controlling the photographing processing means and the screen generation means in order to obtain a first image for calculating an exposure value in the actual photographing prior to the actual photographing. Means and the first screen generated by the screen generation processing means.
Display processing means for displaying the first image represented by the first image data on the display device, and a photometric area in the first image represented by the first image data generated by the screen generating means. And area processing means for generating area information indicating a photometric method in accordance with the operation information, and an exposure value for the actual shooting based on image data corresponding to the area information, and the calculated exposure A photometric processing means for generating exposure information corresponding to a value, wherein the photographing processing means drives the adjusting means and the converting means based on the exposure information generated by the photometric processing means, The camera system is characterized in that the device is driven based on the exposure information to generate second image data corresponding to the pixel signal obtained by the conversion means. 2. A photometric method for performing photometry according to the subject image in an image pickup device for taking a subject image and generating image data representing the subject image, the method comprising: Based on the first image corresponding to the photometric area designated in the area designating step, and a region designating step of designating a photometric area in the first image A photometric step of calculating an exposure value, a transmitting step of transmitting exposure information according to the exposure value to the image capturing apparatus, and the subject image based on the exposure information transmitted to the image capturing apparatus in the transmitting step. And a second photographing step for obtaining a second image by photographing. 3. The photometric method according to claim 2, wherein the area designating step includes a selecting step of selecting a photometric mode in which the size of the photometric area is different.