JP2006352252A - Image recorder, image recording/reproducing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recorder in which a desired image can be localized easily out of a lot of images recorded on various photography scenes. <P>SOLUTION: A camera 100 imparts classification information to an image file by recording photography mode information indicative of a photography mode set at the time of image recording. After selecting reproduction for each photography mode by pushing the reproduction side of a mode lever 122, the user sets the same photography mode as that set at the time of photography by means of a mode dial 123 while recollecting the photography scene of the object and can perform reproduction by specifying the classification of image file to be localized only through the operation of the camera 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for classifying and reproducing images recorded by an image recording apparatus using the image recording apparatus.

Conventionally, various techniques for efficiently searching and browsing images have been developed. For example, according to Patent Document 1, history information is added to an image to be transferred to a mass storage medium. This history information is recorded according to the image reproduction display time. That is, when the UP switch has not been pressed for 30 seconds or longer, a specific image continues to be played back and displayed. Since this image is considered to have an important meaning unlike other images, the display time corresponding to the image frame is displayed. 1 is recorded in the history information.
Japanese Patent No. 3360595

  The technique of Patent Literature 1 reads and searches an image file recorded on a memory card of a camera on a personal computer, but is inconvenient when going out on an environment without a personal computer, for example, traveling. Moreover, since history information is not recorded unless the image is reproduced, when searching for a desired image from among the images to be reproduced for the first time, for example, it is not useful at all for organizing unnecessary images immediately after shooting.

  On the other hand, images are usually played back in chronological order in the order of shooting date and time, and images that you want to keep are recorded only from the recorded date and time from image files that have been recorded in large quantities on recording media that have recently increased in capacity. It is not easy to narrow down. Especially in night scenes, sports scenes, etc., because there is a high possibility of shooting failure due to camera shake, improper exposure and composition, images are often taken continuously. Finding images is very difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image recording apparatus that can easily narrow down a desired image from a large number of images recorded in various shooting scenes. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention receives an object light incident through a photographing lens, converts the light into an imaging signal, and outputs the imaging signal, and an imaging signal output from the imaging element. An A / D conversion unit that converts and outputs image data, an image recording unit that records image data output from the A / D conversion unit, a shooting mode setting unit that sets a shooting mode according to a desired shooting scene, and a shooting mode A shooting mode information recording unit that records shooting mode information indicating the shooting mode set by the setting unit at the time of recording the image data in association with the image data;

  The image recording apparatus records shooting mode information in association with image data, thereby giving information for classifying a shooting scene of a subject at the time of image data recording. For example, if the shooting mode information is landscape mode, the shooting scene is landscape, if it is sports mode, a person who moves fast, if it is night view mode, a subject shot by long exposure, if it is portrait mode, a person's face, etc. Become.

  As an example of associating shooting mode information with image data, the image recording unit records image data in an image file, and the shooting mode information recording unit records shooting mode information in the header portion of the image file recorded by the image recording unit. You may make it do.

  In particular, the image recording unit records image data in an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) image file, and the shooting mode information recording unit records shooting mode information in a predetermined tag of the Exif image file recorded by the image recording unit. Good.

  The shooting mode setting unit is used to set processing contents suitable for image recording in various shooting scenes in the image recording apparatus according to user operations, such as a mode dial, a macro shooting button, a flash button, and a self-timer button. Other operation systems are included.

  The image recording apparatus preferably further includes an image reproducing unit that reproduces the image data recorded by the image recording unit.

  This image playback unit is a device that plays back recorded image data, and includes a display device provided in the image recording device and a device that outputs a playback video signal of the recorded image data to an external display or television monitor. be able to.

  Here, the image playback unit plays back image data corresponding to shooting mode information indicating the same shooting mode as the shooting mode currently set by the shooting mode setting unit.

  If the same shooting mode as that set at the time of recording the image data to be narrowed is set in the shooting mode setting section, only the image data recorded in that shooting mode can be reproduced.

  In this way, in particular, image data recorded in the same shooting scene can be easily compared with each other, and it becomes easy to select images to be left out and to sort out failed images from a number of images continuously shot in a night view, sports mode, etc. .

  The image recording apparatus may further include a reproduction instruction unit that receives a reproduction instruction operation for the image data recorded by the image recording unit.

  In this case, the image playback unit displays shooting mode information indicating the same shooting mode as the shooting mode currently set by the shooting mode setting unit when the playback instruction unit continuously receives a playback instruction operation for a predetermined period. Play the corresponding image data.

  The image reproduction unit reproduces the image data regardless of the shooting mode information in response to the reproduction instruction unit receiving a reproduction instruction operation without continuing for a predetermined period.

  That is, if the playback instruction unit is continuously operated for a predetermined period or longer, playback corresponding to the shooting mode information is performed, and if it is operated for a predetermined period or longer, regardless of the shooting mode information. Image data is played back.

  The user can easily select playback according to the shooting mode information or normal playback simply by changing the operation time of the playback instruction unit.

  An image recording / reproducing method according to the present invention receives an object light incident through a photographing lens, converts it into an imaging signal, and outputs it. The imaging signal output from the imaging element is converted into image data and output. A / D conversion unit, an image recording unit that records image data output from the A / D conversion unit, and an image recording apparatus that includes a shooting mode setting unit that sets a shooting mode according to a desired shooting scene A step of recording the shooting mode information indicating the shooting mode set by the shooting mode setting unit at the time of recording the image data in association with the image data, and the shooting currently set by the shooting mode setting unit Reproducing image data corresponding to shooting mode information indicating the same shooting mode as the mode.

  An image recording / reproducing program according to the present invention receives an object light incident through a photographing lens, converts it into an imaging signal, and outputs the imaging signal. The imaging signal output from the imaging element is converted into image data and output. Used for an image recording apparatus including an A / D conversion unit that performs image recording, an image recording unit that records image data output from the A / D conversion unit, a shooting mode setting unit that sets a shooting mode according to a desired shooting scene, and an arithmetic unit An image recording / playback program for recording the shooting mode information indicating the shooting mode set by the shooting mode setting unit at the time of recording the image data in association with the image data, and the shooting mode setting unit currently setting And a step of reproducing image data corresponding to shooting mode information indicating the same shooting mode as the current shooting mode.

  In this invention, shooting mode information is recorded in association with image data, and classification information according to the shooting scene of the subject is given. If the shooting mode setting unit sets the same shooting mode as that set when shooting the image data to be narrowed down, only the image data shot in that shooting mode is reproduced, and the image can be easily organized. In addition to the purpose of image selection / organization, past shooting scenes can be searched by setting a desired shooting mode.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital camera (hereinafter abbreviated as a camera) 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  A lens barrel 60 provided in front of the camera 100 includes a photographic lens 101 including a zoom lens 101a and a focus lens 101b, and the focal length is adjusted by moving the zoom lens 101a in the optical axis direction. In addition, focus adjustment is performed by moving the focus lens 101b in the optical axis direction.

  The lens barrel 60 is advanced from the camera body 180 by retracting from the retracted state of the camera body 180 between a wide end that is a preset shortest focal length position and a tele end that is a longest focal length position. Also stored. In this figure, a state in which the lens barrel 60 is retracted into the camera body 180 is shown.

  Further, the camera 100 creates a state in which the imaging lens 101 is protected by covering the front surface of the photographing lens 101 and blocking the imaging lens 101 and the outside world when not photographing, and a lens cover 61 that exposes the imaging lens to the outside environment during imaging. Is provided.

  The lens cover 61 is configured by a mechanism that can be freely opened and closed. The lens cover 61 covers the front surface of the photographing lens 101 in an open state, and exposes the front surface of the photographing lens 101 to the outside in a closed state. The lens cover 61 is opened / closed in conjunction with the power switch 121 being turned on / off. In this figure, the lens cover 61 is open.

  On the upper surface of the camera 100, a mode dial 123 and a power switch 121 provided with a release switch 104 at the center are provided, and a strobe 105a, an AF auxiliary light lamp 105b, a self-timer lamp 105c, and the like are provided on the front. Has been deployed.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera 100. A zoom switch 127 is provided on the back of the camera 100. When the wide (W) side of the zoom switch 127 is pressed, the lens barrel 60 is extended to the wide end (telephoto) side while being pressed, and when the other side of the tele (T) side is pressed, the lens barrel 60 is being pressed. The lens barrel 60 moves to the tele end (wide angle) side.

  On the back of the camera 100, an image display LCD 102, a switching lever 122, a cross key 124, an information position designation key 126, and the like are also provided. The cross key 124 is an operation system for setting display brightness adjustment / self-timer / macro shooting / strobe shooting on the top, bottom, left, and right, respectively. As will be described later, by pressing the lower key of the cross key 124, the main CPU 20 can set the self-photographing mode in which the CCD 132 performs a shutter operation after the time measurement of the self-timer circuit 82 is completed.

  FIG. 3 is a view of the mode dial 123 as seen from above. The mode dial 123 is configured by a rotatable dial switch. On the mode dial 123, an icon, which is a mark that can intuitively recognize a shooting scene, is printed. The mode dial 123 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow (clockwise or counterclockwise) in the drawing, and the photographer rotates the mode dial 123 so that the icon suitable for the shooting scene is at the position of the alignment mark 97. Thus, the shooting mode can be selected.

  The types of shooting modes include, for example, a still image shooting mode for shooting a still image and a moving image shooting mode for shooting a moving image. Further, the still image shooting mode includes shooting such as shutter speed and aperture value. Auto mode for automatically setting conditions, manual mode for manually setting the shooting conditions, portrait shooting, landscape shooting, sports shooting, night scene shooting, etc. There are various shooting modes (portrait shooting mode, landscape mode, sports mode, night view mode) and the like.

  In this figure, the icon 123-1 corresponds to a manual mode in which the shutter speed and aperture value can be freely set. The icon 123-2 corresponds to a moving image mode for shooting a moving image. The icon 123-3 corresponds to a night view mode suitable for photographing a night view. The icon 123-4 corresponds to a sports mode suitable for shooting a fast-moving subject such as a sports scene. The icon 123-5 corresponds to a landscape mode suitable for photographing a landscape. The icon 123-6 corresponds to a portrait mode suitable for photographing a person. The icon 123-7 corresponds to an auto mode capable of shooting suitable for various shooting scenes. The icon 123-8 corresponds to a program auto mode in which various settings other than the shutter speed / aperture can be set. The icon 123-9 corresponds to an aperture priority auto mode in which an aperture value can be set. The icon 123-10 corresponds to a shutter priority auto mode in which the shutter speed can be set.

  Each shooting mode is set by aligning the icons 123-1 to 10-10 of these shooting modes with the alignment mark 97. When the shooting mode is set, shooting is performed based on the shooting conditions set in advance for each shooting mode, and image processing corresponding to each mode is performed.

  For example, in the portrait shooting mode, the aperture 131 is set to the open side to blur the background so that the person who is the main subject is more conspicuous. To be done. In the landscape mode, image processing is performed such as increasing the saturation so that the colors appear beautiful, increasing the contrast, and increasing the sharpness. In the macro photography mode, it is considered that there are many pictures of flowers and plants, and therefore processing for increasing the saturation is performed. The night view mode is used when shooting is performed in a dark place such as a night view and the strobe 105a is not emitted. In the night view mode, the shutter speed of the CCD 132 is in an exposure state longer than 1/60 seconds, for example (long shutter mode).

  However, there is no necessity to set the shooting mode with the mode dial 123. For example, an arbitrary shooting mode can be selected by operating the cross key 124 and the information position designation key 126 from the shooting mode menu displayed on the image display LCD 102. Alternatively, the shooting mode may be set by operating an operation unit (macro shooting button, self-timer button, flash button, etc.) that sets / cancels a single shooting mode (not shown).

  In addition, the shooting mode is not limited to the above, and a shooting mode according to other desired shooting scenes may be provided.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the camera 100. The camera 100 is provided with an operation unit 120 for performing various operations when the user uses the camera 100. The operation unit 120 includes a power switch 121 for turning on the power for operating the camera 100, a switching lever 122 for freely switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode, and a mode dial 123 for selecting auto shooting, manual shooting, and the like. A cross key 124 for setting, selecting or zooming various menus, a flashing switch 125, and an information position specifying key 126 for executing or canceling the menu selected by the cross key 124 are provided. ing.

  In addition, the camera 100 is provided with an image display LCD 102 for displaying captured images, reproduced images, and the like, and an operation LCD display 103 for assisting operations.

  The camera 100 is provided with a release switch 104. The release switch 104 transmits a shooting start instruction to the main CPU 20. In this camera 100, shooting / playback switching lever 122 can freely switch between shooting and playback. When shooting, the user switches shooting / playback switching lever 122 to the shooting side, and when playing back, shooting / playback is performed. The switching lever 122 is switched to the reproduction side. The camera 100 is provided with a flash light emitting device having a flash light emitting tube 105a that emits flash light.

  In addition, the camera 100 includes a photographing lens 101, a diaphragm 131, and a CCD sensor 132 (hereinafter referred to as an image sensor) that converts a subject image formed through the photographing lens 101 and the diaphragm 131 into an analog image signal. Abbreviated as CCD 132). Specifically, the CCD 132 generates an image signal by accumulating charges generated by subject light irradiated on the CCD 132 for a variable charge accumulation time (exposure period). The CCD 132 sequentially outputs image signals for each frame at a timing synchronized with the vertical synchronization signal VD output from the CG unit 136.

  The camera 100 also adjusts the white balance of the subject image represented by the analog image signal from the CCD sensor 132, adjusts the slope (γ) of the straight line in the gradation characteristics of the subject image, and further amplifies the analog image signal. A white balance / γ processing unit 133 including an amplifier with a variable gain is provided.

  Further, the camera 100 includes an A / D converter 134 that A / D converts an analog signal from the white balance / γ processing unit 133 into digital R, G, B image data, and an A / D converter 134. A buffer memory 135 for storing R, G, B image data is provided.

  Further, the camera 100 includes a CG (clock generator) unit 136, a photometry / ranging CPU 137, a charge / light emission control unit 138, a communication control unit 139, a YC processing unit 140, and a power supply battery 68. It has been.

  The CG unit 136 includes a vertical synchronization signal VD for driving the CCD sensor 132, a drive signal including a high-speed sweep pulse P, a control signal for controlling the white balance / γ processing unit 133, the A / D unit 134, and a communication control unit. A control signal for controlling 139 is output. Further, a control signal from the photometry / ranging CPU 137 is input to the CG unit 136.

  The photometry / ranging CPU 137 measures the distance by controlling the zoom motor 110, the focus motor 111, and the aperture motor 112 for adjusting the aperture to drive the zoom lens 101a, the focus lens 101b, and the aperture 131, respectively. The CG unit 136 and the charge / light emission control unit 138 are controlled. Driving of the zoom motor 110, the focus motor 111, and the aperture motor 112 is controlled by the motor driver 62, and a control command for the motor driver 62 is sent from the photometry / ranging CPU 137 or the main CPU 20.

  The photometry / ranging CPU 137 determines the brightness of the subject based on the image data periodically (every 1/30 seconds to 1/60 seconds) obtained by the CCD 132 when the release switch 104 is half-pressed (S1 is turned on). Photometry (calculation of EV value).

  That is, the AE calculation unit 151 integrates the R, G, and B image signals output from the A / D conversion unit 134 and provides the integrated values to the photometry / ranging CPU 137. The photometry / ranging CPU 137 detects the average brightness (subject brightness) of the subject based on the integrated value input from the AE calculation unit 151, and calculates an exposure value (EV value) suitable for photographing.

  Then, the photometry / ranging CPU 137 determines the exposure value including the aperture value (F value) of the aperture 131 and the electronic shutter (shutter speed) of the CCD 132 based on the obtained EV value according to a predetermined program diagram. (AE operation).

  When the release switch 104 is fully pressed (S2 is turned on), the photometry / ranging CPU 137 drives the aperture 131 based on the determined aperture value, controls the aperture diameter of the aperture 131, and determines the determined shutter speed. Based on the above, the charge accumulation time in the CCD 132 is controlled via the CG 136.

  The image data acquired from the CCD 132 is converted into a luminance / color difference signal (Y / C signal) by the YC processing circuit 140, subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction, and then stored in the buffer memory 135.

  The Y / C signal stored in the buffer memory 135 is compressed in accordance with a predetermined format by the compression / decompression processing / ID extraction circuit 143, and an image file (for example, Exif) of a predetermined format is stored in the memory card 200 via the I / F unit 144. (Exchangeable Image File Format) file.

  The AE operation includes an aperture priority AE, a shutter speed priority AE, a program AE, etc. In any case, the subject brightness is measured, and an exposure value determined based on the photometric value of the subject brightness, that is, an aperture value and a shutter. By taking a picture in combination with the speed, control is performed so that an image is taken with an appropriate exposure amount, and it is possible to save troublesome determination of exposure.

  The AF detection unit 150 extracts image data corresponding to the detection range selected by the photometry / ranging CPU 137 from the A / D conversion unit 134. The method of detecting the focal position is performed using the feature that the high frequency component of the image data has the maximum amplitude at the in-focus position. The AF detection unit 150 calculates an amplitude value by integrating the high-frequency component of the extracted image data for one field period. The AF detection unit 150 is configured such that the photometry / ranging CPU 137 drives and controls the focus motor 110 to move the focus lens 101b within the movable range, that is, between the end point (INF point) on the infinity side and the end point (NEAR point) on the near side. When the maximum amplitude is detected, the detection value is transmitted to the photometry / ranging CPU 137 when the maximum amplitude is detected.

  The photometry / ranging CPU 137 obtains this detection value and issues a command to the focus motor 111 to move the focus lens 101b to the corresponding in-focus position. The focus motor 111 moves the focus lens 101b to the in-focus position in accordance with a command from the photometry / ranging CPU 137 (AF operation).

  The photometry / ranging CPU 137 is connected to the release switch 104 through inter-CPU communication with the main CPU 20, and the in-focus position is detected when the release switch 104 is half-pressed by the user. Further, a zoom motor 111 is connected to the photometry / ranging CPU 137, and when the main CPU 20 obtains a zoom command in the TELE direction or WIDE direction from the user by the zoom switch 127, the zoom motor 111 is used. By driving the motor 110, the zoom lens 101a is moved between the WIDE end and the TELE end.

  The charge / light emission control unit 138 is supplied with power from the power supply battery 68 to emit light from the flash light emission tube 105a, charges a flash light emission capacitor (not shown), and controls light emission from the flash light emission tube 105a. .

  The charging / light emission control unit 138 sends various signals such as charging start of the power supply battery 68, a half-press / full-press operation signal of the release switch 104, and signals indicating the light emission amount and the light emission timing to the main CPU 20 and the photometry / ranging CPU 137. Is supplied to the self-timer lamp 105c and the AF auxiliary light 105b, and control is performed so that a desired light emission amount can be obtained at a desired timing.

  Note that the self-timer lamp 105c may be constituted by an LED, or may be made common with the LED constituting the AF auxiliary light lamp 105b.

  A self-timer circuit 82 is connected to the main CPU 20. When the self-photographing mode is set, the main CPU 20 measures time based on the full-press signal of the release switch 104. During this timing, the main CPU 20 causes the self-timer lamp 105c to blink while gradually increasing the blinking speed in accordance with the remaining time via the photometry / ranging CPU 137. The self-timer circuit 82 inputs a timing completion signal to the main CPU 20 after timing is completed. The main CPU 20 causes the CCD 132 to perform a shutter operation based on the timing completion signal.

  The communication control unit 139 includes a communication port 107. The communication control unit 139 outputs an image signal of a subject photographed by the camera 100 to an external device such as a personal computer equipped with a USB terminal. In addition, by inputting an image signal from such an external device to the camera 100, data communication with the external device is performed. The camera 100 has a function that simulates a function of switching to ISO sensitivity 100, 200, 400, 1600, etc. of a normal camera that takes a photograph in a roll-shaped photographic film, and can be switched to ISO sensitivity 400 or more. In this case, a high sensitivity mode is set in which the amplification factor of the amplifier of the white balance / γ processing unit 133 is set to a high amplification factor exceeding a predetermined amplification factor. The communication control unit 139 stops communication with the external device during shooting in the high sensitivity mode.

  The camera 100 also includes a compression / decompression processing / ID extraction circuit 143 and an I / F unit 144. The compression / decompression processing / ID extraction circuit 143 reads out the image data stored in the buffer memory 135 via the bus line 142 and compresses it, and stores it in the memory card 200 via the I / F unit 144. Further, the compression / decompression processing / ID extraction circuit 143 extracts an identification number (ID) unique to the memory card 200 when reading the image data stored in the memory card 200, and extracts the image data stored in the memory card 200. The data is read and decompressed, and stored in the buffer memory 135.

  The camera 100 includes a main CPU 20, an EEPROM 146, a YC / RGB conversion unit 147, and a display driver 148. The main CPU 20 controls the entire camera 100. The EEPROM 146 stores solid data and programs unique to the camera 100. The YC / RGB conversion unit 147 converts the color video signal YC generated by the YC processing unit 140 into RGB signals of three colors, and outputs them to the image display LCD 102 via the display driver 148.

  When the image file is recorded, the main CPU 20 includes information indicating the shooting mode set at the time of image recording (for example, when the shutter of the CCD 132 is operated or when the release switch 104 is fully pressed) in the header portion of the image file (hereinafter referred to as the image file). (Represented by shooting mode information).

  FIG. 5 conceptually shows information recorded in the image file. In the header portion of the image file, an area for recording shooting mode information, shooting date / time information, and the like is provided, and information corresponding to this area is recorded. This area is, for example, an Image description or DateTimeOriginal tag of an Exif file. In addition, a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image at a predetermined reduction ratio is also recorded in the header portion, and data of the image main body is recorded in the data portion.

  In this embodiment, the shooting mode information is used as information for classifying the shooting scene of the subject. For example, if the shooting mode information is landscape mode, the shooting scene is landscape, if it is sports mode, a person who moves fast, if it is night view mode, a subject shot by long exposure, if it is portrait mode, a person's face, etc. Can be classified.

  Note that the shooting mode information only needs to be associated with the main image in some form in addition to association with the header of the image file, and is not necessarily recorded in the Exif tag. For example, for an image file shot in the movie mode, header information indicating a moving image file format can be used as shooting mode information. Alternatively, a management table in which image file names are associated with shooting mode information may be recorded in the memory card 200 during image recording.

  When the playback mode is selected by the switching lever 122, the compressed data of the last image file (file in which the latest shooting date / time information is recorded) recorded in the memory card 200 is read. When the file related to the last recording is a still image file, the read image compressed data is decompressed into an uncompressed YC signal via the compression / decompression processing / ID extraction circuit 143 and stored in the buffer memory 135. . The YC signal stored in the buffer memory 135 is added to the YC / RGB conversion unit 147. The YC / RGB converter 147 creates an NTSC color composite video signal from the input YC signal and outputs it to the driver 148. As a result, the last frame image recorded in the memory card 200 is displayed on the image display LCD 102.

  Thereafter, when the left key of the cross key 124 is pressed, the frames are advanced in the order from the newest shooting date / time information to the oldest, and when the right key of the cross key 124 is pressed, the frames are advanced in the opposite direction. Then, the frame-positioned image file at the frame position is read from the memory card 200, and the frame image is reproduced on the image display LCD 102 in the same manner as described above. When the frame image of the last frame is displayed, when the frame is advanced in the forward direction, the first image file recorded on the memory card 200 (the file on which the oldest shooting date / time information is recorded) is read. And reproduced on the image display LCD 102.

  In this specification, for the sake of convenience, frame-by-frame playback according to shooting date / time information is referred to as normal playback.

  The function of the image display LCD 102 can be performed by various display devices such as a TV connected to a video output terminal (not shown) provided in the camera 100 in addition to a finder and a liquid crystal monitor built in the camera 100. .

  In addition, the camera 100 has a configuration in which an AC adapter 48 for obtaining power from an AC power supply and a power supply battery 68 are detachable. The power supply battery 68 is composed of a rechargeable secondary battery such as a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, or a lithium ion battery. The power supply battery 68 may be a single-use primary battery such as a lithium battery or an alkaline battery. The power supply battery 68 is electrically connected to each circuit of the camera 100 by being loaded into a battery storage chamber (not shown).

  When the AC adapter 48 is loaded in the camera 100 and power is supplied from the AC power source to the camera 100 via the AC adapter 48, the power supply battery 68 is preferential even if it is loaded in the battery storage chamber. The power output from the AC adapter 48 is supplied to each part of the camera 100 as driving power. If the AC adapter 48 is not loaded and the power battery 68 is loaded in the battery storage chamber, the power output from the power battery 68 is supplied to each part of the camera 100 as driving power. Is done.

  Although not shown, the camera 100 is provided with a backup battery separately from the power supply battery 68 housed in the battery housing chamber. For example, a dedicated secondary battery is used as the built-in backup battery and is charged by the power supply battery 68. The backup battery supplies power to the basic functions of the camera 100 when the power battery 68 is not loaded in the battery storage chamber, such as when the power battery 68 is replaced or removed.

  That is, when the power supply from the power supply battery 68 or the AC adapter 48 is stopped, the backup battery is connected to the RTC 15 or the like by a switching circuit (not shown) and supplies power to these circuits. As a result, as long as the backup battery 29 does not reach the end of its life, power supply continues to the basic functions such as the RTC 15 without interruption.

  An RTC (Real Time Clock) 15 is a chip dedicated to timekeeping, and continuously operates by receiving power supply from the backup battery even when power supply from the power supply battery 68 or the AC adapter 48 is turned off.

  The image display LCD 102 is provided with a backlight 70 that illuminates the transmissive or transflective liquid crystal panel 71 from the back side. In the power saving mode, the main CPU 20 determines the brightness of the backlight 70 ( Brightness) is controlled through the backlight driver 72, and the power consumption of the backlight 70 is reduced. In the power saving mode, the information position designation key 126 of the operation unit 120 is pressed to display a menu screen on the image display LCD 102, and a predetermined operation can be performed on the menu screen so that on / off can be set. It has become.

  If the operation unit 120 is not operated for a predetermined time, the power source of the backlight 70 and the CCD 132 may be turned off, and a sleep mode state in which the operation can be restarted when the operation is performed may be performed.

  Hereinafter, the flow of image reproduction processing in the camera 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. In addition to normal playback, the camera 100 performs playback by shooting mode for playing back an image file that records shooting mode information that matches the shooting mode set by the mode dial 123.

  FIG. 6 shows the flow of the playback mode selection process. In this process, normal playback or playback by shooting mode is selectively executed according to a user operation.

  In S <b> 1, the main CPU 20 detects an on / off state on the reproduction side of the switching lever 122 (key scan).

  In S2, the main CPU 20 determines whether or not it is detected that the reproduction side of the switching lever 122 is turned on as a result of the key scan. If playback-side on is detected, the process proceeds to S3. If playback-side on is not detected, key scanning is continued.

  In S3, the main CPU 20 counts the duration T of the playback-side detection, and determines whether or not the duration T is equal to or longer than a predetermined period l (for example, l = 1 second). When T ≧ l, reproduction by shooting mode described later is performed, and when T <l, normal reproduction is performed.

  That is, if the playback side of the switching lever 122 is continuously pressed for a predetermined period l or longer (so-called long press), playback by shooting mode is performed. The user can easily select playback by shooting mode or normal playback only by changing the time of pressing the playback side of the switching lever 122.

  next. The specific processing contents of reproduction by shooting mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in S <b> 10, the main CPU 20 identifies the shooting mode setting state by the mode dial 123. In the prior art, the mode dial 123 does not play a special role when the playback mode is set, but in this embodiment, the mode dial 123 plays a role of designating the shooting mode set when the image data to be played back is recorded.

  In S11, the main CPU 20 determines whether or not the shooting mode is set to the auto mode using the mode dial 123, the menu screen, or the like. When the auto mode is set, the process proceeds to S12, and when the auto mode is not set, the process proceeds to S21.

  In S12, the shooting mode information is read out in order from the latest shooting date / time information recorded in each image file. The reading source of the shooting mode information is not limited to the header portion of each image file, but may be a management table recorded on the memory card 200 or other recording medium.

  In S13, it is determined whether or not the shooting mode information acquired from each image file indicates the auto mode. If the shooting mode information indicates the auto mode, the process proceeds to S80 to reproduce the image. If they do not match, the image file recording the shooting mode information is skipped and is not played back.

  If there are a plurality of image files whose shooting mode information indicates the auto mode, only those images are played back in frame order by shooting date and time when the cross key 124 is pressed. The plurality of image files may be automatically reproduced in order of shooting date / time.

  The processes of S21 to S23, S31 to S33, S41 to S43, S51 to S53, S61 to S63, and S71 to S73 are the same as the processes of S11 to S13 except for the target shooting mode. That is, first, it is determined whether the shooting mode is set to portrait, landscape, sport, night view, movie, or manual (S21, S31, S41, S51, S61, S71). Next, the shooting mode information recorded in the image file is acquired (S22, S32, S42, S52, S62, S72). Then, it is determined whether or not the shooting mode determined to be set matches the shooting mode information recorded in the image file (S23, S33, S43, S53, S63, S73). If they match, only the main image of the image file in which the shooting mode information indicating the set shooting mode is recorded is played back by frame-by-frame order in accordance with the pressing of the cross key 124 (S80).

  As described above, in the reproduction by shooting mode according to the present embodiment, when the shooting mode set by the mode dial 123 or the like matches the shooting mode at the time of image file recording, the image file is played.

  Conventionally, images are reproduced in chronological order in the order of shooting date and time, and it is not easy to narrow down the images to be viewed from the image files recorded in large quantities on the memory card 200 by the recording date and time. Although a method of reading an image file of the memory card 200 to a personal computer and searching for an image to be viewed with a dedicated image viewer or the like is conceivable, it is inconvenient in an environment without a personal computer, for example, when traveling.

  However, unlike the prior art, the camera 100 of this embodiment gives classification information to an image file by recording shooting mode information indicating a shooting mode set at the time of image recording. After the user presses and holds down the playback side of the mode lever 122 to select playback by shooting mode, the same shooting mode as that set during shooting is recalled while recalling the shooting scene of the subject with the mode dial 123 and the like. The classification of the desired image file can be designated and reproduced only by operating the camera 100.

  In particular, when images are classified and played back in shooting mode, images taken in the same scene can be easily compared with each other, and selection and failure of images to be left out from a number of images taken continuously in night view, sports mode, etc. It is easy to delete images and helps to organize a large number of images.

  In addition to the use of image sorting / organization, past shooting scenes can be searched by setting a desired shooting mode. For example, if there is an image file in which “macro shooting” or the like set by the cross key 124 at the time of image recording is recorded as shooting mode information, the “macro shooting” image file is automatically framed in the order according to the shooting date and time information. Feed and play. On the other hand, if no such image file exists, no image file is reproduced. In this way, automatic reproduction for each shooting scene is performed. In this case, it is possible to easily know whether or not an image has been recorded in a certain shooting scene from the presence or absence of image reproduction, which is useful for searching for a shooting scene.

  Further, the present invention includes a method including each step of the above-described playback mode selection process and shooting mode-specific playback process, and a program for causing the main CPU 20 to execute these processes. This program is recorded in the EEPROM 146 or other computer-readable recording medium, but may be downloaded to the camera 100 from an external server or the like via the communication port 107.

Front view of digital camera Rear view of digital camera Top view of mode dial Block diagram of digital camera A diagram that conceptually describes the recorded contents of an image file Flow chart showing the flow of playback mode setting processing Flow chart showing the flow of playback by shooting mode

Explanation of symbols

20: main CPU, 60: lens barrel, 61: lens cover, 62: motor driver, 70: backlight, 71: liquid crystal panel, 72: backlight driver, 82: self-timer circuit, 101: photographing lens, 101a: Zoom lens, 101b: Focus lens, 105b: AF auxiliary light lamp, 105c: Self-timer lamp, 110: Zoom motor, 111: Focus motor, 112: Aperture motor, 123: Mode dial, 124: Cross key, 131 : Aperture, 132: CCD, 134: A / D converter, 150: AF detector, 151: AE calculator

Claims (9)

An image sensor that receives subject light incident through a photographing lens, converts the light into an image signal, and outputs the image signal;
An A / D converter that converts an image signal output from the image sensor into image data and outputs the image data;
An image recording unit for recording the image data output from the A / D conversion unit;
A shooting mode setting unit for setting a shooting mode according to a desired shooting scene;
A shooting mode information recording unit that records shooting mode information indicating a shooting mode set by the shooting mode setting unit when recording the image data in association with the image data;
An image recording apparatus comprising: The image recording unit records the image data in an image file;
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shooting mode information recording unit records the shooting mode information in a header portion of an image file recorded by the image recording unit. The image recording unit records the image data in an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) image file,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shooting mode information recording unit records the shooting mode information in a predetermined tag of an Exif image file recorded by the image recording unit.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image reproducing unit that reproduces image data recorded by the image recording unit.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image playback unit plays back image data corresponding to shooting mode information indicating the same shooting mode as the shooting mode currently set by the shooting mode setting unit. A playback instruction unit for receiving a playback instruction operation for the image data recorded by the image recording unit;
The image playback unit is configured to display shooting mode information indicating the same shooting mode as the shooting mode currently set by the shooting mode setting unit in response to the playback instruction unit continuously receiving the playback instruction operation for a predetermined period of time. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image data corresponding to is reproduced. A playback instruction unit for receiving a playback instruction operation for the image data recorded by the image recording unit;
5. The image recording according to claim 4, wherein the image reproduction unit reproduces the image data regardless of the shooting mode information in response to the reproduction instruction unit receiving the reproduction instruction operation without continuing for the predetermined period. apparatus. An imaging device that receives subject light incident through a photographing lens, converts it into an imaging signal, and outputs the image signal; an A / D conversion unit that converts the imaging signal output from the imaging device into image data and outputs the image data; An image recording / reproducing method used in an image recording apparatus including an image recording unit that records image data output from a / D conversion unit, and a shooting mode setting unit that sets a shooting mode according to a desired shooting scene,
Recording the shooting mode information indicating the shooting mode set by the shooting mode setting unit at the time of recording the image data in association with the image data;
Replaying image data corresponding to shooting mode information indicating the same shooting mode as the shooting mode currently set by the shooting mode setting unit;
A method for recording and reproducing images. An imaging device that receives subject light incident through a photographing lens, converts it into an imaging signal, and outputs the image signal; an A / D conversion unit that converts the imaging signal output from the imaging device into image data and outputs the image data; An image recording / reproducing program for use in an image recording apparatus including an image recording unit that records image data output from the / D conversion unit, a shooting mode setting unit that sets a shooting mode according to a desired shooting scene, and an arithmetic unit ,
Recording the shooting mode information indicating the shooting mode set by the shooting mode setting unit at the time of recording the image data in association with the image data;
Replaying image data corresponding to shooting mode information indicating the same shooting mode as the shooting mode currently set by the shooting mode setting unit;
An image recording / reproducing program for causing the arithmetic device to execute the above.

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