Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera and an image processing method in the digital camera,
which make it possible to easily obtain interesting and unexpected
images applied with special effects. An imaging system images a
subject and converting a subject image into unaltered image data
representing an unaltered image of the subject. Then, a special
effect selector, which is provided with a random number generator
generating a random number, selects one special effect from a plurality
of special effects in accordance with the random number. A special
effect image processor image-processes the unaltered image data
under the special effect selected by the special effect selector
so as to obtain special effect image data representing a special
effect image. The special effect image data is recorded into an
external memory, or sent to an external printer through a communication
interface. Digital Camera Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A digital camera comprising: an imaging system for imaging a
subject and converting a subject image into unaltered image data
representing an unaltered image of the subject; a special effect
selector within the digital camera provided with a random number
generator generating a random number, the special effect selector
selecting one special effect from a plurality of special effects
in accordance with the random number; and a special effect image
processor within the digital camera for image-processing the unaltered
image data under the special effect selected by the special effect
selector to thereby obtain special effect image data representing
an unexpected special effect image.
2. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, further comprising
a recorder for recording the special effect image data into a recording
medium.
3. The digital camera as defined in claim 2, further comprising:
a recording switch for commanding the recorder to record the special
effect image data into the recording medium; and a timer for detecting
whether a preset time has elapsed without the recording switch being
operated; wherein when the timer detects that the preset time has
elapsed without the recording switch being operated, the special
effect selector is reactivated to select another of the special
effects.
4. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, further comprising
a recorder for recording, when an image-capturing switch is operated
or when a trigger signal is inputted from external equipment, the
unaltered image data and special effect data representing the special
effect applied to the unaltered image into a recording medium.
5. The digital camera as defined in claim 4, further comprising:
a frame-forwarding switch; and a data reader for reading the unaltered
image data and the special effect data of a desired frame from the
recording medium according to operation of the frame-forwarding
switch; wherein the special effect image processor performs the
image processing in accordance with the unaltered image data and
the special effect data read by the data reader.
6. The digital camera as defined in claim 4, further comprising:
a recording switch for commanding the recorder to record the unaltered
image data and the special effect data into the recording medium;
and a timer for detecting whether a preset time has elapsed without
the recording switch being operated; wherein when the timer detects
that the preset time has elapsed without the recording switch being
operated, the special effect selector is reactivated to select another
of the special effects.
7. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, wherein when an image-capturing
switch is operated or when a trigger signal is inputted from external
equipment, the special effect selector and the special effect image
processor are activated.
8. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
a recorder for recording, when an image-capturing switch is operated
or when a trigger signal is inputted from external equipment, the
unaltered image data into a recording medium; a frame-forwarding
switch; and a data reader for reading the unaltered image data from
the recording medium according to operation of the frame-forwarding
switch; wherein every time the data reader reads the unaltered image
data of one frame from the recording medium, the special effect
selector and the special effect image processor are activated.
9. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
a recorder for recording, when an image-capturing switch is operated
or when a trigger signal is inputted from external equipment, the
unaltered image data into a recording medium; a frame-forwarding
switch; a data reader for reading the unaltered image data from
the recording medium according to operation of the frame-forwarding
switch; and an interface for sending the special effect image data
to an external printer; wherein every time the data reader reads
the unaltered image data of one frame from the recording medium,
the special effect selector and the special effect image processor
are activated.
10. The digital camera as defined in claim 9, further comprising:
a printing switch for commanding the interface to send the special
effect image data to the external printer; and a timer for detecting
whether a preset time has elapsed without the printing switch being
operated; wherein when the timer detects that the preset time has
elapsed without the printing switch being operated, the special
effect selector is reactivated to select another of the special
effects.
11. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
a recorder for recording, when an image-capturing switch is operated
or when a trigger signal is inputted from external equipment, the
unaltered image data into a recording medium; a mode setting device
for setting an automatic printing mode in which the special effect
images are printed continuously; a data reader for sequentially
reading the unaltered image data from the recording medium prior
to printing; and an interface for sending the special effect image
data to an external printer; wherein every time the data reader
reads the unaltered image data of one frame from the recording medium,
the special effect selector and the special effect image processor
are activated.
12. The digital camera as defined in claim 1, further comprising
an image display for displaying at least one of the unaltered image
and the special effect image.
13. The digital camera as defined in claim 12, further comprising
a recorder for recording the special effect image data into a recording
medium.
14. The digital camera as defined in claim 13, further comprising:
a recording switch for commanding the recorder to record the special
effect image data into the recording medium; and a timer for detecting
whether a preset time has elapsed without the recording switch being
operated; wherein when the timer detects that the preset time has
elapsed without the recording switch being operated, the special
effect selector is reactivated to select another of the special
effects.
15. The digital camera as defined in claim 12, further comprising
a recorder for recording, when an image-capturing switch is operated
or when a trigger signal is inputted from external equipment, the
unaltered image data and special effect data representing the special
effect applied to the unaltered image into a recording medium.
16. The digital camera as defined in claim 15, further comprising:
a frame-forwarding switch; and a data reader for reading the unaltered
image data and the special effect data of a desired frame from the
recording medium according to operation of the frame-forwarding
switch; wherein the special effect image processor performs the
image processing in accordance with the unaltered image data and
the special effect data read by the data reader.
17. The digital camera as defined in claim 15, further comprising:
a recording switch for commanding the recorder to record the unaltered
image data and the special effect data into the recording medium;
and a timer for detecting whether a preset time has elapsed without
the recording switch being operated; wherein when the timer detects
that the preset time has elapsed without the recording switch being
operated, the special effect selector is reactivated to select another
of the special effects.
18. The digital camera as defined in claim 12, further comprising
a display changeover switch for selecting one of the unaltered image,
the special effect image and a mix image created by mixing the unaltered
image with the special effect image, such that the selected image
is displayed on the image display.
19. The digital camera as defined in claim 12, further comprising:
a recorder for recording, when an image-capturing switch is operated
or when a trigger signal is inputted from external equipment, the
unaltered image data into a recording medium; a frame-forwarding
switch; and a data reader for reading the unaltered image data from
the recording medium according to operation of the frame-forwarding
switch; wherein every time the data reader reads the unaltered image
data of one frame from the recording medium, the special effect
selector and the special effect image processor are activated.
20. The digital camera as defined in claim 12, further comprising:
a recorder for recording, when an image-capturing switch is operated
or when a trigger signal is inputted from external equipment, the
unaltered image data into a recording medium; a frame-forwarding
switch; a data reader for reading the unaltered image data from
the recording medium according to operation of the frame-forwarding
switch; and an interface for sending the special effect image data
to an external printer; wherein every time the data reader reads
the unaltered image data of one frame from the recording medium,
the special effect selector and the special effect image processor
are activated.
21. The digital camera as defined in claim 20, further comprising:
a printing switch for commanding the interface to send the special
effect image data to the external printer; and a timer for detecting
whether a preset time has elapsed without the printing switch being
operated; wherein when the timer detects that the preset time has
elapsed without the printing switch being operated, the special
effect selector is reactivated to select another of the special
effects.
22. The digital camera as defined in claim 12, further comprising:
a recorder for recording, when an image-capturing switch is operated
or when a trigger signal is inputted from external equipment, the
unaltered image data into a recording medium; a mode setting device
for setting an automatic printing mode in which the special effect
images are printed continuously; a data reader for sequentially
reading the unaltered image data from the recording medium prior
to printing; and an interface for sending the special effect image
data to an external printer; wherein every time the data reader
reads the unaltered image data of one frame from the recording medium,
the special effect selector and the special effect image processor
are activated.
23. An image processing method provided in a digital camera, comprising
the steps of: imaging a subject and converting a subject image into
unaltered image data representing an unaltered image of the subject
upon receiving a command to image-capture; generating a random number
by a random number generator; selecting one special effect from
a plurality of special effects in accordance with-the random number;
and image-processing: the unaltered image data under the selected
special effect to thereby obtain special effect image data representing
an unexpected special effect image.
24. The image processing method as defined in claim 23, wherein
the plurality of special effects include an operation of combining
the unaltered image with a template image selected from a plurality
of template images stored in advance.
25. The image processing method as defined in claim 24, wherein
the plurality of special effects include at least two of the following:
lean and fat by changing magnification in length and width of the
unaltered image, deformation, morphing, soft-focus, blur, fair-complexioned
or dark-complexioned by changing an AE level, sepia tone, black-and-white,
shading, vignette, back-light, mosaic, oil printing tone, pointillism,
solarization, color subtraction, color balance loss, high key, and
low key.
26. The image processing method as defined in claim 23, wherein
the plurality of special effects include at least two of the following:
lean and fat by changing magnification in length and width of the
unaltered image, deformation, morphing, soft-focus, blur, fair-complexioned
or dark-complexioned by changing an AE level, sepia tone, black-and-white,
shading, vignette, back-light, mosaic, oil printing tone, pointillism,
solarization, color subtraction, color balance loss, high key, and
low key.
27. The image processing method as defined in claim 23, wherein
when an image-capturing switch is operated or when a trigger signal
is inputted from external equipment, the selecting step is performed.
28. The image processing method as defined in claim 23, further
comprising the steps of: recording the unaltered image data into
a recording medium; and reading the unaltered image data from the
recording medium and then performing the generating step and the
selecting step.
29. An image processing method in a digital camera, comprising
the steps of: (a) imaging a subject and converting a subject image
into unaltered image data representing an unaltered image in a frame;
(b) recording the unaltered image data in the frame into a recording
medium; (c) repeating the steps (a)-(b) a preset number of times
to thereby record the unaltered image data in the preset number
of the frames; (d) reading the recorded unaltered image data in
one of the preset number of the frames from the recording medium
recorded in the step (c); (e) generating a random number by a random
number generator; (f) selecting one special effect from a plurality
of special effects in accordance with the random number; (g) image-processing
the unaltered image data read in the step (d) under the special
effect selected in the step (f) to thereby obtain special effect
image data representing a special effect image; (h) recording the
special effect image data obtained in the step (g) into the recording
medium; and (i) repeating the steps (d)-(h) for the recorded unaltered
image data in the preset number of the frames.
30. An image processing method in a digital camera, comprising
the steps of: (a) imaging a subject and converting a subject image
into unaltered image data representing an unaltered image in a frame;
(b) generating a random number by a random number generator; (c)
selecting one special effect from a plurality of special effects
in accordance with the random number; (d) recording a combination
of the unaltered image data in the frame and special effect data
representing the special effect selected in the step (c) into a
recording medium; (e) repeating the steps (a)-(d) a preset number
of times to thereby record the preset number of the combinations
of the unaltered image data and the special effect data; (f) reading
one of the combinations of the unaltered image data and the special
effect data recorded in the step (e); (g) image-processing the unaltered
image data read in the step (f) under the special effect represented
by the special effect data read in the step (f) to thereby obtain
special effect image data representing a special effect image; (h)
recording the special effect image data obtained in the step (g)
into the recording medium; and (i) repeating the steps (f)-(h) for
the preset number of the combinations of the unaltered image data
and the special effect data.
31. An image processing method in a digital camera, comprising
the steps of: (a) imaging a subject and converting a subject image
into unaltered image data representing an unaltered image of the
subject upon receiving a command to image-capture; (b) generating
a random number by a random number generator; (c) selecting one
special effect from a plurality of special effects in accordance
with the random number; (d) image-processing the unaltered image
data under the selected special effect to thereby obtain special
effect image data representing a special effect image; (e) displaying
the special effect image on an image display in accordance with
the special effect image data; and (f) if a recording switch is
operated, recording the special effect image data into a recording
medium, and if a preset time has elapsed without the recording switch
being operated, repeating the steps (b)-(f).
32. An image processing method in a digital camera, comprising
the steps of: (a) imaging a subject and converting a subject image
into unaltered image data representing an unaltered image of the
subject upon receiving a command to image-capture; (b) recording
the unaltered image data into a recording medium; (c) reading the
unaltered image data from the recording medium according to operation
of a frame-forwarding switch; (d) generating a random number by
a random number generator; (e) selecting one special effect from
a plurality of special effects in accordance with the random number;
(f) image-processing the unaltered image data under the selected
special effect to thereby obtain special effect image data representing
a special effect image; (g) displaying the special effect image
on an image display in accordance with the special effect image
data; and (h) if a printing switch is operated, sending the special
effect image data to an external printer so as to print the special
effect image on the external printer, and if a preset time has elapsed
without the printing switch being operated, repeating the steps
(d)-(h).
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital camera and an image
processing method in the digital camera, and more particularly to
a digital camera and an image processing method in the digital camera
for creating special effect images by performing image-processing
that applies special effects to captured images.
2. Description of Related Art
In conventional image-processing, image data representing a subject
image (an unaltered image) or unaltered image data obtained by a
digital camera is captured into a computer, which image-processes
the unaltered image data, thereby creating a special effect image
data representing a special effect image by applying the special
effects to the unaltered image. For example, the special effects
such as deformation and soft-focus are applied to the unaltered
image with the use of a variety of filters, or the unaltered image
is combined with a template image, which is prepared in advance
to be used as a background image. In this case, however, there is
the necessity for the computer that is capable of applying the special
effects to the unaltered image, and it is difficult for a user who
is inexperienced in operating the computer to create the special
effect image.
Recently, a digital camera has been proposed that has a function
of combining the unaltered image and the template image prepared
in advance. In this case, however, it is necessary to select the
template image as the background image before composing the special
effect image by combining the unaltered image and the template image.
Furthermore, in the above-mentioned cases, it is impossible to
obtain an unexpected interesting image, since the special effects
are applied to the unaltered image in accordance with the operation
of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been developed in view of the above-described
circumstances, and has as its object the provision of a digital
camera and an image processing method in the digital camera, which
make it possible to easily obtain interesting and unexpected images.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is
directed to a digital camera comprising: an imaging system for imaging
a subject and converting a subject image into unaltered image data
representing an unaltered image of the subject; a special effect
selector provided with a random number generator generating a random
number, the special effect selector selecting one special effect
from a plurality of special effects in accordance with the random
number; and a special effect image processor for image-processing
the unaltered image data under the special effect selected by the
special effect selector to thereby obtain special effect image data
representing a special effect image.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is
directed to an image processing method in a digital camera, comprising
the steps of: imaging a subject and converting a subject image into
unaltered image data representing an unaltered image of the subject
upon receiving a command to image-capture; generating a random number
by a random number generator; selecting one special effect from
a plurality of special effects in accordance with the random number;
and image-processing the unaltered image data under the selected
special effect to thereby obtain special effect image data representing
a special effect image.
According to the present invention, the randomly-selected special
effect is applied to the unaltered image representing the subject
image, and thus, it is easy to obtain the unexpected special effect
image.
The unaltered image and/or the special effect image are shown on
an image display. It is also possible to provide a display changeover
switch such that one of the unaltered image, the special effect
image and a mixed image created by mixing the unaltered image with
the special effect image, can be selectively shown on the image
display.
The special effect image data may be recorded into a recording
medium. It is also possible to record the unaltered image data and
special effect data representing the special effect applied to the
unaltered image into a recording medium, when an image-capturing
switch is operated or when a trigger signal is inputted from external
equipment. In this case, the special effect image processor performs
the image processing in accordance with the unaltered image data
and the special effect data read from the recording medium.
When the special effect is selected randomly; an image-capturing
switch is operated or a trigger signal is inputted from external
equipment, the unaltered image data is read from the recording medium
for the playback or printing.
According to the present invention, the special effect image data
is recorded into the recording medium when a recording switch is
turned on. When a preset time has elapsed without the recording
switch being turned on, the special effect is selected randomly
again. Thus, if the recording switch is not turned on, the special
effect images changes randomly. Then, the user can record only a
favorite special effect image by turning on the recording switch
when the favorite special effect image is created and displayed.
Likewise, according to the present invention, when a printing switch
is turned on, the special effect image data is sent to an external
printer so as to print the special effect image on the external
printer. When a preset time has elapsed without the printing switch
being turned on, the special effect is selected randomly again.
Thus, if the printing switch is not turned on, the special effect
images changes randomly. Then, the user can print only a favorite
special effect image on the external printer by turning on the printing
switch when the favorite special effect image is created and displayed.
Moreover, the present invention is directed to an image processing
method in a digital camera, comprising the steps of: (a) imaging
a subject and converting a subject image into unaltered image data
representing an unaltered image in a frame; (b) recording the unaltered
image data in the frame into a recording medium; (c) repeating the
steps (a)-(b) a preset number of times to thereby record the unaltered
image data in the preset number of the frames; (d) reading the recorded
unaltered image data in one of the preset number of the frames from
the recording medium recorded in the step (c); (e) generating a
random number by a random number generator; (f) selecting one special
effect from a plurality of special effects in accordance with the
random number; (g) image-processing the unaltered image data read
in the step (d) under the special effect selected in the step (f)
to thereby obtain special effect image data representing a special
effect image; (h) recording the special effect image data obtained
in the step (g) into the recording medium; and (i) repeating the
steps (d)-(h) for the recorded unaltered image data in the preset
number of the frames.
According to the present invention, the image data of the unaltered
images in a plurality of frames is recorded once into the recording
medium in continuous image-capturing. After the continuous image-capturing,
the special effect is selected for each frame, the image processing
is performed in accordance with the selected special effect, and
the special effect image data is recorded into the recording medium
for the unaltered images in the plurality of frames. Thus, the special
effect can be applied to each unaltered image, even if the time
required for the image processing of applying the special effect
to the unaltered image, and the time required for recording the
special effect image data are longer than the interval of the continuous
image-capturing.
Furthermore, the present invention is directed to an image processing
method in a digital camera, comprising the steps of: (a) imaging
a subject and converting a subject image into unaltered image data
representing an unaltered image in a frame; (b) generating a random
number by a random number generator; (c) selecting one special effect
from a plurality of special effects in accordance with the random
number; (d) recording a combination of the unaltered image data
in the frame and special effect data representing the special effect
selected in the step (c) into a recording medium; (e) repeating
the steps (a)-(d) a preset number of times to thereby record the
preset number of the combinations of the unaltered image data and
the special effect data; (f) reading one of the combinations of
the unaltered image data and the special effect data recorded in
the step (e); (g) image-processing the unaltered image data read
in the step (f) under the special effect represented by the special
effect data read in the step (f) to thereby obtain special effect
image data representing a special effect image; (h) recording the
special effect image data obtained in the step (g) into the recording
medium; and (i) repeating the steps (f)-(h) for the preset number
of the combinations of the unaltered image data and the special
effect data.
Thus, the special effect data as well as the unaltered image data
in a plurality of frames is recorded once into the recording medium
in the continuous image-capturing. After the continuous image-capturing,
the image processing is performed in accordance with the selected
special effect, and the special effect image data is recorded into
the recording medium for the unaltered images in the plurality of
frames.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The nature of this invention, as well as other objects and advantages
thereof, will be explained in the following with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the figures and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the inner structure of a
digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view of assistance in explaining what is displayed
on an LCD in FIG. 1 and the changeover of the display on the LCD;
FIG. 3 is a view of assistance in explaining a procedure of setting
the special effect in a recording mode;
FIG. 4 is a view of assistance in explaining a procedure of setting
the special effect in a playback mode;
FIG. 5 is a view of assistance in explaining a procedure of setting
the special effect in a printing mode;
FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a template image representing
a sacred lot;
FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a template image representing
an image-capturing place;
FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of an image on a karaoke machine,
which is captured as a template image;
FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of an image on a game machine,
which is captured as a template image;
FIGS. 10(A), 10(B), 10(C) and 10(D) are views of assistance in
explaining special effect images that are made lean;
FIGS. 11(A), 11(B), 11(C) and 11(D) are views of assistance in
explaining special effect images that are made fat;
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the flow of the data when the
special effect is applied to the unaltered image during the image-recording;
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an image-recording mode sequence
of applying the special effect to the unaltered image during the
image-recording;
FIG. 14 is a flow chart following the flow in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a continuous image-capturing mode
sequence;
FIG. 16 is a flow chart following the flow in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a subroutine for a continuous image-capturing;
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the flow of the data when the
special effect is applied to the unaltered image during the playback;
FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a playback mode sequence of applying
the special effect to the unaltered image during the playback;
FIG. 20 is a flow chart following the flow in FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the flow of the data when the
special effect is applied to the unaltered image during the printing;
FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a playback mode sequence of applying
the special effect to the unaltered image during the printing; and
FIG. 23 is a flow chart following the flow in FIG. 22.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
This invention will be described in further detail by way of example
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the inner structure of a
digital camera according to an embodiment of this invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera comprises a CCD imaging
system 10, a main CPU 20, an auto CPU 21, a memory controller 25,
a special effect image processor 26, an external memory interface
29, a main memory 40, a random number generator 42, a timer 44,
a liquid crystal display (LCD) 46, a communication interface 48,
an external memory 50, and a switch part 60.
The CCD imaging system 10 comprises: an imaging optical system
11 including a zoom lens 11A, an iris 11B and an optical low pass
filter 11C; a CCD 12; an analog processor including a CDS cramp
13, a gain control amplifier 14, a gamma (.gamma.) corrector 15
and a dot-sequentializer 16; and an A/D converter 17.
An image of a subject is formed on a light receiving surface of
the CCD 12 through the imaging optical system 11, and each sensor
in the CCD 12 converts the image into signal electric charge of
which amount corresponds to the quantity of incident light. The
accumulated signal electric charge is read to a shift register by
a read gate pulse sent from a CCD driver (not illustrated), and
the signal electric charge is sequentially read out as a voltage
signal (an analog image signal) by a register transfer pulse sent
from the CCD driver. A shutter drain connects to the CCD 12 through
a shutter gate. Driving the shutter gate by a shutter gate pulse
discharges the accumulated signal electric charge into the shutter
drain. In other words, the CCD 12 has a so-called electronic shutter
function of controlling the time (a shutter speed) in which the
electric charge is accumulated in each sensor by the shutter gate
pulse.
The analog image signal is read from the CCD 12, and sent to the
CDS cramp 13. The CDS cramp 13 samples and holds the analog image
signal for each pixel, and divides the analog image signal into
R, G and B color signals, which are sent to the gain control amplifier
14. The gain control amplifier 14 amplifies the inputted R, G and
B signals by proper gain so as to adjust their white balance. A
detailed description will be given later about the white balance
adjustment.
The gain control amplifier 14 sends the R, G and B signals to the
gamma corrector 15. The R, G and B signals are gamma-corrected in
the gamma corrector 15, and they are sent to the dot-sequentializer
16. The dot-sequentializer 16 converts the simultaneously-inputted
R, G and B signals into dot-sequential signals, which are sent to
the A/D converter 17. The A/D converter 17 converts the dot-sequentially-inputted
R, G and B signals into digital signals. The digitized R, G and
B signals are stored in the main memory 40 such as a dynamic random
access memory (DRAM) through the memory controller 25.
The main CPU 20 connects to the auto CPU 21, a character generator
22, an LCD driver 23, a YC signal generator 24, the memory controller
25, the special effect image processor 26, an encoder 27, a compression/expansion
processor 28, and the external memory interface 29 via a bus line
30. The main CPU 20 supervises the components in accordance with
the inputs from the switch part 60, the random number generator
42, the timer 44, etc.
The auto CPU 21 performs the controls such as auto-focusing (AF)
control, automatic exposure (AE) control, automatic flash control,
and automatic white balance (AWB) control. The auto CPU 21 receives
AF information indicating the object distance from an AF sensor
31, and receives the R, G and B digital signals through the memory
controller 25. The auto CPU 21 drives an AF motor (not illustrated)
through an AF motor driver 32 in accordance with the AF information
from the AF sensor 31, so that a focus lens of the zoom lens 11A
can move to a focus position.
The auto CPU 21 finds AE information that is an integrated value
obtained by integrating the R, G and B digital signals in one frame,
and AWB information that is color integrated values obtained by
integrating the digital signals of each color in one frame. The
auto CPU 21 sets an iris value and a shutter speed in accordance
with the AE information, and drives the iris 11B by an iris motor
(not illustrated) through an iris motor driver 33 so as to achieve
the set iris value, and controls the electric charge accumulation
time by the electronic shutter so as to achieve the set shutter
speed. The auto CPU 21 sets the gains for the R, G and B signals
in accordance with the AWB information, and controls each gain of
the gain control amplifier 14 with an electronic variable resistor
(EVR) 34.
The auto CPU 21 also controls a speed light 35. For example, judging
the speed light image-capturing as being performed under a low luminance,
the auto CPU 21 outputs a trigger signal to electronically flash
a discharge tube 35A upon the operation of an image-capturing/frame-forwarding
switch 61, which will be described later. Consequently, electric
energy stored in a main condenser (not illustrated) is supplied
to the discharge tube 35A, and the discharge tube 35A flashes. A
light control sensor 36, which receives the reflected light from
the subject, sends a signal indicating the quantity of the received
light to the auto CPU 21. When the quantity of the received light
reaches a predetermined one, the auto CPU 21 shuts off the electric
energy to the discharge tube 35A to stop flashing. The auto CPU
21 does not only make the speed light 35 flash under the low luminance
but also when a compulsory flash switch is turned on.
The character generator 22 generates character information such
as the image-capturing date and a title of the image. The captured
image can be applied with the characters in accordance with the
character information. The LCD driver 23 drives the LCD 46 to display
an unaltered image of the subject with no special effects, a special
effect image created by applying a special effect to the unaltered
image, or a mix image of the unaltered image and the special effect
image.
On the screen of the LCD 46, the displayed images can be switched
by operating a special effect setting switch 64 and a display changeover
switch 68 as shown in FIG. 2. The special effect setting switch
64 is operated to select a time for applying the special effect
from a printing time, a playback time and an image-recording time,
and if the special effect setting switch 64 is off, no special effect
is applied to the unaltered image. When the special effect setting
switch 64 is off at SI in FIG. 2, the unaltered image is displayed
on the LCD 46 (S2).
On the other hand, when the special effect setting switch 64 is
not off at S1, the displayed images on the LCD 46 are changed in
accordance with the operation of the display changeover switch 68
(S3). Specifically, when the display changeover switch 68 is switched
to the unaltered image, the unaltered image is displayed on the
LCD 46 (S4). If the display changeover switch 68 is switched to
the special effect image, the special effect image is displayed
on the LCD 46 (S5).
If the display changeover switch 68 is switched to an overlapping
image A or B, in which the unaltered image is overlapped with the
special effect image, the overlapping image A or B is displayed
on the LCD 46. If the display changeover switch 68 is switched to
a mix image C in which the unaltered image is mixed with 50% of
the special effect image or a mix image D in which the unaltered
image is mixed with 25% of the special effect image, the mix image
C or D is displayed on the LCD 46. The screen of the LCD 46 is also
used to settle the special effect, and this will be described later
in detail.
The YC signal generator 24 generates a luminance signal Y and a
chroma signal C (color difference signals B-Y and R-Y) from the
inputted R, G and B signals. The encoder 27 generates an NTSC or
PAL color composite video signal in accordance with the inputted
luminance signal Y and the color difference signals B-Y, R-Y. Then,
the encoder 27 outputs the color composite video signal to a video
output terminal (not illustrated).
The special effect image processor 26 applies the special effect
to the unaltered image to create the special effect image. The special
effect image processor 26 contains image data representing a plurality
of template images being background for the unaltered image. The
special effect image processor 26 also has a plurality of image
processing filters, which provide the special effects (deformation,
soft-focus, etc.). If one of the special effects is selected intentionally
or randomly in accordance with the later-described special effect
setting, unaltered image data representing the unaltered image and
template image data of the selected template image are combined,
or the unaltered image data is altered under the selected special
effect procedure. Thus, the special effect image processor 26 produces
special effect image data representing the special effect image
created by applying the special effect to the unaltered image.
The compression/expansion processor 28 compresses uncompressed
data to compressed data or expands the compressed data to the uncompressed
data. To compress and record the image data, the compression/expansion
processor 28 compresses the luminance signals Y and the chroma signals
C of one frame, which are generated by the YC signal generator 24,
in a predetermined format. Then, the compressed image data is recorded
in the external memory 50 such as a smart medium or a solid-state
floppy disk card (SSFDC) through the external memory interface 29.
To read the compressed image data from the external memory 50 through
the external memory interface 29, the compression/expansion processor
28 expands the read compressed data to the uncompressed data, and
stores the uncompressed data in the main memory 40 through the memory
controller 25.
The main CPU 20 connects to the random number generator 42 and
the timer 44. The random number generator 42 generates and outputs
a random number for selecting the special effect randomly, and the
timer 44 measures time elapsing since a certain special effect is
set.
The communication interface 48 connects to external equipment such
as an external printer, a karaoke (an act of singing along to a
music video) machine and a game machine. The image data can be transmitted
between the external equipment and the digital camera through the
communication interface 48. The digital camera can also receive
an external trigger signal for image-capturing from the external
equipment.
The switch part 60 comprises the image-capturing/frame-forwarding
switch 61, a mode switch 62, a file format switch 63, the special
effect setting switch 64, a printing switch 65, a settling/recording
switch 66, a special-effect/degree selecting dial 67, and the display
changeover switch 68.
The image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch 61 includes a switch
SW1 that is turned on by half-pressing the image-capturing/frame-forwarding
switch 61, and a switch SW2 that is turned on by full-pressing the
image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch 61. The mode switch 62 is
operated to select a mode from a printing mode, a playback mode,
an image-recording mode, and a power off mode of the digital camera.
The file format switch 63 is operated to select a format of an image
file for recording. The special effect setting switch 64 is operated
to select a special effect setting time from the printing time,
the playback time, and the image-recording time, or the non-setting
(off). A detailed description will be given later of the printing
switch 65, the settling/recording switch 66, the special-effect/degree
selecting dial 67, etc.
A description will hereunder be given of the procedure for setting
the special effect with reference to FIGS. 3-5.
If the special effect setting switch 64 is operated to select the
setting of the special effect in the image-recording time, the special
effect is applied to the unaltered image upon the image-capturing.
The special effect is set in a procedure shown in FIG. 3. As shown
in FIG. 3, a parameter TP1 for a recording time is settled (S10).
TP1 is a parameter for setting whether to record the image data
upon capturing of the image data or record the image data after
enabling the user to confirm the captured image on a preview screen.
For instance, the information in TABLE 1 is shown on the screen
of the LCD 46.
TABLE 1 TP1 Recording time 0 Record the image data upon the image-capturing
1 Record the image data after confirming the image on a preview
screen
The user operates the special-effect/degree selecting dial 67 to
select TP1=0 or 1 on the screen of the LCD 46. When the settling/recording
switch 66 is turned on, TP1 is settled and the procedure goes to
S12.
At S12, a parameter TP2 for a special effect type is settled. TP2
is a parameter for setting intentionally or randomly the type of
the special effect. For instance, the information in TABLE 2 is
shown on the screen of the LCD 46.
TABLE 2 TP2 (PB1) (PR2) Type of special effect 0 Random 1 Sacred
lot 2 Image-capturing place 3 Karaoke or game 4 Lean or fat 5 Morphing
6 Soft-focus 7 Blur 8 Deformation 9 Fair-complexioned or dark-complexioned
The user operates the special-effect/degree selecting dial 67 to
select one of TP2=0.about.9 on the screen of the LCD 46. When the
settling/recording switch 66 is turned on, TP2 is settled. If "Random"
(TP2=0) in TABLE 2 is selected, one of the special effects of TP2=1.about.9
is selected randomly.
TP2=1.about.3 indicate groups of template images. If TP2=1, a group
of template images representing sacred lots are selected. If TP2=2,
a group of template images representing image-capturing places are
selected. If TP2=3, the images transmitted from the external equipment
such as the karaoke machine or the game machine through the communication
interface 48 are selected as template images.
FIG. 6 shows an example of one template image among the group of
template images representing the sacred lots. Since the template
image in FIG. 6 is composed of an area that is common to all the
template images, and variable areas such as the number of stars
and a lucky direction, an image for the common area and images for
the variable areas are stored separately. Then, the images for the
variable areas are selected and combined with the image for the
common area.
FIG. 7 shows an example of one template image among the group of
template images representing the image-capturing places. FIG. 8
shows an example of an image that is sent from the karaoke machine
and captured as a template image. FIG. 9 shows an example of an
image that is sent from the game machine and captured as a template
image. The image-capturing date is combined with the template images
shown in FIGS. 7-9.
A description will be given later about a method of selecting one
template image from the selected group of the template images.
On the other hand, TP2=4.about.5 indicate the types of filter (distorting)
operations for applying the special effect to the unaltered image.
If TP2=4 (lean or fat), one of the following distorting operations
is selected: the special effect (lean) images are created by increasing
the pixels of the unaltered image (normal) in FIG. 10(A) in the
vertical direction as shown in FIGS. 10(B)-(D), and the special
effect (fat) images are created by increasing the pixels of the
unaltered image (normal) in FIG. 11(A) in the horizontal direction
as shown in FIGS. 11(B)-(D). If TP2=5, the filter operation is selected
so as to perform the morphing for the unaltered image. If TP2=6,
the filter operation is selected so as to perform the soft-focusing
for the unaltered image. If TP2=8, the filter operation is selected
so as to perform the deformation for the unaltered image. If TP2=9,
the filter operation is selected so as to make the unaltered image
fair-complexioned or dark-complexioned, by changing the AE level.
After TP2 is settled as stated above, the procedure goes to S14
in FIG. 3. At S14, a parameter TP3 for special effect degree is
settled. TP3 is a parameter for setting intentionally or randomly
the degree of the special effect. For instance, the information
in TABLE 3 is shown on the screen of the LCD 46.
TABLE 3 TP3 (PB2) (PR3) Degree of special effect 0 Random 1 Much
2 Medium 3 Little
The user operates the special-effect/degree selecting dial 67 to
select one of TP3=0.about.3 on the screen of the LCD 46. When the
settling/recording switch 66 is turned on, TP3 is settled. If "Random"
(TP3=0) in TABLE 3 is selected, one of the special effect degrees
of TP3=1.about.3 is selected randomly.
TP3 is used for the types of the special effects of TP2=4.about.9,
setting the degree of the filter (distorting) operation selected
by TP2. For example, if TP2=4 (lean or fat) and TP3=3 are selected,
the unaltered image (normal) in FIG. 10(A) or 11(A) is processed
to become a little lean or fat as shown in FIG. 10(B) or FIG. 11(B).
If TP3=2 is selected, the unaltered image is processed to become
medium lean or fat as shown in FIG. 10(C) or FIG. 11(C). If TP3=1
is selected, the unaltered image is processed to become much lean
or fat as shown in FIG. 10(D) or 11(D).
After TP3 is stated above, the procedure goes to S16 in FIG. 3.
At S16, a parameter TP4 for trigger information is settled. TP4
is a parameter for setting intentionally or randomly which information
is used as the trigger information for selecting one template image
from the selected group of the template images. For instance, the
information in TABLE 4 is shown on the screen of the LCD 46.
TABLE 4 TP4 (PB3) (PR4) Trigger information 0 Random 1 RGB 2 YC
3 Lens F (iris value) 4 Lens f (focal length) 5 Shutter speed 6
Quantity of flash light 7 AE information 8 AF information 9 AWB
information 10 Karaoke or game
The user operates the special-effect/degree selecting dial 67 to
select one of TP4=0.about.9 on the screen of the LCD 46. When the
settling/recording switch 66 is turned on, TP4 is settled. If "Random"
(TP4=0) in TABLE 4 is selected, one piece of the trigger information
of TP4=1.about.10 is selected randomly.
TP4 is used for the types of the special effects of TP2=1.about.3,
setting which information is used to select one template image from
the group of the template images selected by TP2.
Specifically, TP4=1.about.2 indicate the cases wherein the unaltered
image data of the unaltered image to be combined with the template
image is regarded as the trigger information. If TP4=1, one template
image is selected from the selected group of the template images
in accordance with the RGB data of the unaltered image. For example,
a value indicating the characteristics of the unaltered image is
calculated on the basis of the maximum and minimum R, the maximum
and minimum G, and the maximum and minimum B of the RGB data. Then,
one template image is selected form the selected group of the template
images in accordance with the calculated value. Likewise, if TP4=2,
a value indicating the characteristics of the unaltered image is
calculated on the basis of the luminance signal Y and the chroma
signal C of the unaltered image. Then, one template image is selected
form the selected group of the template images in accordance with
the calculated value.
TP4=3.about.6 indicate the cases wherein the camera information
in the image-capturing is regarded as the trigger information. If
TP4=3, one template image is selected from the selected group of
the template images in accordance with the iris value F in the image-capturing.
If TP4=4, one template image is selected from the selected group
of the template images in accordance with the focal length f of
the zoom lens 11A in the image-capturing. If TP4=5, one template
image is selected from the selected group of the template images
in accordance with the shutter speed in the image-capturing. If
TP4=6, one template image is selected from the selected group of
the template images in accordance with the quantity of flash light
in the image-capturing.
TP4=7.about.9 indicate the cases wherein the camera sensing information
in the image-capturing is regarded as the trigger information. If
TP4=7, one template image is selected from the selected group of
the template images in accordance with the AE information relating
to the brightness of the subject. If TP4=8, one template image is
selected from the selected group of the template images in accordance
with the AF information relating to the object distance. If TP4=9,
one template image is selected from the selected group of the template
images in accordance with the AWB information relating to the color
temperature of the subject.
TP4=10 indicates the case wherein a score on the external equipment
such as the karaoke machine or the game machine, which is transmitted
through the communication interface 48, is regarded as the trigger
information. If TP4=10, one template image is selected from the
selected group of the template images in accordance with the score
on the karaoke machine or the game machine.
After TP4 is settled as stated above, the procedure goes to S18
in FIG. 3. At S18, a parameter TP5 for timer setting is settled.
TP5 is a parameter for setting whether to reselect the special effect,
which is set by TP2.about.TP4, at regular intervals (by the timer).
For instance, the information in TABLE 5 is shown on the screen
of the LCD 46.
TABLE 5 TP5 (PB4) (PR5) Timer setting 0 Not reselecting by timer
1 Reselecting by timer
The user operates the special-effect/degree selecting dial 67 to
select TP5=0 or 1 on the screen of the LCD 46. When the settling/recording
switch 66 is turned on, TP5 is settled and the setting of the special
effect in the image-recording mode is completed. If TP5=0, the special
effect selected by TP2.about.TP4 is not changed with passage of
time. On the other hand, if TP5=1, the special effect is reset by
TP2.about.TP4 every time the timer 44 detects the passage of a preset
period after a certain special effect is selected.
The special effect can be set and applied to the unaltered image
not only in the image-recording mode in FIG. 3, but in the playback
mode and the printing mode.
Specifically, if the special effect setting switch 64 is operated
to select the setting of the special effect in the playback mode,
the special effect is applied to a reproduced unaltered image. In
this case, the special effect is set in a procedure in FIG. 4. As
shown in FIG. 4, a parameter PB1 for the special effect type is
settled (S20). PB1 is settled in the same manner as S12 in FIG.
3 (see TABLE 2). A settling of a parameter PB2 for the special effect
degree at S22, a settling of a parameter PB3 for the trigger information
at S24, and a settling of a parameter PB4 for the timer setting
at S26 are performed in the same manner as S14, S16, and S18, respectively,
in FIG. 3 (see TABLES 3, 4 and 5).
If the special effect setting switch 64 is operated to select the
setting of the special effect in the printing mode, the special
effect is applied to the unaltered image that is read for printing.
In this case, the special effect is set in a procedure in FIG. 5.
As shown in FIG. 5, a parameter PR1 for setting a printing mode
is set (S30). PR1 is a parameter for setting whether to print images
one by one by manually operating the printing switch 65 while the
user looks at the images on the preview screen or automatically
print the images sequentially. For instance, the information in
TABLE 6 is shown on the screen of the LCD 46.
TABLE 6 PR1 Printing mode 0 Manual printing mode 1 Automatic printing
mode
The user operates the special-effect/degree selecting dial 67 to
select PR1=0 or 1 on the screen of the LCD 46. When the settling/recording
switch 66 is turned on, PR1 is settled and the procedure goes to
S32.
A settling of a parameter PR2 for the special effect type at S32,
a settling of a parameter PR3 for the special effect degree at S34,
a settling of a parameter PR4 for the trigger information at S36,
and a settling of a parameter PR5 for the timer setting at S38 are
performed in the same manner as S12, S14, S16, and S18, respectively,
in FIG. 3 (see TABLES 2, 3, 4 and 5).
A description will hereunder be given of the procedure for applying
the special effect to the unaltered image during the image-recording
with reference to FIGS. 12-14.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the flow of the data when the
special effect is applied to the unaltered image during the image-recording.
In FIG. 12, parts similar to those described with reference to FIG.
1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIGS. 13 and 14 are
flow charts showing the procedure of the image-recording mode sequence.
The image-recording mode sequence starts when the image-recording
mode is selected by operating the mode switch 62. First, as shown
in FIG. 13, it is judged whether the external trigger signal from
the external equipment is received or not (S100), and whether the
switches SW1 & SW2 of the image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch
61 are turned on or not (S102 & S104). If the receiving of the
external trigger signal or the tuned-on of the switches SW1 &
SW2 is detected, it is judged whether the special effect setting
switch 64 is set to the setting of the special effect in the image-recording
time or not (S106).
If the special effect setting switch 64 is not set to the setting
of the special effects in the image-recording time, the image-recording
starts immediately and the subject image is captured (S108). The
image data of one frame, which is obtained by the CCD imaging system
10, is stored in the main memory 40. Then, the LCD driver 23 is
driven in accordance with the image data stored in the main memory
40 to display the unaltered image representing the subject image
on the LCD 46 (S110). Then, the camera information in the image-capturing
is embedded in the image file (S112). The image data is compressed
by the compression/expansion processor 28, and the compressed image
data is recorded in the external memory 50 through the external
memory interface 29 (S114). The uncompressed image data may also
be recorded in the external memory 50.
Then, it is judged whether the image-recording mode is the continuous
recording mode or not (S116). If the image-recording mode is not
the continuous recording mode (in other words, the image-recording
mode is a single recording mode), the image-recording mode sequence
is completed. If the image-recording mode is the continuous recording
mode, the procedure returns to S100. The single recording mode,
the continuous recording mode, etc. can be set on the screen of
the LCD 46.
On the other hand, if the special effect setting switch 64 is set
to the setting of the special effect in the image-recording time
at S106, what special effect is applied to the unaltered image is
set at S120-S130.
Specifically, whether the special effect type parameter TP2 is
0 or not is judged at S120. If TP2=0, the random number generator
42 generates a random number within 1 to 9, and the special effect
type is set by the random number (S122, see TABLE 2). If TP2.noteq.0,
the special effect type is set by TP2 other than 0. When the communication
interface 48 does not connect to the external equipment such as
the karaoke machine or the game machine, the random number other
than 3 is generated if TP2=0, or resettling of TP2 is required if
TP2=3.
Then, whether the special effect degree parameter TP3 is 0 or not
is judged at S124. If TP3=0, the random number generator 42 generates
a random number within 1 to 3, and the special effect degree is
set by the random number (S126, see TABLE 3). If TP3.noteq.0, the
special effect degree is set by TP3 other than 0.
Then, whether the trigger information parameter TP4 is 0 or not
is judged at S128. If TP4=0, the random number generator 42 generates
a random number within 1 to 10, and the trigger information is set
by the random number (S130, see TABLE 4). If TP4.noteq.0, the trigger
information is set by TP4 other than 0. When the communication interface
48 does not connect to the external equipment such as the karaoke
machine or the game machine, the random number other than 10 is
generated if TP4=0, or resettling of TP4 is required if TP4=10.
After the special effect is set as stated above, the image-capturing
is performed at S132, and the procedure goes to S134 in FIG. 14.
At S134, it is judged whether the image-capturing is performed
upon receiving the external trigger signal or not. If yes, the external
equipment information is acquired (S136). The external equipment
information relates to the data on images and scores displayed on
the external equipment such as the karaoke machine or the game machine,
the data indicating the area where the unaltered image is combined,
or the like. Then, the template image is selected in accordance
with the external equipment information (S138). The selected template
image is combined with the unaltered image captured at S132 (S140).
At the same time, the character information such as the image-capturing
date, which is generated by the character generator 22, may be combined
with them.
If it is judged at S134 as the image-capturing being not performed
upon receiving the external trigger signal (in other words, the
image-capturing is performed upon operating the image-capturing/frame-forwarding
switch 61), the procedure goes to S142, at which whether TP2.gtoreq.4
or not is judged. If not TP2.gtoreq.4, one template image is selected
from the group of template images selected by TP2 in accordance
with the trigger information selected by TP4 (S138). The selected
template image is combined with the unaltered image captured at
S132 (S140). The special effect image is thus composed from the
unaltered image and the template image, and is then displayed on
the LCD 46 (S146).
On the other hand, if TP2.gtoreq.4 at S142, the unaltered image
captured at S132 is image-processed in accordance with the special
effect type set by TP2 and the special effect degree set by TP3
(S144). The special effect image is thus created from the unaltered
image in accordance with the special effect type and the special
effect degree, and is then displayed on the LCD 46 (S146).
Next, whether the recording time parameter TP1 is 0 or not is judged
(S148). If TP1=0, the camera information (including the camera sensing
information) in the image-capturing is embedded in the image file
(S150), and it is judged whether the file format switch 63 is positioned
at "image file" or "procedure file" (S152).
The file format switch 63 is operated to select a format of the
image file in the recording. If the file format switch 63 is positioned
at "image file", the special effect image data is recorded.
If the file format switch 63 is positioned at "procedure file",
special effect data (a procedure file) representing the special
effect applied to the unaltered image, as well as the unaltered
image data, is recorded.
At S152, if the file format switch 63 is positioned at "image
file", the special effect image data is recorded in the external
memory 50 (S154). If the file format switch 63 is positioned at
"procedure file", the procedure file representing the
special effect applied to the unaltered image, as well as the unaltered
image data, is recorded in the external memory 50 (S156).
Then, it is judged whether the image-recording mode is the continuous
recording mode or the single recording mode (S158). If the image-recording
mode is the single recording mode, the image-recording mode sequence
is completed. If the image-recording mode is the continuous recording
mode, the procedure returns to S100 in FIG. 13.
On the other hand, if TP1.noteq.0 at S148, whether the timer setting
parameter TP5 is 0 or not is judged (S160). If TP5=0, the procedure
goes to S162, and if TP5.noteq.0, the procedure goes to S164. At
S162 and S164, whether the settling/recording switch 66 is turned
on or not is judged. If the settling/recording switch 66 is turned
on, the procedure goes to S150 so that the special effect image,
etc. can be recorded as stated previously.
On the other hand, if the settling/recording switch 66 is not turned
on at S164, it is judged whether a preset time has elapsed or not
since the currently-applied special effect is set (S166). The preset
time is suitable for the user to determine whether to record the
currently-created special effect image or not by looking at the
preview screen of the LCD 46, which is displayed at S146. The timer
44 detects the passage of the preset time.
If the preset time has elapsed at S166, the special effect applied
to the unaltered image is reset at S168-S178. At S168-S178, the
special effect is set in the same manner as the above-mentioned
S120-S130. After the special effect is reset, the procedure returns
to S134.
Thus, if TP1.noteq.0, TP5.noteq.0 and the settling/recording switch
66 is not turned on, different special effects are sequentially
applied to the unaltered image at regular intervals to create different
special effect images, which are sequentially displayed on the LCD
46. Then, the user can selectively record a favorite special effect
image by operating the settling/recording switch 66 while looking
at the preview screen of the LCD 46 in the recording mode.
A description will hereunder be given of the procedure for capturing
a plurality of unaltered images by continuous image-capturing, and
then applying the special effects to all of the unaltered images,
with reference to FIGS. 15-17.
In FIGS. 15 and 16, the same steps as those described with reference
to FIGS. 13 and 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals. A
description will be given about the processes that are different
from the image-recording mode sequence in FIGS. 13 and 14.
The procedure in FIG. 15 is different from the procedure in FIG.
13 in that S200 and S202 are performed instead of S108 and S132.
At S200 and S202, the continuous image-capturing is performed as
described in a subroutine in FIG. 17. Specifically, an image is
captured (S210), and the image data of one frame, which is obtained
by the CCD imaging system 10, is stored in the main memory 40 (S212).
Then, it is judged whether a preset time has elapsed or not (S214).
The preset time is an interval at which the frames are captured
continuously, and it is previously set on the screen of the LCD
46 in the continuous recording mode.
If the preset time has elapsed at S214, it is judged whether a
preset number of frames have been captured or not (S216). The preset
number is previously set on the screen on the LCD 46 in the continuous
recording mode.
If the preset number of frames have not been captured yet, the
procedure returns to S210 and S210-S216 are repeated. If it is judged
at S216 that the preset number of frames have already been captured,
the continuous image-capturing is completed and the procedure returns
to the main routine in FIG. 15.
Thus, the preset number of frames are captured at the preset regular
intervals, and the image data of the frames is stored in the main
memory 40.
When the continuous image-capturing is completed at S202 in FIG.
15, what special effect is applied to the unaltered image of a certain
frame is set at S120-S130. Then, the procedure goes to FIG. 16.
The procedure in FIG. 16 is different from the procedure in FIG.
14 in that S220 is performed instead of S158. Specifically, after
the special effect image of a certain frame is recorded, it is judged
whether all images of the continuously-captured frames have already
been processed or not at S220. If yes, the procedure is completed,
and if not all images of the captured frames have been processed
yet, the procedure returns to S120 in FIG. 15 so that the unaltered
image of the next frame can be processed.
The special effects are applied to all images of the continuously-captured
frames in the above-mentioned manner.
A plurality of continuously-captured images may be recorded as
one frame. In order to apply one special effect to the one frame
composed of the plurality of continuously-captured images, the continuous
image-capturing procedure in FIG. 17 is performed instead of S108
and S132 in FIG. 13, and the other processes are performed in the
same manner as described in FIGS. 13 and 14.
A description will hereunder be given of the procedure for applying
the special effect to the unaltered image in the playback time with
reference to FIGS. 18-20.
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the flow of the data when the
special effect is applied to the unaltered image during the playback.
FIGS. 19 and 20 are flow charts showing the playback mode sequence.
In FIG. 18, parts similar to those described in FIG. 1 are denoted
by the same reference numerals, and in FIGS. 19 and 20, steps similar
to those described in FIGS. 13 and 14 are denoted by the same reference
numerals.
The playback mode sequence starts when the playback mode is selected
by operating the mode switch 62. First, as shown in FIG. 19, the
image data of one frame is read from the external memory 50 through
the external memory interface 29 (S300). Since the playback mode
sequence aims to apply the special effect to the unaltered image
during the playback, the unaltered image data is read primarily,
but if the special effect has already been applied to the unaltered
image, the special effect image data, or a combination of the unaltered
image data and the procedure file (the special effect data) representing
the special effect applied to the unaltered image, is read. The
read data is stored in the main memory 40 through the compression/expansion
processor 28 and the memory controller 25. If the read image data
has been compressed, the data is expanded by the compression/expansion
processor 28.
Then, whether the read data includes the procedure file or not
is judged (S302). If the data includes the procedure file, the special
effect image processor 26 reads the procedure file (S304), and performs
the image processing for applying the special effect to the unaltered
image (including the combining with the template image) in accordance
with the procedure file, thereby creating the special effect image
data (S306). The LCD driver 23 is driven in accordance with thus
created special effect image data, and the special effect image
is displayed on the LCD 46 (S308).
If the read data does not include the procedure file at S302, it
is judged whether the special effect setting switch 64 is set to
the setting of the special effect in the playback time or not (S310).
If the special effect setting switch 64 is not set to the setting
of the special effect in the playback time, the LCD driver 23 is
driven in accordance with the read image data, and the read image
is displayed on the LCD 46 (S308).
After the image is displayed on the LCD 64, the procedure goes
to S316 in FIG. 20.
On the other hand, if the special effect setting switch 64 is set
to the setting of the special effect in the playback time, what
special effect is applied to the read unaltered image is set at
S120-S130.
After the special effect is set at S120-S130, the procedure goes
to S312 in FIG. 20. At S312, the image processing is performed to
apply the special effect to the unaltered image (including the combining
with the template image) in accordance with the read image and the
set special effect so that the special effect image can be created.
The created special effect image is displayed on the LCD 46 (S314).
Then, whether the timer setting parameter PB4 is 0 or not is judged
at S316. If PB4=0, the procedure goes to S318, and if PB4.noteq.0,
the procedure goes to S324. At S318 and S324, whether the settling/recording
switch 66 is turned on or not is judged. If the settling/recording
switch 66 is turned on, the procedure goes to S150 so that the special
effect image, etc. can be recorded. After the recording, the procedure
goes to S330.
On the other hand, if the settling/recording switch 66 is not turned
on at S318, it is judged whether the image-capturing/frame-forwarding
switch 61 is turned on or not (S320). If the image-capturing/frame-forwarding
switch 61 is turned on, the procedure returns to S300 in FIG. 19
to advance to the next frame and read the image data, etc. of the
next frame from the external memory 50.
If the settling/recording switch 66 is not turned on at S324, whether
the image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch 61 is turned on or not
is judged (S326). If the image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch
61 is turned on, the procedure returns to S300 in FIG. 19 to advance
to the next frame and read the image data, etc. of the next frame
from the external memory 50.
If the image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch 61 is not turned
on at S326, it is judged whether a preset time has elapsed or not
since the currently-applied special effect is set (S330). If the
preset time has elapsed at S330, the special effect applied to the
read image is reset at S168-S178.
Thus, if PB4.noteq.0 and neither the settling/recording switch
66 nor the image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch 61 is turned
on, different special effects are sequentially applied to the read
unaltered image at regular intervals to create different special
effect images, which are sequentially displayed on the LCD 46. Then,
the user can selectively record a favorite special effect image
by operating the settling/recording switch 66 while looking at the
preview screen of the LCD 46 in the playback mode.
A description will hereunder be given of the procedure for applying
the special effect to the unaltered image in the printing time with
reference to FIGS. 21-23.
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the flow of the data when the
special effect is applied to the unaltered image during the printing.
FIGS. 22 and 23 are flow charts showing the printing mode sequence.
In FIG. 21, parts similar to those described in FIG. 1 are denoted
by the same reference numerals, and in FIGS. 22 and 23, steps similar
to those described in FIGS. 19 and 20 are denoted by the same reference
numerals.
The printing mode sequence starts when the printing mode is selected
by operating the mode switch 62. The procedure in FIG. 22 is different
from the procedure in FIG. 19 in that S400 is performed instead
of S310. Specifically, it is judged whether the special effect setting
switch 64 is set to the setting of the special effect in the playback
time or not at S310 in FIG. 19, while it is judged whether the special
effect setting switch 64 is set to the setting of the special effect
in the printing time or not at S400 in FIG. 22. The procedure in
FIG. 22 is similar to the procedure in FIG. 19 except for S400,
and a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.
After the special effect image, which is created by applying the
special effect to the read image in the printing mode, is displayed
on the LCD at S314 in FIG. 23, whether the printing mode parameter
PR1 is 1 or not is judged (S402). If PR1=1 (the automatic printing
mode), the read image is printed out (S404). Specifically, as shown
in FIG. 21, the special effect image data, etc. stored in the main
memory 40 is read out by the memory controller 25, and it is sent
to an external printer 49 through the communication interface 48.
Consequently, the same image as the image displayed on the LCD 46
is printed out.
After the printout, it is judged whether the last frame among the
frames stored in the external memory 50 has already been printed
out or not (S406). If the last frame has already been printed out,
the automatic printing mode is completed. If not, the procedure
returns to S300 in FIG. 22 to advance to the next frame and read
the image data, etc. of the next frame from the external memory
50.
On the other hand, if PR1.noteq.1 (the manual printing mode) at
S402, whether the timer setting parameter PR5 is 0 or not is judged
(S408). If PR5=0, the procedure goes to S410, and if PR5.noteq.0,
the procedure goes to S414. At S410 and S414, whether the printing
switch 65 is turned on or not is judged. If the printing switch
65 is turned on, the procedure goes to S412 so that the image can
be printed out. After the printout, the procedure goes to S330.
If the printing switch 65 is not turned on at S410, whether the
image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch 61 is turned on or not is
judged (S320). If the image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch 61
is turned on, the procedure returns to S300 in FIG. 22 to advance
to the next frame and read the image data, etc. of the next frame
from the external memory 50.
If the printing switch 65 is not turned on at S414, whether the
image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch 61 is turned on or not is
judged (S326). If the image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch 61
is turned on, the procedure returns to S300 in FIG. 22 to advance
to the next frame and read the image data, etc. of the next frame
from the external memory 50.
On the other hand, if the image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch
61 is not turned on at S326, it is judged whether a preset time
has elapsed or not since the currently-applied special effect is
set (S330). If the preset time has elapsed at S330, the special
effect applied to the read image is reset at S168-S178.
Thus, if PR1.noteq.0, PR5.noteq.0, and neither the printing switch
65 nor the image-capturing/frame-forwarding switch 61 is turned
on, different special effects are sequentially applied to the read
image at regular intervals to create different special effect images,
which are sequentially displayed on the LCD 46. Then, the user can
selectively print a favorite special effect image by operating the
printing switch 65 while looking at the preview screen of the LCD
46 in the printing mode.
The type of the template image combined with the unaltered image
is not restricted to this embodiment. For example, a template image
representing an affinity, biorhythm, etc., may also be adopted.
The type of the filter (distorting) operation for applying the special
effect to the unaltered image is not restricted to this embodiment.
For example, the filter operations can be performed to apply the
following special effects: deformation, sepia tone, black-and-white,
shading, vignette, back-light, mosaic, oil printing tone, pointillism,
solarization, color subtraction, color balance loss, high key, low
key, or the like.
When the filter is applied, it is possible to select or restrict
a filter-applied area. If the filter-applied area is show on the
LCD, the user can record the image while looking at the LCD in such
a way that the main subject is within the filter-applied area or
that the main subject is outside the filter-applied area. For example,
the face of the subject may not be filtered, or the eyes, nose or
mouth of the subject may be filtered. If the filter-applied area
is not designated, the whole image is filtered.
As set forth hereinabove, according to the present invention, the
randomly-selected special effect is applied to the unaltered image
representing the subject image, and it is therefore possible to
easily obtain an interesting and unexpected image. If the preset
time has elapsed in the state wherein neither the recording switch
nor the printing switch is turned on, the special effect may be
randomly selected again. For this reason, it is possible to record
or print only the image applied with the favorite special effect.
It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to
limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the
contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternate
constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. |