JPH10233993A - Electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the degradation of an image quality even when image data that are photographed with the top of an electronic still camera turned to the left or the right are shown on a display so that the top of an object at the time of photographing may be turned up when the image is shown by generating compressed image data that represents an image in which the top of an object at the time of photographing is turned up based on a detection result by a camera posture detection sensor. SOLUTION: A camera posture detection sensor 17 detects whether the posture of an electronic still camera at the time of photographing is the one that is directed to the up, down, left or right. For instance, when the sensor 17 detects that the posture of the electronic still camera at the time of photographing is at a reverse position of a posture that is directed down, a memory controller 14 that receives an instruction of a CPU 15 successively starts to read in the opposite direction to the one in which reading of image data that is stored in each memory area of a frame memory 16 is stored. Image data that is read is inputted to a compressing LSI 18, compressed and saved in flash memory 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic still camera for compressing image data obtained by an image pickup device and outputting the compressed image data to the outside.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic still camera provided with an image pickup device for generating image data and compression means for compressing the image data obtained by the image pickup device has been disclosed. There is known an electronic still camera that outputs image data to an external device such as a computer connected to the electronic still camera.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic still camera. The subject image formed through the lens 51 is captured by the CCD 52. CCD5
2 generates image data of the captured subject image.
This image data is converted by the A / D converter 53 into digital image data. Frame memory controller 54
Stores the image data digitally converted by the A / D converter 53 in accordance with the instruction of the CPU 55 in the frame memory 56.
Write to. The frame memory 56 stores image data in an overwritable manner under the control of the frame memory controller 54. The image data stored in the frame memory 56 is read out by the frame memory controller 54 that has received an instruction from the CPU 55, and is input to the compression LSI 57. The image data input to the compression LSI 57 is compressed and stored in the flash memory 58. When an image based on the image data stored in the flash memory 58 is to be displayed on a display such as a computer, the computer and the electronic still camera are connected, and the image data stored in the flash memory 58 is transmitted according to a command from the CPU 55. The image data is read out and input to a computer. In the computer, the image data input to the computer is expanded, and an image based on the image data is displayed on a display of the computer.

In the above-described electronic still camera, a subject is photographed with the upper surface of the electronic still camera facing upward, and image data of the subject is displayed on a display of a computer. The image above the subject at the time is an upward image. On the other hand, when a subject is photographed with the upper surface of the electronic still camera facing, for example, left or right, and image data of the subject is displayed on a computer display, the image displayed on the display is the subject at the time of photographing. Is an image facing left or right. In order to convert the image displayed on the display into an image in which the upper side of the subject at the time of shooting is upward, the image displayed on the display is rotated 90 ° and temporarily stored in the computer. The image data representing the image once stored is generally compressed and stored in the same manner as the image data obtained by the CCD 52 of the electronic still camera is compressed and stored in the flash memory 58. When the image data that has been rotated by 90 ° and compressed and saved is expanded again and displayed on the display, an image in which the subject at the time of shooting is upward is displayed on the display.

[0005]

As described above, when an object is photographed with the upper surface of the electronic still camera facing left or right, the CCD 52 of the electronic still camera is used.
The image data obtained in the above is compressed LS of the electronic still camera
I, compressed by the computer, decompressed, displayed on the display, rotated 90 °, compressed and stored again, and then decompressed, so that the image of the subject at the time of shooting is upward on the display Is displayed. That is, the CCD 5 is held until an image in which the upper side of the subject at the time of shooting is upward is displayed on the display.
The image data obtained in 2 is compressed twice, so that the upper part of the subject at the time of shooting is smaller than when the subject is shot with the upper surface of the electronic still camera facing upward. The image displayed on the display so as to face upward has a problem that the image quality is deteriorated.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention is an electronic still camera that compresses image data obtained by an image sensor and outputs the compressed image data to the outside. For example, the present invention relates to an electronic still camera. Image data obtained by shooting the top surface to the left or right is input to a computer that displays an image based on the image data on a display, and an image is displayed on the display such that the subject at the time of shooting is upward. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic still camera that outputs compressed image data to a computer such that deterioration of image quality is prevented even when is displayed.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic still camera comprising: an image pickup device for generating image data; and compression means for compressing the image data obtained by the image pickup device. In an electronic still camera that outputs compressed image data obtained by the compression means to the outside,
At least two of a normal position with the upper surface of the electronic still camera facing upward and a vertical position with the upper surface facing left or right.
A camera attitude detection sensor for detecting a plurality of attitudes of the electronic still camera at the time of shooting, including a variety of attitudes. Is characterized by generating compressed image data representing an image having.

The electronic still camera of the present invention generates compressed image data representing an image in which the upper side of the subject at the time of photographing is upward, and outputs the compressed image data to the outside. Is output to a computer that displays an image based on the compressed image data on a display, and the compressed image data input to the computer is expanded and displayed on a display. An image in which the top of the subject at the time is upward is displayed on the display.

Therefore, in the electronic still camera of the present invention, for example, when the subject is photographed with the upper surface of the electronic still camera facing left or right, the generated compressed image data is displayed on the display of the computer. Even if there is no need to rotate or recompress the compressed image data input to the computer as in the electronic still camera described in the section of the related art, it is not necessary to rotate the image displayed on the display. Image quality degradation is prevented.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the electronic still camera according to the present invention. A subject image formed through the lens 11 is captured by the CCD 12.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a subject image captured by the CCD. The CCD 12 is a solid-state image sensor, and forms a subject image formed through a lens as shown in FIG.
It is represented by a two-dimensional image composed of pixels 20 arranged in a dimension, and generates image data corresponding to each pixel. The pixels constituting the two-dimensional image are 640 in the x direction shown in FIG.
Pixels are arranged, and 480 pixels are arranged in the y direction. Here, the symbols p _m , _n (where m is 1,
, 480, and n is 1, 2,..., 640), and each pixel is indicated by a symbol of p _m , _n . In the present embodiment, when the upper surface of the electronic still camera is facing upward at the time of shooting, the two-dimensional image of the subject is such that the direction from the bottom to the top of the subject matches the y direction shown in FIG. When the upper surface of the electronic still camera is facing left at the time of shooting, a two-dimensional image of the subject is represented such that the direction from the bottom to the top of the subject matches the x direction shown in FIG. And

When the image data is generated by the CCD 12, the image data stored in each pixel is read. The reading of the image data is performed as follows. First, the image data of the p _{1, n} shown in FIG. 2, p _{1, 1}
Are sequentially read in the x direction from the image data. p ₁ , ₆₄₀
Are read out, the image data of p ₂ and _n are sequentially read from the image data of p ₂ and _{1 in} the x direction. Hereinafter, p ₃ , _n , p ₄ , _n ,..., P
By reading each image data stored in ₄₈₀ , _n , the image data of all pixels is read. The read image data is converted by the A / D converter 13 into digital image data. The frame memory controller 14 stores the image data digitally converted by the A / D converter 13 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 15 into the frame memory 1.
Write to 6.

The frame memory 16 is also composed of a plurality of memory areas 20 in which image data representing each pixel is stored two-dimensionally arranged as shown in FIG. The data is stored in the corresponding memory areas of the plurality of memory areas 20 arranged in the same order as the two-dimensional array of these pixels. Here, the same symbols p _m , _n (where m is 1, 2,..., 480, and n is 1, 2,..., 640) are assigned to the respective pixels corresponding to the respective memory areas 20. Each memory area is also indicated by a symbol of p _m and _n similarly to each pixel.

The camera attitude detecting sensor 17 shown in FIG.
Whether the posture of the electronic still camera at the time of shooting is a normal position with the upper surface of the electronic still camera facing upward, a reverse position with the upper surface of the camera facing downward, or the upper surface of the electronic still camera facing left. It is to detect whether the posture is the first vertical position or the second vertical position with its upper surface facing right.

FIGS. 3 to 6 are explanatory views showing the principle of a camera attitude detecting sensor for detecting the attitude of the electronic still camera at the time of shooting. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the upper surface of the electronic still camera is facing up, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the upper surface is facing down, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the upper surface is facing left. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the upper surface faces right.

The camera attitude detecting sensor 17 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a sealed tube 22 filled with mercury 21 and a sealed tube 24 filled with mercury 23 are provided. Mercury 2
1. The mercury 23 moves inside the sealed tubes 22 and 24, respectively, and these two sealed tubes 22 and 24 are arranged in the electronic still camera so as to show a C-shape. Further, the mercury 21 is connected to the one end 22a side of the sealed tube 22 when the mercury 21 moves to the one end 22a side,
Two terminals 25 constituting a switch are attached, and the mercury 21 moves to one end 22a side of the sealed tube 22 and
When the two terminals 25 are connected, the switch is turned on because mercury is conductive, and the mercury 21 is connected to one end 2 of the sealed tube 22.
When the switch moves to the side 2b, the switch is turned off. On one end 24a side of the sealed tube 24, mercury 23 is
Connect to the mercury 23 when moving to the a side, another one
When two terminals 26 constituting two switches are attached, and the mercury 23 moves to one end 24a side of the sealed tube 24 and is connected to the two terminals 25, the switch is turned on and the mercury 23 is connected to the sealed tube 24. When it moves to the one end 24b side, the switch is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the switch of the sealed tube 22 and the switch of the sealed tube 24 are both turned on, the attitude of the electronic still camera 27 is changed to the normal position with its upper surface 28 facing upward. Is determined. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the switch of the sealed tube 22 and the switch of the sealed tube 24 are both turned off, the posture of the electronic still camera 27 is determined to be the reverse position with its upper surface 28 facing downward. Is done.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the switch of the sealed tube 22 is turned on and the switch of the sealed tube 24 is turned off, the attitude of the electronic still camera 27 is changed to the first position with its upper surface 28 facing left. Is determined as the vertical position. As shown in FIG. 6, when the switch of the sealed tube 22 is turned off and the switch of the sealed tube 24 is turned on, the electronic still camera 27 is turned off.
Is determined to be the second vertical position with its upper surface 28 facing right.

When the upper surface of the electronic still camera is directed obliquely upward or downward, any one of the four positions described above depends on whether the switch of the sealed tube 22 and the switch of the sealed tube 24 are on or off. It is determined that the position. When the camera posture detection sensor 17 detects that the posture of the electronic still camera at the time of photographing is the correct position, the memory controller 14 receiving the instruction of the CPU 15
Thus, the image data stored in each memory area 20 is read out as follows. First, each image data stored in p ₁ , _n (n is 1, 2,..., 640) shown in FIG. 2 is sequentially shifted from the image data stored in p ₁ , ₁ in the x direction. Is read. When the image data stored in p ₁ , ₆₄₀ is read, each image data stored in p ₂ , _n is sequentially read from the image data stored in p ₂ , ₁ in the x direction. It is. Hereinafter, similarly, the image data stored in all the memory areas 20 is read out by sequentially reading out the image data stored in p ₃ , _n , p ₄ , _n ,..., P ₄₈₀ , _n. .

When it is detected that the posture of the electronic still camera at the time of photographing is the reverse position, the image data stored in each memory area 20 is read out by the memory controller 14 which has received a command from the CPU 15. Is performed as follows. First, the image data stored in p ₄₈₀ and _n shown in FIG. 2 are sequentially read from the image data stored in p ₄₈₀ and ₆₄₀ in the direction opposite to the x direction. When the image data stored in the p _{480, 1} is read, then, contrary to the image data stored in the p _{479, n} is the x-direction from the image data stored in the p _{479, 640} Are sequentially read in the direction. Hereinafter, similarly, by reading out the respective image data stored in p ₄₇₈ , _n , p ₄₇₇ , _n ,..., P ₁ , _n , all the memory areas 2
The image data stored in 0 is read.

Also, the posture of the electronic still camera at the time of shooting.
Is the first vertical position where the upper surface of the electronic still camera faces left
Is detected in each memory area 20.
The readout of the image data is performed as follows.
Will be First, p shown in FIG._m, ₆₄₀ (M is 1, 2,
, 480) are stored as
p ₁,₆₄₀ From the image data stored in
They are read sequentially in the opposite direction. p₄₈₀,₆₄₀ Stored in
Is read, next, p_m,₆₃₉ Stored in
Each image data is p₁,₆₃₉ Stored in
Read sequentially from the image data in the direction opposite to the y direction
You. Hereinafter, in the same manner, p_m,₆₃₈ , P_m,₆₃₇,…,
p_m,₁ To read each image data stored in
From the image data stored in all the memory areas 20.
Data is read.

Also, the posture of the electronic still camera at the time of shooting.
Is the second vertical position where the upper surface of the electronic still camera faces right
Is detected in each memory area 20.
The readout of the image data is performed as follows.
Will be First, p shown in FIG._m, ₁ Each image stored in
Image data is p₄₈₀,₁ From the image data stored in
The data is sequentially read in the y direction. p₁,₁ Images stored in
When the image data is read, p_m,_Two Stored in
Each image data is p₄₈₀,_Two Image data stored in
Data is sequentially read from the data in the y direction. Hereinafter, similarly
In order p_m,_Three , P_m, _Four , ..., p_m,₆₄₀ Each stored in
By reading the image data, all the memory areas 2
The image data stored in 0 is read.

The image data read as described above is
The data is input to the compression LSI 18. The image data input to the compression LSI 18 is compressed and stored in the flash memory 19. The electronic still camera configured in this way
For example, when connected to a computer (not shown) that displays an image based on the compressed image data stored in the flash memory 19 on a display, the data stored in the flash memory 19 is output to the computer according to an instruction from the CPU 15. . In this electronic still camera, the image data representing the subject image stored in the frame memory 16 is sequentially read from image data corresponding to the upper portion of the subject image to image data corresponding to the lower portion thereof. When the input compressed image data is decompressed and an image based on the image data is displayed on the display of the computer, the image becomes an image in which the subject at the time of shooting is upward. Therefore,
For example, even if the subject is photographed with the upper surface of the electronic still camera facing left or right, simply expanding the compressed image data input to the computer, an image in which the subject is upward is displayed on the display, As before,
It is not necessary to rotate or recompress the compressed image data input to the computer, and an image with reduced image quality can be obtained.

[0024]

As described above, according to the electronic still camera of the present invention, when the generated compressed image data is input to a computer that displays an image based on the compressed image data on a display, for example, By simply expanding the input compressed image data, an image in which the upper side of the subject is upward can be obtained, and deterioration of the image quality is prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a subject image captured by a CCD.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an upper surface of the electronic still camera is facing upward.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the upper surface of the electronic still camera faces downward.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the electronic still camera faces the left side.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the electronic still camera is facing right.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a conventional electronic still camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Lens 12 CCD 13 A / D converter 14 Memory controller 15 CPU 16 Frame memory 17 Camera attitude detection sensor 18 Compression LSI 19 Flash memory

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device comprising: an image pickup device for generating image data; and a compression unit for compressing image data obtained by the image pickup device, and outputting the compressed image data obtained by the compression unit to the outside. In the still camera, a plurality of positions at the time of shooting of the electronic still camera, including at least two types of postures: a normal position with the upper surface of the electronic still camera facing upward, and a vertical position with the upper surface facing left or right. A camera posture detection sensor for detecting a posture, wherein the compression means generates compressed image data representing an image in which the upper side of the subject at the time of shooting is upward based on a detection result by the camera posture detection sensor An electronic still camera characterized by the following.