JP2002044499A - Electronic camera and image-reproducing device and method for recording image data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reproduction and display method suitable for sequence photographic images obtained by sequence photographing by an electronic camera or the like. SOLUTION: The photographing of an object is performed several times during a prescribed time intervals by a CCD 12. Then, plural image data respectively indicating images for one frame, obtained by the consecutive photographing are recorded in a smart media 24, in a format of plural image data files which are respectively recorded with the image data of the images for one frame. The plural image data which are respectively stored by the plural image data files read from the smart media 24 are temporarily stored in an SDRAM 22, and successively displayed in an LCD display part 20 in the order of the consecutive photographing performed by the CCD 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for recording and reproducing image data, and more particularly to a technique for recording and reproducing image data obtained by photographing using a continuous shooting function provided in an electronic camera or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electronic camera that converts a subject image formed using an optical lens or the like into an electric signal using an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and records it as a picked-up image on a recording medium has become widespread. I have.

Electronic cameras can be broadly classified into electronic still cameras whose main function is to record still images and video cameras whose main function is to record moving images. However, in recent years, electronic still cameras (so-called digital still cameras) having a function of recording moving images and video cameras (such as digital video cameras) having a function of recording still images have been successively introduced to the market. It is becoming difficult to determine the boundaries of

[0004] Some electronic cameras have a continuous shooting function, which is a similar function, in addition to the moving image recording function (hereinafter abbreviated as "moving image function"). In many cases, the moving image function records a large number of continuously captured images in a recording medium in which the resolution of the image of each frame to be recorded is lower than that of normal shooting.
On the other hand, the continuous shooting function is for recording a continuously captured image having the same resolution as a still image recorded by normal frame-by-frame shooting on a recording medium. Therefore, in general, the moving image function can record a moving image for a longer time than the continuous shooting function. On the other hand, the captured image captured and recorded by the continuous shooting function is more effective than the moving image function. Also has good image quality.

In many digital cameras having both a continuous shooting function and a moving image function, a data format for recording captured image data in a memory serving as a recording medium is different between the two functions. The data of a captured image (hereinafter, referred to as “continuously shot image”) continuously shot using the continuous shooting function is a still image (hereinafter, referred to as “single shot image”) recorded by normal shooting for each frame. As in
For example, JPEG (JointPhotographic Experts Group)
After being subjected to the compression process by the system, the image data is recorded in the memory as an image data file for each frame. In contrast,
A large amount of captured image data obtained by continuous shooting using a moving image function (some digital cameras call this function a “movie moving image function”) is, for example, a so-called “motion JPEG” method. After converting to the compressed image data group of Quick Time
Format (Quick Time is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc.) and is recorded in a memory as one moving image data file conforming to a file format such as
The convenience of handling a large number of images is ensured.

Meanwhile, a digital camera that has become widespread in recent years has a built-in LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and it is possible to immediately reproduce and display an image taken and recorded in a memory on the LCD. This is one of the great attractions of digital cameras.

A method of reproducing and displaying a single shot image in this digital camera is roughly divided into a normal reproduction display for displaying a designated captured image on an LCD, and a method for displaying a plurality of captured images at predetermined time intervals in a predetermined order. In many cases, there are provided two methods of continuous playback display (so-called “slide show function”) in which images are displayed on the LCD frame by frame.

[0008]

When the above-mentioned continuous shot image is reproduced and displayed on a digital camera, the reproduction and display are performed using the two methods performed for the single shot image as they are.

However, in such a reproduction display,
(1) When the atmosphere of shooting by continuous shooting cannot be reproduced, (2) When the single shot image and the continuous shooting image are mixed in the memory, when the reproduction display by the slide show function is performed, Since both are reproduced and displayed continuously, it is difficult to identify the two when the subject is the same, for example. I couldn't say it.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reproduction display method suitable for a continuously shot image obtained by continuous shooting with an electronic camera or the like.

[0011]

In an electronic camera according to a first aspect of the present invention, a subject is photographed a plurality of times continuously at a predetermined time interval, and a plurality of images each representing an image of one frame. Continuous photographing means for outputting image data respectively indicating a plurality of images obtained by the continuous photographing; and storing the plurality of image data for the image for one frame. Recording means for recording a plurality of image data files on a recording medium, display means for displaying a photographed image, reading means for reading the image data file from the recording medium, and reading means for reading the image data file. A plurality of image data files, the plurality of images being stored in the image data file for images that are the result of continuous shooting by the continuous shooting means; Temporary storage means for temporarily storing data, and displaying the plurality of images indicated by the plurality of image data stored in the temporary storage means in the order in which the continuous shooting was performed by the continuous shooting means. And display control means for sequentially displaying the information on the display means.

[0012] According to the above arrangement, a plurality of images obtained by continuous shooting (continuous shooting) represented by a plurality of image data recorded on a recording medium as a plurality of image data files are converted to a subject image. The motion can be grasped and displayed by continuous reproduction as if it were a moving image.

[0013] In the electronic camera according to the first aspect of the present invention, the display control means controls the plurality of images at a time interval corresponding to the predetermined time interval in the continuous shooting by the continuous shooting means. May be sequentially displayed on the display means.

For this purpose, for example, the recording means comprises:
The information indicating the predetermined time interval in the continuous shooting by the continuous shooting unit is further recorded on the recording medium, the reading unit further reads the information indicating the predetermined time interval from the recording medium, and the display control unit May be configured to sequentially display the plurality of images on the display unit at a time interval corresponding to the information indicating the time interval.

According to this configuration, it is possible to perform continuous reproduction display at a time interval corresponding to the photographing time interval at the time of continuous shooting (for example, the same time interval as the photographing time interval), and to reproduce an image with a higher sense of reality. Becomes

In the above-described electronic camera according to the first aspect of the present invention, the recording unit is configured to perform continuous shooting of an image represented by image data stored in the image data file by the continuous shooting unit. Information indicating the order in which the images were captured is further recorded on the recording medium, the reading unit further reads information indicating the order in which the images were captured from the recording medium, and the display control unit determines the order in which the images were captured. According to the information shown, the plurality of images may be sequentially displayed on the display means.

According to this configuration, the order in which the images represented by the image data recorded on the recording medium are photographed in the continuous photographing can be known from the recording information of the recording medium, and the image display by the continuous reproduction can be performed. The recording can be performed in the order according to the recording information.

Further, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the image data files relating to the continuous photographing performed at different times by the continuous photographing means are recorded together in the recording medium, The temporary storage means stores only a plurality of image data of a plurality of image data files read from the recording medium by the reading means, the plurality of image data files being related to a single continuous shooting. It may be.

According to this configuration, even if the image data files related to the continuous shooting which have been separately performed coexist on the recording medium, the images related to the different continuous shootings are mixed and displayed during the continuous playback display. Nothing.

In the image reproducing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image data, each of which represents one frame of an image, is obtained by continuously photographing a subject a plurality of times at predetermined time intervals. The image data respectively representing the plurality of images obtained by shooting is extracted from a plurality of image data files stored for each of the image data of one frame of image, and the plurality of image data is temporarily stored. And a plurality of images indicated by the plurality of image data read from the temporary storage means,
Image signal output means for outputting a signal to be sequentially reproduced in the order in which the continuous shooting was performed.

According to the above-described configuration, a plurality of images obtained by continuous shooting (continuous shooting) represented by a plurality of image data stored in a plurality of image data files can be grasped for the movement of the subject. It is possible to output an image signal to be displayed by continuous reproduction as if it were a moving image.

In a method for recording image data according to a third aspect of the present invention, a subject is photographed a plurality of times continuously at a predetermined time interval, and a plurality of image data each representing an image of one frame. A method of recording the image data respectively representing the plurality of images obtained by the continuous photographing into a plurality of image data files in which the image data of one frame of image is stored, on a recording medium. Then, information indicating whether or not the image indicated by the image data is obtained by the continuous shooting is further recorded.

Continuous shooting (continuous shooting) using the method described above
If the recording medium records the image data indicating the image obtained by the photographing according to, for example, even if the image data indicating the single shot image coexists in the storage medium, the image data is, for example, stored in the above-described image reproducing apparatus. When reproducing, it is possible to cause the image reproducing apparatus to reproduce an image according to the shooting method (continuous shooting / single shooting).

In a method for recording image data according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a subject is photographed a plurality of times continuously at a predetermined time interval, and a plurality of image data each representing an image of one frame. A method of recording the image data respectively representing the plurality of images obtained by the continuous photographing into a plurality of image data files in which the image data of one frame of image is stored, on a recording medium. The information indicating the predetermined time interval is further recorded on the recording medium.

Continuous shooting (continuous shooting) using the method described above
If the image data indicating the image obtained by the shooting by the camera is recorded on a recording medium, when the image data is reproduced by, for example, the above-described image reproducing apparatus, a time interval (for example, shooting) Continuous reproduction can be performed at the same time interval as the time interval), and image reproduction with a higher sense of reality can be performed.

In a method of recording image data according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a subject is photographed a plurality of times continuously at a predetermined time interval, and a plurality of image data each representing an image of one frame. A plurality of image data respectively representing a plurality of images as a result of the continuous photographing, which are stored in a recording medium as a plurality of image data files each storing the image data for one frame of image. Then, information indicating the order in which the images indicated by the image data stored in the image data file are shot in the continuous shooting is further recorded on the recording medium.

Continuous shooting (continuous shooting) using the method described above
If the image data indicating the image obtained by the photographing is recorded on the recording medium, when the image data is reproduced by, for example, the above-described image reproducing apparatus, the image reproducing apparatus indicates the image data recorded on the recording medium. In the continuous shooting of the images to be taken, the shooting order can be known from the recording information of the recording medium, and the continuous reproduction of the images can be performed in the order according to the recording information.

An electronic camera according to a sixth aspect of the present invention comprises:
Photographing means for photographing a subject and obtaining image data indicating an image as a result of the photographing; and a plurality of image data each representing an image of one frame, wherein photographing of the subject is continuously performed at predetermined time intervals. The image data respectively representing the plurality of images obtained by the continuous shooting performed a plurality of times is obtained from the plurality of image data files stored for each of the image data for one frame of the image. Temporary storage means for extracting and temporarily storing data, and display for sequentially displaying a plurality of images represented by the plurality of image data read from the temporary storage means in the order in which the images were taken in the continuous shooting Means.

According to the above-described configuration, a plurality of images obtained by continuous shooting (continuous shooting) represented by a plurality of image data stored in a plurality of image data files can be grasped for the movement of the subject. It is possible to output an image signal to be displayed by continuous reproduction as if it were a moving image.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera (hereinafter, referred to as “this device”) that embodies the present invention.

In the figure, an SRAM 15, an image processing unit 16, a JPEG processing unit 21, a video encoder 17,
DRAM 22, card I / F 23, main CPU 25,
Each of the sub CPUs 26 is connected to the bus 30, and can exchange data with each other via the bus 30.

The optical lens 11 forms a subject image on the CCD 12. The CCD 12 is an image pickup device, and photoelectrically converts a subject image formed on the CCD 12 by the operation of the optical lens 11 and outputs an electric signal indicating the image.

The imaging processing unit 13 controls the driving of the CCD 12 and reduces the noise component of the electric signal output from the CCD 12 by a CDS (Correlat).
ed Double Sampling) and A to stabilize the signal level
Perform processing such as GC (Automatic Gain Control).

The A / D 14 performs an analog-to-digital conversion of an electric signal, which is an analog signal output from the imaging processing unit 13, and outputs image data representing a subject image. SRA
M (Static RAM) 15 writes data at high speed
This is a readable memory and functions as a frame memory for storing image data output from the A / D 14 for one screen. Further, reading / writing of image data via the bus 30 is also performed.

In the following description, the above-described optical lens 11, CCD 12, imaging processing unit 13, A / D1
4. The SRAM 15 is generically referred to as an “imaging unit”.
The image processing unit 16 includes the SRAM 15 or the SDRAM 2
When reproducing or displaying or recording the image data stored in the smart media 24, or when reproducing and displaying the image data recorded in the smart media 24, correcting the lightness / darkness / saturation / hue at the time of image input / output; Gamma correction processing, color processing, etc. are performed.

The video encoder 17 includes an image processing unit 16
Image data processed by the main CPU 25 or various display data generated by the main CPU 25 for presenting information to a user of the apparatus is converted into a so-called Y (luminance signal) -C (color difference signal) video. Convert to signal data.

The D / A 18 performs digital-to-analog conversion of video signal data, which is digital data output from the video encoder 17, and outputs a video signal, which is an analog signal.

The LCD driver 19 includes an LCD display unit 20
Drive. The LCD display unit 20 displays an image corresponding to a video signal output from the D / A 18.

In the following description, the above-described video encoder 17, D / A 18, LCD driver 1
9. The LCD display unit 20 is generically referred to as a "reproduction display unit".

The JPEG processing section 21 performs a data compression process by the JPEG system when recording the image data stored in the SRAM 15 and a compression process by the JPEG system to process the image data recorded on the smart media 24. Data expansion processing for playback and display is performed.

SDRAM (Synchronus DRAM) 22
Is a memory used for temporary storage of image data being processed in image data compression / expansion processing by the JPEG processing unit 21 and as a work area for execution of control processing by the main CPU 25.

The card I / F 23 is a smart media 2
4 is an interface for connecting the bus 4 and the bus 30, and enables data transfer between each component of the apparatus connected to the bus 30 and the smart media 24.

[0043] Smart Media 24 (Smart Me
(dia is a registered trademark of Toshiba Corporation) is a so-called IC memory card, which is used as a recording medium for recording image data, and is detachable from the apparatus.

The main CPU 25 is a central processing unit, and operates in accordance with a control program stored in advance.
The operation of the entire apparatus is controlled while using the RAM 22 as a work area.

The sub CPU 26 detects the contents of various operations performed on the SW unit 27 by executing a built-in control program, and outputs the detection results to the main CPU 2.
5 is a processing device that performs a process of notifying 5.

The SW unit 27 is provided with a group of switches operated by a user who uses the apparatus to give various instructions to the apparatus, for example, a release button for instructing recording of an image captured by the imaging unit. The switch includes a switch that operates in response to the operation, a switch that operates in response to the cross button for selecting an operation mode of the apparatus, and the like.

Next, FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a memory map showing a use state of a recording area when recording image data on the smart media 24. FIG.
As shown in (A), the recording area in the smart media 24 records an image information area in which each image data file is recorded, and management information about each image data file recorded in this image information area. Management information area 2
It is roughly divided into two.

In the management information area, if, for example, MS-DOS (MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) is adopted as a management technique of the recording area, a directory of a FAT (File Allocation Table) or a root directory is used. An entry or the like is recorded as management information.

The data structure of each image file stored in the image information area is shown in FIG. 2B, and a header section is provided in addition to the JPEG-compressed image data. The header section is an area for storing various information (header information) relating to the image indicated by the image data, and as shown in FIG. 3C, thumbnail data of the image (generally, the size of the image). In addition to an area for storing data indicating a shooting date and time, an aperture setting value at the time of shooting, and the like, the present invention particularly employs a continuous shooting function for the image. A "continuous shooting" flag indicating whether or not the image has been shot, a "continuous shooting interval" which is data indicating a time interval of the continuous shooting when the image is continuously shot, It has an area for storing “sequential shooting number” which is data indicating the number of the image.

It is to be noted that, instead of providing the above-described information included in the header area for each image file, FIG.
It is also possible to collectively record such information on each image data in the management information area of (A).

Next, the details of the control processing performed by the main CPU 25 of the apparatus will be described. FIG. 3 shows that the main C is executed by executing the control program.
6 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the control processing performed by the PU 25, and particularly shows in detail the flow of processing relating to the continuous shooting function related to the present invention.

In the flow shown in the figure, a power switch included in the SW unit 27 is turned on to turn on the power to the apparatus, and thereafter, processing for initializing the main CPU 25 itself and each component of the apparatus is executed. Started after

First, in step S101, the sub CPU 26 notifies the sub CPU 26 of the detection result of the current operation mode (camera mode) selection status of the apparatus based on the operation of the switch corresponding to the cross button included in the SW unit 27. Can be As a result, if the “play mode” for displaying the image indicated by the image data recorded on the smart media 24 on the LCD display unit 20 is selected as the camera mode, the play mode process is executed in S102. You. On the other hand, as a result of the determination processing in S101, if the “photographing mode” for photographing the subject and recording the image data indicating the photographed image in the smart media 24 is selected as the camera mode, the processing from S103 in FIG. The photographing mode process is performed.

The details of the reproduction mode processing will be described later.
In step S103, the notification is similarly sent from the sub CPU 26.
The detection result of the current selection state of the shooting operation mode (shutter mode) of the present apparatus based on the operation on the switch corresponding to the cross button included in the SW unit 27 is checked. As a result, if “single-shot shooting mode”, which is a normal shooting mode in which shooting and recording for each frame are performed in response to one operation of the release button, is selected as the shutter mode, in S104, A single shooting process is executed. On the other hand, if the result of the determination process in S103 is that the “continuous shooting mode” for performing the above-described continuous shooting function has been selected as the shutter mode, the process proceeds to S10 in FIG.
The continuous shooting process which is the process after 5 is executed.

Note that the single-shot photographing process executed in S104 is not related to the present invention, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, the image data file of the image captured by executing the single-shot shooting process has the “continuous shooting” flag in the header set to indicate that the shooting was performed without using the continuous shooting function, and the smart media 2
4 recorded.

In S105, the value of the time interval at the time of continuous shooting, which is also designated by the operation of the switch corresponding to the cross button included in the SW unit 27 and is notified from the sub CPU 26, is acquired. .

In S106, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the detection of the operation of the switch corresponding to the release button included in the SW unit 27 is notified from the sub CPU 26, and the detection of the operation is determined by the sub CPU 26. Only when notified, the process proceeds to the photographing process which is the process after S107.

In S107, an image pickup process is executed, and the electric signal output from the CCD 12 after the elapse of the time interval obtained in the above-described process in S105 is output to the A / D unit 1.
4 is subjected to analog-to-digital conversion to generate image data.

Subsequently, in S108, a temporary storage process is executed, and the image data obtained in the previous step is stored in the SRAM 15
To temporarily memorize it. Thereafter, image processing is executed in S109, and the image processing unit 16 performs γ correction processing and color processing on the image data stored in the SRAM 15 in the previous step.
Store it in 2.

Further, a compression process is executed in S110, and a process of compressing the image data of one frame processed by the image processing unit 16 is performed by the JPEG processing unit 21.
To be performed.

At S111, a recording process is executed.
1 which has been subjected to data compression processing by the PEG processing unit 21
The image data for each frame is defined as an image data file, and FIG.
The data is recorded on the smart media 24 as shown in FIG.
At this time, the image data file is recorded with a header portion having information as shown in FIG. 2C added. In the information of the header portion, the “continuous shooting” flag is set to indicate that the shooting has been performed using the continuous shooting function, and the “continuous shooting interval” is the time interval acquired in the process of S105 described above. And "Sequential shooting number" is S10
The total number of images recorded on the smart media 24 after the start of the photographing process as the process after 7 is recorded.

At S112, the capacity (free capacity) of the unused (newly recordable) recording area in the smart media 24 at the start of shooting is checked, and based on this, the free capacity during continuous shooting is calculated. If there is enough free space left to record a new image data file for one frame, the process proceeds to S113, and if not, the current continuous shooting is completed.

In S113, it is determined whether or not the detection of the operation of the switch corresponding to the release button included in the SW unit 27 has been notified from the sub CPU 26, and the detection of the operation has been notified from the sub CPU 26. If so, the current continuous shooting is completed. On the other hand, if it is not notified that the operation has been detected, the process returns to S107,
The above-described photographing processing is executed again.

Next, the reproduction mode process executed in S102 of FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the reproduction mode processing. First, S2
01, the detection result of the current selection state of the image reproduction / display operation mode (reproduction mode) of the present apparatus based on the operation of the reproduction mode selection switch included in the SW unit 27 is the sub CPU
The notification is sent from 26 and examined.

As a result of the determination processing in S201, if the one-frame reproduction mode for reproducing and displaying the recorded image one frame at a time is selected as the reproduction mode, in S202, the SW unit 27 is also notified by the sub CPU 26.
A frame to be reproduced and displayed is specified based on an operation on a switch corresponding to the cross button included in the field. Then, the process proceeds to S206.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in S201 is that the index has been selected as the playback mode, then S
In step 203, the image data file is read from the smart media 24, and various processes such as data expansion and data correction are performed, and the LCD display unit 20 displays an image in the index reproduction mode.

FIG. 5 shows an example of an image displayed on the LCD display unit 20 when the index reproduction mode is selected as the reproduction mode. In the example of FIG.
In step 3, a total of nine frames of images are simultaneously reproduced and displayed on the display screen of the LCD display unit 20. Here, in the upper left of each image, a “frame number” which is a number for specifying which image data file among the image data files indicating the image is recorded in the smart media 24 is added to the image. Display them in layers. Note that the numeral indicating the frame number is used as a part of the file name of the image data file indicating the image (for example, the part of “xxxx” in the image data file name “xxxxxx.jpg”). Is a number indicating a frame number), and is recorded in a management information area (for example, a directory entry) in the smart media 24.

Further, when an image data file of continuously shot images is recorded in the smart media 24, only the first shot image in the continuous shooting is reproduced and displayed on the LCD display section 20. ,
A frame number is displayed on the upper left of the image, and a "continuous shooting mark" is displayed on the upper right of the image, which indicates that the image was taken by continuous shooting. Let it.

Returning to the description of FIG. In S204, the operation to the switch corresponding to the cross button included in the SW unit 27 is notified from the sub CPU 26, and based on the operation, the LC
One frame is designated from among the images displayed on the D display unit 20. After that, in S205, the reproduction mode is set to 1
The mode is changed to the frame playback mode.

In step S206, the state of the "continuous shooting" flag (see FIG. 2C) in the header portion of the image data file for the image of the frame specified in step S202 or S204 is determined. If the flag has been set to indicate that shooting has been performed using the continuous shooting function, the process proceeds to S209, and this flag is set to indicate that shooting has been performed without using the continuous shooting function. If yes, go to S207.

In S207, the image data file for the image of the frame designated in the above-described processing of S202 or S204 is read from the smart media 24, and in S208, the various processing described above such as data expansion and data correction is performed. It is applied to the image data and causes the LCD display unit 20 to display the image. After this processing, for example, the processing may return to S201 and the above-described processing may be repeated.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination processing in S206, when it is determined that the image of the specified frame has been continuously shot, in S209, the image of the specified frame is shot simultaneously with the image of the specified frame. The process of reading the image data files of all the images from the smart media 24 is executed, and in the following S210, the images indicated by the read continuously shot image data are shot in the shooting order at the same shooting time as in the continuous shooting. LCD display unit 20 continuously according to
, A continuous shooting display process for reproducing and displaying is performed.

Hereinafter, the details of the processing of S209 and S210 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the content of the continuous shot image reading process executed in S209 of FIG.

First, in S301, the image data file for the first frame in the continuously shot image specified in the processing of S202 or S204 in FIG.

In S302, the header information of the image data file read in the previous step is read, and
The “continuous shooting interval” data indicated in the header information is read.

In step S303, the image data that has been compressed is read from the image data file.
In step 4, data decompression processing of the read image data is performed in JP
The EG processing unit 21 causes the SDRAM 22 to store the data.

In step S305, the image data file that is used in the file name of the image data file from which the image data is read out in the above-described process of step S303 and that is the next frame following the frame number is transmitted from the smart media 24. The image data file is read, and in S306, the header information of the image data file is obtained.

In step S307, the "continuous shooting" flag and the "continuous shooting number" data indicated in the header information read by the processing in the previous step are checked, and the image of this image data file is continuously shot. And the image of the image data file is
It is determined whether or not the frame is a continuation of the frame related to the image data read in the immediately preceding process of S303.

Here, whether or not the image of the image data file has been continuously shot is determined by referring to the "continuous shooting" flag. Whether or not the image of the image data file is the next frame is determined by referring to the “continuous shooting number” data, and this value is set to the “continuous shooting number” of the image data that was read immediately before. The determination is made based on whether or not a subsequent one is indicated.

At S308, the result of the determination at S307 is Y
If es, the process returns to step S303 to repeat the above-described image data read processing, and the result of the determination in step S307 is No.
If this is the case, the current continuous image reading process is completed, and the process returns to the process in FIG.

The processing described above is the continuous image reading processing. Next, the details of the continuous shooting display processing executed in S210 of FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the continuous shooting display processing.

First, in S401, S3 of FIG.
By the process of step 04, the image data of the next frame following the image displayed on the LCD display unit 20 immediately before is read out of the image data group of the continuously shot images stored in the SDRAM 22. Here, when the process of S401 is first performed after the process of S209 in FIG. 4, the first data in the group of continuously shot image data stored in the SDRAM 22 is read. .

In S402, the image processing unit 16 performs display processing (color correction processing, pixel thinning processing, etc.) necessary for displaying the image data read in the previous step on the LCD display unit 20. Then, in S403, the image data processed by the image processing unit 16 is transferred to the reproduction / display unit, and the image represented by the image data is converted to an LC.
It is displayed on the D display unit 20.

In step S404, it is determined whether or not the sub CPU 26 has notified that a click operation has been detected for a specific button switch included in the SW unit 27 for obtaining an instruction related to the reproduction and display operation of the continuously shot image data. Is determined, and if the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S405, and a process for temporarily stopping the continuous reproduction of the continuously shot images is executed. On the other hand, if the result of the determination process in S404 is No, the process proceeds to S407.

In step S405, the image displayed on the LCD display unit 20 is reproduced and displayed on the LCD display unit 20 continuously by the process in step S403 immediately before. And S
In 406, it is determined whether or not the sub-CPU 26 has notified that the above-described specific button switch has been clicked again. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S407. On the other hand, if the determination is No, S405
Then, the reproduction display processing in the pause state described above is repeated.

In S407, it is determined whether or not the sub-CPU 26 has notified that the double-click operation has been detected for the above-described specific button switch. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S408 in FIG.
The process proceeds to 2, and the process for the one-frame playback mode is executed. On the other hand, if the decision result in S407 is No, S40
Go to 9.

In S409, the image data of the frame following the image currently displayed on the LCD display unit 20 is displayed in S409.
It is determined whether or not the image is stored in the DRAM 22. As a result, if the image being displayed is the last one (last frame) in the group of continuously shot image data, S is determined.
Proceed to 411. On the other hand, if the image being displayed is not in the last order, the process proceeds to S410.

In S410, the above-described steps S401 to S4
03, the elapsed time from the start of the display of the image currently displayed on the LCD display unit 20 is the time of the continuous shooting indicated by the “continuous shooting interval” data read out in the process of S302 in FIG. It is determined whether it is within the time corresponding to the interval, and this determination process is repeated while the determination result is Yes. The result of this determination is N
o, that is, if the elapsed time from the start of displaying the image has exceeded the “continuous shooting interval”, the process returns to S401,
The processing after reading the image data for the next frame is repeated.

On the other hand, when the result of the determination processing in S 409 is No, in S 411, the reproduction display processing in the paused state, that is, the processing similar to S 405 and S 406 described above is executed. Then, when the result of the determination processing in S406 is Yes, the process proceeds to S412.

In step S412, a process is performed for successively displaying the continuously shot image data group stored in the SDRAM 22 again.
In the process of 401, the image data group in the first order among the continuously shot image data groups stored in the SDRAM 22 is read again.

The above processing is the continuous shooting display processing. As described above, the above-described processing is executed by the main CPU 25 to perform continuous shooting, record the image data in the smart media 24, and store the image indicated by the image data during continuous shooting. With this apparatus, it is possible to continuously reproduce and display images on the LCD display unit 20 in the same shooting order as in the shooting order.

[0092] The present device allows the smart media 24
It is also possible to implement the present invention in an image reproducing apparatus having a function of reproducing image data recorded in an image reproducing apparatus and not having a photographing function. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image reproducing apparatus embodying the present invention.
Shown in

In FIG. 8, the same components as those of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 8 with FIG. 1, the block diagram shown in FIG. 8 is different from that shown in FIG. 1 in that the image pickup unit is deleted, and the LCD driver 19 and the LCD display unit 20 are deleted. The output from the D / A 18 is led to an image signal output 28. Then, a display device (not shown) (for example, an LCD display device) is connected to the image signal output 28.

Since the image reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 8 does not have a photographing function, the image processing section 16 has an image processing function for recording image data and the JPEG processing section 21 has a data compression processing function. It is not necessary.

In FIG. 8, the main CPU 25 executes the above-described reproduction mode processing (FIG. 4), continuous-shot image reading processing (FIG. 6), and continuous-shot display processing (FIG. 7) to record on the smart media 24. An image signal for displaying an image represented by the image data displayed on a display device (not shown), and an image that continuously changes in the shooting order with the same shooting time as continuous shooting is displayed on the display device. An image signal is output from an image signal output 28.

[0096]

As described in detail above, the present invention provides
A plurality of image data, each of which represents one frame of image, and each of which represents a plurality of images obtained by continuous shooting in which a subject is shot a plurality of times continuously at predetermined time intervals, is The plurality of image data are extracted from the plurality of image data files stored for each of the image data of the frames and temporarily stored in the storage unit, and the plurality of the plurality of image data read from the storage unit are read out. A plurality of images represented by the image data are sequentially reproduced in the order in which the images were taken in the continuous shooting.

According to the above-described structure, a plurality of images obtained by continuous shooting (continuous shooting) represented by a plurality of image data stored in a plurality of image data files can be used to determine the movement of the subject. This provides an effect of providing a reproduction display method suitable for continuous shot images, in which display is performed by continuous reproduction as if it were a moving image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a memory map showing a use state of a recording area when recording image data on a smart media.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of a control process performed by a main CPU.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a reproduction mode processing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of image display performed on an LCD display unit when an index reproduction mode is selected.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the details of a continuous shot image reading process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a continuous shooting display processing.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reproducing device that implements the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 optical lens 12 CCD 13 imaging processing unit 14 A / D 15 SRAM 16 image processing unit 17 video encoder 18 D / A 19 LCD driver 20 LCD display unit 21 JPEG processing unit 22 SDRAM 23 card I / F 24 smart media 25 main CPU 26 Sub CPU 27 SW unit 28 Image signal output 30 Bus

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H054 AA01 BB11 5C022 AA13 AC01 AC69 5C052 AA17 AB03 AB04 CC11 DD02 EE03 EE08 GA02 GA03 GB06 GB09 GC05 GE08 5C053 FA08 FA27 GA11 GB36 KA24 LA01

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A subject is photographed a plurality of times continuously at predetermined time intervals, each of which is a plurality of image data representing one frame of image, and a plurality of images obtained by the continuous photographing are respectively Continuous photographing means for outputting the image data shown; recording means for recording the plurality of image data into a plurality of image data files each of which stores the image data for one frame of image on a recording medium; Display means for displaying a captured image; reading means for reading the image data file from the recording medium; and a plurality of image data files read by the reading means, Temporary storage means for temporarily storing a plurality of image data stored in the image data file for an image as a result; Display control means for sequentially displaying the plurality of images indicated by the plurality of image data stored in the rows on the display means in the order in which the continuous shooting by the continuous shooting means was performed. Electronic camera. 2. The display control means according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of images are sequentially displayed on said display means at a time interval corresponding to said predetermined time interval in continuous shooting by said continuous shooting means. 2. The electronic camera according to 1. 3. The recording means further records information indicating the predetermined time interval in the continuous photographing by the continuous photographing means on the recording medium, and the reading means records the information indicating the predetermined time interval on the recording medium. 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to sequentially display the plurality of images at a time interval corresponding to the information indicating the time interval. 3. camera. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is configured to store an image represented by the image data stored in the image data file.
Information indicating the order in which the images were taken in the continuous shooting by the continuous shooting means are further recorded on the recording medium; the reading means further reads the information indicating the shooting order from the recording medium; 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of images are sequentially displayed on the display unit according to the information indicating the order in which the images were captured. 3. 5. When an image data file relating to continuous photographing performed at different times by said continuous photographing means is recorded side by side on said recording medium, said temporary storage means reads out from said recording medium by said reading means. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein only a plurality of read image data files, the plurality of image data of the image data file relating to a single continuous shooting is stored. 6. A plurality of image data, each of which represents an image of one frame, and each of which represents a plurality of images obtained by continuous photographing in which a subject is photographed a plurality of times continuously at predetermined time intervals. Temporary storage means for extracting the plurality of image data from a plurality of image data files in which image data is stored for each image data of one frame image, and temporarily storing the plurality of image data; Image signal output means for outputting a signal for sequentially reproducing a plurality of images indicated by the plurality of image data read from in the order in which the images were taken in the continuous shooting. apparatus. 7. A plurality of images of a subject are continuously taken at predetermined time intervals a plurality of times, each of which is a plurality of image data representing one frame of image, and a plurality of images obtained by the continuous shooting are respectively A plurality of image data files each storing the image data for one frame of image, and recording the image data on a recording medium, wherein the image represented by the image data is obtained by the continuous shooting. A method for recording image data, further comprising recording the information indicating whether or not the image data has been obtained, on the recording medium. 8. A plurality of images of a subject are continuously taken at predetermined time intervals a plurality of times, each of which is a plurality of image data representing one frame of image, and a plurality of images obtained by the continuous shooting are respectively stored. A plurality of image data files each storing the image data for one frame image, and recording the image data on a recording medium, wherein the information indicating the predetermined time interval is stored in the recording medium. A method for recording image data, further comprising recording on a medium. 9. A plurality of images of a subject are continuously taken at a predetermined time interval a plurality of times, each of which is a plurality of image data representing one frame of image, and each of which is a plurality of images as a result of the continuous shooting. A plurality of image data files each storing the image data for one frame of image, and recording the image data on a recording medium, wherein the image data is stored in the image data file. A method for recording image data, further comprising the step of recording information indicating the order in which the indicated image was shot in the continuous shooting in the recording medium. 10. A photographing means for photographing a subject and obtaining image data representing an image as a result of the photographing, a plurality of image data each representing one frame of image, wherein the photographing of the subject is performed in a predetermined manner. The image data respectively showing a plurality of images obtained by the continuous shooting performed a plurality of times continuously at the time interval from the plurality of image data files stored for each of the image data for one frame image. A temporary storage unit that extracts the plurality of image data and temporarily stores the plurality of image data; and an order in which the plurality of images represented by the plurality of image data read from the temporary storage unit are captured in the continuous capturing. An electronic camera, comprising: display means for sequentially displaying the images by: