KR101828410B1 - Imaging device, imaging mode selecting method, and recording medium storing computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

An imaging apparatus capable of presenting a selectable shooting mode according to the characteristics of a mounted lens. An image pickup apparatus comprising a plurality of image pickup modes suitable for photographing a subject, the image pickup apparatus comprising: a photographing mode determining unit for determining a photographing mode selectable at the time of mounting the lens in the photographing mode in accordance with the lens characteristics of the mounted lens; And a shooting mode presentation unit for presenting the shooting mode on the screen.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging mode selecting method, and a recording medium storing a computer program,

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a shooting mode selection method, and a recording medium storing a computer program.

2. Description of the Related Art Some imaging apparatuses for photographing a still image or a moving image include a plurality of new modes pre-specified with settings suitable for photographing a subject. The modes include "portrait", "landscape", "close-up", "sports", "memorial picture", "candle", and the like. The modes include an optimum shutter speed, a diaphragm effect, An optimum set value is specified in advance in image quality-related control such as reproduction characteristics. The photographer can select an arbitrary scene from a plurality of scenes according to the scene conditions, thereby making it possible to take a scene in accordance with the scene.

In recent years, there is an imaging apparatus equipped with a function of not only selecting a mode among photographing modes such as a prepared new mode and a focus mode, but also analyzing the situation of the subject and automatically determining the most appropriate photographing mode. This not only improves the automatic determination performance but also tends to increase the number of image taking modes mounted on the image capture device, so that the photographer hesitates to select which of the image taking modes suits the image taking mode among many image taking modes, The side that opens up from the hassle of manipulating is also great. Especially for beginners who are not accustomed to shooting, the ability to automatically select a scene is important.

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2005-32348 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-74550 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-324965

However, such an automatic determination function of the photographing mode can be used to select a mode (unlike an expectation) that the photographer does not intend, even if it sometimes causes a recognition error or can not be recognized as a recognition error, There was a problem that the result became unstable in reality. Further, the shooting mode selected by the imaging apparatus is in accordance with the expectation of the photographer. However, the processing contents after the shooting mode selection do not match the taste of the photographer, resulting in a problem that the shot image is not intended by the photographer.

Therefore, a photographer who is accustomed to the photographing to a certain extent selects the photographing mode by using the conventional photographing mode selecting function by manual operation without using the automatic determining function of the photographing mode to avoid such a problem. However, as described above, it is troublesome to select a photographing mode to be used among a plurality of photographing modes, and there is also a problem that it takes too much time to select and determine a photographing mode. In addition, there are many cases in which the photographing mode favorite by the photographer is limited, and there are several photographing modes that are unlikely to be used in the future.

It is expected that the photographing mode can be more effectively and simply selected from the characteristics of the subject, the image pickup device, and the lens mounted on the image pickup device, and the reproducibility of the setting contents is also required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus capable of adding or deleting a shooting mode to a shooting mode, And an object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved imaging device, a shooting mode selection method, and a recording medium storing a computer program, which can more effectively and simply select the shooting mode from the characteristics of the mounted lens.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus including a plurality of image pickup modes suitable for image pickup of a subject, the image pickup apparatus comprising: A photographing mode determination unit for determining a mode, and a photographing mode presentation unit for presenting the photographing mode determined by the photographing mode determination unit on the screen.

By having such a configuration, it is possible to determine a photographing mode which can be selected at the time of mounting the lens in the photographing mode according to the lens characteristic of the mounted lens, and to select the photographing mode more easily from the characteristics of the lens mounted on the photographing apparatus .

The lens may be interchangeable, and the photographing mode deciding section may acquire the lens characteristics to be mounted and identify the photographing mode with another lens.

And a storage unit that stores a selectable photographing mode in association with information for individually identifying the lens to be mounted.

The information for individually identifying the lenses may be one or two or more per lens.

The information for individually identifying the lens may be a serial number.

The photographing mode determining section may determine the photographing mode that can be selected differently depending on the difference in the information for individually identifying the lens even if the lens is of the same type.

The photographing mode may include a new mode for photographing a subject.

The photographing mode may include a mode for switching the focus lens driving range of the lens. The photographing mode may include a focus mode for switching the lens focus processing between autofocus and manual focus.

The lens characteristic may include at least one of the lens type, the focal length information, the object distance information, and the specific operation switching means information.

The photographing mode deciding section may add or delete the photographing mode for the determined photographing mode in accordance with the additional instruction or the delete instruction of the photographing mode.

By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to add or delete a photographing mode to the determined photographing mode, and it becomes possible to more effectively and simply select the photographing mode according to the preference of the photographer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of selecting an imaging mode of an imaging apparatus having a plurality of imaging modes suitable for imaging a subject, A photographing mode determining step of determining a possible photographing mode, and a photographing mode presenting step of presenting the photographing mode determined by the photographing mode determining step on the screen.

And a photographing mode editing step of adding or deleting the photographing mode to the photographing mode presented by the photographing mode presenting step in accordance with an additional instruction or a deletion instruction of the photographing mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for causing a computer to select an imaging mode of an imaging device having a plurality of imaging modes suitable for imaging an object, A photographing mode determining step of determining a photographing mode that can be selected from among the photographing modes, and a photographing mode presenting step of presenting the photographing mode determined by the photographing mode determining step on a screen, is provided .

And a photographing mode editing step of adding or deleting the photographing mode to the photographing mode presented by the photographing mode presenting step in accordance with an additional instruction or a deletion instruction of the photographing mode.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to more effectively and simply select the shooting mode from the characteristics of the lens mounted on the image pickup apparatus by presenting a selectable shooting mode according to the characteristics of the mounted lens An improved imaging apparatus, a shooting mode selecting method, and a recording medium storing a computer program.

1 is an explanatory view showing a functional configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an explanatory view showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit.
3 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a screen displayed on the display section.
4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a screen displayed on the display section.
5 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screen displayed on the display section.
6 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screen displayed on the display section.
7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an explanatory view showing an example of the lens drive range of the macro lens.
9 is an explanatory view showing an example of the appearance of the lens unit.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

<1. One embodiment of the present invention:

[1-1. Functional Configuration of Imaging Apparatus]

First, a functional configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an explanatory view showing a functional configuration of an image pickup apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the image pickup apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig.

1, an image sensing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 100 and a lens unit 200. [

The main body unit 100 includes a shutter 102, a CMOS image sensor 104, an image input controller 106, a nonvolatile memory 108, a DSP CPU 110, a compression processing circuit 112, an LCD driver 114 A display unit 116, a VRAM 118, a memory 120, a media controller 122, a recording medium 124, an operating unit 126, a driver 128, a motor 130, and a battery 132 .

The lens unit 200 includes a zoom lens 202, a diaphragm 204, a focus lens 206, an A / D converter 208, a lens CPU 210, a ROM 212, a RAM 214, (216, 218), and motors (220, 222).

First, each part of the main body 100 will be described. The shutter 102 adjusts the incidence time of the incident light incident from the lens unit 200. In this embodiment, the shutter 102 controls the time for taking out the electric signal by controlling the incident light by using the electronic shutter. However, by using the mechanical shutter, the time for taking out the electric signal by controlling the incident light may be adjusted.

The CMOS image sensor 104 is an element for converting the light incident from the lens unit 200 into an electric signal. The CMOS image sensor 104 includes a CDS circuit 142 and an A / D converter 144. The CDS circuit 142 is a circuit in which a CDS circuit, which is a type of a sampling circuit for removing noise of an electric signal outputted from the CMOS image sensor 104, and an amplifier for amplifying an electric signal after noise is removed, are integrated. In the present embodiment, the image pickup apparatus 10 is configured by using a circuit in which the CDS circuit and the amplifier are integrated. However, the CDS circuit and the amplifier may be constituted by separate circuits. The A / D converter 144 converts the electrical signal generated by the CMOS image sensor 104 into a digital signal to generate RAW data of an image.

The image input controller 106 controls the input of the raw data of the image generated by the A / D converter 144. The nonvolatile memory 108 is a part for recording an execution program for controlling the image capturing apparatus 10 and management information necessary for controlling the image capturing apparatus 10. [ The lens identification information for identifying the lens unit 200 and the lens identification information for identifying the lens unit 200 in the new mode that the imaging apparatus 10 can select when the lens unit 200 is mounted on the main body 100 Record related information.

The DSP CPU 110 commands the CMOS image sensor 104 or the CDS circuit 142 to perform a signal system command or an operation system command for the operation of the operation unit 126. [ In the present embodiment, the DSP / CPU 110 is shown integrally in Fig. 1, but the signal system command and the manipulation system command may be executed by a separate control unit (for example, divided into a CPU and a DSP).

The DSP / CPU 110 includes a timing generator (TG) 151, an I / O 152, an SIO 153, an AE / AWB / AF evaluation value calculation unit 154, a proper AWB calculation unit 155, A processing unit 156, an AF arithmetic / control unit 157, an AE arithmetic / control unit 158, a GUI managing unit 159, and a mode determining unit 160.

The timing generator 151 inputs a timing signal to the CMOS image sensor 104. The shutter speed is determined by the timing signal from the timing generator 151. [ That is, the driving of the CMOS image sensor 104 is controlled by the timing signal from the timing generator 151, and the image light from the subject is incident within the driving time of the CMOS image sensor 104, Is generated.

The I / O 152 is a part for sending control from the DSP / CPU 110 to the driver 128. Based on the operation of the operation unit 126 of the photographer, the DSP / CPU 110 sends a command to the driver 128 to open / close the shutter 102. [

The SIO 153 is a part that performs communication control with the lens unit 200 or performs gain control or the like with respect to an amplifier built in the CMOS image sensor 104. [

The AE / AWB / AF evaluation value calculating section 154 divides the image input from the CMOS image sensor 104 into a plurality of areas and calculates a characteristic amount such as a brightness, an RGB average value, a contrast value, to be.

The correct AWB calculating section 155 calculates the appropriate white balance from the RGB average value calculated by the AE / AWB / AF evaluation value calculating section 154 from the image input from the CMOS image sensor 104. [

The image processing unit 156 is a unit that performs various image processes on the image input from the CMOS image sensor 104, for example, gamma adjustment, outline adjustment, white balance correction, gain adjustment, and the like.

The AF arithmetic / control unit 157 evaluates the image contrast value calculated by the AE / AWB / AF evaluation value calculating unit 154 and calculates the image contrast value by using the focus lens of the lens unit 200 The moving direction and the speed of the motor 206 are determined.

The AE calculation / control unit 158 comprehensively evaluates the brightness values for each block calculated by the AE / AWB / AF evaluation value calculation unit 154 and compares the brightness values for each block input (live view image) It determines the optimum shutter speed, aperture value, and gain.

The GUI management unit 159 controls display of images and icons displayed on the display unit 116. When the touch panel function is mounted on the display unit 116, the GUI management unit 159 detects the operation of the photographer and analyzes / .

The mode determining unit 160 determines a photographing mode, for example, a new mode according to the type of the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100, or determines a photographing mode based on the operation of the photographer to be. When the mode determination section 160 determines, for example, a predetermined new mode, the AE calculation / control section 158 determines an appropriate aperture or shutter speed according to the determined new mode. The specific determination of the shooting mode by the mode determination unit 160 will be described in detail later.

The compression processing circuit 112 compresses the image subjected to gain correction and white balance adjustment of the light amount into image data of a proper format. The compression format of the image may be a reversible format or a non-reversible format. As an example of a suitable format, it may be converted to JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format or JPEG 2000 format.

The display unit 116 displays a live view display before the shooting operation, various setting screens of the imaging apparatus 10, and a captured image. Display of image data and various kinds of information of the image pickup apparatus 10 on the display section 116 is performed via the LCD driver 114. [

The VRAM 118 stores contents to be displayed on the display unit 116. The resolution and the maximum color rendering count of the display unit 116 depend on the capacity of the VRAM 118. [

The memory 120 temporarily stores the photographed image. The memory 120 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a plurality of images. The reading and writing of the image to the memory 120 is controlled by the image input controller 106. As the memory 120, for example, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) may be used as shown in FIG.

The recording medium 124 is a portion for recording an image photographed by the image capturing apparatus 10. The input / output to / from the recording medium 124 is controlled by the media controller 122. As the recording medium 124, a memory card which is a card-type storage device for recording data in a flash memory can be used.

The operation unit 126 is provided with members for operating the imaging device 10 and performing various settings at the time of shooting. The member disposed on the operation section 126 may include a power button, a cross key for selecting a photographing mode, a selection button, a shutter button for starting the photographing operation of the subject, and the like.

The driver 128 is a part for controlling the driving of the motor 130 for operating the shutter 102. [ The battery 132 collects predetermined electric power and supplies electric power to the main body 100 and the lens unit 200. [

Next, each part of the lens unit 200 will be described. The zoom lens 202 is a lens in which the focal length continuously changes by moving back and forth in the direction of the optical axis, and is photographed while varying the size of the subject. The diaphragm 204 adjusts the amount of light entering the CMOS image sensor 104 of the main body unit 100 by the motor 220 when photographing the image. The focus lens 206 is a portion that adjusts the focus of a subject by moving it back and forth in the direction of the optical axis by the motor 222. [

In the present embodiment, only one zoom lens 202 and one focus lens 206 are shown, but the number of lenses of the zoom lens 202 may be two or more, and the number of lenses of the focus lens 206 may be two or more.

The A / D converter 208 converts the position information of the zoom lens 202 and the focus lens 206 into digital information. The A / D converter 208 sends the position information of the zoom lens 202 and the focus lens 206, which are converted into digital information, to the lens CPU 210.

The lens CPU 210 controls the internal operation of the lens unit 200 and controls the information communication with the main body 100. For example, the lens CPU 210 receives and analyzes the position information of the zoom lens 202 and the focus lens 206, which are converted into digital information by the A / D converter 208, Grasps the position of the lens 206, and transmits the position information to the main body 100. When the lens CPU 210 receives a command from the main body 100 to specify the positions and values of the zoom lens 202, diaphragm 204 and focus lens 206, the lens CPU 210 controls the zoom lens 202, The focus lens 204, and the focus lens 206, respectively.

The lens CPU 210 has an SIO 211. The SIO 211 communicates with the SIO 153 provided in the DSP CPU 110 of the main body 100, (100) and the lens unit (200).

The ROM 212 is a computer program for controlling the operation of the lens unit 200 by reading out and sequentially executing the lens CPU 210. The ROM 212 is a computer program for controlling various operations of the lens unit 200 Model number) or serial number) is stored. The RAM 214 is a portion in which rewritable information is stored for the operation of the lens unit 200.

The drivers 216 and 218 control driving of the motors 220 and 222 that operate the diaphragm 204 and the focus lens 206. [ By operating the diaphragm 204 and the focus lens 206 through the drivers 216 and 218, the size of the subject, the amount of light, and the focus can be adjusted.

The functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to Fig. Next, the operation of the image pickup apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[1-2. Operation of image pickup device]

The imaging apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a function for selecting an automatic new mode. The imaging apparatus 10 refers to the characteristic quantity of the subject, for example, the gradient of luminance or color, the photographing distance, and the like as the judgment material in the new mode. For example, if the luminance of the image is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it can be estimated that the image is outdoors, and if the photographing distance is not in the proximity area, the image sensing apparatus 10 Quot; scenery &quot; as a candidate.

As a judging material to be emphasized in addition to the characteristic quantity of the subject, there is the lens characteristic of the lens section 200 mounted on the main body section 100. For example, in the case where the lens unit 200 is a telephoto lens, "sports" in which it is difficult to approach the subject and "portrait" in which the background is blurred are candidates for the new mode, It is appropriate that one &quot; candle &quot; is handled outside the target of the new mode.

As described above, the lens characteristic of the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100 is referred to as an important element in the new mode determination. As a special case, when a button for macro photographing is arranged on the lens unit 200, when the photographer operates the corresponding button to set a macro, the new mode is preferably limited to "close-up" .

Further, in the case of a lens-integrated type imaging apparatus, lens characteristics are uniformly determined. In the case of a lens-interchangeable type imaging apparatus, for example, a single-lens type still camera, it is also conceivable that the result of new recognition .

Here, a selection example of the new mode in the case of taking lens characteristics into account is shown below.

mode
\
lens
Portrait (P)

Scenery (L)

Close-up (C)

Sports (S)

Memorial Photo (M)

Candle (Cd)
Fisheye ○ ○ ○ Macro ○ ○ Wide angle zoom ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Standard zoom ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Telephoto ○ ○ ○

(Table 1: Selection example of new mode considering lens characteristics)

As described above, many photographers think that the photographer who is dissatisfied with the result of recognizing the new mode or the contents of the process in the automatic mode selection function desires to select the new mode by manual operation. At this time, when the new mode is manually selected, only a new mode suitable for the lens characteristics of the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100 of the image pickup apparatus 10 is selected in advance, Greatly improved.

In addition, in recent years, there are a large number of imaging apparatuses provided with a user interface by a touch panel for operating the imaging apparatus by directly contacting the display unit of the imaging apparatus. In such an image pickup apparatus, it is preferable that the automatically selected new mode suitable for the lens characteristic is displayed in one screen on the display screen at the time of new selection.

2 (a) and 2 (b) show a state in which when the lens section 200 is attached to the main body section 100 of the image pickup apparatus 10 when the lens of the lens section 200 is a wide-angle zoom lens, Fig. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of a screen displayed on the display screen. If the lens characteristics shown in Table 1 are not taken into account at all, all the new modes are displayed on the display unit 116.

Considering the lens characteristics shown in Table 1, only the new mode to be selected can be displayed on the display unit 116. [ 3 (a) and 3 (b) are diagrams showing a case where the lens of the lens unit 200 is a wide-angle zoom lens and are displayed on the display unit 116 when the lens unit is attached to the main body 100 of the image pickup apparatus 10 Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen. Fig.

3A and 3B show the case where the lens of the lens unit 200 is a wide angle zoom lens and only the new mode of the object to be selected is displayed on the display unit 116 in consideration of the lens characteristics shown in Table 1 As shown in Fig. In Table 1, in the case of the wide-angle zoom lens, &quot; Sports S &quot; is outside the selection target of the new mode. 3 (b), &quot; Sports S &quot; is not displayed on the display unit 116. [

In this way, considering the lens characteristics shown in Table 1, only the new mode of the selection target can be displayed on the display unit 116, but the operation screen is still on two sides. Thus, if the new mode can be deleted by the photographer without interest of the photographer, a simple setting screen can be formed from the next time.

For example, when the lens of the lens unit 200 is a wide-angle zoom lens, if the photographer determines that a new mode of "close-up" and "candle" is not necessary, the photographer performs a predetermined operation , These new modes can be designated outside the selection target.

4 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display section 116 when the lens section is mounted on the main body section 100 of the image pickup apparatus 10 when the lens of the lens section 200 is a wide angle zoom lens . 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the lens mode and the lens mode in the case where the new mode of "close-up" and "candle" is deleted from the option by the photographer, An example of display when displayed is shown.

In this way, when the new mode of "close-up" and "candle" is deleted from the selection by the photographer in consideration of the lens characteristics shown in Table 1, the setting screen enters one screen, and when the new mode is selected by the photographer It is possible to improve the convenience and shorten the time of selecting the new mode.

In addition, the new mode may not only delete unnecessary items, but also add something that a photographer thinks necessary. For example, in consideration of the lens characteristics shown in Table 1, when the lens unit 200, which is a wide-angle zoom lens, is attached to the main body 100 of the image capture device 10, It is outside the selection target. However, in some photographers, even when a wide-angle zoom lens is mounted, there is a case where the user desires to select a scene that is outside the selection target. Therefore, when the wide-angle zoom lens is attached to the main body 100 of the image pickup apparatus 10, it is preferable that the "sports S" can be set to be the selection target of the new mode by a predetermined operation. Further, for example, when a photographer who uses a fish-eye lens indoors is considered to add "candle" which is excluded from the selection object to consideration of Table 1 in consideration of the above Table 1, "candle (Cd)" It is preferable to be able to be set to be a selection target of the new mode.

5 and 6 are explanatory views showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 116 and show an example of an operation screen at the time of addition or deletion of the new mode. The setting screen is displayed on the display unit 116, for example, by the photographer performing a predetermined operation on the operation unit 126. [

5 shows a basic setting when the lens unit 200, which is a wide-angle zoom lens, is mounted on the main body 100 of the image sensing apparatus 10. [ 5 shows that "portrait", "landscape", "close-up", "memorial photograph" and "candle" are marked as selection candidates, and "sports" is not marked as selection candidates.

Here, if the photographer judges that &quot; close-up &quot; and &quot; candle &quot; in the new mode marked are not necessary, the photographer can operate the operation unit 126 to subtract "close-up" and "candle" marks. Fig. 6 shows a state in which the photographer operates the operation unit 126 to remove the marks &quot; close-up &quot; and &quot; candle &quot; from the state shown on the display unit 116 as shown in Fig. The imaging apparatus 10 detects that the "close-up" and "candle" marks are missing, and the unmarked new mode is not displayed on the next manual selection screen.

Further, if the photographer judges that the new mode "Sports", which is not marked, is to be additionally selected as the new mode, the photographer can operate the operation unit 126 to mark "Sports". The imaging apparatus 10 detects that the &quot; sports &quot; is marked and displays the newly marked new mode on the next manual selection screen.

In this manner, the photographer can perform addition and deletion to the new mode presented by the imaging apparatus 10. [ The imaging apparatus 10 attaches the information of the new mode added or deleted by the photographer to the identification information indicating the type of the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100, For example, in the nonvolatile memory 108. The information of the new mode is attached and recorded together with the identification information indicating the type of the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body unit 100 so that the image capturing apparatus 10 is turned on again after the power is turned off, It is possible to provide the setting contents set by the photographer again even when the lens unit 200 is attached again after being attached to the lens unit 200. [

The information of the new mode added or deleted by the photographer is attached not only to the identification information indicating the type of the lens unit 200 but also to the inside of the main body 100 by pasting the serial number of the lens unit 200 . The information of the new mode is attached to the serial number of the lens unit 200 and recorded in the main unit 100 so that the customized contents can be recorded only for the specific lens unit 200 specified by the photographer.

When the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100 has a zoom function, the lens unit 200 may have both the characteristics of the wide-angle lens and the characteristics of the telephoto lens. Even in the same lens, it is conceivable that the new mode in which the photographer manually selects according to the zoom state (focal distance) is different. Therefore, the zoom information (focal length information) at the time of setting may be added to the identification information indicating the type of the lens unit 200. [ It is preferable that the display content of the new mode operation screen in this case is linked to the zoom position at the time of screen switching.

As described above, the user can customize the selectable new mode according to the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100 by the photographer. Of course, it is possible to customize the selectable new mode according to the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100, It is also possible to revert to the setting.

The above-described series of operations may be executed by the mode determination unit 160 provided in the DSP / CPU 110. [ The mode determining unit 160 extracts an appropriate new mode based on the characteristics of the lens of the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100 or the identification information of the lens and displays the extracted new mode on the display unit 116, The new mode can be customized according to the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100 by storing the setting of the new mode in the nonvolatile memory 108. [

Here, an example of data recorded in the nonvolatile memory 108 in association with the lens will be described. First, each new mode is assigned to bits. For example, each new mode is allocated as a bit by a new mode index table as shown below.

Portrait: 0x0001

Scenery: 0x0002

Close-up: 0x0004

Sports: 0x0008

Celebratory Photo: 0x0010

Candle: 0x0020

For example, when a selectable scene mode is "portrait", "landscape", or "memorial picture" when a lens is attached to the main body 100, the data recorded in association with the lens is "0x0013". The data of the selectable new mode recorded in association with the lens is also referred to as new mode index information.

When the lens of the lens unit 200 is a wide-angle unifocal lens, for example, data is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 108 as shown in Table 2 below.

Lens identification number Focal length [mm] Selectable new mode index information AAA012345678BB18 18 0x0037

(Table 2: Example of data storage in the case of a wide-angle short-focus lens)

Table 2 shows that five new modes other than &quot; sports &quot; are available among the six new modes attached to the lens identification number consisting of the serial number of the lens unit 200 and the focal length threshold value (mm) have. Here, when the photographer deletes the &quot; candle &quot; in the available new mode candidate, the selectable new mode index information is changed to &quot; 0x0017 &quot; and is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 108. [

The imaging apparatus 10 may record a plurality of new mode index information in the nonvolatile memory 108 in accordance with the state of the focal length of the zoom lens 202, for example. Table 3 below shows an example of a new mode index recorded in the nonvolatile memory 108 when the standard zoom lens shown in Table 1 is mounted on the main body 100. [

Lens identification number Focal length [mm] Selectable new mode index information ZZZ012345678XX18 18 0x003f ZZZ012345678XX30 30 0x003f ZZZ012345678XX55 55 0x003f

(Table 3: Example of data storage in case of a standard zoom lens)

In this table 3, when the focal length of the focus lens 206 of the lens unit 200 is 18 to 30 mm, the mode determination unit 160 refers to the new mode index information of the first row, The mode determining unit 160 refers to the new mode index information in the second row and when the focal length exceeds 55 mm, the mode determining unit 160 refers to the new mode index information in the third row Respectively.

Here, when the photographer deletes the &quot; candle &quot; in the selectable new mode while the focus lens 206 of the lens unit 200 is moved and the focal length is 55 mm, the new mode index information is shown in Table 4 Become like.

Lens identification number Focal length [mm] Selectable new mode index information ZZZ012345678XX18 18 0x003f ZZZ012345678XX30 30 0x003f ZZZ012345678XX55 55 0x001f

(Table 4: Example of data storage in case of standard zoom lens)

As described above, even if the lens unit 200 to be mounted is a lens having the same serial number, the image pickup apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can not detect the state of the lens at the time of setting, It is possible to set the new mode index information according to the state and record it in the nonvolatile memory 108. [

7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the imaging apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the operation of the image pickup apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

When the power of the imaging apparatus 10 is turned on, initial communication is first executed between the main body unit 100 and the lens unit 200 (step S101). Initial communication between the main body 100 and the lens 200 is performed between the SIO 153 of the main body 100 and the SIO 211 of the lens 200. [ The lens unit 200 transmits lens identification information, focal length information, diaphragm information, position information of the focus lens 206, and the like to the main body 100. The lens identification information transmitted from the lens unit 200 in the initial communication between the main body 100 and the lens unit 200 may include information such as the type of the lens and the serial number of the lens. In the present embodiment, the lens identification information and aperture information are communicated only when the image capturing apparatus 10 is powered on or when the lens unit 200 is again mounted.

In step S101, when the initial communication is performed between the main body 100 and the lens unit 200, the main body 100 subsequently obtains the lens identification information of the lens unit 200 (step S102). The lens identification information of the lens unit 200 is stored in the ROM 212 of the lens unit 200. When the initial communication is performed between the main unit 100 and the lens unit 200, (210) and transmitted to the main body (100).

When the main body unit 100 obtains the lens identification information of the lens unit 200 in step S102, the main body unit 100 subsequently determines whether the lens identification information of the lens unit 200 obtained in step S102 already exists in the main body 100 It is judged whether or not it is recorded in the unit 100 (step S103). This determination is performed by the mode determination unit 160, for example.

If the lens identification information of the lens unit 200 obtained in step S102 is already recorded in the main body 100 as a result of the determination in step S103, Mode index that can be selected from the lens identification information of the lens (step S104). The mode determination unit 160 executes, for example, confirmation of the selectable new mode index. When the new mode index that can be selected from the lens identification information of the mounted lens unit 200 is confirmed in step S104, the main body unit 100 then verifies the new mode index table as shown in Table 1, 116) (step S105). The determination of the new mode to be displayed on the display unit 116 is performed by the mode determination unit 160, for example.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the lens identification information of the lens unit 200 obtained in step S102 is not already recorded in the main body unit 100, the main body unit 100 sets the default scene mode (Step S106). The default setting of the new mode is executed by the mode determination unit 160, for example. The default setting of the new mode may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 108, for example.

Subsequently, the main body unit 100 obtains lens characteristic data by initial communication between the main body 100 and the lens unit 200 in step S101 (step S107), refers to the obtained lens characteristic data, 116) (step S108). The determination of the new mode to be displayed on the display unit 116 is performed by the mode determination unit 160, for example.

In step S108, when determining the new mode to be displayed on the display unit 116 with reference to the lens characteristic data obtained in the initial communication, the main body unit 100 then determines whether the new mode is manually selected , Only the new mode determined in step S108 is displayed on the display unit 116 (step S109). The display on the display unit 116 of this new mode is executed, for example, by the GUI management unit 159. [

When the main body 100 displays only the new mode determined in step S108 in step S109 on the display unit 116, the main body unit 100 subsequently judges whether the delete / add screen of the new mode has been called by the photographer (Step S110). The GUI management unit 159, for example, determines whether or not the delete / add screen of the new mode has been called by the photographer.

As a result of the determination in step S110, when the delete / add screen of the new mode is called by the photographer, the main body unit 100 identifies the current selectable new mode and displays it on the display unit 116 (step S111). The screen displayed on the display unit 116 in step S111 is the screen shown in Figs. 5 and 6 described above.

When the main body 100 displays the selectable scene mode on the display unit 116 in step S111, the main body unit 100 determines whether the scene mode has been changed by the photographer (step S112). For example, the GUI manager 159 determines whether or not the change of the new mode by the photographer has been performed.

If it is determined in step S112 that the new mode has been changed by the photographer, the main body unit 100 updates the selectable new mode information (step S113). The mode determination unit 160 executes, for example, information update in the selectable new mode. By updating the new mode, for example, the new mode index information stored in the nonvolatile memory 108 is updated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S110 that the new mode has not been changed by the photographer, the main body unit 100 does nothing.

Subsequently, the main body 100 records the index information of the selectable new mode attached to the lens identification information of the lens unit 200 in the nonvolatile memory 108 (step S114). The recording of the selectable index information in the new mode to the nonvolatile memory 108 is executed by the mode determination unit 160, for example.

Subsequently, the main body 100 determines whether the power of the image capturing apparatus 10 is turned off by the photographer (step S115). If it is determined in step S115 that the power of the image capturing apparatus 10 is not turned off, then the main body section 100 determines whether the lens section 200 is detached from the main body section 100 (step S116). The DSP / CPU 110 determines whether the lens unit 200 is detached from the main body 100 or not.

If it is determined in step S116 that the lens unit 200 is detached from the main body 100, the main body unit 100 returns to step S101 and performs initial communication with the lens unit 200 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S116 that the lens unit 200 is not detached from the main body 100, the process returns to step S107 to perform initial communication between the main body 100 and the lens unit 200 And determines a new mode to be displayed on the display unit 116 with reference to the obtained lens characteristic data.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S115 that the power of the image capturing apparatus 10 is turned off, the image capturing apparatus 10 turns off the power.

7, the image pickup apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is capable of performing only a new mode based on the lens characteristics of the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100 It is possible to present it to the photographer, and at the same time, the new mode can be added or deleted in the new mode presented by the photographer.

Although the customization of the new mode prepared in the image capturing apparatus 10 has been described so far, the image mode that can be customized in the present invention is not limited to the new mode. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a shooting mode in which the focus driving range can be changed.

For example, in the case of a macro lens, the amount of projection (delivery amount) is longer than that of a standard lens in order to make a photographing magnification. Therefore, when the autofocus driving is performed in the entire range of the focus adjustable range, it takes time to perform the in-focus processing. 8 is an explanatory view showing an example of the lens drive range of the macro lens. If the default setting is set, the macro lens drives the lens in the range closest to the infinite circle at the time of autofocusing, so that it takes time for the in-focus processing.

Therefore, the present invention may be applied to a customization function in which a photographer selects only a macro-drive region shown in Fig. 8 or a drive region corresponding to a standard lens, depending on the usage method of the image pickup apparatus 10. [ By limiting the lens driving region in this manner, it is possible to shorten the in-focus processing at the time of autofocus driving.

As shown in Fig. 9, some lenses include an AF / MF switching section 230 that allows a photographer to manually switch the autofocus AF and the manual focus MF, There is also a macro switch 240 which can switch the photographing. If the AF / MF switching unit 230 and the macro switch 240 have the same shape as the slide switch shown in Fig. 9 with respect to the AF / MF setting of the main body 100 of the image pickup apparatus 10, The AF / MF setting of the AF / MF switching unit 230 on the lens unit 200 side and the setting of the macro switch 240 are given priority.

However, in normal use, even if it operates as AF or MF in accordance with the setting of the AF / MF switching unit 230 on the lens unit 200 side, it is desirable that the AF setting is always set in a specific new mode, for example, The desire of the photographer who thinks is also assumed. Therefore, in the default setting, the setting of the AF / MF switching section 230 is ignored and the specific operation (always AF or always MF, etc.) is performed according to the setting of the AF / MF switching section 230 May be specified. Likewise, in the default setting, the setting of the macro switch 240 may be ignored and the driving area of the lens may be limited according to the setting of the macro switch 240 by the customization setting of the photographer.

<2. Conclusion>

As described above, the imaging apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured so that the image pickup device 10 according to the lens characteristic of the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body unit 100 is capable of taking a photographing mode Can be read out and presented to the photographer. The imaging apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention enables edit processing by the photographer of the photographing mode presented to the photographer. Thereby, the image pickup apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can set a photographing mode suitable for the photographer's taste according to the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100, and record the photographing mode in the photographing mode .

As the setting of the photographing mode recorded in the main body unit 100, for example, the setting of the new mode and the setting of the focus driving range may be performed as described above. In the setting of the new mode, editing by the photographer is enabled for the photographing mode presented by the imaging apparatus 10 to the display unit 116 in accordance with the characteristics of the lens. Thereby, the imaging apparatus 10 can present an appropriate new mode according to the lens characteristics of the lens unit 200 mounted on the main body 100 and according to the taste of the photographer.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. But is to be understood as falling within the technical scope of the invention.

The present invention is applicable to an image pickup apparatus, a shooting mode selection method, and a recording medium storing a computer program, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus for automatically determining a shooting mode, a shooting mode selection method, and a recording medium storing a computer program Do.

10 Image pickup device 100 Body part
102 Shutter 104 CMOS Image Sensor
106 Image input controller 108 Non-volatile memory
110 DSP · CPU 112 Compression processing circuit
114 LCD driver 116 Display
118 VRAM 120 memory
122 Media Controller 124 Recording Media
126 Control panel 128 Driver
130 Motor 132 Battery
142 CDS circuit 144 A / D converter
151 Timing generator 152 I / O
153 SIO 154 AE / AWB / AF Evaluation Unit
155 titration AWB calculating section 156 Image processing section
157 AF Operation / Control Unit 158 AE Operation / Control Unit
159 GUI Management Unit 160 Mode Decision Unit
200 Lens part 202 Zoom lens
204 Aperture 206 Focus Lens
208 A / D converter 210 lens CPU
211 SIO 212 ROM
214 RAM 216, 218 driver
220, and 222 motors

Claims (15)

An imaging device comprising a plurality of shooting modes suitable for shooting a subject,
A photographing mode determining unit that determines a photographing mode that can be selected at the time of mounting the lens in the photographing mode according to a lens property of the mounted lens; And
And a shooting mode presentation unit for presenting the shooting mode determined by the shooting mode determination unit on a screen,
During the shooting mode selection operation, one of the plurality of shooting modes is selected in response to the selection signal,
Wherein the photographing mode determination unit adds or deletes a photographing mode for the determined photographing mode in accordance with an instruction to additionally or deleting the photographing mode,
Wherein the additional or deleted shooting mode information is recorded in a memory inside the imaging device together with identification information of the mounted lens. The method according to claim 1,
The lens is interchangeable,
Wherein the photographing mode determining section obtains the lens characteristic to be mounted and identifies the lens characteristic with another lens to determine the photographing mode. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a storage unit for storing a selectable photographing mode in association with information individually identifying said lens to be mounted. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the information for individually identifying the lens has one or two or more pieces of information per one lens. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the information for individually identifying the lens is a serial number. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the photographing mode determining unit determines the photographing modes that can be selected differently according to the difference in information that individually identifies the lenses even if the lenses are of the same type. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the photographing mode includes a new mode for photographing a subject. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the photographing mode includes a mode for switching a focus lens driving range of the lens. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the photographing mode includes a focus mode for switching the focus process of the lens between autofocus and manual focus. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the lens characteristic includes at least one of a lens type, a focal length information, a subject distance information, and specific operation switching means information. delete A photographing mode selecting method of an image capturing apparatus having a plurality of photographing modes suitable for photographing a subject,
A photographing mode determining step of determining a photographing mode selectable from among the photographing modes according to a lens characteristic of a mounted lens;
A photographing mode presenting step of presenting a photographing mode determined by the photographing mode determining step on a screen; And
And a photographing mode editing step of adding or deleting a photographing mode to the photographing mode presented by the photographing mode presenting step in accordance with an additional instruction or a deletion instruction of the photographing mode,
During the shooting mode selection operation, one of the plurality of shooting modes is selected in response to the selection signal,
Wherein the added or deleted shooting mode information is recorded in a memory inside the imaging device together with the identification information of the mounted lens
And a photographing mode selecting step of selecting a photographing mode of the imaging device. delete A recording medium storing a computer program for selecting a shooting mode of an image pickup apparatus having a plurality of shooting modes suitable for shooting a subject on a computer,
A photographing mode determining step of determining a photographing mode selectable from among the photographing modes according to a lens characteristic of a mounted lens;
A photographing mode presenting step of presenting a photographing mode determined by the photographing mode determining step on a screen; And
A photographing mode editing step of adding or deleting a photographing mode to the photographing mode presented by the photographing mode presenting step is executed in accordance with an additional instruction or a deletion instruction of the photographing mode,
During the shooting mode selection operation, one of the plurality of shooting modes is selected in response to the selection signal,
Wherein the additional or deleted shooting mode information is recorded in the memory of the imaging device together with the identification information of the mounted lens.
delete

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