|
Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera includes: an imaging unit that photoelectrically
converts light to output a color image; a selecting unit that selects
any one identifier from identifiers which are colored in different
colors from each other; and a black/white image producing unit that
produces a black/white image by weighting gradation values of respective
colors for each of pixels of the output color image and adding the
weighted gradation values to each other. When the light entered
to the imaging unit is entered to a color filter having a color
equal to a color of the selected identifier, a correlation between
a light amount of light having a wavelength which penetrates the
color filer and a light amount of the entered light becomes stronger
than a correlation between a light amount of light having a wavelength
which is absorbed by the color filter and the light amount of the
entered light.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A digital camera comprising: an imaging unit that photoelectrically
converts entered light to output a color image; a selecting unit
that selects any one identifier from one or more identifiers which
are colored in different colors from each other; and a black/white
image producing unit that produces a black/white image by weighting
gradation values of respective colors for each of pixels of the
output color image and adding the weighted gradation values of respective
colors to each other, wherein when the light entered to the imaging
unit is entered to a color filter having a color which is substantially
equal to a color of the identifier selected by the selecting unit,
a correlation between a light amount of light having a wavelength
which penetrates the color filer and a light amount of the entered
light becomes stronger than a correlation between a light amount
of light having a wavelength which is absorbed by the color filter
and the light amount of the entered light.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the selecting
unit includes the identifier with respect to each of selectable
colors, a pointing symbol for pointing anyone of the identifiers,
and an operation switch for moving one of the identifier and the
pointing symbol; and the selecting unit accepts the identifier which
is pointed by the pointing symbol as the identifier.
3. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the identifier
includes a circle which is painted over with the color.
4. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the selecting
means includes an operation switch for selecting the identifier,
anda first display unit for displaying thereon only the identifier
which is selected by the operation switch.
5. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the identifier
includes a circle which is painted over with the color.
6. The digital camera according to claim 1 further comprising a
second display unit capable of displaying arbitrary information,
wherein the selecting unit displays a menu used to select the identifier
on the second display unit, while the identifier is represented
in the menu as a selection item.
7. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein the selecting
unit displays as the identifier a circle which is painted over with
the color.
8. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein the second
display means includes an image display unit for displaying thereon
the black/white image produced by the black/white image producing
unit.
9. The digital camera according to claim 8, wherein the image display
unit displays both the black/white image and the identifier which
is selected when the black/white image is produced on the second
display unit.
10. The digital camera according to claim 9, wherein the image
display unit displays the identifier by a circle which is painted
over with the color.
11. The digital camera according to claim 6, further comprising
through image display unit that displays a through image on the
second display unit based upon the color image outputted from the
imaging unit, and displays the identifier which is selected when
the through image is displayed on the second display unit.
12. The digital camera according to claim 11, wherein the through
image display means displays the identifier by a circle which has
been painted over with the color.
13. A digital camera according to claim 11, wherein the through
image display unit displays on the second display unit, a black/white
through image which is produced by the black/white image producing
unit based upon both the color image outputted from the imaging
unit and the identifier which is selected when the color image is
outputted.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is related to a digital camera.
[0002] Generally, in photographing operations by silver salt film
cameras using monochromatic films, such color filters as a green
filter, a yellow filter, an orange filter, and a red filter have
been employed. When a color filter is employed, such a black/white
image is photographed in which a correlation between a light amount
of light having a wavelength which penetrates the color filter and
a light amount of light entered to this color filter becomes stronger
than a correlation between a light amount of light having a wavelength
which is absorbed by the color filter and the light amount of the
light entered to the color filter. For instance, when a green filter
is used, such a light having a wavelength range of a substantially
green color is strongly reflected to a contrast of a black/white
image, whereas light having other wavelength ranges than the above-explained
green-color wavelength range is absorbed by this green filter, and
therefore, can be hardly and relatively reflected to the contrast
of this black/white image. In photographing operations by silver
salt film cameras using monochromatic films, color filters are selectively
employed in accordance with sorts of photographing objects. Concretely
speaking, for instance, a yellow filter is suitably used to photograph
such scenes that a near sight to a middle sight constitute a photographic
subject, and an orange filter is suitably used to photograph such
a scene as to a far sight, while a telephoto lens is used. A red
filter is suitably employed in order to further precisely photograph
a far sight. Filters belonging to a green color series can own an
effect capable of suppressing red colors, and at the same time,
can obtain proper contrasts in a similar effect to that of a yellow
filter. As a result, these green-color-series filters can control
feelings as to skin and lips of persons to become mellow tones,
and are especially suitable for photographing females. In virtue
of filter works capable of selectively using these color filters,
even when photographing operations are carried out by using monochromatic
films in which colors are represented in dark/light monochrome,
effects which are fitted to images owned by photographers may be
represented.
[0003] In the case that black/white images are photographed by
using digital cameras, gradation values of pixels every color, which
constitute photographed color images, are weighted, and then, the
weighted gradation values are added to each other, so that such
black/white images can be obtained to which the same effects as
those of color filters employed in silver salt film cameras have
been given. In other words, the black/white images having strong
correlations with a specific color can be acquired. As a consequence,
since weighting process for specific color which is wanted to be
strongly correlated is selected, filter works similar to those of
silver salt film cameras may be realized.
[0004] In the case of a silver salt film camera, since a target
color filter can be distinguished from other color filters by checking
a color of this target color filter, a selection of a desirable
color filter can be easily carried out. However, in the case of
a digital camera, for example, when such a weighting process is
selected by which an equivalent effect to a "yellow filter"
of a silver salt film camera may be obtained, and such a weighting
process is selected by which an equivalent effect to a "green
filter" thereof may be obtained, since physically existing
color filters are not selected, disable color filters are selected
from a menu displayed on a LCD, or by operating an operation switch.
However, in this case, if selection items are displayed by way of
character strings such as "yellow filter" and "green
filter", then a user can hardly and intuitively grasp colors.
As a result, there is a deterioration problem as to operability
of digital cameras.
[0005] Further, since a color filter is located in front of a lens
in a silver salt film camera, a user can always become aware of
presence of this color filter. Accordingly, such an erroneous event
can hardly occur. That is, although the user does not want to perform
a photographing operation using such a color filter, the user mistakenly
performs this photographing operation using the color filter. However,
since a color filter is not physically employed in a digital camera,
in the case that a user forgets that the color filter has been selected,
such an event that a photographed result differs from an expected
result may occur.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described
problems, and therefore, has an object to provide a digital camera
capable of easily performing a filter work required in a monochromatic
photographing operation.
[0007] In order to solve the aforesaid object, the invention is
characterized by having the following arrangement.
[0008] (1) A digital camera comprising:
[0009] an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts entered
light to output a color image;
[0010] a selecting unit that selects any one identifier from one
or more identifiers which are colored in different colors from each
other; and
[0011] a black/white image producing unit that produces a black/white
image by weighting gradation values of respective colors for each
of pixels of the output color image and adding the weighted gradation
values of respective colors to each other,
[0012] wherein when the light entered to the imaging unit is entered
to a color filter having a color which is substantially equal to
a color of the identifier selected by the selecting unit, a correlation
between a light amount of light having a wavelength which penetrates
the color filer and a light amount of the entered light becomes
stronger than a correlation between a light amount of light having
a wavelength which is absorbed by the color filter and the light
amount of the entered light.
[0013] 2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein
[0014] the selecting unit includes the identifier with respect
to each of selectable colors, a pointing symbol for pointing anyone
of the identifiers, and an operation switch for moving one of the
identifier and the pointing symbol; and
[0015] the selecting unit accepts the identifier which is pointed
by the pointing symbol as the identifier.
[0016] (3) The digital camera according to (2), wherein the identifier
includes a circle which is painted over with the color.
[0017] (4) The digital camera according to (1), wherein the selecting
means includes an operation switch for selecting the identifier,
and a first display unit for displaying thereon only the identifier
which is selected by the operation switch.
[0018] (5) The digital camera according to (4), wherein the identifier
includes a circle which is painted over with the color.
[0019] (6) The digital camera according to (1) further comprising
a second display unit capable of displaying arbitrary information,
[0020] wherein the selecting unit displays a menu used to select
the identifier on the second display unit, while the identifier
is represented in the menu as a selection item.
[0021] (7) The digital camera according to (6), wherein the selecting
unit displays as the identifier a circle which is painted over with
the color.
[0022] (8) The digital camera according to (6), wherein the second
display means includes an image display unit for displaying thereon
the black/white image produced by the black/white image producing
unit.
[0023] (9) The digital camera according to (8), wherein the image
display unit displays both the black/white image and the identifier
which is selected when the black/white image is produced on the
second display unit.
[0024] (10) The digital camera according to (9), wherein the image
display unit displays the identifier by a circle which is painted
over with the color.
[0025] (11) The digital camera according to (6), further comprising
through image display unit that displays a through image on the
second display unit based upon the color image outputted from the
imaging unit, and displays the identifier which is selected when
the through image is displayed on the second display unit.
[0026] (12) The digital camera according to (11), wherein the through
image display means displays the identifier by a circle which has
been painted over with the color.
[0027] (13) A digital camera according to (11), wherein the through
image display unit displays on the second display unit, a black/white
through image which is produced by the black/white image producing
unit based upon both the color image outputted from the imaging
unit and the identifier which is selected when the color image is
outputted.
[0028] In accordance with the digital camera, when a colored identifier
is selected, such a black/white image can be obtained to which an
equivalent effect has been applied, while this equivalent effect
is obtained in such a case that a photographing operation of a black/white
image is carried out by employing such a color filter having a color
substantially equal to a color of this selected identifier in a
silver salt film camera. In other words, a process operation that
an effect equivalent to an effect achieved by which color of the
color filter employed in the silver salt film camera is given to
the black/white image can be selected based upon the color of the
identifier. As a result, the user can intuitively grasp a desirable
color as compare with such a case that such a desirable color is
selected from selection items which are displayed by such character
strings as "green filter", and thus, the user can readily
perform the color filter selection. As a consequence, in accordance
with the above-described digital camera, the filter work of the
monochromatic photographing operation can be readily carried out.
[0029] In accordance with the digital camera, since the identifier
under selection is continuously pointed by the pointing symbol,
the user can readily confirm the color under selection without performing
a specific operation.
[0030] In accordance with the above digital camera, since a color
filter of a silver salt film camera is a circle, if a circle which
has been painted over is displayed as an identifier, then, a user
can suppose the color filter of the silver salt film camera, and
further, the user can intuitively understand that a selection of
this identifier is essentially equal to a selection of the color
of this color filter of the silver salt film camera.
[0031] In accordance with this digital camera, since the identifier
under selection is displayed on the first display means, the user
can easily know that which color has been selected by viewing the
first display means.
[0032] According to this digital camera, the user can intuitively
understood a meaning of the identifier.
[0033] According to this digital camera, when the identifier is
selected from the menu, this identifier can be selected based upon
the color, so that the identifier can be easily selected. In other
words, the filter work can be easily carried out.
[0034] According to this digital camera, the user can intuitively
understand the meaning of the identifier. Further, in the digital
camera according to the present invention, the second display means
is further comprised of: image display means for displaying thereon
the black/white image produced by the black/white image producing
means.
[0035] In accordance with this digital camera, when the user displays
the photographed black/white image, the user can know such an identifier
which has been selected when this black/white image was photographed.
As a consequence, the user can readily grasp as to whether or not
this black/white image is such an image to which a filtering process
operation equivalent to which color filter of the silver salt film
camera has been given.
[0036] According to this digital camera, the user can intuitively
understand the meaning of the identifier. As a result, the user
can know that the black/white image under display has a correlation
with respect to a specific color.
[0037] In accordance with this digital camera, the user can readily
know that the identifier has been selected and which color of this
identifier has been selected when the photographing operation is
carried out.
[0038] According to this digital camera, the user can intuitively
understand the meaning of the identifier.
[0039] In accordance with this digital camera, the user can confirm
the effect achieved by the selected identifier before the photographing
operation, and can perform the photographing operations in a higher
efficiency without executing useless photographing operation.
[0040] It should also be understood that the respective functions
owned by the plural means provided in the digital camera of the
present invention can be realized by hardware resources whose functions
are specified by structures themselves, hardware resources whose
functions are specified by a program, or by combining these hardware
resources with each other. The respective functions of these plural
means are not limited only to such functions which are realized
by hardware resources, while these hardware resources are physically
independent from each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for showing an example as
to a menu related to a first embodiment of the present FIG. 2 is
a block diagram for representing a digital camera according to the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 3A is a rear view for indicating the digital camera
according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 3B is an upper view for indicating the digital camera thereof.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a GUI related
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for showing a through image
related to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for indicating one example
as to a display of identifiers related to the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C are schematic diagrams for
showing operation switches of a digital camera according to a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are schematic diagrams for representing
one example of a first display menus employed in a digital camera
according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0048] Embodiments according to the present invention will now
be explained based upon embodiment.
First Embodiment
[0049] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for representing a hardware structure
of a digital still camera (DSC) 1 functioning as a digital camera
according to a first embodiment of the peasant invention.
[0050] An optical system 11 is arranged by a lens group 11a, a
diaphragm 11b, and the like. The lens group 11a is constituted by
one set, or more sets of lenses. The diaphragm 11b is mounted in
the lens group 11a. The optical system 11 causes light to be entered
to a light receiving plane of an image sensor 12.
[0051] The image sensor 12 corresponds to an imaging element, for
instance, a so-called "CCD image sensor", a so-termed
"CMOS image sensor." The image element is equipped with
a photoelectric converting element which is positioned in a two-dimensional
space in a discrete manner, and an electron transfer element known
as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) The image sensor 12 is driven by
a sensor controller (not shown) The image sensor 12 stores thereinto
an electrical charge for a constant time period every photoelectric
converting element, and then, outputs an electric signal in response
to a light receiving amount every photoelectric converting element,
while the electrical charge is obtained by photoelectrically converting
light which is entered by the optical system 11. In the image sensor
12, since 4 color filters (namely, cyan color filter, magenta color
filter, yellow color filter, and green color filter) are provided
on the light receiving plane thereof, or 3 color filters (namely,
red color filter, green color filter, and blue color filter) are
mounted on the light receiving plane thereof, color image information
can be acquired. In the first embodiment, an explanation is made
of such an assumption that 3 color filters arranged by R(red), G(Green),
and B(Blue) color filters have been provided. A storage amount (exposure
amount) of electrical charges to the image sensor 12 is determined
based upon both the diaphragm 11b and open time of a mechanical
shutter (not shown) which is mounted between the optical system
11 and the image sensor 12. It should be noted that exposure time
of the image sensor 12 may be alternatively adjusted by electrically
controlling the charge storage time itself of the image sensor 12.
[0052] An analog front-end (AFE) unit 13 quantizes an electric
signal outputted from the image sensor 13 into a digital signal
by an A/D converter, and then, outputs the converted digital signal.
Concretely speaking, for instance, the AFE unit 13 performs a CDS
(Correlated Double Sampling) process operation, a level adjusting
process operation of an electric signal, a quantizing process operation,
and the like so as to output a digital signal to a digital image
processing unit 14. The CDS process operation corresponds to such
a process operation for reducing noise contained in the electric
signal. In the level adjusting process operation, an optical black
clamping control operation is performed so as to reproduce a black
level of an image, and a gain of the electric signal is adjusted.
The quantizing process operation quantizes the electric signal so
as to produce a digital signal having a predetermined bit length.
In the first embodiment, it is so assumed that the A/D converter
quantizes the analog signal to produce a 12-bit digital signal.
If a bit length of a digital signal is long, then an amount of information
is increased, as compared with that of such a case that a bit length
of a digital signal is short, and thus, various sorts of process
operations can be carried out based upon a larger amount of information
in a digital image processing unit 14 (will be explained later).
As a result, an image quality can be improved. Since a maximum value
of a bit length is determined in response to latitude (exposure
allowable degree) of the image sensor 12, if the image sensor 12
owns wide latitude, then an electric signal may be quantized to
obtain a digital signal having a longer bit length.
[0053] The digital image processing unit 14 performs a color image
forming process operation, a white balance correction, a gamma correction,
and a black/white image producing operation with respect to the
digital signal outputted from the AFE unit 13, and executes a color
space converting process operation for converting a color space
of a formed color image, and performs such a process operation for
converting a gradation value of either the formed color image or
the formed black/white image into 8 bits, and then, outputs the
image-processed image data to a control unit 20. In this case, a
color image forming process operation corresponds to such a process
operation capable of forming a color image, while R, G, and B color
information are given to all of pixels in such a manner that as
to luminance information for 1 color which is outputted from respective
pixels (color filters having one color have been formed on surface
of image sensor 12) of the image sensor 12 in which the color filters
are arranged in a pattern of, for example, checkers having a regulation,
other two colors (any two colors of R, G, B colors) are interpolated
based upon luminance information of the respective colors of vicinity
pixels. The white balance correction corresponds to such a correction
that a white color may be observed as a white color on a digital
image even when light sources are different from each other. The
DSC 1 performs the white balance correction based upon a sort of
such a light source which is set by a user. A detailed content as
to a process operation for producing a black/white image will be
explained.
[0054] The digital image processing unit 14 is further equipped
with an image reducing unit 21. The image reducing unit 21 reduces
a digital image in response to an image reducing instruction of
the control unit 20 so as to produce a reduced image (will be referred
to as "reduced image" hereinafter). In this embodiment,
a digital image implies both a color image and a black/white image.
An image size of a reduced image is set by the control unit 20.
In order to display a photographed digital image on a screen of
an LCD 18a (see FIG. 3A), an image size of the photographed digital
image is reduced up to the image size of the LCD 18a by the image
reducing unit 21. Apparently, the size of the photographed digital
image may be alternatively reduced to other image sizes than the
above-explained image size by the image reducing unit 21. The reduced
image which has been produced by the image reducing unit 21 is outputted
to a removable memory 17 in relation to the original digital image
(present image) by an external storage unit 16. Since this relative
storage operation is carried out, digital images stored in the removable
memory 17 can be quickly displayed on the screen of the LCD 18 in
a simple manner. It should also be noted that the above-explained
various sorts of process operations performed by the digital image
processing unit 14 may be alternatively replaced by process operations
by a computer program which are executed in the control unit 20.
[0055] A compressing/expanding unit 15 compresses a digital image
outputted from the control unit 20, and expands a compressed digital
image. Concretely speaking, the compressing/expanding unit 15 performs
compression operations by employing, for example, the JPEG system
corresponding to a non-reversible compression system, and a reversible
compression system without discarding image data. The compressing/expanding
unit 15 is arranged in such a manner that digital images outputted
from the control unit 20 may be converted into TIFF type digital
images without any image compression.
[0056] The external storage unit 16 is equipped with a card slot,
a memory controller, and the like. The card slot is used so as to
connect the removable memory 17 to this external storage unit 116.
The removable memory 17 corresponds to a non-volatile and detachable
storage medium. Under control by the control unit 20, the external
storage unit 16 executes a process operation for writing a digital
image compressed by the compressing/expanding unit 15 into the removable
memory 17, and another process operation for reading out a digital
image stored in the removable memory 17. In the first embodiment,
such a case is exemplified in which a digital image is compressed
by way of the JPEG system, and then, the compressed digital image
is written as a file of the EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format)
system into the removable memory 17. It should also be noted that
other file systems than the above-described EXIF system may be alternatively
employed. Since an arbitrary tag may be set to an EXIF type file,
it is so assumed that such an information for specifying an identifier
which has been selected when a black/white image is photographed
is written into a tag. Information for specifying an identifier
corresponds to such an identifier number which is exclusively allocated
to this identifier. If information for specifying an identifier
is written into an EXIF type file, when a black/white image which
has been stored in this EXIF type file is reproduced, then an identifier
which has been selected during photographing operation can be displayed.
As a result, a user can easily grasp that a black/white image which
is being presently reproduced has been weighted in response to a
specific color when this black/white image was produced, namely,
an effect equivalent to that of a color filter of a silver salt
film camera has been given to this black/white image. The user can
readily grasp the color of this color filter. A detailed explanation
as to this identifier will be made later.
[0057] A display unit 18 functioning as a second display unit is
provided with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 18a (refer to FIG.
3A), a display controller for controlling the LCD 18a, and the like.
While the display unit 18 is controlled by the control unit 20,
this display unit 18 displays various sorts of menus, through images,
color images, black/white images, and the like on the LCD 18a. The
display unit 18 may function as an electronic view finder in a photograph
mode so as to display a through image on the LCD 18a. The display
unit 18 displays either a reduced image which is produced by the
image reducing unit 21 or the present image on the LCD 18a.
[0058] An operation unit 19 is equipped with a shutter button,
a dial switch, a plurality of push button switches, a jog dial,
and the like. The dial switch is used to set an exposure condition,
and other sorts of photograph conditions. The plural push switches
are employed so as to operate various sorts of menus. A detail content
as to the operation unit 19 will be explained later.
[0059] The control unit 20 is equipped with a CPU 20a, a flash
memory 20b, and a RAM 20c. The CPU 20a controls the entire system
of the DSC 1 by executing a program stored in the flash memory 20b.
The CPU 20a may function as an imaging unit, a selecting unit, a
black/white image producing unit, an image displaying unit, and
a through image displaying unit by executing a program stored in
the flash memory 20b. The flash memory 20b corresponds to such a
memory for storing thereinto various sorts of programs, data, and
the like. The various sorts of programs and the data, which are
stored in the flash memory 20b, may be alternatively downloaded
from a predetermined server via a network so as to be stored in
this flash memory 20b. Otherwise, the various sorts of programs
and the data may be alternatively read out from a computer readable
storage medium such as the removable memory 17 so as to be stored
in this flash memory 20b. The RAM 20c corresponds to such a memory
for temporarily storing thereinto various sorts of programs and
data.
[0060] An "imaging unit" described in a scope of claim
for a patent corresponds to the optical system 11, the image sensor
12, the AFE unit 13, the digital image processing unit 14, the operation
unit 19, and the control unit 20.
[0061] A "selecting unit" described in the scope of claim
for the patent corresponds to the display unit 18, the operation
unit 19, and the control unit 20.
[0062] A "black/white image producing unit" described
in the scope of claim for the patent corresponds to the digital
image processing unit 14 and the control unit 20.
[0063] A "through image displaying unit" described in
the scope of claim for the patent corresponds to the digital image
processing unit 14 and the control unit 20.
[0064] Next, a description is made of an outer view of the DSC
1.
[0065] FIG. 3A is a rear view for showing the DSC 1, and FIG. 3B
is an upper view for representing the DSC 1, as viewed from a Z
direction shown in FIG. 3A.
[0066] An optical view-finder 30 is used in order that a user visually
recognizes a photographing subject. As previously explained, it
should be under stood that the user may alternatively perform a
photographing operation, while the user observes the electronic
view-finder 30.
[0067] A switch 31, a wind lever 32, a dial switch 33, a shutter
button 34, a rotary type dial 35a, a lever switch 36, a jog dial
37, a display switch 38, a menu switch 39, an enter switch 40, and
a cancel switch 41 constitute the operation unit 19.
[0068] The switch 31 is a power switch. The wind lever 32 is provided
in order to perform a winding operation as follows. That is, a shutter
screen under the condition that the shutter has been mechanically
released is raised so to as to be mechanically fixed in such a manner
that the shutter screen can again perform a subsequent shutter operation.
The user winds the wind lever 32 before a photographing operation
is performed so as to perform a shutter change, so that the mechanical
shutter can be set to a photographing operation. The dial switch
33 corresponds to a rotary type switch used to select a shutter
speed and a sort of a photograph condition. The shutter button 34
is installed at a center portion of the dial switch 33. Since the
shutter button 34 is depressed, a photographing operation is commenced.
[0069] The rotary type dial 35a is mounted on an outer peripheral
portion of a pointer type display apparatus 35 which is set adjacent
to the dial switch 33. This rotary type dial 35a can adjust an exposure
value from -2 EV to +2 EV in a step of 1/3 EV. A total number of
remaining images which can be photographed is indicated on a fixing
type ring 35b provided inside the rotary type dial 35a. A plurality
of white balance corrections, a plurality of data formats, and a
battery remaining power amount scale indicative of remaining battery
power amount are indicated on a character board 35c which is provided
inside the fixing type ring 35b. Concretely speaking, the plural
data formats are represented as a character "R" indicative
of the RAW format, a character "T" indicative of the TIFF
format, a character "H" indicative of the JPEG format
having a high compression ratio, and a character "N" representative
of the JPEG format having a low compression ratio. The remaining
image number, the presently selected item, and the remaining battery
power amount are indicated by pointers 35g, 35d, 35e, and 35f, respectively.
Since the user turns the jog dial 37 so as to move a pointer while
the user manipulates the lever switch 36, the item which is presently
selected can be changed.
[0070] The jog dial 37 is provided in such a manner that this jog
dial 37 can be rotated along an XY direction, and can be moved along
a shaft direction of a rotary shaft. The jog dial 37 is provided
in such a way that this jog dial 37 can be rotated at two positions
along the shaft direction. It is so assumed in the below-mentioned
descriptions that the side of this jog dial 37 which is located
close to the housing 10 of the DSC 1 is referred to as a "lower
position", whereas such a position where the jog dial 37 has
been picked up from the low position to the upper side thereof is
referred to as an "upper position". In FIG. 3A, the jog
dial 37 which is located at the lower position is indicated by a
solid line, and the jog dial 37 which is located at the upper position
is indicated by a broken line. The user may set various sorts of
operations and may select various sorts of functions by combining
the respective switches with the jog dial 37.
[0071] A display switch 38, a menu switch 39, an enter switch 40,
and a cancel switch 41 are set on the right side of the LCD 18a.
The display switch 38 corresponds to a switch which is used to enter
an instruction for instructing the LCD 18a to display thereon a
reduced image. The menu switch 39 corresponds to a switch which
is used to enter an instruction for indicating a menu used to select
either a color photographing operation or a black/white photographing
operation, and another menu used to select an identifier. Both the
enter switch 40 and the cancel switch 41 correspond to switches
which are used in menu operations.
[0072] Next, a description is made of a black/white image processing
operation executed in the digital image processing unit 14. As previously
explained, either a part or all of process operations as to the
digital image processing unit 14 may be carried out by the control
unit 20. As a consequence, a production of a black/white image may
be carried out by the control unit 20. A production of a black/white
image is carried out based upon a 12-bit color image formed by a
color image forming process operation. The digital image processing
unit 14 produces a black/white image in such a manner that as to
each of pixels which constitute a formed color image, the digital
image processing unit 14 adds gradation values to each other by
weighting these gradation values which are owned by this relevant
pixel every color. In this case, in the case that an image to be
produced corresponds to a color image represented in RGB color spaces,
a gradation value owned by a pixel every color implies such a gradation
value every R color, G color, and B color. Concretely speaking,
the process operation for adding the gradation values to each other
by weighting these gradation values is carried out in accordance
with the below-mentioned equations:
standard Y=0.30R+0.59G+0.11B equation 1,
green filter Y=-0.10R+1.20G-0.10B equation 2,
yellow filter Y=0.52R+0.92G-0.44B equation 3,
orange filter Y=0.60R+0.50G-0.10B equation 4,
red filter Y=0.70R+0.50G-0.20B equation 5.
[0073] In a case that a black/white image is represented by YCbCr
color spaces, a value obtained by an adding operation is stored
in a Y (luminance) value of a pixel, and 0 is stored in Cb and Cr
so as to produce the black/white image. In this case, a gradation
range of "Y" is "0" to "255", whereas
a gradation range of "Cb" and "Cr" is -128 to
127, respectively. A gradation range for each of RGB colors is "0"
to "255." It should also be understood that such a black/white
image expressed by RGB color spaces may be alternatively produced.
In this alternative case, it is so assumed that the luminance value
"Y" calculated by the above-explained equation 1 is stored
to the RGB values of the pixel. Coefficients which are multiplied
with respect to the respective RGB values of the above-described
equations imply weighting. If the gradation values owned by the
pixels every color are weighted to be added to each other in accordance
with each of the above-described equations except for the equation
1, then such a black/white image can be obtained to which an equivalent
effect has been given when a photographing operation using a monochromatic
film is carried out by mounting a specific color filter on a silver
salt film camera. The equation 1 corresponds to the weighting process
which is defined by International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication
(ITU-T) recommendation 601. Since the above-described equation 1
becomes a similar effect achieved when a photographing operation
is carried out while a color filter is not mounted on a silver salt
film camera, it is so assumed that the equation 1 is not involved
in such a case that a color filter is employed in the first embodiment.
In such a case that a color filter is employed, the user selects
any one of the equations 2 to 5, whereas in the case that a color
filter is not used, the equation 1 is applied. In the first embodiment,
the equation 1 is assumed as the standard. For instance, when a
green filter is mounted on a silver salt film camera, light having
a wavelength approximated to the wavelength of the green color penetrates
the green filter, and light having wavelengths other than the wavelength
of the green color is absorbed by this green filter. As a result,
a black/white image is produced in which a correlation between the
light amount of the light having the wavelength of the green color
and the light amount of the monochromatic light becomes stronger
than a correlation between the light amounts of the light having
the wavelengths other than the wavelength of the green light and
the light amount of the monochromatic light. For instance, in the
case of the equation 2, as apparent from a difference between the
coefficients of this equation 2 and the coefficients of the standard,
the value of G (green) is strongly reflected to the black/white
image, as compared with that of the standard. The value of R (red)
and the value of B (blue) can be hardly reflected to the black/white
image, as compared with those of the standard. As a consequence,
if the equation 2 is employed, then the green color may be more
strongly reflected, and such a black/white image may be obtained
to which a substantially equivalent effect has been applied, while
this substantially equivalent effect is achieved by that a photographing
operation is carried out by employing the green filter in the silver
salt film camera. As a consequence, the black/white image produced
by employing the equation 2 may become such a black/white image
as follows: That is, in the case that light which has been entered
when this black/white image is photographed is entered into the
green filter of the silver salt film camera, a correlation between
a light amount of light having a wavelength, which penetrates this
green filter, and the light amount of the entered light becomes
stronger than a correlation between a light amount of light having
a wavelength, which is absorbed by this green filter, and the light
amount of the entered light. A similar correlation effect may be
achieved to other equations. In the first embodiment, the user selects
a desirable equation by selecting a relevant identifier, and gradation
values of a color image are added to each other by giving weights
which are specified by this selected equation. By calculating the
equation 2 through the equation 5, the similar effects to those
obtained by utilizing the color filters in the silver salt film
camera can be electronically obtained. Accordingly, in the first
embodiment, it is so assumed that the equation 2 to the equation
5 will be referred to as the "color filters." Concretely
speaking, the equation 2 will be referred to as the "green
filter"; and the equation 3 will be referred to as the "yellow
filter." A similar idea may be applied to an orange filter
and a red filter.
[0074] Next, a GUI (Graphic User Interface) of the DSC 1 will now
be explained.
[0075] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the GUI of
the DSC 1. When the power supply is turned ON, the DSC 1 is initiated,
and the operation mode of this DSC 1 is transferred to the photograph
mode. In the photograph mode, the image sensor 12 outputs an electric
signal to the AFE unit 13 in a predetermined interval. The digital
image processing unit 14 produces a color image based upon a digital
signal which is outputted from the AFE unit 13 in the predetermined
interval, and then, outputs the produced color images to the display
unit 18 in this predetermined interval. As a result, a moving picture
of a photographic object is displayed as a through image on the
LCD 18a. In such a case that the monochromatic photographic operation
has been selected, the control unit 20 controls the digital image
processing unit 14 so as to produce a black/white image based upon
either the equation 1 or the color filters (equation 2 to equation
5), which is specified by such an identifier, while this identifier
has been selected at this time. The identifier will be explained
later. As a result, a black/white through image is displayed. In
the photograph mode, an upper grade menu used to execute various
sorts of setting operations by performing a predetermined operation
can be displayed. In the case that the monochromatic photographing
operation is carried out, the user selects a menu for selecting
a monochromatic photographing operation from the upper grade menu,
and then, selects the monochromatic photographing operation from
the displayed menu. In the case that such a black/white image is
wanted to be photographed to which an effect equivalent to an effect
achieved by a color filter used in the silver salt film camera has
been given, the user selects such an identifier of a color which
is substantially equal to this color filter. Subsequently, a description
is firstly made of a menu used to select an identifier. Next, a
display of a through image when both a monochromatic photographing
operation and an identifier have been selected will be explained.
[0076] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for representing an example
of a menu 50 used to select identifiers. On this menu 50, identifiers
51 to 54 which have been colored in different colors from each other
are indicated, and "no filter" is indicated as selection
items. The selection item "no filter" corresponds to the
standard. Each of these identifiers 51 to 54 is employed so as to
select any one of the selectable color filters (equation 2 to equation
5), and these identifiers 51 to 54 are displayed in the same colors
as those of the corresponding color filters, or in substantially
same colors as those of the corresponding color filters. A same
color as that of a corresponding color filter implies that, for
instance, if the green filter (equation 2) is selected, the green
color is the color of the corresponding color filter. A substantially
same color implies that, for example, when the green filter is selected,
if the color of the identifier 51 is indicated within a color range
defined from a light green to a dark green, then the user may suppose
the green filter. As a result, if colors of identifiers 51 are displayed
in the color range defined from the light green to the dark green,
then these colors are assumed as the substantially same colors.
The identifier 51 is displayed by a circle which has been painted
over with a green color. The identifier 52 is displayed by a circle
which has been painted over with a yellow color. The identifier
53 is displayed by a circle which has been painted over with an
orange color. The identifier 54 is displayed by a circle which has
been painted over with a red color. Since a color filter of a silver
salt film camera is a circle, if a circle which has been painted
over is displayed as an identifier, then, a user can suppose the
color filter of the silver salt film camera, and further, the user
can intuitively understand that a selection of this identifier is
essentially equal to a selection of the color of this color filter
of the silver salt film camera. As a consequence, operability of
the DSC 1 may be improved. It should also be noted that instead
of such a circle which has been painted over with color, a more
real image as to a color filter of a silver salt film camera may
be alternatively displayed.
[0077] In the first embodiment, such character strings as "green
filter", "yellow filter", "orange filter",
and "red filter" are displayed in combination with the
circles which have been painted over with the relevant colors. If
these character strings are not required, then these character strings
need not be displayed. Alternatively, these character strings may
be displayed by way of characters of the corresponding colors. In
such a case that character strings which have been colored are displayed,
since these colored character strings play a role of identifiers,
there is no need that the circles which have been painted over with
the colors are always displayed. However, it is desirable to display
the circles which have been painted over with the colors in view
of operability of the DSC 1. The user operates the operation unit
19 so as to move a cursor 55 to a target identifier, and then, depresses
a preselected button in order to select a target color.
[0078] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for indicating an example
of the LCD 18a under such a condition that a black/white image 61
is displayed thereon as a through image. The control unit 20 controls
the display unit 18 in such a manner that an identifier under selection
is displayed, and the display unit 18 displays an identifier 62
which is presently selected on the LCD 18a in such a manner that
this identifier 62 is superimposed on a black/white through image
with color, as indicated in this drawing. The identifier 62 is indicated
by a circle which has been painted over with this color in a similar
manner to that of the case of the menu 50. When the black/white
through image is displayed, the user can readily grasp that if the
user now performs a photographing operation, then a monochromatic
photographing operation is carried out, and furthermore, the user
can confirm the effect achieved by the selected identifier 62 before
the photographing operation is carried out, so that the user can
effectively perform the black/white photographing operation without
any useless photographing operation. When such an identifier under
selection is displayed on the LCD 18a, the user can easily grasp
that the identifier as to the specific color has been selected,
and can readily know that which color of the identifier has been
selected during photographing operation. As a result, such an event
that the photographed result becomes different from the predicted
photographed result can hardly occur.
[0079] When the shutter button 34 is depressed in the photograph
mode, the digital image processing unit 14 outputs either a color
image or a black/white image, which have been produced, to the compressing/expanding
unit 15. Concretely speaking, if both a black/white photographing
operation and an identifier are selected, the digital image processing
unit 14 produces a black/white image based upon such a color filter
which is specified by the selected identifier, and then, outputs
the produced black/white image. If the identifier is not selected
while the black/white photographing operation has been selected,
the digital image processing unit 14 produces a black/white image
based upon the standard, and then, outputs the produced black/white
image. If a color photographing operation has been selected, then
the digital image processing unit 14 outputs a color image. The
compressing/expanding unit 15 compresses the outputted digital image
based upon the setting condition, and then, stores the compressed
digital image in the removable memory 17. At this time, as previously
explained, if a black/white image is stored in the removable memory
17, then the information for specifying the identifier which has
been selected at this time is written into a tag of an EXIF file.
[0080] When the display mode 38 is depressed in the photograph
mode, the present operation mode of the DSC 1 is transferred to
the reproduction mode. The reproduction mode corresponds to such
a mode that an image which has been stored in the removable memory
17 is displayed on the LCD 18a. When the jog dial 37 is located
at the lower position in the reproduction mode, the user rotates
the jog dial 37, so that image files (EXIF files) which have been
stored in the removable memory 17 are selected in a predetermined
sequence, and then, the selected image files are displayed on the
screen of the LCD 18a. The selection sequence of the image files
corresponds to either an ascent sequence or a descent sequence of
file names which contain a serial number. This serial number is
applied to these image files when photographing operations are carried-out.
In other words, a selection sequence of images becomes a photographing
sequence of the images when the jog dial 37 is rotated along a right
direction, whereas a selection sequence of images becomes the opposite
sequence with respect to the photographing sequence when the jog
dial 37 is rotated along a left direction. It should be noted that
the selection sequence of the images need not be equal to the sequence
of the image files, but may be alternatively set based upon a sequence
as to photographed day/time of the images.
[0081] In the reproduction mode, a reduced image of a file which
is being selected at this time, a present image, or various sorts
of attached information as to the present image is displayed. Concretely
speaking, the DSC 1 of the first embodiment owns a plurality of
reproduction modes, namely, a standard display 75a; a simple information
display 75b; a histogram display 75c, a highlight display 75d, a
detailed information display 75e, a GUI non-display 75f, and a 4-divisional
display 75g. When the user rotates the jog dial 37 at the upper
position, the control unit 20 displays the reduced image, the present
image, or the attached information in the reproduction mode in response
to this rotation of the jog dial 37.
[0082] When the jog dial 37 is rotated at the lower position in
a specific reproduction mode during which a specific image file
has been selected, image files of preceding/succeeding sequences
are newly selected (75h), and reduced images, present images, or
attached information as to the newly selected image files are directly
displayed in the reproduction mode. At this time, if the present
image corresponds to a black/white image, then a monochromatic image
is displayed. If the present image corresponds to a color image,
then a color image is displayed.
[0083] In the standard display 75a, either a reduced image or a
present image is synthesized with "image number/total number
of images", and then, this synthesized image/number is displayed.
When a specific image file is selected, the control unit 20 firstly
displays a reduced image of this specific image file, and thereafter,
may alternatively display a present image of this specific image
file. Similarly, even in other reproduction modes for displaying
images, when a specific image file is selected, the control unit
20 firstly displays a reduced image of this specific image file,
and thereafter, may alternatively display a present image of this
specific image file.
[0084] In the simple information display 75b, either a reduced
image or a present image is synthesized with a present "image
number/total number of images", a file number, a photograph
quality, a file protection, and a photograph day/time, and then,
the synthesized image/items is displayed.
[0085] In the histogram display 75c, either a reduced image or
a present image is synthesized with a present "image number/total
number of images", and a histogram of a luminance value, and
then, the synthesized image/items is displayed. It should also be
noted that only the histogram may be alternatively displayed without
displaying the image in the histogram display 75c.
[0086] In the highlight display 75e, a reduced image is displayed,
or white skipping portions of a present image are displayed on the
reduced image.
[0087] In the detailed information display 75e, either a reduced
image or a present image is synthesized with a present "image
number/total number of images", a file number, a photograph
quality, a file protection, a photograph day/time, a shutter speed,
an identifier, a white balance (WB), resolution, an ISO sensitivity,
anda film setting condition, and then, the synthesized image/items
is displayed. A detailed content of this detailed information display
75e will be explained later.
[0088] In the GUI non-display 75f, only either a reduced image
or a present image is displayed.
[0089] In the 4-divisional display 75g, respective reduced images
of 4 image files whose file names are continued are displayed in
respective regions which are produced by dividing one screen by
4.
[0090] Next, the detailed content as to the detailed information
display 75e will now be explained.
[0091] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for indicating an example
of displays when the detailed information display 75e is selected.
In addition to an image, a present image number/total number of
images 200; a file number +photograph quality 202; a file protection
204; a photograph day/time 206; a file name 208; a shutter speed
210; an identifier 219; a white balance (WB) 212; resolution 214;
an ISO sensitivity 216; and a film setting condition 218 are displayed
in the detailed information display 75e. The identifier 219 is read
out from a tag to be displayed only when an image is a black/white
image. The identifier 219 is displayed as a circle which has been
painted over with color in a similar manner to the above-described
menu 50, and the like. If the identifier 219 is displayed, when
a photographed black/white image is displayed, the user can grasp
such an identifier which has been selected when this black/white
image is photographed. As a result, the user can easily grasp that
this black/white image corresponds to such an image to which a process
operation equivalent to that of a color filter of a silver salt
film camera has been applied. It should also be noted that an identifier
may be alternatively displayed in another reproduction mode.
[0092] In accordance with the above-described DSC 1 related to
the first embodiment of the present invention, since such an identifier
used for selecting any one of the equation 2 to the equation 5 has
been colored in the color corresponding to this selected equation,
when an effect equivalent to that of a color filter having a specific
color used in a silver salt film camera is wanted to be given to
a black/white image, such an equation capable of achieving the effect
equivalent to that of the relevant color filter can be selected
by selecting such an identifier which has been colored in the substantially
same color as the color of this color filter. As a consequence,
since the user can intuitively grasp the color, the selection of
the relevant equation can be easily carried out, as compared with
such a case that the user selects the relevant equation from the
selection items indicated by the character strings such as "green
filter." As a result, in accordance with this digital camera
i, the filter work for the monochromatic photographing operation
can be readily carried out.
[0093] In the first embodiment, the black/white image has been
produced during the photographing operation. Alternatively, the
black/white image may be produced from a color image which has been
stored in the removable memory 17.
[0094] Although the digital still camera has been exemplified in
the first embodiment, the present invention may be applied to a
digital video camera.
Second Embodiment
[0095] A second embodiment of the present invention is such an
example that an identifier is mechanically selected by an operation
switch. In this second embodiment, three switches are exemplified
as the operation switch, namely, a slide type switch for moving
a pointing symbol, a dial type switch for moving a pointing symbol,
and another dial type switch for moving an identifier.
[0096] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram for representing an example
of a slide type switch 81 for moving a pointing symbol. Concretely
speaking, the slide type switch 81 is provided on either an upper
plane or a rear plane of a DSC according to the second embodiment.
In the slide type switch 81 shown in the example, a slide button
82 is provided in a slidable manner along a horizontal direction,
and switches are provided at 4 portions along the slide direction.
Each of these 4 switches is turned ON by contacting the slide button
82, and thus, a control signal responding to this turned-ON switch
is outputted to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 judges
that which switch is turned ON based upon an outputted signal. An
identifier 51 to an identifier 54 are indicated at the positions
where the respective 4 switches are turned ON in such a manner that,
for instance, these identifiers 51 to 54 are adhered as seals, or
are colored by paint. Similar to the first embodiment, the identifier
51 to the identifier 54 are indicated as circles which have been
painted over with a green color, a yellow color, an orange color,
and a red color. For example, when the slide button 82 is slid so
as to make the pointing symbol 83 coincident with the green-colored
identifier 51, the control unit 20 selects a green filter based
upon a control signal outputted from the switch corresponding to
the green colored identifier 51.
[0097] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram for indicating an example
as to a dial type switch 84 for moving a pointing symbol 85. This
dial type switch 84 corresponds to a switch for outputting a control
signal in response to a rotation angle. The identifier 51 to the
identifier 54 are represented at positions responding to angles
where control signals are outputted. For example, the identifier
51 for the green color is expressed at such a position pointed by
the pointing symbol 85 at an angle when a control signal for selecting
a green filter is outputted.
[0098] FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram for showing an example as
to a dial type switch 86 for moving identifiers 51 to 54. The structure
of this dial type switch 86 is essentially identical to that of
the dial type switch 84 shown in FIG. 7B, and merely owns such a
different point that the arrangements as to the identifier 51 to
the identifier 54 and the pointer symbol 85 shown in FIG. 7B are
replaced by each other.
[0099] In accordance with the above-explained DSC related to the
second embodiment of the present invention, since the selected identifier
is continuously pointed out by the pointing symbol, the user can
easily confirm the color which is being selected at this time without
executing the specific operation. Since the structure of the DSC
is simple, this simple structure can be readily designed.
Third Embodiment
[0100] A third embodiment of the present invention corresponds
to such an example that only an identifier under selection is displayed
on a first display unit. In the third embodiment, two examples as
to a compact color displayable LCD and LEDs are exemplified.
[0101] FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram for showing an example of
a compact LCD 91, and is an upper view for representing a DSC 90
according to the third embodiment. The DSC 90 is equipped with the
compact LCD 91. The compact LCD 91 is employed so as to display
thereon a remaining photograph number 92, a setting condition 93
under selection, and an identifier 94 under selection. The identifier
94 is displayed in such a region 95 on the display region of the
compact LCD 91, which is surrounded by a dot line in FIG. 8A. This
region 95 corresponds to a dedicated display region where information
other than the identifiers is not displayed. The first display unit
for displaying only the identifier under selection corresponds to
a function capable of displaying an identifier on the region 95
among the display functions of the compact LCD 91. Similar to the
first embodiment, the identifier 94 is displayed as a circle which
has been painted over with color. Concretely speaking, the setting
condition under selection implies a white balance correction, a
compression ratio, and the like. The information other than the
identifiers may be properly selected.
[0102] FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram for indicating an example
of LEDs, and is an upper view for showing a DSC 96 which is different
from the DSC 90 of FIG. 8A. The DSC 96 is equipped with 4 sets of
an LCD 97 through an LCD 100. The LCD 97 through the LCD 100 are
provided in correspondence with selectable identifiers in an one-to-one
relationship. The respective LEDs 97 to 100 emit green light, yellow
light, orange light, and red light, respectively. While these colors
correspond to color filters, only such an LED is turned ON which
corresponds to any one of these identifiers which is being selected.
In the DSC 96, the LED 97 to the LED 100 correspond to a first display
unit.
[0103] In the third embodiment, the user selects an identifier
by way of the menu 50 as explained in the first embodiment, or the
operation switch as explained in the second embodiment. For instance,
in the case that the user selects an identifier by using the menu
50, the identifier selected in the menu 50 is displayed on the compact
LCD 91, or by the LED 97 to the LED 100. As a result, the user can
confirm the selected identifier at any time without performing a
specific operation while the power supply is turned ON. For instance,
in the case that the user selects the identifier by manipulating
the operation switch as described in the second embodiment, even
when the identifier is not represented at the position where the
switch is turned ON, since the user views the compact LCD 91, the
user can confirm that which identifier is being now selected. For
example, in such a case that a single operation switch is commonly
used in a plurality of operations, if there is a representation
corresponding only to a specific operation, then this specific operation
is hardly distinguishable from other operations. If these operations
are displayed on either the compact LCD 91 or the LED 97 through
the LED 100, the user can recognize the identifier under selection
even when these operations are not represented on the operation
switch. As a consequence, even when a single operation switch is
utilized for various sorts of operations, the user can recognize
the identifier under selection without any confusion, resulting
in superior operability with respect to the user. |