JP3971201B2 - Digital camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an imaging function for obtaining analog image data by photoelectrically converting the image by a solid-state imaging device, and digital image data recording for generating digital image data by analog-digital conversion of the analog image data and recording it on a recording medium And a digital camera having a function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when a digital camera uses a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) to shoot a still image or the like, the image data is converted from analog to digital and then compressed in a preset compression format (for example, JPEG). Record and save on a recording medium such as a memory card.
[0003]
Compressed and stored image data (hereinafter referred to as JPEG data) is decompressed and displayed during playback on a liquid crystal monitor on a digital camera. Also, when displaying an index image or the like, a thumbnail image is prepared in advance separately from the JPEG compressed image and is read out to shorten the reading processing time.
[0004]
The digital camera can be easily connected to an external control device (personal computer), and the image data recorded on the recording medium can be taken into the personal computer and printed out with various processing applied. In recent years, it has spread rapidly.
[0005]
Here, as a professional use, an image taken with a digital camera is often applied as a business. In this case, once an image shot with high image quality is compressed, depending on the compression rate, the image quality and the like may be lower than the image data originally taken.
[0006]
Therefore, conventionally, separately from the compressed image recording control function, the captured image is recorded as it is, that is, raw image data (hereinafter, CCD-raw data) is recorded on a recording medium, and this CCD-raw is stored on a personal computer. Digital cameras having a raw image recording control function have been proposed so that they can be captured (see JP-A-6-90435 and JP-A-11-261933).
[0007]
As disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art, the CCD-raw data is different from normal JPEG data and is not subjected to processing necessary for reproduction and display on the liquid crystal monitor of the digital camera. Sometimes all necessary processing such as interpolation AE, AWB, and gamma adjustment must be performed, which takes time. For this reason, playback and frame advance on the digital camera are not performed comfortably, and the user feels uncomfortable.
[0008]
In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed to generate a dedicated thumbnail image from the CCD-raw data and record it on a recording medium together with the original CCD-raw data. This complicates the control of the digital camera and results in a burden on the processing speed.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In consideration of the above facts, the present invention applies a compressed image recording control function to reproduce compressed image data when a raw image recording control function that records captured image data as raw image data on a recording medium is applied. It is an object to obtain a digital camera that can reduce the control burden at the time of image reproduction by creating the image data for the time.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging function for capturing an image by a solid-state imaging device and obtaining analog image data by photoelectric conversion, and generating digital image data by analog-to-digital conversion of the analog image data and recording it on a recording medium to the digital image data recording function, a digital camera and a compressed image recording control means for recording before type recording medium in JPEG file structure by compressing the digital image data in the JPEG format, the digital image data, and raw image recording control means for recording on the recording medium in a raw state has not been treated needed to reproduce on the monitor of the digital camera, digital image using the raw image recording control means the data in recording on the recording medium in the untreated state, prior obtained using the compressed image recording control means together Symbol The compressed image data compressed by PEG format to the monitor reproduction only has a reproduction image recording control unit that records in the JPEG file structure.
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, if unprocessed digital image data is used for monitor reproduction, processing for monitor reproduction (interpolation AE, AWB, gamma adjustment, etc.) is required. If compressed image data is recorded exclusively for monitor reproduction together with unprocessed digital image data, it can be reproduced in a short time, and control is not burdened.
[0012]
The digital image data in the unprocessed state here refers to data recorded after analog double-sampling, analog color filter sensitivity correction, after A / D recording, and dark (black) data after correction. And at least one of the data recorded in the array state of the color filter after white balance.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the compressed image data dedicated to monitor reproduction recorded by the reproduction image recording control means is created using the raw image recording control means. It is characterized in that digital image data in an unprocessed state is recorded in a part of an area set for recording.
[0014]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when image data is recorded on a recording medium, it is general to provide an area for each captured image. At this time, if compressed image data dedicated for monitor reproduction is stored in a part of an area provided for recording unprocessed digital image data, it is not necessary to construct a separate file. For example, PC ( There is no problem that causes confusing or irrelevant problems when importing images to a computer.
[0015]
A third aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the invention of the first or second aspect, the compressed image data dedicated to monitor reproduction is subjected to compression with the lowest number of pixels.
[0016]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the compressed image data dedicated to the monitor reproduction only needs to be confirmed on the monitor, and since the monitor size is generally small, by compressing the pixel number having the lowest resolution, The burden of control can be reduced without impairing the visibility on the monitor.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a control system in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment. An imaging unit 18 is disposed on the digital mela 10. The imaging unit 18 is provided with a lens 18A, a mechanical shutter, and a diaphragm (not shown), and makes light incident from the lens 18A enter the CCD 18B through the diaphragm when the mechanical shutter is open. It is a configuration.
[0018]
Further, the digital camera 10 is provided with a strobe 12 and emits light manually or automatically under the control of the strobe controller 14 as necessary.
[0019]
Each control device including the imaging unit 18 and the strobe control unit 14 of the digital camera 10 is connected by a bus 16 and its operation is controlled by the CPU 20. Each control device is supplied with power from the battery 22 and is operable.
[0020]
A system memory (RAM or ROM) 24, a nonvolatile memory 26, a timer function unit 28, and a calendar / clock function unit 30 are connected to the bus 16 as control devices.
[0021]
Further, an I / O port 32 is connected to the bus 16, and a signal from an operation / display system 36 attached to the housing 34 (see FIG. 2) of the digital camera 10 is input to the I / O port 32. Output is made.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, a liquid crystal monitor (LCD) 38 is disposed on the back side of the casing 34 of the digital camera 10 (the side opposite to the side where the imaging unit 18 is disposed). An upper part of the LCD 38 is provided with a frame number display unit 40 which is a part of the operation / display system. For example, a shooting frame number is displayed by a 7-segment liquid crystal display.
[0023]
Further, as an operation / display system, a circular up / down / left / right key 42 applied to frame switching, item selection, etc. of an image displayed on the LCD 38 is disposed on the right side of the LCD 38 on the back side of the housing 34. ing. By tilting the axis of the circular up / down / left / right key 42 in the up / down / left / right direction, the contact points of the different switches are switched when tilted, and the switching signal is input to the I / O 32 (see FIG. 1). It has become.
[0024]
Below the up / down / left / right key 42, a menu button 44, an execution button 46, and a cancel button 48 are arranged in the vertical direction. A release button 50 and a mode setting dial 52 are provided on the upper surface of the housing 34.
[0025]
When the mode setting dial 52 and the menu button 44 are operated, a setup screen 54 for performing various settings is displayed on the LCD 38 as shown in FIG. 3, for example.
[0026]
The execute button 46 is operated on the setup screen 54 at the time of determination after function selection by the up / down / left / right key 42, and the cancel button 48 is operated at the time of cancellation of the determined function.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 1, a memory card slot 60 to which a memory card 58 as a recording medium is detachable is connected to the bus 16 via a card I / F 56. The image data photographed by the imaging unit 18 is recorded on the memory card 58 loaded in the memory card slot 60.
[0028]
Here, in the present embodiment, as a recording mode of image data to the memory card 58, a JPEG recording control function for recording JPEG data compressed in the JPEG format, and raw image data (CCD-raw data) that is not compressed. CCD-raw recording control function is set.
[0029]
The file structure recorded on the memory card 58 by the JPEG recording control function is classified into a tag information area 62, a thumbnail area 64, and a main image area 66, as shown in FIG. Note that each area is the same as a general JPEG file structure, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0030]
On the other hand, the file structure recorded on the memory card 58 by the CCD-raw recording control function includes a header block area 68, a display image block area 70, a CCD-raw image block area 74, as shown in FIG. It is classified.
[0031]
The header block area 68 includes a manufacturer identifier storage unit 76, a format identifier storage unit 78, a format version storage unit 80, a compatibility code storage unit 82, a model identifier storage unit 84, a model version storage unit 86, and a display data offset storage unit 88. , A display image data length storage unit 90, a reproduction parameter set offset storage unit 92, a reproduction parameter set length storage unit 94, a CCD-raw data offset storage unit 96, and a CCD-raw data length storage unit 98.
[0032]
The display image block area 70 stores the JPEG file structure as it is, and details thereof are classified into a tag information area 62, a thumbnail area 64, and a display image area 66.
[0033]
That is, when an image is reproduced and displayed on the LCD 38 of the digital camera 10, JPEG image data (in this case, VGA (640 × 480 pixels)) or thumbnail image data stored in the display image block area 70. Is read out. The CCD-raw image block area 74 is classified into a reproduction parameter set storage unit 100 and a CCD-raw data storage unit 102. The image data stored in the CCD-raw data storage unit 102 becomes captured raw image data.
[0034]
The signal input to the imaging unit 18 is sent to the signal processing unit 104, subjected to noise reduction processing such as correlated double sampling, gain control, and sent to the A / D conversion unit 106.
[0035]
The image data A / D converted by the A / D conversion unit 106 is sent to the compression / decompression unit 108 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 20 to be subjected to compression processing (JPEG) or left as it is. The data is sent to the memory card slot 60 via the I / F 56.
[0036]
The image data recorded on the memory card 58 is read based on a reproduction display instruction from the CPU 20, stored in the frame memory 110, and displayed on the LCD 12 under the control of the LCD control unit 112. At this time, on the LCD 112, characters, character data, and the like are displayed together with the image display based on the OSD (controlled by the on-screen display unit 114).
[0037]
An external I / F 116 is connected to the bus 16 and can be directly connected to an external control device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC 120) via a connector 118. The memory card 58 is connected to the PC 120. Can be transmitted.
[0038]
The operation of this embodiment will be described below.
[0039]
Before shooting with the digital camera 10, the mode setting dial 52 is operated to display a setup screen 54 on the LCD 38.
[0040]
Set the shooting conditions on the setup screen. First, when the recording mode is selected (highlighted) by the up / down / left / right key 42 and the execution button is operated, the recording mode can be selected. In the item of the recording mode, as shown in FIG. 3, modes of JPEG / FINE, JPEG / BASIC, and CCD-raw are set.
[0041]
In FIG. 3, JPEG / FINE, JPEG / BASIC, and CCD-raw are displayed, and the recording mode to be selected is selected (inverted display) by the up / down / left / right key 42, and the execution button 46 is operated.
[0042]
Similarly, JPEG pixel count, sharpness, and beep sound items are selected and set as necessary.
[0043]
In the shooting mode, a preview shot by the imaging unit 18 is displayed on the LCD 38, and when a predetermined angle of view is determined, the release button 50 is operated and shooting is performed.
[0044]
When the recording mode is JPEG / FINE or JPEG / BASIC, the data imaged by the imaging unit 18 is sent to the signal processing unit 104 and subjected to processing such as noise reduction processing and gain control by correlation 2 jux sampling. A / D conversion is performed to generate digital image data.
[0045]
Thereafter, the compression / decompression unit 108 compresses the digital image data and records it on the memory card 58.
[0046]
On the other hand, when the recording mode is CCD-raw, the data picked up by the image pickup unit 18 is subjected to correlated double sampling by the signal processing unit 104, and then the analog color filter sensitivity correction is performed by the A / D conversion unit 106. Only the A / D conversion is performed, that is, raw image data is recorded in the memory card 58.
[0047]
In addition, in the case of this CCD-raw recording mode, the same processing as the JPEG / FINE and JPEG / BASIC is executed, and the compressed image data is reproduced as reproduction-only image data for reproduction on the LCD 38. (VGA) is generated and stored in a part of the storage area of the CCD-raw (see the display image block area 70 shown in FIG. 5).
[0048]
In the playback mode, when the index mode is selected, a thumbnail image is read from the thumbnail image area 64 of each image area recorded on the memory card 58 regardless of the recording mode, and is displayed on the LCD. The indexed images are displayed in a matrix.
[0049]
At this time, in the CCD-raw file format, the thumbnail image is read from the thumbnail image area provided as a part of the display image block area 70.
[0050]
Even when the one-image playback mode is selected, if the image is recorded in the JPEG file format, the compressed image data is read from the main image area 66 and decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 108. After being expanded in the frame memory 110, it is displayed on the LCD 38. On the other hand, when the data is recorded in the CCD-raw file format, the compressed image data is read from the reproduction image area 66 of the display image block area 70 and is decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 108 and is then stored in the frame memory. After being expanded to 110, it is displayed on the LCD 38.
[0051]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the recording mode is taken as the CCD-raw, the same structure as that of recording on the memory card 58 in the JPEG file format in a partial area of the CCD-raw file format. Since the display image block area 70 having a structure is provided and used as image data dedicated to reproduction display on the LCD 28, the CCD-raw data (raw image data) is read and the signal processing unit 104 is read out every time it is reproduced and displayed on the LCD 28. Thus, it is not necessary to perform a process such as that performed in the above, and reproduction can be performed quickly. In addition, the control burden is reduced accordingly.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when a raw image recording control function for recording captured image data as raw image data on a recording medium is applied, the compressed image recording control function is also applied to reproduce compressed image data. By creating for the image data, it is possible to reduce the control burden during image reproduction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of the digital camera as seen from the back side.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a setup screen.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a file structure of JPEG data.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a file structure of CCD-raw data.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Digital camera 16 Bus 18 Imaging unit 18B CCD
20 CPU
38 LCD
54 Setup screen 58 Memory card (recording medium)
68 Header block area 70 Display image block area 74 CCD-raw image block area 102 CCD-raw data storage section 104 Signal processing section 106 A / D conversion section 108 Compression / decompression section

Claims (3)

An image capturing function that captures an image by a solid-state image sensor and photoelectrically obtains analog image data; and a digital image data recording function that creates analog image data by analog-to-digital conversion of the analog image data and records the image on a recording medium. A digital camera with
A compressed image recording control means for recording before type recording medium in JPEG file structure by compressing the digital image data in the JPEG format,
Raw image recording control means for recording the digital image data on the recording medium in an unprocessed state where processing necessary for reproduction and display on the monitor of the digital camera is not performed ;
When recording on the recording medium in the untreated state digital image data by using the raw image recording control unit, together compressed that is compressed by the previous SL JPEG format obtained by using the compressed image recording control means a reproduced image recording control unit that records in the JPEG file structure of image data and the monitor read-only,
Digital camera with   The compressed image data dedicated to monitor reproduction recorded by the reproduction image recording control means is one of the areas in the region set for recording the unprocessed digital image data created using the raw image recording control means. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is recorded in a portion.   3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the compressed image data dedicated to monitor reproduction is compressed with the number of pixels having the lowest resolution.

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