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Description  |
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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The disclosure of the following priority applications are herein
incorporated by reference:
Japanese Patent Application No. 9-240640 filed Sep. 5, 1997;
Japanese Patent Application No. 9-291982 filed Oct. 24, 1997;
Japanese Patent Application No. 9-305213 filed Nov. 7, 1997; and
Japanese Patent Application No. 9-305238 filed Nov. 7, 1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing device,
information processing method, and a recording media, and particularly, to
information processing devices, information processing methods, and
recording media which can communicate information with another information
processing device via a communication line.
2. Description of the Related Art
Through advancements in image compression technology, it is becoming
possible to send images such as moving images by using a transmission
media, for example, a telephone line, having a relatively small
transmission capacity.
For example, in video telephone communication, after the compression
processing is performed for the image which was shot by a CCD or the like
based upon a standard such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), the
image is sent to a receiving party through a telephone line. At the
receiving side, the information is decompressed and the original image is
displayed on an LCD or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an electronic camera, after an image is compressed, it is recorded to a
recording medium such as a memory. However, if, instead of recording the
image to the recording medium the image is sent to a receiving party side
through a public line, it is possible to realize a video telephone system.
However, when a video telephone system is realized by using an electronic
camera, there are two information input sources: the operator and the
other side (receiving party). Therefore, for example, when the release
button is operated, it is necessary to rule which of the two information
sources should be the recording object. However, the conventional
electronic camera was not structured to send and receive information by
communication, so there was a problem such that, for example, the image
which was sent by the other side cannot be shot.
The present invention was made to overcome the above problem. For example,
when the electronic camera is connected through a communication line and
the information such as an image is received, the present invention easily
records the image which was sent by the other side.
The present invention also relates to electronic cameras that can handle
not only ordinary image information obtained by imaging an object, but
also line drawing information input by a pen and sound information taken
in via a microphone. When information is sent and received via a
communication line between this type of information processing device that
can handle a plurality of information and another information processing
device, depending on the capabilities of the information processing
devices of the communicating parties, there are cases in which only
specified ones of the plurality of information can be handled.
Normally, a user cannot know what types of information the other
information processing device can handle. Therefore, in these cases, it is
necessary for the user to find out in advance, for example by telephone,
what types of information the other party's information processing device
can handle, and then to set the various modes matching the information
processing device. Therefore, the operations involved become complex,
which is inconvenient.
The present invention overcomes such problems and simply and reliably
enables communication of specified information among a plurality of
information with another information processing device.
When the video telephone system is realized by using a portable information
processing device, as described earlier, a display device which is
installed in this type of device is small so that there is a problem that
resolution of each image deteriorates when a plurality of images are
simultaneously displayed, and the images cannot be easily seen as a
result.
It has been considered that a plurality of these images could be
appropriately selected and displayed, but there was a problem such that
conventionally, an appropriate selection method was not proposed.
The present invention renders it possible to appropriately select a
plurality of images and display them on a display device when a video
telephone system with a small display device, for example, a portable
information processing device, is used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is described in detail with reference to the following
figures wherein like reference numerals designate similar items, and
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electronic camera according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the electronic camera as shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the electronic camera with its LCD
cover closed;
FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view showing some of the inside components of
the electronic camera as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIGS. 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) are diagrams explaining the relationship between
the position of the LCD cover and the state of a power switch and an LCD
switch;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the internal
part of the electronic camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining the processing of thinning out the pixels
during the L mode;
FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining the processing of thinning out the pixels
during the H mode;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the
electronic camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the connecting relationship when the
electronic camera is connected through a public line as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing one example of the format of the information
which is mutually transmitted between electronic cameras through the
public line as shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a flow chart explaining one example of the processing which is
executed in the electronic camera as shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a display example of the screen which is displayed on the LCD in
step S4 as shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of an image which is
displayed on the electronic camera by the processing which is shown in
FIG. 12;
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of the image which is
displayed on the electronic camera by the processing which is shown in
FIG. 12;
FIG. 16 is a flow chart explaining the processing which is shown in step S9
of FIG. 12 in detail;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example of the image which is
displayed when the pen input is performed;
FIG. 18 is a flow chart explaining the detailed processing which is shown
in step S12 of FIG. 12;
FIG. 19 is a flow chart explaining one example of the processing which is
executed in the electronic camera as shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 20 is a drawing showing connection of the electronic camera shown in
FIG. 1 via a network to various information processing devices;
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of the composition of a
server;
FIG. 22 is a drawing that describes the format of signals transmitted from
the electronic camera of FIG. 20;
FIG. 23 is a flow chart that describes the processing of the electronic
camera of FIG. 20;
FIG. 24 is a flow chart that describes the processing of the electronic
camera of FIG. 20;
FIG. 25 is a flow chart that describes the processing of the electronic
camera of FIG. 20;
FIG. 26 is a flow chart that describes the processing of the electronic
camera of FIG. 20;
FIG. 27 is a drawing that shows an example of the display in step S116 of
FIG. 23;
FIG. 28 is a drawing that shows an example of the display in step S117 of
FIG. 23;
FIG. 29 is a drawing that shows an example of the display in step S118 of
FIG. 23;
FIG. 30 is a drawing that shows an example of the display in step S133 of
FIG. 23;
FIG. 31 is a drawing that shows an example of the display of the menu in
step S135 of FIG. 24;
FIG. 32 is a diagram that shows the electronic camera of FIG. 1 connected
via a network to other devices;
FIG. 33 is a diagram that shows the electronic camera of FIG. 1 connected
via a network to still other devices;
FIG. 34 is a flow chart explaining the processing which is shown in step S9
of FIG. 12;
FIG. 35 is a flow chart explaining the processing which is shown in steps
S49 and S41 of FIG. 34;
FIG. 36 is a drawing that shows an example of a menu display in step S211
of FIG. 34;
FIG. 37 is a drawing that shows an example of a memo display;
FIG. 38 is a flow chart explaining the processing which is shown in step
S12 of FIG. 12; and
FIG. 39 is a flow chart explaining the processing which is shown in steps
S68 and S74 of FIG. 38.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following explains the embodiments of the present invention by
referring to the drawings.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective front views of an electronic camera according
to an embodiment of the present invention. In the electronic camera of the
present embodiment, the surface facing toward an object when the object is
shot is defined as surface X1, and the surface facing toward the user is
defined as surface X2. At the top portion of the surface X1, a rotating
part 19 is arranged on which a finder 2, a shooting lens 3, a light
emitting part 4, a red eye reduction lamp 15, a photometric element 16,
and a colorimetric element 17 are disposed. The rotating part 19 is
rotatable. Thus, it is possible to rotate the surface where the shooting
lens 3 is disposed from the direction of the surface X1 to the direction
of the surface X2, and to fix it in an arbitrary position therebetween.
Furthermore, the finder 2 is used to confirm an object shooting area, the
shooting lens 3 takes in the light image of the object, and the light
emitting part (strobe) 4 emits light that illuminates the object.
When shooting is performed by causing the emitting the strobe 4 to emit
light, before the strobe 4 emits light, the red eye reduction lamp 15
reduces the red eye phenomenon. The photometric element 16 performs
photometry when the operation of a CCD 20 (FIG. 4: image inputting device)
is stopped. Likewise, the calorimetric element 17 performs colorimetry
when the operation of CCD 20 is stopped.
Meanwhile, in a rear surface (opposite shooting lens), a speaker 5, which
outputs sound recorded in the electronic camera 1, and an eye piece of
finder 2 are arranged. In addition, an LCD 6 and an operating key 7 formed
on the surface X2 are provided below the finder 2, the shooting lens 3,
the emitting part 4, and the speaker 5. A touch tablet 6A is provided on
the surface of LCD 6. The touch tablet 6A, by a contacting operation of a
pen type indicating device which will be described later, outputs position
data corresponding to the position of the pen.
The touch tablet 6A is structured by transparent materials such as glass
and resin. The user can observe the image, which is displayed on LCD 6
which is formed behind the touch tablet 6A, through the touch tablet 6A.
The operating keys 7 are keys that are operated when recording data is
reproduced and is displayed on LCD 6. Operating keys 7 detect the
operations (inputting) by the user and provide input to CPU 39 FIG. 6:
detection device).
A menu key 7A among the operating keys 7 is a key which is operated when a
menu screen is to be displayed on LCD 6. An executing key 7B (operating
mechanism) is a key that is operated when the recorded information which
is selected by the user is to be reproduced.
A clear key 7C is a key that is operated when the recorded information is
deleted. A cancel key 7D is a key that is operated when the reproducing
processing of the recorded information is interrupted. A scroll key 7E is
a key that is operated when the screen is scrolled in the upper and lower
directions when the list of the recorded information is displayed on LCD
6.
On the surface X2 is disposed an LCD cover 14, which protects LCD 6 when it
is not used and which is slidable. As shown in FIG. 3, when the LCD cover
14 is moved in the vertically upward direction, the LCD 6 and the touch
tablet 6A are covered. Furthermore, when the LCD cover 14 is moved in the
vertically downward direction, the LCD 6 and the touch tablet 6A appear,
and a power switch 11 arranged in surface Y2 can be switched to the "ON"
state by an arm part 14A of the LCD cover 14.
On the top surface of the electronic camera 1, an earphone jack 9 is
disposed that is connected to a microphone 8, which collects sound, and an
undepicted earphone.
A left surface Y1 includes a release switch 10 (operating means) operated
when an object is shot, a continuous mode changing switch 13 is operated
when a continuous mode is changed during shooting, and a modular jack 18
used to connect to a telephone line. The release switch 10, the continuous
mode changing switch 13 and the modular jack 18 are arranged vertically
lower than the finder 2, the shooting lens 3, and the light emitting part
4, which are arranged on the rotating part 19.
Meanwhile, in the right surface Y2 opposite the left surface Y1, a
recording switch 12 operated when sound is recorded and the power switch
11 are arranged. The recording switch 12 and the power switch 11 are
arranged vertically lower than the finder 2, the shooting lens 3, and the
light emitting part 4, which are arranged on the rotating part 19, just
like the release switch 10 and the continuous mode changing switch 13.
Furthermore, the recording switch 12 is formed approximately at the same
height as the release switch 10 of the surface Y1 and is structured so as
not to give a strange feel to the user, no matter which hand is used to
hold the recording switch 12.
However, it is acceptable to make the recording switch 12 and the release
switch 10 at different heights so that when one of the switches is
pressed, a side surface of the opposite side can be held by a finger in
order to negate the moment caused by the pressure. By doing so, a switch
will not be pressed by mistake while the switch arranged on the opposite
side surface is pressed.
The continuous mode changing switch 13 is used to set whether the object
will be shot for one frame or a specified plurality of frames when the
user shoots an object by pressing the release switch 10. For example, when
the pointer of the continuous mode changing switch 13 is switched to the
"S" position (S mode), shooting is performed only for one frame when the
release switch 10 is pressed.
Further, when the pointer of the continuous mode changing switch 13 is
switched to the "L" position (L mode) eight frames of shooting are
performed every second (a low speed continuous mode) during the time when
the release switch 10 is pressed.
Moreover, when the pointer of the continuous mode changing switch 13 is
changed to the "H" position (H mode), 30 frames of shooting are performed
every second (high speed continuous mode) during the time when the release
switch 10 is pressed.
Next, the internal structure of the electronic camera 1 is explained. FIG.
4 is a perspective figure showing a structural example of the internal
part of the electronic camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. CCD 20 is disposed
in the rear step (surface X2 side) of the shooting lens 3, and
photoelectrically converts the light image of the object which is shot
through the shooting lens 3 to an electric signal.
The inside finder display element 26 is arranged in the visual field of the
finder 2. For the user who is watching the object through the finder 2,
the setting state of various functions or the like can be displayed. In
addition, the finder 2, the shooting lens 3, the light emitting part 4,
the speaker 5, CCD 20, and the inside finder light emitting element 26 are
disposed inside of the cylindrical rotating part 19.
At the vertical lower side of LCD 6, four slender batteries (AAA dry cells)
21 are vertically arrayed, and the power which is stored in the batteries
21 is provided to each part. In addition, at the vertical lower side of
LCD 6, along with the batteries 21, a condensor 22 is arranged in which
the charge to emit the light to the emitting part 4 is stored.
On the circuit substrate 23, various control circuits which control each
part of the electronic camera 1 are formed. Furthermore, between the
circuit substrate 23 and LCD 6 and batteries 21, an insertable/retractable
memory card 24 (recording means) is disposed, and various information to
be input to the electronic camera 1 is respectively recorded to areas of
the memory card 24 which are set in advance.
An LCD switch 25 disposed adjacent to the power switch 11 is placed in the
"ON" state only during the time when the protruding part thereof is
pressed. When the LCD cover 14 is moved in a vertically downward direction
by the arm part 14A of the LCD cover 14, as shown in FIG. 5(a), LCD Switch
25 can be changed to the "ON" state along with the power switch 11.
Furthermore, when LCD cover 14 is positioned in the upper position, the
power switch 11 is operated by the user independent of the LCD switch 25.
For example, when the LCD cover 14 is closed and the electronic camera 1
is not used, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the power switch 11 and the LCD switch
25 are in the "OFF" state. In this state, as shown in FIG. 5(c), when the
user switches the power switch 11 to the "ON" state, the power switch 11
is placed in the "ON" state, but the LCD switch 25 still remains in the
"OFF" state. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 5(b), when the power switch 11
and the LCD switch 25 are in the "OFF" state, if the LCD cover 14 opens,
as shown in FIG. 5(a), the power switch 11 and the LCD switch 25 are
placed in the "ON" state. Moreover, after this, when the LCD cover 14 is
closed, as shown in FIG. 5(c), only the LCD switch 25 is placed in the
"OFF" state.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotating part 19 can be set at an
arbitrary angle between the subnormal direction of the surface X1 and the
subnormal direction of the surface X2.
In the present embodiment, the memory card 24 can be inserted, but it is
also acceptable to provide a memory on the circuit substrate 23 and record
various information to the memory. In addition, it is also acceptable to
output various information which is recorded in the memory (memory card
24) to an external personal computer through an interface, which is not
depicted.
Next, the electrical structure of the internal part of the electronic
camera 1 of the present embodiment is explained by referring to the block
diagram of FIG. 6. In CCD 20, which has a plurality of pixels, the light
image which is formed on each pixel is photoelectrically converted to an
image signal (electrical signal). A digital signal processor (hereafter
referred as to DSP) 33 (recording means) supplies a CCD horizontal driving
pulse to CCD 20, controls the CCD driving circuit 34, and supplies a CCD
vertical driving pulse to the CCD 20.
An image processor 31 is controlled by CPU 39. The image signal which is
photoelectrically converted by CCD 20 is sampled at a certain timing, and
the sampled signal is amplified to a specified level. Analog/digital (A/D)
converting circuit 32 digitizes the image signal, which was sampled by the
image processor 31, and supplies it to the DSP 33.
DSP 33 controls a data bus which is connected to the buffer memory 36 and
the memory card 24. After the image data which was supplied by the A/D
converting circuit 32 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 36, the
image data stored in the buffer memory 36 is read, and the image data is
stored on the memory card 24.
Furthermore, in DSP 33, the image data which was supplied by the A/D
converting circuit 32 is stored in a frame memory 35 (outputting means)
and is displayed on LCD 6, and the shot image data is read from the memory
card 24. After decompressing the shot image data, the decompressed image
data is stored in the frame memory 35 and is displayed on LCD 6.
Furthermore, in DSP 33, during the activation of the electronic camera 1,
the CCD 20 is repeatedly operated while adjusting the exposing time
(exposure value) until the exposing level of CCD 20 reaches an appropriate
value. At this time, it is also acceptable to calculate an initial value
of the exposing time of CCD 20 in response to a received light level,
which was detected by the photometric element 16 when the DSP 33 first
operates the photometric circuit 51. By so doing, it is possible to adjust
the exposing time of CCD 20 in a short period of time.
Other than the above, the DSP 33 performs the timing management of data
input/output in recording the image to the memory card 24, storing the
decompressed image data in the buffer memory 36, and so forth.
The buffer memory 36 is used to smooth out the difference between the speed
of the input/output of data for the memory card 24 and the processing
speed in CPU 39, DSP 33, and the like.
The microphone 8 collects sound information, which is supplied to the A/D
and D/A converting circuit 42.
The A/D and D/A converting circuit 42 converts an analog signal
corresponding to sound, which is detected by the microphone 8, to a
digital signal and outputs the digital signal to CPU 39. Circuit 42 also
converts sound data supplied by the CPU 39 to an analog signal and outputs
the analog sound signal to the speaker 5.
The photometric element 16 measures the light amount of the object and its
surroundings, and the measurement result is output to the photometric
circuit 51.
After the photometric circuit 51 performs a specified processing on the
analog signal, which is the photometry result which was supplied by the
photometric element 16, that analog signal is converted to a digital
signal and the digital signal is output to the CPU 39.
The calorimetric element 17 measures the color intensity of the object and
its surroundings and the measurement result is output to the colorimetric
circuit 52.
After the colorimetric circuit 52 performs a specified processing to the
analog signal, which is the photometry result which was supplied by the
colorimetric element 17, it is converted to a digital signal and the
digital signal is output to the CPU 39.
A timer 45 houses a clock circuit, and data corresponding to the current
time is output to CPU 39.
A stop driver 53 sets the opening diameter of an aperture stop 54 at a
specified value.
The aperture stop is disposed between the shooting lens 3 and the CCD 20
and changes the opening of the light incident from the shooting lens 3 to
the CCD 20.
A rotating part position detecting circuit 55 receives output from a
potentiometer 56, which is moved simultaneously with the rotating part 19,
to detect the direction where the rotating part 19 faces at that time.
When a modem 57 (sending means, receiving means) receives and sends
information between other electronic camera 1 connected through a public
line, conversion of the data format is performed.
In response to the signal from the LCD switch 25, the CPU 39 stops the
operation of the photometric circuit 51 and colorimetric circuit 52 when
the LCD cover 14 is opened. When the LCD cover 14 is closed, it begins the
operation of the photometric circuit 51 and the calorimetric circuit 52.
Additionally, it stops the operation (e.g., electronic shutter operation)
of the CCD 20 until the release switch 10 is placed in a half-pressed
state.
When the CPU 39 stops the operation of the CCD 20, it controls the
photometric circuit 51 and the colorimetric circuit 52 to receive the
photometry result of the photometric element 16, and the colorimetry
result of the calorimetric element 17.
Also, by referring to a specified table, the CPU 39 calculates the white
balance adjusting value corresponding to the color intensity which was
supplied by the calorimetric circuit 52, and the white balance adjusting
value is supplied to the image processor 31.
That is, when the LCD cover 14 is closed, the LCD 6 is not used as an
electronic viewfinder, so the operation of the CCD 20 is stopped. Because
the CCD 20 consumes much power, it is possible to save power of the
battery 21 by thus stopping the operation of the CCD 20.
Furthermore, when the LCD cover 14 is closed, the CPU 39 controls the image
processor 31 so that the image processor 31 does not perform various
processing until the release switch 10 is operated (until the release
switch 10 in placed in a half-pressed state).
Moreover, when LCD cover 14 is closed, the CPU 39 controls a stop driver 53
so that the stop driver 53 does not perform an operation to change the
opening diameter of the stop 54 or the like until the release switch 10 is
operated (until the release switch 10 is placed in a half-depressed
state).
The CPU 39 controls a strobe drive 37, and the strobe 4 appropriately emits
light. In addition, a red eye reduction LED (light emitting diode) driver
38 is controlled, and the red eye reduction lamp 15 appropriately emits
light prior to the light emission of the strobe 4.
Furthermore, when the LCD cover 14 is opened (that is, the electronic
viewfinder is used), the CPU 39 does not cause the strobe 4 to emit light.
By so doing, an object can be shot in the form of an image which is
displayed in the electronic viewfinder.
According to the date and time data which is supplied by the timer 45, the
CPU 39 records the shot date and time information to the shot image
recording area of the memory card 24 as header information of the image
data.
Furthermore, the CPU 39 compresses the sound information that was digitized
and records it to a specified sound recording area of the memory card 24
after temporarily storing it in the buffer memory 36. Moreover, at this
time, in the sound recording area of the memory card 24, the recording
date and time data is recorded as header information of the sound data.
The CPU 39 controls the lens driver 30, moves the shooting lens 3, and
performs an autofocus operation. In addition, it controls the stop driver
53 and changes the opening diameter of the stop 54 disposed between the
shooting lens 3 and the CCD 20.
Furthermore, the CPU 39 controls an in-viewfinder display circuit 40, and
the settings in various operations or the like are displayed on the
in-viewfinder display element 26.
The CPU 39 sends/receives data through an interface (I/F) 48 to/from a
specified external device (undepicted).
Moreover, the CPU 39 receives signals from the operating keys 7 and
appropriately performs the processing.
When a specified position of the touch tablet 6A is pressed by a pen type
indicating member 41 operated by the user, the CPU 39 reads the X-Y
coordinates of the position that was pressed on the touch tablet 6A, and
the coordinate data (line drawing information which will be discussed
later) is stored in the buffer memory 36. Furthermore, the CPU 39 records
the line drawing information stored in the buffer memory 36 in the line
drawing information recording area of the memory card 24 along with the
date and time header information of the line drawing information.
Next, various operations of the electronic camera 1 of the present
embodiment are explained. First of all, the electronic viewfinder
operation in the LCD 6 of the present device is explained.
The DSP 33 is supplied a signal by the CPU 39 when the user creates a
half-pressed state of the release switch 10. It determines whether the LCD
cover 14 is open by the value of the signal corresponding to the state of
the LCD switch 25. When it is determined that the LCD cover 14 is closed,
the electronic viewfinder operation is not performed. In this case, the
DSP 33 stops processing until the release switch 10 is operated.
Moreover, when the LCD cover 14 is closed, the electronic viewfinder
operation is not to be performed, so the CPU 39 stops the operations of
the CCD 20, the image processor 31, and the stop driver 53. Also, instead
of operating the CCD 20, the CPU 39 operates the photometric circuit 51
and calorimetric circuit 52, and the measurement result is supplied to the
image processor 31. The image processor 31 uses the value of the
measurement result when performing white balance control and the control
of the brightness value.
Furthermore, when the release switch 10 is operated, the CPU 39 causes the
CCD 20 and the stop driver 53 to operate.
Meanwhile, when the LCD cover 14 is opened, the CCD 20 performs the
electronic shutter operation in a specified exposing time each time a
specified time elapses, photoelectrically converts the light image of the
object which was collected by the shooting lens 3, and outputs the image
signal which is obtained by the operation to the image processor 31.
After the image processor 31 performs the white balance control and the
control of the brightness value and after specified processing is
performed on the image signal, the image signal is output to the A/D
converting circuit 32. Moreover, when the CCD 20 is operated, the image
processor 31 uses the adjusted value which is used for the white balance
control and the control of the brightness value which were calculated by
the CPU 39 using the output of the CCD 20.
Also, the A/D converting circuit 32 converts the analog image signal to
image data which is a digital signal, and the obtained image data is
output to the DSP 33.
The DSP 33 outputs the image data to the frame memory 35, and the image
corresponding to the image data is displayed on the LCD 6.
Thus, in the electronic camera 1, when the LCD cover 14 is opened, the CCD
20 performs the electronic shutter operation at a specified time interval.
Every time this is performed, the signal which is output by the CCD 20 is
converted to image data, the image data is output to the frame memory 35,
and the image of the object is continuously displayed on LCD 6 so that the
electronic viewfinder operation is performed.
Furthermore, as described above, when the LCD cover 14 is closed, the
electronic viewfinder operation is not performed, and by stopping the
operation of the CCD 20, the image processor 31, and the stop driver 53,
the consumed power is saved.
Next, the shooting of an object by the present device is explained.
First of all, the case when the continuous mode changing switch 13 disposed
in the surface Y1 is changed to the S mode (one frame only) is explained.
First, by switching the power switch 11 shown in FIG. 1 to the side at
which "ON" is printed, the power is input to the electronic camera 1. The
object is confirmed by the finder 2, and a shooting processing of the
object begins by pressing the release switch 10 disposed in surface Y1.
Furthermore, when the LCD cover 14 is closed and when the release switch 10
becomes a half-pressed state, the operation of the CCD 20, the image
processor 31, and the stop driver 53 begin again by CPU 39. When the
release switch 10 becomes a full-pressed state, the shooting processing of
the object begins.
The light image of the object which is observed by the finder 2 is
collected by the shooting lens 3 and is image-formed on the CCD 20 with
the plurality of pixels. The light image of the object which is
imaged-formed on the CCD 20 is photoelectrically converted to an image
signal in each pixel and is sampled by the image processor 31. The image
signals which are sampled by the image processor 31 are supplied to the
A/D converting circuit 32, digitized, and output to the DSP 33.
The DSP 33 temporarily outputs the image data to the buffer memory 36, then
reads out the image data from the buffer memory 36 and compresses it
according to the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method, which
combines dispersed cosine conversion, quantization, and Hoffman encoding,
and records it to the shot image recording area of the memory card 24. At
this time, the shooting time and date data is recorded to the shot image
recording area of the memory card 24 as the header information of the shot
image data.
Furthermore, when the continuous mode changing switch 13 is changed to the
S mode, the shooting of only one frame is performed, and no shooting after
this is performed even if the release switch 10 is continuously pressed.
Moreover, when the release switch 10 is continuously pressed, if the LCD
cover 14 is open, the image which was shot is displayed on LCD 6.
Secondly, the case when the continuous mode changing switch 13 is changed
to the L mode (eight frames every second) is explained. When the power is
input to the electronic camera 1 by changing the power switch 11 to the
side where "ON" is printed and the release switch 10 disposed in the
surface Y1 is pressed, the shooting processing of the object begins.
Furthermore, when the LCD cover 14 is closed, the CPU 39 restarts the
operation of the CCD 20, the image processor 31 and the stop driver 53
when the release switch 10 is placed in a half-pressed state, and the
shooting processing of the object begins when the release switch 10 is
placed in a full-pressed state.
The light image of the object which is observed by the finder 2 is
collected by the shooting lens 2 and is image-formed on the CCD 20 with
the plurality of pixels. The light image of the object which is
image-formed on the CCD 20 is photoelectrically converted into an image
signal in each pixel and is sampled at the ratio of eight times every
second by the image processor 31. Moreover, at this time, the image
processor 31 thins out 3/4 of the pixels among the image electric signal
of all the pixels of the CCD 20.
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the image processor 31 divides the image of
the CCD 20 which is arrayed in a matrix of areas each having 2.times.2
pixels (four pixels), samples the image signal of one pixel arranged in a
specified position in one area, and thins out the remaining three pixels.
For example, during the first sampling (first frame), the pixel a at the
upper left of each area is sampled and the other pixels b, c, d are
thinned out. During the second sampling (second frame), the pixel b at the
upper right of each area is sampled and the other pixels a, c, d are
thinned out. Hereafter, during the third and fourth sampling, the pixel c
at the lower left and the pixel d at the lower right are sampled,
respectively, and the other pixels are thinned out. That is, each pixel is
sampled every four frames.
The image signals (the image signals of 1/4 of all the pixels of the CCD
20) which were sampled by the image processor 31 are supplied to the A/D
converting circuit 32, are digitized there, and are output to the DSP 33.
The DSP 33 temporarily outputs the digitized signals to the buffer memory
36, then reads out the image signals, compresses them according to the
JPEG method, and records the digitized, compressed shot image data to the
shot image recording area of the memory card 24. At this time, the
shooting time and date data is recorded to the shot image recording area
of the memory card 24 as the head | | |
