JPH0614247A - Still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To enable the photographer to know the image quality of the recorded image when the compression rate of data compression is automatically selected. A data compression circuit 17 for compressing the digital image data obtained by the image pickup means 11 to 13,
When the release button is in the half-pressed state, the compression rate setting unit 22 that sets the compression rate of the data compression circuit 17 according to the digital image data in the buffer memory 16, and when the release button is in the half-pressed state, Compression rate setting unit 22
And a display mechanism 23 for displaying the compression ratio set by.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a still camera of the type in which an image of a subject is converted into digital image data, which is then compressed and recorded in a storage means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional still camera (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as "camera" as appropriate) of a type in which an image of a subject is recorded in a storage means as digital image data. The camera shown in FIG. 6 starts the image capturing operation by half-pressing the release button 10.
First, light from a subject passes through the lens 1, is controlled to have an appropriate amount of light by a shutter and a diaphragm 2 (not shown), and then is imaged on a CCD 3 which is an image sensor. The light from the subject is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 3, and the signal processing circuit 4 subjects the received signal to white balance correction, amplification, γ correction, and the like to form an image signal. Image signal is A /
The digital image signal is converted by the D conversion circuit 5 and is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 6.

The image signal data stored in the buffer memory 6 is sent to the compression processing circuit 7 by the full-press operation of the release button 10, and the compression processing circuit 7 performs known data compression processing, and then the memory. It is stored in a memory (not shown) in the card 8. The control circuit 9 controls each circuit described above.

The camera shown in FIG. 6 has two types of modes, a compression manual mode and a compression auto mode. When shooting in the compression manual mode, the photographer can select the compression rate of data compression by the compression processing circuit 7. Data compression is performed according to the selected compression rate. On the other hand, when an image is captured in the compression auto mode, the camera side selects an appropriate compression rate based on the property of the data stored in the buffer memory 6, and the data compression is performed according to the selected compression rate. At this time, the compression rate selected by the camera is not displayed in a form visible to the photographer.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional still camera, when the image is captured in the compressed manual mode, the photographer performs the image capturing operation while recognizing the data compression rate, but there is no problem. , When the image is captured in the compression auto mode, the camera automatically selects the compression rate, and the selected compression rate was not displayed in a form visible to the photographer, so the photographer captured and recorded the image. It was not possible to know at what compression rate the image was compressed and recorded. The data compression rate in a still camera is greatly related to the quality of recorded images,
Further, since it is related to the total number of frames that can be recorded in the memory card 8, it is very meaningful for the photographer to know the compression rate.

An object of the present invention is to provide a still camera in which a photographer can know the image to be recorded, the image quality of the recorded image, etc. when the compression rate of data compression is automatically selected. To do.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Explaining in association with FIG. 1 showing an embodiment, the invention of claim 1 of the present invention is as follows.
Image pickup means 11 to 13 for picking up a subject image, temporary storage means 16 for temporarily storing the image data from the image pickup means 11 to 13 as digital data, and an instruction member having first and second strokes. The digital image data is stored in the temporary storage means 16 when the pointing member is operated up to the first stroke, and the digital image data is stored in the temporary storage means 16 when the pointing member is operated up to the second stroke. Digital image data of the storage means 18
Applies to still cameras that store in. The above-mentioned object is to compress the digital image data according to the digital image data in the temporary storage means 16 when the data compression means 17 for compressing the digital image data and the pointing member are operated up to the first stroke. A compression rate setting means 22 for setting the compression rate of the means 17 and a display means 23 for displaying the compression rate set by the compression rate setting means 22 when the instruction member is operated up to the first stroke. Will be solved by. Further, the invention of claim 2 is solved by providing a display means 23 for displaying the compression rate set by the compression rate setting means 22 when the indicating member is operated up to the second stroke. further,
The still camera according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a compression rate changing unit 25 for changing the compression rate set by the compression rate setting unit 22.

[0008]

The compression rate setting means 22 sets the compression rate in accordance with the digital image data obtained by the image pickup operation of the image pickup means 11 to 13 when the instruction member is operated up to the first stroke, and the data compression means. Reference numeral 17 compresses the digital image data at the compression rate set by the compression rate setting means 22. When the instruction member is operated up to the first stroke, the display unit 23 displays the compression rate set by the compression rate setting unit 22 and presents it in a state visible to the photographer. Further, when the compression rate changing means 25 is operated, the compression rate set by the compression rate setting means 22 can be changed, so that the photographer visually recognizes the compression rate automatically set by the compression rate setting means 22. Later, you can change the compression rate to your liking.

Incidentally, in the section of means and action for solving the above-mentioned problems for explaining the constitution of the present invention, the drawings of the embodiments are used to make the present invention easy to understand. It is not limited to.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a still camera according to the present invention. The still camera according to the present embodiment also has a lens 11, an aperture 12, a CCD 13 as an image pickup device, a signal processing circuit 14 for performing signal processing such as γ correction, and an A / D conversion circuit, like the conventional camera described above. 15, a buffer memory 16 for temporarily storing image data, a compression processing circuit 17 for performing data compression processing, a memory card 18 for recording image data, and a control for controlling each circuit according to a program described later. And a circuit 19. Reference numerals 20 and 21 respectively denote a half-push switch and a full-push switch which are turned on by half-pushing and full-pushing a release button 10 (see FIG. 6) not shown in FIG. Reference numeral 25 is a compression ratio selection switch, which increases or decreases the compression ratio according to the operation.

Reference numeral 22 is a compression rate selection circuit, and this compression rate selection circuit 22 selects an appropriate compression rate based on the regularity of the data stored in the buffer memory 16. The selected compression rate is displayed in a state visible to the photographer by the display mechanism 23 provided in the camera finder (not shown).

The camera of this embodiment also has two types of modes, a compression manual mode and a compression auto mode, and the mode switch is instructed by the changeover switch 24 to the compression auto mode when ON and the compression manual mode when OFF. . In the compression manual mode, the compression processing circuit 1
The photographer side can select the compression rate of the data compression by 7 with a switch (not shown) or the like, and the data compression is performed according to the selected compression rate. On the other hand, in the compression auto mode, data compression is performed at the compression rate selected by the compression rate selection circuit 22 described above. As the compression ratio selection switch in the compression manual mode, for example, a rotary switch or the like for parameter setting during the image pickup operation can be diverted.

Next, the operation of the camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. The program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 starts when the half-push switch 20 is turned on. First, in step S10, an imaging preparation operation is performed. That is, the light from the subject is passed through the lens 11 and the diaphragm 12 to the CCD 1
3, the light is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 13, signal processing such as γ correction is performed by the signal processing circuit 14, the image signal is A / D converted by the A / D conversion circuit 15, and the buffer memory 16 Store in once.

Next, in step S11, the changeover switch 2
If the changeover switch 24 is set to the compression auto mode (if the switch 24 is ON), the program proceeds to step S12, and if it is set to the compression manual mode (the switch 24 is OFF). If so, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S12,
The compression rate of the data compression is automatically selected by the compression rate selection circuit 22 according to the digital image data in the buffer memory 16, while in step S13, it is selected by the photographer using a switch or the like (not shown). The compression rate is selected as the compression rate for data compression. In step S14, the compression rate selected in steps S12 and S13 is displayed by the display mechanism 23 in the finder.

In step S15, it is determined whether or not the full-push switch 21 is in the on state. If the determination is affirmative, the program proceeds to step S17, and if the determination is negative, the program proceeds to step S16. In step S16, it is determined whether the half-push switch 20 is in the ON state,
If the determination is affirmative, the program returns to step S10, and if the determination is negative, the program ends.

In step S17, the above-mentioned step S1 is performed.
Data compression is performed by the compression processing circuit 17 according to the compression rate selected in 2 and 13, and then step S18.
Then, the compressed image data is recorded in the memory card 18, and one imaging sequence is completed.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the display mechanism 2 in the viewfinder when the release button is half pressed.
Since the data compression rate is displayed by 1, the photographer can know at what compression rate the imaged and recorded image is compressed, and the image quality of the image and the reduction of the number of recording frames can be determined. You can judge. If a high-quality image is to be recorded, the compression manual mode is selected and a low compression ratio is selected by a switch (not shown), or if a large number of recording frames are to be secured, a high compression ratio is set in the compression manual mode. Should be selected.

Second Embodiment FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the still camera according to the present invention. The configuration of the still camera according to the present embodiment is almost the same as that of the above-described first embodiment. Therefore, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In steps S20 to S24, as in steps S10 to S14 in the first embodiment, the image pickup preparation operation, the compression rate selection according to the state of the changeover switch 24, and the compression rate display operation by the display mechanism 23 are performed. Step S2
In 5, it is determined whether or not the compression ratio selecting switch 25 is operated. If the determination is affirmative, the program proceeds to step S26, and if the determination is negative, the program proceeds to step S27. In step S26, a compression rate changing subroutine is executed. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. Thereafter, the program returns to step S24, and the reselected compression rate is displayed by the display mechanism 21. The method of selecting the compression rate is arbitrary, and there is a method of selecting the absolute value of the compression rate or a method of gradually changing the compression rate currently selected to a high compression rate or a low compression rate. Here, the operation of the above-described subroutine of step S26 will be described (see FIG. 4). In step S31,
It is determined whether or not the compression rate selection switch 25 is operated to the up side (the side for increasing the compression rate). If it is the up side, the process proceeds to step S32, and if it is the down side, the process proceeds to step S34. In step S32, the switch 25
The compression rate is increased according to the operation amount of, and the process proceeds to step S33. In step S34, the compression rate is reduced according to the operation amount of the switch 25, and the process proceeds to step S33. In step S33, it is determined whether the switch 25 is still operated. If the switch 25 is ON, the process returns to step S31 and the above operation is repeated until the switch 25 turns OFF.
If F, return.

In steps S27 to S30, as in steps S15 to S18 of the first embodiment, the half-pressing and full-pressing of the release button to start the image pickup operation, the data compression and the data recording operation are performed.

Therefore, according to this embodiment as well, the same operational effects as those of the above-mentioned first embodiment can be obtained. Particularly, according to the present embodiment, the compression rate displayed on the display mechanism 23 in the compression auto mode can be visually recognized by the photographer, and the compression rate can be appropriately changed according to the determination of the photographer. Can also select the compression ratio desired by the photographer.

-Third Embodiment-This embodiment displays the compression ratio after release (after data compression). The flowchart (FIG. 5) of the present embodiment will be described below, but the description of the same portions as those in FIGS. 2 and 3 will be omitted.

When the half-push switch SW20 is turned on, the flow starts. The operation from step S41 to step S43 is the same as the operation from step S10 to step S12 in FIG.

At step S42, the changeover switch 2
If 4 is turned off and the manual mode (compression ratio manual selection mode) is set, the process proceeds to step S52, and the compression ratio manually selected by the photographer in step S52 is set. In step S53, the compression ratio manually selected in step S52 is displayed on the LCD 23, and the process proceeds to step S44.

In step S44, it is determined whether or not the full press switch SW21 has been turned on. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S45, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S54. In step S54, it is determined whether or not the half-push switch SW20 is turned on. If it is off, the process returns, and if it is on, the process returns to step S41 to repeat the above operation.

In step S45, the data compression operation is performed. In step S46, the compression rate automatically selected in step S43 is displayed on the LCD 23. In step S47, a timer (not shown) is activated to start counting a predetermined time.
The data is recorded in the memory card 18 in step S48.

In step S49, it is determined whether or not the compression rate selection switch 25 has been operated. If it is operated, the process proceeds to step S55, and if it is not operated, the process proceeds to step S50. In step S55, the subroutine for changing the compression rate shown in FIG. 4 is executed, and the flow advances to step S56. In step S56, the compression rate changing subroutine is executed to display the changed compression rate on the LCD 23, and in step S56.
Proceed to 51.

In step S50, it is discriminated whether or not a predetermined time has passed. If it has elapsed, step S51
If not, the process returns to step S49. In step S51, the LCD 23 is turned off and the process ends.

In the present embodiment, unlike the first and second embodiments, the compression rate is displayed after the release. Therefore, the photographer can refer to this display and reset the compression rate for the next image pickup while considering the remaining capacity of the memory card and the like.

In the first to third embodiments, when the compression rate is displayed, the compression rate itself is displayed numerically. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, a symbol (H indicates a high compression rate. If the compression rate is low, L) or a numerical value of the compression rate may be displayed together with a graph or a figure that changes depending on the degree of the compression rate. This makes it easier for the photographer to understand what kind of image will be obtained by compressing at the compression ratio displayed in numerical values, as compared with the case where only numerical values are displayed, and improve usability.

In the correspondence between the claims and the embodiments, the lens 11, the diaphragm 12 and the CCD 13 are integrated as an image pickup means, the buffer memory 16 is a temporary storage means, and the data compression circuit 17 is a data compression means. , Memory card 1
Reference numeral 8 constitutes storage means, compression rate selection circuit 22 constitutes compression rate setting means, and display mechanism 23 constitutes display means.

The details of the still camera of the present invention are not limited to those of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0033]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when the indicating member is operated up to the first stroke, the compression rate of the data compression set by the compression rate setting means is displayed by the display means. Therefore, the photographer can know how much compression ratio the captured digital image data is stored in the storage means, and can judge the image quality of the image and the reduction degree of the number of recording frames. Further, according to the present invention, since the compression ratio is displayed after the instruction member is operated up to the second stroke and compression is performed, the photographer considers the number of recordable frames when taking an image in the future. It can be used as a guide when changing the compression rate. Particularly, according to the third aspect of the invention, the compression rate set by the compression rate setting means and displayed by the display means can be changed by using the compression rate changing means, and the compression rate can be appropriately determined by the photographer's judgment. Since it can be changed, the compression ratio desired by the photographer can be selected even in the compression auto mode, which is an excellent effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a still camera that is a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the still camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a subroutine showing a compression rate changing operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional still camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Release button 11 Lens 12 Aperture 13 CCD 14 Signal processing circuit 15 A / D conversion circuit 16 Buffer memory 17 Data compression circuit 18 Memory card 20 Half-press switch 21 Full-press switch 22 Compression ratio selection circuit 23 Display mechanism 24 Changeover switch 25 Compression Rate selection switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, a temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data from the image pickup means as digital data, and an instruction member having first and second strokes. The digital image data is stored in the temporary storage means when the pointing member is operated up to the first stroke, and the digital image data in the temporary storage means when the pointing member is operated up to the second stroke. In a storage means, the data compression means for compressing the digital image data, and the data according to the digital image data in the temporary storage means when the pointing member is operated up to a first stroke. Compression rate setting means for setting the compression rate of the compression means, and when the indicating member is operated up to the first stroke, A still camera, comprising: a display unit for displaying the compression ratio set by the compression ratio setting unit. 2. An image pickup means for picking up a subject image, a temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data from the image pickup means as digital data, and an instruction member having first and second strokes. The digital image data is stored in the temporary storage means when the pointing member is operated up to the first stroke, and the digital image data in the temporary storage means is stored when the pointing member is operated up to the second stroke. In a still camera for storing image data in a storage means, a data compression means for compressing the digital image data, and a compression rate setting for setting a compression rate of the data compression means according to the digital image data in the temporary storage means. And a compression rate set by the compression rate setting means when the indicating member is operated up to the second stroke. A still camera, comprising: display means for displaying. 3. The still camera according to claim 1, further comprising a compression ratio changing unit that changes the compression ratio set by the compression ratio setting unit.