JPH1184482A - Digital electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a large number of images store with a small number of storage elements, to eliminate the need of the excess direction change and the recompression of image data and to prevent the deterioration in quality of the image data by compressing/storing the image data in the correct direction. SOLUTION: A temporary image storage part 4 temporarily stores images formed on an image pickup element, after the images are converted into digital signals. A left and right direction attitude detecting part 10 discriminates whether the direction held by a photographer is a vertical or horizontal one and an up and down direction attitude detecting part 11 detects the fact that the photographer faces the camera upward or downward. A direction discriminating part 12 discriminates the directions of the images from the detected results of the horizontal and vertical direction posture detecting parts 10 and 11. A data compressing part 5 reads-out the digital signals of the temporary image storage part 4 and decides read-out starting positions and reading directions according to the discriminated result of the direction deciding part 12 to compress them, while reading them out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital electronic still camera, and more particularly, to a lens unit, an image pickup device for connecting a subject image passing through the lens unit, and an image formed on the image pickup device, which is converted into a digital signal. A digital electronic still camera having a data storage unit for storing data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a digital electronic still camera of this type, the aspect ratio of a photographed image is not one-to-one as in a film camera, and a photographer is required to hold the camera in accordance with the shape and orientation of a subject. It is common to change the image vertically or horizontally to shoot.

In a conventional digital electronic still camera, image data is stored in the vertical direction of the camera regardless of the direction of the camera at the time of image capturing. Processing had to be performed.

A digital electronic still camera has a detecting means for detecting the attitude of the camera, and has a function of storing image data in a correct direction using direction information from the detecting means when the camera is held in a vertical direction. The method is disclosed in
No. 144434 and JP-A-62-67981.

In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-143434, the order of reading out the image pickup signals can be changed in accordance with the attitude signal from the attitude detection means, and information on the number of horizontal and vertical pixels constituting the image is provided. Has a means for storing. However, the attitude detecting means does not consider the inclination of the camera in the front-rear direction, and when the camera is held in a direction parallel to the zenith or the ground, it misrecognizes the slight inclination of the camera in the lateral direction and erroneously recognizes it. Output directional information.

Normally, image data is stored after being subjected to image compression processing in order to increase the number of images to be stored in the storage device in the camera. In general, a digital electronic still camera uses a JPEG format compression method having a high compression rate. Has adopted. This compression method is an irreversible data compression method that enhances the continuity of the same pixel data by slightly changing or changing adjacent pixel data so that the visual image quality is not significantly reduced in order to increase the compression rate. Once compression is performed in the wrong direction, the direction of the image data is changed on an external data processing device, and if necessary, JP
Since the data is stored in the data in the EG format, there is a problem that the image quality is further reduced.

FIGS. 10A to 10F are image data change state diagrams. Referring to FIG. 10, an operation in a case where image data is compressed while an upper and lower part of a subject image is erroneously compressed when compressing image data,
The operation when the data direction is changed and recompressed by an external data processing device such as a personal computer will be described.

FIGS. 10A to 10F show the arrangement of data for each pixel in the image storage unit. The alphabet indicates R: red, B: blue, G: green, and the suffix is the lightness of each color. For example, if FIG. 10A shows the arrangement of data as it was at the time of photographing, the R ₂
Pixel is 1 changes the brightness, compressing Change the image data as R ₁ pixels are continuous. As a result, the image data differs from the original image (FIG. 10A) as shown in FIG. The original data at the time of shooting is shown in FIG.
If a (d) are interchanged R ₁ pixel of c rows B ₁ pixel and d columns in FIG. 10 (d), the enhanced continuity of the image data.

As described above, in the JPEG format in which image data is compressed while changing the image data, if the image is compressed while the vertical direction of the image is incorrect, the external data processing device, for example, a personal computer or the like, changes the image data vertically and horizontally. Need to be compressed again.

Now, the image data in the state shown in FIG. 10B or FIG.
When EG compression is performed, respectively, FIG.
The state shown in FIG. 10F is obtained, and the original data is two-stage lower than the original data shown in FIG. 10A or 10D in terms of image quality. For this reason, when performing compression in the camera, it is important to determine the vertical direction of the subject without error.

In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-67981, after the inclination of the camera is detected by the detecting means, only the image direction information is additionally stored without changing the image data. Therefore, it is not suitable for compressibility of data and storage of a large amount of image data. In addition, although reference is made to the detection of the inclination in the front-rear direction, no correction is made for the function of correcting the direction information when the lens is shot with the lens facing the ground or the zenith.

[0012]

In the above-mentioned conventional digital electronic still camera, when the lens is aimed at the ground or the zenith, the vertical direction of the subject cannot be specified by the direction of gravity, so that the image is taken in the wrong direction. There is a problem that the orientation of the image is changed.

Further, if the image direction is erroneously detected and the image data is compressed in the wrong direction, the image cannot be displayed in the correct direction on the external data display device, so that the data must be changed. Furthermore, after changing the data, JP
By performing image compression in the EG format or the like, double irreversible (data destructive) compression is performed, and there is a problem that image quality with respect to the original image is reduced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a small and lightweight digital electronic still camera that stores many images with a small number of storage elements by compressing and storing image data in a correct direction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable digital electronic still image having improved image reproducibility by eliminating the need for extra direction change and recompression of image data and preventing image data quality from deteriorating. It is to provide a camera.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a digital electronic still camera in which the operation of changing the direction of image data is omitted and operability is improved.

[0017]

A digital electronic still camera according to the present invention converts a lens section, an image pickup element connecting an image of a subject passing through the lens section, and an image formed on the image pickup element into a digital signal. In a digital electronic still camera having a data storage unit for storing and storing, a left-right orientation detection unit that determines whether the orientation of the photographer is vertical or horizontal, and that the photographer is directly above or below And a direction determination unit that determines an image direction based on the detection results of the left-right posture detection unit and the up-down posture detection unit.

The digital electronic still camera according to the present invention may further include a temporary image storage section for temporarily storing the digital signal obtained by converting the image formed on the image sensor, and A data compression unit for performing compression while determining the read start position and read direction of the digital signal in the temporary image storage unit and performing compression while reading the digital signal; May be stored.

In the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention, when the up-down orientation detecting section detects that the photographer is facing directly upward or downward, the direction judging section detects the photographing direction of the left-right orientation detecting section. The result may be invalidated and the image direction may be determined to be horizontal erect.

[0020] The digital electronic still camera of the present invention may further include a direction instruction button for the photographer to set the vertical direction of the subject.

In the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention, the instruction information from the direction instruction button may be prioritized over the direction information from the left-right orientation detection unit or the up-down orientation detection unit.

In the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention, the vertical posture detecting section may include a mercury switch having an elliptical tube.

[0023]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the device configuration. In FIG. 1, when a photographer presses a shutter button 1, an image of a subject is formed on a solid-state imaging device 3 through a lens unit 2. The image data of the subject converted into a digital signal by the solid-state imaging device 3 is temporarily stored in the temporary image storage unit 4. The image data stored in the temporary image storage unit 4 is compressed by the data compression unit 5 in an image compression format such as JPEG and stored in the data storage unit 6.

The image data stored in the data storage unit 6 can be taken out to the personal computer 9 through the image reading unit 7 and the personal computer interface 8. The personal computer interface 8 may be switched to an analog signal type interface and connected to an image display device such as a video monitor.
Alternatively, the data storage unit 6 itself may be made detachable and directly connected to the personal computer 9 or the like.

The horizontal orientation detector 10 has mercury switches 21a and 21b, and detects whether the photographer holds the viewfinder in the horizontal or vertical direction when holding the camera. The vertical orientation detection unit 11 has a mercury switch 22, and detects whether or not the lens is directed to the ground or the zenith when the photographer holds the camera. When the lens is directed to the ground or the zenith, it cannot be detected whether the camera's viewfinder is used vertically or horizontally by detecting the direction of gravity. It is the direction determination unit 12 that determines the camera posture based on both detection results of the posture detection unit 11.

Next, the operation will be described.

First, the operation of the left / right orientation detection unit 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing installation angles of the mercury switches 21a and 21b. l: m is the temporary image storage unit 4
Is the aspect ratio. Mercury switches 21a, 21b
Are installed at angles perpendicular to the diagonals of FIG. Whether the camera is oriented vertically or horizontally is identified based on whether or not the inclination of the camera in the left-right direction exceeds the angle of each diagonal line.

In FIG. 3, when gravity acts in the direction of the arrow, the mercury switch 21a is turned on and the mercury switch 21b is turned off, and it is determined that the camera is rotated left and is oriented vertically. Similarly, if the mercury switches 21a and 21b are respectively ON: ON, the mercury switches 21a, 21b are erected in the horizontal direction, and OFF: OFF.
If it is, then it is inverted (reverse) in the horizontal direction. (See items 3 to 6 in FIG. 7) As shown in FIG. 4, if the camera is set up in such a manner as to take a document on a desk, for example, if the camera is slightly tilted to the left, it will be shown in FIG. Left and right posture detector 1
0 indicates the same determination result as when the camera is held in the vertical direction. (Refer to item 5 in FIG. 7) The vertical orientation detection unit 11 is provided to eliminate the erroneous recognition. As shown in FIG. 6, the vertical orientation detection unit 11 has a mercury switch 22 installed in parallel with the lens axis. The mercury switch 22 increases the range in which the camera can be recognized as horizontal when the lens is not facing the ground or zenith by making the tube oval.

When the direction of gravity is in the OFF range shown in FIG. 6, the mercury switch 22 is turned off.
It is determined that the camera is horizontal, and
Is valid, otherwise, that is, if the mercury switch 22 is ON, it is determined that the lens is facing the ground or the zenith, and the detection direction of the left / right attitude detector 10 is invalidated. If invalid, the direction determination unit 12 informs the data compression unit 5 of the lateral orientation erect, which is the standard posture, as the image direction. FIG. 7 is a view showing a result of the determination by the direction determination unit 12. As shown in FIG. The above-mentioned determination results are summarized.

FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams for reading out image data for each object image direction. Based on the direction information from the direction determination unit 12, the data compression unit 5 determines the data read start position and the read direction from the temporary image storage unit 4 in FIG.
(A) to (d) are sequentially read out in accordance with the order of each posture, and image compression is performed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration according to the second embodiment of this invention. Referring to FIG. 9, a direction instruction button 31 is added to the input of the direction determination unit 12 as compared with the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. Using the direction instruction button 31, the photographer can clearly specify the vertical direction of the subject. This is used when the lens is facing the ground or the zenith and it is determined that the direction is indeterminate only by the gravity sensing type mercury switch, or exceptionally when the photographer wants to invalidate the direction determination function of the camera. The direction information from the direction instruction button 31 has priority over the direction information from the left-right posture detection unit 10 or the up-down posture detection unit 11.

With the addition of the direction instruction button 31, it is possible to reliably specify the vertical direction of the subject image, and to prevent the image from being compressed in the wrong direction when compressing the image.
A decrease in image quality can be prevented.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the vertical orientation is detected in addition to the horizontal orientation of the camera, the orientation of the camera can be determined even if the lens is pointed at the ground or the zenith. There is an effect that there is no erroneous recognition and no unnecessary direction change operation is performed.

Further, since the vertical direction of the subject photographing is specified and the image is compressed in that direction, the number of stored image data is increased, and the image data quality when the image data direction is changed and recompressed again later This has the effect of preventing a decrease in

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration according to a first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus configuration.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an installation angle of a mercury switch of a left-right attitude detection unit.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a camera posture.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a camera posture and a mercury switch.

FIG. 6 shows ON and O of a mercury switch of a vertical position detecting unit.
It is a figure showing FF angle.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a determination result of a direction determination unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating image data readout for each subject image direction.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration according to a second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 10 is an image data change state diagram.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shutter button 2 Lens part 3 Solid-state image sensor 4 Temporary image storage part 5 Data compression part 6 Data storage part 7 Image readout part 8 Personal computer interface 9 Personal computer 10 Left-right orientation detection part 11 Vertical orientation detection part 12 Direction determination part 21a, 21b Mercury switch 22 Mercury switch 31 Direction indicating button

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A digital electronic still camera having a lens unit, an image sensor for connecting a subject image passing through the lens unit, and a data storage unit for converting an image formed on the image sensor into a digital signal and storing the digital signal. In, a left-right orientation detection unit that determines whether the orientation held by the photographer is vertical or horizontal, a vertical orientation detection unit that detects that the photographer is facing directly above or below, the left-right orientation A digital electronic still camera, comprising: a posture detection unit; and a direction determination unit that determines an image direction based on a detection result of the vertical direction posture detection unit. 2. A temporary image storage unit for temporarily storing the digital signal obtained by converting an image formed on the image sensor, and the digital image data stored in the temporary image storage unit according to a determination result of the direction determination unit. A data compression unit that determines a read start position and a read direction and performs compression while reading the signal, wherein the data storage unit stores the compressed data from the data compression unit and the image direction data from the direction determination unit. The digital electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital still camera is stored. 3. When the vertical orientation detection unit detects that the photographer is facing directly upward or downward, the direction determination unit invalidates the detection result of the left / right orientation detection unit and changes the image direction. 3. The digital electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital electronic still camera is determined to be erect in the horizontal direction. 4. The digital electronic still camera according to claim 1, further comprising a direction instruction button for setting a vertical direction of a subject by a photographer. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein instruction information from said direction instruction button is prioritized over direction information from said left-right posture detection section or said up-down direction posture detection section. Digital electronic still camera. 6. The digital electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein the vertical orientation detection unit includes a mercury switch having an elliptical tube.