JP2007074550A - Device and method for setting photographic condition, and camera including photographic condition setting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic condition setting device having at least a scene selection mode, capable of rapidly and reliably performing a photographic scene selection setting operation before photographing in the scene selection mode so as to easily set a photographic condition, and to provide a photographic condition setting method, and a camera including the photographing condition setting device. <P>SOLUTION: The photographic condition setting device has at least the scene selection mode, as one of photographing modes, by which the photographic conditions corresponding to the situation of an object to be photographed are collectively and automatically set by selecting photographic scenes which correspond to the specific photographic scene of the object to be photographed. The device comprises: an event setting part 10d for setting the kinds of events to be photographed; and a display control part 10c for displaying the display order of the photographic scenes by differing on a photographic scene selection screen to select the photographic scenes in response to event information which is set by an event setting part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing condition setting device, a photographing condition setting method, and a camera including the photographing condition setting device, and more specifically, a photographing condition setting device and a photographing condition setting method having a photographing mode for collectively setting photographing conditions according to a subject situation. And a camera equipped with the photographing condition setting device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a digital camera or the like that includes an imaging device that photoelectrically converts a subject image and that can record an image signal acquired thereby as digital data on a predetermined recording medium (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera or the like). Is widely spread.

  In order to obtain image data representing a good and high-quality image by performing a photographing operation using such a conventional camera or the like, the conditions of the subject to be photographed, the surrounding environmental conditions to be photographed, etc. Accordingly, it is necessary to set in advance prior to the shooting operation so that various settings regarding the shooting operation are appropriate.

  In a conventional camera or the like, various setting items are provided so as to cope with various subject situations. For example, setting items related to exposure control such as shutter speed value, aperture value, exposure correction value, ISO speed (ISO speed), setting items related to white balance (WB), setting items related to image quality adjustment processing such as contrast and sharpness, There are many various setting items such as setting items related to image data recording processing such as image size and data compression processing.

  When performing a shooting operation using a conventional camera or the like, the user must fully understand the technical meaning of the various setting items as described above and respond to the situation at hand. Appropriate settings are ideal for capturing high-quality images.

  However, there are many terms that are unfamiliar with various technical or technical names used in various setting items for photographers, especially beginners related to photography, and so are unfamiliar with these specialized knowledge. It is one of difficult operations for an unsatisfactory user or the like to surely make optimal settings for various setting items according to the conditions of the subject.

  Therefore, in a conventional camera, as an aspect of shooting operation (referred to as a shooting mode), an item representing a shooting scene corresponding to a specific shooting scene of the shooting target is selected to respond to the shooting target situation. Some of the photographing modes include at least a so-called scene selection mode in which optimum photographing conditions (such as various setting values for a plurality of setting items) can be set automatically.

  This scene selection mode includes a so-called automatic shooting mode in which all shooting conditions are automatically set, and a manual (manual) shooting mode in which a photographer can arbitrarily set almost all shooting conditions. This is an intermediate shooting mode.

  In other words, in this scene selection mode, various setting values (shooting conditions; scene data) that are optimum for each shooting scene are prepared in advance, assuming various shooting scenes in consideration of various shooting environments and subject conditions. Prior to the shooting operation, the user selects and designates one of a plurality of shooting scenes prepared in advance according to the subject situation for which the shooting operation is to be performed. Setting values and the like are automatically set inside the camera.

  Each shooting scene is given a name that easily represents each shooting environment and subject situation. For example, portrait, landscape, night view, night view & portrait, selfie, commemorative photo, fireworks, sports, macro, beach & snow, candle, sunset, high key, document, etc.

  For cameras having such a scene selection mode, various proposals have conventionally been made, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2001-352485 and 2005-130184.

  The means disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-352485 considers the progress of a plurality of events (events) in which subject conditions change when performing a series of shooting operations using the scene selection mode. The sequence and time of the shooting scene corresponding to each event are programmed, and various setting values corresponding to each shooting scene are automatically switched according to this program.

Further, the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-130184 is based on shooting conditions (date information, time information, map information, etc.) and ambient brightness information, and a shooting scene that matches the conditions is taken. It is displayed preferentially so that a desired shooting scene can be easily selected from a large number of shooting scenes.
JP 2001-352485 A JP-A-2005-130184

  In the conventional camera having the scene selection mode as described above, it is desirable to prepare more shooting scenes in order to always obtain a good shot image according to various shooting situations.

  However, as the number of shooting scenes prepared in advance increases, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to select a desired shooting scene prior to shooting.

  Further, according to the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-352485, it is necessary to create a program in advance in consideration of a series of shooting operations. There is a problem of becoming. At the same time, for example, some trouble may occur during a series of events that are the subject of the shooting operation. In such a case, there will be a discrepancy between the flow of the program created in advance and the flow of the actual event, and the program may become completely meaningless. Absent.

  On the other hand, according to the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-130184, it is unlikely that a shooting scene suitable for the shooting situation can always be selected reliably.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to select a shooting scene corresponding to a specific shooting scene of the shooting target and to perform shooting according to the situation of the shooting target. In a shooting condition setting device that has at least one scene selection mode that automatically sets conditions as a shooting mode, select and set a shooting scene according to the shooting situation prior to shooting in the scene selection mode. It is to provide a photographing condition setting device, a photographing condition setting method, and a camera equipped with the photographing condition setting device capable of easily setting photographing conditions by enabling the operation to be performed quickly and reliably. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the shooting condition setting device according to the present invention automatically selects shooting conditions corresponding to specific shooting scenes to be shot, and automatically sets shooting conditions according to the shooting target situation. In an imaging condition setting device having at least a scene selection mode set as one of the imaging modes, an event setting unit for setting the type of event to be imaged and shooting according to event information set by the event setting unit And a display control unit configured to display a plurality of shooting scenes in different display orders on a shooting scene selection screen for selecting a scene.

  According to the present invention, a scene selection mode in which shooting conditions corresponding to a situation of a shooting target are automatically set all at once by selecting a shooting scene corresponding to a specific shooting scene of the shooting target is one of the shooting modes. In the shooting condition setting device provided at least as one, shooting can be performed easily by quickly and surely performing an operation of selecting and setting a shooting scene according to a shooting situation before shooting in the scene selection mode. It is possible to provide an imaging condition setting device and an imaging condition setting method capable of setting conditions, and a camera including the imaging condition setting device.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
One embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking as an example a shooting condition setting device provided in a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) and a shooting condition setting method executed by the shooting condition setting device. is there.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a camera provided with an imaging condition setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back side. FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing an outline of an electrical internal configuration mainly in the camera of FIG. In FIG. 2, only main components directly related to the imaging condition setting device of the present embodiment are illustrated.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main configuration of operation modes that can be executed in the camera of FIG. FIG. 4 is a chart showing shooting order display order data stored in advance in the camera ROM of FIG. FIG. 5 is a chart showing various setting values (shooting conditions) corresponding to typical shooting scenes among a plurality of shooting scenes prepared in advance in the camera of FIG.

  6, 7, and 8 are illustrations of event selection menu display screens in the camera of FIG. 1, and show changes in display when each predetermined operation is performed. 9 and 10 are examples of the display screen of the scene selection menu in the camera of FIG. Among these, FIG. 9 shows a display example of the scene selection menu at the normal setting. FIG. 10 shows a display example of the scene selection menu when “athletic meet” is selected as the selected event.

  11, 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the operation of the camera of FIG. Among these, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of control processing performed by an operation in selecting a desired event and a shooting scene in the scene selection mode. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the event selection menu process of FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the scene selection menu process of FIG.

  First, a schematic configuration of a camera provided with an imaging condition setting device according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 1 including the imaging condition setting device of the present embodiment includes a display device 17 that is arranged with a display screen for displaying an image on the back side of the camera body facing outside, Various operation members respectively disposed at predetermined positions in a region on the right side of the camera main body, such as a zoom lever 42, an up / down / left / right direction button 43, a determination button (OK button) 44, a menu display button 45, and the like. And a shutter release button 41, which is an operation member that is disposed at a predetermined position on the upper right side of the upper surface of the camera body and instructs a photographing operation.

  When the camera 1 is in the shooting operation mode, the display device 17 serves as an electronic viewfinder by receiving a signal from an image sensor 12 (see FIG. 2) described later and displaying a subject image. On the other hand, when the camera 1 is in the playback operation mode, the display device 17 responds based on image data that has been acquired and recorded on a recording medium (an image storage memory 18 described later, see FIG. 2). It serves as an image display device that displays an image to be displayed, related information, and a menu display that is a setting screen for performing various settings of the camera 1. As the display device 17, for example, a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or the like is applied.

  The zoom lever 42 is an operation member formed by a pair of operation members of a T button and a W button. The zoom lever 42 is used to perform a zooming operation of the photographic lens 11 (see FIG. 2) described later when the camera 1 is in the photographic operation mode, and operates the T button to make the photographic lens 11 have a long focal point. By operating the W button toward the (telephoto) side, the zooming operation can be performed with the photographic lens 11 directed toward the short focus (wide angle) side. Further, the zoom lever 42 is used when switching the playback image being displayed on the display screen when the camera 1 is in the playback operation mode. In other words, each operation of the T button and the W button of the zoom lever 42 is used to perform switching operation between index display and single frame playback display during the index display operation, and enlargement display and reduction display of the image during the single frame playback operation. Switching operation can be performed.

  The up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43 includes a U button 43a which is an upward direction button, a D button 43b which is a downward direction button, an L button 43c which is a left direction button, and an R button 43d which is a right direction button. It is comprised by. The up / down / left / right direction instruction buttons 43 serve as an operation member for selecting an image when the camera 1 is in the reproduction operation mode. Further, it is used for selecting each menu item during the menu display operation.

  The determination button 44 is an operation member that is operated when determining an item or the like that is selected by operating an operation member such as the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43 described above.

  The menu display button 45 is an operation member that calls a setting screen (main menu screen) for performing various settings in the camera 1. For example, by operating the menu display button 45 when the camera 1 is in the shooting operation state, a main menu screen that displays a list of setting items related to the shooting operation is displayed.

  Then, by performing a predetermined operation using the above-described up / down / left / right direction instruction buttons 43 and the determination button 44 on the main menu screen, an event selection menu screen which is an event selection screen described later among the menu items (FIG. 6). (Refer to FIG. 8). Details of the operation in this case will be described later.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the main internal configuration of the camera 1 includes a CPU 10 that is a control unit, a photographing lens 11 including an optical lens, an imaging element 12 such as a CCD that performs photoelectric conversion processing, and a predetermined number. The image pickup unit 13 that performs the signal processing and outputs the digital image signal, the image buffer memory 14 that receives and temporarily stores the output signal (digital image signal) from the image pickup unit 13, and the image buffer memory 14 temporarily An image processing unit 15 that reads a stored digital image signal and performs predetermined image signal processing, a display unit 17a that constitutes a part of the display device and includes a display screen, and drive control of the display unit 17a A display drive unit 16 that performs image processing, an image storage memory 18 that is a recording medium for storing and storing image data of a predetermined recording format, and compression processing and expansion processing of image signals Such a compression / expansion unit 19, a flash unit 20 as a flash light emitting device, a ROM (ROM) 21 in which various programs and data are stored in advance, an operation unit 22 linked to the various operation members, and the like. It is mainly composed by.

  The CPU 10 includes an imaging device 12, an imaging unit 13, an image buffer memory 14, an image processing unit 15, a display driving unit 16, a display unit 17a, an image storage memory 18, a compression / decompression unit 19, a flash unit 20, a ROM 21, an operation unit 22, and the like. These components are electrically connected directly or indirectly by signal lines.

  The CPU 10 receives the instruction signals from the operation unit 22 linked to the various operation members and the like, generates various operation instruction signals, and controls the driving of each component member. It is a control part to control.

  The CPU 10 is configured to include an imaging condition setting device 10b that performs setting control of various setting values (hereinafter referred to as imaging conditions) in response to an instruction signal from the operation unit 22, a timer 10a that performs timing, and the like. .

  The shooting condition setting device 10b of the CPU 10 is a functional unit realized by the CPU 10 executing a program stored in the ROM 21, and performs display control of an event selection menu, a scene selection menu, and the like during the shooting condition setting operation. The display control unit 10c, the event setting unit 10d for setting the type of event to be photographed upon receiving information about the event item selected by the user's operation instruction, and the event information set by the event setting unit 10d Each function unit includes a recommended scene determination unit 10e that determines a recommended shooting scene from among a plurality of shooting scenes prepared according to each.

  The display control by the display control unit 10c is, for example, on a shooting scene selection screen (scene selection menu screen to be described later; see FIGS. 9 and 10) for selecting a shooting scene according to event information set by the event setting unit 10d. Display control such as displaying the shooting scenes in different order is performed.

  The compression / decompression unit 19 receives an output signal from the image processing unit 15, performs a predetermined compression process on the output signal, generates image data in an optimal form for recording in the image storage memory 18, This is a circuit unit that performs signal processing such as reading image data recorded in the storage memory 18, performing expansion processing on the image data, and restoring the image signal to be handled inside the camera 1.

  The ROM 21 stores, for example, shooting scene display order data corresponding to each event (see FIG. 4), data relating to various shooting conditions corresponding to various shooting scenes (see FIG. 5), and images representing the shooting scenes. Data (icon data indicating symbols, numerical values, languages, etc.) and text data, various control programs, and the like are stored in advance. By using a rewritable semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM, the ROM 21 can arbitrarily add desired data as required.

  The operation unit 22 is not illustrated in addition to the shutter release button 41, the zoom lever 42, the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43, the enter button 44, the menu display button 45, etc. And a switch corresponding to various operation members such as a shooting mode selection switching operation member, a shooting / playback operation switching button, a flash mode setting button, and an image deletion button.

  Among these, for example, the shooting mode selection switching operation member is an operation member provided for selecting a plurality of shooting modes (see FIG. 3) prepared as described later.

  The display unit 17a receives an output from the display driving unit 16 and displays an image, or displays various setting screens (menu screens, etc.) in the camera 1 and condition information regarding set shooting conditions. Is.

  The display driving unit 16 performs image signal processing for generating image data for reproduction in an optimal form for display using the display unit 17a, or displays information based on data read from the ROM 21 by the CPU 20 or the like. It is a circuit unit that performs display processing for displaying on the display screen of the unit 17a.

  In the camera 1 configured as described above, the operation of the imaging condition setting device of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 10, 11, 12, and 13.

  First, the main configuration of the operation mode (operation mode) of the camera 1 is as shown in FIG. That is, the operation mode of the camera 1 is roughly divided into two main modes: a shooting operation mode and a reproduction operation mode. Among these, the shooting operation modes include a still image shooting mode for shooting still images and a moving image shooting mode for shooting moving images.

  In the still image shooting mode, a plurality of shooting modes are prepared depending on differences in various shooting condition setting means. In this case, for example, a shooting condition corresponding to a predetermined program line is set based on a photometric value or the like, and a program (shooting) mode in which exposure control is executed based on the setting or a settable shooting condition. Many of these settings are set by the user, and a manual (shooting) mode in which the exposure value is determined based on the settings, and a group of shooting conditions are prepared in advance according to various assumed shooting scenes. In addition, a scene selection mode in which a group of shooting conditions corresponding to a desired shooting scene is automatically set collectively by the user selecting and operating a desired shooting scene is shown in FIG. Although not shown, an aperture-priority automatic exposure control mode in which exposure control or the like is executed according to the aperture value that is arbitrarily set by the user, or is set arbitrarily by the user although not shown. Shutter speed value exposure control and the like in accordance with there is a shutter speed priority automatic exposure control mode to be executed that.

  Among these, the shooting mode according to the present invention is a scene selection mode.

This scene selection mode is also provided as one of the shooting modes that automatically sets the shooting conditions according to the shooting target situation by selecting the shooting scene corresponding to the specific shooting scene of the shooting target. It is what.

  Examples of the shooting scene prepared in the scene selection mode include portrait, landscape, commemorative shooting, night view, sports, indoor shooting, candle, and the like.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, some examples of setting for typical shooting scenes and characteristic shooting conditions in each case will be described below.

  For example, when “portrait” is selected as the shooting scene, shooting conditions are set so that the color adjustment process is optimized for skin color and exposure control is performed to open the aperture value.

  In addition, when “landscape” is selected as the shooting scene, shooting conditions are set so that image processing with higher sharpness is performed.

  When “commemorative shooting” is selected as the shooting scene, shooting conditions are set so that exposure control is performed so that the aperture value is increased (that is, in the direction of narrowing down).

  When “night scene” is selected as the shooting scene, shooting conditions are set such that the ISO sensitivity is set high and the noise reduction function is turned on.

  When “Sports” is selected as the shooting scene, shooting conditions are set so that exposure control is performed so that the shutter speed value is high (higher speed).

  When “indoor shooting” is selected as the shooting scene, shooting conditions are set so as to perform drive control for causing the flash unit 20 to emit light.

  When “candle” is selected as the shooting scene, control for prohibiting (turning off) the light emission of the flash unit 20 is performed, and shooting conditions are set so as to increase the color temperature.

  As described above, in the scene selection mode, by selecting and operating a desired shooting scene, various setting values (shooting conditions) corresponding to the shooting scene can be automatically set collectively. Yes.

  When performing a shooting operation in the scene selection mode using the camera 1, first, a shooting mode selection switching operation member (not shown) is operated to set the shooting mode prior to the shooting operation. Switch to.

  Then, a display screen for a scene selection menu (FIGS. 9 and 10; hereinafter referred to as a scene selection menu screen) is displayed on the display unit 17a. On this scene selection menu screen, the user uses the up / down / left / right direction instruction buttons 43 and the determination button 44 to select and instruct a desired shooting scene. By this selection instruction operation, the optimum shooting condition for the desired subject situation is automatically set in a lump.

  The user selects one shooting scene that is most suitable for desired shooting from a large number of shooting scenes prepared for the camera 1 by such an operation procedure.

  In this case, when a large number of shooting scenes to be selected are prepared, it is conceivable that, for example, a plurality of shooting scene selection items cannot be displayed on one screen of the display unit 17a. In such a case, it takes time and effort to find a desired shooting scene.

  Therefore, in the camera 1 provided with the photographing condition setting device of the present embodiment, menu display control as described below is performed as a device for quickly finding and setting a desired photographing scene.

  That is, display control is performed to display the display order of a large number of shooting scene items displayed on the scene selection menu screen in a different order for each predetermined condition. The predetermined conditions in this case are as follows.

  First, various events, for example, sports events, birthdays, weddings, seas, etc., are assumed, and display control that preferentially displays shooting scenes that can be selected in these various events. Is made. That is, display control is performed to display the shooting scenes in the order of high selection possibility according to the set event information.

  Therefore, information (data) in which the display order of shooting scene items is set for each event is prepared in advance. That is, this data is unique data in which priorities are determined for each event so that items are displayed in the order of recommended shooting scenes (referred to as recommended scenes) in each event. Such data is stored in advance in the ROM 21, for example.

  Here, the table data shown in FIG. 4 is a specific example of data stored in advance in the ROM 21, for example.

  For example, it is assumed that the shooting scene selected in the case of “athletic meet” as an event is preferentially selected in the order of sports, commemorative shooting, portrait,. Therefore, the shooting scene items are displayed in the display order shown in FIG.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the shooting scene selected in the case of “birthday” as an event is preferentially selected in the order of candle, indoor shooting, commemorative shooting, portrait,. Therefore, the shooting scene items are displayed in the display order shown in FIG.

  Thus, if an event related to desired shooting is selected prior to selecting a desired shooting scene in the scene selection mode, a desired shooting scene can be selected in the scene selection mode. Since the photographic scene is preferentially displayed, the photographic scene can be selected quickly and reliably.

  Note that this event selection operation (processing) can be set in advance so that the event information and the time information for which the event information should be set can be reserved in advance of the day before shooting the event. That is, a reservation for setting the event type to a specific date and time is accepted.

With such a configuration, it is a function that assists the user to perform a shooting scene selection operation quickly and reliably without hitting the day of a desired event.

Here, in the camera 1, an operation procedure for selecting an event and a shooting scene in the scene selection mode and an operation of the camera 1 in that case will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 11, 12, and 13. First, a power on / off button (not shown) of the camera 1 is turned on to activate the camera 1 in the shooting operation mode. When the camera 1 is operating in the playback operation mode, the switching operation is performed by operating the shooting / playback operation switching button so that the camera 1 can be operated in the shooting operation mode.

  Here, in step S1 of FIG. 11, the CPU 10 checks whether or not an instruction signal for calling up the display of the event selection menu is generated. The instruction for calling up the display of the event selection menu is, for example, the following instruction.

  That is, the user first operates the menu display button 45 when selecting an event. Then, a predetermined main menu screen (not shown) for displaying a list of setting items related to the shooting operation is displayed on the display unit 17a. Here, the user selects an event selection item from the setting items displayed on the main menu screen using the up / down / left / right direction instruction buttons 43 and issues a determination instruction using the determination button 44. This instruction is an event selection menu call instruction.

  As described above, when the event selection menu call instruction is confirmed by the CPU 10 in step S1, the process proceeds to the next step S2. If the instruction is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S2, the CPU 10 executes event selection menu processing (details will be described later, see FIG. 12). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3.

  Next, in step S3, the CPU 10 checks whether or not an instruction signal for calling a scene selection menu is generated. The scene selection menu call instruction is, for example, the following instruction.

  That is, when the user intends to perform shooting in the scene selection mode using the camera 1, the shooting conditions are collectively set by selecting a shooting scene according to a desired subject situation prior to the shooting. In order to do this, perform the specified operation.

  As this predetermined operation, first, a shooting mode selection switching operation member (not shown) of the camera 1 is operated to switch the shooting mode setting to the scene selection mode. An instruction signal generated by this switching operation is a call instruction for a scene selection menu.

  Accordingly, when the CPU confirms the call instruction for the scene selection menu in step S3 in FIG. 11, the process proceeds to the next step S4. If the instruction is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S4, the CPU 10 executes a scene selection menu process (details will be described later, see FIG. 13). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the camera 1 executes a normal shooting operation in the shooting operation mode in order to perform a shooting operation based on the set shooting conditions. Thereafter, the series of processing ends (end).

  The event selection menu process (the process in step S2 in FIG. 11) has a process flow as shown in the flowchart in FIG.

  First, when an event selection menu instruction signal generated based on the operation of the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43 and the determination button 44 is received, the display control unit 10c of the photographing condition setting device 10b of the CPU 10 performs display driving in step S11 of FIG. The display unit 17a is controlled via the unit 16 to display an event selection menu display screen (see FIGS. 6 to 8; event selection menu screen) on the display screen.

  Next, in step S12, the user performs a desired event selection operation or a reservation operation using the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43, the determination button 44, or the like while viewing the event selection menu screen.

  For example, in the state where the event selection menu screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 17 a, the user selects the “event name” item field using the up / down / left / right direction instruction buttons 43. At this time, although not particularly illustrated, which item is selected each time the four buttons (43a, 43b, 43c, 43d) of the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43 are operated on the screen of the display unit 17a. The display control is performed so that the display can be visually discriminated, for example, the display is changed such that the item column is color-inverted and the frame appears. This display control is based on the action of the display control unit 10c of the photographing condition setting device 10b of the CPU 10.

  When the D button 43b of the up / down / left / right direction button 43 is operated in a state where the item column of “event name” is selected as described above, a list of event names is displayed by a so-called pull-down menu display as shown in FIG. Appear. Here, a desired event is selected by further operating the D button 43b. In this case, for example, the selected event name can be identified by adding an underline display to the event name. This underline display is moved by operating the U button 43a or the D button 43b.

  Here, when the determination button 44 is operated in a state where a desired event is selected during the event name list display, the event name is switched to the “event name” column on the event selection menu screen. For example, in the state of FIG. 6, the event name “normal” is set. From this state, through the above operation, the setting of the event name is switched to the event name “athletic meet” as shown in FIG.

  Next, in order to perform event reservation setting, the “Date” item field is selected using the up / down / left / right direction button 43 on the event selection menu screen of the display unit 17a. The state shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 shows a state in which no setting is made in the “date” item column.

  If the U button 43a or the D button 43b is operated in a state in which the “Date” item field is selected, a date such as “August 14” is displayed in the “Date” item field, for example, as shown in FIG. Information is displayed. As the date information set in the “Date” item field, information based on the internal clock (not shown) of the camera 1 is displayed. Therefore, in the normal case, the “date” displayed first is information on the day on which the setting is performed. For example, the date after the current day can be set by operating the U button 43a or the D button 43b.

  In this way, after setting the date information for which reservation setting is desired in the “date” item field, the “event name” to be set for this date is set. The “event name” setting operation performed here is exactly the same as the above-described operation. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, today's event name is set to “athletic day”, and in addition to this, the reservation date is set to “August 14”. Settings such as “birthday” are made.

  When such a series of operations is completed, the user operates the determination button 44 and the like to generate an event determination instruction signal in step S13 of FIG. In response to this, the CPU 10 ends the series of processes and returns to the main flowchart of FIG. 11 (return).

  The above-described scene selection menu process (the process of step S4 in FIG. 11) has a process flow as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, when the instruction signal generated by the switching operation of the shooting mode selection switching operation member (not shown) is the instruction signal for switching the shooting mode setting to the scene selection mode, the CPU 10 receives the instruction signal. The display control unit 10c of the photographing condition setting device 10b controls the display unit 17a via the display driving unit 16 to display a scene selection menu (see FIGS. 9 and 10) on the display screen.

  At this time, the CPU 10 first checks in step S21 in FIG. 13 whether or not an event selection instruction has been issued. This event selection instruction is a selection instruction performed in the event selection menu process of FIG. If it is confirmed that there is no event selection instruction, the process proceeds to the next step S22.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 10 confirms that there is an event selection instruction in step S21 described above, the process proceeds to step S29. In step S29, the event setting unit 10d of the photographing condition setting device 10b of the CPU 10 executes a process of setting the event setting to a designated event that has been instructed to be selected in advance. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S22, the CPU 10 checks whether or not an event reservation setting instruction has been issued. This event reservation instruction is a setting instruction performed in the event selection menu process of FIG. If it is confirmed that there is no event reservation instruction, the process proceeds to the next step S23.

  On the other hand, in step S22 described above, when the CPU 10 confirms that there is an event reservation instruction, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, the CPU 10 checks whether or not the set event reservation setting is today. Here, if it is confirmed that today is the corresponding day, the process proceeds to step S29. If it is confirmed that today is not the corresponding day, the process proceeds to step S23.

  When the process proceeds from step S21 or step S28 to step S29, in step S29, the event setting unit 10d of the photographing condition setting device 10b of the CPU 10 sets the event setting to a designated event that is selected and set in advance. Execute the process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S24.

  Further, when the process proceeds from step S22 or step S28 to step S23, the CPU 10 performs a process of setting the event setting to “normal” in step S23. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S24.

  Next, in step S24, the shooting condition setting device 10b of the CPU 10 obtains the shooting scene order data (shooting scene display order data in FIG. 4) corresponding to the event set in each process of step 23 or step S28 described above. Processing to read from the ROM 21 is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S25, the display control unit 10c of the imaging condition setting device 10b of the CPU 10 controls the display unit 17a via the display driving unit 16 based on the data read from the ROM 21 in step S24 described above. A scene selection menu screen (see FIGS. 9 and 10) is displayed on the display screen.

  Next, in step S26, the user performs an operation of selecting a desired shooting scene using the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43, the determination button 44, or the like while viewing the scene selection menu screen.

  For example, the display example shown in FIG. 9 is an example of a scene selection menu screen when the set event is “normal” (in the case of step S23). In this case, the display order of the shooting scenes is displayed in the same order as the data (data stored in the ROM 21) shown in the “normal” column of FIG.

  On the other hand, the display example shown in FIG. 10 is an example of a scene selection menu screen when the set event is “exerciser” (for example, in the case of step S29). In this case, the display order of the shooting scenes is displayed in the same order as the data (the data stored in the ROM 21) shown in the column “athletic meet” in FIG.

  In this state, the user selects a desired shooting scene by operating the U button 43a or the D button 43b of the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the currently selected item is underlined. That is, “Scenery” is selected in the example of FIG. 9, and “Sports” is selected in the example of FIG. In this way, the currently selected shooting scene item can be easily discriminated simply by looking at the display screen of the display unit 17a.

  Then, by operating the decision button 44 in a state where a desired shooting scene is selected, the shooting scene is selected and a predetermined selection instruction signal is generated.

  In this way, after the scene selection process in step S26 of FIG. 13 is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S27.

  In step S27, the recommended scene determination unit 10e of the shooting condition setting device 10b of the CPU 10 receives the instruction signal of the determination button 44 in the process of step S26 described above, and sets shooting conditions based on the shooting scene selected at that time. Do it. That is, various setting values (shooting conditions) to be set according to the selected shooting scene are set. Thereafter, the series of processing ends, and the process returns to the main flowchart of FIG. 11 (return).

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the display order of the shooting scene items on the scene selection screen when selecting the shooting scene is changed according to the event information arbitrarily set by the user. Since display control is performed, it is possible to quickly and surely perform an operation for setting a shooting scene when shooting in the scene selection mode, thereby contributing to improvement in operability.

  Also, by setting the event first, the display control is performed so that the display order of the shooting scene items is displayed in the order of high possibility of selection for each event during the shooting scene selection operation. A desired shooting scene item can be quickly set from a plurality of shooting scene items.

  Furthermore, since the event information and the time information for which the event information should be set can be reserved and set in advance, by setting the event and shooting scene in advance, the day of the scheduled event can be set. Therefore, it is possible to reliably set a desired shooting condition required at a desired date and time without making any settings in a hurry.

  In the above-described embodiment, the event selection menu and the scene selection menu are configured on separate screens, and each is set separately. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the modification described below, event selection and scene selection are displayed in one screen, and scene selection setting can be performed simultaneously with selection setting of both events.

  14 and 15 show a modification of the above-described embodiment, and are examples of display screens for event and scene selection menus.

  In this case, the display screen of the event and scene selection menu (FIGS. 14 and 15) is obtained by switching the shooting mode setting to the scene selection mode by switching the shooting mode selection switching operation member (not shown). Is displayed.

  That is, when an instruction signal generated by the switching operation to the scene selection mode is received, the display control unit 10c of the photographing condition setting device 10b of the CPU 10 controls the display unit 17a via the display driving unit 16 to display the display screen on the display screen. The event and scene selection menu (see FIGS. 14 and 15) is displayed.

  First, the display example shown in FIG. 14 is an example of an event / scene selection menu screen when the set event is “normal”. In this case, the display order of the shooting scenes is displayed in the same order as the data (data stored in the ROM 21) shown in the “normal” column of FIG.

  In this state, the user can change the setting of the event name or set the event reservation by arbitrarily operating the four buttons (43a, 43b, 43c, 43d) of the up / down / left / right direction instruction buttons 43. In addition, it is possible to select and set a shooting scene.

  For example, the item field of the event name is selected by operating the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43 on the display screen shown in FIG. Here, when the D button 43b of the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43 is operated, a list display of event names appears as a so-called pull-down menu display as shown in FIG. Here, a desired event is selected by further operating the D button 43b. Here, the selected event name can be discriminated by adding an underline display, for example.

  When the determination button 44 is operated in a state where a desired event is selected, the event name is displayed in the “event name” column on the event selection menu screen.

  For example, in the state of FIG. 14, the event name “normal” is set. From this state, through the above operation, the setting of the event name is switched to the event name “athletic meet” as shown in FIG. At the same time, the display order of the shooting scenes in the scene selection mode is switched from the display order shown in FIG. 14 to the display corresponding to the selected event (display order shown in FIG. 15).

  In addition, for the “Date” item field, it is possible to perform event reservation setting by performing the same operation as the operation procedure in the above-described embodiment.

  In this case, first, the desired date information is displayed in the “date” item column, and then the desired event setting is performed in the event name item column.

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment and its modification, display control is performed such that the display order of the shooting scenes displayed on the scene selection menu screen is displayed in the order recommended at the event according to the set event. Is doing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a modification as shown in FIG. 16 is also conceivable.

  That is, in the display example of the event and scene selection menu screen shown in FIG. 16, the display order is the same regardless of the selection of the event without changing the order of the shooting scenes, and corresponding to the selected event. The display control is performed such that an identification mark such as “◯” (circle) is added to the item of the shooting scene recommended in the event.

  In addition, although one Embodiment of this invention, its modification, etc. are implement | achieved by the control processing of CPU according to a program, this means that the said program itself implement | achieves the function of embodiment mentioned above. The program itself constitutes the present invention.

  These programs are stored in advance in the ROM 21, but the ROM 21 may be in the form of a recording medium other than the EEPROM in the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and is detachable from the camera. It may be stored in a recording medium.

  Recording media include magnetic recording media such as floppy (registered trademark) disks and magnetic tape media, optical recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD, magneto-optical recording media such as MD and MO, and semiconductor memory media such as IC cards. Can be applied. The recording medium itself storing this program also constitutes the present invention.

  Further, a storage device such as a hard disk medium or a semiconductor memory such as a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network system or the Internet is used as a recording medium, and a program is provided to the camera via the communication network. You may do it.

  Alternatively, it goes without saying that such a program is also included in the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with other application software.

  In the present embodiment, the above function is realized by executing a program on the CPU. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same function may be realized by hardware, for example. Good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the imaging condition setting device provided in the camera as a single unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied to a photographing condition setting device.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

The perspective view which looked at the appearance of the camera provided with the photographing condition setting device of one embodiment of the present invention from the back side. The block block diagram which shows the outline of an electrical internal structure mainly in the camera of FIG. The figure which shows the main structures of the operation mode which can be performed in the camera of FIG. The figure which shows the display order data of the imaging scene previously stored in ROM of the camera of FIG. The figure which shows the various setting values etc. (imaging conditions) corresponding to a typical imaging scene among the some imaging scenes previously prepared in the camera of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display at the time of the normal setting of the display screen of the event selection menu in the camera of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display at the time of the event setting of the display screen of the event selection menu in the camera of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display at the time of the event reservation setting of the display screen of the event selection menu in the camera of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display at the time of the normal setting of the display screen of the scene selection menu in the camera of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display at the time of selecting "athletic meet" as a selection event of the display screen of the scene selection menu in the camera of FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of control processing performed by an operation when selecting a desired event and a shooting scene in the scene selection mode in the camera of FIG. 1. The flowchart which shows the flow of the event selection menu process of FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the scene selection menu process of FIG. The figure which shows the modification of one Embodiment of this invention, and shows the example of a display at the time of the normal setting of the display screen of an event and scene selection menu. The figure which shows the example of a display at the time of event setting on the display screen of the event and scene selection menu of FIG. The figure which shows another modification of one Embodiment of this invention, and shows the example of a display of the display screen of an event and scene selection menu.

Explanation of symbols

1 …… Camera 10 …… CPU
10a …… Timer 10b …… Shooting condition setting device 10c …… Display control unit 10d …… Event setting unit 10e …… Recommended scene determination unit 11 …… Shooting lens 12 …… Image sensor 13 …… Imaging unit 14 …… Image buffer Memory 15 ... Image processing unit 16 ... Display drive unit 17 ... Display device 17a ... Display unit 18 ... Image storage memory 19 ... Compression / decompression unit 20 ... Flash unit 21 ... ROM
22 …… Operation unit 41 …… Shutter release button 42 …… Zoom lever 43 …… Up / down / left / right direction button 43a …… U button 43b …… D button 43c …… L button 43d …… R button 44 …… OK button 45 …… Menu display button

Claims (10)

Shooting conditions including at least one scene selection mode that automatically sets shooting conditions according to the shooting target situation by selecting a shooting scene corresponding to a specific shooting scene to be shot. In the setting device,
An event setting section for setting the type of event to be shot;
A display control unit for displaying a plurality of shooting scenes in a different display order on a shooting scene selection screen for selecting a shooting scene according to the event information set by the event setting unit;
An imaging condition setting device comprising: The imaging condition setting device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the types of imaging scenes in order of high selection possibility according to the set event information. The imaging condition setting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the event setting unit accepts a reservation for setting an event type to a specific date and time. Shooting conditions including at least one scene selection mode that automatically sets shooting conditions according to the shooting target situation by selecting a shooting scene corresponding to a specific shooting scene to be shot. In the setting device,
An event setting section for setting the type of event to be shot;
A recommended scene determination unit for determining a recommended shooting scene among a plurality of shooting scenes prepared according to the event information set by the event setting unit;
A display control unit for displaying a shooting scene selection screen for selecting a shooting scene based on a plurality of shooting scenes recommended by the recommended scene determination unit;
An imaging condition setting device comprising: The imaging condition setting device according to claim 4, wherein the display control unit displays a plurality of imaging scenes in a recommended order according to the set event information. 5. The photographing condition setting device according to claim 4, wherein the display control unit performs display control for displaying a plurality of recommended photographing scenes in a distinguishable manner. A camera comprising the imaging condition setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Shooting conditions including at least one scene selection mode that automatically sets shooting conditions according to the shooting target situation by selecting a shooting scene corresponding to a specific shooting scene to be shot. In the setting method,
Set event information to be shot,
A shooting condition setting method comprising: displaying a shooting scene in a different order on a shooting scene selection screen for selecting a shooting scene according to a set event. Shooting conditions including at least one scene selection mode that automatically sets shooting conditions according to the shooting target situation by selecting a shooting scene corresponding to a specific shooting scene to be shot. In the shooting condition setting program of the setting device,
Setting the type of event to be shot,
Displaying the shooting scenes in different order on the shooting scene selection screen for selecting a shooting scene according to the set event; and
A shooting condition setting program characterized by comprising: Shooting conditions including at least one scene selection mode that automatically sets shooting conditions according to the shooting target situation by selecting a shooting scene corresponding to a specific shooting scene to be shot. In a recording medium in which a program for setting shooting conditions of a setting device is recorded and configured to be readable by a computer,
Setting the type of event to be shot,
Displaying the shooting scenes in different order on the shooting scene selection screen for selecting a shooting scene according to the set event; and
A recording medium on which a shooting condition setting program is recorded.

Images