 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera having a display for predicted
images.
2. Related Background Art
Traditionally, as a camera whereby plural kinds of photographings are
performed for the same photographing scene, there has been known a camera
having an auto-bracketing function capable of performing a continuous
photographing for the numbers of frames designated by indicated exposure
steps set by a photographer. This auto-bracketing function is effective
when an allowable range of appropriate exposures is narrow or there is a
difficulty in determining an appropriate exposure due to a fine difference
in brightness in the image plane.
However, in the conventional auto-bracketing photographying, it is unknown
whether the photographing has been performed as intended by the
photographer or not until when the development is completed even if plural
pictures are taken. When a plurality of photographings are performed,
there is a tendency that plural pictures having almost no differences in
them are taken if the range of the indicated exposure steps is too narrow.
This is not economical because the amount of the film used is more than
necessary. Also, the photographing is performed using the controlling
values provided by the control system of the camera as they are, without
any intention of the photographer at all. Thus the pictures are taken just
within such a controlling range only if it is considered appropriate,
whereas various variations can be considered other than the exposure steps
in order to perform photographing even for the same scene.
In a compact camera or an AF single lens reflex camera available recently,
handling has been made simple, but it has deprived a photographer of the
essential enjoyment in using a camera or of the way of acquiring real
photographing skills because the setting of the photographing conditions
and others are left to the camera systems. Nevertheless, in many cases,
the various functions of a multi-functional camera are only partially
used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera having a
predicted image display thereby to enable a photographer to perform an
appropriate and intended photographing with only one frame of a film to be
used by combining a plurality of the resultant photographings known in
advance based on the different controlling values and by selecting such a
combination.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a camera having a
predicted image display thereby to display the results of the selective
use of the various functions provide for a multi-functional camera so as
to enable a novice photographer to acquire photographing techniques as
well as to attain a variegated and highly assured photographing.
An embodiment of a camera having a predicted image display according to the
present invention is structured including a setting unit capable of
setting different kinds and control values of photographing information
manually or automatically, an image storage unit for storing image signals
predicted or preliminarily picked up for the same photographing scene on
the basis of different kinds and control values of the photographing
information; set by the aforesaid setting unit, a display unit for
displaying a plurality of images on the basis of the stored image signals
by the aforesaid image storage unit, a selection unit for selecting at
least one of the plural images displayed by the aforesaid display unit,
and a photographing unit for performing photographing in accordance with
the kinds and control values of the photographing information for the
selected image by the aforesaid selection unit.
Another embodiment according to the present invention is structured so that
the aforesaid selection unit can select the aforesaid respective kinds and
control values of photographing information in combination when the
aforesaid setting unit has set plural kinds and control values of
photographing information.
Still another embodiment according to the present invention is structured
so that the aforesaid display unit can .display the control values of the
aforesaid respective photographing information.
A further embodiment according to the present invention is structured so
that the aforesaid photographing unit can perform photographings for
several times in accordance with the kinds and control values of the
photographing information for respective images in various combinations
when the aforesaid selection unit has selected a plurality of images.
Still a further embodiment according to the present invention is structured
so that the aforesaid setting unit can make a setting by combining a
luminance value or a focus position or one or plural pieces of
photographing information relevant to the angle of view.
Still a further embodiment according to the present invention is structured
to include connecting terminals for a plurality of the image signals
stored by the aforesaid image storage unit to connect them with the
recording unit of an external storing medium.
According to the present invention, it is possible to know a plurality of
the resultant photographings by the different control values before
performing the photographing because the kinds and control values of the
photographing information are set by the setting unit, the image signals
predicted or preliminarily picked up for each of the different control
values for the same scene are stored, and a plurality of images are
displayed by a display unit on the basis of the aforesaid image signals.
Also, it is possible to perform an appropriate photographing assuredly as
intended by the photographer because an image is selected by a selection
unit from among a plurality of the images displayed by the display unit
and the photographing is performed by the photographing unit in accordance
with the kind and control values of photographing information for the
selected image.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a camera having a
predicted image display according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the divisional state of the image plane of an
image pick up element to be used for an embodiment according to the
present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the shape of a distance metering frame to be
used for an embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the divisional state of the image plane of a
light adjusting element to be used for an embodiment according to the
present invention;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main routine for the CPU to be used for
an embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the detection subroutine for the CPU to be
used for an embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the ordinary calculation subroutine for the
CPU to be used for an embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the subroutine of the calculation relevant to
exposure for the CPU to be used for an embodiment according to the present
invention;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the subroutine of the calculation relevant to
focus for the CPU to be used for an embodiment according to the present
invention;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the subroutine of the calculation relevant
to composition for the CPU to be used for an embodiment according to the
present invention;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the displaying subroutine for the CPU to be
used for an embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the selection subroutine the CPU to be used
for an embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an example of a photographing scene;
FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an example of a data table of numeral
values;
FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an example of a resultant display in an
electronic view finder of the execution of the subroutine example shown in
FIG. 11;
FIG. 16 is a view showing the control values with respect to each of the
frames in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 illustrates image representations when the frame numbers are
changed sequentially by an indicating position changing switch in an
embodiment where one image is displayed; and
FIG. 18 illustrates the data of the numeral values when the frame numbers
are changed sequentially by the indicating position changing switch in the
embodiment where one image is displayed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, in accordance with the embodiments, the present invention will
be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a
diagram showing an embodiment of a camera having a predicted image display
according to the present invention.
An image pickup element 1 is the element which performs photographing and
light adjustment, and as shown in FIG. 2, it has the divisional state of a
plane with 540,000 pixels (900 pixels horizontally and 600 pixels
vertically). The luminance value obtainable form each of the pixels is
assumed to be BAE (m, n) (m=1-900, n=1-600). At this juncture, the address
at the lower left side in FIG. 2 is defined as (1,1) while the address at
the upper right side, (900, 600). The output of the pickup element 1 is
connected to the CPU 10 through a known image processing circuit 2.
To the CPU 10, external device connectors 13a and 13b are connected through
a display interface (IF) 12. To the external device connectors 13a and
13b, the electronic view finder 14 which serves as a display unit
according to the present invention, and an electronic pocketbook 15 can be
connected. In this respect, besides the electronic view finder 14, there
is provided an optical view finder 11.
A distance metering element 4 is an element for metering film-to-object
distances and as shown in FIG. 3, the framing shape of the distance
metering element 4 is made so as to perform the meterings at three
locations, the central portion 4a, the left-side portion 4b and the
right-side portion 4c. The distance metering value obtainable from the
central portion 4a is given as D(1), the distance metering value
obtainable from the left-side portion 4b, as D(2), and the distance
metering value obtainable from the right-side portion 4c, as D(3). The
output from the distance metering element 4 is connected to the CPU 10
through a known distance metering circuit 5. In this respect, the distance
metering method is not confined to any one particular method.
To the CPU 10, an external device connector 17 is connected through a data
carrier store interface (IF) 16. To the external device connector 17, a
disc device 18 is connected to store each of the image data and others.
With this disc device 18, it is possible to obtain an electric still
photograph by reproducing the contents recorded on the disc.
Also, in the CPU 10, there is connected an exposure controlling circuit 19
to control a shutter 20 and an aperture 22 on a taking lens L side on the
basis of the BAE luminance value obtainable from the image pickup element
1 for giving an exposure to a film 21.
Furthermore, in the CPU 10, there are connected an AF motor controlling
circuit 23 to drive an AF motor 24 and a zoom motor controlling circuit 25
to drive a zoom motor 26. In FIG. 1, the portion indicated by dotted lines
shows the taking lens L side. In the taking lens L, there are incorporated
an encoder 27 for detecting the film-to-object distance X from the
extended position of the taking lens L, a memory 28 for storing the focal
length f, and a memory 29 for storing other inherent information.
An information display authorization switch 3 for plural predictive results
is a switch which authorizes entering a mode thereby to display a
plurality of predicted image information obtainable from the results of
the different control values defined. For switching modes, a known on-off
switch can be employed. The indicating position changing switch 6 is a
switch for changing the indicated positions of the frame numbers displayed
in the electronic view finder 14. A selecting switch 7 is a switch for
selecting the displayed frame numbers. The output of each of the switches
6 and 7 is connected to the CPU 10.
The light adjusting element 8 is an element for receiving the reflecting
rays of light of emitted flash light. In the present embodiment, this
element is of a divisional shape divided into five portions, the central
portion 8a, upper left portion 8b, upper right portion 8c, lower left
portion 8d, and lower right portion 8e on its plane as shown in FIG. 4,
and is connected to the CPU 10 through a known light adjusting circuit 9.
To the CPU 10, a flash device 31 is connected through a flash controlling
circuit 30. The light emission is started by the flash device 31
subsequent to the shutter 20 having been fully opened, and the rays of
light of the object field which have been reflected on the plane of a film
21 are photoelectrically converted by the light adjusting element 8. Thus,
the amount of the light emission from the flash device 31 is controlled so
as to stop the light emission when its amount has reached a predetermined
amount of light.
Now, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with its
flow around the CPU 10 as the center thereof. FIG. 5 is a flowchart
showing the main routine for the CPU of the embodiment according to the
present invention.
In step #101, there are detected focal lengths fmin and fmax in the memory
28 which is incorporated in the taking lens L, film-to-object distance
information X provided by the encoder 27, luminance values BAE from the
image pickup element 1, distance metering values D(k) from the distance
metering element 4, and others.
In step #102, an ordinary exposure control value B NML, ordinary flash
light presence control value S NML which is required to examine the
necessity of the presence of a flash light emission, ordinary focus
position control value X NML, and ordinary angle of view control value f
NML are calculated, respectively, on the basis of the detection results in
the step #101 as well as in accordance with known normal algorithms.
In step #103, whether the information display authorization switch 3 for
plural predictive results is on or not is examined. If it is on, the
process is authorized to enter the mode thereby to display a plurality of
images obtainable when different control values are defined in accordance
with the present invention before the photographing is performed in step
#104 and thereafter. If the switch is not on, the process proceeds to step
#110. In the step #110, the process enters an ordinary mode in which no
such display as described earlier is executed in order to assign the
ordinary exposure control value B NML, ordinary flash light presence
control value S NML, ordinary focus position control value X NML, and
ordinary angle of view control value f NML, which are respectively
calculated in the step #102, to the defined exposure control value BANS,
defined flash presence control value SANS, defined focus position control
value X ANS, and defined angle of view control value f ANS, which are used
for an actual photographing.
In step #104, the subroutine relevant to exposure which is shown in FIG. 8
in detail is executed to calculate an exposure value B CND and flash light
presence control value S CND as candidate values. In step #105, the
subroutine relevant to focus which is shown in FIG. 9 in detail is
executed to calculate a focus position control value X CND as its
candidate value. In step #106, the subroutine relevant to composition
which is shown in FIG. 10 in detail is executed to calculate an angle of
view control value f CND as its candidate value.
In step #107, the subroutine shown in FIG. 11 in detail is executed to
display the candidate values, exposure control value B CND, flash light
presence control value S CND, focus position control value X CND, and
angle of view control value f CND, which have been calculated in steps
#104 through #106 in the electronic view finder 14 (refer to FIG. 15) for
each of the frame numbers. Also, if an electronic pocketbook 15 is
connected, these candidate values are displayed in the monitor (image) of
the electronic pocketbook 15.
In step #108, the subroutine shown in FIG. 12 in detail is executed to
select arbitrary control values from the exposure control value B CND,
flash light presence control value S CND, focus position control value X
CND, and angle of view control value f CND, which have plural different
candidate values displayed in the step #107 in order to assign them to the
defined exposure control value B ANS, defined flash light presence control
value S ANS, defined focus position control value X ANS and defined angle
of view control value f ANS.
In step #109, the driving unit of the camera is controlled to perform a
photographing on the basis of each of the control values B ANS, S ANS, X
ANS, and f ANS defined either in the step #108 or in the step #110.
Now, the subroutine included in FIG. 5 will be described in detail in
conjunction with FIGS. 6 through 12. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the
detecting operation subroutine for the CPU which constitutes an embodiment
according to the present invention.
In step #201 and step #202, the minimum focal length fmin and the maximum
focal length fmax of the taking (zoom) lens L mounted are respectively
read on the basis of the focal length information f stored in the memory
28 in the taking lens L shown in FIG. 1. Then, in step #203, a defined
focal length f PRM is read by a photographer, for example, from the focal
length information f in the memory 28 to the mounted taking lens.
In step #204, the film-to-object distance X is read from the detected
result of the extended position of the taking lens L by the encoder 27. In
step #205, the luminance value BAE (m, n) of each of the divided areas of
the image pickup element 1 is read. Then, in step #206, the distance
metering value D (k) of the distance metering element 4, that is, the
distance metering value D (1) detected in the central portion 4a of the
frame as shown in FIG. 3, distance metering value D (2) detected on the
left side portion 4b, and distance metering value D (3) detected on the
right side portion 4c, is read, respectively.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the ordinary calculation subroutine for the
CPU which constitutes an embodiment according to the present invention. In
the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, when the process proceeds to the step #110
or there is no selection in the step #108, a photographing is performed on
the basis of the result obtained by this calculation subroutine.
In the ordinary calculation, the total sum of all the pixels (m=1 to 900,
n=1 to 600) is obtained with respect to the luminance value BAE (m, n) in
each of the divided areas by the image pickup element 1, and the average
luminance value arrived at by dividing the total sum by the number of the
pixels is assigned to the ordinary exposure control value B NML (step
#301). Assuming that there is no flash light emission, the ordinary flash
presence control value S NML is set at S NML=0 (step #302). The ordinary
focus position control value X NML is set at the distance metering value D
(1) detected in the central portion 4a of the image plane shown in FIG. 3
(step #303). The ordinary angle of view control value of NML is set at a
currently defined focal length f PRM (step #304).
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the subroutine of the calculation relevant to
exposure for the CPU which constitutes an embodiment according to the
present invention.
In step #401 through step #404, the ordinary focus position control value X
NML calculated in the step #303 is assigned to the first candidate value
of the focus position control value X CND (1) through the third candidate
value of the focus position control value X CND (3) and at the same time,
the ordinary view of angle control value f NML calculated in the step #304
is assigned to the first candidate value of the angle of view control
value f CND (1) through the third candidate value of the angle of view
control value f CND (3).
In step #405, the total sum of all the pixels (m=1 to 900, n=1 to 600) is
obtained with respect to the luminance value BAE (m, n) of each of the
divided areas detected in the step #205, and the arithmetical mean is
obtained by dividing the total sum by the number of the pixels, which is
assigned to the average luminance value BM. Then, in step #406, the
average of the minimum luminance value Bmin detected in the step #205 and
the average luminance value BM is obtained by a formula (Bmin+BM)/2 and is
assigned to a lower-luminance stressed luminance value BL. In step #407,
the average of the maximum luminance value Bmax detected in the step #205
and the average luminance value BM is obtained by a formula (Bmax+BM)/2
and is assigned to a higher luminance stressed luminance value BH.
In step #408 through step #410, there is shown a routine for an exposure
setting when the object field is dark. In other words, in the step #408,
whether the object field is dark or not is examined. More specifically,
whether the average luminance value BM is smaller than 5 [BV]or not is
determined. Then, if the average luminance value BM is smaller than 5
[BV], the process proceeds to step #409. In the step 409, the lower
luminance stressed luminance value BL is assigned to the first candidate
exposure control value B CND (1) as an exposure for which a lower
luminance is considered important. A value 5 [BV]is assigned to the second
candidate exposure control value B CND (2) as a luminance value required
for an ordinary flash photographing. Then, 999 is assigned to the third
candidate exposure control value B CND (3) with the assumption that there
is no candidate. Thus, the process proceeds to step #410.
In the step #410, the flash presence control values S CND (1) to S CND (3)
are defined for the first to third candidates in the step #409. In other
words, zero is assigned to the first candidate flash presence control
value S CND (1) with the assumption that there is no flash light emission,
and 1 is assigned to the second candidate flash presence control value S
CND (2) with the assumption that there is a flash light emission. Then,
999 is assigned to the third flash presence control value S CND (3) with
the assumption that there is no candidate.
If the average luminance value BM is found to be larger than or equal to 5
[BV]in the step #408, whether the object field is a rear light or not is
determined in step #411. If found to be a rear light, that is, the object
field is bright and it has a rear light, the process proceeds to step #412
and step #413. Here, the detection is made to determine whether it is a
rear light or not by comparing the average luminance value in the vicinity
of the central portion with the average luminance value in the
circumferential portion thereof, and if the average luminance value in the
vicinity of the central portion is darker than a predetermined value, then
the luminance is discriminated as a rear light.
In step #412, the lower luminance stressed luminance value BL is assigned
to the first candidate exposure control value B CND (1), the higher
luminance stressed luminance value BH is assigned to the second candidate
exposure control value B CND (2), and the average luminance value BM is
assigned to the third candidate exposure control value B CND (3). Then,
the process proceeds to step #413.
In the step #413, the flash presence control values S CND (1) through S CND
(3) are defined with respect to the first to third candidates in the step
#412. In other words, the first and second candidate flash presence
control values are assumed to have no flash emission, and the assignment
is made as S CND (1)=0 and S CND (2)=0 while the third flash presence
control value is assumed to have a flash emission, and the assignment is
made as S CND (3)=1.
In step #414 through step #415, there is shown a routine for the case where
the object field is bright and it has a normal light. In step #411, if the
luminance is not found to be a rear light, the process proceeds to the
step #414.
In the step #414, the lower luminance stressed luminance value BL is
assigned to the first candidate exposure control value B CND (1), the
average luminance value BM is assigned to the second candidate luminance
value B CND (2), and the higher luminance stressed luminance value BH is
assigned to the third candidate exposure control value B CND (3). Then,
the process proceeds to step #415.
In the step #415, the flash presence control values S CND (1) through S CND
(3) are defined with respect to the first to third candidates in the step
414. In other words, the first to third candidate flash presence control
values are all assumed to have no flash emission, and the assignment is
made as S CND (1)=0, S CND (2)=0, and S CND (3)=0, respectively.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the subroutine of the focus relevant
operation for the CPU which constitutes an embodiment according to the
present invention. In step #501 through #504, each of the ordinary control
values B NML, S NML, and f NML are assigned to the first candidate (k=4)
and the second candidate (k=5) of the exposure control value B CND (k),
flash presence control value S CND (k), and angle of view control value f
CND (k).
In step #505, the distance difference .DELTA. between the farthest distance
in the circumference and the distance in the central portion is obtained
by a formula .vertline.MAX (D (2), D(3)) -D (1).vertline..
In step #506, whether the distance difference .DELTA. is smaller than 10 D
(1)/f or not is determined. If it is smaller, then the process proceeds to
step #507. If it is larger than or equal thereto, the process proceeds to
step #508.
In the step #507, the distance metering value D (1) in the central portion
is assigned to the first candidate focus position control value X CND (4)
and 999 is assigned | | |
