JP4449973B2 - Imaging apparatus and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a program thereof, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus that captures and records a subject and a program thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an imaging apparatus having a function for preventing missing a photo opportunity is known. For example, when the shutter button is operated, an image when the shutter button is operated and images before and after the image are recorded on a recording medium. Thereby, even if the operation timing of the shutter button deviates from the photo opportunity, an image of the photo opportunity can be obtained (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-83849

  However, if the image when the shutter button is operated and the images before and after the shutter button are recorded in this way, even unnecessary images are recorded. In this case, a complicated operation is required in which the recorded image is reproduced and displayed, and an image other than the photo opportunity must be deleted.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and provides an imaging apparatus capable of recording an image of a photo opportunity and a program thereof without being forced to perform complicated operations after shooting and recording. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an imaging means for imaging a subject,
Continuous shooting control means for continuously shooting a subject at a predetermined imaging frame rate using the imaging means;
First display control means for causing the display means to display in real time the image data continuously shot by the continuous shooting control means at the same display frame rate as the predetermined imaging frame rate;
Storage control means for sequentially storing image data continuously photographed by the continuous photographing control means in a storage medium for temporarily storing the data;
Second display control means for causing the display means to slowly display the image data sequentially stored by the storage control means at a display frame rate lower than the predetermined imaging frame rate;
Instructing means for instructing start of slow display during display of the continuously shot image by the first display control means;
Switching means for switching to display of a photographed image by the second display control means when an instruction to start slow display is given by the instruction means;
Recording instruction means for instructing recording of image data in accordance with a user operation during display of a captured image by the second display control means;
When recording of image data is instructed by the recording instruction means, recording control means for recording the image data displayed by the second display control means in a file and recording it on a recording medium when the recording is instructed When,
It is provided with.

The invention of claim 2, in the invention of the above claim 1, wherein stored in the storage medium by the storage control means, the image data that is slow display by the second display control means, the continuous shooting A thinning means for thinning out old image data as time elapses in continuous shooting by the control means,
Further comprising
The second display control means includes
The image data stored in the storage medium is sequentially read out by the storage control means and displayed slowly.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the second display control means includes:
The image data continuous shooting by the continuous photographing control unit during a predetermined time period, characterized in that to the slow display.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the second display control means includes:
Wherein the instruction means during a predetermined time based on the timing of the start is instructed of slow display, characterized in that to start the slow display of image data continuous shooting from the continuous photographing control unit.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the second display control means includes:
The image data captured by the continuous photographing control unit before a predetermined time at the timing of the start of the slow display is instructed by the instruction means, and characterized in that the slow display.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display means includes a first display area and a second display area.
Wherein at the same time the slow display by the second display control means performs at the first display region, earthenware pots row by the second display area display of real-time image data captured by the continuous photographing control unit realtime A display control means is further provided.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second display control means includes:
When all the continuously photographed image data is displayed in a slow manner, the image data that has been slow-displayed from the beginning is again displayed in a slow and repeat manner.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 8 includes a computer included in an imaging device including an imaging unit, a display unit, and a recording medium.
Continuous shooting control means for continuously shooting a subject at a predetermined imaging frame rate using the imaging unit;
First display control means for causing the display means to display in real time the image data continuously shot by the continuous shooting control means at the same display frame rate as the predetermined imaging frame rate;
Storage control means for sequentially storing the image data continuously photographed by the continuous photographing control means in a storage medium for temporarily storing the image data;
Second display control means for causing the display means to slowly display the image data sequentially stored by the storage control means at a display frame rate lower than the predetermined imaging frame rate;
Instruction means for instructing to start slow display during display of the continuously shot image by the first display control means;
Switching means for switching to display of a photographed image by the second display control means when an instruction to start slow display is given by the instruction means;
A recording instruction means for instructing recording of image data in accordance with a user operation during display of a photographed image by the second display control means;
When recording of image data is instructed by the recording instruction means, recording control means for recording the image data displayed by the second display control means in a file and recording it on a recording medium when the recording is instructed It functions as <br/>.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably record an image corresponding to a shutter chance intended by the user at the time of shooting.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as an example in which the imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital camera.
[First embodiment]
A. Configuration of Digital Camera FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a digital camera 1 that implements the imaging apparatus of the present invention.
The digital camera 1 includes a photographing lens 2, a lens driving block 3, an aperture 4, a CCD 5, a driver 6, a TG (timing generator) 7, a unit circuit 8, an image generation unit 9, a CPU 10, a key input unit 11, a memory 12, a DRAM 13, A flash memory 14, an image display unit 15, and a bus 16 are provided.

  The photographing lens 2 includes a focus lens, a zoom lens, and the like that are constituted by a plurality of lens groups (not shown). A lens driving block 3 is connected to the photographing lens 2. The lens driving block 3 includes a focus motor and a zoom motor that drive the focus lens and the zoom lens along the optical axis direction, respectively, and a focus motor driver that drives the focus motor and the zoom motor according to a control signal sent from the CPU 10. And a zoom motor driver (not shown).

The diaphragm 4 includes a drive circuit (not shown), and the drive circuit operates the diaphragm 4 in accordance with a control signal sent from the CPU 10.
The diaphragm 4 is a mechanism that controls the amount of light that enters from the photographing lens 2.

  The CCD 5 (imaging device) is driven by a driver 6 to photoelectrically convert the intensity of light of each color of the RGB value of the subject image for every fixed period and output it to the unit circuit 8 as an imaging signal. The operation timing of the driver 6 and the unit circuit 8 is controlled by the CPU 10 via the TG 7. The CCD 5 has a Bayer color filter and also functions as an electronic shutter. The shutter speed of the electronic shutter is controlled by the CPU 10 via the driver 6 and TG7.

  A TG 7 is connected to the unit circuit 8, a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit that holds the imaged signal output from the CCD 5 by correlated double sampling, and an AGC that performs automatic gain adjustment of the imaged signal after the sampling. An (Automatic Gain Control) circuit and an A / D converter that converts an analog image pickup signal after the automatic gain adjustment into a digital signal, the image pickup signal output from the CCD 5 passes through the unit circuit 8 as a digital signal. It is sent to the image generator 9.

  The image generation unit 9 performs processing such as γ correction processing and white balance processing on the image data sent from the unit circuit 8, generates a luminance color difference signal (YUV data), and generates the generated luminance color difference. The image data of the signal is sent to the CPU 10. That is, the image generation unit 9 performs image processing on the image data output from the CCD 5.

The CPU 10 is a one-chip microcomputer that controls each part of the digital camera 1. In addition, the CPU 10 includes a clock circuit and has a function of measuring time.
Mainly, the CPU 10 has a function (continuous shooting control means) for performing continuous shooting imaging (continuous shooting) of a subject for a predetermined time via the CCD 5, the driver 6, and the TG 7, and continuous shooting imaging of image data obtained by the continuous shooting imaging. Has a function (slow display control means) for slow display at a speed slower than the continuous shooting speed, and a function (record control means) for recording image data that is displayed at a slow timing at the photographing timing specified by the user.

The key input unit 11 includes a plurality of operation keys such as a shutter button, a shooting instruction button, a mode switching key, a menu key, a cross key, and a SET key that can be operated in two steps by half-pressing and pressing in response to a user's key operation. The operation signal is output to the CPU 10.
The memory 12 stores a control program and necessary data necessary for the CPU 10 to control each unit, and the CPU 10 operates according to the program.

The DRAM 13 is used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data sent to the CPU 10 after being imaged by the CCD 5 and also as a working memory for the CPU 10.
The flash memory 14 is a recording medium that stores compressed image data.

  The image display unit 15 includes a color LCD and its driving circuit, and displays the subject imaged by the CCD 5 as a through image when in a shooting standby state, and is read out from the flash memory 14 and decompressed when a recorded image is reproduced. The recorded image is displayed.

B. Operation of Digital Camera 1 The operation of the digital camera 1 in the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
When the still image shooting mode is set by the user operating the mode switching key of the key input unit 11, in step S1, the CPU 10 sends the CCD 5 to the CCD 5 via the TG 7 and the driver 6 at a predetermined frame rate (here, 60 fps). A moving image capturing process for capturing a moving image of a subject is started (continuous shooting control means).
Next, in step S2, through image display (normal through image display) in which the frame image data sequentially obtained by the moving image imaging processing is displayed on the image display unit 15 in real time is started (through display control means). This normal through image display means that the image data picked up by the CCD 5 is displayed on one screen.

  Here, the luminance color difference signals sequentially picked up by the CCD 5 and sequentially generated by the image generation unit 9 are stored in the buffer memory (DRAM 13), and the stored frame image data is displayed on the image display unit 15. However, it is assumed that only frame image data for one frame is stored in the buffer memory, and the frame image data captured at the frame rate is updated and stored (overwritten) in the buffer memory. The updated and stored frame image data is sequentially displayed as a through image immediately.

When the through image display is started, the process proceeds to step S3, and the CPU 10 determines whether or not the shutter button is half-pressed. This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to a half-press operation of the shutter button is sent from the key input unit 11.
If it is determined in step S3 that the shutter button is not half-pressed, the process proceeds to step S4, and the CPU 10 determines whether or not to change the continuous shooting speed setting.

The continuous shooting speed refers to the speed (imaging interval) at which images are continuously captured by continuous imaging processing described later (the imaging interval increases as the speed increases). . Here, it is assumed that the continuous shooting speed can be set at a speed equal to or less than 60 frames per second (a continuous shooting speed at which 60 frames can be continuously captured per second).
At this time, when changing the setting of the continuous shooting speed, the user can change the setting of the continuous shooting speed by operating the menu key, and the CPU 10 performs an operation of changing the setting of the continuous shooting speed. When the operation signal corresponding to is sent from the key input unit 11, it is determined that the setting of the continuous shooting speed is to be changed.

  If it is determined in step S4 that the setting of the continuous shooting speed is to be changed, the CPU 10 proceeds to step S5, changes the setting to the continuous shooting speed according to the user's operation and proceeds to step S6, and in step S4, the continuous shooting speed is changed. If it is determined not to change the setting, the process proceeds to step S6 as it is. The set continuous shooting speed is overwritten and stored in the continuous shooting speed storage area of the memory 12.

In step S6, the CPU 10 determines whether or not to change the continuous shooting time setting.
The continuous shooting time refers to a time for continuous imaging by continuous shooting processing described later.
At this time, when changing the setting of the continuous shooting time, the user can change the setting of the continuous shooting time by operating the menu key, and the CPU 10 performs an operation of changing the setting of the continuous shooting time. When the operation signal corresponding to is sent from the key input unit 11, it is determined that the setting of the continuous shooting time is to be changed.

  If it is determined in step S6 that the continuous shooting time setting is to be changed, the CPU 10 proceeds to step S7, changes the setting to the continuous shooting time according to the user's operation, and proceeds to step S8. In step S6, the continuous shooting time setting is changed. If it is determined not to change the setting, the process proceeds to step S8 as it is. The set continuous shooting time is overwritten and stored in the continuous shooting time storage area of the memory 12.

In step S8, the CPU 10 determines whether or not to change the slow display speed setting.
The slow display speed refers to a display interval displayed by a slow display described later. The faster the speed, the shorter the display interval (the display rate increases), and the slower the speed, the longer the display interval (display rate). ). Here, as the slow display speed, it is assumed that the display speed can be set at a display speed less than one time. This 1 × means the speed displayed by real-time display or normal through image display. For example, when 60 images are captured per second, displaying 60 images per second is called 1 × display speed. When 30 images are captured per second, displaying at 30 per second is referred to as a display speed of 1 ×. That is, the display speed varies depending on the imaging interval of the captured image data.
Note that the slow display speed may be set such as how many per second (how many images are rewritten and displayed per second). At this time, it cannot be faster than the continuous shooting speed (it cannot be more than the number of times of image capturing per second due to the continuous shooting speed).
At this time, when changing the setting of the slow display speed, the user can change the setting of the slow display speed by operating the menu key, and the CPU 10 performs an operation of changing the setting of the slow display speed. When the operation signal corresponding to is sent from the key input unit 11, it is determined that the setting of the slow display speed is to be changed.

  If it is determined in step S8 that the setting of the slow display speed is to be changed, the CPU 10 proceeds to step S9, changes the setting to the slow display speed according to the user operation, returns to step S3, and in step S6, the slow display speed is changed. If it is determined not to change the setting, the process returns to step S3 as it is. The slow display speed whose setting has been changed is overwritten and stored in the slow display speed storage area of the memory 12.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the shutter button has been half-pressed, the process proceeds to step S10 in FIG. 3, and the CPU 10 uses the continuous shooting speed stored in the continuous shooting speed storage area (the setting changed in step S5). Continuous shooting processing for continuously shooting the subject is started (at the shooting speed) (continuous shooting control means). At this time, the CPU 10 starts a timer.
Next, in step S11, the CPU 10 stores image data captured by the CCD 5 (including image data obtained by continuous shooting imaging processing and frame image data obtained by moving image imaging processing) in a buffer memory. Is started (storage control means). Here, the captured image data is stored in the buffer memory without being updated (stored). That is, a plurality of image data is stored in the buffer memory.

Next, in step S12, the CPU 10 reads the image data stored in the buffer memory at the slow display speed stored in the slow display speed storage area, that is, the slow display speed set in step S9, and the image display unit. The process of displaying in 15 display areas A is started (slow display control means).
As a result, the displayed image is displayed in a slow manner, making it easy to find a photo opportunity, and is particularly effective for a fast-moving subject.
FIG. 4 illustrates an image displayed in the display area A when the half-press of the shutter button is not released or is not fully pressed during the slow display (when the half-press operation of the shutter button is continued until the end of the slow display). FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a time chart of an image displayed in the display area B. FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the half-press of the shutter button is released, the full-press operation, and the shooting instruction button are operated during the slow display (the shutter button It is a figure which shows the time chart of the image displayed on the display area A, and the image displayed on the display area B when a half-press operation is cancelled | released before the end of slow display. Note that t in the figure represents a time axis, and in both cases, the frame rate of the moving image capturing process is 60 fps, and the continuous shooting interval of the continuous shooting process is 60 frames per second.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the shutter button is half-pressed, continuous shooting processing is started, and image data picked up by the continuous shooting processing is sequentially stored in the buffer memory. At this time, since the slow display speed displayed in the display area A is slower than the continuous shooting speed captured by the continuous shooting imaging process, the time of the imaging timing between the currently captured image data and the displayed image data is You can see that it gradually shifts. 1 in the figure (indicated by a circle symbol in the figure, that is, 1 by a circled symbol) indicates a period during which images are taken by continuous shooting imaging processing. Indicates the timing when the continuous shooting processing ends. This period is not necessarily the same as the continuous shooting time set and changed in step S7, and the shutter button was released halfway, fully pressed, and the shooting instruction button was operated during the shooting by the continuous shooting process. In this case, it is a period from the start of continuous shooting processing until the half-press release or full-press operation of the shutter button is performed.

  Next, in step S13, the CPU 10 reads out the image data (including frame image data) stored in the buffer memory at the same speed as the speed at which the image data was captured (read out in real time) to display the image. The processing to be displayed on the display area B of the unit 15 is started (real time display control means). For example, when displaying image data captured at 60 fps or taken continuously at a speed of 60 frames per second, the same speed as the imaging speed, that is, 60 image data is rewritten and displayed per second. For example, when displaying image data captured at a speed of 30 fps or 30 frames per second, the image data is rewritten and displayed at the same speed as the imaging speed, that is, 30 seconds per second. That is, the captured image is displayed in real time in the display area B.

  In step S12, the time of the imaging timing of the currently captured image data and the displayed image data gradually shifts. However, since the image is displayed in real time in the display area B, there is no shift. The captured image can be displayed, and what kind of subject is currently captured can be recognized.

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not to change the continuous shooting speed setting.
At this time, the user can change the setting of the continuous shooting speed by operating the “↑” key or “↓” key of the cross key, and the CPU 10 receives an operation signal corresponding to the operation as a key input unit. 11 is determined to change the continuous shooting speed.
Here, the user operates the “↑” key of the cross key to increase the continuous shooting speed, and operates the “↓” key of the cross key to decrease the continuous shooting speed. Thus, the user can set a continuous shooting speed suitable for the shooting situation when continuous shooting is actually performed.

If it is determined in step S14 that the setting of the continuous shooting speed is to be changed, in step S15, the CPU 10 changes the continuous shooting speed temporarily according to the operation and proceeds to step S16. In step S14, the continuous shooting speed is changed. If it is determined not to change the setting, the process proceeds to step S16. This temporary setting change is to change the continuous shooting speed only for the current continuous shooting. Even if the continuous shooting speed is changed in step S15, the changed continuous shooting speed is stored in the memory. It is not stored in the 12 continuous shooting speed storage areas. Therefore, in the next continuous shooting, the continuous shooting processing is performed at the continuous shooting speed stored in the continuous shooting speed storage area in step S5 of FIG.
When the continuous shooting speed setting is temporarily changed, the continuous shooting speed captured by the continuous shooting processing is changed during the continuous shooting. That is, continuous shooting processing is performed at the continuous shooting speed with the setting changed.

In step S16, the CPU 10 determines whether or not to change the slow display speed setting.
At this time, the user can change the setting of the slow display speed by operating the “→” key and the “←” key of the cross key, and the CPU 10 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the key input unit 11. If it is sent from, it is determined to change the setting of the slow display speed.
If the user wants to increase the slow display speed, the user operates the “→” key of the cross key, and operates the “←” key of the cross key to decrease the slow display speed. Thereby, the user can set a slow display speed suitable for the shooting situation when continuous shooting is actually performed.

If it is determined in step S16 that the setting of the slow display speed is to be changed, the process proceeds to step S17, and the CPU 10 performs a temporary setting change of the slow display speed in accordance with the operation and proceeds to step S18. In step S16, the slow display speed is displayed. If it is determined not to change the speed setting, the process proceeds to step S18. This temporary setting change is to change the slow display speed only for the slow display associated with the current continuous shooting. Even if the slow display speed is changed in step S17, the changed slow speed is changed. The display speed is not stored in the slow display speed storage area of the memory 12. Therefore, in the slow display accompanying the next continuous shooting, the continuous shooting process is performed at the slow display speed stored in the slow display speed storage area in step S9 of FIG.
When the setting of the slow display speed is temporarily changed, the speed of the slow display displayed in the display area A is changed during the slow display. That is, the image data is read from the buffer memory at the slow display speed whose setting has been changed, and the read image data is displayed in the display area A.

In step S18, it is determined whether or not all the image data obtained by the continuous shooting processing has been displayed in a slow manner.
That is, as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not all image data captured by the continuous shooting processing has been displayed in a slow manner. FIG. 4B shows the timing when all the image data picked up by the continuous shooting pick-up processing is displayed in slow motion.

If it is determined in step S18 that the slow display of the image data obtained by the continuous shooting processing has not ended, the process proceeds to step S19, and the CPU 10 determines whether or not the shutter button has been released halfway. .
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the half-press of the shutter button has been released before all the image data obtained by the continuous shooting processing is displayed in slow motion.
This determination is made when an operation signal corresponding to half-pressing of the shutter button is not sent from the key input unit 11 and an operation signal corresponding to full-pressing operation of the shutter button is not sent. It is determined that the half-press of is released.

If it is determined in step S19 that the shutter half-press has not been released, the process proceeds to step S20, and the CPU 10 determines whether or not the photographing instruction button (second recording instruction means) has been operated. This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the shooting instruction button is sent from the key input unit 11.
If it is determined in step S20 that the shooting instruction button has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S21, and the CPU 10 determines whether or not a shutter button full press (first recording instruction means) operation has been performed. This determination is made when the shutter button is fully pressed when an operation signal corresponding to the fully-pressed operation of the shutter button is sent from the key input unit 11.

If it is determined in step S21 that the shutter button has not been fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S22, and it is determined whether or not the subject is currently being imaged by continuous shooting imaging processing.
If it is determined in step S22 that the subject is being captured by the continuous shooting process at the present time, the process proceeds to step S23, and the CPU 10 performs the continuous shooting time stored in the continuous shooting time storage area after performing the continuous shooting imaging process. It is determined whether or not elapses. That is, it is determined whether the timer has passed the continuous shooting time.

If it is determined in step S23 that the continuous shooting time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S24, where the CPU 10 switches from the continuous shooting imaging process to the moving image imaging process, and then returns to step S16.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that no image is currently being captured by the continuous shooting process, that is, if it is determined that a moving image capturing process is being performed, the process returns to step S16 and the continuous shooting time has elapsed in step S23. If it is determined that it has not, the process returns to step S14.

  4 and FIG. 5A shows the timing at which the continuous shooting time elapses. Looking at FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the subject is imaged by continuous shooting imaging processing until the timing of A passes, When the timing A has elapsed, it can be seen that the continuous shooting imaging process is switched to the moving image imaging process and the subject is being imaged. 2 in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 (indicated by a circle 2 symbol in the figure, that is, 2 by a circled symbol) indicates a period during which an image is captured by a moving image imaging process during slow display. It is.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the shutter button has been fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S25, where the CPU 10 displays a slow display on the display area A of the image display unit 15 (at the time of fully pressing the shutter button). The image data (image data stored in the buffer memory) is compressed and recorded in the flash memory 14 (recording control means), and the process proceeds to step S27.
As shown in FIG. 5, image data that is displayed in a slow manner when the shutter button is fully pressed is recorded in the flash memory 14.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the shooting instruction button has been operated, the process proceeds to step S26, and the CPU 10 performs compression processing on the image data (including frame image data) currently displayed in the display area B of the image display unit 15. The data is recorded in the flash memory 14 (recording control means), and the process proceeds to step S27. That is, when the shooting instruction button is operated, the image data currently displayed in real time is recorded.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that the slow display of the image data obtained by continuous shooting has been completed, or if it is determined in step 19 that the half-press of the shutter button has been released, the process proceeds directly to step S27.

In step S27, intermittent (frame thinning) display is performed based on the image data currently stored in the buffer memory. Even during the intermittent display, the moving image capturing process or the continuous capturing process is continuously performed.
4 in FIG. 4 (indicated by a circle 3 symbol in the figure, that is, 3 is circled) is determined to be a slow display of all image data captured by the continuous shooting process. In this case, the state of the intermittently displayed image is shown, and 3 in FIG. 5 (indicated by the symbol of circle 3 in the figure) displays all the image data picked up by the continuous shooting processing in a slow manner. When the shutter button is released halfway, fully pressed, or a shooting instruction operation is determined before, the state of an image displayed intermittently is shown.

  In the case of the intermittent display of FIG. 4, all the image data obtained by the continuous shooting process is displayed in a slow manner. Therefore, after the continuous shooting time has elapsed, the frame image data obtained by the moving picture imaging process is displayed intermittently. In the case of the intermittent display of 5, the image data that has not yet been displayed slowly when the shutter button is half-pressed or fully pressed or when the shooting instruction button is operated, and the frame image data obtained by the moving image capturing process after the continuous shooting time has elapsed. Is displayed. If the shutter button is half-pressed or fully pressed or the shooting instruction button is operated before the continuous shooting time elapses, the continuous shooting processing is not yet displayed when the shutter button is half-pressed or fully pressed. Only the image data obtained by the above is intermittently displayed.

Image data (including frame image data) captured during this intermittent display is also a target image for intermittent display. That is, image data captured after the end of slow display, image data captured after half-press release or full-press of the shutter button, or operation of the shooting instruction button is also subject to intermittent display, and is currently being captured. This is to smoothly connect the image data and the image displayed in the display area A, and to eliminate the user's uncomfortable feeling when viewing the displayed image. The function of smoothly connecting the currently captured image and the image slowly displayed in the display area A corresponds to (adjustment display means) of the present invention.
The intermittent display in FIGS. 4 and 5 thins out image data (including frame image data) that has not yet been displayed, and displays it at a speed higher than the through image display speed. You may do it. Further, image data that has not yet been displayed may be displayed at high speed without being thinned out.

In addition, the imaging frame rate of the moving image imaging process performed during the slow image display after the continuous shooting time has elapsed is set to a frame rate (a frame rate lower than that during continuous shooting) that captures only the intermittently displayed frame images. By doing so, the load of the imaging process may be reduced, or the thinning-out process of the image data may be omitted. In this case, since only the image data necessary for the intermittent display has already been captured and stored in the buffer memory, all the image data stored in the buffer memory is displayed.
In addition, all frame image data captured by the moving image capturing process after the continuous shooting time has elapsed is stored in the buffer memory and intermittently displayed using the stored frame image data. The frame image data may be stored by being thinned out at the stage of storing it in the buffer memory.
In this case, since the already thinned image data is stored in the buffer memory, all the image data stored in the buffer memory is displayed.

  The reason for this intermittent display is that, as described above, the image displayed in the display area A is displayed slowly, so that the time of the imaging timing of the currently captured image data and the displayed image data gradually increases. When the shutter button is half-pressed or fully pressed and then returns to normal through image display, there is no continuity between the slow-displayed image and the image displayed by normal through display. Since there is a sense of incongruity, by displaying image data (including frame image data) that has not yet been displayed slowly, it is possible to have continuity with the currently captured image data, which is natural. A video can be displayed.

Next, the process proceeds to step S28, in which the CPU 10 determines whether or not the subject is currently being imaged by the continuous shooting process, and if the subject is being captured by the continuous shooting process, the process returns to step S1 and the moving image is captured. If YES in step S2, the flow returns to step S2 to return to normal through image display.
Thereby, an image can be displayed in real time until the next photo opportunity comes, and it can be appropriately determined whether or not the photo opportunity will come soon. In other words, when the shutter button is fully pressed, when the half-press is released, or when the shooting instruction button is pressed, the shutter chance is not approaching immediately, and the shutter chance is not approaching soon, but the slow display is displayed. This is because when it is determined that a photo opportunity is coming soon by looking at the slow-displayed image, the photo opportunity has already come.
Even if the user determines that a photo opportunity will be coming soon and the shutter button is half-pressed, if all of the image data obtained by the continuous shooting process is displayed slowly, Since there is no image of the photo opportunity, once the display is restored to the normal through image display, the user can appropriately determine whether or not the photo opportunity will come soon again.

C. As described above, in the first embodiment, the image data captured by the continuous imaging process is displayed at a speed (slow display speed) slower than the imaging speed at which the image data was captured. Thus, it is possible to reliably record only an image corresponding to the shutter chance intended by the user. Accordingly, it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation of deleting an image other than the image corresponding to the photo opportunity after the photographing is completed, and it is possible to record only the image corresponding to the photo opportunity.

In addition, when returning to the normal through image display from the slow display of the image data obtained by continuous shooting, intermittent display is performed to improve the flow between the slow displayed image and the currently captured image. Therefore, the user feels less uncomfortable than when the user simply ends the slow display and returns to the normal slow image display.
When the shutter button is pressed halfway, a slow image and a real-time image are displayed at the same time, so that the currently captured subject can be recognized and it is easy to find a shutter chance image while watching the slow display. Become.

In addition, when the shooting instruction button is operated, an image displayed in real time is recorded, which is particularly effective when there is no photo opportunity in continuously shot image data. In other words, the slow-displayed image is image data captured by continuous shooting, while the image displayed in real time is image data captured by continuous shooting and frame image data captured by moving-image capturing. This is because the image data currently displayed in real time is not always displayed in a slow manner.
Further, when the shutter button is fully pressed from the half-pressed state, the image data that has been slowly displayed in the display area A is recorded, and the normal through image display is restored. Therefore, a slow display cancel button is provided. In addition, the operation of fully pressing the shutter button also has a function of canceling the slow display, which makes the operation easier. Similarly, when the half-press of the shutter button is released without fully pressing the shutter button, the release of the half-press of the shutter button also has a function of releasing the slow display, and the operation becomes easy.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the first embodiment, the shutter button is fully pressed or half-pressed or the shooting instruction button is not operated during the slow display of the image data captured by the continuous shooting processing for a predetermined time (half-press operation of the shutter button). Is continued until the end of the slow display), the normal through image display is restored. However, in the second embodiment, the slow display of the image data captured by the continuous shooting imaging process for a predetermined time is performed. When the shutter button is fully pressed or half-pressed or the shooting instruction button is not operated, the slow-displayed image is played back repeatedly in slow motion.
As a result, although there is a photo opportunity image in the image data obtained by the continuous shooting process, if there is a missed timing when the shutter button is fully pressed, or there are multiple images that appear to be photo opportunities, This is particularly effective when the image is most optimal.

D. Operation of Digital Camera 1 The second embodiment also implements the imaging apparatus of the present invention by using the digital camera 1 having the same configuration as that shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7.

  If it is determined in step S3 in FIG. 2 that the shutter button has been half-pressed, the process proceeds to step S51 in FIG. 6, and the CPU 10 changes the setting at the continuous shooting speed stored in the continuous shooting speed storage area (the setting has been changed in step S5). Continuous shooting processing for continuously shooting the subject is started (at the continuous shooting speed) (continuous shooting control means). At this time, the CPU 10 starts a timer.

  Next, in step S52, the CPU 10 starts a process of storing the image data captured continuously by the CCD 5 in the buffer memory (storage control control means). Here, the captured image data is stored in the buffer memory without being updated (stored). That is, a plurality of image data is stored in the buffer memory.

Next, in step S53, the image data obtained by continuous shooting and stored in the buffer memory is displayed at the slow display speed stored in the slow display speed storage area, that is, the slow display speed set in step S9 in FIG. A process of reading and displaying the image in the display area A of the image display unit 15 is started (slow display control means).
As a result, the displayed image is displayed in a slow manner, making it easy to find a photo opportunity, and is particularly effective for a fast-moving subject.

  Next, in step S54, the CPU 10 captures the image data captured by the CCD 5 and stored in the buffer memory (image data obtained by continuous shooting imaging, and captured by moving image capturing in step S73 described later and stored in the buffer memory). (Including frame image data) is read out at the same speed as that at which the image data was picked up (read out in real time), and a process of displaying it in the display area B of the image display unit 15 is started (real time display control means) . That is, the captured image is displayed in real time in the display area B.

Next, the process proceeds to step S55, and the CPU 10 determines whether or not the time T1 has elapsed since the continuous shooting processing was started. That is, it is determined whether or not the timer has elapsed time T1.
If it is determined in step S55 that the time T1 has elapsed since the start of the continuous shooting process, the process proceeds to step S56, and the CPU 10 determines whether or not the number of image data that have been continuously shot has been thinned out by the time T1. to decide. That is, it is determined whether or not the process of step S57 described later has already been performed.

If it is determined in step S56 that the number of image data continuously captured by time T1 has not yet been thinned, the process proceeds to step S57, and the CPU 10 captures a plurality of images that are continuously captured by time T1 and stored in the buffer memory. The process proceeds to step S58 after thinning out the number of image data. Here, the thinning process may be a process of erasing the image data to be thinned out, or new image data may be added to the area where the image data to be thinned out is stored by changing only the image management data. May be in a state in which can be overwritten.
Here, since one image data is thinned out every two images, for example, when continuous shooting processing is performed at 60 images per second and stored in the buffer memory, the number of image data remaining by this thinning processing is 30 images per second. The number of images is the same as when continuous shooting was performed with. That is, in moving image capturing, the result is the same as when the frame rate of the captured frame image is reduced from 60 fps to 30 fps.

As a result, the image capturing timing of the image displayed as a slow image and the image capturing timing of the currently captured image are shifted, and the image data not displayed in the buffer memory gradually increases, but is stored by this thinning process. The number of image data can be reduced, and the free space of the buffer memory can be increased.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S55 that the time T1 has not elapsed since the start of the continuous shooting process, or if it is determined in step S56 that the number of images taken up to time T1 has been thinned, the process proceeds directly to step S58.

In step S58, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the time T2 has elapsed since the continuous shooting processing was started. That is, it is determined whether or not the timer has elapsed time T2. Note that time T1 <time T2. Here, it is assumed that the continuous shooting time is longer than the time T2.
If it is determined in step S58 that the time T2 has elapsed since the start of the continuous shooting process, the process proceeds to step S59, and the CPU 10 determines whether or not the number of image data that has been continuously shot has been thinned out by the time T2. to decide. That is, it is determined whether or not the process of step S60 described later has already been performed.

If it is determined in step S59 that the number of image data continuously captured by time T2 has not yet been thinned out, the process proceeds to step S60, and the CPU 10 captures a plurality of images that are continuously captured by time T2 and stored in the buffer memory. The process of thinning out the number of image data is performed, and the process proceeds to step S61.
Again, since one image data is thinned out every two images, for example, when continuous shooting processing is performed at 60 images per second and stored in the buffer memory, the image data captured from time T1 to time T2 is stored. The number of images is reduced from 60 to 30, and the number of image data captured by time T1 is further reduced from 30 to 15.

  Note that the thinning process in step S57 and step S60 is such that one image is thinned out in two sheets, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the thinning process in step S57 and the thinning process in step S60 are performed. You may make it differ. For example, the thinning process in step S57 may be thinned out by 1 sheet, and the thinning process in step S60 may be thinned by 1 sheet in 4 sheets.

FIG. 8 shows the state of image data stored in the buffer memory over time. The t-axis indicates the passage of time from the start of continuous shooting.
Referring to FIG. 8, the image data continuously captured at 60 frames per second is stored until the time T1 elapses, and when the time T1 elapses, the image data captured by the time T1 becomes two images. It can be seen that the image data thinned out by one sheet is stored. The thick line in this figure indicates the image data captured by the continuous shooting and stored in the buffer memory, and the broken line indicates the image data that has been thinned out and deleted in step S57. As described above, the number of image data stored up to time T1 by the thinning-out process in step S57 is 30 images per second, even when 60 images are captured and stored continuously per second. It becomes the same as the number of sheets.

Further, it can be seen that when the time T1 elapses and the time T2 elapses, the image data obtained by thinning out two pieces of image data captured by the time T2 is stored. The dotted lines in this figure indicate the image data that has been thinned out and deleted in step S60. As described above, the number of image data stored from the time T1 to the time T2 by the thinning-out process in step S60 is continuously shot at 30 frames per second even when the images are continuously captured and stored at 60 frames per second. Since the number of image data up to time T1 has already been thinned out in step S57, the number of image data up to time T1 is already thinned out. It can be seen that the number of images is the same as when 15 images were taken continuously per second.
The processing from step S55 to step S60 corresponds to the thinning means of the present invention.

Thus, as time elapses, older image data is thinned out of image data stored in the buffer memory.
Although the image data is thinned out in two stages, the image data may be thinned out in three or more stages as time passes.

In step S61, the CPU 10 determines whether or not to change the continuous shooting speed setting. At this time, the user can change the setting of the continuous shooting speed by operating the “↑” key or “↓” key of the cross key, and the CPU 10 receives an operation signal corresponding to the operation as a key input unit. 11 is determined to change the continuous shooting speed.
Here, the user operates the “↑” key of the cross key to increase the continuous shooting speed, and operates the “↓” key of the cross key to decrease the continuous shooting speed. Thus, the user can set a continuous shooting speed suitable for the shooting situation when continuous shooting is actually performed.

If it is determined in step S61 that the setting of the continuous shooting speed is to be changed, in step S62, the CPU 10 temporarily changes the setting of the continuous shooting speed in accordance with the operation and proceeds to step S63. In step S61, the continuous shooting speed is changed. If it is determined not to change the setting, the process proceeds to step S63. This temporary setting change is to change the continuous shooting speed only for the current continuous shooting, and even if the continuous shooting speed is changed in step S62, the changed continuous shooting speed is stored in the memory. It is not stored in the 12 continuous shooting speed storage areas. Therefore, in the next continuous shooting, the continuous shooting processing is performed at the continuous shooting speed stored in the continuous shooting speed storage area in step S5 of FIG.
In addition, when the setting of the continuous shooting speed is temporarily changed, the CPU 10 changes the continuous shooting speed at which continuous shooting is performed by the continuous shooting processing. That is, when the setting of the continuous shooting speed is changed, continuous shooting processing is performed at the continuous shooting speed with the changed setting.

In step S63, the CPU 10 determines whether or not to change the slow display speed setting.
At this time, the user can change the setting of the slow display speed by operating the “→” key and the “←” key of the cross key, and the CPU 10 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the key input unit 11. If it is sent from, it is determined to change the setting of the slow display speed.
If the user wants to increase the slow display speed, the user operates the “→” key of the cross key, and operates the “←” key of the cross key to decrease the slow display speed. Thereby, the user can set a slow display speed suitable for the shooting situation when continuous shooting is actually performed.

If it is determined in step S63 that the setting of the slow display speed is to be changed, the process proceeds to step S64, and the CPU 10 performs a temporary setting change of the slow display speed in accordance with the operation, proceeds to step S65, and in step S63, the slow display speed is changed. If it is determined not to change the display speed setting, the process proceeds to step S65. This temporary setting change is to change the slow display speed only for the slow display associated with the current continuous shooting, and even if the slow display speed is changed in step S64, the changed slow speed is changed. The display speed is not stored in the slow display speed storage area of the memory 12. Therefore, in the slow display accompanying the next continuous shooting, the continuous shooting process is performed at the slow display speed stored in the slow display speed storage area in step S9 of FIG.
When the setting of the slow display speed is temporarily changed, the CPU 10 changes the slow display speed for the slow display. That is, when the setting of the slow display speed is changed, the image is read at the slow display speed whose setting has been changed, and the read image is displayed in the display area A.

In step S65, it is determined whether all the image data obtained by the continuous shooting process has been displayed in a slow manner.
If it is determined in step S65 that the slow display of all the image data obtained by the continuous shooting process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S66, and the CPU 10 stores the image data obtained by the continuous shooting process in the slow display speed storage area. Repeat display is started to read again from the buffer memory and display in the display area A at the slow display speed stored in the memory or at the slow display speed that has been temporarily changed in step S64 (slow display control means). The process proceeds to step S67. Thus, when there is a photo opportunity image during the slow display, the repeat display can be performed again even if the photo opportunity is missed, and thus a photo opportunity image can be obtained.

  At this time, when it is determined that the slow display of all the image data obtained by the continuous shooting processing has been completed, the continuous shooting time has elapsed since the start of the continuous shooting processing, and the buffer memory stores The image data thinned out in step 57 and step S60 is stored. Accordingly, the first slow display of the image data obtained by the continuous shooting processing is thinned out gradually while the slow display is being performed, while the second slow display is already thinned out. Since the image data after being displayed is simply displayed in a slow manner, the first slow display and the second slow display have different display modes.

  In other words, in the first slow display, image data captured continuously at 60 images per second is displayed first, and image data that has been thinned out such as 30 images per second and 15 images per second as time passes. On the other hand, in the slow display after the second time, the image data of 15 images per second is first displayed slowly, and then the image data of 30 images per second and 60 images per second are displayed slowly. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S65 that the slow display of the image data obtained by the continuous shooting process has not ended, the process proceeds to step S67 as it is.
In step S67, the CPU 10 determines whether the half-press of the shutter button is released.
If it is determined in step S67 that the half-press of the shutter button has not been released, the process proceeds to step S68, and the CPU 10 determines whether or not the shooting instruction button has been operated.
If it is determined in step S68 that the shooting instruction button (second recording instruction means) has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S69, and the CPU 10 determines whether or not the shutter button has been fully pressed.

If it is determined in step S69 that the shutter button full press (first recording instruction means) has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S70, and it is determined whether or not the subject is currently being imaged by the continuous shooting imaging process.
If it is determined in step S70 that the subject is imaged by the continuous shooting process, the process proceeds to step S71, and it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting time has elapsed since the start of the continuous shooting process. That is, it is determined whether the timer has passed the continuous shooting time.
It should be noted that the continuous shooting time actually obtained by continuous shooting and the slow display time of all image data obtained by continuous shooting are shorter than the continuous shooting time, and thus are obtained by continuous shooting in step S65. Before it is determined that all image data has been displayed slowly, it is determined in step S71 that the continuous shooting time has elapsed.

If it is determined in step S71 that the continuous shooting time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S55 in FIG. 6, and if it is determined in step S71 that the continuous shooting time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S72, and the CPU 10 ends the continuous shooting processing. Then, the moving image capturing process is started.
Next, in step S73, the CPU 10 starts a process of updating and storing the image data obtained by the moving image capturing process in the buffer memory. At this time, the buffer memory stores only one frame image data obtained by the moving image imaging process, and when the frame image data is newly captured, the captured frame image data is updated and stored (overwritten). Return to step S63 in FIG. Note that the image data obtained by the continuous shooting process is held in the buffer memory as it is and used for repeat reproduction in step S66.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S70 that the subject is not imaged by the continuous shooting process, the process returns to step S63.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S67 that the half-press of the shutter button has been released, the process proceeds directly to step S76.
If it is determined in step S69 that the shutter button has been fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S74, where the CPU 10 records the image data that is currently slowly displayed in the display area A in the flash memory 14 (recording control means). Proceed to step S76.
If it is determined in step S68 that the photographing instruction button has been operated, the process proceeds to step S75, and the CPU 10 records the image data (including frame image data) currently displayed in real time in the display area B in the flash memory 14. (Recording control means), the process proceeds to step S76.
In step S76, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the subject is currently imaged by the continuous shooting process. If the subject is captured by the continuous shooting process, the process returns to step S1 and the moving image is captured. If YES in step S2, the flow returns to step S2 to return to normal through image display.
Thereby, an image can be displayed in real time until the next photo opportunity comes, and it can be appropriately determined whether or not the photo opportunity will come soon. In other words, when the shutter button is fully pressed, when the half-press is released, or when the shooting instruction button is pressed, the shutter chance is not approaching immediately, and the shutter chance is not approaching soon, but the slow display is displayed. This is because when it is determined that a photo opportunity is coming soon by looking at the slow-displayed image, the photo opportunity has already come.

  If it is determined in step S67 that the half-press of the shutter button has been released, it is determined in step S69 that the shutter button has been fully pressed, and in step S74, the image data displayed in a slow display when the shutter button is fully pressed is recorded. If it is determined in step S68 that the shooting instruction button has been operated, and image data displayed in real time when the shooting instruction button is operated is recorded in step S75, the process proceeds directly to step S76. Similarly to step S27 in FIG. 3 of the embodiment, the display may be intermittently performed and then the process may proceed to step S76. In this case, in step S73, it is necessary to store the image obtained by the moving image capturing process without updating and storing the image. This is because the past image data disappears in the update storage and cannot be displayed intermittently. Further, only the images necessary for intermittent display are captured and stored and displayed, or the image data captured by the moving image capturing process is stored in the buffer memory, and the image data that is not intermittently displayed is thinned and stored. The stored image data may be displayed.

E. As described above, in the second embodiment, the image data captured by the continuous imaging process is displayed at a speed (slow display speed) slower than the imaging speed at which the image data was captured. Thus, it is possible to reliably record only an image corresponding to the shutter chance intended by the user. Accordingly, it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation of deleting an image other than the image corresponding to the photo opportunity after the photographing is completed, and it is possible to record only the image corresponding to the photo opportunity.

In addition, when the image data captured by the continuous shooting processing is slow-displayed to the end, the image data captured by the continuous shooting processing is repeatedly reproduced, so that, for example, the user misses the shutter chance. Even when the user is at a loss as to which is best, an image of a photo opportunity can be recorded.
In addition, since the image data picked up by continuous shooting and stored in the buffer memory is thinned out from the old image data with the passage of time (steps S55 to S60), the buffer memory has a free space. Thus, it is possible to make the state of the image that is slow-displayed for the first time different from the state of the image that is repeatedly slow-played after the second time.
When the shutter button is pressed halfway, a slow image and a real-time image are displayed at the same time, so that the currently captured subject can be recognized and it is easy to find a shutter chance image while watching the slow display. Become.

In addition, when the shooting instruction button is operated, an image displayed in real time is recorded. Therefore, there is no shutter chance in continuously shot image data, and there is no shutter chance in frame image data obtained by moving image shooting. This is particularly effective in some cases.
In addition, when the shutter button is pressed from the half-pressed state to the fully-pressed state, the image data that has been slowly displayed in the display area A is recorded and the normal through image display is restored. In addition, the shutter button full press operation also has a function of canceling the slow display, and the operation is easy. Similarly, when the half-press of the shutter button is released without fully pressing the shutter button, the release of the half-press of the shutter button also has a function of releasing the slow display, and the operation becomes easy.

[Modification]
F. Each of the above embodiments may be as follows.
(1) In each of the above embodiments, both the slow image and the real-time image are displayed simultaneously, but only the slow image may be displayed.

(2) In each of the above-described embodiments, the moving image imaging process is performed when the continuous shooting imaging process has elapsed for a predetermined time. However, only an image at a timing necessary for intermittent display may be captured. That is, instead of the moving image imaging process, an imaging process for imaging a subject at a predetermined cycle (for example, a timing necessary for intermittent display) may be used.
That is, instead of the intermittent display in each of the above embodiments, the image data captured by this imaging process is displayed (adjustment display means).
Thereby, in the intermittent display, when the frame image is thinned and displayed, the frame image data to be thinned is not necessary, so that it is not necessary to capture the frame image data at a timing at which the intermittent display is not performed. Power can be reduced.
In addition, when using the imaging process which images instead of a moving image imaging process at a predetermined period, when an intermittent display is complete | finished, in order to return to a normal through image display, a moving image imaging process is started.

  (3) In the above-described embodiments, the image data is simply thinned and displayed in intermittent display. However, image data obtained by combining a predetermined number of image data may be displayed. For example, one piece of image data may be synthesized and displayed based on 10 pieces of image data.

(4) In each of the above-described embodiments, when the shutter button is half-pressed, continuous shooting processing is started (step S10 in FIG. 2, step S51 in FIG. 6), and obtained by the continuous shooting processing. Although slow display is performed from the image data (steps S12 and S53), slow display may be performed from a predetermined number of frame image data (predetermined time) captured before half-pressing the shutter.
Since the frame image data captured before the shutter half-press is already displayed in the normal through image display (step S2 in FIG. 2), a certain number of frame image data captured before the shutter half-press overlaps. Will be displayed.

FIG. 9 shows the situation at that time. Referring to FIG. 9, when the shutter is half-pressed, a predetermined number of frames are displayed slowly, and the image data captured by the continuous shooting processing is displayed. You can see that it is slow. As a result, since the image data before the shutter half-press is displayed in a slow manner, even when the shutter button is half-pressed at a timing later than the shutter chance, the image of the shutter chance can be repeatedly reproduced, and an image of the shutter chance is obtained. be able to.
Note that in this case, even in normal through display, the storage processing is such that frame image data up to a certain number of frames is always held in the buffer memory without updating and storing the frame image data obtained by the moving image imaging processing. Need to do.
Note that the user may arbitrarily set the fixed number of sheets and the fixed time.

  (5) When the modification (4) is applied to the second embodiment, when the repeat display is performed in step S66 of FIG. 7, the image data displayed as the slow display is displayed as it is. You may do it. In other words, a predetermined number of frame image data obtained by moving image capturing may be displayed in slow repetition before the shutter is half-pressed (before continuous shooting processing).

(6) In each of the above embodiments, the continuous shooting time setting cannot be changed during slow display. However, the continuous shooting time setting may be changed. Thereby, when it is determined that the photo opportunity does not come within the set continuous shooting time, an image of the photo opportunity can be taken by continuous shooting by extending the continuous shooting time.
Needless to say, when the continuous shooting time is shortened, the continuous shooting time cannot be shorter than the time already elapsed after the continuous shooting processing is started. This is because even if it is shortened, it has already been picked up by continuous shooting.

(7) In each of the above embodiments, when the shutter button is suddenly fully pressed without being half pressed, an image displayed in real time by a normal through image display when the shutter button is fully pressed Data may be recorded.
Further, when the shooting instruction button is operated without the shutter button being pressed halfway, the image data displayed in real time by the normal through image display may be recorded when the shooting instruction button is operated. Good.

(8) Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the slow image display is instructed by half-pressing the shutter button, the recording of the image displayed in the display area A is instructed by fully pressing the shutter button, and the shooting instruction button Although the recording of the image displayed in real time in the display area B is instructed by the operation, the above-described instructions may be performed by using other buttons.
For example, a slow display button is provided, and when the slow display button is operated, the slow display is started.

(9) In each of the above embodiments, the continuous shooting imaging process is performed when the shutter button is half-pressed. However, the moving image imaging process may be performed instead of the continuous shooting imaging process. In this case, the imaging control (for example, the frame rate) of the moving image imaging process before the shutter button is half-pressed and the moving image imaging process after the shutter button is half-pressed may be made different.
Further, instead of moving image capturing processing, continuous shooting processing may be performed.
The continuous shooting time in this case refers to a time for capturing a slow-displayed image among images captured by the continuous shooting imaging process or the moving image imaging process.

(10) In each of the above embodiments, when switching from continuous shooting processing to moving image shooting processing (step S24 in FIG. 3 and step S27 in FIG. 7), the user is notified of the switching. It may be. As an example of this notification, it may be displayed on the image display unit 15 that it has been switched, or may be emitted by sound.
As a result, the user can recognize that the image to be captured from now on is an image that is not displayed slowly.

  (11) In the first embodiment, the continuous shooting process is performed during the continuous shooting time. While the shutter button is half-pressed without providing the continuous shooting time in advance, Continuous shooting imaging processing may be performed.

(12) In the first embodiment, the display area A is displayed slowly and the display area B is displayed in real time. However, the display area A includes a first shutter button and a second shutter button that can be fully pressed halfway. The first shutter button and display area A may be associated with each other, and the second shutter button and display area B may be associated with each other.
For example, when the first shutter button is half-pressed, image data captured continuously from the time when the first shutter button is half-pressed is slowly displayed in the display area A, and the second shutter button is half-pressed. Then, the image data continuously shot from when the second shutter button is half-pressed is slowly displayed on the display area B.

  In addition, when both shutter buttons are half-pressed, the display area that was previously slow-displayed when the shutter button was half-pressed may be returned to real-time display. In other words, in order to avoid the slow display in the two display areas at the same time, the one where the shutter button is newly pressed halfway is displayed in a slow manner, and the one where the shutter button was previously pressed halfway is displayed in real time. It may be. For example, when the second shutter button is pressed halfway after the first shutter button is pressed halfway, the display area A that has been displayed slowly is switched to real-time display, and the display area B is switched to slow display. Like that.

(13) Also, the process of thinning out the image data picked up by continuous shooting and stored in the buffer memory from the old image data with the passage of time described in the second embodiment (the process of steps S55 to S60) And may also be applied to the first embodiment. As a result, a free space in the buffer memory can be secured.
In the second embodiment, the processing (step S55 to step S60) of thinning out the image data picked up by the continuous shooting and stored in the buffer memory from the old image data with the passage of time is performed. However, it may not be performed.
In addition, as a method of thinning out the image data captured by the continuous shooting and stored in the buffer memory from the old image data with the passage of time, a predetermined time from the start of the continuous shooting processing is set on the basis of the start of the continuous shooting processing. When the time has elapsed, the image data captured continuously by the predetermined time (T1 or T2) is thinned out, but the process of thinning out the image data before the predetermined time (predetermined number) before the present time is periodically performed. You may make it carry out.
For example, if the process of thinning out image data captured before 5 seconds is periodically performed, the older image data is thinned over time, and new image data is thinned out. Since the number of times is reduced, older image data can be thinned out of the image data stored in the buffer memory.

(14) In the second embodiment, if it is determined that the shutter button is fully pressed (Y in step S69), the image data is recorded in step S74 and then the normal through image display is restored. However, if the shutter button is fully pressed, the image data may be recorded in step S74 and then the process may proceed to step S70. That is, the slow display or slow repeat display of the image data obtained by the continuous shooting process is not canceled by fully pressing the shutter button.
As a result, even if the shutter button is fully pressed, the slow display is not canceled, so even if the shutter button is fully pressed, the normal through image display is not restored, and the image data obtained by the continuous shooting processing is not included. You can record any number of images that you think is a photo opportunity.

  (15) In each of the above embodiments, only the continuous shooting speed of the continuous shooting processing can be changed. However, the shooting interval (frame rate) shot by the moving image shooting processing is also set together. It may be possible to change it.

(16) In each of the above embodiments, when the shutter button is half-pressed, the slow display and the real-time display are simply performed. However, at what timing the image displayed by the slow display is captured. The information indicating whether or not may be displayed.
Hereinafter, a display example in the modification (16) will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 shows a display time chart of the screen displayed on the image display unit.

Until step S3 in FIG. 2 determines that the shutter button is half-pressed, a normal through image is displayed on the image display unit 15 as shown in FIG.
If it is determined in step S3 in FIG. 2 that the shutter button has been half-pressed, as shown in FIG. 10B, continuous shooting processing is started in step S10 in FIG. 3 or step S51 in FIG. The image data picked up by the continuous shooting processing is stored in the buffer memory, and is slowly displayed in the display area A of the image display unit 15 (step S12 or step S53), and is displayed in real time in the display area B. (Step S13 or Step S54). The character “× 0.5” in the upper left in the figure indicates the current slow display speed, and in principle, the slow display speed set in step S9 in FIG. 2 is displayed. However, when the slow display speed is changed during the slow display (step S17 in FIG. 3 or step S64 in FIG. 6), the changed slow display speed is displayed. Thereby, the user can recognize the currently set slow display speed.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 10B, a slow display bar is also displayed. That is, a slow display bar is also displayed during slow display. In brief, the slow display bar indicates at which timing image data captured at present is being displayed in a slow manner. FIG. 10B shows a state immediately after the shutter button is half-pressed.

Hereinafter, the slow display bar will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, FIG. 11 is a figure for demonstrating a slow display bar.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the slow display bar roughly includes a display bar 21 and a cash bar 23. 4s (4 seconds) displayed on the right side of the display bar 21 and the cash bar 23 indicates the imaging time of the image data displayed in a slow manner, and is a continuous shooting time here. That is, the continuous shooting time set by the user is displayed. The number of shots may be displayed instead of the continuous shooting time. Thereby, the user can recognize the imaging time (continuous shooting time) for capturing the slow-displayed image.
The left end of the display bar 21 and the cash bar 23 indicates the half-press timing of the shutter button, and the right end of the display bar 21 and the cache bar 23 indicates the continuous shooting time (4 seconds in this case) from the half-press timing of the shutter button. Shows the timing.

There is a display timing unit 22 in the display bar 21. The display timing unit 22 can be moved within the range of the display bar 21, and the display timing unit 22 can determine which image is currently displayed by slow display. It indicates whether the image is captured (stored) at the timing.
A vertical line portion 24 in the cache bar 23 indicates the storage status of the buffer memory of image data (image data captured by continuous shooting) captured from the half-press timing of the shutter button. By looking at the vertical line portion 24, it can be seen from what timing the shutter button is half-pressed to what timing the image data is actually stored. The vertical line portion 24 indicates the image data captured (stored) from the half-press timing of the shutter button to the present, but only the timing at which the image is currently captured (stored) like the display timing portion 22. May be displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 10B, at this time, since the shutter button is still just half-pressed, it can be seen that the amount of image data stored in the buffer memory is small, as can be seen from the cache bar 23. Also, since it is immediately after half-pressing, the timing at which the most recently stored image data was captured (the right end position of the vertical line portion 24) and the timing at which the currently displayed image was captured (the position of the display timing portion 22) It is also understood that there is not much deviation.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, as time passes, the amount of image data to be stored increases (as the vertical line portion 24 of the cache bar 23 becomes longer), and the latest data is stored. It can be seen that the timing at which the captured image data is captured (the position of the right end of the vertical line portion 24) and the timing at which the currently displayed image is captured (the position of the display timing portion 22) are shifted.
However, as shown in FIG. 10D, when all the image data displayed in the slow display is captured (when the continuous shooting is completed), the image data displayed in the slow display is not stored, so the continuous shooting is not performed. The difference between the timing at which the most recently captured image data is captured by the imaging process (the right end position of the vertical line portion 24) and the timing at which the currently displayed image is captured (the position of the display timing portion 22) is It gradually shrinks.

As a result, it is possible to know at which timing the image data currently captured in the image data captured for the slow display is being displayed in a slow manner, and also how long the image data is to be displayed later.
In addition, since the storage (shooting) status of image data to be slowly displayed is also displayed, it is possible to know the timing of the image data that is currently captured and how long the image is captured later.
When intermittent display is performed, the slow display bar may or may not be displayed. At this time, when the slow display bar is displayed and the image data captured by the continuous shooting is intermittently displayed without being displayed slowly, the position of the image data intermittently displayed in accordance with the intermittent display is displayed. Alternatively, the display timing unit 22 may be displayed. Also at that time, the display speed may be adjusted. In this case, characters such as “× 2.0” and “× 3.0” are displayed because they are reproduced at high speed by intermittent display.

(17) When the modification (4) is applied to the modification (16), that is, when the shutter button is half-pressed in the modification (4), the image is captured before the half-press. In the case where the modification (16) is applied in the case where the image data is slowly displayed from a certain number (a certain time) of image data, the following may be performed.
FIG.11 (b) shows the slow display bar displayed in a modification (17), and the part similar to FIG.11 (a) attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits description.

  11B indicates the half-press timing of the shutter button, and the thin vertical line portion 26 indicates the frame image data stored in the buffer memory until the half-press timing of the shutter button. Show. In the modified example 4, even if the shutter button is not half-pressed, the frame image data from the present to a certain time before is held, so the thin vertical line portion 26 represents the held frame image data. Here, the vertical line portion 24 is referred to as a thick vertical line portion 24.

Hereinafter, a display example in the modified example (17) will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 shows a display time chart of the screen displayed on the image display unit in the modified example (17).
FIG. 12A shows a state of an image displayed immediately after the through image display is set in the still image shooting mode.
As can be seen from FIG. 12A, since the frame image data for a predetermined time has not yet been captured, the thin vertical line portion 26 extends from the position of the triangular portion 25 to the left end of the cache bar 23. I understand that there is no. The display timing unit 22 is not displayed on the display bar 21 until the shutter button is half-pressed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12B, the frame image data is stored in the buffer memory as time elapses, and when a certain time elapses (when frame image data for a certain time is stored), FIG. As shown in (C), a thin vertical line portion 26 is displayed from the position of the triangular portion 25 to the left end of the cash bar 23.
When a certain time has elapsed, the frame image data for a certain time stored in the buffer memory is updated to new frame image data.

  When the shutter button is half-pressed, the display is slow-displayed from an image a predetermined time before the half-press timing of the shutter button, so that the display timing unit 22 is positioned at the left end of the display bar 21 as shown in FIG. The display timing 22 moves to the right as time elapses. Further, the image data picked up by the continuous shooting processing when the shutter button is half-pressed is also stored in the buffer memory, and the storage state is displayed by the thick vertical line portion 24 as in the modification (16). I will let you.

Although the slow display bar is displayed also in the normal through image display, the slow display bar as shown in FIG. 12D may be displayed after the shutter button is pressed halfway.
In the modified examples (16) and (17), the cache bar 23 is displayed, but only the display bar 21 may be displayed without displaying it.
Moreover, you may make it display by methods other than a through display bar. For example, the timing at which the image displayed by the slow display is captured (stored) is not the display bar 21 but is 1/5 of all the image data captured by the continuous shooting processing. A ratio between the number of sheets (time) and the number of pieces of image data (time) displayed in a slow manner may be displayed. Similarly, the cache bar 23 is displayed in a ratio between the number (time) of all image data captured by continuous shooting and the number (time) of image data captured (stored) so far. May be. In short, as long as the image that is currently displayed in slow motion is captured (stored), and at what timing the image data is currently captured (stored), it can be displayed in a way that can be displayed. Good.

Further, the continuous shooting time (4s in this case) is displayed on the right side of the display bar 21 and the cache bar 23, but on the right side of the display bar 21, the slow display time (image data obtained by continuous shooting is displayed in a slow manner). The continuous shooting time may be displayed separately on the right side of the cache bar 23. Thereby, the user can recognize the slow display time for the slow display and the imaging time (continuous shooting time) for capturing the slow displayed image.
This slow display time varies depending on the current slow display speed and the continuous shooting time. In the case of FIGS. 10 and 12, since the slow display speed is ½ times and the continuous shooting time is 4 seconds, the slow display time is 8 seconds (8 seconds).
In the case of FIG. 12, the fixed time displayed on the left side of the display bar 21 and the cash bar 23 is similarly the slow display time (here, 1 s) on the left side of the display bar 21, On the left side, a fixed time (here, 0.5 s) is displayed.

  (18) Moreover, the aspect which combined the said modification (1) thru | or (17) arbitrarily may be sufficient.

  (19) Finally, in the above embodiment, the case where the imaging device of the present invention is applied to the digital camera 1 has been described. However, a camera-equipped mobile phone, a camera-equipped PDA, a camera-equipped personal computer, a camera-equipped IC recorder, The present invention may be applied to a digital video camera or the like as long as it is a device that can image a subject.

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the time chart of the image displayed on the display area A when half-press of a shutter button is not cancelled | released or a full-press operation is not performed during slow display. It is a figure which shows the time chart of the image displayed on the display area when a half-press of a shutter button is cancelled | released or a full-press operation etc. are performed during slow display. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera 1 of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera 1 of 2nd Embodiment. The state of the image data memorize | stored in a buffer memory with progress of time is shown. It shows the state of image data that is displayed in a slow motion by half-pressing the shutter button. 2 shows a display time chart of a screen displayed on the image display unit 15. It is a figure for demonstrating a slow display bar. 2 shows a display time chart of a screen displayed on the image display unit 15.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital Camera 2 Shooting Lens 3 Lens Drive Block 4 Aperture 5 CCD
6 Driver 7 TG
8 Unit circuit 9 Image generator 10 CPU
11 Key input section 12 Memory 13 DRAM
14 Flash memory 15 Image display unit 16 Bus

Claims (8)

Imaging means for imaging a subject;
Continuous shooting control means for continuously shooting a subject at a predetermined imaging frame rate using the imaging means;
First display control means for causing the display means to display in real time the image data continuously shot by the continuous shooting control means at the same display frame rate as the predetermined imaging frame rate;
Storage control means for sequentially storing image data continuously photographed by the continuous photographing control means in a storage medium for temporarily storing the data;
Second display control means for causing the display means to slowly display the image data sequentially stored by the storage control means at a display frame rate lower than the predetermined imaging frame rate;
Instructing means for instructing start of slow display during display of the continuously shot image by the first display control means;
Switching means for switching to display of a photographed image by the second display control means when an instruction to start slow display is given by the instruction means;
Recording instruction means for instructing recording of image data in accordance with a user operation during display of a captured image by the second display control means;
When recording of image data is instructed by the recording instruction means, recording control means for recording the image data displayed by the second display control means in a file and recording it on a recording medium when the recording is instructed When,
An imaging apparatus comprising: Wherein stored in the storage medium by the storage control means, the image data that is slow display by the second display control means, with time of continuous shooting by the continuous photographing control unit, thinning means going thinned from the old image data When,
Further comprising
The second display control means includes
Imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the gradually slows displayed sequentially reads the image data stored in the storage medium by the storage control unit. The second display control means includes
The image data continuous shooting by the continuous photographing control unit for a predetermined time, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slowing displayed. The second display control means includes
4. The imaging according to claim 3 , wherein slow display of image data continuously photographed by the continuous photographing control means is started during a predetermined time based on a timing at which start of slow display is instructed by the instruction means. apparatus. The second display control means includes
The continuous shooting image data captured by the control unit, the imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the slowing displayed before a certain time at the timing of the start is instructed for the slow display by the indicating means. The display means has a first display area and a second display area,
Wherein at the same time the slow display by the second display control means performs at the first display region, earthenware pots row by the second display area display of real-time image data captured by the continuous photographing control unit realtime 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display control means. The second display control means includes
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when all the continuously photographed image data is slowly displayed, the image data slowly displayed from the beginning is displayed again with a slow repeat. A computer included in an imaging device including an imaging unit, a display unit, and a recording medium,
Continuous shooting control means for continuously shooting a subject at a predetermined imaging frame rate using the imaging unit;
First display control means for causing the display means to display in real time the image data continuously shot by the continuous shooting control means at the same display frame rate as the predetermined imaging frame rate;
Storage control means for sequentially storing the image data continuously photographed by the continuous photographing control means in a storage medium for temporarily storing the image data;
Second display control means for causing the display means to slowly display the image data sequentially stored by the storage control means at a display frame rate lower than the predetermined imaging frame rate;
Instruction means for instructing to start slow display during display of the continuously shot image by the first display control means;
Switching means for switching to display of a photographed image by the second display control means when an instruction to start slow display is given by the instruction means;
A recording instruction means for instructing recording of image data in accordance with a user operation during display of a photographed image by the second display control means;
When recording of image data is instructed by the recording instruction means, recording control means for recording the image data displayed by the second display control means in a file and recording it on a recording medium when the recording is instructed A program characterized by functioning as a <br/>.

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