JP2005184609A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera that classifies image data of an image having a poor photographing state such as camera shake, out-of-focus, improper exposure, etc. and image data having a good photographing state and records them on a recording medium.
A plurality of image evaluation items are prepared, and a photographer selects which image evaluation item to evaluate a captured image, or one or more of the image evaluation items. The evaluation value allowable range of the good image corresponding to each image evaluation item is stored in advance in the evaluation value allowable range memory 150, and is compared with the evaluation value of the captured image regarding each image evaluation item calculated at the time of shooting. From the comparison result, it is possible to determine whether or not the photographed image is good with respect to each selected image evaluation item, and if it is good, the image is stored in the good shooting state image folder in the recording medium 200. Data is recorded, and if not, the image data is recorded in a shooting state defective image folder in the recording medium 200.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera that captures a subject image and records image data in a folder in a recording medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for classifying and recording image data of an image having a poor shooting state such as camera shake, focus shift, and exposure shift and image data having a good shooting state other than that.

  In general, camera shake often occurs when a camera is used for hand-held shooting. When camera shake occurs, the object scene flows and is exposed, so a blurred image is captured as a whole. In such a blurred image, fine details of the entire screen are lost, and the edge portion is blurred.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, cameras with a camera shake correction mechanism have been known as solutions for solving such problems caused by camera shake. FIG. 7 shows a camera with a camera shake correction mechanism. In FIG. 7, a photographing lens 602 is attached to the front surface of the camera 601. A camera shake correction optical system 603 is rotatably disposed in the lens barrel of the photographing lens 602. The camera shake correction optical system 603 is transmitted with the rotation of the biaxial coreless motors 604 and 605 and vibrates vertically and horizontally. On the camera 601 side, a camera shake amount detection sensor 606 that detects a camera shake amount in the left-right direction and a camera shake amount detection sensor 607 that detects a camera shake amount in the vertical direction are arranged. In the camera 601 having such a configuration, vibration of the camera body is detected using the camera shake amount detection sensors 606 and 607. The camera 601 drives the coreless motors 604 and 605 in the direction opposite to the detected vibration, and vibrates the optical axis of the shake correction optical system 603. As a result, it is possible to take a good photograph in which vibration of the photographing optical axis is canceled and camera shake is corrected.

On the other hand, various electronic still cameras having image display means for reproducing and displaying captured images in addition to the image pickup means and the image storage means have been proposed.
Japanese Patent Application No. 05-165076 Japanese Patent Application No. 10-339898

  In such a conventional technique, the blur correction optical system 603 is disposed in the photographing lens 602. Therefore, there has been a problem that the photographing lens 602 is increased in size and weight. In addition, there is a problem that a space for arranging the blur correction optical system 603 must be secured in the photographing lens 602, and the design freedom of the photographing lens 602 is reduced. Further, the internal reflection in the photographing lens 602 increases by the amount of the camera shake correction optical system 603 provided. For this reason, there is a problem that flare is likely to occur during backlight photography. Further, since power is consumed when driving the camera shake correction optical system 603, there is a problem that the battery life is shortened.

  Also, a blurred image is generated not only in the above-described camera shake but also in subject shake or out of focus. However, since the conventional camera shake correction mechanism only cancels the vibration of the camera, there is a problem in that it is impossible to prevent such subject shake and focus shift. In particular, with the recent increase in resolution and miniaturization of image sensors, the light receiving area per pixel is further reduced, and the effective sensitivity of the image sensor is decreasing. Therefore, the exposure time of the image sensor generally tends to be long, and the frequency of occurrence of camera shake and subject shake is high.

  On the other hand, many electronic cameras have image display means such as TFTs and LCDs in the electronic camera body, and images can be confirmed immediately after photographing by displaying the photographed images on the image display means. I can do it. However, many image display means built in the electronic camera body are relatively small due to the problem of arrangement space, and the number of pixels is smaller than that of the image sensor. For this reason, it is insufficient for accurately observing the shooting state of an image such as camera shake, subject shake, out-of-focus and improper exposure. When it is necessary to accurately observe the photographing state, the photographed image may be transmitted to a personal computer or the like and displayed on a relatively high resolution image display means, or may be printed with a printer for observation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. In the inventions according to claims 1 and 3, the image data of a poorly photographed image such as camera shake, out-of-focus, improper exposure, and the like are not. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that classifies image data in a good shooting state and records it on a recording medium.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera capable of easily erasing image data of all images having poor photographing states from a recording medium on which they are recorded.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera in which only image data of an image in a poor photographing state is displayed on the image display means, and a photographer can easily select and erase unnecessary images. It is an object.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, firstly, an electronic camera that captures a field image projected on a photographing lens, converts it into an electrical signal, and records the photographed image on a recording medium as image data. A plurality of image evaluation items, an image evaluation item selection means for selecting one or a plurality of image evaluation items, and an image evaluation for evaluating the image with respect to the evaluation items selected by the image evaluation item selection means A predetermined level is set for each of the image evaluation items, and an image determination unit that determines whether the evaluation result of the image evaluation unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. When it is determined that the level is not more than a predetermined level, a folder dedicated to image data determined to be equal to or higher than the predetermined level by the image determination unit is created in the recording area of the recording medium, It is characterized by recording the image data in the folder.

  In the electronic camera having such a configuration, a photographed image is evaluated with respect to one or a plurality of image evaluation items set by the photographer, and folders are divided and recorded on a recording medium according to the photographing state with respect to the image evaluation items. Whether the image capture state is good without transmitting the image data to a personal computer or the like and displaying the image on a relatively high resolution image display means or printing it with a printer and observing the image capture state It is possible to easily determine whether or not.

  Second, the image determination means includes image data erasure means for erasing all image data in a folder in which an image determined to be below a predetermined level is recorded.

  In the electronic camera having such a configuration, it is possible to easily erase only image data of an image in a poor photographing state from one or a plurality of image evaluation items set by the photographer from the recording medium.

  Third, in an electronic camera that captures a scene image projected on a photographing lens, converts it into an electrical signal, and records the photographed image on a predetermined recording medium as image data, a plurality of image evaluation items; Image evaluation item selection means for selecting one or more of the plurality of image evaluation items, and image evaluation means for evaluating the image with respect to the evaluation item selected by the image evaluation item selection means, the image evaluation item A predetermined level is set for each image, and the image evaluation unit has an image determination unit that determines whether the evaluation result of the image evaluation unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. In such a case, incidental information indicating that the level is below a predetermined level is added to the image data and recorded on the recording medium.

  In the electronic camera having such a configuration, the photographed image is evaluated with respect to one or a plurality of image evaluation items set by the photographer. By appending supplementary information indicating the image and recording it on a recording medium, the image data is transmitted to a personal computer or the like, and the image is displayed on a relatively high-resolution image display means, or printed by a printer, and the shooting state of the image is displayed. Even without observing, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the shooting state of the image is good.

  Fourthly, the image data erasing unit is characterized in that it includes image data erasing means for erasing all the image data accompanied by the accompanying information indicating that it is below the predetermined level.

  With an electronic camera having such a configuration, it is possible to erase only images with poor shooting conditions from the recording medium with respect to one or a plurality of image evaluation items set by the photographer.

  Fifth, an image display means for displaying an image corresponding to the image data, an image data reading means for reading image data attached with auxiliary information indicating that the image data is below the predetermined level, and an image for selecting the image data It is characterized by having data selection means and image data erasure means for erasing image data selected by the image data selection means.

  In the electronic camera having such a configuration, only one image having a poor photographing state is displayed on the image display unit with respect to one or a plurality of image evaluation items set by the photographer, so that the photographing state is bad while viewing the actual image. It is possible to select an image deemed unnecessary by the photographer from the images and delete it from the recording medium.

  In more detail, the present invention can solve the above problems by the following configuration.

  (1) In an electronic camera that captures an object scene image projected by a photographing lens, converts it into an electric signal, and records the photographed image on a recording medium as image data, a plurality of image evaluation items, Image evaluation item selection means for selecting one or a plurality of image evaluation items, image evaluation means for evaluating the image with respect to the evaluation item selected by the image evaluation item selection means, and a predetermined level for each image evaluation item And an image determination unit that determines whether the evaluation result of the image evaluation unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and a folder creation unit that creates a folder in the recording area of the recording medium based on the determination result of the image determination unit If the image determination means determines that the level is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the image determination means within the recording area of the recording medium Image data is recorded in a folder for recording the determined image, and when the image determining means determines that the image data is below a predetermined level, the image determining means in the recording area of the recording medium An electronic camera that records image data in a folder that records an image determined to be below a level.

  (2) The image data erasing means for erasing all image data in a folder in which an image determined to be below a predetermined level by the image determining means is deleted (1) Electronic camera as described in.

  (3) In an electronic camera that captures an object scene image projected by a photographing lens, converts it into an electrical signal, and records the photographed image as image data on a predetermined recording medium, a plurality of image evaluation items, Image evaluation item selection means for selecting one or a plurality of image evaluation items, and image evaluation means for evaluating the image with respect to the evaluation item selected by the image evaluation item selection means, for each image evaluation item Is set to a predetermined level, and has an image determination unit for determining whether the evaluation result of the image evaluation unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. The image determination unit determines that the level is lower than the predetermined level. In such a case, additional information indicating that it is below a predetermined level is added to the image data and recorded on the recording medium.

  (4) The electronic camera according to (3), further comprising image data erasing means for erasing all image data attached with accompanying information indicating that the level is equal to or lower than the predetermined level.

  (5) Image display means for displaying an image corresponding to the image data, image data reading means for reading image data attached with auxiliary information indicating that the image data is below the predetermined level, and image data for selecting image data The electronic camera according to (4), further comprising: selection means; and image data erasure means for erasing image data selected by the image data selection means.

  According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, the photographed image is evaluated with respect to one or a plurality of image evaluation items set by the photographer. By classifying the image data and the image data determined to be in good shooting condition and recording them on a recording medium, the image data is transmitted to a personal computer or the like, and the image is displayed on a relatively high-resolution image display means. It is possible to easily distinguish an image with a good shooting state from an image with no good shooting state without displaying the image or printing with a printer and observing the shooting state of the image.

  According to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to easily erase the image data of all the images in the poor photographing state from the recording medium on which they are recorded.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display only image data of an image in a poor photographing state on the image display means, and the photographer can easily select and delete unnecessary images.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an electronic camera showing an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera of the present embodiment includes an electronic camera body 100 that constitutes the electronic camera body and a photographing optical system including a plurality of photographing lenses 310 (hereinafter simply referred to as a photographing lens 310 or a photographing optical system). And a photographic lens unit 300 configured by a driving means for driving the illuminating light and a light quantity limiting means for adjusting an incident light quantity of a light beam transmitted through the photographic lens 310. The photographic lens unit 300 is composed of an electronic camera body. It is detachably disposed with respect to 100.

  The electronic camera body 100 is configured as follows.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a shutter for controlling the exposure amount to the image sensor 14, and reference numeral 14 denotes an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electric signal. The light beam incident on the photographic lens 310 is guided by the single-lens reflex system through the diaphragm 312 which is a light amount limiting unit, the lens mounts 306 and 106, the mirror 130, and the shutter 12, and is formed on the image sensor 14 as an optical image.

  Reference numerals 130 and 132 denote mirrors that guide the light incident on the photographing lens 310 to the optical viewfinder 104 by a single-lens reflex system. The mirror 130 may be either a quick return mirror or a half mirror.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

  An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22. Further, in the image processing circuit 20, predetermined calculation processing is performed using image data captured as necessary, and the system control circuit 50 performs exposure control means 40 and distance measurement control means 42 based on the obtained calculation results. TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure control) processing, and EF (strobe light control) processing are performed. Further, the image processing circuit 20 also performs WB (white balance) processing based on the calculation result obtained by the white balance control circuit 46.

  A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. The data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is directly passed through the memory control circuit 22. .

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A converter, and 28 denotes an image display unit including a TFT / LCD. Display image data written in the image display memory 24 is stored in the D / A converter 26. Via the image display unit 28. An electronic viewfinder function can be realized by sequentially displaying image data captured using the image display unit 28. The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the electronic camera body 100 can be greatly reduced. It is.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images. This makes it possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed even in continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  A compression / decompression circuit 32 compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and stores the processed data in the memory 30. Write to. Reference numeral 40 denotes shutter control means for controlling the shutter 12 in cooperation with the aperture control means 340 for controlling the aperture 312 based on the photometric information from the photometry means 43.

  Reference numeral 42 denotes distance measuring means for performing AF (autofocus) processing. A light beam incident on the lens 310 is converted into a diaphragm 312, lens mounts 306 and 106, a mirror 130, and a distance measuring sub-mirror (not shown) by a single-lens reflex system. , The in-focus state of the image formed as an optical image can be measured.

  Reference numeral 43 denotes a photometric means for performing AE (automatic exposure) processing. A single-lens reflex system is used for a light ray incident on the photographing lens 310 to stop the aperture 312, lens mounts 306 and 106, mirrors 130 and 132, and a photometric lens (not shown) ) Through the light metering means 43, the exposure state of the image formed as an optical image can be measured. The measuring means 43 also has an EF (strobe dimming) processing function in cooperation with the strobe 48.

  A white balance calculation circuit 45 calculates a color temperature using image data captured by the TTL method.

  A white balance control circuit 46 is white balance correction data necessary for the image processing circuit 20 to perform white balance processing according to a white balance adjustment gain set in advance according to the light source selection of the photographer and the color temperature input. Is calculated.

  A strobe 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a strobe dimming function. The system control circuit 50 controls the shutter control unit 40, the aperture control unit 340, and the distance measurement control unit 342 based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data captured by the image sensor 14 by the image processing circuit 20. It is also possible to perform exposure control and AF (autofocus) control using the video TTL system. Further, AF (autofocus) control may be performed using both the measurement result by the distance measuring means 42 and the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data captured by the image sensor 14 by the image processing circuit 20. Then, exposure control may be performed using both the measurement result by the photometry means 43 and the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data captured by the image sensor 14 by the image processing circuit 20.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire electronic camera body 100, and reference numeral 54 denotes a liquid crystal display device or speaker that displays an operation state or a message using characters, images, sounds, or the like in accordance with execution of a program by the system control circuit 50. One or a plurality of such display units are installed at positions in the vicinity of the operation unit of the electronic camera body 100 that are easily visible, and are configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element. The display unit 54 is partially installed in the optical viewfinder 104. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded pixels, number of remaining images, shutter Speed display, Aperture value display, Exposure compensation display, Flash display, Red-eye reduction display, Macro shooting display, Buzzer setting display, Clock battery level display, Battery level display, Error display, Multi-digit number information display and recording There are an attachment / detachment state display of the media 200 and 210, an attachment / detachment state display of the photographing lens unit 300, a communication I / F operation display, a date / time display, and a display showing a connection state with an external computer. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 is in-focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, shutter speed display, aperture There are a value display, an exposure correction display, a recording medium writing operation display, and the like. Further, among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LED or the like includes focusing display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charging display, flash charging completion display, recording medium writing operation display, macro shooting. There are a setting notification display, a secondary battery charge state display, and the like. And what is displayed on a lamp etc. among the display contents of the display part 54 includes a self-timer notification lamp. This self-timer notification lamp may be used in common with the AF auxiliary light.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 72 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50, and may be a single unit such as a switch, dial, touch panel, pointing by line-of-sight detection, or a voice recognition device. Consists of multiple combinations.

  Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given. Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which is an automatic shooting mode, program shooting mode, shutter speed priority shooting mode, aperture priority shooting mode, manual shooting mode, depth of focus priority (depth) shooting mode, portrait shooting mode, landscape shooting mode, and close-up shooting. Each function shooting mode such as a mode, a sports shooting mode, a night scene shooting mode, and a panoramic shooting mode can be switched and set.

  Reference numeral 62 denotes a release switch SW1, which is turned on during the operation of a release button (not shown), and includes AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, WB (white balance) processing, EF (strobe light control) processing, and the like. Instruct the start of operation.

  Reference numeral 64 denotes a release switch SW2, which is turned on when a release button (not shown) is operated, and writes a signal read from the image sensor 12 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Exposure processing, development processing using computations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, reading out image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression circuit 32, and recording in which the image data is written to the recording medium 200 or 210 An instruction to start an operation of a series of processes called processes is given.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes an image evaluation item selection switch for selecting an item for evaluating the photographed image, and includes focus, exposure, contrast, camera shake, and the like.

  Reference numeral 68 denotes a reproduction image moving button, which includes a + (plus) button and a-(minus) button. By operating the + (plus) button, an image immediately after the currently selected image is selected and an image display unit is displayed. The image immediately before the currently selected image is selected and displayed on the image display unit 28 by operating the-(minus) button.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes an image erasure button, which erases the image data of the image currently displayed on the image display unit 28 from the recording area 202 in the recording medium 200.

  A white balance selection switch 72 calculates the color of external light from the output signal of the image sensor 14 and adjusts the white balance by the TTL method using the color temperature data, and the type of light source in the shooting environment ( For example, the photographer judges sunlight, a light bulb, a fluorescent light, etc., and selects the type of light source by a light source selection means (not shown), or the photographer measures the hue (color temperature) of the photographing environment, The color temperature of the shooting environment is input to the electronic camera by the temperature input means, and the gain of the red signal circuit and the gain of the blue signal circuit are set in advance according to the selection of the light source and the input of the color temperature. Select a manual white balance set to a specific fixed gain.

  74 is an operation unit composed of various buttons, a touch panel, and the like, a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-page playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, and menu movement + (plus). Button, menu navigation-(minus) button, shooting image quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, selection / switch button for setting selection and switching of various functions when shooting and playback such as panorama mode When performing shooting and playback in panorama mode, a determination / execution button for setting determination and execution of various functions, an image display ON / OFF switch for setting ON / OFF of the image display unit 28, shooting immediately after shooting Set the quick review function to automatically play back image data A review mode ON / OFF switch, a compression mode switch for selecting a compression rate for JPEG compression, or a switch for selecting a CCD RAW mode in which a signal from an image sensor is directly digitized and recorded on a recording medium. If you press the release switch SW1, the playback switch that can set each function mode such as poor image playback mode, PC connection mode, etc., the autofocus operation starts. There is an AF mode setting switch that can set a one-shot AF mode and a servo AF mode that continues the autofocus operation while the release switch SW1 is pressed.

  Further, the functions of the plus button and the minus button can be selected more easily with numerical values and functions by providing a rotary dial switch.

  Reference numeral 76 denotes a power switch that can switch and set the power-on and power-off modes of the electronic camera body 100. In addition, the power-on and power-off settings of various accessory devices such as the photographing lens unit 300 connected to the electronic camera body 100, an external strobe (not shown), and the recording media 200 and 210 can also be switched. .

  Reference numeral 80 denotes a power control means, which includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, etc., and detects the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, the remaining battery level, and the detection result In addition, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the system control circuit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each part including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  Reference numerals 82 and 84 denote connectors, and 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  90 and 94 are interfaces 92 and 96 with a recording medium such as a memory card and a hard disk, and connectors 92 and 96 are connected to the recording medium such as a memory card and a hard disk, and 98 is the recording medium 200 or 210 attached to the connectors 92 and 96. It is a recording medium attachment / detachment detection means for detecting whether or not.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that there are two interfaces and connectors for attaching the recording medium. Of course, one or a plurality of interfaces and connectors for attaching the recording medium may be provided. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard. The interface and connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (R)) card, or the like that conforms to a standard. Further, when the interfaces 90 and 94, and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (R)) card, or the like, a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, an IEEE 1394 card are used. By connecting various communication cards such as P1284 card, SCSI card, and PHS communication card, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other computers and printers and other peripheral devices. I can do it.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can guide a light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 through an aperture 312, lens mounts 306 and 106, and mirrors 130 and 132 and form an optical image as an optical image by a single lens reflex system. As a result, it is possible to perform shooting using only the optical viewfinder 104 without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. Also, some functions of the display unit 54 (focusing display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, etc.) are installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

  A communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the electronic camera body 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 120 denotes an interface for connecting the electronic camera body 100 to the photographing lens unit 300 in the lens mount 106, 122 denotes a connector for electrically connecting the electronic camera body 100 to the photographing lens unit 300, and 124 denotes the lens mount 106 and Alternatively, it is lens attachment / detachment detection means for detecting whether or not the photographing lens unit 300 is attached to the connector 122.

  The connector 122 transmits a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like between the electronic camera body 100 and the photographing lens unit 300 and also has a function of supplying currents of various voltages. Further, the connector 122 may be configured to transmit not only electrical communication but also optical communication, voice communication, and the like.

  An evaluation value allowable range memory 150 stores a good image evaluation value allowable range obtained in advance for each image evaluation item. Also, the evaluation value allowable range of the good image calculated by the camera from the shooting conditions is stored.

  An evaluation value memory 151 stores evaluation values for each image evaluation value item such as an AE evaluation value and a camera shake evaluation value related to exposure of a captured image.

  160a and 160b are camera shake amount detection sensors, 160a detects the camera shake amount in the vertical direction of the electronic camera body 100, and 160b detects the camera shake amount in the left-right direction.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 includes a recording area 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 204 with the electronic camera body 100, and a connector 206 for connecting with the electronic camera body 100.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 210 includes a recording area 212 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 214 with the electronic camera body 100, and a connector 216 for connecting with the electronic camera body 100.

  Reference numeral 300 denotes an interchangeable lens type photographing lens unit, which is configured as follows.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes a lens mount that mechanically couples the photographing lens unit 300 to the electronic camera body 100. The lens mount 306 includes various functions for electrically connecting the photographing lens unit 300 to the electronic camera body 100.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes a photographing lens, and 312 denotes an aperture.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an interface for connecting the photographing lens unit 300 to the electronic camera body 100 in the lens mount 306 and the accessory mount 324, and 322 denotes a connector for electrically connecting the photographing lens unit 300 to the electronic camera body 100. .

  The connector 322 transmits a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like between the electronic camera body 100 and the lens unit 300, and also has a function of supplying or supplying a current of various voltages. The connector 322 may be configured to transmit not only electrical communication but also optical communication, voice communication, and the like.

  Reference numeral 340 denotes an aperture control unit that controls the aperture 312 in cooperation with the shutter control unit 40 that controls the shutter 12 based on photometry information from the photometry unit 43.

  Reference numeral 342 denotes distance measurement control means for controlling the focusing of the photographing lens 310, and reference numeral 344 denotes zoom control means for controlling zooming of the photographing lens 310.

  A lens system control circuit 350 controls the entire photographing lens unit 300. The lens system control circuit 350 includes identification information such as a memory that stores constants, variables, and programs for operation, numbers unique to the photographing lens unit 300, management information, function information such as an open aperture value, a minimum aperture value, and a focal length. Also, it has a function of a non-volatile memory that holds each setting value of the present and past.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart in a case where image data is recorded in a folder dedicated to an image below a predetermined level in the recording medium when the photographed image is evaluated at a predetermined level or less with respect to the image evaluation item selected by the photographer. .

  First, the photographer selects one or a plurality of items by using the image evaluation item selection button 66 as to which image evaluation item among the following image evaluation items prepared in advance is to be evaluated.

(1) AF evaluation value related to focus (2) AE evaluation value related to exposure (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 5)
(3) Evaluation value regarding contrast (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 6)
(4) Evaluation value concerning camera shake (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 7)
When release switch SW1 (62) is turned on by half-pressing a release button (not shown) (step 102), AF (autofocus) processing (step 103) and AE (automatic exposure) processing (step 104), AWB (Auto white balance) processing is performed (step 105). Steps 103 to 105 are repeatedly executed until the release switch SW2 (64) is turned on by fully pressing a release button (not shown).

  When the release switch SW2 (64) is turned on (YES side of step 106), the shutter control means 40 controls and drives the shutter 12 based on the exposure time determined by the system control circuit in the exposure calculation from the photometry result of the photometry means 43. The image sensor 14 receives the light beam that has passed through the mounted photographic lens unit 310 and accumulates signal charges. The analog signal output from the image sensor 14 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 16, and the image data converted into the digital signal is subjected to predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing by the image processing circuit 20. A series of operations relating to imaging in which the image data of the A / D converter 16 is directly written into the image memory 24 or the memory 30 via the memory control circuit 22 or the memory control circuit 22 is started (step 107).

  The system control circuit 50 calculates an evaluation value for the image evaluation item selected by the photographer in step 101 and stores it in the evaluation value memory 151 (step 108).

  Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 reads the evaluation value allowable range of the good image for the image evaluation item selected by the photographer from the evaluation value allowable range memory 151, and the evaluation value corresponding to each of the image evaluation value items obtained previously. Compare (step 109).

  If the calculated evaluation value is within the evaluation value allowable range (YES side of step 109), the photographed image is regarded as having a good photographing state with respect to the image evaluation value item, and the recording area 202 of the recording medium 200 is recorded. It is determined whether a folder for an image with a good shooting state already exists (step 110).

  If there is an image folder with a good shooting state (YES in step 110), image data is recorded in the image folder with a good shooting state (step 112).

  If there is no folder for images in a good shooting state in the recording area 202 of the recording medium 200 (NO side of step 110), the system control circuit 50 takes a shooting state in the recording area 202 of the recording medium 200. Is created (step 111), and image data is recorded in the created folder (step 112).

  On the other hand, if the calculated evaluation value is out of the evaluation value allowable range (NO side of step 109), the captured image is regarded as having a poor imaging state with respect to the image evaluation item, and the recording area of the recording medium 200 It is determined whether a folder for an image with a poor shooting state already exists in 202 (step 113).

  If there is an image folder with a bad shooting state (YES in step 113), image data is recorded in the image folder with a bad shooting state (step 115).

  When there is no folder for an image with a bad shooting state in the recording area 202 of the recording medium 200 (NO in step 113), the system control circuit 50 has a shooting state in the recording area 202 of the recording medium 200. A bad image folder is created (step 114), and image data is recorded in the created folder (step 115).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining image evaluation items (based on AE (automatic exposure control)) in the evaluation value calculation step 108 of FIG.

  In general, an underexposed image has low contrast and noise, resulting in low image quality. In addition, overexposed images are also skipped, and detailed image information is burned out, resulting in low contrast and low image quality. An appropriate exposure range exists in accordance with the characteristics of the image sensor 14 to be used. In order to obtain an appropriate exposure range in accordance with the brightness of the subject, the photographing lens unit 300 of the electronic camera in FIG. Is provided. The control amount of the diaphragm 312 decreases when the subject is too dark and the luminance level of the image signal obtained from the image sensor 14 is too low, and increases the amount of light incident on the image sensor 14. Further, it increases when the subject is too bright and the luminance level of the image signal obtained from the image sensor 14 is excessive, and the amount of light incident on the image sensor 14 is decreased. That is, if the amount of light incident on the image sensor 14 is within an appropriate range (appropriate exposure), the average luminance level of the captured image is also within the range corresponding to the appropriate exposure.

  The average luminance level of the entire image data or the central portion of the image after A / D conversion is detected (step 401), and is stored as an AE evaluation value related to exposure in the evaluation value memory 151 (step 402).

  In step 109 of FIG. 2, it is determined whether the AE evaluation value is within the range of the average luminance level allowable range obtained in advance stored in the evaluation value allowable range memory 150.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining image evaluation items (based on contrast) in the evaluation value calculation step 108 in FIG.

  Usually, an image with low contrast has poor raw color and cannot be said to have good image quality. Even if the contrast is too strong, the image may appear unnatural. An image with an appropriate contrast often has a natural feeling and high image quality with a sense of vividness. Therefore, it can be said that an image having a sufficiently large contrast so as not to exceed the degree is of good image quality.

  For the image projected near the center of the light receiving surface of the image sensor 14 in FIG. 1, the difference (contrast) between the light level portion and the dark level portion is calculated from the light / dark level distribution of the pixel data of the image after A / D conversion. (Step 501), the calculated contrast value is stored in the evaluation value memory 151 as a contrast evaluation value (Step 502).

  In step 109 of FIG. 2, it is determined whether the contrast evaluation value is within the range of the contrast value allowable range determined in advance stored in the evaluation value allowable range memory 151.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining image evaluation items (based on camera shake) in the evaluation value calculation step 108 of FIG.

  As described above, when a camera shake occurs, the field of view flows and is exposed, so that an image with poor image quality that is blurred as a whole is photographed.

  The system control circuit 50 calculates the maximum allowable amount of camera shake from the shutter speed and focal length at the time of imaging (step 601), and the evaluation value allowable range memory 150 uses the camera shake amount allowable range as a value below the maximum allowable amount of camera shake. (Step 602).

  At the same time as the release button SW2 is turned on, the camera shake amount in the vertical direction is acquired from the camera shake amount detection sensor 160a, and the camera shake amount in the left and right direction is acquired from the other camera shake amount detection sensor 160b. The system control circuit 50 calculates the camera shake amount of the entire electronic camera body 100 at the time of shooting from the sum of square values or the sum of absolute values of these camera shake amounts (step 603), and evaluates it as a camera shake evaluation value. Store in the memory 151 (step 604).

  In step 109 of FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not the camera shake evaluation value is within the range of the camera shake amount allowable range stored in the evaluation value allowable range memory 151 in step 701.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the evaluation value allowable range of a good image corresponding to each image evaluation item is stored in advance in the evaluation value allowable range memory 150 or from the shooting conditions at the time of shooting. The calculated evaluation value allowable range of the good image is stored in the evaluation value allowable range memory 150, and the captured image is selected by comparing the evaluation value of the captured image with respect to each image evaluation item calculated at the time of shooting. It is possible to determine whether each image evaluation item is good or not. If the image evaluation item is good, the image data is recorded in a folder for a good shooting state image in the recording medium 200. If not, the image data is recorded. The image data is recorded in a shooting state defective image folder in the medium 200. In the electronic camera having such a configuration, the photographed image is evaluated with respect to one or a plurality of image evaluation items selected by the photographer. If the image is recorded in a folder, and the image is poorly recorded, it can be recorded in the folder for images with poor image quality so that the photographer can easily distinguish between images with good image quality and images with poor image quality. It is.

<Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment is an embodiment of an electronic camera that, when a photographed image is below a predetermined level, appends accompanying information indicating that to the image data and records it on a recording medium. Since the configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 2), the description of the configuration here is omitted.

  FIG. 3 shows a recording medium in which only an image determined to be below a predetermined level when an image evaluation is performed on an image evaluation item selected by a photographer is displayed on the image display unit, and the displayed image is confirmed. 5 is a flowchart for selecting image data to be deleted from the image data.

  When the shooting state defective image reproduction mode is set by operating the operation unit 74 (step 201), the system control circuit 50 stores the image data recorded in the shooting state defective image folder in the recording area 202 of the recording medium 200. The image data with the newest date and time information is read out via the interfaces 90 and 204 and the connectors 92 and 206 and written into the image display memory 24 (step 202).

  The display image data written in the image display memory 24 is displayed by the image display unit 28 via the D / A converter 26 (step 203).

  The photographer can sequentially change the image data displayed on the image display unit 28 by operating the + (plus) button or the-(minus) button of the reproduction image moving button 68, and the + (plus) button. If it is determined that the operation has been performed (YES side of step 204), the system control circuit 50 assumes that this is an operation for instructing display switching to image data captured at a newer date and time, and the system control circuit 50 uses the folder for images with poor imaging conditions. The image data with date and time information one newer than the currently displayed image data is read out via the interfaces 90 and 204 and the connectors 92 and 206, and the image display memory 24 is written (step 205). However, when the date / time information attached to the currently displayed image data is the newest, the image data attached with the oldest date / time information is read and written into the image display memory 24.

  If it is determined that the-(minus) button has been operated (YES side of step 206), the system control circuit 50 assumes that this is an operation for instructing switching of display to image data captured at an older date and time. Among the image data recorded in the bad image folder, the image data to which the date and time information one older than the currently displayed image data is attached is sent via the interfaces 90 and 204 and the connectors 92 and 206. Reading and writing to the image display memory 24 (step 207). However, when the date / time information attached to the currently displayed image data is the oldest, the image data to which the latest date / time information is attached is read and written into the image display memory 24.

  By repeating step 203 to step 207, the photographer can display a desired image on the image display unit 28 out of the images recorded in the shooting state defective image folder.

  When the photographer presses the image erasure button 72 while displaying the image to be erased from the recording medium on the image display unit 28 by the operation from step 203 to step 207 (YES side of step 208), the system control circuit 50 causes the recording medium to be recorded. The image data of the selected image is deleted from the shooting state defective image folder in the 200 recording area 202 (step 205).

  A series of operations from step 203 to step 208 is continued until a mode other than the shooting state defective image reproduction mode is selected (NO side of step 210).

  If a mode other than the shooting state defective image reproduction mode is selected by operating the operation unit 74 (YES in step 210), the reproduction of the shooting state defective image is terminated (step 211).

  As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, only the image data that is evaluated based on the image evaluation item selected by the photographer and as a result determined to be an image in a poor photographing state is displayed on the image display unit. When the photographer confirms the displayed image and determines that the displayed image is unnecessary, the image data of the image currently displayed on the image display unit 28 is recorded by pressing the image erasing button 72. It is possible to erase from 200.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic camera in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for recording image data in a folder dedicated to images of a predetermined level or less in a recording medium when a photographed image has an evaluation of a predetermined level or less with respect to an image evaluation item selected by a photographer. When performing image evaluation on the image evaluation item selected by the photographer, only the image determined to be below a predetermined level is displayed on the image display unit, and the image is erased from the recording medium while checking the displayed image It is a flowchart in the case of selecting data. It is a flowchart explaining the image evaluation item (based on AE (automatic exposure control)) of the evaluation value calculation step of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the image evaluation item (thing based on contrast) of the evaluation value calculation step 108 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the image evaluation item (thing based on camera shake) of the evaluation value calculation step 108 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the camera with a camera-shake correction mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

100 Electronic Camera Body 300 Shooting Lens Unit 14 Image Sensor 16 A / D Converter 20 Image Processing Circuit 24 Image Display Memory 28 Image Display Unit 50 System Control Circuit 62 Release Shutter Switch SW1
64 Release shutter switch SW2
66 Image evaluation item selection button 68 Playback image move button 70 Image deletion button 160a, 160b Camera shake amount detection sensor 150 Evaluation value allowable range memory 151 Evaluation value memory 200, 210 Recording medium

Claims (5)

  A plurality of image evaluation items and a plurality of image evaluation items in an electronic camera that captures a scene image projected by a photographing lens, converts the image into an electric signal, and records the photographed image on a recording medium as image data. One or a plurality of image evaluation item selection means, image evaluation means for evaluating the image with respect to the evaluation item selected by the image evaluation item selection means, a predetermined level for each of the image evaluation items, An image determination unit that determines whether the evaluation result of the image evaluation unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined level; and a folder creation unit that creates a folder in a recording area of the recording medium based on the determination result of the image determination unit. When it is determined that the level is equal to or higher than the predetermined level by the determination unit, the level is higher than the predetermined level by the image determination unit in the recording area of the recording medium. When image data is recorded in a folder for recording a specified image and the image determination unit determines that the image data is below a predetermined level, the image determination unit in the recording area of the recording medium does not exceed the predetermined level. An electronic camera that records image data in a folder that records an image determined to be.   2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising an image data erasing unit that erases only image data in a folder in which an image determined to be equal to or lower than a predetermined level is recorded by the image determining unit. camera.   In an electronic camera that captures a scene image projected by a photographic lens, converts it into an electrical signal, and records the captured image as image data on a predetermined recording medium, a plurality of image evaluation items and the plurality of images Image evaluation item selection means for selecting one or a plurality of evaluation items, and image evaluation means for evaluating the image with respect to the evaluation item selected by the image evaluation item selection means. A level is set, and the image evaluation unit has an image determination unit that determines whether the evaluation result of the image evaluation unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and the image determination unit determines that the level is lower than the predetermined level An electronic camera characterized in that incidental information indicating that it is below a predetermined level is incidental to image data and recorded on the recording medium.   4. The electronic camera according to claim 3, further comprising image data erasing means for erasing all image data attached with accompanying information indicating that the level is equal to or lower than the predetermined level.   Image display means for displaying an image corresponding to the image data, image data reading means for reading image data attached with auxiliary information indicating that the image data is below the predetermined level, and image data selection means for selecting image data 5. The electronic camera according to claim 4, further comprising image data erasing means for erasing image data selected by the image data selecting means.

Images