JP2000115695A - Image pickup device, image reproducing apparatus, successive image pickup method and contrast display method for successively picked-up image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device, an image reproducing device, a successive image pickup method and the contrast display method of successively picked-up images, capable of easily comparing the plural sets of the successively picked-up images of the different operation speeds of an object. SOLUTION: At successive image pickup, an identifier is attached to an image under consideration by a button operation the successively picked-up images are picked up and the image under consideration specified in such a manner is recorded. At reproduction, it is taken out and contrast is displayed. After starting the successive image pickups (S1-S3), when a user performs a half shutter operation, the image is defined as the image under consideration, a flag = 1 is attached (S5), and a flag = 0 is attached to the other images (S6). A control part takes out image data temporarily stored in a DRAM and compresses in JPEG manner, preserves and records them. Also simultaneously, a flag value set in a step (S5) or (S6) is written to an image registration list (S7). At reproduction, the image of the flag value 1 can be taken out and contrast can be displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an imaging / display technique for comparing a plurality of sets of consecutively captured images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some imaging apparatuses such as digital cameras have a continuous shooting function (continuous shooting mode) for performing a plurality of continuous image capturing operations within a predetermined time after a shutter operation, and a moving image shooting function (movie shooting mode).

[0003]

A captured image obtained when the subject A and the subject B performing substantially the same operation are continuously (separately) captured is obtained when the operating speeds of the subject A and the subject B are substantially constant to each other. Can be compared by comparing the images of each frame and comparing the posture and the like during the operation on the same screen. However, when the operation speeds of the subject A and the subject B are different (for example, golf and tennis, etc.) (If the swing speed differs depending on the individual, as described above), even though the first frame is supported, the frame in which the corresponding action appears is shifted with the lapse of time. However, there is a problem that it is not possible to compare similar operations when performing comparison and display on one screen in order from the first operation.

(Specific Example) FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a difference in operation speed depending on a subject (individual), taking a golf swing as an example. 14A shows the position of the golf head from the start of the swing of golfer A (t = 0) to two seconds later (t = 2), and FIG. 14B shows the start of the swing of golfer B (t = 0). 2 shows the position of the golf head after 2 seconds (t = 2).

In FIG. 14, the elapsed time from the start of the swing of golfer A to the moment of impact is 1.4 seconds, and the elapsed time of golfer B is 1.8 seconds, and the moment of impact is different. When the image is started by pressing the button, on the captured image, the frame at the moment of the impact is the eighth frame when the golfer A is the golfer, and the frame is 9 when the golfer B is the golfer B.
It will be different as the frame.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a comparative display of images taken by continuous shooting according to the conventional method. The swings of golfers A and B are separately taken for two seconds from the start of the swing, and the recorded images are reproduced to reproduce the images of golfers A and B. An example is shown in which images taken from the start of the swing are arranged in the order of frames on the left and right sides of one screen in order to compare the swings and displayed in a contrasting manner.

In FIG. 15, (a) is an image at the start of a swing (start) of golfers A and B. In this case, the postures of A and B can be compared. (B) is an image after a lapse of one second (that is, the sixth frame), and it can be seen that the golfer A has a faster swing speed than the golfer B.
(C) is an image after the elapse of 1.4 seconds (seventh frame). Golfer A is impacting, but golfer B is late. (D) is an image after the elapse of 1.6 seconds (8th frame). Golfer A swings out, but golfer B has not yet made an impact.

(E) is an image after the lapse of 1.8 seconds (the ninth frame). Golfer B has made an impact, but golfer A has finished the swing.

In FIG. 15, if the user tries to compare the moments of impact of golfers A and B, conventionally, (c),
As shown in (e), the golfers A and B have different swing speeds, so the frames showing the moment of impact are different, and comparisons cannot be made as they are.

As described above, conventionally, even when the user attempts to compare specific images having the same operation among images continuously imaged, if the operation speed of the subject is different, the frame in which the operation is captured is different. , The comparison could not be made during the comparison display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an image pickup apparatus, an image reproducing apparatus, and a continuous image pickup apparatus capable of easily comparing a plurality of sets of continuously picked-up images having different moving speeds of a subject. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a method for displaying a contrast of successive images.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a continuous image pickup means for continuously picking up an object, and a plurality of images obtained by continuous image pickup by the continuous image pickup means. Image storing means for storing a plurality of images as a set of image data, and image specifying means for specifying a desired image among a plurality of images obtained by continuous image capturing by the continuous image capturing means, and later stored in the image storing means. When a plurality of images constituting each set of image data are sequentially reproduced one by one simultaneously, the images specified by the image specifying means can be reproduced at the same timing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the first aspect, the image designating means designates a desired image by performing a predetermined key operation during the continuous imaging by the continuous imaging means. And

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the first aspect, the image designating means causes an image stored in the image storing means to be displayed on the display means. It is characterized in that a desired image is designated on the basis of this.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, a plurality of images constituting each set of image data stored in the image storage means are sequentially and sequentially processed one by one. A first reproduction control unit for reproducing, and a second reproduction unit for reproducing the images designated by the image designation unit at the same timing when the first reproduction control unit simultaneously reproduces a plurality of images one by one simultaneously. Reproduction control means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the subject image and a desired image already designated by the image designating means and stored in the image storing means are stored in the continuous imaging standby mode. It is characterized by having a display means.

Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reproducing apparatus, comprising: an image storage means for storing a plurality of continuous images including a designated image as a set of image data; and each set of image data stored in the image storage means. First playback control means for sequentially playing back a plurality of constituent images one by one simultaneously; and when the first playback control means simultaneously plays back a plurality of images one by one simultaneously, designated images are simultaneously output. And a second reproduction control means for reproducing.

According to a seventh aspect, in the image reproducing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the designated image is such that an image stored in the image storage means is displayed on the display means, and the designated image is displayed on the display means. The image is a desired image specified based on the image.

An imaging apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is an imaging apparatus, comprising: imaging instruction means for instructing imaging; and imaging means for imaging a predetermined number of images before and after the imaging instruction when imaging is instructed by the imaging instruction means. Image storage means for storing a plurality of images obtained by imaging by the imaging means as a set of image data; and a plurality of images constituting each set of image data stored in the image storage means, one image at a time. And a first reproduction control means for simultaneously reproducing sequentially.

According to a ninth aspect, in the imaging apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the change setting means for changing and setting the number of images to be taken before and after the imaging instruction is given by the imaging means, and the imaging instruction is given by the imaging instruction means. A storage control unit that stores the captured image at the time point as a designated image in the image storage unit; and a first playback control unit that stores a plurality of image data as a designated image when the plurality of image data are sequentially played back one by one simultaneously. The second method is to play back images at the same timing.
And reproduction control means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the continuous imaging method, a subject is continuously imaged, a desired image in a plurality of images obtained by the continuous imaging is designated, and the plurality of images are used as group image data. When a plurality of images constituting each set of image data stored in the memory are sequentially and sequentially reproduced one by one after being stored in a plurality of memories, the designated images can be reproduced at the same timing. It is characterized by the following.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for displaying a continuous image, wherein the image stored in the memory is displayed on a display means to specify a desired image, and thereafter, each set stored in the memory is designated. When simultaneously reproducing a plurality of images constituting the image data one by one simultaneously, the designated images are reproduced at the same timing.

Further, in the continuous imaging method according to the twelfth invention, when an image is instructed, a predetermined number of images before and after the imaging instruction are taken, and a plurality of images obtained by the imaging means are taken. A plurality of images are stored as a set of image data in a plurality of memories, and a plurality of images constituting each set of image data stored in the memory are sequentially reproduced one by one simultaneously.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <Circuit Configuration Example> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a circuit configuration of a digital camera to which a continuous imaging method and a continuous imaging image contrast display method of the present invention can be applied. In FIG. 1, a digital camera 100 includes an optical system 11, a signal converter 12, a signal processor 13, a DRAM 1
4, a control unit 20, an operation unit 30, a display unit 40, a flash memory 50, and a power supply 90.

The optical system 11 includes an image pickup lens 111 and an automatic aperture mechanism (not shown), and converts the light flux of the subject image condensed via the image pickup lens 111 into an image pickup device (C
CD).

The signal conversion unit 12 includes a CCD, a signal conversion circuit, and the like, converts an image formed on the CCD via the optical system 11 at the preceding stage into an electric signal, converts the image into digital data, and outputs the digital data at a constant period. I do.

The signal processing unit 13 processes the output from the signal conversion unit 12 in the normal imaging mode, and outputs digital luminance and color difference multiplex signals (Y, Cb, Cr data).
And transfer the Y, Cb, Cr data (hereinafter, image data) to the DRAM 14 and temporarily store them. Further, in order to display a through image (moving image), the captured image data is thinned out and sent to the display unit 40. When the shutter operation is performed, the image data at that time is displayed on the display unit 4.
0 to display a still image.

The signal processing section 13 reads out the image data written in the DRAM 14 at the time of recording and preservation, performs JPEG compression processing, and preserving and recording it in the recording memory (flash memory) 50 at the time of reproduction. The image data is subjected to decompression processing to reproduce the image data.

The DRAM 14 is used as a working memory, and an image buffer area or J
A work area for PEG compression / expansion is secured.

The control unit 20 has a microprocessor configuration including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM for storing programs, a timer, and the like. The CPU connects to the above-described circuits and a power switch (not shown) via a bus line. The digital camera 100 is controlled by the control program stored in the program storage ROM and connected to each mode stored in the program storage ROM in response to a status signal from the operation unit 30. The processing program is taken out to execute execution control of each function of the digital camera 100, for example, execution of an imaging function or a reproduction function of a recorded image, and execution of a target image specification process at the time of continuous imaging by a target image designation program at the time of imaging. (Or a process of specifying a target image by a target image designating program after imaging) and an image pair Performing control display of an image relative to the target image by the display unit.

The operation unit 30 includes a processing mode switch,
Switches and buttons such as a function selection button, a main switch, a shutter button 36, an attention image specifying button 37, a not-shown front / rear scroll button, a scroll end button, and the like are included as components, and when these switches or buttons are operated, a status signal is output. Is sent to the control unit 20.

In this embodiment, the shutter button 36 is a switch having a two-stage structure. In normal imaging, when the shutter button 36 is pressed in two stages (the shutter is fully pressed), imaging is performed. Further, during continuous shooting such as in a continuous shooting mode or a movie shooting mode, when the shutter button 36 is fully pressed, continuous shooting is started. When the shutter button 36 is pressed halfway after the shutter button 36 is fully pressed, the image at that time is specified as a target image and marked (described later). The instruction to specify the target image may be performed by pressing the target image specifying button (for example, the button 37) instead of the half-press operation of the shutter button 36.

The display unit 40 is a video encoder, a VRAM
And a liquid crystal screen (LCD), etc., and display a through image at the time of imaging, a reproduced image at the time of reproduction, a menu and a guide (or an icon) for selection at the time of processing selection, and the like. Are displayed contrastingly (images of interest: captured images at the time when the shutter 36 is half-pressed after continuous shooting).

The flash memory 50 records the image data from the signal processing unit 13. In addition, the flash memory 5
In 0, an area for recording image data and an image information registration list for registering an imaging mode and imaging conditions of the image at the time of recording the image data can also be recorded. Note that a removable IC card may be used instead of the flash memory.

[Image Information Registration List] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of the image information registration list. The image information registration list 60 includes an image number column 61 for storing the image number of a recorded image.
An imaging mode column 62 for storing an identification code of the imaging mode;
An imaging date and time column 63 for storing the imaging date and time (year / month / day / hour / minute / second), an imaging code column 64 for determining the start to end of imaging of a continuous captured image, and an image of interest for setting an image flag of interest It comprises a flag column 65 and other information columns 56.

When an imaging mode of the digital camera 100 is selected by the user, an imaging mode identification code such as normal imaging, continuous shooting, movie shooting, sports imaging, PAST imaging or the like is stored in the imaging mode column 62 (FIG. 2). In the example of, normal shooting = 01, continuous shooting = 11, movie shooting = 1
2, etc.), but is not limited to this.

In the example of FIG. 2, in the image pickup code column 64, the image taken at the start of the continuous image pickup (the shutter button 36 is fully pressed) = 1, the image taken thereafter = 2, and the continuous image pickup time elapses (the continuous image pickup time) Is set) or a continuous imaging end operation (for example, the shutter button 36 is fully pressed).
The captured image at time = 3 is stored.

If the image is an image (attention image) at the time of the attention image designating operation, a flag = 1 is written at the time of recording the attention image in the attention image flag field 65, and if the image is not the attention image, 0 is written. Written. As will be described later, the flag value to be written in the target image column 65 of the target image may be changed for each type of target operation of continuous imaging (for example, tennis, golf, choreography, etc.). That is, when the type of the target operation of the continuous imaging is the same (for example, a golf swing), the same value is set in the target image column 65 of the target image in each set of the captured images in which the golfer's swing is continuously captured. A flag (flag = 1) is written, and when the type of the target operation of the continuous imaging is different (for example, a golf swing and a tennis swing), a target image field of a target image of an image obtained by continuously capturing the swing of the tennis practicer A different value flag (flag = 2) may be written in 65. By doing so, it is possible to easily perform a contrast display of continuously captured images having the same type of target operation for continuous imaging (for example, a golf swing) during contrast display.

<Embodiment 1> In this embodiment, by specifying a target image at the time of continuous shooting such as continuous shooting or movie shooting, a specific identifier is added to a frame (target image) in which a target operation is photographed. This is an example in which a captured image is captured, and an example in which two sets of continuously captured images in which the attention image specified as described above is recorded is displayed in contrast with each attention image as a reference during reproduction.

When the shutter button 36 is half-pressed (or the target image specifying button 37 is operated) after the start of continuous shooting such as continuous shooting or movie shooting, an identifier mark (flag) is assigned to the image specified and specified as the target image. Is added. In the embodiment, the identifier for specifying the target image is set to the value “1” in the target image flag column of the image information registration list (FIG. 2).
However, the target image flag may be written directly in the information area of the image in which the image number, the recording date and time, and the like are written.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the digital camera in the case of including an operation of specifying the image of interest during continuous imaging. The attention image specifying process at the time of continuous imaging is performed by the control unit 20 based on the attention image designation means (program).

Step S1: (Determination of Imaging Mode) When the imaging mode is selected, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the imaging mode is continuous imaging such as continuous shooting mode or movie shooting mode. In this case, transit to S2,
If not, the process proceeds to another image capturing mode.

Step S2: (Capture of Image, Display of Through Image) Under the control of the control unit 20, the digital camera 100 captures the subject image within the field of view of the camera at a predetermined time interval (for example, 0.2 second interval). , Signal processing, storage in the DRAM 14,
Then, the display of a through image on the display unit 40 is started.

Step S3: (Judgment of presence / absence of continuous imaging start instruction operation) The control unit 20 checks a state signal sent from the operation unit 30,
It is determined whether or not the shutter button 36 has been fully pressed. If the shutter button 36 is fully pressed, the process proceeds to S4 assuming that a continuous imaging start instruction operation has been performed.
If the shutter button 36 is not fully pressed, the process waits until the shutter button 36 is fully pressed.

Step S4: (Determination of presence / absence of attention image specifying instruction operation) The control unit 20 checks a state signal sent from the operation unit 30,
It is determined whether or not the shutter button 36 has been half-pressed. When the shutter button 36 is half-pressed, it is determined that the noted image specifying instruction operation has been performed, and the process proceeds to S5.
Otherwise, the process goes to S6. Note that when an attention image specifying instruction operation (for example, pressing down the button 37) is performed instead of half-pressing the shutter button 36, S5 is performed.
, And if not, the process may transition to S6.

Step S5: (in the case where there is a noticeable image specification instruction) When the noticeable image specification instruction operation is performed in step S4, the control unit 20 turns on the noticeable image specification flag (flag value = 1), and proceeds to step S7. Transitions to.

Step S6: (In the case where there is no target image specifying instruction) If the target image specifying instruction operation is not performed in step S4, the control unit 20 turns off the target image specifying flag (flag value = 0). Transition to S7.

Step S7: (Image Recording Process) The controller 20 takes out the image data temporarily stored in the DRAM 14, compresses it by JPEG, and saves and records it in the flash memory 50. At the same time, the image number of the recorded image is entered in the image number column 61 of the image information registration list 60.
In the imaging mode column 62, a code indicating continuous imaging (in the embodiment, “11” for continuous shooting, and “12” for movie shooting) is entered in the imaging date / time column 63. In the imaging code column 64, the imaging code (in the embodiment, “1” is set for the image at the start of the continuous imaging, “3” is set for the image at the end of the continuous imaging, and "2" is written in the image, the flag value set in step S5 or S6 is written in the target image flag column 65, and necessary information is written in the other information column 66.

Step S8: (Continuous Imaging End Determination) The control unit 20 checks whether or not the continuous imaging has ended, and if not, returns to S4. In the case of continuous shooting, the end is determined by whether a predetermined time has elapsed. In the case of movie shooting, the determination is made by a continuous shooting end operation (for example, the shutter button 36 is fully pressed or the power switch is turned off). In the case of continuous shooting, a continuous imaging end operation (for example, full press of the shutter button 36) may be performed.

In the above flowchart, the process returns to S4 so that a plurality of target images can be specified. However, it is also possible to specify only one target image. In this case, the continuous imaging ends in the above flowchart. If not, the process may return to S7.

When a plurality of images of interest are specified, the flag value may be changed for each image of interest (for example, the image of interest is counted in step S5, and the count value is used as the flag value. The value can be changed for each image of interest).

In the above flowchart, step S
In step 6, the flag value = “0” is set in the target image flag column 65 of the image registration information list 60 for the continuous captured images other than the target image.
However, if the initial value of the target image flag column 65 of the image registration information list 60 is set to “0”, step S6 may be omitted.

In the above flowchart, the target image is specified by writing the target image flag on the image information registration list 60. However, the target image is specified by attaching a specific mark to the image during recording. You may do so.

[Example of target image specifying / recording operation at the time of imaging (2)] In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the target image is specified while successively captured images are sequentially recorded. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
As shown in FIG. 10, the captured image is cyclically stored in the DRAM 14, and when the target image is specified, the target image is coded, and the target image and a continuous captured image (for example, The image (for one second before and after the impact) may be taken out of the DRAM 14, JPEG-compressed, and stored and recorded. In this case, a plurality of image areas G1 to Gn are secured in the DRAM 14 so that a plurality of images can be stored.
When the number of captured images exceeds n, the process returns to G1 and the image is overwritten and stored (that is, stored cyclically).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the digital camera in a case where an operation of specifying the image of interest at the time of continuous imaging is included. The attention image specifying process at the time of continuous imaging is performed by the control unit 2 based on the attention image designating means (program).
Performed by 0.

Step S'1: (Determination of imaging mode) When the imaging mode is selected, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the imaging mode is continuous imaging such as continuous shooting mode or movie shooting mode. In the case of imaging, the process transits to S′2; otherwise, the process transits to a process in another imaging mode.

Step S'2: (Display of Imaging Time Setting Screen) The control section 20 sets the imaging time α and β before and after the target image is designated on the display section 40 as shown in FIG. A (selection) screen is displayed to prompt the user to make settings. Instead of setting the shooting time, a shooting number setting (selection) screen as shown in FIG. 11B may be displayed so that the shooting number can be selected. In addition, in FIG.
1.0 means that the photographing time before the designated time is 1.2 seconds and the photographing time after the designated time is 1.0 second.

Step S'3: (Setting of Imaging Time) When the user designates a menu displayed on the screen with a pointing device such as a cursor or a mouse in FIG. A photographing time α: β (β is a photographing time before the designated time, β is a photographing time after the designated time) is set (that is, the user can change the number of photographed images according to the operation speed of the subject). it can). Also, if "None" is specified in the displayed menu, the digital camera 1
The imaging time α ′: β ′ (for example, 1 second before and after each time) when the target image is designated is set to 00 as standard.

Step S'4: (Acquisition of image, start of live view display) Under the control of the control unit 20, the digital camera 100 sets a predetermined time interval (for example, 0.2 second interval) of the subject image in the field of view of the camera. ), The signal processing, and the display of the captured image on the display unit 40 is started.

Step S'5: (Determination of presence / absence of continuous imaging start instruction operation) The control unit 20 checks a status signal sent from the operation unit 30,
It is determined whether or not the shutter button 36 has been fully pressed. When the shutter button 36 is fully pressed, the process proceeds to S′6 assuming that a continuous imaging start instruction operation has been performed. If the shutter button 36 is not fully pressed, the process waits until the shutter button 36 is fully pressed.

Step S'6: (circular storage of images in DRAM) The captured images are sequentially stored in the image storage area Gi of the DARM 14.
(I = 1 to n).

Step S′7: (Determination of presence / absence of attention image specifying instruction operation) The control unit 20 checks a state signal sent from the operation unit 30,
It is determined whether or not the shutter button 36 has been half-pressed. If the shutter button 36 is half-pressed, the process shifts to S'8 assuming that the target image specifying instruction operation has been performed, and otherwise returns to S'6. It should be noted that when an attention image specifying instruction operation (for example, pressing down the button 37) is performed instead of the half-pressing of the shutter button 36, the process transits to S'8, and otherwise returns to S'6. Is also good.

Step S'8: (Determination of Area in Which Image to be Stored and Stored is Stored) When the target image specifying instruction operation is performed in step S'7, the control unit 20 sets the image in the image storage area of the DRAM 14 , The section from the start of the storage to the end of the storage is determined. That is, the image storage area Gd which is traced back from the image storage area Gj of the DRAM 14 by the number of shots (k1) at the imaging time α set in step S3 and the number of shots (k2) until the imaging time β elapses , And image storage areas Gd to Gj to store k1 + k2 + 1 image data including images stored in the image storage area Gd.
Determine Gm.

For example, the number of image storage areas is 30, and the imaging time is 1.2: 1.0 (that is, the first half imaging time α
= 1.2 seconds, second half imaging time 1.0 seconds), the imaging time interval = 0.2 seconds, and the image stored in the image storage area G10 is designated as the image of interest (shutter 36 half-pressed). Then, since the number of shots in the first 1.2 seconds from the designated time is k = 1.2 / 0.2 = 6, the number of shots is 1.2
The image storage area two seconds before can be obtained as G4 from 10−6 = 4. Since the number of shots from the designated time to 1.0 second is k = 1.0 / 0.2 = 5, the number of shots is 1.0
The image storage area after the second can be obtained as G15 from 10 + 5 = 15. Therefore, the image storage areas G4 to G15 of the DRAM 14 are image storage areas in which images to be stored and stored are stored (that is, areas in which images before and after the designated time are stored).

Step S'9: (Storing and Recording of Image) The control unit 20 controls the image storage areas Gd to Gj of the DRAM 14.
Gm, and sequentially retrieves the image data stored in Gm.
The EG compression process is performed and stored in the flash memory 50.

At this time, at the same time, the image number of the recorded image is entered in the image number column 61 of the image registration information list 60, and the code indicating continuous imaging is entered in the imaging mode column 62 (in the embodiment, "11" in the case of continuous shooting). "In the case of movie shooting," 12 "), the shooting date and time and the shooting time (hour / minute / second) in the shooting date / time column 63, and the shooting code (in this embodiment, continuous shooting start) in the shooting code column 64. "1" for the image at the time, "3" for the image at the end of the continuous imaging, and "2" for the continuously captured image at other times, and the image storage area Gd in the image-of-interest flag column 65. The flag value “0” is written for the k images including the selected image, and the flag value “1” is written for the image in the image storage area Gj (image of interest). Further, necessary information is written in the other information column 66. Also,
When the recording process of the image for the set imaging time is completed, the process transits to S′10.

Step S'10: (Continuous imaging end determination) The control section 20 checks whether or not the continuous imaging has been completed, and if not completed, returns to S'6. In the case of continuous shooting, the end is determined by whether a predetermined time has elapsed. In the case of movie shooting, the determination is made by a continuous shooting end operation (for example, the shutter button 36 is fully pressed or the power switch is turned off). In the case of continuous shooting, a continuous imaging end operation (for example, full press of the shutter button 36) may be performed.

In the above flowchart, the process returns to S'6 so that a plurality of target images can be specified. However, only one target image may be specified. If the processing has not been completed, the processing may return to S'9.

When a plurality of target images are specified, the flag value may be changed for each target image (for example, the target image is counted in step S'5, and the count value is used as the flag value. Thus, the flag value can be changed for each image of interest.)

In the above-mentioned flowchart, in step S ′ 6, the flag value is set in the target image flag column 65 of the image registration information list 60 for the continuously captured images other than the target image.
Although “0” is written, the image registration information list 60
If the initial value of the target image flag column 65 is set to “0”, step S′6 may be omitted.

In the above flowchart, the target image is specified by writing the target image flag in the image information registration list 60. However, the target image is specified by attaching a specific mark to the image during recording. You may do so.

In the above flowchart, the area where the image to be stored and recorded is obtained in step S'8 after obtaining the number of images from the set imaging time.
In the case where the number of images is set using the setting screen as shown in FIG. 1B, the area in which the image to be stored and recorded can be determined based on the set number of images.

Although the imaging time is variably set in steps S'2 and S'3, steps S'2 and S'3 are omitted and the imaging time is fixed (for example, the imaging time before and after = γ:
By setting δ), the coding process (= flag setting) may be omitted (if fixed, the preceding and succeeding photographing times become the same, so that the target images are also in the same order without recording the flag, and Can be displayed).

According to the above configuration, the desired operation moment can be specified during the continuous imaging, so that the contrast display can be performed based on the image (image of interest) during reproduction. In addition, when an image of interest and an image for a predetermined time before and after the image of interest are recorded, if the operation at the start of imaging is slow (for example, at the start of a golf swing), it takes time to reach the operation of interest. In some cases, it does not occur that the image of interest cannot be obtained after the lapse of the imaging time.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the digital camera when the noticed images of the two sets of recorded continuous images are displayed in a contrast manner. FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a contrast display of an image of interest. The image contrast display processing based on the target image is performed by the control unit 20 based on image contrast display means (program).

Step T1: (Determination of Playback Mode) When the playback mode is selected, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the playback mode is the playback of a continuous shot image such as the playback of a continuous shot image or the playback of a movie shot image. Is determined, and if the continuous captured image is to be reproduced, the process transits to T2; otherwise, the process transits to a process of reproducing another captured image.

Step T2: (Retrieval of Continuously Captured Images and Attention Images) The control unit 20 stores a continuously captured image such as a continuous shot image or a movie shot image using the shooting mode code as a key in the shooting mode column 62 of the image information registration list. A search is performed, and the image number of the image whose attention image flag is “1” is extracted from the searched consecutive captured images, and the process proceeds to T3. If there is no image in which the value of the noted image flag in the searched consecutively picked-up images is “1” (an image in which the noted image is not specified), the search for the continuously picked-up images is further repeated.

Step T3: (Retrieval and Reduction of Image of Interest) Based on the image number extracted in step T2, the control unit 20 reads out the image of interest from the flash memory 50, performs decompression processing, and performs thinning processing. The data is reduced to half the size and stored in the DRAM 14.

Step T4: (Target Image Contrast Display) The control unit 20 sends the 注目 size reduced target image reduced in the above step to the display unit 40, and arranges and displays it on the left side of the screen. In the first round of steps T2 to T5, the searched continuous captured images are one set.
As shown in (a), screen 1/2 (left screen in this example)
Displays a reduced attention image, and the screen 1/2 (the right screen in this example) is displayed blank, but from the second round of steps T2 to T5, attention is paid to the right screen as shown in FIG. The images are displayed in contrast (the example in FIG. 5A is an example in which the moment of impact by the golfer A is set as the image of interest, and FIG.
Is an example in which the moments of impact by golfers A and B are displayed in contrast.

In the contrast display, the image of interest displayed on the opposite side is displayed on the opposite side as either the left or right image of interest as a reference image of interest.
The replacement is sequentially performed as shown in FIG. In the embodiment, the target image on the left side is set as the reference target image (FIGS. 5A to 5C).
In the example, the instantaneous image of the impact of the golfer A is the reference image of interest.)

Step T5: (Confirmation of Image of Attention) Since only continuous captured images belonging to the same operation pattern are not recorded in the flash memory 50, there is a possibility that an operation pattern other than a desired operation pattern is displayed in contrast. (Eg, desired movement pattern = golf swing, movement pattern other than desired movement pattern = dancing choreography, tennis swing, etc.).

Therefore, the user can cancel an unnecessary attention image by pressing a notice image cancel button (eg, button 37). After displaying the target image, the control unit 20 checks the status signal from the operation unit 30. If the target image cancel button is pressed, the control unit 20 clears the image, returns to T2, and displays a new continuous captured image. Search for. Also,
T if there is no press of the attention image cancel button
Transition to 6.

Step T6: (Judgment of Presence or Absence of Interchange Operation of Control Target Image) In some cases, the target image used as the reference for the contrast display in step T4 is not suitable as the reference target image. In preparation for such a case, the user designates one of the guidance displays "reference image <OK><NO>" in the top column of the screen by operating the cursor movement button or clicking the mouse. When the reference image <NO> is specified, the control unit 20 returns to T2 and searches for a new continuous captured image. When the target image is displayed on the right side of the screen, the target image is moved to the left side of the screen as a reference image as shown in FIG. 5D, the right side is cleared, and the process returns to T2. When the target image is displayed on the right side of the screen and the reference image <OK> is specified for the target image displayed on the left side of the screen, the display shifts to the scroll display of T7. Even if the reference image <OK> is specified for the image of interest displayed on the left side of the screen, if the image of interest is not displayed in contrast on the right side, the process returns to T2. It should be noted that, instead of designating any one of “reference image <OK><NO>” by operating the cursor movement button or clicking the mouse, only when “NO” is the shutter button 3
6 may be half-pressed or full-pressed. If there is no half-press or full-press of the shutter button 36, it is regarded as "OK" and the process proceeds to T7 (note that "O
The half-press or full-press of the shutter button 36 may be performed only in the case of "K").

Step T7: (Determination of Scroll Display) When the target image is displayed in contrast at T6, the user can select "simultaneous" or "simultaneous" in the scroll guide display at the top of the screen as shown in FIG. Specify "Left" or "Right" by moving the cursor or clicking the mouse.
Simultaneous scrolling of two images or scrolling of only the left or right screen can be performed.

The control unit 20 transitions to T8 when "simultaneous" of the scroll guidance display is designated, transitions to T9 when "right" is designated, and transitions to T10 when "left" is designated. If the scroll guidance display is not specified (for example, when the shutter button is operated), the process transits to T12 as no scrolling.

Step T8: (Simultaneous Scroll Display) After "simultaneous" of the scroll guide display is specified, the control unit 20 receives an instruction to scroll forward by operating the front / rear scroll button or the like, and the two displayed images are displayed. The previous (past) image is traced back by the predetermined time (or a predetermined number of frames) in order, taken out of the flash memory 50, expanded, reduced to half, stored in the DRAM 14, and displayed. When a backward scroll instruction is given, two images following the two displayed images are sequentially taken out of the flash memory 50 for a predetermined time (or a predetermined number of frames) and subjected to decompression processing.
The image is reduced to 2 and stored in the DRAM 14 for image display.
FIG. 5E shows an example of simultaneous forward scrolling.
(E ') is an example of simultaneous backward scrolling.

As shown in FIG. 12, the display may be scrolled in the forward (reverse) direction from the first image to the last image. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12D, the first (last) image may be the earliest (back) image (FIG. 12A) that can be simultaneously displayed, or FIG. , (A ') ~
As shown in (d '), the display may be started from the longer image (in the example of the figure, the start image of golfer C (FIG. 12 (a)), and may be displayed simultaneously from the middle (FIG. 12 (a)).

In the examples of FIGS. 12A to 12D, the golfer A swings faster, so that the impact (FIG.
This is an example of simultaneous display from FIG. 12 (a) where the operation is easy to compare because it is meaningless to compare and contrast if it goes too far back from (c)). FIG. 12 (α), (a ′) to (d ′)
In the example of (1), the number of shots of the golfer A> the number of shots of the golfer C, and when going back from the impact (FIG. 12C), the shooting frame of the golfer C disappears, but the start image of the golfer A (FIG. α)), the start image of golfer A is displayed, forward scrolling is continued, and an image whose operation is easy to compare from the time when the image of golfer C is displayed halfway is selected, and FIG. ) Are displayed simultaneously.

The simultaneous scroll display may be automatically performed by operating the front and rear scroll buttons or the like. However, if the scroll speed is too fast, the user cannot perform the contrast observation for each frame. For convenience of contrast observation, one frame is scrolled for each operation of the front and rear scroll buttons and the like. When the user ends the simultaneous scrolling display by operating the scroll end button or the like, the process proceeds to T11.

Step T9: (Right Scroll Display) After the "right" of the scroll guide display is specified, if there is a forward scroll instruction by operating the forward / backward scroll button or the like, the control unit 20 displays the image displayed on the right side. The previous (past) image is sequentially traced back by a predetermined time (or a predetermined number of frames), taken out of the flash memory 50, expanded, reduced by half, stored in the DRAM 14, and displayed. When a backward scroll instruction is given, images subsequent to the image displayed on the right screen are sequentially taken out from the flash memory 50 for a predetermined time (or a predetermined number of frames), expanded, and reduced to 1/2. DRAM 14
And display the image. FIG. 5F shows an example of scrolling right screen forward, and FIG. 5E shows an example of scrolling right screen backward.

The right scroll display may be automatically performed by operating the front and rear scroll buttons as in the case of the simultaneous scroll display. However, if the scroll speed is too fast, the user cannot perform contrast observation for each frame. In the example, for convenience of the user's contrast observation for each frame, the user scrolls one frame at a time for each operation of the forward / backward scroll button or the like. When the user ends the scroll display on the right screen by operating the scroll end button or the like, the process transits to T11.

Step T10: (Left Scroll Display) After "Left" of the scroll guide display is specified, if there is a forward scroll instruction by operating the forward / backward scroll button or the like, the controller 20 displays the image displayed on the left side of the screen. The image before (past) is sequentially traced back by a predetermined time (or a predetermined number of frames), taken out from the flash memory 50, expanded, reduced to half, stored in the DRAM 14, and displayed. When a backward scroll instruction is given, images following the image displayed on the left side of the screen are sequentially taken out of the flash memory 50 for a predetermined time (or a predetermined number of frames), expanded, and reduced to 1/2. DRAM
14 and display the image.

The left scroll display may be automatically performed by operating the forward / backward scroll button as in the case of the simultaneous scroll display. However, if the scroll speed is too fast, the user cannot perform contrast observation for each frame. In the example, for convenience of the user's contrast observation for each frame, the user scrolls one frame at a time for each operation of the forward / backward scroll button or the like. When the user ends the scroll display on the left screen by operating the scroll end button or the like, the process transits to T11.

Step T11: (Determine scroll display end) When the user further presses the scroll end button,
The control unit 20 terminates the scroll display, and displays the screen and D
The image stored in the RAM 14 is cleared, a selection screen (not shown) for continuing or ending the contrast display of the continuous captured images is displayed on the screen, and the process transits to T12. If the second scroll button is not pressed after a predetermined time (20 seconds in the embodiment) has elapsed after the last scroll, the process returns to T7.

Step T12: (Determination of contrast display end) When the continuation of the contrast display of the continuous captured images is selected on the selection screen displayed in the above-described step T11, the process returns to T2, and when the termination of the contrast display is selected, the contrast is displayed. The display processing ends.

In the above-described flowchart, two continuous captured images are displayed on the left and right sides of the screen with reference to the image of interest. However, two continuous captured images are alternately displayed on one screen with reference to the image of interest. May also be
Two consecutive captured images may be superimposed (combined) on one screen with reference to the image of interest. For example,
In step T8 of the above-described flowchart, two continuous captured images may be alternately displayed or superimposed on one screen with reference to the target image.

In the above-described flowchart, an example is shown in which two consecutive captured images are displayed in contrast, but the number of consecutive captured images displayed in contrast is not limited to two. That is, n (n ≧ 2) images may be displayed in contrast. In this case, the reduction ratio in step T3 is set to 1 / n, in step T4, the target image is displayed in contrast in a multi-image display in which n images are displayed on one screen, and a specific position (for example, The image at the upper left corner) is set as the reference image of interest, and in step T7 and subsequent steps, scrolling of the image at the specified position is performed instead of scrolling the left and right screens, so that a contrast display of n images can be performed.

According to the above configuration, the target image can be displayed in a contrasting manner, and then the images before and after can be displayed and compared.
As in the conventional case, there is no case where the frame of the image in which the attention operation is captured is shifted and comparison cannot be performed. In addition, since the images before and after the image of interest can be displayed in contrast, detailed observation or analysis of the operation becomes possible.

In the above description, an example in which the image of interest of the continuous image is displayed in contrast on the display unit of the digital camera has been described. However, the method of displaying the image of interest in the image of continuous image according to the present invention is applied to an imaging device such as a digital camera. The present invention is not limited to the application to an image display device, and can be applied to an image display device capable of reproducing a recorded continuous captured image.

<Embodiment 2> In this embodiment, by selecting / designating an image of interest from continuous images recorded in a recording memory and performing marking or the like, a frame (image of interest) in which an operation of interest appears This is an example in which continuous reproduction centering on ()) is performed, and an example in which two sets of continuous captured images in which a target image is specified is displayed in association with each other.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the digital camera in the case where a continuously picked-up image is reproduced and a target image is specified. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reproduced continuously shot image. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an example of designating a target image from the inside. The process of designating the image of interest from the reproduced continuous shot images is performed by the control unit 20 based on the image of interest image designating means (program) after imaging.

Step U1: (Determination of Playback Mode) When the playback mode is selected, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the playback mode is the playback of a continuously shot image such as the playback of a continuous shot image or the playback of a movie shot image. Is determined, and if the continuous captured image is to be reproduced, the process transits to U2; otherwise, the process transits to a process of reproducing another captured image.

Step U2: (Reading and Temporary Storage of Image Information Registration List) The control unit 20 reads out the image information registration list 60 recorded in the flash memory 50 in order to improve the reading / writing speed in this processing. It is temporarily stored in the DRAM 14.

Step U3: (Retrieval of Continuously Captured Images) The controller 20 sets the imaging mode column 6 of the image information registration list 60
2 is used to search for a continuous shot image or a continuous shot image such as a movie shot image using the shooting mode code as a key, and if there is a continuous shot image, the process transits to U4.

Step U4: (Continuously-captured image reproduction / operation pattern classification superimposed display) The control unit 20 reads out image data from the flash memory 50 based on the image numbers of the retrieved continuously-captured images, and performs expansion processing for each screen. One of the decompressed image data is sent to the display unit 40 and displayed on the screen. At this time, it is desirable that the classification of the operation pattern is superimposed and displayed by an icon or the like.

The image data is read out from the flash memory 50 on the basis of the image numbers of the searched consecutively picked-up images, and the image data is sequentially expanded one screen at a time. You may make it display on a screen. At this time, the classification of the operation pattern may be superimposed and displayed by an icon or the like.

Step U5: (Determination of presence / absence of classification designation operation and exclusion of non-target images) When the classification of the motion pattern is displayed so as to be superimposed on the continuous captured images, the control unit 20 allows the user to operate the cursor button or mouse. When the user designates an operation pattern classification (including other classifications or no classification) by clicking on, transition to U6 is made. Further, when the classification designation operation designation is not performed even after the lapse of a predetermined time, and when the non-target image exclusion specification is performed, the continuous capture image is skipped as a continuous capture image that is not a target of this processing and a new one is skipped. The process returns to U3 to search for a continuous imaged image.

Step U6: (Determination of presence / absence of attention image specifying instruction operation) The control unit 20 checks a state signal sent from the operation unit 30,
It is determined whether or not the shutter button 36 has been half-pressed. When the shutter button 36 is half-pressed, it is determined that the noted image specifying instruction operation has been performed, and the process transits to U7.
If not, transition is made to U8. It should be noted that when the noted image specifying instruction operation (for example, pressing down the button 37) is performed instead of pressing the shutter button 36 halfway, U7
, And if not, a transition to U8 may be made.

Step U7: (Write attention image flag (with attention image specification instruction)) When the attention image specification instruction operation is performed in step U6, the control unit 20 turns on the attention image specification flag (flag value = The state transits to U9 as 1).

Step U8: (Write attention image flag (no attention image identification instruction)) If the attention image identification instruction operation is not performed in step U6, the control unit 20 turns off the attention image identification flag (flag value = 0) and transit to U9.

Step U9: (Partial Update of Image Registration List) The control unit 20 writes the flag value set in step U7 or U8 into the target image flag column 65 of the image information registration list 60.

Step U10: (Image end determination) The control unit 20 checks whether or not the continuous image has been completed, and if not, returns to U4 to display the next image in the continuous image, etc. Perform The determination of the end is made based on whether or not the value of the imaging code column 64 of the image information registration list 60 is a continuous imaging end code (“3” in the embodiment).

Step U11: (Continuous Captured Image End Determination) The control section 20 checks whether or not the processing of all the sets of the continuous captured images stored in the flash memory 50 has been completed.
If the processing has been completed, the process proceeds to U12. If the processing has not been completed, the process returns to U3 to search for a new continuous captured image.

Step U12: (Updating the image information registration list on the flash memory) When the processing of all the sets of the continuous captured images is completed, the DRAM
The image information registration list 60 recorded in the memory 14 is written in the image information registration list storage area of the flash memory 50 (the previous image information registration list is updated by this).

In the above flowchart, a plurality of target images can be specified. However, only one target image can be specified. In this case, after setting the attention flag to "1" in step U7, the shutter half-press operation in step U6 may be locked (however, the lock is released in U3).

Further, in the above flowchart, step U
8, the flag value = “0” is set in the target image flag column 65 of the image registration information list 60 for the continuous captured images other than the target image.
However, if the initial value of the target image flag column 65 of the image registration information list 60 is set to “0”, the U8
May be omitted.

In the above flowchart, the target image is specified by writing the target image flag on the image information registration list. However, the target image is specified by adding a specific mark to the image at the time of recording. It may be.

According to the above configuration, the target image can be selected and set from the consecutively picked-up images after recording. Therefore, even for a continuously picked-up image in which the target image has not been set at the time of image pickup, the target image can be set and a contrast display can be performed. In addition, it is possible to newly set an image of interest, cancel the setting of the image of interest, or update the image of the continuous image in which the image of interest is set at the time of imaging.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the display section 40.
Is a pre-impact image in the golf swing image displayed in FIG. 5, and when this image is displayed, the shutter button 36 is not half-pressed.
Is set. (C) is an image at the moment of impact, and since the shutter button 36 is half-pressed when this image is displayed, 1 is set in the image flag of interest. (D) is an image after impact. When this image is displayed, the shutter 36 has already been half-pressed, so the shutter 36 is not half-pressed and 0 is set in the image flag of interest.

<Embodiment 3> This embodiment is an example in which a recorded target image is reproduced and displayed at the time of continuous imaging, and a target image is designated while being displayed in contrast to a through image. FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the camera, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a target image and a through image displayed during continuous imaging. The attention image specifying process at the time of continuous imaging is performed by the control unit 20 based on the attention image designation means (program).

[Example of attention image specifying / recording operation at the time of imaging (3)] Step V1: (Determination of imaging mode) When the imaging mode is selected, the control unit 20 sets the imaging mode to the continuous shooting mode or the movie shooting mode. It is determined whether or not continuous imaging is performed, and in the case of continuous imaging, the state transits to V2,
If not, the process proceeds to another image capturing mode.

Step V2: (Retrieval of Continuously Captured Image and Attention Image)
2 is used to search for a continuous shot image such as a continuous shot image or a movie shot image using the shooting mode code as a key, and extracts the image number of the image whose attention image flag value is “1” from the searched continuous shot images. Transition to V3. If there is no image in which the value of the noticed image flag in the searched consecutively picked-up images is “1” (an image in which the noticed image is not specified), the search for the successively picked-up images is further repeated.

Step V3: (Retrieval and Reduction of Image of Interest) Based on the image number extracted in step V2, the control unit 20 reads out the image of interest from the flash memory 50, performs decompression processing, and performs thinning processing. The data is reduced to half the size and stored in the DRAM 14.

Step V4: (Target Image Display) The control unit 20 sends the サ イ ズ -size reduced target image reduced in the above step to the display unit 40, and as shown in FIG. May be displayed).

Step V5: (Confirmation of attention image) Since not only continuous captured images belonging to the same operation pattern are recorded in the flash memory 50, an operation pattern other than a desired operation pattern may be displayed in contrast. (Eg, desired movement pattern = golf swing, movement pattern other than desired movement pattern = dancing choreography, tennis swing, etc.). In addition, there are some operation patterns that are not useful for imaging even if they have a desired operation pattern.

Therefore, the user can press an attention image cancel button (eg, button 37) to cancel an unnecessary attention image. After displaying the target image, the control unit 20 checks the status signal from the operation unit 30, and if the target image cancel button is pressed down, clears the image, returns to V2, and displays a new continuous captured image. Search for. Also,
V if no attention image cancel button is pressed
Transition to 6.

Step V6: (Acquisition of image, display of through image, etc.) Under the control of the control unit 20, the digital camera 100 moves the subject image within a field of view of the camera at a predetermined time interval (for example, 0.2 second interval). Capture, signal processing, storage in DRAM 14,
Then, the display of a through image on the display unit 40 is started. In this case, the through image displayed on the display unit 40 is 1 /
The image is reduced to two sizes, and displayed on the right half of the display screen in contrast to the target image as shown in FIG. 9B.

Step V7: (Determination of presence / absence of continuous imaging start instruction operation) The control unit 20 checks a state signal sent from the operation unit 30,
It is determined whether or not the shutter button 36 has been fully pressed. When the shutter button 36 is fully pressed, it is determined that a continuous imaging start instruction operation has been performed, and the flow shifts to V8.
If the shutter button 36 is not fully pressed, the process waits until the shutter button 36 is fully pressed.

Step V8: (Determination of presence / absence of attention image specifying instruction operation) The user compares the attention image (sample image of the attention action) displayed on the display screen with the through image, and refers to FIG. When the through image performs an operation similar to the operation of the target image as shown in c), the shutter button 36 is half-pressed. The control unit 20 checks the status signal sent from the operation unit 30 and determines whether or not the shutter button 36 has been half-pressed. If the shutter button 36 is half-pressed, the flow shifts to V9 on the assumption that the target image specifying instruction operation has been performed; otherwise, the flow shifts to V10. It should be noted that when an attention image specifying instruction operation (for example, pressing down the button 37) is performed instead of half-pressing the shutter button 36, the processing transits to V9.
The transition to 10 may be made.

Step V9: (In the case where there is a noticeable image specification instruction) When the noticeable image specification instruction operation is performed in step V8, the control unit 20 turns on the noticeable image specification flag (flag value = 1) and sets V11. Transitions to.

Step V10: (In the case where there is no target image specifying instruction) If the target image specifying instruction operation is not performed in step V8, the control unit 20 turns off the target image specifying flag (flag value = 0). Transition to V11.

Step V11: (Image Recording Process) The control unit 20 takes out the image data temporarily stored in the DRAM 14, compresses it by JPEG, and
Store and record at 0. At the same time, the image number of the recorded image is recorded in the image number column 61 of the image information registration list 60, and the code indicating continuous imaging is recorded in the imaging mode column 62 (in the embodiment, "11" is used for continuous shooting). In the case of shooting, “12”) is set in the shooting date and time column 63, and the shooting date and time (hour / minute / second) are set in the shooting date / time column 63. Contains "1",
“3” for the image at the end of the continuous imaging, “2” for the continuously captured images at other times, the flag value set in step V9 or V6 in the target image flag column 65, and the other information columns In 66, necessary information is written.

Step V12: (Continuous imaging end determination) The control section 20 checks whether or not the continuous imaging has ended, and if not, returns to V8. In the case of continuous shooting, the end is determined by whether a predetermined time has elapsed. In the case of movie shooting, the determination is made by a continuous shooting end operation (for example, the shutter button 36 is fully pressed or the power switch is turned off). In the case of continuous shooting, a continuous imaging end operation (for example, full press of the shutter button 36) may be performed.

In the above flowchart, the process returns to V8 so that a plurality of target images can be specified. However, it is also possible to specify only one target image. In this case, the continuous imaging ends in the above flowchart. If not, the process may return to V11.

When specifying a plurality of target images,
The flag value may be changed for each target image (for example, the flag value can be changed for each target image by counting the target images in step V9 and using the count value as the flag value).

In the above flowchart, step V
In 10, the flag value =
Although “0” is written, the image registration information list 60
If the initial value of the target image flag field 65 is set to “0”, step V10 may be omitted.

In the above flowchart, the target image is specified by writing the target image flag in the image information registration list. However, the target image is specified by adding a specific mark to the image at the time of recording. It may be.

In the above-described flowchart, the target image is specified while the consecutively picked-up images are sequentially recorded. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The captured image is cyclically stored in the DRAM 14, and when the target image is specified, the code is added to the target image. At the same time, the image of interest and a continuous image (for example, an image for one second before and after impact) taken at a predetermined time before and after the image of interest may be taken out of the DRAM 14, JPEG-compressed, and stored and recorded.

[Example of target image specifying / recording operation at the time of image pickup (4)] In the flowchart of FIG. 8, the target image is specified while successively picked-up images are sequentially recorded.
As shown in FIG. 13, the captured image is stored in the DRAM 14 in a circulating manner, and when the image of interest is specified, the image is coded to the image of interest, and the image of interest and a continuously captured image (for example, An image (1 second before and after the impact) may be taken out of the DRAM 14, JPEG-compressed, and stored and recorded. In this case, a plurality of image areas G1 to Gn are secured in the DRAM 14 so that a plurality of images can be stored. The images are sequentially stored in G1 to Gn, and the number of captured images exceeds n. , And the image is overwritten and stored (that is, stored cyclically).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the digital camera in the case where the operation of specifying the image of interest at the time of continuous imaging is included. The attention image specifying process at the time of continuous imaging is performed by the control unit 2 based on the attention image designating means (program).
Performed by 0.

Step V'1: (Determination of imaging mode) When the imaging mode is selected, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the imaging mode is continuous imaging such as continuous shooting mode or movie shooting mode. In the case of imaging, the processing transits to V′2. Otherwise, the processing transits to processing of another imaging mode.

Step V'2: (Display of the imaging time setting screen) The control unit 20 sets the imaging time α and β before and after the target image is designated on the display unit 40 as shown in FIG. A (selection) screen is displayed to prompt the user to make settings. Instead of setting the shooting time, a shooting number setting (selection) screen as shown in FIG. 11B may be displayed so that the shooting number can be selected.

Step V′3: (Setting of Imaging Time) When the user designates a menu displayed on the screen with a pointing device such as a cursor or a mouse in FIG. The photographing time α: β (β is the photographing time before the designated time, β is the photographing time after the designated time) is set at the image designated time. When “not specified” is designated in the displayed menu, the imaging time α ′: β ′ (for example, 1 second before and after each second) when the target image is designated, which is standardly set in the digital camera 100, is set.

Step V′4: (Search for Continuously Captured Image and Attention Image) The control unit 20 sets the image capture mode column 6 in the image information registration list 60.
2 is used to search for a continuous shot image such as a continuous shot image or a movie shot image using the shooting mode code as a key, and extracts the image number of the image whose attention image flag value is “1” from the searched continuous shot images. The state transits to V′4. If there is no image in which the value of the noticed image flag in the searched consecutively picked-up images is “1” (an image in which the noticed image is not specified), the search for the successively picked-up images is further repeated.

Step V'5: (Retrieval and Reduction of Image of Interest) Based on the image number extracted in step V'4, the control unit 20 reads the image of interest from the flash memory 50 and expands the image. The data is thinned out, reduced to half the size, and stored in the DRAM 14.

Step V'6: (Display of attention image) The control unit 20 sends the 注目 size reduced attention image subjected to the reduction processing in the above step to the display unit 40, and as shown in FIG. (It may be on the right side) and displayed.

Step V'7: (Confirmation of Image of Interest) Since not only the continuous imaged images belonging to the same operation pattern are recorded in the flash memory 50, operation patterns other than the desired operation pattern are displayed in contrast. there is a possibility. In addition, there are some operation patterns that are not useful for imaging even if they have a desired operation pattern.

Therefore, the user can press an attention image cancel button (eg, button 37) to cancel an unnecessary attention image. After displaying the target image, the control unit 20 checks the status signal from the operation unit 30, and if the target image cancel button is depressed, clears the image and returns to V′4 to perform new continuous imaging. Search for images. If the target image cancel button is not depressed, the flow goes to V'8.

Step V'8: (Acquisition of image, start of live view display) Under the control of the control unit 20, the digital camera 100 compares the subject image within the field of view of the camera with a predetermined time interval (for example, 0.2
At a time interval (in seconds), signal processing and through image display of the captured image on the display unit 40 are started.

Step V'9: (Judgment of presence / absence of continuous imaging start instruction operation) The control unit 20 checks a state signal sent from the operation unit 30,
It is determined whether or not the shutter button 36 has been fully pressed. When the shutter button 36 is fully pressed, the process shifts to V′6 assuming that a continuous imaging start instruction operation has been performed. If the shutter button 36 is not fully pressed, the process waits until the shutter button 36 is fully pressed.

Step V'10: (circular storage of image in DRAM) The captured images are sequentially stored in the image storage area Gi of the DARM 14.
(I = 1 to n).

Step V′11: (Determination of presence / absence of attention image specifying instruction operation) The control unit 20 checks a state signal sent from the operation unit 30 and
It is determined whether or not the shutter button 36 has been half-pressed. If the shutter button 36 is half-pressed, the flow shifts to V′12 assuming that the target image specifying instruction operation has been performed, and otherwise returns to V′10. It should be noted that when an attention image specifying instruction operation (for example, pressing down the button 37) is performed instead of half-pressing the shutter button 36, the state transits to V′12, and otherwise returns to V′10. Is also good.

Step V′12: (Determination of Area in Which Image to be Stored and Stored is Stored) When the target image specifying instruction operation is performed in step V′11, the control unit 20 sets the image in the image storage area of the DRAM 14 , The section from the start of the storage to the end of the storage. That is, the image storage area Gd which is traced back from the image storage area Gj of the DRAM 14 by the number of shots (k1) at the imaging time α set in step V′3 and the number of shots (k2 sheets) until the imaging time β elapses Image storage areas Gd to Gj to G in which k + k ′ + 1 image data including the images stored in the image storage area Gd are stored.
Determine m.

For example, if the number of image storage areas is 30, and the imaging time is 1.2: 1.0 (that is, the first half imaging time α
= 1.2 seconds, second half imaging time 1.0 seconds), the imaging time interval = 0.2 seconds, and the image stored in the image storage area G10 is designated as the image of interest (shutter 36 half-pressed). Then, since the number of shots in the first 1.2 seconds from the designated time is k = 1.2 / 0.2 = 6, the number of shots is 1.2
The image storage area two seconds before can be obtained as G4 from 10−6 = 4. Since the number of shots from the designated time to 1.0 second is k = 1.0 / 0.2 = 5, the number of shots is 1.0
The image storage area after the second can be obtained as G15 from 10 + 5 = 15. Therefore, the image storage areas G4 to G15 of the DRAM 14 are image storage areas in which images to be stored and stored are stored (that is, areas in which images before and after the designated time are stored).

Step V'13: (Saving and Recording of Image) The control unit 20 sets the image storage areas Gd to Gj to
Gm, and sequentially retrieves the image data stored in Gm.
The EG compression process is performed and stored in the flash memory 50.

At the same time, the image number of the recorded image is entered in the image number column 61 of the image registration information list 60, and the code indicating continuous imaging is entered in the imaging mode column 62 (in the embodiment, "11""In the case of movie shooting," 12 "), the shooting date and time and the shooting time (hour / minute / second) in the shooting date / time column 63, and the shooting code (in this embodiment, continuous shooting start) in the shooting code column 64. "1" for the image at the time, "3" for the image at the end of the continuous imaging, and "2" for the continuously captured image at other times, and the image storage area Gd in the image-of-interest flag column 65. The flag value “0” is written for the k images including the selected image, and the flag value “1” is written for the image in the image storage area Gj (image of interest). Further, necessary information is written in the other information column 66. Also,
When the image recording processing for the set imaging time is completed, the flow goes to V′14.

Step V'14: (Continuous imaging end determination) The control unit 20 checks whether or not the continuous imaging has ended, and if not, returns to V'10. In the case of continuous shooting, the end is determined by whether a predetermined time has elapsed.
In the case of movie shooting, the determination is made by a continuous shooting end operation (for example, the shutter button 36 is fully pressed or the power switch is turned off). In the case of continuous shooting, a continuous imaging end operation (for example, full press of the shutter button 36) may be performed.

In the above flowchart, the process returns to V'10 so that a plurality of target images can be specified. However, only one target image may be specified. In this case, continuous imaging is performed in the above flowchart. If the processing has not been completed, the processing may return to V'13.

When a plurality of target images are specified, the flag value may be changed for each target image (for example, the target image is counted in step V'9, and the count value is used as the flag value. Thus, the flag value can be changed for each image of interest.)

In the above flowchart, in step V′10, a flag value = “0” is set in the target image flag column 65 of the image registration information list 60 for the continuously captured images other than the target image.
Although “0” is written, the image registration information list 60
If the initial value of the target image flag field 65 is set to “0”, step V′10 may be omitted.

In the above flowchart, the target image is specified by writing the target image flag on the image information registration list 60. However, the target image is specified by attaching a specific mark to the image during recording. You may do so.

In the above flowchart, the area where the image to be stored and recorded is obtained in step V'12 after obtaining the number of shots from the set shooting time, but the setting screen as shown in FIG. Is used to set the number of shots, an area in which an image to be stored and stored is stored can be determined based on the set number of shots.

Although the imaging time is variably set in the above steps V′2 and V′3, steps V′2 and V′3 are omitted and the imaging time is fixed (for example, before and after imaging time =
γ: δ), the coding process (= flag setting) may be omitted (because if fixed, the photographing time before and after becomes the same, the target images also have the same order without recording the flag). And can be displayed in contrast).

According to the above configuration, the desired moment of the operation can be specified during the continuous image pickup, so that the target display can be performed on the basis of the image (image of interest) during reproduction. In addition, when an image of interest and an image for a predetermined time before and after the image of interest are recorded, if the operation at the start of imaging is slow (for example, at the start of a golf swing), it takes time to reach the operation of interest. In some cases, it does not occur that the image of interest cannot be obtained after the lapse of the imaging time.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.

[0166]

As described above, according to the imaging apparatus of the first invention and the continuous imaging method of the tenth invention, a desired image among a plurality of images obtained by continuous imaging is designated (for example,
Since images are specified by giving identification information such as marks and flags) and stored and recorded, it is possible to easily compare and display the operations of continuous captured images having similar operation patterns during reproduction.

The imaging apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention is the same as the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a desired image during continuous imaging can be designated by a key operation (for example, pressing or pressing a shutter button). It is also easy to specify a fast image such as in a tennis service.

The imaging apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, in which an image stored in an image storage means such as a flash memory is reproduced, and the reproduced image is used as a model for another continuous imaging. Since you can specify an image,
A necessary operation part can be designated while comparing an operation such as a subject operation (for example, an operation of a certain mechanism) or the like which is difficult to intuitively grasp with a model.

The imaging apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect.
In the imaging apparatus according to any one of the third to third aspects, means for simultaneously reproducing a plurality of images in the continuous captured images one by one at the time of reproducing the continuous captured images, and setting the images designated at the time of the reproduction at the same timing Therefore, the designated images can be displayed in a contrasting manner easily and reliably.

The imaging device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the imaging device according to the second aspect of the invention, in which a desired designated image and a through image are selected from images stored in image storage means such as a flash memory. Since the image can be displayed, a desired image in the through image can be designated as the designated image. This makes it easier to specify an image during continuous imaging.

Further, the image reproducing apparatus of the sixth invention and the contrast display method of the continuously picked-up images of the eleventh invention reproduce a desired image from a set of continuously picked-up recorded images, and Since the contrast display can be performed, it is possible to easily perform the contrast display and compare the operations of the continuous captured images having the same operation pattern.

The image reproducing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the invention displays continuously captured images and can specify an image of a desired operation from the continuous captured images as a designated image. Even if there is no such image, it is possible to make a comparison with a target image in a continuous captured image having a similar operation pattern from the next reproduction. In addition, the identifier of the image of interest once associated is released, updated,
Since it can be added, as a result of specifying quickly in imaging,
Even in the case where the frame is shifted from the desired image, the specified rework can be easily performed after shooting.

In the continuous imaging method according to the eighth and twelfth inventions, when an imaging instruction is issued, a predetermined number of images before and after the imaging instruction are taken, so that the operation at the start of imaging is slow (for example, golf At the start of the swing), it takes too much time to reach the attention operation, and in some cases, the imaging time has elapsed and the attention image cannot be obtained. Also, at the time of reproduction, the images before and after the designated image can be reproduced and displayed in a contrasting manner, so that the operations before and after the specific operation can be compared and observed and analyzed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a circuit configuration of a digital camera to which a continuous imaging method and a method of displaying a continuous captured image according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of an image information registration list.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the digital camera in a case where an operation of specifying an image of interest during continuous imaging is included.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the digital camera in a case where noticed images of two recorded continuous captured images are displayed in a contrastable manner.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a contrast display of an image of interest of a series of captured images.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the digital camera when a continuous captured image is reproduced and a target image is designated.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which a target image is designated from among reproduced continuous shot images.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the digital camera in the case of specifying a target image while reproducing and displaying a recorded target image and displaying it in contrast to a through image during continuous imaging.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a target image and a through image displayed during continuous imaging.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the digital camera in a case where an operation of specifying an image of interest during continuous imaging is included.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a shooting time setting (selection) screen.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of simultaneous scrolling of images to be displayed in contrast.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the digital camera in a case where an operation of specifying an image of interest during continuous imaging is included.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a difference in operation speed between subjects (individuals).

FIG. 15 is a comparative display example of images captured by continuous shooting.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 11 optical system (continuous imaging unit) 12 signal conversion unit (continuous imaging unit) 13 signal processing unit (continuous imaging unit) 20 control unit (first reproduction control unit, second reproduction control unit) 36 shutter button (imaging instruction) Means) 40 Display unit (display means) 50 Flash memory (image storage means, memory) 60 Image information registration list (image designation means) 100 Digital camera (imaging device, image reproduction device)

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AB64 AB68 AC03 AC13 AC80 5C052 AA01 AA17 AB05 AC02 AC08 CC11 DD08 5C053 FA01 FA06 FA08 GA10 GB08 GB36 HA03 HA23 HA29 HA33 JA22 KA04 LA01 LA06

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A continuous imaging means for continuously imaging a subject, an image storage means for storing a plurality of images obtained by continuous imaging by the continuous imaging means as a set of image data, and a continuous imaging by the continuous imaging means Image designating means for designating a desired image among a plurality of images obtained by the above-described method, and a plurality of images constituting each set of image data stored in the image storage means are sequentially reproduced one by one simultaneously. In this case, an image pickup apparatus characterized in that images designated by the image designation means can be reproduced at the same timing. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image designating means designates a desired image by performing a predetermined key operation during continuous image capturing by said continuous image capturing means. 3. The image designating means displays an image stored in the image storage means on a display means, and designates a desired image based on the image displayed on the display means. The imaging device according to claim 1. 4. A first reproduction control means for simultaneously and sequentially reproducing a plurality of images constituting each set of image data stored in said image storage means one by one, and said first reproduction control means comprises: 4. A second reproduction control means for reproducing the images designated by the image designation means at the same timing when the images are sequentially reproduced one by one simultaneously. The imaging device according to claim 1. 5. A display unit for displaying both a subject image and the desired image already designated by the image designation unit and stored in the image storage unit during standby for continuous imaging. Item 3. The imaging device according to Item 2. 6. An image storage means for storing a plurality of continuous images including a designated image as set image data, and a plurality of images constituting each set image data stored in said image storage means, one image at a time. First playback control means for sequentially and simultaneously playing back the plurality of images, and second playback control for playing back the designated images at the same timing when the first playback control means simultaneously and sequentially plays back the plurality of images one by one. And an image reproducing apparatus. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the designated image is a desired image designated on the basis of an image displayed on the display means, the image stored in the image storage means being displayed on a display means. 7. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: 8. An image capturing instruction means for instructing image capturing, an image capturing means for capturing a predetermined number of images before and after the image capturing instruction when the image capturing instruction is issued, and an image obtained by the image capturing means. Image storage means for storing a plurality of images as a set of image data, and a first reproduction control for simultaneously and sequentially reproducing a plurality of images constituting each set of image data stored in the image storage means, one image at a time. An imaging apparatus comprising: 9. A change setting means for changing and setting the number of images taken before and after an imaging instruction to be taken by the imaging means, and a captured image at a time when imaging is instructed by the imaging instruction means as a designated image in the image storage means. When the first reproduction control means sequentially reproduces the plurality of image data one image at a time sequentially, the first and second reproduction control means reproduce the images stored as designated images by the storage control means at the same timing. 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a second reproduction control unit for causing the reproduction to be performed. 10. A subject is continuously imaged, a desired image among a plurality of images obtained by the continuous imaging is designated, and the plurality of images are stored as a set of image data in a plurality of memories. When a plurality of images constituting each set of image data stored in the memory are simultaneously and sequentially reproduced one by one, the designated images can be reproduced at the same timing. Continuous imaging method. 11. An image stored in a memory is displayed on a display means to specify a desired image. Thereafter, a plurality of images constituting each set of image data stored in the memory are simultaneously displayed one by one. A method according to claim 1, wherein said designated images are reproduced at the same timing during sequential reproduction. 12. When imaging is instructed, a predetermined number of images before and after the imaging instruction are taken, and a plurality of images obtained by the imaging by the imaging means are stored in a plurality of memories as set image data. A continuous imaging method, wherein a plurality of images constituting each set of image data stored in the memory are sequentially reproduced one by one simultaneously.