JP4931769B2 - Imaging apparatus and imaging control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging control method.

  In recent years, various sensors that have not been mounted on digital cameras have started to be mounted. For example, if an acceleration sensor that understands the gravitational direction is installed, the device direction of the camera at the time of shooting (shooting in the horizontal position or shooting in the vertical position) can be detected. Record in the file or in association with the image file, and use the recorded information to automatically rotate and display the playback image. (Images taken in the vertical position because the device orientation during playback is usually the horizontal position. Is normally displayed in a 90 ° tilted direction on either the left or right side, but this is rotated 90 degrees so that the viewing device can be displayed in the same direction as when shooting, even if the device remains in landscape orientation. Has already been implemented in some digital cameras.

  As another prior art, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the distance measurement area and the photometry area are changed to an area suitable for each shooting range depending on the camera direction at the time of shooting. Technology is also known.

  The former is a technique for appropriately reproducing shooting conditions at the time of playback, and the latter is a technique for automatically optimizing shooting conditions that change according to the direction of the apparatus at the time of shooting.

On the other hand, in recent digital cameras, functions that can accurately reflect the photographer's intentions and can manually change the shooting parameters automatically set by the photographer's experience and know-how include the shooting mode and shooting. It is provided as a parameter change / setting function. As an example of the shooting mode, there are a function that can switch the captured image to color or black and white, a self-timer time setting function for imaging delay, etc., taking advantage of the characteristics unique to digital cameras, and the shooting parameter condition correction mode And ISO sensitivity and exposure correction level change setting functions. Although these are operated relatively frequently during shooting, the operation method has not evolved much since the dawn of digital cameras. That is, a method for providing a dedicated button for setting and selecting and setting the function, or a method for reading the setting menu of the function from the menu display and selecting and setting the function individually. Improvements such as assigning objects to dedicated buttons and hierarchizing according to the frequency of use in the menu have been made, but in any case, it is necessary to select and set by pressing the button. In the worst case, a photo opportunity is missed.
JP 07-168242 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging control method capable of changing settings of various imaging modes and imaging detailed conditions without impairing the continuity of imaging operations.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 records the image pickup means, the apparatus direction determination means for determining whether the apparatus direction at the time of image pickup is the vertical position or the horizontal position , and the image data picked up by the image pickup means. Recording means for recording on a medium, image size setting means for setting the size of a monitoring image and an image to be recorded by cutting out substantially the same vertical and horizontal images from a rectangular image of the imaging means, and imaging parameter setting for setting parameters related to imaging And the imaging parameter setting unit relates to imaging depending on whether the device is a vertical position or a horizontal position determined by the device direction determination unit when imaging is performed by setting the image size to substantially the same number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions. The image pickup apparatus is characterized in that the vertical position parameter and the horizontal position parameter are automatically changed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, when the release switch for instructing execution of shooting is operated, the vertical position or the horizontal position determined by the apparatus direction determining means is used. It is characterized in that the vertical position parameter and the horizontal position parameter related to imaging are automatically changed depending on whether there is any.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the currently set parameter is displayed and / or the parameter is automatically changed by the imaging parameter setting means. It is further characterized in that a display means for displaying that automatic change has been made is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the first or second aspect, the imaging parameter of the parameter is obtained by performing a predetermined operation when changing the device direction between the vertical position and the horizontal position. Further, parameter change prohibiting means for prohibiting automatic change by the setting means is further provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the parameter change prohibiting means is configured to perform the parameter change only when a predetermined operation is performed when the device direction is changed from the vertical position to the horizontal position. The automatic change by the imaging parameter setting means is prohibited.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the currently set parameter is displayed and / or the parameter is automatically changed by the imaging parameter setting means. Further, there is further provided display means for displaying that the information has been made or displaying that the automatic change of the parameter by the imaging parameter setting means is prohibited.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the parameter relating to the imaging is a color mode (for example, a color photographing mode, a monochrome photographing mode, Sepia shooting mode).

  The invention according to claim 8 is the image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the parameter related to image pickup is image pickup sensitivity.

  The invention described in claim 9 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the parameter related to imaging is a flash emission mode.

  The invention described in claim 10 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the parameter related to imaging is a self-timer mode.

  The invention described in claim 11 is the image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the parameter related to image pickup is an exposure correction amount.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the image pickup apparatus is provided with a zoom optical system that changes a field angle at the time of image pickup. In addition, the parameter related to imaging is a zoom magnification of the zoom optical system.

  The invention described in claim 13 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the parameter related to imaging is a white balance setting value.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether the device direction at the time of imaging is the vertical position or the horizontal position, and the monitoring image and the image size to be recorded are set by cutting out substantially the same image vertically and horizontally from the rectangular image of the imaging means. The imaging control method is characterized in that a vertical position parameter and a horizontal position parameter related to imaging are automatically changed depending on whether the determined vertical position or horizontal position when imaging is performed.

  The invention described in claim 15 is the imaging control method according to claim 14, wherein the currently set parameter is displayed and / or automatically changed when the parameter is automatically changed. It is characterized by displaying the effect.

Further, the invention described in claim 16 is the imaging control method according to claim 14, wherein the automatic change of the parameter is prohibited by performing a predetermined operation when changing the device direction between the vertical position and the horizontal position. It is characterized by.

The invention described in claim 17 is the imaging control method according to claim 16, wherein the automatic change of the parameter is prohibited only when a predetermined operation is performed when the device direction is changed between the vertical position and the horizontal position. It is characterized by that.

  The invention described in claim 18 is the imaging control method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the currently set parameter is displayed and / or the parameter is automatically changed. Displaying or displaying that automatic change of the parameter is prohibited is performed.

As described above, according to the inventions according to claims 1 to 18, it is determined whether the apparatus direction at the time of imaging is the vertical position or the horizontal position, and the substantially vertical and horizontal identical images are cut out from the rectangular image of the imaging means. Since the monitoring image and the image size to be recorded are set, the vertical position parameter and the horizontal position parameter related to imaging are automatically changed depending on whether the vertical position or the horizontal position is determined when the image is captured. Thus, it is possible to change the setting of parameters related to imaging (such as various imaging modes and imaging conditions) without impairing the continuity of the imaging operation.

  In particular, color mode change, ISO sensitivity change, WB (white balance) change, etc. are setting items that were not possible with a silver halide camera. At that time, it was highly possible to miss a photo opportunity because it was necessary to interrupt the shooting operation (look away from the subject), press the menu button to call the function, select and set the camera again, and take the picture again. However, the present invention has the great advantage of not missing a photo opportunity because desired parameters (parameters related to imaging such as various imaging modes and imaging conditions) can be set without diverting the line of sight from the subject.

  Furthermore, in the inventions of claims 3 and 15, the currently set parameters are displayed and / or automatically changed when the parameters are automatically changed by the imaging parameter setting means. The photographer can easily grasp the current state.

  In the inventions according to claims 4 to 6 and claims 16 to 18, automatic change of the parameter is prohibited by performing a predetermined operation when changing the device direction. The assignment of automatic change of parameters (related to imaging such as various shooting modes and shooting conditions) can be prohibited at any time, and can be replaced.

  In particular, in the inventions according to claims 6 and 18, the currently set parameters are displayed and / or display indicating that the parameters are automatically changed or automatic change of the parameters is prohibited. Therefore, the photographer can always know the current parameter setting status and whether or not there is a change, and can improve usability.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Conventionally, in order to change the settings of parameters related to imaging such as shooting modes and shooting conditions that are often changed at the time of shooting, even when there is a dedicated button for setting, the mode button is pressed multiple times to select and set an appropriate mode Or, when there is no dedicated button, it is necessary to perform an operation of selecting and setting appropriate setting mode contents from the menu mode and displaying them, which is complicated in operation. Simplified technologies such as assigning frequently changed modes to buttons that can be easily called have been proposed, but even in these methods, once you stop holding the camera, press the setting button and set the camera again after selecting the setting. Thus, the continuity of subject observation and the continuity of willingness to shoot are hindered, and in the worst case, a photo opportunity may be missed.

  The present invention is for improving such a problem. When a mode in which the number of vertical and horizontal pixels is substantially the same (hereinafter referred to as a square mode) is set, the camera is held in the vertical position. Note that the shooting screen is almost the same even in the horizontal position (the shooting range does not change regardless of how you hold the camera), and in square mode, depending on the direction of the device (how to hold), By configuring the camera to change parameters related to imaging, such as various shooting modes and shooting conditions, operations such as button operations, which have been complicated in the past, can be simplified without any side effects such as changing the angle of view. Thus, the setting of parameters related to imaging such as various imaging modes and imaging conditions can be changed without impairing the continuity of the image.

  That is, the present invention is a square mode (photographing mode for simulating a photographed image (angle of view) and photographing feeling of a 6 × 6 format version camera in a silver halide camera (for example, Hasselblad etc.) that is installed in some cameras in recent years. ), And a vertical and horizontal position shooting angle of view (shooting range) in a rectangular image that is an original image of a CCD, which is obtained by cutting out an image having substantially the same vertical and horizontal pixels for recording and performing monitoring display and storage) (That is, the same shooting range can be cut out regardless of whether it is shot in the horizontal position or the vertical position), and a device for detecting the direction of the device is installed, and the shooting mode depends on the direction of the detected device. By automatically setting parameters related to imaging, such as shooting conditions, without side effects such as changing the angle of view, shooting modes and conditions It is possible to easily change parameters related to imaging such as a case.

  Thus, the present invention intends to simplify the operation method in a specific shooting mode.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that the imaging device is a camera. In FIG. 1, a control device (CPU) 1 has a control function for controlling the operation of a camera. Inside, a control means for performing various judgments and calculations, a time count for counting time ( Timer) means, and a volatile or non-volatile memory area for storing various set values. The configuration of the control device 1 may not be a one-chip CPU configuration, may be a configuration integrated with an image processing chip or the like, or may be a control unit including a plurality of CPUs.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the brightness of the plurality of regions is obtained by using the luminance portion of the imaging data of the plurality of regions by the image sensor 3 and is input to the control device 1 (that is, the photographing range). Electrical signals related to the brightness of the subject in a plurality of areas are detected by the image sensor 3 and input to the control device 1). Although not shown, instead of detection by the image sensor 3, a dedicated photometric sensor (driven by control from the control device 1) for detecting the brightness of the subject is provided to determine the brightness of a plurality of areas. It can also be configured.

  The first release SW (RL1SW) 4 is an SW that outputs an ON signal when the first release SW (half-press) of the release SW for shooting is pressed. The second release SW (RL2SW) 5 is an SW that outputs an ON signal when the release SW is pressed down to the second stage (fully pressed or pushed). In the example of FIG. 1, the first release SW (RL1SW) 4 and the second release SW (RL2SW) 5 are shown as separate SWs. However, in the normal hardware configuration, the first release SW (RL1SW) is shown. ) 4 and the second release SW (RL2SW) 5 are composed of the same parts, and are SWs that output a signal as described above depending on an operation (depth of pressing).

  The focus lens driving device 6 and the shutter driving device 7 are devices for performing a focusing (focus driving) operation and a light amount control (shutter driving) operation for photographing, respectively. Among these, the focus lens driving device 6 extracts a high-frequency component of the imaging data from the image sensor 3 and acquires a so-called focus evaluation value that is a material for focus determination (within a focus lens drive range (usually normal). In the case of this shooting mode, it also has a role of searching for a focus position that can be focused by scanning from the shortest shooting distance to infinity in that mode. The shutter driving device 7 is a mechanism for controlling the amount of light transmitted to the image sensor 3, and includes a configuration using an electronic shutter alone, a program shutter that mechanically opens and closes an electronic shutter controlled by the image sensor, and a diaphragm and a shutter separately. An appropriate configuration can be selected from among a merged configuration with a shutter to be controlled at once and a configuration using a mechanical shutter alone.

  The display device 8 also provides parameters related to imaging such as subject preparation prior to still image shooting, monitoring (through image) display as an observation operation, reproduction display of a captured image, shooting conditions, shooting mode, and device settings. This is a display device using a liquid crystal, an organic EL, an LED, etc. for performing menu display, setting information display, detection data display, etc. for performing pre-setting and the like. The storage device 9 is a recording device for storing and storing photographed image data after being converted into a predetermined storage format, and is a recording medium such as a built-in flash memory, a memory card, and an HDD.

  The image pickup device 3 is a device for converting a subject image incident through the photographing optical system into an electric signal and inputting the electric signal to the control device 1, such as a CCD or CMOS image pickup device. Although not shown, when the imaging device is a camera, the imaging device always includes a photographing optical system (lens). Although not shown, the imaging apparatus may include a zoom optical system (zoom lens) that changes the angle of view at the time of shooting.

  The shooting mode SW 10 is a SW for selecting and setting parameters related to imaging such as various shooting modes and shooting conditions prior to shooting, and can be selected independently (selected and set by pressing multiple times). ) Configuration, or a configuration that is selected and set in combination with a menu display. In terms of the name, when changing the shooting mode, the shooting mode SW may be used, and when setting the shooting conditions, it may be used as XX selection SW at any time.

  The menu SW11 is a SW for setting menu display. After the menu is displayed, various settings are performed by front / rear / left / right SW (not shown), decision SW (not shown), etc. SW to return to the state.

  The acceleration sensor 12 is a sensor for detecting the relative acceleration and acceleration direction of the device, the gravitational acceleration and the gravitational acceleration direction, etc., and is mounted on the camera to calculate and determine the electrical output by the control device 1. It is possible to detect the camera direction (horizontal position, vertical position (there are two types, the vertical direction with the right side down when viewed from the photographer and the vertical direction with the left side down)). . It should be noted that the power supply SW, which is not directly related to the present invention and which is not necessary to be described in general functions, the up / down / left / right SW for menu selection / determination, and the shooting range (shooting magnification) setting (zoom zoom) The zoom SW for performing the operation is not shown and described.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described. In the following, it is assumed that the imaging device is a camera. 2 to 5 are flowcharts showing the first embodiment (note that FIG. 5 is a flowchart commonly used not only in the first embodiment but also in second and third embodiments described later). Is).

  First, in FIG. 2, when the power is turned on, the camera starts monitoring (a process of repeating imaging and thinning the imaging results in accordance with the capability of the display device and continuously displaying them) and enters a shooting preparation state. (101, 102). At this time, vertical / horizontal determination processing is performed. In this state, the camera continues monitoring while waiting for an input signal of the first stage (RL1SW) of the release SW and other SW (103).

  When the first release SW is pressed in this state, the first release SW on process of FIG. 3 is performed. When the second release SW is pressed, the second release SW on process of FIG. 4 is performed. When the shooting mode button or the menu button is pressed, a corresponding predetermined operation (in this case, a shooting mode pre-selection setting operation or a shooting condition selection setting operation using a menu) is performed (104).

  And it returns to 101 again.

  By the way, in the present invention, since it is premised on the square mode (the aspect ratio of the photographing pixels is substantially the same or the screen aspect ratio of the photographed image is substantially the same), the square mode is set by pressing the photographing mode button before photographing. become. As an example, the setting of the square mode is configured such that the shooting mode button (SW) can be pressed to switch between enabling / disabling of the function itself, as shown in the process 104 of FIG. In this case, the shooting mode to be automatically switched when the vertical and horizontal positions of the camera device are detected and the details of the shooting conditions are set in advance before shooting. In the first embodiment, since the color mode setting of the photographed image is changed depending on how the camera is held in the square mode, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. (Provisional name) "is selected, and the color mode in each of the horizontal position and the vertical position can be individually set sequentially. Further, the vertical position is regarded as one (that is, the vertical position where the right side is viewed downward (hereinafter referred to as the lower right vertical position) as viewed from the photographer during normal horizontal operation), and the vertical position where the left side is positioned downward ( Hereinafter, it is configured so that it can be set whether it is regarded as the same) or as separate. When viewed separately, the color mode can be set individually for each of the horizontal position, the lower right vertical position, and the lower left vertical position, as shown in FIG. However, the color mode set in the flowchart of the first embodiment is a setting example, and is not limited to this configuration, and a specific color enhancement mode, a mode for displaying only a specific color, or the like is set. Needless to say. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, determination of how to hold the camera device (vertical / horizontal determination processing) is performed at any time during the monitoring operation (intermittent operation in the flowchart of FIG. 2) (FIG. 2). 2 of 104), the color mode is automatically set according to the determination result (222, 223, 224 in FIG. 5). In other words, even if you do not actually shoot, you can change the color mode setting just by changing the way you hold the camera, and the subject image in the monitoring image (LCD monitor in this embodiment) will be colored or black and white ( (In the case of the embodiment in which two kinds of vertical positions are detected as described above, it is also sepia). Therefore, it is a color suitable for the shooting purpose by grasping the atmosphere of the shooting screen by holding it as a test as a shooting preparation operation. It is possible to select the manner in which the mode setting is performed and hope for the actual shooting, and the convenience at the time of shooting is remarkably improved.

Here, since the implementation configuration of the color shooting mode, the monochrome shooting mode, and the sepia shooting mode (shooting mode in which the entire screen is expressed in sepia shades) is not directly related to the present invention, it will be described briefly. After image capture, when converting RGB data to YUV data, Y data is processed as usual (same as color processing), but when U and V are processed, the calculation count is set to 0 ( (Monochrome shooting mode) and calculation with an offset (Sepia shooting mode), respectively, sets the monochrome shooting mode and the sepia shooting mode. Needless to say, when normal processing is performed in all of Y, U, and V, the color photographing mode (usually the default mode) is set.
Calculation example) Black and white photography mode Y = aR + bG + cB + d is calculated as it is,
U (same for V) = xR + yG + zB + t
Calculated as x = y = z = t = 0
Sepia shooting mode Y = aR + bG + cB + d is calculated as is,
U (same for V) = xR + yG + zB + t
Calculated as x = y = z = 0, t = specific value (predetermined offset value)
Color shooting (normal) mode Y (U, V) = aR + bG + cB + d

  In the first embodiment, since the vertical and horizontal position detection and the color mode are automatically set at any time during the monitoring operation before the photographing process (release 1 (stage) SW) is performed, release 1 (stage 1) ) The shooting process itself after the SW is input is the same as the normal square mode shooting operation. When the release 1 (stage) SW is turned on, AE, AF, and focus drive process (focusing operation) are performed. (202, 203, 204 in FIG. 3), and when the release 2 (stage) SW is turned on, photographing processing, image square processing, and recording processing are performed (212 in FIG. 4). However, the square processing of the image is performed not only before recording but also during monitoring in order to monitor the captured image. A part of the captured image is cut out by the same number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the display means such as an LCD is used. The signal is thinned out according to the display capability (or cut out after thinning out) and displayed periodically.

  8 and 9 are flowcharts showing camera control of the second embodiment. Also in the second embodiment, the vertical / horizontal determination processing subroutine is the same as the processing at 102 of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment (the processing of FIG. 5 or FIG. 12 described later), and the pre-setting processing is the first setting processing. Assume that the processing is the same as the processing in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the embodiment. Further, regarding the flowchart of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the vertical / horizontal determination processing (processing at 102 in FIG. 2) during monitoring is not performed.

  In the second embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is that the vertical / horizontal determination process (vertical / horizontal determination subroutine) is not being monitored, but the release process (release 1 (stage)), as indicated by 502 in FIG. Processing) (that is, during RL1 processing). When the camera is repositioned before the release button is pressed, the position of the camera device is not detected. When the first release button is pressed, the vertical and horizontal positions are determined, and as shown in FIG. 5 or later-described FIG. 12, the color mode at the time of shooting (color shooting mode, black and white shooting mode, (sepia shooting mode)) Set. Since the monitoring (monitoring of the captured image) screen does not change just by holding the camera when preparing for shooting, it is not possible to look at the shooting screen by holding it as a test, but the camera was tilted carelessly This is advantageous from the viewpoint of power consumption because the color of the monitoring screen does not change unintentionally at times, and vertical and horizontal detection and color mode setting are not repeated repeatedly during monitoring. Also in the second embodiment, when the first release stage is pressed, the vertical / horizontal position determination and the color mode automatic setting operation are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the photographing result is as intended in advance. As a result, the subject can be observed to some extent (while the first stage of the release is pressed and the second stage of the release is pressed) (the monitoring process is not stopped in the RL1 process). if you did this).

  10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the camera control of the third embodiment. Also in the third embodiment, the vertical / horizontal determination processing subroutine is the same as the processing at 102 of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment (the processing of FIG. 5 or FIG. 12 described later), and the pre-setting processing is the first setting processing. Assume that the processing is the same as the processing in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the embodiment. Further, regarding the flowchart of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, in the third embodiment, the vertical / horizontal determination processing (processing in 102 of FIG. 2) during monitoring is not performed.

  In the third embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is that the vertical / horizontal determination process (vertical / horizontal determination subroutine) is not being monitored, as shown by 612 in FIG. 11, and the release process (release 2 (stage)). Processing) (that is, during RL2 processing), when the camera is repositioned before shooting, the position of the camera device is not detected, and even when the first release stage is pressed, Although the position is not detected, the vertical and horizontal positions of the camera are determined when the second step of the release button is pressed (immediately before shooting), and as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. Shooting mode, black and white shooting mode, and (sepia shooting mode)) are set. As described above, in the third embodiment, the object monitor (monitoring) screen does not change only by holding the camera before shooting or pressing the first release stage. The color mode cannot be confirmed while locking the in-focus position, but conversely, monitoring observation with a color image is possible until immediately before shooting (in the case of a configuration in which the monitoring process is not stopped in the RL1 process). This third embodiment is most advantageous in terms of current consumption because it can prevent vertical / horizontal position detection and color mode setting from being repeated by repeating the focus lock operation by release 1 (stage) SW processing. Also in the third embodiment, since the vertical / horizontal position determination and the color mode automatic setting operation are properly performed at the time of shooting (when the second release stage is pressed), the shooting result is as intended in advance.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the vertical / horizontal determination processing (vertical / horizontal determination subroutine) has two vertical and horizontal steps as indicated by 222, 223, and 224 in FIG. As shown in 232, 233, 234, 235, and 236 in FIG. 12, the vertical position with the right side down (lower right vertical position) as viewed from the photographer during normal shooting in the horizontal position, or the vertical position with the left side down. Supports a configuration that detects the position (lower left vertical position) (detected in three stages, horizontal position, lower right vertical position, and lower left vertical position (functions improved from two stages to three stages)) When the vertical / horizontal determination processing of Fig. 12 is used, the position determination of the camera device can be detected in three stages, and as long as it is used in the square mode, the lower right vertical position and the lower left vertical position are used. Shooting range (angle of view) Because it does not change are substantially the same, only to change the hold the camera, so that the color photographing mode, black-and-white shooting mode, the automatic change of the three types of shooting modes, such as sepia shooting mode can be.

  FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C show a color shooting mode, a black and white shooting mode, and a sepia by simply changing the way the camera is held in the horizontal position, the lower right vertical position, and the lower left vertical position, respectively, in the square mode. It is a figure which shows a mode that an imaging | photography mode can be changed automatically. In the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a), 13 (b), and 13 (c), in the square mode, the camera is simply changed to the horizontal position, the lower right vertical position, and the lower left vertical position. The shooting mode, black and white shooting mode, and sepia shooting mode can be automatically changed. (There is no side effect such as mounting the sensor for detecting the device direction and changing the angle of view of the shooting mode depending on the device direction at the time of imaging. Since it can be automatically set), it is very easy to change the shooting mode, which has been complicated in the past.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to the setting of various shooting conditions of the camera (the convenience is further improved if it is applied to the setting of various shooting conditions as well as the shooting mode). In other words, assuming that the configuration can be automatically set in three stages, the following modes can be used instead of the color shooting mode, black and white shooting mode, and sepia shooting mode setting of the above-described embodiments (vertical / horizontal determination unit, presetting unit). By setting various shooting conditions (ie, shooting sensitivity, flash firing mode, self-timer mode, exposure compensation amount, zoom magnification, white balance), parameters such as various shooting conditions can be used without side effects (change the shooting angle of view). It is possible to have a configuration that can be easily changed.

  That is, as a first example, it can be applied to ISO sensitivity (that is, imaging sensitivity) and can be ISO100 at the horizontal position, ISO400 at the lower right vertical position, ISO1600 at the lower left vertical position, and the like.

  As a second example, the present invention can also be applied to a flash emission mode. That is, it can be applied to flash control, and light emission can be prohibited at the horizontal position, automatic light emission at the lower right vertical position, forced light emission at the lower left vertical position, and the like.

  Further, as a third example, it can be applied to a self-timer mode. That is, it can be applied to self-control, and can be set to normal at the horizontal position, self-timer 2 seconds at the lower right vertical position, self-timer 10 seconds at the lower left vertical position, and the like.

  Further, as a fourth example, it can be applied to exposure correction. In other words, it can be applied to exposure correction amount control, with no correction at the horizontal position, +0.5 EV correction at the lower right vertical position, 0.5 EV correction at the lower left vertical position, and the like.

  Further, as a fifth example, it can also be applied to zoom magnification control, and can be a wide position at a horizontal position, a mean position at a lower right vertical position, a tele position at a lower left vertical position, and the like.

  As a sixth example, the present invention can also be applied to WB (white balance) control, which can be standard at the horizontal position, red enhanced at the lower right vertical position, blue enhanced at the lower left vertical position, and the like.

  The above setting examples are merely examples, and are not limited to the above setting items and numerical values. Other various scene mode settings (normal, landscape, night view, etc.), shutter speed settings (normal, high speed, low speed, etc.) Aperture value setting (normal, wide, small aperture, etc.), macro mode setting (normal, macro mode, long distance mode, etc.), image size setting (for large size printing, small size printing, WEB, etc. in square mode) ), Manual focus position setting (AF, shortest, 2 m, etc.), camera shake prevention function (present, weak, strong, etc.), etc., can be applied in various applications.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the above-described imaging device of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 14, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit 51, an apparatus direction determination unit 52 that determines an apparatus direction at the time of imaging, and a recording unit 53 that records image data captured by the imaging unit 51 on a recording medium. And an image size setting means 54 that can set the image to be recorded to substantially the same number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions, and an imaging parameter setting means 55 that can set parameters related to imaging. When imaging is performed by setting the image size to substantially the same number of pixels, a parameter related to imaging is changed according to the apparatus direction determined by the apparatus direction determining unit 52.

  Here, the parameter relating to imaging is, for example, a color mode (for example, a color shooting mode, a monochrome shooting mode, and a sepia shooting mode).

  Alternatively, the parameter related to imaging is, for example, imaging sensitivity.

  Alternatively, the parameter related to imaging is, for example, a flash emission mode.

  Alternatively, the parameter related to imaging is, for example, a self-timer mode.

  Alternatively, the parameter related to imaging is, for example, an exposure correction amount.

  Or when the zoom optical system which changes the angle of view at the time of imaging is provided in the imaging device of this invention, the said parameter relevant to imaging is the zoom magnification of a zoom optical system, for example.

  Alternatively, the parameter related to imaging is, for example, a white balance setting value.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus of the present invention includes the imaging unit 51, the apparatus direction determination unit 52 that determines the apparatus direction at the time of imaging, the recording unit 53 that records the image data captured by the imaging unit 51 on the recording medium, It has an image size setting means 54 that can set the image to be recorded to substantially the same number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions, and an imaging parameter setting means 55 that can set parameters related to imaging. The imaging parameter setting means 55 is substantially the same in the vertical and horizontal directions. By changing the parameters related to imaging (such as various shooting modes and shooting conditions) according to the device direction determined by the device direction determination means 52 when imaging with the image size set as the number of pixels, the device direction at the time of imaging is changed. Parameters related to imaging (various shooting modes, shooting conditions, etc.) can be set automatically without side effects such as changing the angle of view. It is possible to change the setting of the parameters related to imaging without impairing the continuity of operation), the change of parameters related to the imaging, such as a conventional complicated was photographing mode and the photographing condition is extremely easy.

  In other words, in the present invention, device direction determination means such as an acceleration sensor capable of detecting the device direction of the imaging device (for example, a camera) is mounted by utilizing the fact that the shooting screen is substantially the same in vertical and horizontal shooting in the square mode. By changing the imaging device (for example, camera) at the time of shooting, changing the parameters related to shooting (changing the shooting mode) while maintaining the continuity of shooting awareness (without impairing the continuity of shooting operation) The imaging apparatus (for example, a camera) can be realized that can perform a change in the shooting conditions) and is very convenient.

  A configuration excluding setting means for setting to the square mode (the number of vertical and horizontal pixels is substantially the same or the aspect ratio of the image is approximately 1: 1) is also conceivable. In this case, the image pickup apparatus can set image pickup means, device direction determination means for determining the device direction at the time of image pickup, recording means for recording image data picked up by the image pickup means on a recording medium, and parameters related to image pickup. Imaging parameter setting means, and the imaging parameter setting means is configured to automatically change parameters related to imaging according to the apparatus direction determined by the apparatus direction determination means during imaging. Such a configuration is related to imaging such as the imaging mode and imaging conditions, simply by knowing the side effects of changing the imaging screen shape and angle of view, depending on how the imaging device (eg, camera) is held at the time of imaging. It is intended to be used for parameter change settings. In this case, it is easy to set parameters related to imaging, such as shooting mode and shooting conditions, by setting in advance whether or not to automatically set by vertical / horizontal judgment and the operation at the time of vertical / horizontal detection, and changing the way you hold it during shooting. Can be changed.

  Further, in each of the above-described configuration examples, the currently set parameters (parameters related to imaging such as imaging modes and imaging conditions) are displayed and / or the parameters are automatically changed by the imaging parameter setting means. It is preferable that display means for displaying that the automatic change has been made when an error is made is further provided. Here, specifically, the display device 8 of FIG. 1 can be used as such a display means. When such a display means is provided, for example, when the currently set color mode is the color shooting mode, the color shooting mode is displayed, and the currently set color mode is the monochrome shooting mode. When it is, it is displayed that the camera is in black and white shooting mode, and when the color mode is automatically changed from color shooting mode to black and white shooting mode, the color mode is automatically changed from color shooting mode to black and white shooting mode. Thus, the photographer can easily grasp the current state.

  Further, in each of the above-described configuration examples, a parameter change prohibiting unit that further prohibits automatic change of the parameter by the imaging parameter setting unit by performing a predetermined operation when changing the device direction is provided. You can also

  In this case, the parameter change prohibiting unit can be configured to prohibit the automatic change of the parameter by the imaging parameter setting unit only when a predetermined operation is performed when the apparatus direction is changed. In such a configuration, after that (after a predetermined operation is performed), the prohibition of automatic change is canceled, and the imaging parameter setting unit is related to imaging by the device direction determined by the device direction determining unit during imaging. Automatically change parameters. Accordingly, when the automatic change by the imaging parameter setting means is prohibited only when a predetermined operation is performed at the time of changing the device direction, for example, a horizontal position (a general camera position is set in advance). )) In color mode and in vertical position monochrome shooting (assignment), for example, when changing from horizontal position to vertical position, the mode is automatically changed from color mode to black and white mode. In addition, it is possible to easily change the pre-assignment by canceling the prohibition of automatic change when returning to the horizontal position from the current state where the color mode is in the vertical position. it can. Thus, only when a predetermined operation is performed at the time of changing the apparatus direction, by using the function of the present invention that prohibits automatic change of the parameter by the imaging parameter setting means, the color mode is set in the horizontal position. It is also possible to use the camera while switching between shooting and monochrome mode shooting with a simple operation.

  Further, in the above configuration further provided with the parameter change prohibiting means, the currently set parameters (parameters related to imaging such as the imaging mode and imaging conditions) are displayed and / or the imaging parameter setting of the parameters is performed. Preferably, a display means for displaying that the automatic change by the means has been made or that the automatic change by the imaging parameter setting means of the parameter is prohibited is further provided. In this way, by displaying the presence or absence of automatic changes or changed parameters in a form that is understandable to the user, the photographer can always know the current parameter settings and whether or not they have been changed, improving usability. Can be made.

  As described above, in the configuration further provided with the parameter change prohibiting means for prohibiting automatic change of the parameter by the imaging parameter setting means by performing a predetermined operation when changing the apparatus direction, imaging is performed according to the apparatus direction at the time of imaging. It is possible to automatically set parameters related to the camera (various shooting modes, shooting conditions, etc.) without any side effects such as changing the angle of view (changing the setting of parameters related to shooting without impairing the continuity of the shooting operation) It is extremely easy to change parameters related to imaging, such as shooting modes and shooting conditions, which were complicated in the past, and prior parameters (parameters related to imaging such as various shooting modes and shooting conditions). ) Automatic change assignment at any time can be prohibited to enable replacement.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention in which the parameter change prohibiting unit is further provided. In the example of FIG. 15, it is assumed that the imaging device is a camera. Further, the imaging apparatus of FIG. 15 has the same configuration as that of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1 except that a switching prohibiting switch 13 having a function as the parameter change prohibiting means is provided.

  Here, the switch prohibiting switch 13 is a switch (SW) having a function of prohibiting automatic change of parameters (such as various shooting modes and shooting conditions) related to imaging by changing the device direction. Even if the direction of the apparatus (how to hold the camera) is changed while the switch prohibiting switch 13 is being pressed, it has a function of not automatically changing parameters related to imaging (inhibiting automatic change of parameters related to imaging). Note that the switch prohibiting switch 13 is not necessarily a dedicated SW, and may be used in combination with another SW. In addition, the parameter change prohibiting means may have another configuration other than a switch (for example, a configuration in which a photometric sensor is used and the device direction is changed while blocking the front of the lens, automatic switching is prohibited, etc.). .

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 2 when the parameter change prohibiting means is further provided. The process in FIG. 16 is the same as the process in FIG. 2 except for the automatic parameter change (automatic switching) prohibition setting process.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 5 when the parameter change prohibiting means is further provided. The process in FIG. 17 is different from the process in FIG. 5 in that processes 226 and 227 when the switch prohibiting switch 13 is turned on are further added. Note that processes 228, 229, and 230 in FIG. 17 are more generalized processes 222 and 223 in FIG. 5 (and display processes are taken into consideration).

  In the processing example of FIG. 17, whether or not automatic setting is performed and the current setting mode are displayed depending on whether automatic setting or automatic setting is prohibited. The current setting mode is displayed in red when automatically changed, and displayed in black when not automatically changed.

  18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, and 18E are diagrams for specifically explaining the process of FIG. Initially, as shown in FIG. 18A, it is assumed that the horizontal position is set to be shot in the color shooting mode.

  When a normal operation is performed in the present invention (for example, when the switch prohibition switch 13 is not operated), as shown in FIG. 18B, when the apparatus direction is changed from the horizontal position to the heel position, the color shooting mode is changed to the monochrome shooting mode. Is automatically changed (automatic switching), and the display device 8 displays "Switched to monochrome imaging mode" and displays "Monochrome imaging mode". These displays are displayed in red because they are automatically switched. Next, as shown in FIG. 18C, when the apparatus direction is changed from the heel position to the horizontal position, the monochrome imaging mode is automatically changed to the color imaging mode (automatic switching). Is displayed, and “Color shooting mode” is displayed. These displays are displayed in red because they are automatically switched.

  On the other hand, when it is desired to shoot in black and white in the horizontal position, for example, as shown in FIG. 18D, if the apparatus direction is changed from the horizontal position to the heel position while pressing the switch prohibiting switch 13, the color shooting mode is changed to the black and white shooting mode. The automatic change (automatic switching) is prohibited, and the state in the color photographing mode is maintained. At this time, the display device 8 displays “automatic switching is prohibited” and “color photographing mode”. These displays are displayed in black because automatic switching was not performed. Next, as shown in FIG. 18 (e), when the apparatus direction is changed from the heel position to the horizontal position without pressing the switch prohibition switch 13, the color photographing mode is automatically changed (automatic switching) from the color photographing mode to the display device 8. “Switched to black and white photography mode” is displayed, and “Black and white photography mode” is displayed. These displays are displayed in red because they are automatically switched.

  As described above, when parameter change prohibiting means is further provided, it is possible to replace the prior parameters (in the examples of FIGS. 18A, 18D, and 18E, the shooting mode). it can.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the imaging apparatus of the present invention in the case where parameter change prohibiting means is further provided. Referring to FIG. 19, the imaging apparatus of the present invention in the case where the parameter change prohibiting means is further provided is such that the parameter change prohibiting means 56 is further added to the configuration of FIG. 14.

In the configuration of FIG. 19, since the parameter change prohibiting unit 56 is further provided, in addition to the effect obtained when the parameter change prohibiting unit 56 is not provided, the prior parameters (various shooting modes, shooting conditions, etc.) are further provided. The automatic change assignment of the parameters related to the imaging) can be prohibited at any time and can be replaced.

It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the imaging device which concerns on this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd Example of the imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd Example of the imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 3rd Example of the imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 3rd Example of the imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other Example of the imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that a color photography mode, a black-and-white photography mode, and a sepia photography mode can be changed automatically only by changing how to hold a camera in the square mode. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the imaging device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the imaging device of this invention in which the parameter change prohibition means was further provided. FIG. 3 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 2 when parameter change prohibiting means is further provided. FIG. 6 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 5 when parameter change prohibiting means is further provided. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of FIG. 17 concretely. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the imaging device of this invention in case the parameter change prohibition means is further provided.

Explanation of symbols

1 Control device (CPU)
3 Image sensor 4 First release SW
5 Second release SW
6 Focus lens driving device 7 Shutter driving device 8 Display device 9 Storage device 10 Shooting mode SW
11 Menu SW
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Acceleration sensor 13 Switch prohibition switch 51 Imaging means 52 Apparatus direction determination means 53 Recording means 54 Image size setting means 55 Imaging parameter setting means 56 Parameter change prohibition means

Claims (18)

Imaging means, apparatus direction determining means for determining whether the apparatus direction at the time of imaging is vertical or horizontal, recording means for recording image data captured by the imaging means on a recording medium, and a rectangular image of the imaging means. An image size setting means for setting the size of the monitoring image and the image to be recorded by cutting out the same image, and an imaging parameter setting means capable of setting parameters related to imaging, wherein the imaging parameter setting means are substantially the same in the vertical and horizontal directions. the automatic change a parameter of the device direction parameter for longitudinal position a vertical position determined whether the lateral position whether the determination means by associated imaging and for lateral position when imaging image size is set to the number of pixels An imaging apparatus characterized by: The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a release switch for instructing the execution of the shooting is operated, for longitudinal location associated with imaging by either a vertical position is either horizontal position determined by the apparatus direction determining means imaging apparatus characterized by automatically changing the parameters of the parameter and the lateral position of the. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the currently set parameter is displayed and / or automatically changed when the parameter is automatically changed by the imaging parameter setting means. An image pickup apparatus, further comprising display means for displaying the effect. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined operation is performed when changing the apparatus direction between the vertical position and the horizontal position , and parameter change for prohibiting automatic change of the parameter by the imaging parameter setting means. An imaging apparatus, further comprising a prohibiting unit. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the parameter change prohibiting unit automatically changes the parameter by the imaging parameter setting unit only when a predetermined operation is performed when the device direction is changed between the vertical position and the horizontal position. An image pickup apparatus that is prohibited. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the currently set parameter is displayed and / or an indication that the parameter is automatically changed by the imaging parameter setting means or the parameter is displayed. An image pickup apparatus, further comprising display means for displaying that automatic change by the image pickup parameter setting means is prohibited. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter related to imaging is a color mode. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter related to imaging is imaging sensitivity. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter related to imaging is a flash emission mode. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the parameter related to imaging is a self-timer mode. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter related to imaging is an exposure correction amount. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the zoom optical system that changes the angle of view at the time of imaging is provided in the imaging apparatus, the parameter related to imaging is An image pickup apparatus having a zoom magnification of a zoom optical system. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter related to imaging is a white balance setting value. Determine whether the device direction is vertical or horizontal as the device direction at the time of image capture, cut out the same image vertically and horizontally from the rectangular image of the image capture means, set the monitoring image and the image size to be recorded, and use the determined vertical position at the time of image capture An imaging control method characterized by automatically changing a vertical position parameter and a horizontal position parameter related to imaging depending on whether there is a horizontal position or not . 15. The imaging control method according to claim 14, wherein the currently set parameter is displayed and / or when the automatic change of the parameter is made, a display indicating that the automatic change has been made is performed. Imaging control method. 15. The imaging control method according to claim 14, wherein automatic change of the parameter is prohibited by performing a predetermined operation when changing a device direction between a vertical position and a horizontal position . 17. The imaging control method according to claim 16, wherein the automatic change of the parameter is prohibited only when a predetermined operation is performed when the device direction is changed between the vertical position and the horizontal position . 18. The imaging control method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the currently set parameter is displayed and / or display that the parameter is automatically changed or automatic change of the parameter is prohibited. An imaging control method characterized by performing a display to the effect.

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