JP2974489B2 - Imaging system, electronic camera, computer system for controlling electronic camera, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging system, an electronic camera, a computer system for controlling the electronic camera, and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic cameras for photographing a subject and outputting an analog video signal or digital image data representing the photographed subject image include a video camera, a still video camera (electronic still camera), and a digital still camera. There are video cameras (digital electronic still cameras) and the like.

In these electronic cameras, setting of so-called camera control parameters for photographing and image processing such as exposure amount (aperture value and shutter speed), white balance, etc. (in the case of automatic setting) as well as shutter release. Has been performed on the electronic camera side using switches and buttons provided on the electronic camera.

[0004] Electronic cameras, especially digital-type electronic cameras that provide digital image data, have recently attracted attention because of the potential for developing applications coupled with computer systems. For example, it is possible to create a new medium by storing image data representing an object image obtained from an electronic camera on a recording medium such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk provided in a computer system, or by editing these. it can. This new media is a public relations, advertisement, presentation of materials,
It can be used for providing information.

In order to create such new media, image data obtained by photographing with an electronic camera must be transmitted to a computer system. In general, image data has a large capacity and therefore takes a long time for transmission.

[0006] Before storing image data representing an image of a subject taken by an electronic camera in a recording medium, it is important to check whether or not the subject is properly taken. If the shooting is not appropriate, it is necessary to redo the shooting including resetting of the camera control parameters.

In order to visually check whether or not a subject is properly photographed, it is necessary to display a subject image represented by digital image data obtained from an electronic camera on a display device. In order to display a subject image on the screen of a display device provided in a computer system, it is necessary to transmit all image data from the electronic camera to the computer system. is not.

As described above, the setting of camera control parameters for photographing is performed in the electronic camera. It is complicated for the operator of the computer system to go to the installation location of the electronic camera and make adjustments every time the imaging conditions are changed.

Further, it is not always preferable to always store the entire subject image photographed by an electronic camera in a recording medium. In some cases, only a part of the captured subject image is required. If only necessary image data is cut out and stored in a recording medium, the capacity can be saved. It is also required that the image stored in the recording medium be enlarged or reduced as necessary.

[0010] From such a viewpoint, in an imaging system configured by combining an electronic camera and a computer system, operations for photographing, operations for image data communication, and storage of image data on a recording medium are performed. It is desired to be able to perform all operations and the like in a computer system.

[0011]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electronic camera and a computer.
An object of the present invention is to enable a computer system to set camera control parameters such as an exposure amount and various balances in an imaging system configured by combining the system.

An imaging system according to the present invention includes an electronic camera having electronic imaging processing means for photographing a subject and generating image data representing the photographed subject image, and a computer system capable of communicating with the electronic camera. Is done.

[0013] The electronic imaging processing means of the electronic camera includes:
Control amount detection means for detecting the current control amount for the imaging process, feedback control means for performing feedback control so that the control amount detected by the control amount detection means coincides with a given target value; Automatic control means for determining a target value based on information obtained from a subject or information which has already been set, and providing the determined target value to the feedback control means, and receiving an automatic control command from the computer system. When the automatic control means is activated, a current control amount detected by the control amount detection means is transmitted to the computer system when a manual control command is given, and then transmitted from the computer system. There is provided control means for providing a target value to the feedback control means.

The computer system includes: a mode setting means for setting one of an automatic control mode and a manual control mode; and when the automatic control mode is set by the mode setting means, the automatic control command is transmitted to the manual control mode. Control amount transmitting means for issuing the manual control command and transmitting the manual control command to the electronic camera when is set, and the current control transmitted from the electronic camera in response to the manual control command when the manual control command is issued The electronic camera is provided with control amount display means for displaying the amount, means for setting a target value in the manual control mode, and target value transmission control means for transmitting the set target value to the electronic camera.

The present invention also provides a method for controlling the above-mentioned imaging system, an electronic camera and a computer system constituting the above-mentioned imaging system, and a method for controlling them.

The camera control parameters that are feedback-controlled by the automatic control means include, for example, an exposure amount, a white balance, a black balance, focusing, and a zoom amount.

For example, in controlling the amount of exposure, the brightness of the subject is measured. An aperture value and a shutter speed (corresponding to a target value) are determined based on the photometric value. The aperture value (corresponding to the current control amount) at that time is detected, and feedback control is performed in the electronic camera so that the aperture value becomes the target aperture value. In the manual control mode, the aperture value detected by the electronic camera is transmitted to the computer system and displayed. Looking at the display, the user can set a target aperture value in the computer system. The target aperture value set in the computer system is transmitted to the electronic camera,
The above-described feedback control is executed in the electronic camera.

An automatic mode and a remote mode in a preferred embodiment of the present invention which will be described later correspond to an automatic control mode and a manual control mode of the present invention, respectively.

According to the present invention, when the manual control mode is set in the computer system, the manual control command is transmitted to the electronic camera. In response, the electronic camera sends the current control amount of the control parameter to the computer system. The received control amount is displayed on the computer system. Therefore, the user of the imaging system can determine whether it is necessary to change or set the target value of the control parameter by looking at the displayed control amount. Further, the user can determine the target value of the control parameter with reference to the current control amount of the camera. The user can set a target value of the control parameter of the electronic camera in the computer system. The target value set in the computer system is transmitted to the electronic camera. In response, the electronic camera performs feedback control such that the current control amount of the control parameter matches the target value.

[0020]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the configuration of an imaging system.

The imaging system includes an electronic camera 10 for photographing the object OB and generating image data representing the object image, and a host computer 30 connected to the electronic camera 10 via a communication path. The electronic camera 10 is, for example, a digital electronic still camera.

A monitor display device 5 for displaying a subject image is connected to the electronic camera 10. The monitor display device 5 may be a viewfinder integrated with the electronic camera 10.

A display device 40 is connected to the host computer 30. The display device 40 displays a subject image photographed using the electronic camera 10, camera control parameters, capture commands, and the like, which will be described later. . A keyboard 36 and a mouse 37 as input devices and an optical disk device 38 for recording image data are connected to the host computer 30.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the imaging system shown in FIG.

The photographing operation of the electronic camera 10, image data processing, transmission processing, and the like are controlled by a camera control device 18 that operates based on commands transmitted from the host computer 30. The electronic camera 10 includes a communication interface 9 for receiving commands transmitted from the host computer 30 and transmitting image data to the host computer 30.

The electronic camera 10 includes a zoom lens mechanism 11 for forming a subject image, an aperture 12, a CCD 13 disposed at a position where the subject image is formed, and outputting a video signal representing the taken subject image. The output video signal is subjected to color separation, white balance adjustment, black balance adjustment, etc.
A signal processing circuit 14 for obtaining a B signal is included.

A digital / analog (D / A) conversion circuit 22 and a driver 23 are included for adjusting the zoom amount of the zoom / lens mechanism 11 and controlling the aperture 12. Control data on the zoom amount and control data on the aperture are output from the camera control device 18, and a D / A conversion circuit is provided.
The driver 23 is driven via the switch 22 to adjust the zoom amount and the aperture. Although a pair of D / A conversion circuits 22 and a driver 23 are shown for simplicity of illustration, it goes without saying that one pair is provided for adjusting the zoom amount and one pair for adjusting the aperture. Absent. This is also true for the following description.

The signal processing in the signal processing circuit 14 is also performed by the camera controller 18. The electronic camera 10 includes a D / A conversion circuit 28 in order to convert digital control data for signal processing output from the camera control device 18 into an analog control signal and provide the analog control signal to the signal processing circuit 14.

The electronic camera 10 includes a photometric element 20. A signal representing the amount of received light output from the photometric element 20 is applied to an analog / digital (A / D) conversion circuit 21, converted into digital data, and applied to the camera controller 18. Data on the amount of light received from the photometric element 20 is used for controlling the aperture 12 and adjusting white balance and black balance in the signal processing circuit 14.

An amplifier 24 and an A / D conversion circuit 25 are included in the camera control device 18 for grasping the amount of zoom in the zoom / lens mechanism 11 and the amount of stop of the stop 12. Data representing the zoom amount and the aperture amount is supplied to the camera controller 18 via the amplifier 24 and the A / D conversion circuit 25.

An integration circuit 26 and an A / D conversion circuit 27 are included in the camera control unit 18 to grasp the white balance amount and the black balance amount in the signal processing circuit 14. The integration circuit 26 integrates the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RG and BG obtained from the signal processing circuit 14, respectively. The integrated signals are supplied to the camera control device 18 via the A / D conversion circuit 27. Can be Thereby, the camera control device 18 grasps the white balance amount and the black balance amount.

The electronic camera 10 further includes a signal processing circuit 14
Analog / digital (A / D) conversion circuits 15, A for converting RGB signals output from
An image memory 16 for storing digital image data converted by the / D conversion circuit 15, a thinning circuit 19 for thinning out pixels represented by the image data, and a main memory 17 are included. The main memory 17 has a transfer buffer 17 for temporarily storing image data to be transmitted to the host computer 30.
A, camera control parameter storage unit for storing camera control parameters transmitted from the host computer 30 for shutter control, white balance and black balance adjustment
17B and a control amount storage unit for storing the current control amount
17C is provided. The image memory 16 has a capacity to store at least one frame of image data.

Further, the electronic camera 10 includes a D / A conversion circuit 29 for converting digital image data into an analog video signal in order to display the photographed subject image on the monitor display device 5.

The host computer 30 includes a CPU 31, and the host computer 30 is controlled by the CPU 31.
Is controlled. The CPU 31 creates various data, commands, and the like, which will be described later, based on input signals provided to the CPU 31 from a keyboard 36 and a mouse 37 connected to the host computer 30.

The host computer 30 includes a communication interface 33 for transmitting data and commands created by the CPU 31 to the electronic camera 10 and receiving image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10. Done through 33.

Further, the host computer 30 includes a main memory 32 and a display memory 34. The main memory 32 includes a transfer buffer 32A for storing image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10, a keyboard 36 or a mouse 37.
And a camera control parameter storage unit 32B for storing camera control parameters such as an exposure amount, a black balance, and a white balance set on the screen of the display device 40.
The display memory 34 stores data representing images, characters, and symbols displayed on the display device 40.

An optical disk device 38 is connected to the host computer 30, and the optical disk device 38 records image data on an optical disk.

As indicated by the chain line, the host computer 30
A monitor display device 5A is attached to the camera, and the monitor display device 5A and the electronic camera 10 are directly connected to each other. A subject image taken by the electronic camera 10 is displayed on the monitor display device 5A, and the host computer 30 is operated. You may be able to see while watching.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing processing procedures such as imaging, transmission, display, and recording in this imaging system. FIG. 3 shows the processing procedure in the host computer 30, and FIG. Each procedure is shown.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of a setup process in the host computer 30, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an initial process in the electronic camera 10, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a camera control parameter setting process in the electronic camera 10. .

FIG. 8 shows various areas set on the screen of the display device 40. FIG. 9 shows a display example of a partial area among various areas set on the screen of the display device 40, and mainly shows a display example of a setup area.
10 to 24 show examples of screens displayed on the display device 40. FIG.

When the power of the electronic camera 10 is turned on, an initial process is performed.

The electronic camera 10 has an automatic function for automatically setting the control amount of the electronic camera 10 in the electronic camera 10, a remote function for setting in the host computer 30, and a manual function for the electronic camera 10 to be set by the operator. ing.

First, it is determined whether or not the aperture 12 can be remotely controlled or automatically controlled (step 101 in FIG. 6).

In order to adjust the black balance, the aperture 12 is controlled to be completely closed, and it is checked whether or not the aperture 12 is completely closed (step 102 in FIG. 6).

When remote control or automatic control of the aperture 12 cannot be performed or when the aperture 12 is not completely closed, the monitor display device 5 is set so that the aperture 12 is manually set.
(Step 103 in FIG. 6).

When the aperture 12 can be remotely or automatically controlled and the aperture 12 is completely closed, an automatic black balance process is executed according to information obtained from the photometric element 20 (step 104 in FIG. 6). The set current black balance value is stored in the control amount storage unit 17C.

When the automatic black balance processing is completed (FIG. 6)
In step 105, the target value of the exposure to be set is determined based on the photometric information obtained from the photometric element 20, and the aperture 12 is controlled so as to be the determined target value. The set current aperture value is stored in the control amount storage unit 17C (step 106 in FIG. 6).

Subsequently, an automatic white balance process is executed according to the photometric information obtained from the photometric element 20 (FIG. 6).
Step 107). The set white balance value is stored in the control amount storage unit 17C.

When the automatic black balance processing or the automatic white balance processing is not completed, the aperture 12 is automatically adjusted according to the information obtained from the photometric element 20 (step in FIG. 6).
109).

When the power of the host computer 30 is turned on, an initial screen is displayed on the display device 40 (FIG. 3 step).
61).

On the screen of the display device 40, as shown in FIG. 8, a menu display area 126, a setup area 120, a capture command input area 122, a preview image display area
121, a camera control parameter display area 124, a parameter setting area 125, and a main image display area 123 are displayed as necessary. Although not shown in FIG. 8, when a preview image is displayed in the preview image display area 121, a histogram window for displaying the pixel level histogram of the preview image is displayed on the screen of the display device 40 as described later. Is displayed. On the initial screen, a menu display area 126, a setup area 120, a capture command input area 122, a preview image display area 121, and a camera control parameter display area 124 are displayed.

In the menu display area 126, “File”,
Menus such as "Edit" and "Setup" are displayed. “File” is clicked using the mouse 37 when performing a process of transferring data recorded on the optical disc to the main memory 32, a process of transferring data stored in the main memory 32 to the optical disc, or the like. "Edit" is clicked using the mouse 37 when reading data recorded on the optical disk and displaying an image represented by the data in a specific area. “Setup” is clicked when setting camera control parameters.

The setup process of camera control data (step 62 in FIG. 3) which is started by clicking “setup” will be described below with reference to FIGS. The setup of the camera control parameters is performed while the host computer 30 and the electronic camera 10 communicate with each other.

The setup items are roughly classified into select and adjust as shown in FIG. The select includes items of input, flash, exposure, positive / negative, and LUT (lookup table).
The adjustment includes exposure, black balance, and white balance. When "Setup" is clicked, these items are displayed in the setup area.

"Input" is clicked when selecting the source, mode, etc. of the input image data. When "input" is clicked, items representing the source, mode, and the like are displayed. FIG. 9 shows a “camera” (meaning the electronic camera 10) as an example of a source of image data. When capturing image data from the electronic camera 10, this "camera" is clicked.

"Flash" is for setting whether or not to emit a flash. When "Flash" is clicked, "On" and "Off" are displayed, and the mouse 37
Can be used to select either one.

Regarding the adjustment of the exposure amount, an auto (AE) function for automatically adjusting the exposure in the electronic camera 10, a remote function for the operator to set the exposure in the host computer 30, and an exposure for the operator in the electronic camera 10 There are three types of manual functions for setting "Exposure" is clicked when any one of the above three functions is selected. When the "exposure" of the select is clicked,
“AE”, “remote”, and “manual” are displayed, and the operator can select any of these functions using the mouse 37.

"Positive / Negative" sets whether to perform positive photographing (normal photographing) or negative photographing (inversion of white and black levels, suitable for photographing a negative film, etc.). When "positive / negative" is clicked, "positive" and "negative" are displayed, and either one can be selected.

"LUT" is for setting the gradation characteristics. "Default" and "L"
UT1 ”to“ LUT5 ”. “Default” is a predetermined most common gradation characteristic, and “LU”
“T1” to “LUT5” indicate types of gradation characteristics that can be arbitrarily determined by the user of this imaging system. "LU
When "T" is clicked, "Default" and "LU"
"T1" to "LUT5" are displayed, and one of them is selected.

The "exposure" adjustment is clicked in the "remote" mode, that is, when the exposure amount is set in the host computer 30. When "exposure" is clicked, the content suitable for setting the exposure amount is displayed in the parameter setting area 125 of the display screen of the display device 40, and the setting of the exposure is enabled in the host computer 30.

The “black balance” is for adjusting the black balance. When "black balance" is clicked, a screen suitable for adjusting the black balance is displayed in the parameter setting area 125 of the display screen of the display device 40, and the black balance can be adjusted.

The "white balance" is for adjusting the white balance. When “white balance” is clicked, the parameter setting area 125 on the display screen of the display device 40 is displayed.
Then, a screen suitable for white balance adjustment is displayed, and white balance adjustment can be performed.

FIG. 10 shows that “camera” is selected for “input” among the above-mentioned set item selections.
The display example shows a state in which “ON” is set for “flash”, “positive” for “positive / negative”, and “LUT1” for “LUT”. Parameter display area 124
Will be displayed. The five items of “select” may be set in any order, but here, “exposure” is set last.

In order to set any one of “AE”, “remote”, and “manual” modes for adjusting the exposure amount, clicking “exposure” of the select displayed in the setup area 120 results in FIG. "AE", "remote" and "manual" are displayed in the preview image display area 121 as shown in FIG. One of the modes is selected using the mouse 37.

For example, if "remote" is clicked (step 91 in FIG. 5), "remote" is displayed in correspondence with the "exposure" item in the camera control parameter display area 124, and a remote command is sent to the electronic camera 10. It is transmitted (step 93 in FIG. 5) (FIG. 11). If "Auto" is clicked, "Auto" is displayed corresponding to the "Exposure" item in the camera control parameter display area 124, and an auto command is transmitted to the electronic camera 10 (steps 91 and 9 in FIG. 5).
2).

As described above, “remote” is a mode in which the operator adjusts the exposure amount in the host computer 30. Therefore, the operator clicks “exposure” of “adjust” as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the parameter setting area 125 of the display screen of the display device 40 is displayed.
Then, a screen suitable for adjusting the exposure amount is displayed.

The exposure amount is adjusted by the aperture value in this embodiment. The shutter speed is fixed. Needless to say, the shutter speed may be settable.

When the remote command is received by the electronic camera 10 (steps 111 and 112 in FIG. 7), the control amount storage unit 17
The control amount for the current aperture value stored in C is transmitted to the host computer 30 (step 113 in FIG. 7).
).

The aperture value transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the host computer 30 (step in FIG. 5).
94).

In the parameter setting area 125 shown in FIG. 13, the range of the aperture value (open aperture value: open F and fully closed aperture value: closed F) and the current aperture value (current value F) are displayed. The current value F is the current aperture value of the aperture in the electronic camera 10, and the value transmitted from the electronic camera 10 to the host computer 30 is displayed (FIG. 5).
Step 95).

The operator sets a new aperture value as a target value if it is necessary to change the aperture value while viewing the displayed current aperture value. This is done using mouse 37 and scroll bar 125
This can be done by changing the length of A (FIG. 5).
Step 96). The aperture value represented by the length of the scroll bar 125A is displayed numerically as the current value. When the operator clicks "OK", the aperture value is set to the aperture value represented by the length of the scroll bar 125A at that time. The set aperture value is displayed in the camera control parameter display area 124 as shown in FIG. The setup data for the set aperture value is transmitted to the electronic camera 10 and stored in the camera control parameter storage area 20B.
The aperture is adjusted so as to reach the set target value (steps 81 and 82 in FIG. 4 and step 114 in FIG. 7).
115). When the automatic command is received by the electronic camera 10, automatic control of the aperture is performed (step in FIG. 7).
116).

In the parameter setting area 125, "cancel" is also displayed, and by clicking this, the set aperture value can be canceled.

Next, the black balance adjustment will be described.

When "black balance" displayed in the setup area 120 is clicked as shown in FIG. 15, contents suitable for black balance adjustment are displayed in the parameter setting area 125 as shown in FIG.

As described above, "AE", "remote" and "manual" could be selected in the "select" item for "exposure", but the "select" item for black balance. Not included. Therefore, "auto" is included in the parameter setting area 125 so that automatic adjustment can also be selected for black balance adjustment. When the operator clicks “Auto”,
This is transmitted from the host computer 30 to the electronic camera 10 (steps 91 and 92 in FIG. 5).

The black balance adjustment is performed for red and blue. "Red" displayed in the parameter display area 124,
By clicking “blue”, remote control of black balance is set. When the remote control is set, a remote command is transmitted to the electronic camera 10 (step 9 in FIG. 5).
3).

When a remote command is received by the electronic camera 10 (steps 111 and 112 in FIG. 7), the control amount storage unit 17
The black balance set value stored in C is read out and transmitted to the host computer 30 (step 113 in FIG. 7).

In the host computer 30, the electronic camera 10
Are received and displayed (steps 94 and 95 in FIG. 5). The set value is displayed, for example, in the camera display parameter display area 124. The black balance is adjusted when it is necessary to change the value while viewing the displayed current black balance set value.

Similarly to the setting of the aperture value, the black balance is adjusted by operating the mouse 37 to adjust the length of the scroll bars 125R and 125B to a desired value. The set values for red and blue, represented by the length of the scroll bars 125R, 125B, are each displayed numerically.

When "OK" is clicked, these set values are transmitted to the electronic camera 10 (step 5 in FIG. 5).
96, 97).

The electronic camera 10 receives the black balance set value, and adjusts the black balance according to the set target value (steps 81 and 82 in FIG. 4 and steps 114 and 115 in FIG. 7). "Cancel" is also displayed in the parameter setting area 125.

When an automatic command is given to the electronic camera 10, automatic control of black balance is performed (step 116 in FIG. 7).

The black balance set value is displayed in the camera control parameter display area 104 as shown in FIG. The white balance adjustment is performed in the same manner as the black balance adjustment.

When "white balance" displayed in the setup area 120 is clicked as shown in FIG. 18, contents suitable for white balance adjustment are displayed in the parameter setting area 125 as shown in FIG.

In the white balance adjustment, "auto" is included in the parameter setting area 125 so that the automatic adjustment can be selected similarly to the black balance adjustment. When the operator clicks “Auto”, the fact is transmitted from the host computer 30 to the electronic camera 10 (step 5 in FIG. 5).
91, 92).

The white balance adjustment is also performed for red and blue. Parameter display area 124 for white balance adjustment
The remote control is set by clicking "red" or "blue" displayed in. When the remote control is set, a remote command is transmitted to the electronic camera 10 (FIG. 5).
Step 93).

When a remote command is received by the electronic camera 10 (steps 111 and 112 in FIG. 7), the control amount storage unit 17
The white balance set value stored in C is read and transmitted to the host computer 30 (step 113 in FIG. 7).

The white balance setting value transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is displayed on the host computer 30. When it is necessary to change the white balance setting value while looking at the displayed white balance setting value, white balance adjustment is performed (step 94 in FIG. 5). , 9
5, 96).

The scroll bar 125 is operated by operating the mouse 37.
The white balance is adjusted so that the lengths of R and 125B are the desired lengths. Scroll bar 125 R, 125
The set values for red and blue, represented by the length of B, are indicated by numbers.

When "OK" is clicked, these set values are transmitted to the electronic camera 10 (step 5 in FIG. 5).
97). When the electronic camera 10 receives the white balance set value, the white balance is adjusted in accordance with the set value (steps 81 and 82 in FIG. 4 and steps 114 and 82 in FIG. 7).
115).

All the camera control data set in the setup mode in this way are displayed in the camera control data display area 124 as shown in FIG. 20, and the camera control parameters in the main memory 32 of the host computer 30 are displayed. Main memory of storage unit 32B and electronic camera 10
The 17 camera control parameter storage units 17B are stored. In the electronic camera 10, a camera control parameter storage unit 17B
The adjustment is performed based on the camera control data stored in the.

Further, a lens position for focusing, a zoom magnification, and the like are also stored in the camera control parameter storage section 32B.
May be read from the control amount storage unit 17C and transmitted to the host computer 30 for display in remote control.

Subsequently, the capture command input area 122
Will be described.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the capture command input area 122, “input”, “frame”, “shot”, “get”, “window”, “file”, “X”, “Y”, "W", "H", "remaining capacity",
The “data amount” and the “magnification” are displayed, and a subject image captured by the electronic camera 10 is displayed in the preview image display area 121.

The "input" and the "frame" are used to select from where the video signal representing the image to be displayed on the monitor display device 5 is obtained. In the “input” mode, a video signal obtained from the CCD 13 is directly supplied to the monitor display device 5 through the signal processing circuit 14 without passing through the image memory 16. The CCD 13 is capable of selectively switching between normal NTSC driving (640 × 480 pixels) and high-vision driving (1280 × 960 pixels). The monitor display device 5 operates at the NTSC rate.
It is driven by TSC. On the other hand, in the “frame” mode, the image data stored in the image memory 16 is stored in the D / A
The data is supplied to the monitor display device 5 via the conversion circuit 29, and an image represented by the image data is displayed.
Controlled by the camera controller 18 to switch between a through video signal (“input” mode) output from the signal processing circuit 14 and a video signal (“frame” mode) output from the D / A conversion circuit 29 A switching circuit 6 is provided.

In FIG. 21, a black circle is added to “frame”, indicating that the “frame” mode is set. The processing of steps 83 to 90 shown in FIG. 4 also shows the operation in the “frame” mode.

The "shot" is a command for causing the electronic camera 10 to photograph a subject and for thinning out image data obtained by the photographing and transmitting the data to the host computer. Image data obtained by photographing with the electronic camera 10 in response to the "shot" click is temporarily stored in the image memory 16, reduced to 1/8 as described later, and transmitted to the host computer 30. The preview image is displayed in the preview image display area 121 as a preview image.
The shooting of the subject image is performed by driving the CCD 13 with high vision. When a "shot" command is given, the "frame" mode is automatically set, and an image represented by the image data stored in the image memory 16 is displayed on the monitor display device 5.

By clicking "shot", a histogram window 127 for displaying the pixel level histogram of the preview image is displayed on the screen of the display device 40. Since the color level distribution of the preview image is displayed in the histogram window 127, it can be used for setting the optimum shooting conditions.

"Get" is a command for instructing the host computer 30 to finally capture image data obtained by photographing with the electronic camera 10, and a "frame"
Meaningful in mode. Generally, as will be described later, a “shot” is displayed in the preview image display area 121 by clicking the “shot”, and the “get” is clicked after designating the area and the magnification (resolution).

The "window" and "file" specify the destination of the image data to be fetched by the "get" command. When "window" is clicked,
The image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is stored in the transfer buffer 32A of the main memory 32, and the image represented by the image data is displayed in the main image display area 123 of the display device 40. When "File" is clicked,
The image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is stored in the transfer buffer 32A of the main memory 32, and then, if necessary, stored in the optical disk by the optical disk device 38 while being processed.

"X", "Y", "W", and "H" are used to specify an image area to be captured by a "get" command on the preview image. As shown in FIG. 22, "X" and "Y" represent the X and Y coordinates of a corner of the designated area, "W" represents the width of the designated area, and "H" represents the width of the designated area.
Represents the height of the designated area. By inputting these "X", "Y", "W" and "H" values by operating the mouse 37, a desired area can be designated.

The magnification is used to select the resolution of an image to be captured in accordance with the "get" command. In this embodiment, one of 1, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 is selected by the mouse 37. be able to. If the enlargement ratio of the zoom / lens mechanism 11 can be set in the host computer 30, the photographing magnification can be set to a value exceeding 1 ×. In this embodiment, a value exceeding 1 is set as the magnification only when the operator manually operates the zoom / lens mechanism 11 of the electronic camera 10 to enlarge the image.

"Remaining capacity" indicates the remaining capacity of the transfer buffer 32A of the main memory 32 of the host computer 30.

The "data amount" indicates the amount of image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10 in response to the "get" command.

Referring again to FIG. 3 and FIG.
In response to input of various commands from the capture command input area 122 of the computer 30, the electronic camera 10 captures an image of a subject, transmits image data obtained by the imaging to the host computer 30, and transmits the image data to the display device 40. The display process will be described in a unified manner.

The setup process described above (step in FIG. 3)
When step 62) is completed, the host computer 30 waits for a click on a "shot" (step 63 in FIG. 3) or waits for designation of an area, magnification, and a destination for taking captured image data (step 68 in FIG. 3).

When "shot" is clicked (step 63 in FIG. 3), a shot command is created by the CPU 31 (step 64 in FIG. 3). The created shot command is transmitted to the electronic camera 10.

Subsequently, a preview command is created (step 65 in FIG. 3). This preview command
This is a command to reduce the image data obtained by imaging (in this embodiment, uniformly 1/8) and transmit the image data.

When the electronic camera 10 receives the shot command (step 83 in FIG. 4), the photographing of the object OB and the necessary image data processing are performed under the conditions of the camera control parameters which have been set.

The image data obtained by imaging and processing is stored in the image memory 16 (step 84 in FIG. 4).

Subsequently, when a preview command is received in the electronic camera 10 (step 85 in FIG. 4), the frame mode is set in the input mode, and the image data stored in the image memory 16 is read. Pull circuit
Given to 19. In the thinning circuit 19, 160
The image data is uniformly thinned out to 1/8 so that the image data becomes 120 pixels in the vertical direction. The thinned image data is supplied from the thinning circuit 19 to the transfer buffer 17A and is temporarily stored (step 86 in FIG. 4). The image data temporarily stored in the transfer buffer 17A is transferred to the host computer 30.
Sent to.

When the host computer 30 receives the 1/8 reduced image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10, the preview image data is transferred to the transfer buffer.
It is temporarily stored in 32A (step 66 in FIG. 3). The image data stored in the transfer buffer 32A is stored in the transfer buffer 32A.
The preview image represented by the image data is displayed in the preview image display area 121 (step 67 in FIG. 3). An example of the preview image displayed in the preview image display area 121 is shown in FIG.

The operator can check the preview image to confirm whether an image having a desired angle, size, image quality, or the like has been obtained. If necessary, the camera control parameters may be reset (step 62 in FIG. 3).

An electronic camera is used to check whether desired image data has been obtained in the host computer 30.
It is necessary to transmit the captured image data from 10 to the host computer 30. One frame of image data is 12
Since the data amount is as large as 80 × 960 pixels (1228 Kbytes for one byte per pixel, three times that for color), data transmission takes a long time. As described above, the preview image data is reduced to 1/8 and transmitted from the electronic camera 10 to the host computer 30, so that the transmission time can be shortened.

When the operator confirms that a good image has been obtained by looking at the preview image, it is necessary to finally capture the captured image data. Entire frame (1280 x 960)
May be fetched, but in general, only a part is often required. Therefore, the operator specifies the area of the image to be captured, the magnification, and the capture destination on the preview image as shown in FIG. 22 (YES in step 68 in FIG. 3). Subsequently, the operator clicks “Get” (FIG. 3, step 69)
And YES). Then, a get command including the specified area and magnification is created and transmitted to the electronic camera 10 (step 70 in FIG. 3).

As described above, when an enlarged image is desired, the operator can manually operate the zoom / lens mechanism 11 of the electronic camera 10 to set a desired magnification. In this case, the operator clicks “shot” again to repeat shooting and preview of the subject.

When the electronic camera 10 receives the get command (step 88 in FIG. 4), the image data in the designated area is read from the image memory 16.

When the magnification is smaller than 1, the image memory 16
The image data read out from is supplied to the thinning circuit 19, and thinning is performed according to the set magnification. The image data is temporarily stored in the transfer buffer 17A (step 89 in FIG. 4) and then transmitted to the host computer 30 (step 90 in FIG. 4).

As described above, since only the image data for the truly necessary area is transmitted from the electronic camera 10, the transmission time of the image data can be reduced.

The image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the host computer 30 (step 71 in FIG. 3). When the image data is received, the image data is transferred to the previously specified destination. That is, when the capture destination is a “window” (main memory), the received image data is transferred to the transfer buffer 32 of the main memory 32.
A and the image represented by the image data is displayed in the main image display area 123 of the display device 40 as shown in FIG. 23 (step 73 in FIG. 3). If the destination is a "file", the received image data is temporarily stored in the main memory 32, then processed as necessary, transferred to the optical disk device 38, and recorded on the optical disk (step 75 in FIG. 3). ). At this time, the main image display area 123
Does not display an image (see FIG. 24), but may be displayed.

The operator may set the capture destination to "window", see the subject image displayed in the main image display area 123, and then click "file". In response, the image data stored in the main memory 32 is recorded on the optical disk (YES in step 74 of FIG. 3, step 7
Five). Of course, you can start over from the "shot" command again without clicking "file".

The capture command input area 122 displays the remaining capacity of the main memory 32 and the data amount of the transmitted image data. Can be entered. When the remaining capacity of the main memory 32 is smaller than the data amount of the image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10, it is preferable to prohibit the input of the "get" command.

FIG. 25 shows another embodiment, and is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of an imaging system. In this figure, the same components as those shown in FIG.

The imaging system shown in FIG. 25 differs from the imaging system shown in FIG. 2 in that a display device 40, a keyboard 36, and a mouse 37 are connected to the electronic camera 10A. The electronic camera 10A can communicate with the host computer 30A capable of recording image data on the magnetic disk 39A and the optical disk 39B via the communication interface 24.

In such an electronic camera 10A, camera control parameters set using the display device 40, the keyboard 36 or the mouse 37 are directly stored in the camera control parameter storage section 17B. The currently set control amount is read from the control amount storage unit 17C and displayed on the display device 40. If necessary, the control amount is changed.

The image data obtained by the imaging is stored in the host
The preview image and the main image are displayed on the display device 40 without being sent to the computer 30A. Then, only the image data of the desired magnification in the necessary area is transmitted to the host computer 30A, and the magnetic disk
The data can be recorded on the optical disk 39A or the optical disk 39B or stored in the transfer buffer 17A of the main memory 17.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an imaging system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the imaging system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in a host computer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the electronic camera.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a partial procedure of a setup process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an initial process of the electronic camera.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for adjusting parameters of the electronic camera.

FIG. 8 shows a plurality of display areas displayed on the display device.

FIG. 9 shows contents displayed in a partial area of the display device.

FIG. 10 shows a display example on a display device.

FIG. 11 shows a display example on a display device.

FIG. 12 shows a display example on a display device.

FIG. 13 shows a display example on a display device.

FIG. 14 shows a display example on a display device.

FIG. 15 shows a display example on a display device.

FIG. 16 shows a display example on a display device.

FIG. 17 shows a display example on a display device.

FIG. 18 illustrates a display example on a display device.

FIG. 19 illustrates a display example on a display device.

FIG. 20 illustrates a display example on a display device.

FIG. 21 illustrates a display example on a display device.

FIG. 22 illustrates a display example on a display device.

FIG. 23 illustrates a display example on a display device.

FIG. 24 illustrates a display example on a display device.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing another embodiment and showing an electrical configuration of an imaging system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9, 29, 33 Communication interface 10, 10A Electronic camera 11 Zoom / lens mechanism 12 Aperture 13 CCD 14 Signal processing circuit 15 A / D conversion circuit 16 Image memory 17, 32 Main memory 18 Camera controller 30, 30A Host computer 31 CPU 36 Keyboard 37 Mouse 40 Display

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-4679 (JP, A) JP-A-3-10580 (JP, A) JP-A-1-94311 (JP, A) JP-A-3-90569 (JP) , U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 5/232 H04N 5/225

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electronic camera, comprising: an electronic camera having electronic image processing means for photographing a subject and generating image data representing the photographed subject image; and a computer system capable of communicating with the electronic camera. Electronic imaging processing means comprising: a control amount detecting means for detecting a current control amount for an imaging process; and a feedback control for performing feedback control such that the control amount detected by the control amount detecting means coincides with a given target value. control means, in the automatic control mode, an automatic control means for determining a target value based on the information set obtained information or already from the subject, gives the target value this decision to the feedback control means and said computer system, The automatic control means is started when an automatic control command is given from the The above system
Control means for transmitting the current control amount detected by the control amount detection means to the computer system and thereafter providing the target value transmitted from the computer system to the feedback control means, wherein the computer system comprises: automatic control mode and manual control mode setting means for setting one of modes, the manual control when the automatic control mode is the automatic control command when it is set, the manual control mode is set by said mode setting means Control amount transmitting means for issuing commands and transmitting the control amounts to the electronic camera; control amount display means for displaying the current control amounts transmitted from the electronic camera in response to issuing the manual control commands; Means for setting a target value in the manual control mode; An imaging system equipped with target value transmission control means for transmitting to a camera. 2. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the item controlled by the feedback control means is at least one of an exposure amount, a white balance, a black balance, a focusing and a zoom amount. 3. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic camera and said computer system are formed separately and connected by a communication line. 4. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic camera and said computer system are integrally formed. 5. is connectable possible and communicate with a computer system, the current control amount detection means for detecting the control amount, the control amount control amount detected by the detection means given target value for the imaging process Feedback control means for performing feedback control so as to coincide with a target value, in automatic control mode, determining a target value based on information obtained from a subject or set information, and providing the determined target value to the feedback control means. Means for activating the automatic control means when an automatic control command is given from the computer system, and transmitting the current control amount detected by the control quantity detection means when the manual control command is given to the computer. The target value transmitted to the system and then transmitted from the computer system Target transmission control means for providing the readback control means electronic camera, comprising a. 6. A means for connecting and communicating with an electronic camera, means for setting one of an automatic control mode and a manual control mode, issuing an automatic control command when the automatic control mode is set, and Automatic control command transmission means for transmitting to the camera, Manual control command transmission means for issuing a manual control command when the manual control mode is set and transmitting to the electronic camera, Responding to the manual control command when it is issued To receive the current control amount transmitted from the electronic camera ,
1. A computer system comprising: control amount display means for displaying a current control amount of the electronic camera; means for setting a target value in a manual control mode; and target value transmitting means for transmitting the set target value to the electronic camera. 7. An electronic camera for photographing a subject and generating image data representing an image of the photographed subject, and a method for controlling an imaging system including a computer system capable of communicating with the electronic camera. but, when the automatic control command from the computer system is given, it determines a target value based on the information set obtained information or already from the subject, and detects the current control amount for the imaging process Feedback control so that the detected control amount coincides with the determined target value. When a manual control command is given from the computer system, the detected current control amount is transmitted to the computer system. Feedback control of the control amount is performed based on a target value transmitted from the computer system. The computer system issues the automatic control command when the automatic control mode is set, and issues the manual control command when the manual control mode is set to the electronic camera. Transmitting the manual control command, displaying the current control amount transmitted from the electronic camera in response to the manual control command, and then controlling to transmit the set target value to the electronic camera. How to control the system. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the items to be feedback controlled are:
The method according to claim 7, wherein the control method is at least one of an exposure amount, a white balance, a black balance, a focusing amount, and a zoom amount. 9. An electronic camera connectable to and communicable with a computer system, when receiving an automatic control command from the computer system, sets an objective value based on information obtained from a subject or set information. Determined, detects the current control amount for the imaging process, performs feedback control so that the detected control amount matches the determined target value, and detects when a manual control command is given from the computer system. A control method for an electronic camera, comprising: transmitting the current control amount to the computer system, and then performing feedback control of the control amount based on a target value transmitted from the computer system. 10. A computer system connectable to and communicable with an electronic camera, issues an automatic control command when an automatic control command is set, transmits the command to the electronic camera, and sets a manual control mode. Issue a manual control command to the electronic camera and transmit the same to the electronic camera ; receive the current control amount transmitted from the electronic camera in response to the manual control command; display the control amount ; A control method for a computer system, which controls transmission of a target value set in a mode to the electronic camera.