JP2008011244A - Imaging apparatus, its control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of allowing a user to perform change into a photographing mode with a different photographing condition in a desired scene during photographing an animation, and printing an image in the desired scene by the same image quality and image size as those of a silver salt photograph. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes a first photographing operation mode and a second photographing operation mode, where mutually different photographing rates are set. When the photographing operation mode is switched-over into the second mode during photographing the animation in the first mode, imaging is performed by an imaging element 14 by switching-over an animation photographing condition by the first photographing operation mode into that by the second photographing operation mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera that records and reproduces still images and moving images captured by a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and the like. The present invention relates to a control method and a program.

  In recent years, digital cameras that record an image captured by a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD on a recording medium such as a memory card having a semiconductor memory have been actively developed and widely used. The background of such spread is the spread of personal computers (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC”) that can easily process images captured by digital cameras and the widespread use of the Internet. The demand for digital image information has increased.

  In digital cameras, the number of pixels of an image pickup device, the capacity of a memory card, the density of ICs (integrated circuits) responsible for digital signal processing of images are increased and the speed thereof is increased. For example, recently, a digital camera that has a high-speed continuous shooting function and records several frames of still images like a movie, or a movie with a frame rate (60 frames / second) that is just like a television while being smaller than a still image. In addition to the high definition of still images so far, such as those that can record and play back images, digital cameras with moving image functions have also begun to be marketed, raising the needs of the market.

  On the other hand, digital video cameras that can perform moving image shooting and still image shooting with a recording method that conforms to the consumer digital format standard are beginning to be marketed. As this recording method, there are a method of recording a moving image and a still image together on a moving image recording medium, and a method of recording a still image on a recording medium separate from the moving image recording medium.

  Digital cameras that focus on still image recording and digital video cameras that focus on recording of video have begun to incorporate still image recording and movie recording functions. Coupled with market needs such as, there is a growing demand for resolution and operating speed during shooting.

  As long as the digital camera is limited to the use application of a PC, it is desirable that there is one that can record a small-sized moving image in a short time mainly for recording a still image. For this reason, small-sized ones that can be purchased at low cost and that have a movie shooting function are accepted in the market. In recent years, there are many requests unique to digital cameras that want to print out a few pictures in a moving image while recording a moving image, and then print out like a still image as in the case of still image shooting.

On the other hand, there has been proposed an imaging method and apparatus that freely sets and records a frame rate in addition to setting the resolution of a moving image when recording a moving image (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, an imaging apparatus that controls image resolution by detecting a change in an image or an audio signal at the time of shooting has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-177868 JP 2003-134386 A

  However, with conventional digital cameras, reading still images with the same image quality and image size as silver halide photography and moving image frame rate (30 frames / second or more) increases the operating speed of the digital camera itself. This leads to an increase in power consumption. As a result, it is necessary to further improve the performance of the image sensor and the circuit device and to increase the capacity of the battery, and there is a problem that the device is enlarged.

  In addition, although the required image storage capacity increases, the unit price for the storage capacity of the semiconductor memory is higher than that of a conventional recording medium, although the capacity of the memory card having the semiconductor memory has been increased. However, the high cost cannot be ignored.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and allows a user to change to a shooting mode with different shooting conditions in a desired scene while shooting a moving image. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and method capable of printing with the same image quality and image size as a salt photograph, and a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to claim 1 includes imaging means and imaging rate setting means for setting an imaging rate at the time of imaging of the imaging means, and according to the set imaging rate. In the imaging apparatus that performs imaging by the imaging unit, the control unit includes a switching unit that switches between a first imaging operation mode and a second imaging operation mode in which different imaging rates are set by the imaging rate setting unit, When switching to the second shooting operation mode during the shooting of a moving image in the first shooting operation mode, the second shooting operation mode depends on the moving image shooting conditions in the first shooting operation mode. Imaging control means for switching to a shooting condition for moving images, causing the imaging means to take an image, and recording it on the recording medium as a series of video signal information. To.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus control method according to claim 11 comprises imaging means and imaging rate setting means for setting an imaging rate at the time of imaging of the imaging means, and the set imaging rate. And a switching step of switching between a first shooting operation mode and a second shooting operation mode in which different imaging rates are set by the imaging rate setting unit in the method of controlling an imaging apparatus that performs imaging by the imaging unit according to When the second shooting operation mode is switched during the shooting of the moving image in the first shooting operation mode, the second shooting operation mode is determined from the moving image shooting conditions in the first shooting operation mode. An imaging control step of switching to the moving image shooting condition according to the above and causing the imaging means to take an image and recording it on the recording medium as a series of video signal information. And butterflies.

  According to the present invention, the first imaging operation mode and the second imaging operation mode in which different imaging rates are set by the imaging rate setting means are switched, and the first imaging operation mode is being captured during the imaging of the moving image in the first imaging operation mode. When the mode is switched to the second shooting operation mode, the moving image shooting condition in the first shooting operation mode is switched to the moving image shooting condition in the second shooting operation mode so that the imaging unit takes an image, and a series of video signals is obtained. Information is recorded on a recording medium. As a result, the user can change to a shooting mode with different shooting conditions in a desired scene while shooting a moving image, and an image in the desired scene can be printed with the same image quality and image size as a silver halide photograph. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 100 is composed of, for example, a digital camera. The shutter 12 is a shutter for controlling the exposure amount to the image sensor 14. The light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 is imaged on the image sensor 14 as an optical image via the aperture 312 and the shutter 12. The image sensor 14 is composed of a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), converts an optical image into an electric signal, and outputs it as an analog signal. The A / D conversion circuit 16 converts the analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. The imaging element 14 and the A / D conversion circuit 16 constitute an imaging unit 15. The timing generation circuit 18 is a timing generation circuit that supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D conversion circuit 16, and the D / A conversion circuit 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50. .

  The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the image data from the A / D conversion circuit 16 or the image data from the memory control circuit 22. In the image processing circuit 20, predetermined calculation processing using image data is performed as necessary, and the system control circuit 50 applies to the shutter control means 40 and the distance measurement means 42 based on the obtained calculation result. Control. For example, the system control circuit 50 controls the shutter control unit 40 and the distance measuring unit 42 to perform TTL (through-the-lens) AF processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash dimming) processing. It can be carried out. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using image data, and performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

  In the present embodiment, since the distance measuring means and the photometry means are separately provided, the AF processing, AE processing, and EF processing are performed using the distance measuring means 42 and the photometry means 46, and the image processing circuit 20 is The AF processing and AE processing used were not performed. However, the AF processing, AE processing, and EF processing may be performed using the distance measuring means 42 and the photometry means 46, and further, the AF processing and AE processing using the image processing circuit 20 may be performed. .

  The shutter control unit 40 controls the shutter 12 in cooperation with the aperture control unit 340 that controls the aperture 312 based on the photometric information from the photometric unit 46. The distance measuring means 42 performs AF (autofocus) processing. It is possible to measure the in-focus state of the image formed as an optical image by causing the light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 to enter the distance measuring means 42 through the aperture 312 and the distance measuring sub mirror (not shown). it can. The memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D conversion circuit 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A conversion circuit 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. The data of the A / D conversion circuit 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, or the data of the A / D conversion circuit 16 is directly written via the memory control circuit 22. It is.

  The image display memory 24, the D / A conversion circuit 26, and the image display unit 28 are image display units including TFT LCDs, and the display image data written in the image display memory 24 is the D / A conversion circuit 26. Is displayed by the image display unit 28. By sequentially displaying the image data on the image display unit 28, an electronic viewfinder function can be realized. Further, the image display unit 28 can turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced.

  The memory 30 is a memory for storing still image data and moving image data, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images. Accordingly, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed. Further, the memory 30 can be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  The compression / decompression circuit 32 is a compression / decompression circuit that compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and finishes the processing. The stored data is written into the memory 30.

  The photometric means 46 is a photometric means for performing AE processing. A light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 is incident on the photometric means 46 through the stop 312 and a photometric lens (not shown), thereby forming an optical image. The exposure state of the captured image can be measured. It is also possible to perform AE control and AF control using the video TTL method. When controlling using the video TTL method, image data obtained by the image sensor 14 is calculated by the image processing circuit 20, and the system control circuit 50 performs shutter control means 40, aperture control means 340, measurement based on the calculation result. The distance control means 342 is controlled.

  Further, the AF control may be performed using both the measurement result obtained by the distance measuring means 42 and the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data obtained by the image sensor 14 by the image processing circuit 20. Then, exposure control may be performed using both the measurement result obtained by the photometry means 46 and the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data obtained by the image sensor 14 by the image processing circuit 20.

  The photometry means 46 also has an EF (flash dimming) processing function in cooperation with the flash 48. The flash 48 also has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  A system control circuit 50 controls the entire imaging apparatus 100. The memory 52 is a memory for storing constants, variables, programs and the like for operating the system control circuit 50. The display unit 54 includes a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, and the like that display an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like according to execution of a program by the system control circuit 50. The display unit 54 is installed at one or a plurality of locations in the vicinity of the operation unit of the imaging apparatus 100 that are easily visible, and is configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element.

  The display content of the display unit 54 includes, for example, single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, recording pixel number display, recording number display, remaining image number display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, There are exposure compensation display, red-eye reduction display, and macro shooting display. Also, a buzzer setting display, a clock battery remaining amount display, a battery remaining amount display, an error display, an information display with a multi-digit number, an attachment / detachment state display of the recording media 200 and 210, an attachment / detachment state display of the lens unit 300, a communication I / O There are F operation display and date / time display. In addition, a display showing the connection status with an external computer, focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, recording medium writing operation There are indications.

  The nonvolatile memory 56 is a nonvolatile memory capable of electrically erasing and recording stored data and the like, and for example, an EEPROM or the like is used.

  The moving image 1 mode switch 60, the moving image 2 mode switch 61, the shutter switch SW1 62, the shutter switch SW2 64, the playback switch 66, and the operation unit 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50. . The operation means is configured by one or a combination of a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by line-of-sight detection, a voice recognition device, and the like.

  Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given.

  The moving image 1 mode switch 60 is a mode changeover switch that accepts an instruction to start (ON) or end (OFF) the moving image shooting operation mode from the user and switches between a normal still image shooting mode and a moving image shooting mode. The moving image 2 mode switch 61 accepts an instruction to start (ON) or end (OFF) another moving image shooting mode (second shooting operation mode) during the moving image shooting mode (first shooting operation mode) It is a mode switching switch for switching between the first shooting operation mode and the second shooting operation mode.

  The shutter switch SW1 62 is a switch for instructing the start of operations such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, and EF processing, which is turned on during operation of a shutter button (not shown).

  The shutter switch SW2 64 is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and when the state of the moving image 1 mode switch 60 is held in the OFF state, the operation shifts to the still image shooting operation and is held in the ON state. If it is, it is a switch for shifting to a moving image shooting operation. Then, when transitioning to each shooting operation mode, a series of processes of exposure processing, development processing, and recording processing is executed. In the exposure process, a signal output from the image sensor 14 is written as image data in the memory 30 via the A / D conversion circuit 16 and the memory control circuit 22. In the development process, the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 perform arithmetic processing on the image data. In the recording process, the image data is read from the memory 30, compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 32, and the image data is written to the recording medium 200 or the recording medium 210.

  The playback switch 66 is a switch for instructing the start of a playback operation for reading the captured image data from the memory 30 or the recording media 200 and 210 and displaying it on the image display unit 28 in the shooting mode state.

  The operation unit 70 is an operation unit including various buttons, a touch panel, and the like. The operation unit 70 includes a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu movement + (plus) button, a menu movement− (minus). ) There may be a button.

  In addition, the operation unit 70 performs shooting and playback such as playback image movement + (plus) button, playback image-(minus) button, shooting image quality selection button, exposure correction button, date / time setting button, panorama mode, and the like. There may be a selection / switching button for setting selection and switching of various functions. Further, the operation unit 70 includes a determination / execution button for setting determination and execution of various functions when performing shooting and playback in a panorama mode, and image display ON / OFF for setting ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. There may be a switch and a quick review ON / OFF switch for setting a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after shooting.

  The operation unit 70 also includes a compression mode switch, a playback mode, a switch for selecting a compression rate of JPEG compression, or a switch for selecting a CCD RAW mode in which the signal of the imaging unit 15 is directly digitized and recorded on a recording medium. There may be a playback switch capable of setting each function mode such as a multi-screen playback / erase mode and a PC connection mode.

  Further, when the shutter switch SW1 62 is pressed, the operation unit 70 starts an autofocus operation, and once focused, the one-shot AF mode that keeps the focused state and while the shutter switch SW1 62 is pressed. There may be an AF mode setting switch capable of setting a servo AF mode that continues the autofocus operation. The functions of the plus button and the minus button can be selected more easily with numerical values and functions by providing a rotary dial switch.

  The power switch 72 can switch the power ON / OFF of the imaging apparatus 100. The power switch 72 can also switch the power ON / OFF of various accessory devices such as the lens unit 300 that can be attached to and detached from the imaging device 100, an external strobe (not shown), and the recording media 200 and 210. It is. The real-time clock circuit 74 has various timer functions, for example, counts the date and time and returns date and time information in response to a request from the system control circuit 50.

  The power supply control means 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. The power supply control unit 80 detects whether or not a battery is attached, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level, and supplies the detection results to each unit including the recording medium 200. Further, the power control unit 80 controls the DC-DC converter based on an instruction from the system control circuit 50 and supplies a necessary voltage to each unit including the recording medium in a necessary period.

  The connectors 82 and 84 are connection means for connecting the power supply control means 80 and the power supply 86. The power source 86 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  The I / Fs 90 and 94 are interfaces for connecting the recording media 200 and 210 such as a memory card and a hard disk and the system bus. The connectors 92 and 96 are connection means for connecting the recording media 200 and 210 such as a memory card and a hard disk and the I / Fs 90 and 94. The recording medium attachment / detachment detection means 98 is a sensor that detects whether or not the recording media 200 and 210 are attached to the connectors 92 and 96.

  The communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication. A connector (antenna) 112 is a connector for connecting the imaging apparatus 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication. The I / F 120 is an interface for connecting the system control circuit 50 in the imaging apparatus 100 and the lens unit 300.

  The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 configured by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an I / F 204 that is an interface with the imaging apparatus 100, and a connector 206 that is connected to the imaging apparatus 100. The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 configured by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an I / F 214 that is an interface with the imaging apparatus 100, and a connector 216 that connects to the imaging apparatus 100.

  The aperture control unit 340 controls the aperture 312 in cooperation with the shutter control unit 40 that controls the shutter 12 based on the photometric information from the photometric unit 46. The distance measurement control means 342 controls the focusing of the taking lens 310. A zoom control unit 344 controls zooming of the taking lens 310.

  The lens system control circuit 350 controls the entire lens unit that controls the aperture, distance measurement, and zoom. The lens system control circuit 350 includes a memory for storing operation constants, variables, programs and the like, identification information such as a number unique to the lens unit 300, management information, function information such as an open aperture value, a minimum aperture value, a focal length, It also has a non-volatile memory function for holding current and past set values.

  Next, the photographing operation in the imaging apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of basic photographing operations executed by the imaging apparatus 100 of FIG. This process is a process executed by the system control circuit 50 based on a program stored in a memory or the like.

  In FIG. 2, the system control circuit 50 initializes a flag, a control variable, and the like by turning on the power including battery replacement, and performs predetermined initial settings necessary for each unit of the imaging apparatus 100 (step S201).

  Next, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the power switch 72 is in the power ON position or the power OFF position (step S202), and the setting position of the power switch 72 is set to the power OFF position. If the power is off (the power is turned off in step S202), the end process of step S203 is performed. In the end process of step S203, the system control circuit 50 changes the display of each display unit to the end state, and records necessary parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags, control variables, and the like in the nonvolatile memory 56. Then, the system control circuit 50 shuts off unnecessary power sources for the respective units in the imaging apparatus 100 including the image display unit 28 by the power control unit 80. Thereafter, the process returns to step S202.

  On the other hand, when the power switch 72 is set to power ON (the power is turned ON in step S202), the system control circuit 50 investigates the remaining capacity and the operating condition of the power source 86 by the power control means 80, and the imaging apparatus 100 It is determined whether or not there is a problem in operation (power supply OK?) (Step S204). As a result, when there is a problem with the power supply 86 (NO in step S204), a predetermined warning display is performed with an image or sound using the display unit 54 (step S205), and then the process returns to step S202. On the other hand, when there is no problem with the power source 86 (YES in step S204), the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, the system control circuit 50 determines whether there is a problem in the recording / reproducing operation of the image data with respect to the recording medium (recording medium OK?) (Step S206). Here, it is determined whether or not the recording medium 200 or the recording medium 210 is attached, acquisition of management information of image data recorded on the recording medium 200 or the recording medium 210, and operation of the recording medium 200 or the recording medium 210. A determination is made as to whether or not the state has a problem with the operation of the imaging apparatus 100.

  If there is a problem as a result of the determination in step S206 (NO in step S206), the system control circuit 50 performs a predetermined warning display with an image or sound using the display unit 54 (step S205), and then step S202. Return to. On the other hand, if there is no problem as a result of the determination in step S206 (YES in step S206), the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S207, the electronic finder mode is executed. In the electronic finder mode, the number of read pixels is suitable for finder display by a method such as line thinning or line addition to the image sensor 14 via the timing generation circuit 18 with the system control circuit 50 opened the shutter 12. The number of signals is reduced to a finder mode drive that speeds up to the required rate as a finder movie. Then, the exposure process and the development process described above are performed, the image data is read from the memory 30, and the image data of the photographed subject is sequentially displayed on the image display unit 28 as a finder image.

  Next, the system control circuit 50 detects the state of the shutter switch SW1 62, and when the shutter switch SW1 62 is not pressed (OFF in step S208), the system control circuit 50 returns to step S202. On the other hand, when the shutter switch SW1 62 is pressed (ON in step S208), the system control circuit 50 further detects the state of the moving image 1 mode switch 60 (step S209), and the moving image 1 mode switch 60 is turned off. In this case (OFF in step S209), the moving image mode flag is reset (step S210), and the process proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, when the moving image 1 mode switch 60 is ON (ON in step S209), the moving image mode flag is set (step S211), and the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S212, a distance measurement process is performed to focus the photographing lens 10 on the subject, and a photometry process is performed to determine an aperture value (Av value) and a shutter time (Tv value). Distance measurement / photometry / WB (white balance) ) Perform detection processing, and proceed to Step S213.

Here, the distance measurement / photometry / WB detection in step S212 will be specifically described.
The system control circuit 50 starts the AF process using the imaging unit 15, the distance measurement means 42, and the distance measurement control means 342. Various signals are exchanged between the system control circuit 50 and the aperture control means 340 or the distance measurement control means 342 via the I / F 120 and the lens system control circuit 350.

  The system control circuit 50 causes the light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 to enter the distance measuring unit 42 via the aperture 312, a lens mount (not shown), a mirror, and a distance measuring sub mirror. Thus, the in-focus state of the image formed as an optical image is determined, and measurement is performed while driving the photographing lens 310 using the distance measurement control unit 342 until the distance measurement (AF) is determined to be in focus. AF control for detecting the in-focus state using the distance means 42 is executed.

  If it is determined that focusing (AF) is in focus, the system control circuit 50 determines a focusing point from a plurality of ranging points in the shooting screen, and together with the determined ranging point data. Ranging data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50. Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 starts the AE process using the photometry means 46.

  The system control circuit 50 measures the exposure state of the image formed as an optical image by causing the light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 to enter the photometry means 46 through the aperture 312 and the photometry lens (not shown). Then, photometry is performed using the exposure control means 40 until the exposure (AE) is determined to be appropriate.

  If it is determined that the exposure (AE) is appropriate, the system control circuit 50 stores the photometric data and / or setting parameters in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50, and detects the exposure (AE) detected in the photometric processing step S206. ) A sensitivity value (Dv value), an aperture value (Av value), and a shutter speed (Tv value) are determined according to the result.

  Then, the system control circuit 50 determines the charge accumulation time of the image sensor 14 according to the shutter speed (Tv value) determined here. Further, the system control circuit 50 determines the input D range of the A / D conversion circuit 16 according to the sensitivity value (Dv value) determined here.

  Further, after ranging (AF) and proper exposure (AE), the system control circuit 50 performs predetermined calculation processing by the image processing circuit 20 on the image data of the photographed subject. Then, based on the obtained calculation result, WB setting parameters for WB (white balance) processing are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52, and the distance measurement / photometry / WB processing in step S122 is completed. To do.

  Next, the state of the shutter switch SW2 64 is detected (step S213), and when the shutter switch SW2 64 is pressed (ON in step S213), the moving image mode flag is confirmed (step S214) and reset. If (reset in step S214), still image shooting processing is performed in step S216, and the process returns to step S202. On the other hand, when the moving image mode flag is set (set in step S214), moving image shooting processing is performed in step S217, and the process returns to step S202.

  On the other hand, when the shutter switch SW2 64 is not pressed in step S213 (OFF in step S213), the processes in steps S213 and S215 are repeated until the shutter switch SW1 62 is turned off (OFF in step S215). On the other hand, when the shutter switch SW1 62 is turned off (OFF in step S215), the process returns to step S202.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing details of the still image shooting process in step S216 of FIG.

  In the still image shooting process, various signals are exchanged between the system control circuit 50 and the aperture control unit 340 or the distance measurement control unit 342 via the interface 120 and the lens system control circuit 350.

  In FIG. 3, the system control circuit 50 includes an aperture control unit 340 according to exposure conditions such as an aperture value (Av value) and a shutter speed (Tv value) stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52, and photometric data. Thus, the aperture 312 is driven to a predetermined aperture value to set the photographing condition (step S301).

  Next, the system control circuit 50 uses the timing generation circuit 18 to set an imaging rate for still image shooting (step S302), a CCD drive mode setting (step S303), and an electronic shutter setting (step S304). . Subsequently, the shutter 12 is opened by the shutter control means 40 and exposure of the image sensor 14 is started (CCD accumulation start: step S305).

  Next, the system control circuit 50 performs exposure of the image sensor 14 for a predetermined time according to the photometric data, closes the shutter 12 by the shutter control means 40 (step S306), and ends the exposure of the image sensor 14.

  In the readout processing of the imaging signal in step S307, the system control circuit 50 reads out the electrical signal from the imaging device 14, and the readout electrical signal is passed through the A / D conversion circuit 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22. Alternatively, the image data is converted into still image data directly from the A / D conversion circuit 16 via the memory control circuit 22. Then, the still image data is written as a still image file in a predetermined area in the memory 30 (still image recording: step S308). When the series of processes is completed, the still image shooting process is terminated, and the process returns to the process of FIG.

  In the above-described still image recording process in step S308, the system control circuit 50 is necessary to read a part of the image data written in a predetermined area in the memory 30 through the memory control circuit 22 and perform the development process. WB (white balance) integration calculation processing and OB (optical black) integration calculation processing are performed, and the calculation result is stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50.

  The system control circuit 50 reads the image data written in a predetermined area in the memory 30 using the memory control circuit 22 and the image processing circuit 20 as necessary, and stores the internal memory or memory of the system control circuit 50. Various development processes including an AWB process, a gamma conversion process, and a color conversion process are performed using the calculation result stored in 52.

  Then, the system control circuit 50 reads out the image data written in a predetermined area in the memory 30, performs image compression processing according to the set mode by the compression / decompression circuit 32, and stores the image storage buffer area in the memory 30. The image data that has been photographed and finished a series of processing is written into the empty image portion of the image. An empty image portion means an “empty portion” of a buffer area allocated for image storage in the memory 30.

  Along with execution of a series of photographing, the system control circuit 50 reads out the image data stored in the image storage buffer area in the memory 30, and the memory card via the I / F 90 or I / F 94, the connector 92 or the connector 96. Or a recording process for writing to the recording medium 200 or the recording medium 210 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) card. This recording start process is executed on the image data every time new image data is shot and written in the empty image portion of the image storage buffer area in the memory 30. .

  In addition, while writing image data to the recording medium 200 or the recording medium 210, in order to clearly indicate that the writing operation is being performed, the display unit 54 performs a recording medium writing operation display such as blinking an LED. . Further, image data obtained by resizing the image data recorded on the recording medium to an image size suitable for the image display unit 28 is separately generated in the image display memory, and this is stored in the image display unit 28 for a predetermined captured image display time. Display an image.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the moving image shooting process in step S217 of FIG.

  In the moving image photographing process, various signals are exchanged between the system control circuit 50 and the aperture control unit 340 or the distance measurement control unit 342 via the interface 120 and the lens system control circuit 350.

  In FIG. 4, the system control circuit 50 includes an aperture control unit 340 according to exposure conditions such as an aperture value (Av value) and a shutter speed (Tv value) and photometric data stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52. Thus, the aperture 312 is driven to a predetermined aperture value to set the photographing condition (step S401).

  Next, the system control circuit 50 uses the timing generation circuit 18 to set the imaging rate for the first moving image shooting (step S402), the CCD drive mode setting (step S403), and the electronic shutter setting (step S404). I do. Subsequently, the exposure of the image sensor 14 is started and an image signal read process is performed (step S405).

  In the reading process of the imaging signal in step S405, the system control circuit 50 reads the electrical signal from the imaging element 14, and uses the read electrical signal as the A / D conversion circuit 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22. Or through the memory control circuit 22 directly from the A / D conversion circuit 16 to convert the video data into a predetermined number of fields. Then, the moving image data is written into a predetermined area in the memory 30 (moving image recording: step S406).

  Next, the state of the shutter switch SW2 64 is detected, and it is detected whether or not the shutter switch SW2 64 is kept pressed (step S407). As a result, while the shutter switch SW2 64 is being pressed (ON in step S407), the process returns to step S405, and the read moving image data is successively written in a predetermined area in the memory 30.

  On the other hand, when it is detected that the shutter switch SW2 64 is not pressed (OFF in step S407), the state of the shutter switch SW1 62 is detected, and it is detected whether the shutter switch SW1 62 is pressed (step). S408). As a result, when it is detected that the shutter switch SW1 62 is not pressed (OFF in step S408), it is further determined whether or not the moving image 2 mode switch 61 is pressed (step S409). If the moving image 2 mode switch 61 is not pressed as a result of this determination (OFF in step S409), the process returns to step S405.

  On the other hand, when it is detected in step S408 that the shutter switch SW1 62 has been pressed (ON in step S408), the moving image shooting process is terminated and the process returns.

  If the result of determination in step S409 is that the moving image 2 mode switch 61 has been pressed (ON in step S409), the timing generation circuit 18 sets the imaging rate for second moving image shooting (step S410), CCD The drive mode is set (step S411) and the electronic shutter is set (step S412). Next, exposure of the image sensor 14 is started and image signal readout processing is performed (step S413).

  In the reading process of the imaging signal in step S413, the system control circuit 50 reads the electrical signal from the imaging device 14, and uses the read electrical signal as the A / D conversion circuit 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22. Or through the memory control circuit 22 directly from the A / D conversion circuit 16 to convert the video data into a predetermined number of fields. Then, the moving image data is written as a moving image file in a predetermined area in the memory 30 (moving image recording: step S414).

  Next, the state of the moving image 2 mode switch 61 is detected (step S415), and while the moving image 2 mode switch 61 is being pressed (ON in step S415), the processing after step S413 is continued, The moving image shooting and recording operations (steps S413 to S414) are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the state of the moving image 2 mode switch 61 is detected (step S415) and the moving image 2 mode switch 61 is released (OFF in step S415), the process returns to step S402, and the processing from step S402 is repeated.

  Next, details of the still image file and the moving image file created in the still image shooting process of FIG. 3 and the moving image shooting process of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart schematically showing an example of the creation timing and process of the still image file and the moving image file in the still image shooting process of FIG. 3 and the moving image shooting process of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, first, when the moving image 1 mode switch 60 (hereinafter abbreviated as “moving image 1 mode SW”) is OFF, the shutter switch SW1 62 (hereinafter abbreviated as “SW1”) is pressed and then the shutter switch. Ranging / photometry / WB detection processing (for example, step S212 in FIG. 2) is performed until SW2 64 (hereinafter abbreviated as “SW2”) is pressed (P1).

  Based on the results of distance measurement / photometry / WB detection processing, exposure conditions such as distance measurement data, sensitivity value (Dv value), aperture value (Av value), shutter speed (Tv value), photometry data, WB (white balance) ) Imaging parameters (imaging conditions) such as WB setting parameters for processing are changed or updated. Thereafter, the shooting conditions for the still image shooting process are optimized. After SW2 is pressed (P2), a still image shooting process (step S216 in FIG. 2) is performed.

  On the other hand, when the moving image 1 mode SW is ON, the above-described distance measurement / photometry / WB detection processing is performed from when SW1 is pressed to when SW2 is pressed (P3). Similarly to the case of still image shooting processing, based on the detection result, exposure conditions such as distance measurement data, sensitivity value (Dv value), aperture value (Av value), shutter speed (Tv value), photometric data, Shooting parameters such as WB setting parameters for WB (white balance) processing are changed or updated. Thereafter, optimization of shooting conditions for a series of moving image shooting processes is performed. After the switch SW2 is pressed, first, the process shifts to the first photographing operation mode and the creation of moving image data starts (P4).

  Next, when the moving image 2 mode switch 61 (hereinafter abbreviated as “moving image 2 mode SW”) is turned ON, the mode is shifted to the second shooting operation mode only during the ON period (P5). When the moving image 2 mode SW is turned off, the mode returns to the first shooting operation mode (P6). When the moving image 2 mode SW is turned on again, the mode is shifted to the second shooting operation mode only during the ON period (P7), and when the moving image 2 mode SW is turned off, the first shooting operation mode is restored. When SW1 is pressed again, the first shooting operation mode ends (P8).

  The imaging size in the still image shooting mode is a CCD drive setting corresponding to the maximum image size configured by reading out all the effective pixels of the CCD (imaging device 14) in the imaging unit 15. In addition, the image pickup rate needs to be set to a slow speed (for example, several frames / second) because it takes time to read out the image because the image size to be read is large.

  The moving image data in the first shooting operation mode is set to an imaging rate suitable for moving images (for example, 60 frames / second), and corresponds to a relatively small image size (small) that can be read at this rate. Thus, the CCD drive setting is set to read out predetermined pixels from all the effective pixels of the CCD.

  On the other hand, the moving image data in the second shooting operation mode is extracted as a moving image at an imaging rate (for example, 15 frames / second) that can cover the movement of the subject to some extent, and is later extracted one by one for printing. Corresponding to the image size (middle) of the intermediate class that can be output, the CCD drive setting is set to read out predetermined pixels from all the effective pixels of the CCD.

  In FIG. 5, each moving image sequentially written in a predetermined area in the memory 30 in each of the small, middle, small, and middle image sizes in the period P4, P5, P6, P7, and P8 is in this order. Merged and created as one video file.

  Further, in this moving image file, as the accompanying information, for each moving image, at least the number of horizontal and vertical constituent pixels indicating the image size and the frame rate of the imaging signal are recorded. Finally, the system control circuit 50 reads out a series of these moving image files including the auxiliary information stored in the image storage buffer area in the memory 30 and passes through the I / F 90 or I / F 94, the connector 92 or the connector 96. Then, the data is written into the recording medium 200 or the recording medium 210 such as a memory card or a compact flash (registered trademark) card.

  In this way, when playing back a moving image file written on a recording medium such as a memory card or a CompactFlash (registered trademark) card, the horizontal and vertical configurations recorded in the file as the additional information are separately provided. Based on the number of pixels and the frame rate of the imaging signal, for example, by using an application such as adapting the difference in image size between small and middle and the difference in frame rate to one moving image format by scaling processing or frame interpolation Later, it can be viewed as a series of movie sizes.

  In addition, the above-described series of moving image files is composed of a sequence of a plurality of still image files. For example, a specific still image file is extracted from a middle-sized moving image area, and this is hard-printed. It can also be used as a photograph.

[Second Embodiment]
The imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration (FIG. 1) as the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  In the first embodiment, processing such as distance measurement, photometry, and WB detection for determining imaging parameters used for AE control, AF control, AWB control, AGC control, etc. is not distinguished for each imaging operation mode. In the above description, it is assumed that the process is performed only once in common before moving to each operation process (step S212 in FIG. 2).

  However, in actual movie shooting, unlike in the case of still image shooting, the surrounding environment such as the subject and the light source surrounding the subject changes with time, so ranging, photometry, WB are adapted to these conditions. Processing such as detection must be performed each time. Then, it is desirable to reflect the result on the photographing conditions through photographing parameters used for AE control, AF control, AWB control, AGC control and the like.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the shooting parameters during the moving image shooting are made to follow the change of the shooting scene in consideration of the moving image shooting with respect to the first embodiment. It is an embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart schematically showing an example of the creation timing and process of the still image file and the moving image file of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The timing chart shown in FIG. 6 differs from the timing chart shown in FIG. 5 in the timing of distance measurement / photometry / WB detection and the timing of calculating and changing the shooting parameters from the detection results.

  In FIG. 6, first, when the moving image 1 mode SW is OFF, ranging, photometry, and WB detection processing (step S212 in FIG. 2) is performed from when SW1 is pressed to when SW2 is pressed (P1). Is called.

  Based on the results of distance measurement / photometry / WB detection processing, exposure conditions such as distance measurement data, sensitivity value (Dv value), aperture value (Av value), shutter speed (Tv value), photometry data, WB (white balance) ) Shooting parameters such as WB setting parameters for processing are changed or updated. Thereafter, the shooting conditions for the still image shooting process are optimized. After SW2 is pressed (P2), a still image shooting process (step S216 in FIG. 2) is performed.

  On the other hand, when the moving image 1 mode SW is ON, ranging, photometry, and WB detection processes are performed from when SW1 is pressed to when SW2 is pressed (P3). Then, as in the case of the still image shooting process, the distance measurement data, sensitivity value (Dv value), aperture value (Av value), shutter speed (Tv value) based on the results of the distance measurement / photometry / WB detection process Shooting parameters such as exposure conditions such as WB setting parameters for WB (white balance) processing are changed or updated. Thereafter, optimization of shooting conditions for a series of moving image shooting processes is performed. The processes (P1, P2, P3) up to this point are exactly the same as P1 to P3 in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment. After the switch SW2 is pressed, first, the process shifts to the first shooting operation mode and the creation of moving image data starts (P4).

  In the first photographing operation mode, a moving image is read out by continuously reading out a series of field signals. During this period, distance measurement, photometry, Processing for WB detection is performed. Based on the results of distance measurement / photometry / WB detection processing, exposure conditions such as distance measurement data, sensitivity value (Dv value), aperture value (Av value), shutter speed (Tv value), photometry data, WB (white balance) ) Shooting parameters such as WB setting parameters for processing are changed or updated.

  When the moving image 2 mode SW is turned ON, the mode is shifted to the second shooting operation mode only during the ON period (P5).

  In the second shooting operation mode, a moving image is read out by continuously reading out a series of field signals. Similarly, during this period, measurement is performed continuously at a rate of once every several fields. Distance / photometry / WB detection processing is performed. Based on the results of distance measurement / photometry / WB detection processing, exposure conditions such as distance measurement data, sensitivity value (Dv value), aperture value (Av value), shutter speed (Tv value), photometry data, WB (white balance) ) Shooting parameters such as WB setting parameters for processing are changed or updated.

  When the moving image 2 mode SWOFF is set, the mode returns to the first shooting operation mode (P6). When the moving image 2 mode SW is turned on again, the mode is shifted to the second shooting operation mode only during the ON period (P7), and when the moving image 2 mode SW is turned off, the first shooting operation mode is restored. When SW1 is pressed again, the first shooting operation mode ends (P8).

  Here, as a first imaging parameter calculation / setting method, a focus control condition, an exposure condition, and a WB setting parameter are immediately determined from a field signal read immediately after the distance measurement / photometry / WB detection results. There is a method of reflecting in the photographing conditions at a timing that is optimized to the target value (photographing parameter optimization timing 1 in FIG. 6).

  With this method, when a specific field image is extracted from moving image data, for example, with regard to automatic exposure control, automatic focus control, automatic white balance control, and automatic sensitivity control, stillness with higher accuracy (close to the target value) is obtained. There is a merit that it is easy to obtain a picture. On the other hand, each time detection is performed in accordance with the movement of the subject, motor driving for distance measurement control and aperture control is performed with a larger control width, so that power consumption increases accordingly. In addition, since exposure conditions and WB setting parameters change greatly for each detection, a demerit that changes in brightness and hue due to differences in shooting parameters between field signals are easily recognized as flickering when played back as a series of moving images. There is.

  Further, as a second method of calculating and setting the shooting parameters, the focus control condition, the exposure condition, and the WB setting parameter are determined with respect to the field signal read out immediately after the results of the distance measurement / photometry / WB detection. By setting the level close to the target value and performing automatic exposure control, automatic focus control, automatic white balance control, and automatic sensitivity control step by step, the control range is reduced, power consumption is reduced, and video There is a method for suppressing flickering of an image (photographing parameter optimization timing 2 in FIG. 6).

  With this method, when a specific field image is extracted from moving image data, the accuracy of the automatic exposure control, automatic focus control, automatic white balance control, and automatic sensitivity control is low (the target value) as much as the control width is suppressed. It tends to be a still image.

  As a third method for calculating and setting the shooting parameters, in the first shooting operation mode, the focus control conditions, the exposure conditions, and the WB setting parameters are read immediately after the results of the distance measurement, photometry, and WB detection. The field signal is set so as to approach the target value by a predetermined level, and automatic exposure control, automatic focus control, automatic white balance control, and automatic sensitivity control are performed step by step. In the second shooting operation mode, the focus control conditions, exposure conditions, and WB setting parameters are immediately optimized to the predetermined target values from the field signals read immediately after the results of the distance measurement / photometry / WB detection. There is a method of reflecting in the shooting conditions at such timing (shooting parameter optimization timing 3 in FIG. 6).

  The third method for calculating and setting the shooting parameters is considered to be an example of an embodiment that can best bring out the effects of the present invention. That is, the moving image data in the first shooting operation mode is set to an imaging rate (60 frames / second) suitable for a moving image, and corresponds to a relatively small image size (small) that can be read at this rate. The CCD is set to read out predetermined pixels from all the effective pixels of the CCD.

  In addition, the moving image data in the second shooting operation mode is extracted as a moving image at a shooting rate (for example, 15 frames / second) that can cover the movement of the subject to some extent, and is later printed out for photographic use. Corresponding to an intermediate class image size (middle), the CCD drive setting is set to read out predetermined pixels from all the effective pixels of the CCD.

  In the first shooting operation mode, the calculation and setting of shooting parameters suitable for viewing moving images are performed by suppressing power consumption and flickering of moving images. In the second shooting operation mode, Can obtain still images with higher accuracy (close to the target value) for automatic exposure control, automatic focus control, automatic white balance control, automatic sensitivity control, etc. In addition, more suitable photographing parameters are calculated and set.

[Third Embodiment]
The imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration (FIG. 1) as that of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  The imaging apparatus has two shooting operation modes for moving image shooting, and starts shooting the second shooting operation mode during the period when the first shooting operation mode is started, and records it as a series of video signal information. While being stored in the medium, the imaging resolution in the second imaging operation mode can be set larger than the imaging resolution in the first imaging operation mode. As a result, the imaging apparatus according to the above-described embodiment has an effect that several frames in the moving image can be taken out and printed at a picture quality as in the case of still image shooting. The shooting operation mode is not limited to a so-called moving image reading mode in which exposure and reading of the image sensor are performed simultaneously and continuously. For example, in the second shooting operation mode, a still image shooting process is used to perform still image shooting at a high speed, thereby generating a series of still images and configuring a moving image. What has been described is the third embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram for explaining operations in the first shooting operation mode and the second shooting operation mode of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, when the moving image 1 mode SW is in the ON state and the moving image 2 mode SW is in the OFF state, the shooting operation in the first shooting operation mode is performed. A period Tf in FIG. 7 is a first photographing operation mode period.

  The moving image in the first shooting operation mode is set to an imaging rate suitable for the moving image (for example, 60 frames / second), and corresponds to a relatively small image size (small) that can be read at this imaging rate. The CCD drive setting is such that predetermined pixels are read out from all the effective pixels of the CCD.

  Tfc is a period for outputting one field signal (one frame) in the above-described driving of the CCD which is the image sensor 14. At this time, the mechanical shutter is held open. The exposure control during the first photographing operation mode period is performed by changing the aperture value at the mechanical aperture and the shutter time by the electronic shutter of the CCD. The electronic shutter of the CCD is formed by opening and closing a potential barrier provided in the depth direction of the PD (photodiode inside the CCD). The mechanical shutter is a shutter controlled in the shooting control sequence after the shutter SW2 is pressed.

  In FIG. 7, the ΦVsub pulse is a pulse for an electronic shutter, and the signal charge accumulated in the PD at the pulse High is discharged in the CCD depth direction (substrate, substrate). Accordingly, during the shutter time per field signal in the first photographing operation mode period, from the time when the electronic shutter pulse is stopped until the charge is read from the PD to the VCCD (vertical line transfer CCD) (the first of Tfc). Is the time Tfe. During the first photographing operation mode period, the electrical signal exposed and accumulated in the PD in this way is continuously read as a field signal.

  On the other hand, when the moving image 1 mode SW is in the ON state and the moving image 2 mode SW is changed to the ON state, the shooting operation is shifted to the second shooting operation mode. A period Ts in FIG. 7 is a second imaging operation mode period.

  The exposure condition in the second shooting operation mode is determined by the aperture value and the shutter time as in the case of the still image shooting process described in the first embodiment. The aperture value is determined by the aperture size of the aperture of the mechanical aperture, and when the shutter speed is reached, the CCD electronic shutter pulse is used as the exposure start time, and the shutter time when the mechanical shutter is closed (Tse).

  When the mechanical shutter is closed, the CCD transfer unit normally transfers more than the number of transfer stages (VCCD clear) for the number of transfer stages in order to discharge unnecessary charges from the VCCD (vertical CCD) at the CCD transfer unit before reading the signal charge on the PD. Is done. After the VCCD is cleared, the signal charge of the PD is read out to the VCCD, and the charge of each pixel is sequentially read out. Unnecessary charge refers to a residual amount of the signal charge that has been exposed and accumulated in the transfer unit.

  In this way, unlike when driving in the first shooting operation mode, when reading a still image in the second shooting operation mode, transfer is performed while blocking the strong light that causes smearing and blooming with the mechanical shutter closed. Since unnecessary charges in the portion can be wiped out, occurrence of smear and OB blooming can be avoided.

  The image data in the second shooting operation mode is obtained by moving the subject as a moving image by opening the mechanical shutter again and repeating the above-described still image shooting process while the moving image 2 mode SW is held in the ON state. A middle-class image size (middle) that enables high-speed continuous shooting at an imaging rate (for example, 15 frames / second) that can be covered to a certain extent, and that can be extracted one after another and printed out for photographic purposes. Correspondingly, the CCD drive setting is made to read out predetermined pixels from all the effective pixels of the CCD. Then, when the moving image 2 mode switch 61 is turned off, the mode returns to the first shooting operation mode again.

  As described above, in the second shooting operation mode, a high-speed continuous shooting using the mechanical shutter is performed by using the above-described still image shooting processing function, thereby generating a series of still images and configuring a moving image. By doing so, you can remove still image quality degradation factors such as smearing and blooming that are unavoidable with normal video, and extract still images with full-fledged photo quality even when you extract and view them as a still image later. Obtainable.

  According to each of the above embodiments, for example, moving image recording can be performed in the first shooting operation mode with a small image size, and the image size can be increased only for a specific scene to be extracted. As a result, the user can change to a shooting mode with different shooting conditions in a desired scene while shooting a moving image without causing an increase in operation speed or an increase in the storage capacity of the entire moving image file. Images can be printed with the same image quality and image size as silver halide photographs.

  The object of the present invention is also achieved by supplying a recording medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus. In that case, the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the recording medium. The program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the recording medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like can be used. Further, optical disks such as CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD ± R, DVD-RAM, DVD ± RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, and the like can be used. The program code may be downloaded via a network.

  The functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. That is, when the OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

  Further, the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. When the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of basic photographing operation executed by the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the still image shooting process of step S216 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the video recording process of step S217 of FIG. 5 is a timing chart schematically showing an example of the creation timing and process of a still image file and a moving image file in the still image shooting process of FIG. 3 and the moving image shooting process of FIG. 4. It is the timing chart which showed typically an example of the production timing and process of a still image file and moving image file of an imaging device concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the 1st imaging | photography operation mode and 2nd imaging | photography operation mode of the imaging device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

12 Shutter 14 Image sensor 16 A / D conversion circuit 18 Timing generation circuit 20 Image processing circuit 22 Memory control circuit 30 Memory 40 Shutter control means 42 Distance measurement means 46 Photometry means 50 System control circuit 50
60 Movie 1 mode switch 61 Movie 2 mode switch 62 Shutter switch SW1
64 Shutter switch SW2

Claims (21)

An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit; and an imaging rate setting unit that sets an imaging rate at the time of imaging of the imaging unit, and performs imaging by the imaging unit according to the set imaging rate.
Switching means for switching between the first shooting operation mode and the second shooting operation mode in which different imaging rates are set by the imaging rate setting means;
When switching to the second shooting operation mode during the shooting of a moving image in the first shooting operation mode, the second shooting operation mode depends on the moving image shooting conditions in the first shooting operation mode. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging control unit that switches to a shooting condition of a moving image, causes the imaging unit to capture an image, and records the image as a series of video signal information on the recording medium.   Resolution setting means for setting an imaging resolution at the time of imaging by the imaging means is further provided, and the switching means is set by the imaging rate setting means and the resolution setting means so that at least one of the imaging rate and the imaging resolution is different from each other. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first imaging operation mode and the second imaging operation mode are switched.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging resolution set in the second imaging operation mode is set larger than the imaging resolution set in the first imaging operation mode.   And an instruction unit that receives an instruction for starting or ending the first and second imaging operation modes. The imaging control unit is configured to receive the instruction after starting the first imaging operation mode. When starting of the second shooting operation mode is instructed by the instruction means during shooting of a moving image in one shooting operation mode, the shooting condition is switched to the second shooting operation mode, and the second shooting operation mode is switched. When the end of the operation mode is instructed, the second shooting operation mode is ended, the shooting condition is switched to the first shooting operation mode, and the first shooting operation mode is ended. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is capable of capturing a still image, and the video signal information is a moving image composed of a plurality of still images. 6. .   The video signal information includes at least the number of horizontal and vertical constituent pixels of the imaging signal and the imaging signal frame, is generated as a moving image file including mode information indicating the imaging operation mode, and is recorded on the recording medium The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein   The imaging control unit changes a shooting condition of the imaging unit in accordance with switching between the first imaging operation mode and the second imaging mode. The imaging device described in 1.   7. The imaging control unit according to claim 1, wherein the imaging control unit changes the imaging condition of the imaging unit in a stepwise manner according to switching between the first imaging operation mode and the second imaging mode. The imaging device according to any one of the above.   The imaging control unit optimizes the imaging conditions of the imaging unit for each of the first and second imaging operation modes in accordance with switching between the first imaging operation mode and the second imaging mode. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   The imaging conditions include parameters of a reading method of an image sensor included in the imaging unit, and automatic exposure control, automatic focus control, automatic white balance control, and automatic sensitivity control, respectively. The imaging apparatus according to any one of 9. In a control method of an imaging apparatus, comprising: an imaging unit; and an imaging rate setting unit that sets an imaging rate at the time of imaging of the imaging unit, and performs imaging by the imaging unit according to the set imaging rate.
A switching step of switching between a first imaging operation mode and a second imaging operation mode in which different imaging rates are set by the imaging rate setting means;
When switching to the second shooting operation mode during the shooting of a moving image in the first shooting operation mode, the second shooting operation mode depends on the moving image shooting conditions in the first shooting operation mode. A control method comprising: an imaging control step of switching to a shooting condition of a moving image, causing the imaging unit to capture an image, and recording the image on the recording medium as a series of video signal information.   The imaging apparatus includes resolution setting means for setting an imaging resolution at the time of imaging by the imaging means, and in the switching step, at least one of an imaging rate and an imaging resolution is different between the imaging rate setting means and the resolution setting means. The control method according to claim 11, wherein the first photographing operation mode and the second photographing operation mode set in the above are switched.   The control method according to claim 12, wherein the imaging resolution set in the second imaging operation mode is set to be larger than the imaging resolution set in the first imaging operation mode.   The imaging apparatus includes instruction means for receiving an instruction for starting or ending the first and second imaging operation modes, and the imaging control step is performed after the start of the first imaging operation mode is instructed. When the instruction means instructs to start the second shooting operation mode during moving image capturing in the first shooting operation mode, the shooting condition is switched to the second shooting operation mode, and the second shooting operation mode is switched. When the end of the second shooting operation mode is instructed, the second shooting operation mode is ended, the shooting condition is switched to the first shooting operation mode, and the first shooting operation mode is ended. The control method according to claim 11, wherein:   15. The control method according to claim 11, wherein the imaging unit is capable of capturing a still image, and the video signal information is a moving image composed of a plurality of still images. .   The video signal information includes at least the number of horizontal and vertical constituent pixels of the imaging signal and the imaging signal frame, is generated as a moving image file including mode information indicating the imaging operation mode, and is recorded on the recording medium The control method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein:   17. The imaging control step according to claim 11, wherein the imaging condition of the imaging unit is changed in accordance with switching between the first imaging operation mode and the second imaging mode. The control method described in 1.   17. The imaging control process according to claim 11, wherein the imaging condition of the imaging unit is changed stepwise in accordance with switching between the first imaging operation mode and the second imaging mode. The control method according to any one of the above.   The imaging control step optimizes the imaging conditions of the imaging means for each of the first and second imaging operation modes according to switching between the first imaging operation mode and the second imaging mode. The control method according to claim 11, wherein:   12. The imaging condition according to claim 11, wherein the imaging device includes a readout method of an imaging device and parameters of automatic exposure control, automatic focus control, automatic white balance control, and automatic sensitivity control. 20. The control method according to any one of 19 above.   A computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

Images