JPH0695228A - Camera and display device capable of storing imaging data - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a camera and a display device capable of correctly displaying imaging data stored in a memory of the camera on a display unit of the display device. [Structure] A means is provided for prohibiting changing the setting of the type of image data to be stored when the film loaded in the camera is still in the middle of shooting. Further, when the image pickup data is output from the camera to the display device, the camera is also configured to output information indicating the type of the image pickup data. Further, the display device is provided with a means for identifying what the imaged data obtained from the camera is.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera for storing image data and a display device for displaying the camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the storage mode can be changed even while storing the captured image data, so that the captured image data may not be displayed correctly.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a camera and a display device that can properly display stored image pickup data.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the storage items of the image pickup data are output from the camera together with the image pickup data so that they can be correctly displayed on the display device. Also, setting of storage items is prohibited during storage of imaging data.

[0005]

In the present invention, the storage item of the imaged data is output from the camera together with the imaged data, and the display device for receiving and displaying the imaged data refers to the information of the stored item and displays it. Since it is prohibited to change the storage item during storage, the captured data can be displayed correctly.

[0006]

1 is a diagram showing a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 in the broken line is a camera and 2
Is a microcomputer (CPU) that controls the camera,
Reference numeral 3 is an operation member of the camera, 4 is a display device of the camera, and 5 is a storage device. Reference numeral 11 is a personal computer capable of communicating with the camera. This personal computer 1
1 also includes a microcomputer (CPU) not shown.

When the image pickup data is stored, what can be stored as data can be set while looking at the screen of the personal computer. FIG. 2 is an example of a screen of a personal computer, showing shutter speed /
Aperture value, exposure mode / metering mode, lens focal length, exposure compensation amount / flash compensation amount are displayed. Here, by operating the personal computer,
When the item to be stored is selected by highlighting the mark with a square and the information is transferred to the camera, the information is stored in the storage device of the camera.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing setting information of storage items set by the personal computer. In FIG. 3, the storage item setting information is 1-byte information and includes bits 0 to 0.
2 is information on the number of storage bytes required for each frame. Figure 4
Therefore, this 3-bit information takes a value of 000 to 110. Bit 3 in FIG. 3 is the storage information of the shutter speed / aperture value. If it is 0, it is not stored, and if it is 1, it is stored. Bits 4 to 6 below indicate information on whether or not the exposure mode / photometry mode, the lens focal length, and the exposure correction amount / light adjustment correction amount are stored.

FIG. 5 shows the amount of information required for each storage item.
The exposure mode and the photometric mode are 4 bits, and the others are 1 byte. Therefore, combine the exposure mode and metering mode to 1
It suffices to store it as imaging information of bytes. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a storage device of the camera, and storage item setting information is stored in the address <1>. Film number information is stored in the address <2>. This information is incremented by 1 every film change. Address <3> ~ <
In 5>, address information for storing the image pickup data in the storage device is written. Here, the current address of the address <3> indicates the address of the storage device of the imaging data to be written next, and + is added every time 1 byte is written.
1 is done. The start address of the address <4> is a new address for starting storage, and is updated when image data is read or erased. As the current film address of address <5>, the first address of the film currently being imaged is written, and is updated every time the film is exchanged.

The address <TOP> is the first address where the actual image pickup data is stored, and the address <EN
D> is the last address. That is, the imaging data is T
It is stored in the storage area from OP to END. A case will be described where the imaging data is started to be stored in the state where no imaging data is stored.

First, a memory item is set by a personal computer. This is done by operating the keyboard while looking at the screen of FIG. When the information is transferred to the camera by the communication means, the microcomputer 2 of the camera 2
Write to a predetermined address of the storage device 5, that is, the address <1> in FIG. The values written at this time are shutter speed / aperture value, exposure mode / photometry mode, so that the values written in FIG. 2 are bit 3 = 1, bit 4 = 1, and the number of stored bytes = 3 from FIG. 3, so [1Dh] Becomes

Here, since the image pickup data is in an initial state where no image data is stored, addresses <3> to <5 in FIG.
The address value “TOP” is written in all the address information>. When the film is attached and the film is wound up to the first frame, the microcomputer 2
Writes the value of the film number of the address <2> to +1 and writes it to the address indicated by the current address of the address <3>, that is, the address <TOP>. That is, the film number of the first film is written. At this time, the value of the address <3> is incremented by 1.

When the first frame is imaged, the shutter speed data is written in the address <TOP + 1>, the aperture value is written in the address <TOP + 2>, and the exposure mode / photometry mode in the address <TOP + 3> is written. The value of the current address of the address <3> has changed to <TOP + 5> when the image data of the first frame is stored. Similarly, the second and subsequent frames are also stored. When the film is finished, the film is rewound. At this time, a film end mark indicating the end of the imaged data of one film is written.
Further, the value of the current film address of the address <5> is rewritten to the value of the leading address of the second film.
Since the current address value at this point is a value indicating the beginning of the second film, the current address value may actually be copied to the current film address.

When the second film is mounted and the winding operation is performed up to the first frame, the film number of the second film is stored as in the case of the first film. The operation of the above address information is as follows: Initial state Current address: TOP start address: TOP Current film address: TOP At the end of easy loading (empty winding) of the first film Current address: TOP + 1 start address: TOP current film Address: TOP When shooting n frames on the first film (memory bytes per frame = M) Current address: TOP + 1 + n × M Start address: TOP Current film address: TOP At the end of rewinding the first film (N frames (Image capture) Current address: TOP + 1 + N × M + 1 Start address: TOP Current film address: TOP + 1 + N × M + 1 At the end of easy loading (empty winding) of the second film Current address: ( OP + 1 + N × M +
1) +1 start address: TOP current film address: TOP + 1 + N × M + 1 However, the storable capacity of the storage device 5 is limited. That is, the area in which the imaging data can be stored in FIG. 6 is from <TOP> to <END>. Therefore, it is necessary to always look at the remaining capacity when the imaged data is stored. That is, one frame is imaged, and after the imaged data is stored, the number of stored bytes per frame is compared with the capacity for writing the film end mark.

In the example of FIG. 6, the final address in which the image data can be stored is <END>. In this embodiment, the imaging data is stored up to <END> and then from <TOP>. Therefore, the address next to <END> becomes <TOP>. The value of address <4> is currently <TOP>. That is, it is <END + 1>. Therefore, the remaining storage capacity is <END + 1 value>-<
The value of the current address>.

From the above, in order to determine whether the data cannot be stored any more, compare (the number of bytes stored per frame + the writing capacity of the film end mark) with (<the value of END + 1>-<the value of the current address>). Then, if the latter value is smaller than the former value, it is determined that the memory cannot be stored any more, and the camera may give a warning and stop the memory. At this time, a memory full bit is set that the storage capacity is full. This is in bit 7 of FIG. Here, the reason for considering the writing capacity of the film end mark in the calculation of the remaining capacity is
This is to leave room for writing the film end mark when the film is rewound even when the storage capacity is full when the film is used up.

Although the above embodiment describes the case where the storage of the image pickup data is started from the address <TOP> of the memory, it is actually from <TOP> to <END>.
You may start remembering anywhere in between. The place to store the address for starting this storage is the <start address>. In this case, the formula for calculating the remaining capacity of the memory actually differs depending on the size of the start address value and the current address value. (Start address value)> (current address value)
In case of, (start address value)-(current address value)
Byte, (start address value) <(current address value)
In the case of, it becomes (the value of END-the value of the current address) + (the value of the start address-the value of TOP) + 1 byte. The operation of the camera CPU 2 during the image capturing operation will be described below with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 7 is a main routine showing the operation of the camera CPU 2 during the image pickup operation. The flow starts when a half-push switch (not shown) is turned on. Step 101
Then, it is detected whether or not a release button (not shown) is pressed, and if pressed, the process proceeds to step 102. Step 102
Then, it is judged whether or not there is enough memory for storing the imaged data. If the memory is full (the storage area is insufficient), the process proceeds to step 103 to display a warning and prohibit the release operation.

Step 10 if the memory is not full
Go to 4. In step 104, the film counter
If the film counter indicates "E", it means that the film is in an unexposed state. If the film counter is not "E", the process proceeds to step 105 to release the shutter. To do.

When the release is completed, the routine proceeds to step 106, where the film winding operation is started. Then, in step 107, the image pickup data is stored in the memory. Then, in step 108, the winding of one frame is detected and the winding is completed. Then, in step 109, the remaining capacity of the memory is calculated, and in step 110, it is judged whether or not there is remaining capacity.

If the remaining capacity is less than a predetermined value, step 11
In step 112, the information is stored and a warning is displayed. At step 109, the procedure proceeds to a subroutine for determining remaining capacity, which will be described later with reference to FIG. As a result of performing the subroutine for determining the remaining capacity in step 110, if the remaining amount of memory is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (described later in FIG. 11), the process returns to the release signal determination routine in step 101.

If the film counter value is "E" in step 104, the flow advances to step 113 to perform easy loading. When the easy loading is completed, the film number value is incremented by 1 in step 114, and then stored in the memory address indicated by the current current address in step 115.

Next, at step 116, the value of the current address is incremented by one. Then, the process proceeds to step 109 to judge the remaining capacity of the memory. Step 107 and step 1
Details of the processing for 09 will be described later. Next, the operation of the camera CPU 2 during the rewinding operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flow starts when a film rewind button (not shown) is operated and a rewind switch (not shown) interlocked with it is turned on.

In step 201, a motor (not shown) is turned to start rewinding the film. At step 202, the end of rewinding is detected, and when the rewinding is finished, step 2
At 03, stop the motor. Next, at step 204, an end mark indicating the end of the image data of one film is stored at the address indicated by the current address.

Next, in step 205, the current address is incremented by 1, and in step 206, the value of the current film address is rewritten to the value of the current current address. This current film address corresponds to the storage start address of the imaged data of the next film. Here, the subroutine of the imaging data storage processing in step 107 of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. In this process, the storage item setting information (FIG. 3) is determined and stored.

If it is set to store the shutter speed / aperture value in step 301, step 30
In step 2, the shutter speed is stored and then the current address value is incremented by 1, and in step 303, the aperture value is stored and then the current address value is incremented by 1. Next step 30
If it is set to store the photometric mode / exposure mode in 4, the 4-bit photometric mode and the 4-bit exposure mode are stored as 1-byte data in step 305, and then the value of the current address is incremented by one.

Next, if it is set to store the lens focal length in step 306, the lens focal length is stored in step 307 and then the value of the current address is incremented by one. Next, if it is set to store the exposure / flash control amount in step 308, the exposure correction amount is stored in step 309, the value of the current address is incremented by 1, and the flash control amount is stored in step 310. Then, the value of the current address is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to the end of the storage of the image pickup data in step 311.

Here, steps 301, 304, 306,
If it is determined in 308 that it is set not to be stored, the processing proceeds to 304, 306, 308, and 311 respectively. Also, steps 302, 303, 305, 307, 3
When the current address is incremented by 1 after storing the imaging data in 09 and 310, the incremented result is "END" in FIG.
If the value exceeds, the process of changing the value of the current address to "TOP" is added. Steps 312 and 31 in FIG.
3 describes this process. Step 1 of FIG.
The subroutine for determining the remaining memory capacity in step 09 will be described with reference to FIG.
In 01, the total number of bytes stored in one frame (FIG. 4) and the number of bytes of the film end mark are calculated, and this value is set to A.

Next, in step 402, the value of the start address is compared with the value of the current address. If start address> current address is not satisfied, step 403
When it is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 404. Step 4
In 03, the value in the frame is calculated and this value is set to B, and step 4
In 04, the value within the frame is set to B.

Then, in step 405, the value of A and the value of B are compared, and if A> B is satisfied, it is determined that the memory is full, and the process returns from step 110 to step 111 in FIG. If> B is not satisfied, the process returns to step 101 of FIG. 7 and returns to step 101. Next, the operation of reading the image pickup data stored in the camera will be described in the case of connecting the camera and a personal computer as shown in FIG. 1 and reading the image pickup data.

Now, let us assume that the second film is ready to be imaged as shown in FIG. At this time, the imaging of the first film is completed. When the image pickup data is read by operating the personal computer, the personal computer first looks at the address information. Then, the following determination is made to read the image pickup data. Here, what is actually read is the imaged data of the film that has been imaged (that is, the imaged data of the first film), and the imaged data of the film that is being imaged is not read. The reading of imaging data is performed by the following three judgments. 1. When (value of current film address)> (value of start address) Read start address = start address Read end address = current film address-1 2. When (value of current film address) <(value of start address) Read start address = start address Read interrupt address = END read restart address = TOP read end address = current film address-1. When (Value of current film address) = (Value of start address) When memory full bit = 1 Reading start address = Start address Reading end address = Current film address-1 When memory full bit = 0 Imaging data is stored After reading the image pickup data, the personal computer rewrites the address information. This is so that if the imaging data is read after the memory becomes full during imaging, the storage of the imaging data can be resumed immediately. The following processing is performed to rewrite the address information.

<Rewrite the value of the start address to the value of the current film address immediately before reading. ><Clear Memory Full Bit> By the above operation, it is possible to read the image data and store new image data. That is, there is the same effect as erasing the stored image data only by rewriting the value of the start address to the value of the current film address.

In FIG. 6, the image pickup data is stored from <TOP>, but in actuality, when <END> is reached, the image data is stored again from <TOP>, so that the storage device can always be used effectively. Below, when reading the imaging data,
The operation of the CPU (not shown) in the personal computer 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

This flow starts when a reading operation member (not shown) of the personal computer connected to the camera is operated. In step 501, address information and data full bit are read. Then step 50
In step 2, it is determined whether the value of the current film address and the value of the start address are the same. If they are the same, step 5
Go to 03.

In step 503, the memory full bit is judged. If it is 1 (memory full), step 5 is executed.
05 advance. If the memory full bit is 0, the flow advances to step 504 to display that there is no imaging data stored. In step 505, the value of the current film address is compared with the value of the start address, and if the value of the current film address is larger than the value of the start address, go to step 506, and if it is smaller, step 507.
Go to.

In both steps 506 and 507, the image data is read from the camera, but the reading method is different. After the image data is read in steps 506 and 507, the value of the current film address is written in the start address in step 508. As a result, the read imaging data is erased. FIG. 13 is a display example in which the image data read by the personal computer is displayed, and the film number and film sensitivity are displayed as common items, and the shutter speed / aperture value / exposure mode / photometry mode is displayed as data for each frame. In the present embodiment, the lens focal length, the exposure correction amount, and the dimming correction amount are not displayed because they are not selected in the setting of the memory item. In order to display the imaged data on the personal computer, the display item is determined by the storage item setting information. As shown in FIG. 6, the data read from the camera is in a state in which there is no division for each frame. Therefore, it is necessary to determine which item of image data is stored in order to display the image data correctly. Since the storage item setting information is also stored in the imaged data shown in FIG. 6, the personal computer can determine the stored items and the number of stored bytes per frame. In the case of the embodiment, 1 to 1 of the image pickup data of one film
The third byte is a common item, the first byte is storage item setting information, the second byte is the film number, the third byte is the film sensitivity, the fourth to sixth bytes are the image data of the first frame, and the seventh to ninth. The byte data is the image data of the second frame. If the memory item is changed during the image pickup, the image pickup data cannot be displayed correctly. The reason is as follows.

1) Only one storage item setting information is stored per film. 2) Even if the number of stored bytes per frame does not change, if a stored item is changed, the format of the data will be different, so that it will not be displayed correctly. In the present invention, the above problem can be prevented by prohibiting the setting of the storage item during the image capturing. As a concrete method, if the camera is currently storing the image pickup data when the setting of the storage mode is changed by the personal computer, the rewriting of the storage item setting information may be prohibited. When the screen of FIG. 2 is called by the personal computer to change the storage item and transfer the information to the camera, the personal computer reads the imaged frame number information of the camera by communicating with the camera. At this time, it can be determined that there is a film in the camera except that the film number information indicates that the film is empty (E: empty).

That is, when the value of the film counter of the camera is other than "E: empty", the personal computer may display a message as shown in FIG. 14 and prohibit the rewriting of the memory item setting information of the camera. Below is the CP of the personal computer 11 in the setting of the storage mode.
The operation of U (not shown) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, the storage mode is set by the personal computer, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation shown in the flow of FIG.
If the PU 2 can perform the setting, the setting may be performed on the camera side.

When the storage mode is set by the personal computer, this flow starts. First step 6
The state of the camera is read by communicating with the camera at 01. In step 602, the state of the film counter of the camera is "
If it is "E", the process proceeds to step 603 to display the image data storage mode setting screen shown in FIG.

While looking at the screen, a storage item is set by a keyboard (not shown) or the like (step 604) and transferred to the camera (step 605). Then, the storage item setting shown in FIG. Information is stored. In step 602, the value of the film counter of the camera is "
If it is other than E ", it is determined that the film being imaged is in the camera, and the error message shown in FIG. 14 is displayed in step 606. Next, the operation of reading / displaying the imaged data is shown in the flowchart of FIG. It will be explained based on.

When the image data is read and displayed by the personal computer, the address information of the image data of the camera is read in step 701. And step 70
In step 2, the address information is judged, and if it is judged that there is no stored image data, the flow advances to step 709 to display "No image data".

If it is determined that there is image pickup data, the image pickup data is read from the camera based on the address information in step 703, and the image pickup data read in step 704 is stored in a personal computer storage device (memory, floppy disk, IC card, etc.). Remember. Next step 7
In step 05, the start address is rewritten to erase the imaged data in the camera that has been read, in step 706 the data full bit is cleared, and in step 707.
Proceed to.

In step 707, the data such as the shutter speed and the aperture value is converted based on the stored item setting information of the stored image pickup data, and the data is displayed in step 708 as shown in FIG.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the information of the storage item is output to the display device together with the image pickup data stored by the camera, the correct image pickup data is always displayed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a camera of the present invention and a personal computer for setting and reading a storage mode of imaged data.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen for setting storage items of imaged data on the personal computer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing storage item setting information of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between bit information data and the number of storage bytes.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between a storage item and an information amount.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a storage state of a storage device for imaged data according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera CPU during image pickup.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the camera CPU at the time of rewinding.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a subroutine of imaged data storage processing of the camera CPU.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a subroutine of image data storage processing of the camera CPU.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a subroutine of the camera CPU when determining the remaining memory capacity.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of a CPU of a personal computer when reading image pickup data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of imaging data by the display device of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an example of a message prohibiting storage item change of imaged data according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a storage mode setting operation of the CPU of the personal computer.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation of reading / displaying image pickup data by the CPU of the personal computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 camera 2 camera control microcomputer 3 camera setting device 4 camera display device 5 camera storage device 11 personal computer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A setting means for setting a type of image pickup data stored in a memory provided in a camera, a type storage means for storing the type set by the setting means, and the setting is made for each image pickup operation. Image data storage means for storing different types of image data in the memory, and a determination as to whether or not the film loaded in the camera is in an image capturing state after easy loading and before rewinding. A camera and a display device capable of storing imaging data, characterized by comprising: a means and a prohibiting means for prohibiting the operation of the setting means when the determination means determines that the image pickup state is set. 2. A camera provided with a memory, comprising: setting means for setting the type of imaging data stored in the memory; type storing means for storing the type set by the setting means; An image pickup data storage unit that stores the set type of image pickup data in the memory; an output unit that outputs the image pickup data to the outside of the camera; and an image pickup data that is output by the output unit. A camera characterized in that information on the type of data is also output to the outside of the camera. 3. A display device connectable to a camera, comprising: input means for inputting image pickup data output from the camera and information regarding a type of the image pickup data; and based on the information regarding the type, A display device capable of storing imaging data, comprising: an identification unit that identifies the type of imaging data; and a display unit that displays the imaging data identified by the identification unit.