JP2001257912A - Image photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress power consumption without damaging easiness in the capture of a photographing image concerning an image photographing device such as digital camera representatively. SOLUTION: In the monitor display state of an object image, in which a shutter switch 13 is not manipulated, a frame rate is set to slow first timing, the object image fetched from an image pickup device into a memory to be displayed on a display part 12 is displayed as rough monitor image, and driving power to be consumed by a battery power source is suppressed. Besides, in the monitor display state of the object image just before photographing, in which the shutter switch 13 is pressed by half, and in the monitor display state of continuous photographing standby for fixed time just after photographing, in which the shutter switch is fully pressed, a smooth through display mode is set so that the frame rate is set to speedy second timing and the object image fetched from the image pickup device into the memory to be displayed on the display part 12 is displayed as high quality monitor image without roughness.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a CCD (charge co
The present invention relates to an image capturing device represented by a digital camera that captures an image captured by a solid-state image sensor such as an upled device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a digital camera or a digital video camera, real-time image data picked up by a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD is displayed as it is on a monitor screen (finder) such as a liquid crystal display and displayed on the monitor screen. The timing of photographing while viewing the subject image being captured, that is, the image to be photographed is captured.

For this reason, to display a captured image on the monitor screen, a high-quality image display is required, and its resolution and frame rate are set.

For example, when a fast moving subject image is captured and displayed, if the frame rate, which is the timing of image scanning on the monitor screen, is slow, the subject image displayed on the monitor screen has no continuity. The image is displayed as an intermittent motion image.

[0005]

However, in order to improve the display quality of a captured image on the monitor screen,
For example, if the resolution of the monitor screen is increased, 1
By increasing the number of pixels per screen display, the amount of data transfer processing from the solid-state image sensor to the monitor display simply increases, and even if the frame rate for the monitor screen is increased, the number of image captures per fixed time is reduced. As the number increases, the amount of data transfer processing from the solid-state imaging device to the monitor display increases as described above, which causes a significant increase in power consumption.

Therefore, in the digital camera and the digital video camera to which the driving voltage is mainly applied by a battery power supply such as a rechargeable battery, when the display quality of the monitor screen display is increased, the power consumption increases, and the power consumption of the battery power supply increases. There is a problem that the continuous use time per full charge is shortened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and does not impair the ease of capturing a captured image.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image capturing device capable of suppressing power consumption.

[0008]

That is, an image photographing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image pickup means for picking up an image; and image data pick-up for switching the amount of image data picked up and picked up by the image pickup means to at least two stages. Means, image data display means for displaying image data picked up and taken out by the image pickup means, instructing means for instructing storage of the image data picked up and taken out by the image pickup means, and image by the instructing means A pre-detection unit for detecting in advance that there is a data storage instruction; and if the pre-detection unit does not pre-detect an image data storage instruction by the instruction unit, the image data extraction unit sets the image data extraction unit to the imaging unit. The amount of image data to be taken out and taken out is switched to a smaller amount, and the finger is detected by the prior detection means. And an image amount control means for switching a larger amount of image data to be taken out by the image pickup means by the image data take-out means when the instruction to store the image data by the means is detected in advance. It is characterized by.

In such an image photographing apparatus, when an instruction to save image data by the instruction means is not detected in advance,
In other words, in a state in which the user is not expected to capture the captured image yet, the amount of image data taken and taken out by the imaging means is switched to a smaller amount, and the amount of image processing up to the display is reduced. When an instruction to store image data by the instruction means is detected in advance, that is, in a state where the user is expected to capture a captured image, the amount of image data taken and taken out by the imaging means is larger. Since the display is switched to enhance the display quality, the amount of image processing is reduced and power saving can be achieved except when the user needs to view the captured image on the display.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an image photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a monitor screen side. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an image pickup display state in a through display mode. FIGS. 3B and 3C are image display states in the smooth through display mode.

A main body case 11 of the image photographing apparatus includes:
A display unit 1 comprising a liquid crystal display screen on the back side of the case 11
The display unit 12 monitors and displays a real-time image of a subject captured by a built-in CCD device through an imaging lens provided on the front side of the case 11.

Then, on the upper part of the main body case 11,
A shutter switch 13 is provided.

The shutter switch 13 has a two-stage operation position, that is, a half-pressed state where the shutter switch 13 is pressed down to an intermediate position and a fully-pressed state where the shutter switch 13 is pressed down to the final position. When the shutter switch 13 is not operated at all while the captured image of the subject is displayed on the monitor as shown in FIG. 1A, the monitor display mode is set to the through display mode, and the frame rate for the display unit 12 is changed. Is set to the first timing which is late, and the display is controlled as the through display screen G1 which becomes a coarse monitor image.

As shown in FIG. 1B, when the shutter switch 13 is half-pressed, the monitor display mode is set to the smooth through display mode, and the second frame rate for the display unit 12 is high. The display is controlled as a smooth-through display screen G2 that is set at the timing and becomes a high-quality monitor image without roughness.

Thereafter, the shutter switch 13 is fully depressed to capture a photographed image. As shown in FIG. 1C, when the shutter switch 13 is opened, the shutter switch 13 is fully depressed. For a certain period of time, the mode of the monitor display is maintained in the smooth through display mode for continuous shooting standby, and the frame rate for the display unit 12 is set and maintained in the second timing, so that high quality without roughness is maintained. The display is controlled with the smooth through display screen G2 serving as a monitor image.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of the image photographing apparatus.

The electronic circuit of the image photographing apparatus includes a control unit 21 using a CPU.

The control unit (CPU) 21 includes the storage device 2
The operation of each part of the circuit is controlled in accordance with various control programs such as a photographing control program stored in advance in the storage device 22. The various control programs stored in the storage device 22 include switches associated with the operation of the shutter switch 13. It is activated in response to a detection signal from the detection unit 23 and an image signal from an imaging device 25 having a CCD input through the image processing unit 24.

The control unit (CPU) 21 is connected with a timing control unit 26, a RAM 27, and a display unit 12 in addition to the storage device 22, the switch detection unit 23, and the image processing unit 24.

The electronic circuit of the image photographing apparatus is
It is driven and operated by power supply from a battery power supply 28 which is a rechargeable battery.

The switch detecting section 23 detects two switch states, a first switch state when the shutter switch 13 is pressed down to a half-pressed position and a second switch state when the shutter switch 13 is pressed down to a fully-pressed position. And outputs a detection signal to the control unit (CPU) 21.

The image processing unit 24 is a CCD of the imaging device 25
The digital camera converts the imaging signal output from the digital camera into color image data. The real-time image data of the object obtained through the image
The data is written into the image memory 27 a (see FIG. 3) in the display 27 and displayed on the display unit 12.

The timing control unit 26 controls the image pickup device 2
5 controls the image capture timing in the CCD, that is, the frame rate.
U) The imaging device 25 controlled by the timing control unit 26 according to the frame rate set by 21
An image of a subject is taken at the timing of image capture by the CPU, image data obtained via the image processing unit 24 is written to an image memory 27a in the RAM 27, and is written to a display memory 27b in the RAM 27 for display. It is displayed on the unit 12.

The frame rate set by the control unit (CPU) 21 is switched according to an operation detection signal of the shutter switch 13 output from the switch detection unit 23 in accordance with a shooting control program stored in the storage device 22. In the through display mode in which the operation detection signal of the shutter switch 13 is not output, the frame rate is set to the first timing which is slower when the operation detection signal in the first switch state is output and when the second switch state is output. In the smooth through display mode for a fixed time (for example, 5 seconds) after the operation detection signal of the state is output, the frame rate is set to the second timing which is fast.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a data memory provided in the RAM 27 of the image photographing apparatus.

The RAM 27 has an image memory 27a,
Various work memories such as a display memory 27b, a display mode memory 27c, a captured image memory 27d, and a timer counter memory 27e are provided.

The image memory 27a stores the control unit (CP
U) Real-time captured image data of the subject obtained from the image processing unit 24 at the timing according to the frame rate set by 21 is stored while being sequentially rewritten.

The display memory 27b stores display data to be displayed on the monitor screen of the display unit 12. The display memory 27b stores the captured image data sequentially updated and stored in the image memory 27a. Is converted into display data and stored.

The display mode memory 27c stores display mode data set by the control unit (CPU) 21 as "0" in the through display mode and "1" in the smooth through display mode.

Each time an operation detection signal of the second switch state is output from the switch detector 23 in response to the full-press operation of the shutter switch 13, the image memory 27a is stored in the photographed image memory 27d at that time. Is stored and stored as a captured image.

In response to a timer start command signal from the control section (CPU) 21, count data of a time signal from a timer circuit built in the control section (CPU) 21 is stored in the timer counter memory 27e. You.

Next, the photographing control operation of the image photographing apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a photographing process by the image photographing apparatus.

First, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the shutter switch 13 is not operated at all,
3, when the operation detection signal is not output,
The mode of the monitor display by the display unit 12 is set to the through display mode, and the image data of the subject imaged at the first timing with the slow frame rate is written to the image memory 27a in the RAM 27 via the image processing unit 24. ,
The data is transferred to the display memory 27b and displayed on the display unit 12 (step S1).

In the through display mode, since the frame rate is set to the first timing which is slow,
At this timing, the subject image captured from the imaging device 25 via the image processing unit 24 into the image memory 27a and displayed on the display unit 12 is displayed as a coarse monitor image.
In the through display mode, the imaging device 25
From the imaging to the display of the image from the display to the display unit 12 is late,
8 can be kept low.

Then, a desired subject is captured in preparation for photographing, and as shown in FIG.
By half-pressing the button, the switch detection unit 23 outputs the first
When the operation detection signal of the switch state is output, the display unit 1
2 is set to the smooth-through display mode, and image data of the subject imaged at the second timing with the fast frame rate is written to the image memory 27a in the RAM 27 via the image processing unit 24,
The data is transferred to the display memory 27b and displayed on the display unit 12 (steps S2 → S3, S4).

In this smooth through display mode, the frame rate is set to the second timing at a high speed.
At this second timing, the image processing unit 2
4 and is taken into the image memory 27a via the display unit 12
Is displayed as a high-quality monitor image without roughness.

Here, a shutter switch 1 for photographing
When the shutter switch 13 is opened without performing the full-pressing operation of No. 3, the output of the operation detection signal of the first switch state from the switch detection unit 23 is released. Is reset to the through display mode, and the subject image displayed on the display unit 12 is displayed again as a coarse monitor image (step S
5 → S1).

On the other hand, in the high quality monitor display state of the subject image in the smooth-through display mode in which the shutter switch 13 is half-pressed, the shutter switch 13 is fully turned to capture the subject image at a desired time. When an operation detection signal of the second switch state is output from the switch detection unit 23 by the push operation, the image data of the subject stored in the image memory 27a at that time is captured and stored in the captured image memory 27d. It is stored (step S6 → S7).

At the same time, the count processing of the clock signal in the timer counter memory 27e is started. Until the count data reaches a fixed time of 5 seconds and the time is up, the continuous shooting standby is performed. The high-quality monitor display state of the subject image in the through display mode is maintained (step S8 → S9-S
11).

During continuous shooting standby in which the high quality monitor display of the subject image in the smooth through display mode is maintained, the shutter switch 13 is pressed to repeatedly shoot the subject image at a desired point in time. By doing so, when the operation detection signal of the first switch state is output from the switch detection unit 23, the image memory 27 is re-displayed at that time.
The image data of the subject stored in “a” is captured and stored in the captured image memory 27d (step S9).
→ S7).

Then, the timer counter memory 27e
Is restarted, and the continuous shooting standby for 5 seconds in the smooth through display mode is newly started (step S8).

The timer counter memory 27e
The count data of the clock signal at is a fixed time 5
When it is determined that the maintenance period of the continuous shooting standby for 5 seconds in the smooth through display mode has elapsed by reaching the second, the mode of the monitor display by the display unit 12 is switched to the through display mode, and is set. Display 12
Is displayed again as a rough monitor image similar to that before the shooting (steps S10 → S).
1).

Therefore, according to the photographing control function of the image photographing apparatus having the above-described configuration, the frame rate is slow by setting the through display mode in the monitor display state of the mere subject image in which the shutter switch 13 is not operated. The subject image which is set at the first timing and is taken from the imaging device 25 into the image memory 27a via the image processing unit 24 and displayed on the display unit 12 is displayed as a coarse monitor image, and the consumption of drive power by the battery power supply 28 Is suppressed. In addition, in the monitor display state of the subject image immediately before the photographing operation by half-pressing the shutter switch 13 and the monitor display state in the continuous photographing standby state for a fixed time immediately after the photographing by the full-press operation of the shutter switch 13, the smooth through display mode is set. Frame rate is fast
At the timing shown in the figure, the image data is taken into the image memory 27a from the imaging device 25 via the image processing unit 24, and the display unit 12
Is displayed as a high-quality monitor image without roughness.

Thus, when it is not necessary for the user to accurately view the monitor display of the subject image displayed on the display unit 12, the frame rate is reduced and the image processing interval is increased, so that coarse monitor display can be achieved. Nevertheless, power saving can be prioritized, and a high-quality monitor display can be performed by increasing the frame rate only when it is necessary to accurately view the monitor display of the subject image. Therefore, the continuous usable time per one full charge of the battery power supply 28 can be extended.

In the image photographing apparatus of the embodiment,
In the digital camera, by detecting a two-step operation of the shutter switch 13, when the shutter switch 13 is not operated, the image pickup and display quality are reduced, and power saving control is performed.
Although the imaging and display quality are improved only during a certain time after the half-press operation and after a full-press operation, as described with reference to FIG. 5 below, a PDA (Personal) such as a palm-sized PC is used.
Even when a CCD card is attached to Digital Assistants and used as an image photographing device, the same power saving control can be performed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an image photographing apparatus in which a CCD card is mounted on a PDA. FIG. 5A is a view showing an image pickup display state in a through display mode, and FIG. It is an imaging | video display state figure in mode.

In the center of the front of the PDA main body 31, there is provided a touch panel type liquid crystal display section 32 on which various key input screens and data or image display screens are displayed according to the operation mode. A CCD card 33 equipped with a solid-state imaging device is attached to a card connection slot for expanding various functions provided at an upper portion, thereby forming an image photographing apparatus. In addition, an action control button 34 that variously functions according to the operation mode is provided on the left side surface of the PDA main body 31.

In the image photographing apparatus using this PDA, in the image photographing mode, the image of the subject photographed by the CCD card 33 is displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display unit 3.
By touching the shutter button 35 displayed at the center of the display unit 2 and displayed at the bottom of the display unit 32, the subject image captured and displayed at that time is captured and saved.

That is, when the captured image of the subject is displayed on the touch panel type liquid crystal display section 32 on the monitor, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the action control button 34 and the shutter button 35 are not operated at all. The monitor display mode is a through display mode, and the first frame rate for the display unit 32 is slow.
The display is controlled as the through display screen G1 which is set at the timing of and becomes a coarse monitor image.

In the through display mode, since a series of processing timings from the image pickup to the image display from the CCD card 33 to the display unit 32 is delayed, power consumption by driving the battery power supply can be suppressed low.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the action control button 34 is pushed up, the monitor display mode is set to the smooth through display mode, and the second frame rate for the display section 32 is high. The display is controlled as a smooth-through display screen G2 that is set at the timing and becomes a high-quality monitor image without roughness.

After that, when the shutter button 35 is touched to take in the photographed image and the action control button 34 is released, when the action control button 34 is released, the continuous photographing standby for a certain time after the release operation of the action control button 34 is performed. Therefore, the monitor display mode is maintained as the smooth through display mode, and the frame rate for the display unit 32 is set and maintained as the second timing is fast, and a smooth through display screen having a high quality monitor image without roughness is provided. The display is controlled with G2.

Therefore, the PDA body 31 has a CCD
Even in the image photographing device having the card 33 attached,
When it is not necessary for the user to accurately view the monitor display of the subject image displayed on the display unit 32, the frame rate is reduced and the image processing interval is increased, so that the power consumption can be reduced even when the monitor display is coarse. Labor saving can be prioritized, and a high-quality monitor display can be performed by increasing the frame rate only when it is necessary to accurately view the monitor display of the subject image. Therefore, the continuous usable time per full charge of the battery power source for driving the PDA can be extended.

In the above-described embodiment, the state before the shutter operation for actually capturing and storing the subject image captured and displayed on the monitor is performed by pressing the shutter switch 13 halfway or pressing the action control button 34. Judgment is made by detecting the push-up operation, and control is performed to switch from the through display mode of coarse monitor display to the smooth through display mode of high-quality monitor display. An acceleration sensor is used to detect the state of being almost stationary, and it is possible to save power by using the through display mode when the device is being carried around with the monitor displayed. A high quality monitor display may be configured as the through display mode.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, a through display mode for suppressing power consumption by making a coarse monitor display and a smooth through display mode for making it easy to capture a timing of image capture by making a high quality monitor display are provided. Is switched by changing the frame rate from imaging to display, but may be switched between the through display mode and the smooth through display mode by changing the resolution of image capture by the solid-state imaging device. Alternatively, the frame rate and the change in resolution may be combined.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the instruction to save the image data by the instruction means is not detected in advance, that is, when the user is not expected to capture the photographed image yet, the image pickup is performed. When the amount of image data taken out and taken out by the means is switched to the smaller one, the amount of image processing up to the display is reduced, and when the instruction to save the image data by the instruction means is detected in advance, that is, when the user In a state where it is expected that a captured image is to be captured, the amount of image data to be taken out and taken out by the image pickup means is switched to a larger one and the display quality is improved, so that the user can display the taken image. The image processing amount is reduced and power saving can be achieved except when it is necessary to view the image.

Accordingly, power consumption can be suppressed without impairing the ease of capturing a captured image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an image photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a monitor screen side. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an image pickup display state in a through display mode, and FIG. (C) is an imaging display state diagram in a smooth through display mode.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of the image photographing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data memory provided in a RAM of the image photographing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing process performed by the image photographing apparatus.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing an external configuration of an image photographing apparatus in which a CCD card is attached to a PDA. FIG. 5A is a view showing an image pickup display state in a through display mode, and FIG. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Main body case 12 ... Display part 13 ... Shutter switch 21 ... Control part (CPU) 22 ... Storage device 23 ... Switch detection part 24 ... Image processing part 25 ... Imaging device 26 ... Timing control part 27 ... RAM 27a ... Image memory 27b ... Display memory 27c ... Display mode 27d ... Photographed image memory 27e ... Timer counter 28 ... Battery power supply 31 ... PDA main body 32 ... Touch panel type liquid crystal display unit 33 ... CCD card 34 ... Action control button 35 ... Shutter button G1 ... Thru display screen G2 … Smooth through display screen

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image pickup means for picking up an image, an image data picking up means for switching an amount of image data picked up and picked up by the image pickup means in at least two stages, and an image data picked up and picked up by the image pickup means An image data display unit for displaying the image data; an instruction unit for instructing to save the image data taken and taken out by the imaging unit; and a pre-detection unit for detecting in advance that there is an instruction to save the image data by the instruction unit. If the instruction to save image data by the instruction means is not detected in advance by the advance detection means, the image data extraction means switches the amount of image data to be taken out and taken out by the imaging means to a smaller one, If the pre-detection means preliminarily detects an instruction to store image data by the instruction means, The image capturing apparatus being characterized in that and an image amount control means for switching the direction with much the extraction amount of the image data taken by imaging by the imaging means by the image data extraction unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit has an operation position in two stages of an intermediate operation position and a maximum operation position, and the preliminary detection unit detects image data when the instruction unit is operated to the intermediate operation position. 2. The image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is detected in advance that there is a save instruction. 3. The instructing means comprises two types of operation switches, and the advance detecting means determines in advance that there is an instruction to save image data when one of the operating switches of the instructing means is operated. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection is performed at the following timing. 4. The image amount control means, further comprising: when the instruction means instructs storage of image data taken and taken out by the imaging means, the image switched to the larger one. 2. The image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of image data taken out of the image pickup means by the data take-out means is controlled so as to be maintained for a certain period.