JP5397004B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera.

  A camera that calculates the position of a subject from its own position, orientation, and distance data, searches a database using the position information, and acquires the name of the subject is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-169164 A

  However, this camera has a problem in that even if the position of the subject can be calculated, it cannot be known which surface of the subject has been shot.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can store the direction of a photographing surface of a subject in association with image data together with the position information of the subject.

The camera of the present invention includes a positioning unit that measures the self-position, an orientation measuring unit that measures the orientation of the subject with reference to the self-position, and at least the self-position and the orientation measuring unit measured by the positioning unit. A position calculation unit that calculates the position of the subject based on the orientation of the subject measured in step, a direction calculation unit that calculates the direction of the imaging plane of the subject based on the orientation of the subject, and the subject An imaging unit, and a storage unit that stores the image data of the subject imaged by the imaging unit in association with the position of the object and the direction of the imaging surface.

  According to the camera of the present invention, the direction of the photographing surface of the subject can be stored in association with the image data together with the position information of the subject.

It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the to-be-photographed object information measured and time-measured by GPS of the camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the identification number file which classified the information of the to-be-photographed object in 1st Embodiment according to the position and direction. It is a figure which shows the structure of the sunshine information file which classify | categorizes the information of the to-be-photographed object according to sunshine time in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the specific information file which memorize | stores the name and attribute of a to-be-photographed object in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the imaging | photography / image processing condition file which classified sunshine information for every attribute in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the imaging | photography / image processing condition setting file which shows the imaging | photography / image processing conditions in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process of the camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram at the time of calculating the direction of the photographing surface of the subject in the camera according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process of the camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the simple imaging | photography / image processing condition setting file of the camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. The digital camera 2 includes a CPU 4 that executes various calculations and control of each component. The CPU 4 calculates a self-position based on a signal received from a time measuring unit 5 that measures the current date and time and a GPS satellite. GPS 6 for measuring, distance measuring sensor 8 for measuring the distance to the subject based on the self-position, direction sensor 10 for measuring the orientation of the subject based on the self-position, CCD for photographing the subject, etc. An imaging unit 12 having elements, a database 14 for storing data files used when setting imaging conditions and image processing conditions based on the position of the subject, the direction of the imaging surface, and the date / time, a power switch, a release button, etc. Display control of the operation unit 16 including, the storage unit 18 for storing the position of the subject, the direction of the photographing surface, the date and time, and the LCD display unit 22 A display card 20, an image processor 24 that performs image processing on the image data, and a memory card 26 that can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 2 that stores image data in a predetermined file format such as Exif via the memory card interface 25. It is connected.

  Here, the latitude and longitude 102 where the subject is located, the direction 104 of the photographing plane of the subject, and the date / time 106 are stored as subject information as shown in FIG. 2 in the storage unit 18.

  Further, the database 14 includes an identification number file 110, a sunshine information file 120, a unique information file 140, a shooting / image processing condition file 150, a shooting / image processing condition setting file, which are data files created and registered in advance by a manufacturer or the like. 160 is stored.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the identification number file 110. The identification number file 110 is obtained by associating the subject position information 112, which is the latitude at which the subject is located, with the photographing plane direction 114 of the subject, and identifies each combination of the subject position information 112 and the photographing plane direction 114. Numbered.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the sunshine information file 120. The sunshine information file 120 is obtained by associating an identification number 122 with a date 124 and a sunshine time 126. Here, the identification number 122 is an identification number indicated in the identification number file 110. Further, the date 124 is a date obtained by dividing the year into a plurality of periods, the sunshine time 126 is the sunshine time (A) 128 in which the illuminance on the photographing surface of the subject exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the photographing surface of the subject. Are classified into a short sunshine period (B) 130 in which the illuminance is below a predetermined threshold and a non-sunshine period (C) 132 in which there is no sunshine.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the unique information file 140. The unique information file 140 is obtained by associating the subject position information 142 that is the latitude and longitude of the subject with the subject name 144 such as a sightseeing spot or facility name and the subject attribute 146 such as a landscape or building.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shooting / image processing condition file 150. The shooting / image processing condition file 150 is obtained by associating the attribute 152 with the sunshine information section 154, and the shooting / image processing conditions 156 for each combination of the attribute 152 and the sunshine information section 154 are shown. Here, the attribute 152 is an attribute shown in the unique information file 140, and the sunshine information section 154 is a sunshine information section shown in the sunshine information file 120.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shooting / image processing condition setting file 160. The shooting / image processing condition setting file 160 specifically shows the contents of the shooting conditions and image processing conditions to be set.

  The CPU 4 refers to the identification number file 110, the sunshine information file 120, the unique information file 140, the shooting / image processing condition file 150, and the shooting / image processing condition setting file 160, so that the shooting / image processing conditions and the image processing conditions are set. Determine the content.

  Next, operation processing of the digital camera 2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. When the operator presses the release button halfway, the CPU 4 acquires the current date from the timekeeping unit 5 (step S0). Next, the CPU 4 acquires the self-position of the digital camera 2 measured from the GPS 6 (step S1). Next, the CPU 4 obtains the distance to the subject with reference to the self-position measured by the distance measuring sensor 8 (step S2). Next, the CPU 4 measures the azimuth of the subject based on the self-position of the digital camera 2 measured by the azimuth sensor 10 (step S3). Then, the CPU 4 calculates the direction of the photographing surface of the subject from the orientation of the subject (step S4). Here, the direction of the photographing plane of the subject is calculated by rotating the orientation of the subject measured by the orientation sensor 10 by π radians as shown in FIG. Next, the CPU 4 calculates the position of the subject based on the self-position of the digital camera 2, the distance from the self-position to the subject, and the orientation of the subject (step S5). Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 4 stores the subject position, the direction of the photographing surface and the date / time in the storage unit 18 (step S6).

  The CPU 4 searches the identification number file 110 (see FIG. 3) stored in the database 14 using the subject position and the direction of the photographing surface stored in the storage unit 18 and acquires the identification number (step S7). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the subject position is latitude 35 ° 39′31 ″ and the direction of the photographing surface is north, “21” is acquired as the identification number.

  Next, the CPU 4 searches the sunshine information file 120 (see FIG. 4) stored in the database 14 using the acquired identification number and the date and time stored in the storage unit 18 to acquire sunshine information. (Step S8). For example, when the identification number is 21, the positioning date is 2008/12/24, and the positioning time is 21:00 as shown in FIG. 2, “sunshine-free time (C)” is acquired as sunshine information. Is done.

  Next, the CPU 4 uses the subject position information (see FIG. 2) stored in the storage unit 18 to search the unique information file 140 (see FIG. 5) stored in the database 14, and determines the subject name and attribute. Obtain (step S9). For example, if the subject position is latitude 35 ° 39'31 "and longitude 139 ° 44'43" as shown in FIG. 2, the subject name is "Tokyo Tower" and the attribute is "Tokyo Tower" as shown in FIG. The unique information “building” is acquired.

  Here, when there is no corresponding unique information in the unique information file 140 (step S10) and the subject name and attribute cannot be acquired, the CPU 4 displays on the LCD display unit 22 “the relevant subject was not found. ”And the like (step S18),“ Shooting conditions and image processing conditions have not been set ”are displayed (step S19), and new shooting conditions and image processing conditions are set. Not performed.

  On the other hand, if the unique information exists in the unique information file 140 (step S10) and the unique information is acquired, the CPU 4 stores the unique information in the database 14 using the subject attributes and the sunshine information. The photographing / image processing condition file 150 (see FIG. 6) is searched to acquire the photographing condition and the image processing condition (step S11). For example, when the attribute of the subject is a building and the sunshine information is no sunshine time (C), “(6) building night view” is acquired. Next, shooting conditions and image processing conditions as shown in the shooting / image processing condition setting file 160 (see FIG. 7) are displayed on the LCD display unit 22 (step S12).

  Next, the CPU 4 displays on the LCD display unit 22 “Do you want to set shooting conditions and image processing conditions?” And the like, and the operator presses the OK button to set the shooting conditions and image processing conditions. In step S13, the CPU 4 stores the acquired shooting conditions and image processing conditions in the storage unit 18 and sets new shooting conditions and image processing conditions (step S14). When the operator selects not to set the shooting condition and the image processing condition (No in step S13), the LCD display unit 22 displays “The shooting condition and the image processing condition are not set”. (Step S19), the CPU 4 does not set new shooting conditions and image processing conditions.

  Next, the subject is photographed according to the set photographing conditions in accordance with the photographing instruction by the release button (step S15). After shooting, the CPU 4 temporarily stores the image data of the shot subject in the storage unit 18. Subsequently, the CPU 4 reads the image data once stored in the storage unit 18 and controls the image data to be subjected to image processing according to the image processing conditions set by the image processing unit 24 (step S16). .

  Next, the image data is stored in the memory card 26 as image data in a predetermined file format such as Exif (Exchangeable Image File format) in association with the position of the subject and the direction of the photographing surface of the subject (step S17).

  The image processing in step S16 is a set of image processing conditions such as contour compensation, gradation correction, white balance adjustment, noise reduction, and correction for brightening a portion that has become dark due to insufficient light quantity due to backlight or flash photography. Image processing is performed.

  According to the digital camera 2 according to the first embodiment, not only the orientation of the subject but also the direction of the subject's photographing plane is calculated, so the direction of the subject's photographing plane is imaged together with the subject position and date / time. It can be stored in association with data.

  Next, operation processing of the digital camera according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. The digital camera according to the second embodiment is stored in advance by simply classifying subject information without using the detailed database 14 unlike the digital camera 2 according to the first embodiment. The photographing condition and the image processing condition are acquired, and the photographing condition and the image processing condition are set. Therefore, a detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted, and only different portions will be described in detail. Further, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

  When the operator half-presses the release button, the CPU 4 acquires the current date from the timekeeping unit 5 (step S20). Next, the CPU 4 acquires the self-position of the digital camera 2 measured from the GPS 6 (step S21). Next, the CPU 4 acquires the distance to the subject by distance measurement by the distance sensor 8 (step S22), and performs direction measurement by the direction sensor 10 (step S23). The CPU 4 calculates the direction of the photographing plane of the subject from the orientation of the subject (step S24), and calculates the position of the subject based on the self-position of the digital camera 2, the distance from the self-position to the subject, and the orientation of the subject ( Step S25). Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 4 causes the storage unit 18 to store the subject position, the direction of the photographing surface, and the date (step S26).

  The CPU 4 retrieves the shooting / image processing condition 178 from the simple shooting / image processing condition setting file 170 stored in the storage unit 18 using the subject position and the direction of the shooting plane stored in the storage unit 18 (step S27). ), The numbers related to the shooting conditions and the image processing conditions are determined, and the shooting conditions and the image processing conditions set in advance for each number are acquired from the storage unit 18. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the subject position is latitude 35 ° 39'31 ″, the direction of the imaging plane is north, the positioning date is 2008/12/24, and the positioning time is 21:00, FIG. As shown, the 123rd photographing condition and image processing condition are acquired from the storage unit 18.

  Next, the CPU 4 displays on the LCD display section 22 "Do you want to set shooting conditions and image processing conditions?" (Step S28). When the operator sets shooting conditions and image processing conditions, the CPU 4 stores the acquired shooting conditions and image processing conditions in the storage unit 18 (step S29). On the other hand, when the operator does not set the shooting condition and the image processing condition, the CPU 4 displays on the LCD display unit 22 “The shooting condition and the image processing condition have not been set” or the like (step S33). Do not set new shooting conditions and image processing conditions.

  Next, the subject is photographed under the set photographing conditions in accordance with the photographing instruction by the release button (step S30).

  After shooting, the CPU 4 temporarily stores the image data of the shot subject in the storage unit 18. Subsequently, the CPU 4 reads the image data once stored in the storage unit 18 and controls the image data to be subjected to image processing according to the image processing conditions set by the image processing unit 24 (step S31). .

  Next, the image data is stored in the memory card 26 as image data in a predetermined file format such as Exif in association with the direction of the photographing surface of the subject and the position of the subject (step S32).

  According to the digital camera of the second embodiment, photographing is performed using the position of the subject, the direction of the photographing surface of the subject, and the date and time without using a detailed database as shown in FIGS. Conditions and image processing conditions can be set.

  The digital camera according to each of the above-described embodiments may be provided with a level. Thereby, the angle of the subject with respect to the horizontal plane relative to the self-position of the digital camera 2 can be measured, and the altitude information of the subject can be calculated using the measured angle and the distance to the subject.

  In the digital camera according to each of the above-described embodiments, the distance measuring sensor 8 includes, for example, an irradiation unit that emits infrared rays and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays, and reflects the infrared rays after being irradiated by the subject. The subject distance based on the digital camera 2 is measured based on the time until returning. As a distance measuring means for determining the distance to the subject based on the self position, the position of the focus lens (not shown) is moved based on an instruction from the CPU 4, and the position of the focus lens where the contrast of the subject reaches a peak is specified. The distance may be determined based on the position.

  In the digital camera according to each of the above-described embodiments, the database 14 may be provided in an external device. In this case, the CPU 4 includes a wireless communication unit, and receives data such as sunshine information and unique information from an external device by wireless communication.

  Further, in the digital camera according to each of the above-described embodiments, the interval of the segment in the subject position information 112 and the imaging plane direction 114 of the identification number file 110 stored in the database 14 may be further subdivided. Thereby, sunshine conditions can be narrowed down further in detail. Further, the interval between the sections may be arbitrarily set by the operator.

  Further, in the digital camera according to each of the above-described embodiments, sunshine information, unique information, or the like is searched from the database 14 using GPS information acquired by another camera or the like, or simple photographing stored in the storage unit 18 The image capturing condition and the image processing condition may be set by searching the image processing condition setting file 170 for the image capturing condition and the image processing condition. Thereby, even when the digital camera does not have a GPS, the direction of the photographing surface of the subject can be stored in association with the image data together with the subject position and the date.

  In the digital camera according to each of the embodiments described above, the CPU 4 stores, in the database 14, subjects that exist on the extension line of the subject orientation measured by the orientation measurement unit 10 with reference to the self-position of the digital camera 2. The position of the subject may be specified by searching from the specific information file 140. Thereby, even when the digital camera does not include the distance measuring sensor 8, the position of the subject can be predicted and specified.

  In addition, in the digital camera according to each of the above-described embodiments, an image processing switch that instructs the start of image processing at the operator's discretion may be provided. As a result, when the operator determines that image processing is necessary by looking at the captured image displayed on the LCD display unit 22, image processing can be started.

  In the digital camera according to each of the above-described embodiments, the image processing condition is set using the subject position, the direction of the photographing surface, and the date and time, and at least the image data of the subject is set based on the set image processing condition. Image processing may be performed on a part of the image. Thereby, appropriate image processing based on subject information can be performed.

  Further, in the digital camera according to the first embodiment described above, when performing image processing, the actual exposure value at the time of photographing the subject and the sunshine information in the sunshine information file 120 stored in the database 14 are referred to. You may compare with the exposure value assumed by this. Thereby, it is possible to compare with the exposure value obtained based on the objective sunshine condition considering only the position of the subject, the direction of the subject, and the positioning time, and appropriate image processing can be performed.

  Further, the CPU 4 may control the image processing unit 24 so that when predetermined image processing is necessary for the image data, the control flow may be such that the image processing is performed. For example, the CPU 4 compares the actual exposure value in the shooting preparation stage of the subject with the exposure value assumed from the sunshine condition, and when the difference between the exposure values exceeds a predetermined threshold value set in advance. The CPU 4 may read image data stored in the memory card 26 and perform image processing on a part or all of the image data. Further, when the exposure value difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the image processing may not be performed.

  In the digital camera according to each of the embodiments described above, the image data stored in the storage unit 18 is subjected to image processing and then stored in the memory card 26. However, the memory card 26 is not subjected to image processing. May be stored. In this case, the image processing conditions are preferably stored in the storage unit 18 or the memory card 26 in a form in which the correspondence relationship with the captured image data can be specified later. As a result, the CPU 4 can read out the image data stored in the memory card 26 and store part or all of the image data in the memory card 26 to perform image processing.

  In addition, either the shooting condition or the image processing condition may be set, or the shooting condition and the image processing condition may be set by different control flows. For example, in the case of a control flow in which only the image processing conditions are set, the CPU 4 acquires the shooting date and time when actual shooting was performed, and the position of the subject and the subject at the time closest to the shooting date and time. It is preferable to specify the direction of the photographing surface and store the photographing date and time, the position of the subject, and the direction of the photographing surface of the subject in the storage unit 18 or the memory card 26 as subject information. This makes it possible to determine the image processing conditions based on the actual shooting date and time, the position of the subject closest to the shooting date and time, and the direction of the shooting surface when closest to the shooting date and time. Appropriate image processing conditions can be selected.

  2 ... Digital camera, 4 ... CPU, 5 ... Timekeeping unit, 6 ... GPS, 8 ... Distance sensor, 10 ... Direction sensor, 12 ... Imaging unit, 14 ... Database, 18 ... Storage unit, 24 ... Image processing unit, 25 ... memory card interface, 26 ... memory card.

Claims (7)

A positioning unit that measures self-position;
An azimuth measuring unit that measures the azimuth of the subject with respect to the self-position;
A position calculating unit that calculates the position of the subject based on at least the self-position measured by the positioning unit and the orientation of the subject measured by the orientation measuring unit;
A direction calculating unit that calculates the direction of the photographing surface of the subject based on the orientation of the subject;
A photographing unit for photographing the subject;
A storage unit that stores the image data of the subject photographed by the photographing unit in association with the position of the subject and the direction of the photographing surface. A timekeeping section that measures the date and time,
The camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a shooting condition setting unit that sets shooting conditions based on the position of the subject, the direction of the shooting surface, and the date and time. An image processing condition setting unit that sets image processing conditions based on at least the position of the subject, the direction of the imaging surface, and the date and time;
An image processing unit that performs image processing on at least a part of the photographed image data of the subject based on the image processing condition set by the image processing condition setting unit. Item 2. The camera according to Item 2. A condition storage unit that stores at least a shooting condition based on the position of the subject, the direction of the shooting plane and the date and time, and at least an image processing condition based on the position of the subject, the direction of the shooting plane and the date and time;
The shooting condition setting unit sets the shooting condition with reference to the condition storage unit based on at least the position of the subject, the direction of the shooting surface, and the date and time,
4. The image processing condition setting unit sets the image processing condition with reference to the condition storage unit based on at least the position of the subject, the direction of the photographing surface, and the date and time. Camera. A subject unique information storage unit for storing subject unique information based on the subject position;
The condition storage unit includes a shooting condition based on the position of the subject, the direction of the shooting plane, the date and time, and the unique information of the subject, the position of the subject, the direction of the shooting plane, the date and time, and the unique information of the subject. Store image processing conditions based on
The shooting condition setting unit sets the shooting condition with reference to the condition storage unit based on the position of the subject, the direction of the shooting surface, the date and time, and the unique information of the subject,
The image processing condition setting unit sets the image processing condition with reference to the condition storage unit based on the position of the subject, the direction of the photographing surface, the date and time, and the unique information of the subject. The camera according to claim 4. A distance measuring unit for measuring a distance between the self position and the subject;
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the position calculation unit calculates the position of the subject based on the subject distance and the self-position measured by the distance measurement unit. . A position information storage unit that stores information related to the subject and the position of the subject;
The said position calculation part determines the position of the said subject with reference to the said positional-information memory | storage part based on the said self-position and the said object azimuth | direction. The listed camera.

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