JP2000050122A - Image pickup system, its control method, image pickup unit, information processor and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup system which can obtain image data of satisfactory image quality even in an image pickup unit connected to an information processor. SOLUTION: The system 290 has an optical system 201, an image pickup element 202, a memory 204, an image pickup unit 200 which has a connection terminal 209 with an outer unit, pickups up an image and outputs image pickup data and an information processor 250 which is connected to the image pickup unit 200 and executes a processing. In such a case, an operation for outputting a signal from the image pickup element 202 and the transmission/reception operation of the signal between the information processor 250 and the image pickup unit 200 are prevented from simultaneously being executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging system including an imaging unit having a connection terminal with an external device for imaging and outputting imaging data, and an information processing apparatus connected to the imaging unit and performing processing. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a card-type electronic camera provided with a connector that can be connected to a card slot of a portable computer is commercially available, and a method of taking a picture using a display of the computer as a finder is generally used.

The operation of such an imaging system will be described.

A subject image is formed on an image sensor through a lens, and the image sensor outputs this as an electric signal. The data output from the image sensor is digitized by an A / D converter and recorded through an image processing circuit or directly on a memory. When the recording on the memory is completed, a flag indicating a state where the recording on the memory is completed is set.

[0005] The information processing apparatus always accesses the flag indicating the recording state on the memory through the connector. When this flag is set and it is detected that the recording of the output signal of the image sensor in the memory is completed, the image data recorded in the memory is taken into the information processing device through the connector, and the display and the recording are performed.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, signals are transmitted and received on the connector between the information processing device and the image pickup unit during the output of the analog signal from the image pickup device, and this becomes a noise source. However, there is a problem that noise is added to the output from the imaging device, and the image quality of the resulting image is deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an imaging system, an imaging unit, an information processing apparatus, and an image processing apparatus capable of obtaining image data of good image quality even in an imaging unit connected to the information processing apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method of an imaging system and a storage medium storing the control method.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The above-mentioned problems are solved,
In order to achieve the object, an imaging system according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that has an optical system, an imaging element, a memory, and a connection terminal for an external device, and that captures and outputs imaging data. In an imaging system including an information processing device connected to a unit and performing a process, an operation of outputting a signal from the imaging element and an operation of transmitting and receiving a signal between the information processing device and the imaging unit are not performed simultaneously. It is characterized by.

[0009] In the imaging system according to the present invention, signal transmission from the image sensor is prohibited while signals are being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit.

In the imaging system according to the present invention, A / D conversion is performed on an output signal from the imaging element while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit. It is characterized by not having.

In the imaging system according to the present invention, it is preferable that an output signal from the imaging device is not recorded on the memory while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit. Features.

In the imaging system according to the present invention, an instruction for outputting a signal from the image sensor is transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the imaging unit, and then the information processing apparatus transmits an instruction to the imaging unit for an arbitrary time. A signal for accessing the imaging unit is not transmitted.

Further, in the imaging system according to the present invention, after transferring data from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus, an access signal is not transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the imaging unit for an arbitrary time. I have.

In the imaging system according to the present invention, data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing device is provided from the imaging unit to the information processing device.

Further, in the imaging system according to the present invention, it is preferable that when the imaging unit is connected to the information processing apparatus, data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. Features.

Further, in the imaging system according to the present invention, it is characterized in that the mode for detecting the change of the mode of the imaging unit is detected and data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. I have.

Further, in the imaging system according to the present invention, detecting that the imaging element on the imaging unit has been changed and transmitting data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus. It is characterized by.

Further, in the imaging system according to the present invention, the data for calculating the access signal suspension time is a time required for writing from the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit.

In the imaging system according to the present invention, the information processing device repeatedly accesses a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the imaging device to the memory has been completed on the imaging unit. And determining a time required for writing the output of the image sensor to the memory and calculating the access signal suspension time.

In the imaging system according to the present invention, after the access signal suspension time is calculated, a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the imaging element to the memory on the imaging unit is completed is performed on the imaging unit. The information processing apparatus is not repeatedly accessed.

An image pickup unit according to the present invention has an optical system, an image pickup element, a memory, and a connection terminal for an external device, and picks up an image and outputs image pickup data. An operation of outputting a signal from the image processing unit and a signal transmission / reception operation between the information processing apparatus connected to the imaging unit and performing processing and the imaging unit are not performed simultaneously.

Further, in the image pickup unit according to the present invention, the signal output from the image pickup device is prohibited while a signal is transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit.

In the imaging unit according to the present invention, A / D conversion is performed on an output signal from the imaging element while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit. It is characterized by not having.

Further, in the imaging unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that a signal output from the imaging device is not recorded on the memory while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit. Features.

In the imaging unit according to the present invention, an instruction for outputting a signal from the imaging device is sent from the information processing device to the imaging unit, and then, after the instruction is sent from the information processing device to the imaging device for an arbitrary time. A signal for accessing the imaging unit is not transmitted.

Further, in the imaging unit according to the present invention, after transmitting data from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus, an access signal is not transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the imaging unit for an arbitrary time. I have.

Further, in the imaging unit according to the present invention, data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing device is provided from the imaging unit to the information processing device.

Further, in the imaging unit according to the present invention, detecting that the imaging unit is connected to the information processing apparatus and transmitting data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus. Features.

Further, in the image pickup unit according to the present invention, it is characterized in that the mode change of the image pickup unit is detected and data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. I have.

[0030] In the imaging unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus is detected by detecting that the imaging device on the imaging unit has been changed. It is characterized by.

Further, in the imaging unit according to the present invention, the data for calculating the access signal suspension time is a time required for writing from the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit.

In the imaging unit according to the present invention, the information processing device repeatedly accesses a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the imaging device to the memory has been completed on the imaging unit. And determining a time required for writing the output of the image sensor to the memory and calculating the access signal suspension time.

Further, in the imaging unit according to the present invention, after calculating the access signal suspension time, a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the imaging device to the memory is completed on the imaging unit is performed. The information processing apparatus is not repeatedly accessed.

The information processing apparatus according to the present invention has an optical system, an image sensor, a memory, and a connection terminal for an external device, and is connected to an image pickup unit that picks up an image and outputs image pickup data. An information processing apparatus for performing a process, wherein an operation of outputting a signal from an imaging element and an operation of transmitting and receiving a signal between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit are not performed simultaneously.

In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, while signals are being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit, signal output from the imaging element is prohibited. .

In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, while signals are being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit, A / D conversion is performed on an output signal from the imaging element. It is characterized by not being performed.

In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit, a signal output from the imaging element is not recorded on the memory. It is characterized by.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, an instruction for outputting a signal from the image pickup device is transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image pickup unit, and thereafter, an arbitrary time may be set in the information processing apparatus. , And does not transmit a signal for accessing the imaging unit.

In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, an access signal is not transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the imaging unit for an arbitrary time after data is transferred from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus. And

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is provided from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, detecting that the imaging unit is connected to the information processing apparatus and transmitting data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus. It is characterized by.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, it is characterized in that the change of the mode of the imaging unit is detected, and data for calculating the access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. And

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, it is detected that the image pickup device on the image pickup unit has been changed, and data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. It is characterized by:

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the data for calculating the access signal suspension time is a time required for writing from the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus may repeatedly access a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the image sensor to the memory has been completed on the image sensing unit. Thus, the time required to write the output of the image sensor to the memory is determined, and the access signal suspension time is calculated.

In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, after the access signal suspension time is calculated, a flag indicating whether the writing of the output of the image sensor to the memory has been completed on the image sensing unit is completed. On the other hand, the information processing apparatus is not repeatedly accessed.

Further, according to a method of controlling an imaging system according to the present invention, there is provided an imaging unit having an optical system, an imaging element, a memory, and a connection terminal for connecting to an external device, for imaging and outputting imaging data. A method for controlling an imaging system including an information processing device connected to the imaging unit and performing processing, comprising: an operation of outputting a signal from an imaging device; and an operation of transmitting and receiving a signal between the information processing device and the imaging unit. The feature is that they are not performed at the same time.

Further, in the control method of the image pickup system according to the present invention, signal transmission from the image pickup device is prohibited while signals are being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. And

Further, in the control method of the imaging system according to the present invention, while signals are being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit, an A / D signal is output to the output signal from the imaging device. It is characterized in that no conversion is performed.

In the method of controlling an imaging system according to the present invention, a signal output from the imaging device is recorded on the memory while a signal is transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit. It is characterized by not doing.

Further, in the control method of the image pickup system according to the present invention, an instruction for outputting a signal from the image pickup device is transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image pickup unit, and thereafter, an arbitrary time is maintained after the instruction is transmitted to the image pickup unit. The processing device does not transmit a signal for accessing the imaging unit.

Further, in the control method of the image pickup system according to the present invention, after transmitting data from the image pickup unit to the information processing apparatus, an access signal is not transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image pickup unit for an arbitrary time. It is characterized by.

Further, in the control method of the imaging system according to the present invention, data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus is provided from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus.

Further, in the control method of the image pickup system according to the present invention, it is detected that the image pickup unit is connected to the information processing apparatus, and data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. It is characterized by doing.

Further, in the control method of the image pickup system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the mode change of the image pickup unit is detected and data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. It is characterized by.

Further, in the control method of the imaging system according to the present invention, data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is detected by detecting that the imaging device on the imaging unit has been changed. It is characterized by sending.

Further, in the control method of the imaging system according to the present invention, the data for calculating the access signal suspension time is a time required for writing from the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit. .

Further, in the control method of the imaging system according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus repeatedly accesses a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the imaging device to the memory has been completed on the imaging unit. Thus, the time required to write the output of the image sensor to the memory is determined, and the access signal suspension time is calculated.

Further, in the control method of the image pickup system according to the present invention, after calculating the access signal stop time, it indicates whether or not the writing of the output of the image pickup device to the memory has been completed on the image pickup unit. The information processing apparatus does not repeatedly access the flag.

Further, a storage medium according to the present invention has an optical system, an image pickup device, a memory, and a connection terminal for an external device, and has an image pickup unit for picking up an image and outputting image pickup data. What is claimed is: 1. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an imaging system including an information processing apparatus connected and performing processing, wherein the control program outputs an operation of outputting a signal from an imaging device, and performs a process between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit. And a code for a step of not simultaneously performing the signal transmission / reception operation in the step (a).

Further, the storage medium according to the present invention includes a code for a step of prohibiting a signal output from the image pickup device while a signal is transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. It is characterized by:

In the storage medium according to the present invention, while signals are being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit, A / D conversion is performed on an output signal from the imaging element. It is characterized by having a code of no process.

Further, in the storage medium according to the present invention, a step of not recording a signal output from the image pickup device on the memory while a signal is transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. It is characterized by having a code.

Also, in the storage medium according to the present invention, an instruction for outputting a signal from the image sensor is given by:
A code for a step of not sending a signal for accessing the image pickup unit from the information processing apparatus for an arbitrary time after the information processing apparatus sends the signal to the image pickup unit is provided.

Further, in the storage medium according to the present invention, after transferring data from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus, a code for a step of not transmitting an access signal from the information processing apparatus to the imaging unit for an arbitrary time is provided. It is characterized by having.

Further, the storage medium according to the present invention is characterized in that it has a code of a step of providing data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing device from the imaging unit to the information processing device. I have.

In the storage medium according to the present invention, the step of detecting that the image pickup unit is connected to the information processing apparatus and transmitting data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus is described. It is characterized by having a code.

Also, in the storage medium according to the present invention, the code for the step of detecting that the mode of the imaging unit has been changed and transmitting data for calculating the access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus is provided. It is characterized by having.

Further, in the storage medium according to the present invention, a step of detecting that the image pickup device on the image pickup unit has been changed, and transmitting data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus. Characterized by having the following code:

Further, in the storage medium according to the present invention, the data for calculating the access signal suspension time includes a code of a step which is a time required for writing from the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit. In the storage medium according to the present invention,
The time required to write the image sensor output to the memory is determined by repeatedly accessing the flag indicating the status of whether or not the image sensor output has been written to the memory on the image capturing unit from the information processing apparatus. And a code for a step of calculating the access signal suspension time.

In the storage medium according to the present invention, after the access signal suspension time is calculated, a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the image sensor to the memory has been completed on the image sensing unit. And a code for a step that is not repeatedly accessed from the information processing apparatus.

[0072]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an imaging system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 290 denotes an imaging system, and 200 denotes an imaging unit.

Reference numeral 201 denotes an optical system including a photographing lens and the like;
An image sensor 02 converts an optical image into an electric signal, and an A / D converter 203 converts an analog signal of the image sensor 202 into a digital signal.

An image processing circuit 206 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on data from the A / D converter 203.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a memory for temporarily recording data; 205, a memory control circuit for controlling the memory 204; and 207, an imaging unit control circuit for controlling the entire imaging unit.

Reference numeral 208 denotes an interface for connecting to an information processing device 250 such as a personal computer or a portable terminal. 209 and 258 are connectors for making connections.

The interface and the connector may have a single or plural number of systems. As the interface and connector, P
A card conforming to a standard such as a CMIA card or a CF (Compact Flash) card may be used. 210 is a release switch, and 211 is a dial.

An information processing device 250 is, for example, a portable information terminal, a portable telephone, a personal computer, or the like. Reference numeral 251 denotes a system control unit for controlling the information processing device 250.

An image generation processing unit 252 performs an image generation process on the data from the imaging unit 200.
The image generation processing unit may be an electronic circuit or software.

Reference numeral 254 denotes a display for displaying data such as images. A display data processing unit 253 processes data to be displayed on the display 254.

The electric signal output from the image pickup device 202 has a small output and is easily affected by noise. When the electric signal is affected by noise, the image quality of image data obtained from the image pickup unit 200 deteriorates.

On the other hand, when data is exchanged between the information processing device 250 and the imaging unit 200, when a signal flows on the connector 258 connecting the two,
The output of the signal is large and becomes a noise generation source.

Therefore, if the signal output from the image pickup device 202 and the data transmission / reception between the information processing device 250 and the image pickup unit 200 are performed at the same time, noise is added to the output signal of the image pickup device 202. As a result, the image quality of the obtained image data is degraded.

Therefore, in this embodiment, this problem is avoided by the method described below.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time of photographing in this embodiment.

First, it is detected that the image pickup unit 200 and the information processing device 250 have been connected by the connector 209 (step S31), and the image pickup unit is initialized (step S32).

Next, the time required to record the output signal from the image sensor 202 on the memory 204 via the A / D converter 203 is transferred to the information processing device 250 (step S33).

To start photographing, first, the image sensor 202
Is performed (step S34).

Next, the signal output from the image sensor 202 is represented by A
The data is digitized through the / D converter 203 and recorded in the memory 204 through the memory control unit 205 (step S35).

In the information processing device 250, the imaging unit 2
The time to stop the access to the imaging unit 200 is calculated from the time required for memory recording sent from 00, and the access to the imaging unit 200 is stopped until the access stop time elapses from the start of exposure. . After the elapse of the access suspension time, the information processing device 250 connects the memory 2 on the imaging unit 200 through the connector 258.
04, and the recorded data is transferred to the information processing device 250 (step S36). When the transfer is completed, the access from the information processing device 250 to the imaging unit 200 is stopped again (step S37). Thereafter, if shooting is to be stopped (Step S38Ye)
s) End the operation. When the photographing is to be continued (No at Step S38), the exposure is performed again (Step S38).
34).

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the above operation.

The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

In the first embodiment described above,
At the time of initialization of the imaging unit 200, the memory recording required time data of the output signal from the image sensor 202 was transferred to the information processing device 250. The required time data may be transferred.

In the first embodiment, only the mode in which the output signal of the image sensor 202 is recorded in the memory 204 without processing after passing through the A / D converter has been described. The time required for recording in the memory 204 may be transferred to the information processing device 250 when the mode is changed to the mode for recording in the memory 204 after performing image processing.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, when an image pickup unit having a plurality of image pickup devices 202 and 232 and using a switch 240 for switching is used, the image pickup device to be used is also switched. The time required for recording in the memory 204 may be transferred to the information processing device 250.

By the processing described above, while signals are being output from the image sensor, signals are not transmitted and received between the image pickup unit and the information processing apparatus. Can be reduced, and image data of good image quality can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the configuration of the imaging system is as follows.
It is the same as FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment already described,
Only the operation is different.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation in the second embodiment.

First, it is detected that the image pickup unit 200 and the information processing device 250 are connected by the connector 209 (step S501), and the image pickup unit is initialized (step S502).

Next, the image sensor 202 is exposed (step S503), and the output signal from the image sensor 202 is
The data is digitized through the D converter 203 and recorded in the memory 204 through the memory control unit 205 (step S504).

In the case of photographing first, the time for stopping the access from the information processing device 250 to the image pickup unit 200 during the writing from the image pickup device 202 to the memory 204 has not been determined yet.

Therefore, by polling access from the information processing device 250 to a flag indicating the end of writing to the memory 204 on the image pickup unit 200, the memory 20 is accessed.
4 is detected (step S510), and the access suspension time is calculated (step S511).

Next, the information processing device 250 is connected to the connector 258.
To access the memory 204 on the imaging unit through
The recorded data is transferred to the information processing device 250 (S506). When the transfer is completed, the information processing device 250
The access to the imaging unit from is stopped (step S507). The access suspension time at this time is the time calculated in the above step S511.

In the meantime, exposure is performed again and the output is recorded in the memory 204 (steps S503 and S50).
4).

Since the access suspension time has been calculated this time (step S505 Yes), the data is transferred from the memory to the information processing apparatus after waiting for that time (step S506). Hereinafter, the process is repeated until the shooting is stopped (S50).
8).

Here, for the data obtained by the first exposure, the polling access for calculating the access stop time is performed, and the output signal of the image sensor 202 is transmitted and received between the image pickup unit 200 and the information processing device 250. Since it is considered that the image data is affected by noise, it is possible to obtain image data of good image quality not affected by noise by invalidating the image data and validating the second and subsequent image data.

The present invention can be applied to a modification or a modification of the above embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, while the signal is being output from the image sensor, the signal is not transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit.
While signals are being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit, signal output from the imaging element may be prohibited.

Also, while signals are being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit, the A / D conversion may not be performed on the output signal from the image pickup device.

While signals are being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit, the output signal from the image pickup device may not be recorded on the memory.

Further, after an instruction for outputting a signal from the image pickup device is sent from the information processing device to the image pickup unit, the signal for accessing the image pickup unit is not sent from the information processing device for an arbitrary time. You may.

Further, after the data is transferred from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus, the access signal may not be transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the imaging unit for an arbitrary time.

Further, by repeatedly accessing the flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit has been completed from the information processing apparatus, the time required for writing the output of the imaging device to the memory is obtained. May be determined, and the access signal suspension time may be calculated.

[0117]

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus. And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0122]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the signal output from the imaging element is not affected by the noise generated due to the transmission and reception of the signal between the imaging unit and the information processing device, image data with good image quality can be obtained.

[0123]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 200 imaging unit 201 optical system 202 imaging element 203 A / D converter 204 memory 205 memory control circuit 206 image processing circuit 207 system control circuit 208 interface 209 connector 210 release switch 211 dial 220 information processing device processing speed detection circuit 231 optical system 232 imaging Element 250 Information processing device 251 System control unit 252 Image generation processing unit 253 Display data processing unit 254 Display 265 Memory 256 Storage 257 Interface 258 Connector 259 Connector 259 Input unit 290 Imaging system

Claims (65)

[Claims] An imaging unit having an optical system, an imaging element, a memory, and a connection terminal for connecting to an external device, for imaging and outputting imaging data, and an information processing apparatus connected to the imaging unit for performing processing An imaging system comprising: an imaging system, wherein an operation of outputting a signal from the imaging device and an operation of transmitting and receiving a signal between the information processing device and the imaging unit are not performed simultaneously. 2. The image pickup system according to claim 1, wherein a signal output from the image pickup device is prohibited while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. 3. An A / D conversion is not performed on an output signal from the image sensor while a signal is being transmitted / received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. 1. The imaging system according to 1. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an output signal from the image sensor is not recorded on the memory while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. Imaging system. 5. An information processing apparatus sends an instruction to output a signal from the image pickup device to the image pickup unit, and then transmits a signal for accessing the image pickup unit from the information processing device for an arbitrary time. 2. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the image data is not transmitted. 6. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein after transferring data from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus, an access signal is not transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the imaging unit for an arbitrary time. . 7. The imaging system according to claim 5, wherein data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus is provided from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus. 8. The data processing device according to claim 5, further comprising: detecting that the image pickup unit is connected to the information processing device, and transmitting data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing device. Item 7. The imaging system according to Item 6. 9. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the change of the mode of the image pickup unit is detected, and data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. An imaging system according to any of the preceding claims. 10. The data processing device according to claim 5, wherein when the image pickup device on the image pickup unit is changed, data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. The imaging system according to claim 6. 11. The data according to claim 7, wherein the data for calculating the access signal suspension time is a time required for writing from the imaging device to a memory on the imaging unit. Item 13. An imaging system according to Item 1. 12. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus repeatedly accesses a flag indicating whether writing of the image sensor output to the memory has been completed on the image sensing unit. 12. The imaging system according to claim 11, wherein a time required for writing is determined, and the access signal suspension time is calculated. 13. After calculating the access signal suspension time, the information processing apparatus does not repeatedly access a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the image sensor to the memory on the image sensing unit has been completed. The imaging system according to claim 12, wherein: 14. An image pickup unit that has an optical system, an image pickup device, a memory, and a connection terminal for an external device, and that picks up an image and outputs image pickup data, and outputs a signal from the image pickup device. An imaging unit, characterized in that an information processing device connected to the imaging unit for performing processing and a signal transmission / reception operation between the imaging unit are not performed at the same time. 15. The image pickup unit according to claim 14, wherein a signal output from said image pickup device is prohibited while a signal is being transmitted and received between said information processing apparatus and said image pickup unit. 16. An A / D conversion is not performed on an output signal from the image sensor while a signal is being transmitted / received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. 15. The imaging unit according to 14. 17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a signal output from said image sensor is not recorded on said memory while a signal is being transmitted and received between said information processing apparatus and said image pickup unit. Imaging unit. 18. An information processing apparatus sends an instruction for outputting a signal from the image pickup device to the image pickup unit, and then transmits a signal for accessing the image pickup unit from the information processing apparatus for an arbitrary time. The imaging unit according to claim 14, wherein the image is not transmitted. 19. The imaging unit according to claim 14, wherein an access signal is not transmitted from the information processing device to the imaging unit for an arbitrary time after data is transferred from the imaging unit to the information processing device. . 20. The imaging unit according to claim 18, wherein data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus is provided from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus. 21. The information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein detecting that the image pickup unit is connected to the information processing apparatus sends out data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus. Item 20. The imaging unit according to Item 19. 22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a mode change of the imaging unit is detected, and data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. The imaging unit according to the above. 23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the change of the image pickup device on the image pickup unit is detected, and data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. The imaging unit according to claim 19. 24. The data processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the data for calculating the access signal suspension time is a time required for writing from the imaging device to a memory on the imaging unit. An imaging unit according to the item. 25. The information processing device repeatedly accesses a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit has been completed. 25. The imaging unit according to claim 24, wherein the time required for writing is determined, and the access signal suspension time is calculated. 26. After calculating the access signal suspension time, the information processing apparatus does not repeatedly access a flag indicating whether or not writing of the output of the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit has been completed. The imaging unit according to claim 25, wherein: 27. An information processing apparatus which has an optical system, an image sensor, a memory, and a connection terminal for an external device, and is connected to an image pickup unit which picks up an image and outputs image pickup data, and performs processing. An information processing apparatus that does not simultaneously perform an operation of outputting a signal from an imaging element and an operation of transmitting and receiving a signal between the information processing apparatus and an imaging unit. 28. The information processing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein a signal output from the image sensor is prohibited while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the imaging unit. 29. An A / D converter for an output signal from the image sensor is not performed while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. 28. The information processing device according to 27. 30. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein a signal output from said image sensor is not recorded on said memory while a signal is being transmitted and received between said information processing apparatus and said image pickup unit. Information processing device. 31. After transmitting an instruction for outputting a signal from the image sensor to the image pickup unit from the information processing apparatus, a signal for accessing the image pickup unit from the information processing apparatus for an arbitrary time is provided. The information processing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the information is not transmitted. 32. The information processing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein after transmitting the data from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus, an access signal is not transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the imaging unit for an arbitrary time. apparatus. 33. The information processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus is provided from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus. 34. The information processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein detecting that the image pickup unit is connected to the information processing apparatus transmits data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus. Item 33. The information processing device according to Item 32. 35. The information processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing device is transmitted upon detecting that a mode of the imaging unit has been changed. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 36. The information processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein when the image pickup device on the image pickup unit is changed, data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. 33. The information processing apparatus according to claim 32. 37. The data according to claim 33, wherein the data for calculating the access signal suspension time is a time required for writing from the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit. The information processing device according to item. 38. The information processing device repeatedly accesses a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit has been completed, so that the memory of the output of the imaging device is accessed. 38. The information processing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein a time required for writing is determined, and the access signal suspension time is calculated. 39. After calculating the access signal suspension time, the information processing apparatus repeatedly accesses a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the image sensor to the memory has been completed on the image sensing unit. 39. The information processing apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the processing is not performed. 40. An imaging unit that has an optical system, an imaging element, a memory, and a connection terminal for connecting to an external device, and that performs imaging and outputs imaging data, and information processing that is connected to the imaging unit and performs processing. A method of controlling an imaging system, comprising: an operation of outputting a signal from an imaging element and an operation of transmitting and receiving a signal between an information processing apparatus and an imaging unit are not performed simultaneously. Control method. 41. The control of the imaging system according to claim 40, wherein the output of the signal from the imaging device is prohibited while the transmission and reception of the signal between the information processing device and the imaging unit are performed. Method. 42. An A / D converter for an output signal from the image sensor is not performed while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. 40. The control method of the imaging system according to 40. 43. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein a signal output from said image sensor is not recorded on said memory while a signal is being transmitted and received between said information processing apparatus and said image pickup unit. An imaging system control method. 44. After transmitting an instruction for outputting a signal from the image sensor to the image pickup unit from the information processing apparatus, a signal for accessing the image pickup unit from the information processing apparatus for an arbitrary time is provided. 41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the transmission is not performed. 45. The imaging system according to claim 40, wherein after transmitting the data from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus, an access signal is not transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the imaging unit for an arbitrary time. Control method. 46. The control of the imaging system according to claim 44, wherein data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus is provided from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus. Method. 47. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the connection of the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus is detected, and data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. Item 46. The control method for an imaging system according to Item 45. 48. The information processing apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the change of the mode of the imaging unit is detected, and data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus is transmitted. The control method of the imaging system as described in the above. 49. The information processing apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising: detecting that the image pickup device on the image pickup unit has been changed, and transmitting data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus. A method for controlling an imaging system according to claim 45. 50. The data according to claim 46, wherein the data for calculating the access signal suspension time is a time required for writing from the image sensor to the memory on the image pickup unit. 13. The control method of the imaging system according to item 9. 51. By repeatedly accessing the flag indicating the state of whether or not the writing of the output of the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit is completed from the information processing apparatus, the memory of the output of the imaging device can be accessed. The control method for an imaging system according to claim 50, wherein the time required for writing is determined, and the access signal suspension time is calculated. 52. After calculating the access signal suspension time, the information processing apparatus repeatedly accesses a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit has been completed. The control method for an imaging system according to claim 51, wherein the control is not performed. 53. An imaging unit having an optical system, an imaging element, a memory, and a connection terminal for an external device, for imaging and outputting imaging data, and an information processing apparatus connected to the imaging unit for performing processing A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an imaging system, comprising: an operation of outputting a signal from an imaging element; and an operation of transmitting and receiving a signal between an information processing apparatus and an imaging unit. A storage medium comprising a code of a step not performed at the same time. 54. The apparatus according to claim 53, further comprising a code for a step of prohibiting a signal output from the image pickup device while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. The storage medium according to the above. 55. A code for a step of not performing A / D conversion on an output signal from the image sensor while a signal is being transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. The storage medium according to claim 53, wherein: 56. A code for a step of not recording a signal output from the image sensor on the memory while a signal is being transmitted / received between the information processing apparatus and the image pickup unit. 54. The storage medium according to claim 53. 57. An instruction for outputting a signal from the image sensor is sent from the information processing apparatus to the image pickup unit, and then a signal for accessing the image pickup unit from the information processing apparatus is sent for an arbitrary time. The storage medium according to claim 53, further comprising a code for a step of not sending. 58. A method for transmitting an access signal from the information processing device to the image pickup unit for an arbitrary time after transferring data from the image pickup unit to the information processing device, comprising: Item 54. The storage medium according to Item 53. 59. The apparatus according to claim 57, further comprising a code for providing data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus from the imaging unit to the information processing apparatus. The storage medium according to the above. A code for a step of detecting that the image pickup unit is connected to the information processing apparatus and transmitting data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus. 59. The storage medium according to claim 57 or claim 58. 61. A code for a step of detecting that the mode of the imaging unit has been changed and transmitting data for calculating an access signal suspension time of the information processing apparatus. Claim 57 or Claim 58
The storage medium according to the above. 62. A code for transmitting data for calculating an access signal stop time of the information processing apparatus by detecting that the image pickup device on the image pickup unit has been changed. The storage medium according to claim 57 or claim 58. 63. The data for calculating the access signal suspension time includes a code of a process which is a time required for writing from the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit. 63. The storage medium according to any one of the above items 62. 64. The information processing apparatus repeatedly accesses a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the image sensor to the memory on the image capturing unit is completed, so that the output of the image sensor to the memory is 64. The storage medium according to claim 63, further comprising: a code for determining a required writing time and calculating the access signal suspension time. 65. After calculating the access signal suspension time, the information processing apparatus repeatedly accesses a flag indicating whether or not the writing of the output of the imaging device to the memory on the imaging unit has been completed. 65. The storage medium according to claim 64, comprising a code of a step not to perform.