JP2002344873A - Electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic still camera which can record an image having high definition in a time equivalent to the exposure and scanning output of an image pickup element, that is the principle limit of continuous photographing time, while suppressing increase of its circuit scale and its cost and eliminating compression distortion. SOLUTION: The still camera is provided with a buffer memory 8 which can temporarily store picture data, a memory control means 9 which time- divisionally mediates access to the buffer memory 8 in accordance with a use request corresponding to priority decided at every data processing means with previously decided data quantity as a unit and the recording means 7 of data quantity which doest not become an obstacle for the data processing under the worst condition until the use request for the buffer memory 8 is received at every data processing means. A plurality of data processings are adaptively performed in parallel by system control corresponding to processing conditions and operation conditions, which differ in every photographing mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic still camera for recording an image of a subject as a still image in a digital manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in addition to a so-called silver halide camera using a conventional resin film, an electronic still camera for digitally recording an image of a subject as a still image has been increasingly used.

Such a digital recording type electronic still camera, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-42973, is capable of continuously compressing data at a high speed due to the data compression time in continuous shooting. Since shooting cannot be performed, a configuration has been proposed in which switching means for switching connections is provided so that data is temporarily recorded in a buffer memory without data compression.

As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-1681, a buffer memory for temporarily storing image signals in screen units, a means for designating a continuous recording speed, and a compression means with a selectable compression ratio are provided. With such a configuration, a method has been proposed in which image data is read from a buffer memory and compressed at a compression rate according to a designated continuous recording speed, and the compressed signal is supplied to a final recording medium.

[0005]

However, in the conventional electronic still camera as described above, in the former case, time is not required for compression processing by temporarily storing the data in a buffer memory uncompressed. Although the time interval for continuous shooting can be shortened, to secure a certain number of shots, a buffer memory of about 5 to 10 times the capacity is required, depending on the compression ratio as compared with the compression processing. Must be increased, which leads to an increase in circuit scale and cost, which is uneconomical.

In the latter case, a dedicated memory for continuous recording is not required by compressing at a compression rate corresponding to the continuous recording speed. Although it depends on the recording speed, the number of shots per unit time increases, and in order to suppress the amount of image data to within a predetermined memory capacity, it is necessary to increase the compression ratio inevitably. Therefore, a compression distortion or the like due to a high compression ratio occurs, which hinders recording of high-quality image data, which is the maximum object of the electronic still camera.

Further, in any of the above-mentioned methods, when performing continuous image capturing, when performing image recording processing corresponding to the image sensor, the principle limit corresponding to the exposure time and the scan output time of the image sensor as the image capturing interval. However, there is a problem that the recording process cannot be performed using the above cycle.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can greatly improve the image data processing capability at the time of continuous photographing, without increasing the buffer memory capacity and number. By shortening the time interval, it is possible to suppress an increase in circuit scale and price, and even if the recording speed is increased, problems such as compression distortion that occur during high compression rate processing without increasing the compression rate are reduced. In addition, image data can be recorded with high quality image quality, and in the image recording process corresponding to the imaging means, the cycle of the theoretical limit corresponding to the exposure time and scanning output time of the imaging means is captured. Provided is an electronic still camera capable of recording and processing only image data and image data added with audio data as intervals.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electronic still camera according to the present invention comprises: an input processing means for performing input processing on image data obtained by A / D conversion of an image signal from an imaging means; A signal processing unit that performs predetermined signal processing on the image data input through the input processing unit; a compression processing unit that compresses output data from the signal processing unit; Recording processing means for recording compressed data on a recording medium in a predetermined file format, wherein each of the input processing means, the signal processing means, the compression processing means, and the recording processing means stores image data on the recording medium. Data processing means for performing various data processing to record the data, a buffer memory having a predetermined recording capacity, Means for controlling the read and write of various data to and from the buffer memory by means in a time-division arbitrarily manner, wherein each of the data processing means is provided to the buffer memory via the memory control means. Independently connected, each data processing for recording the image data by each data processing means is configured to be adaptively executed in parallel according to processing conditions and operation conditions of each data processing means. And

As described above, the data processing required for image recording can be executed in parallel, and when continuous shooting of still images is performed, the operability of image recording is reduced by the image recording processing corresponding to the image pickup means. In this case, continuous photographing can be performed with the period of the theoretical limit corresponding to the exposure time and scan output time of the imaging means as the photographing interval.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electronic still camera according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an input processing means for inputting an A / D converted image data of an image signal from an imaging means, and the input processing means. Signal processing means for performing a predetermined signal processing on the image data input through the CPU, compression processing means for compressing output data from the signal processing means, and compression data from the compression processing means An electronic still camera having recording processing means for recording on a recording medium in a file format, wherein the input processing means, the signal processing means, the compression processing means, and the recording processing means are adapted to record image data on the recording medium. A buffer memory having a predetermined recording capacity, and a buffer memory provided by each data processing means. Memory control means for arbitrating and controlling the reading and writing of various data to and from a memory in a time-division manner, and connecting each of the data processing means to the buffer memory independently via the memory control means. Then, each data processing for recording the image data by each data processing means is adaptively executed in parallel according to processing conditions and operation conditions of each data processing means.

According to this configuration, it is possible to execute data processing necessary for image recording in parallel, and when performing continuous shooting of a still image, the operability of image recording is reduced by the image recording corresponding to the image pickup means. It is possible to perform continuous shooting in which a cycle of a theoretical limit corresponding to an exposure time and a scanning output time of an imaging unit in processing is a shooting interval.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic still camera, wherein the memory control means according to the first aspect is configured such that each data processing means reads / writes data from / to a buffer memory at a time by using a predetermined data amount as a unit. An address signal generated by the processing means and data relating to data processing are selected in accordance with a predetermined priority order according to a use request from each data processing means, and the buffer is selected according to the selected address signal. The memory is configured to read and write data from each data processing unit.

[0014] According to this configuration, by improving the memory use efficiency under the condition of the predetermined operation clock frequency, it is possible to execute data processing necessary for image recording in parallel, and to continuously shoot a still image. In the case of performing the image recording, the operability of image recording is such that continuous photographing in which the cycle of the theoretical limit corresponding to the exposure time and the scan output time of the image capturing means during the image recording processing corresponding to the image capturing means is the capturing interval. Make it possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic still camera, wherein the memory control means according to the second aspect is adapted to input the priority order of use of the buffer memory by each data processing means, input processing means, signal processing means, compression processing means, and recording. As the order of processing means,
It is configured to control reading and writing of the buffer memory by each data processing means.

According to this configuration, it is possible to efficiently use the memory in a time-sharing manner according to the characteristics of the image recording processing corresponding to the imaging means, and to improve the memory use efficiency under the condition of a predetermined operation clock frequency. At the same time, it is possible to execute data processing necessary for image recording in parallel, and when performing continuous shooting of still images, in terms of operability of image recording,
It is possible to perform continuous photographing with a period of a theoretical limit corresponding to an exposure time and a scan output time of the image capturing means in an image recording process corresponding to the image capturing means as a photographing interval.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic still camera according to the first, second, or third aspect, wherein the memory control means stores various data in a buffer memory by each data processing means which performs time-division parallel control. A clock control circuit for controlling the output of a clock for generating the read / write timing of the clock control circuit. The clock control circuit controls the output of the clock according to a clock control signal received from outside the memory control means. , The supply and stop of the clock output to the buffer memory are controlled.

According to this configuration, when the data does not exist in the buffer memory, the clock of the buffer memory is adaptively stopped as the recording processing corresponding to the image pickup means, so that the power consumption can be saved. In addition, it enables data processing necessary for image recording to be performed in parallel, and when performing continuous shooting of a still image, in terms of operability of image recording, an image pickup means for image recording processing corresponding to the image pickup means In this case, it is possible to perform continuous photographing with the period of the theoretical limit corresponding to the exposure time and the scan output time as the photographing interval.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic still camera according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the data processing means uses a buffer memory when the memory control means executes the data processing means in parallel in a time-division manner. In a period until the use permission of the buffer memory is received in response to the request, a data storage unit for temporarily storing data of a predetermined capacity which does not hinder various data processing in the period is provided.

According to this configuration, the stability of each data processing using the buffer memory in parallel is improved, and an efficient time-division use of the memory corresponding to the characteristic of the image recording processing corresponding to the imaging means is enabled. Under the condition of a predetermined operating clock frequency, while improving the memory use efficiency, it is also possible to perform data processing necessary for image recording in parallel, and perform image recording operation when performing continuous shooting of still images. In terms of gender, it is possible to perform continuous image capturing with a period of a theoretical limit corresponding to an exposure time and a scan output time of the image capturing device in an image recording process corresponding to the image capturing device as a capturing interval.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic still camera having a function of independently controlling each data processing means according to the fifth aspect with the start control signal from the outside. At the end of data processing, an end detection signal indicating the end is output.

According to this configuration, the stability of each data processing using the buffer memories in parallel is improved, and an efficient time-division use of the memories corresponding to the characteristics of the image recording processing corresponding to the imaging means is enabled. Under the condition of a predetermined buffer memory operating clock frequency, while improving the memory use efficiency, it is possible to execute data processing necessary for image recording in parallel, and perform image recording when performing continuous shooting of still images. In terms of operability, it is possible to perform continuous shooting in which the cycle of the theoretical limit corresponding to the exposure time and the scan output time of the imaging unit in the image recording processing corresponding to the imaging unit is the shooting interval.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic still camera, the buffer memory according to any one of the first to sixth aspects includes a buffer memory of at least one of signal processing means based on the number of pixels of the imaging means in image data. Signal processing data for the screen,
The signal processing data for one screen and the compressed data for two screens in the compression processing means are configured to have a capacity capable of simultaneously storing.

According to this configuration, it is possible to execute data processing necessary for image recording in parallel with a configuration having a minimum buffer memory capacity necessary for executing data processing required for image recording in parallel. In the case of performing continuous shooting of a still image, in terms of operability of image recording, the cycle of the theoretical limit corresponding to the exposure time and the scanning output time of the imaging unit at the time of image recording processing corresponding to the imaging unit is taken. Enables continuous shooting at intervals.

An electronic still camera according to an eighth aspect of the present invention has the configuration according to the first aspect, and when an operation button for instructing start of image recording is pressed, a signal is input to the input processing means while image data is being captured. The signal processing by the processing means is started, and at the time when a predetermined condition for writing the signal processing data to the buffer memory is detected, the signal processing data is read out and compression processing is started by the compression processing means, While performing the compression processing and writing the compressed data to the buffer memory, each data processing unit performs each data processing so that the recording processing unit performs the recording processing by permitting the recording processing by inputting an instruction based on the depression of the operation button. Is provided with means for controlling so as to perform parallel processing.

In the electronic still camera according to the ninth aspect, when the end of writing of the compressed data from the compression processing means to the buffer memory is detected, the recording of the buffer memory is permitted by permitting the recording process. The compressed data is read by the recording means and recorded on a recording medium.

According to these arrangements, in the image recording processing corresponding to the image pickup means, particularly when performing single-frame shooting of a still image, data of image data input processing and signal processing data suitable for the characteristics of single-frame shooting. By the adaptive system control of the compression processing according to the processing, the operability of the image recording of one frame shooting corresponds to the principle corresponding to the exposure time and the scanning output time of the imaging means in the image recording processing corresponding to the imaging means. It is possible to perform photographing with a target limit cycle as a photographing interval.

The electronic still camera according to the tenth aspect is
The recording processing by the recording processing means based on the pressing of the operation button according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the free space of the buffer memory at the time of writing the compressed data from the compression processing means is:
It is configured to prohibit when the capacity of the compressed data less than one screen is detected, and to permit when the capacity of one compressed screen or more is detected.

According to this configuration, in the image recording process corresponding to the image pickup means, particularly, when one frame of a still image is taken, the image linked to the detection of the free area of the buffer memory, which is characteristic of the one frame, is taken. The operability during one-frame shooting is dramatically improved by adaptive system control of recording.

[0030] The electronic still camera according to claim 11 is
And a selection unit for selectively switching between single-frame shooting and continuous shooting as a shooting mode, and instructing the start of image recording when the continuous shooting is selected by the selection unit. When the operation button is depressed, the signal processing by the signal processing means is started while the image data from the continuous shooting is fetched by the input processing means, and a predetermined condition for writing the signal processing data into the buffer memory is detected. At the point in time, while reading out the signal processing data and starting compression processing by the compression processing means,
By restarting the signal processing by the signal processing unit, the image recording restarted is performed in parallel while performing the compression processing and writing the compressed data to the buffer memory.

According to this configuration, in the image recording processing corresponding to the imaging means, particularly when continuous shooting of a still image is performed, the image processing is performed according to the input processing of image data and the data processing of the signal processing which are characteristic of the continuous shooting. Due to the adaptive system control of the compression processing, the operability of the image recording of the continuous shooting, in terms of operability of the image recording processing corresponding to the imaging means, the period of the principle limit corresponding to the exposure time and scanning output time of the imaging means during the image recording processing Is set as a photographing interval to enable continuous photographing.

An electronic still camera according to a twelfth aspect is
12. Upon detecting the end of writing of the compressed data from the compression processing means to the buffer memory, reading the compressed data in the buffer memory by the recording means and permitting the recording processing to read the compressed data from the recording medium. It is configured to perform recording processing.

According to this configuration, in the image recording process corresponding to the image pickup means, especially when continuous shooting of a still image is performed, adaptive system control of the recording process on the recording medium that is suitable for the continuous shooting is performed. In terms of the operability of image recording for continuous shooting, continuous shooting is possible in which the cycle of the theoretical limit corresponding to the exposure time and scanning output time of the imaging means during the image recording processing corresponding to the imaging means is the shooting interval. And

An electronic still camera according to a thirteenth aspect is characterized in that:
As the image recording processing when the signal processing by the signal processing means according to claim 11 or 12 is restarted,
When the free space in the buffer memory at the time of writing the compressed data from the compression processing means is detected to be less than the capacity of one screen of the compressed data, the process is forcibly terminated.

According to this configuration, in the image recording processing corresponding to the image pickup means, particularly when continuous shooting of still images is performed, detection of a free area of the buffer memory which is characteristic of continuous shooting and interlocking with the detection result are performed. By the adaptive system control of the image recording processing described above, the operability at the time of continuous shooting can be dramatically improved.

An electronic still camera according to a fourteenth aspect is characterized in that:
A selection unit for adding and recording audio information; A / D conversion of an audio signal from the audio input unit; and a predetermined format obtained by performing audio signal processing by the audio processing unit. Means for writing audio data into a buffer memory, and when the additional information recording of the audio information is selected by the selecting means, the image recording and the audio recording are processed in parallel to add the audio information to the image information. It is configured to have a voice recording function to perform

According to this structure, in the image recording processing corresponding to the image pickup means, particularly when the audio information is additionally recorded on the image, the recording of the image data and the audio data which is characteristic of the photographing in which the audio information is additionally recorded. By adaptive system control of the processing, the buffer memory can be shared, and a system optimal for photographing in which audio information is additionally recorded on an image can be realized.

An electronic still camera according to a fifteenth aspect is characterized in that:
A memory control unit according to claim 14, wherein a predetermined format for writing compressed data from the compression processing unit having image information and audio data of a predetermined format from the audio processing unit having audio information to the buffer memory is provided. When the condition is detected, the recording processing means reads the compressed data and the audio data from the buffer memory, and permits the recording processing means to record the compressed data and the audio data on the recording medium.

According to this configuration, in the image recording processing corresponding to the image pickup means, particularly when audio information is additionally recorded on an image, predetermined processing is performed on the image data and the audio data and temporarily stored in the buffer memory. Therefore, the image data and the audio data temporarily stored in the buffer memory are sequentially transferred to the recording medium by effectively utilizing the idle time of the writing process, so that the temporary storage area of the buffer memory is effectively used, and the The recording time of image data and audio data can be extended with the increased buffer memory capacity.

An electronic still camera according to a sixteenth aspect is characterized in that:
The memory control means according to claim 14 or 15 is configured such that the process of adding the audio information to the image information ends when the shortage of the free space in the temporary storage area of the buffer memory is detected.

According to this configuration, in the image recording processing corresponding to the image pickup means, particularly, when audio information is additionally recorded on an image, detection of an empty area of the buffer memory which is characteristic of shooting for additionally recording audio information is performed. And adaptive system control of the recording process of the image data and the audio data in conjunction with the detection thereof makes it possible to dramatically improve the operability at the time of continuous shooting in which audio information is additionally recorded on the image.

An electronic still camera according to a seventeenth aspect is characterized in that:
The compressed data and audio data of the image temporarily stored in the buffer memory in the memory control means according to claim 14 or 15 or 16 are stored in the buffer memory in an array according to a predetermined file format structure. Configure to write.

According to this structure, in the image recording processing corresponding to the image pickup means, especially when audio information is additionally recorded on the image, the recording speed on the recording medium is improved, and when the recording medium is a rotating disk medium, In such a case, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the recording speed due to the rotation of the rotating disk.

Hereinafter, an electronic still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) An electronic still camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic still camera according to the first embodiment. In this electronic still camera, as shown in FIG.
Input processing means 3 for input processing of image data A / D converted by the / D converter 2, signal processing means 4 for performing predetermined signal processing on the image data input to the input processing means 3, An electronic still camera for compressing the output data by a compression processing means 5 and recording the compressed data on a recording medium 7 in a predetermined file format by a recording processing means 6, comprising a buffer memory having a predetermined capacity. 8 and a memory control means 9 for arbitrating and processing data read / write to / from the buffer memory 8 by the respective data processing means in a time-division manner. The input processing means 3, the signal processing means 4, the compression processing means 5, The recording processing means 6 is used as a data processing means for recording image data, and each data processing means is stored in the buffer memory 8 via the memory control means 9. Independently connected to each other, so that data processing by each data processing means necessary for recording an image is adaptively executed in parallel according to processing conditions and operation conditions of each data processing means. Things.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the memory control means 9 in the first embodiment. For simplicity, two channels (signal system (a) and signal system (b)) are shown.
2 systems). A plurality of signals (a) and (b) shown in FIG. 3 are input processing means 3, signal processing means 4, compression processing means 5, and recording processing means 6, each data processing means (a) (signal system (a ) And (b) (corresponding to the signal system (b) side).

As is well known, the data from each data processing means is related to the image data, and it is necessary to read and write the data in the buffer memory 8 at a related predetermined address. In order to frequently use the buffer memory 8 from the data processing means, the buffer memory 8 is used for each minimum read / write unit of the buffer memory 8.
It is easy to determine that the use efficiency of the buffer memory 8 is reduced by reading and writing to the memory.

Therefore, in order to improve the usage efficiency, the address signal generated by the data processing means (a) and (b) is used as a unit for reading and writing a predetermined data amount in the buffer memory 8 at a time. (A), (b) and data (a), (b) relating to data processing are converted according to buffer memory use request signals (a), (b) from the data processing means (a), (b). According to the priority order (here, for example, (a)> (b)), the priority order determination circuit 93 makes a determination, and the selection circuit 92 selects the output signal based on the determination result.

If the request signals (a) and (b) are input at the same time at the predetermined judgment timing of the priority judgment circuit 93, the data processing means (a) having the higher priority is selected. The permission signal (a) is output to the data processing means (a).

The data processing means (a) receiving the permission signal (a) inputs and outputs necessary data (a) and address (a) to and from the memory control means 9 at a predetermined timing. First, the data signal (a) is read / written from / to the address of the buffer memory 8 corresponding to the address signal (a) selected by the selection circuit 92 and via the memory control circuit 91.

A request signal (a) for using the buffer memory 8,
It goes without saying that when (b) is present in only one of them, it goes without saying that the data processing means which has output the request signal is selected and the data is read / written from / to the buffer memory 8.

The clock control circuit 94 has a function of controlling ON / OFF of a drive clock supplied to the buffer memory 8 by an input clock control signal.
When there is no data to be temporarily stored in the buffer memory 8, the driving clock of the buffer memory 8 is adaptively stopped to realize power saving control.

It is well known that the existence of data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 8 should be managed by a control system using a microprocessor for controlling the image recording processing of the electronic still camera. With this configuration, power saving control can be easily performed in system control of image recording.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the signal processing means 4 according to the first embodiment. The other data processing means also have the same functions and structures as those of FIG. Since the configuration is basically the same, the operation related to the memory control means 9 in the signal processing data output circuit will be described as a representative for simplification.

It goes without saying that an image data input circuit for signal processing also has the same function as the output circuit. As shown in the description of FIG. 2, when the request signals from the respective data processing units are input simultaneously, the data processing unit having the higher priority is selected, and the data is read / written to / from the buffer memory 8. However, the data of the data processing unit that is not selected is data that is indispensable for the image recording process, and it is not allowed to lose data.

Therefore, each data processing means may hinder the data processing under the worst conditions until the use request requested by the memory control means 9 is accepted and the use permission of the buffer memory 8 is accepted. It is necessary to have a data storage circuit 42 for temporarily storing data having no predetermined capacity.

In the signal processing means 4, the output data of the signal processing circuit 41 for subjecting the input image data to signal processing in a predetermined manner is temporarily stored in the data storage circuit 42, while improving the use efficiency of the buffer memory 8. The data output control circuit 43 outputs a request signal (b) for use of the buffer memory 8 to the memory control means 9 at a predetermined timing for temporarily storing the data amount as a predetermined unit.

However, when there is a request signal (a) from the data processing means (a) having a higher priority, the permission signal (b) for use of the buffer memory 8 is not received, so that the data (b) is transferred to the memory control means. 9, it is necessary to temporarily store the further generated data in the data storage circuit 42.

Under the worst conditions, the data storage circuit 42 needs to have a predetermined capacity for temporarily storing data that does not hinder the data processing of the signal processing circuit 41. It is easy to guess that it is theoretically clear that this capacity increases with decreasing priority. The capacitance value of each data storage circuit is determined by the data processing circuit 3, 4, 5, 6 and the buffer memory 8
It is needless to say that it is determined by the processing performance and conditions.

Each data processing means has a function of independently controlling the start of each data processing by a start control signal, and a function of notifying the end of the processing by an end detection signal. The signal processing means 4 shown has a signal processing control circuit 44 for controlling the signal processing of the signal processing circuit 41 by a signal processing start control signal, and performs signal processing at a predetermined timing predetermined by the signal processing start control signal. At the same time, it has a function of outputting a detection signal (b) for detecting the end of a series of data processing.

The signal processing data generated by the signal processing means 4 is subjected to compression processing by the compression processing means 5, and the signal processing necessary for the compression is performed until the compression processing is completed. The data needs to be temporarily stored in the buffer memory 8.

Further, the compressed data is stored in the recording processing unit 6.
Therefore, it is necessary to temporarily store the data until the recording on the recording medium 7 is completed. Therefore, when the first compression processing is completed, the next signal processing is possible. Until the recording on the recording medium 7 is completed, it is desirable that the temporary storage area of the compressed data that needs to be temporarily stored can store a plurality of compressed data.

This is because if the recording of the compressed data on the recording medium 7 has not been completed, the recording of the previous compressed data on the storage medium 7 has not been completed even if the signal processing performed again has been completed. Since it is not possible to shift to the compression processing of the next signal processing data, this becomes a bottleneck in a series of data processing, which hinders high-speed image recording processing.

Therefore, the buffer memory 8 for temporarily storing the processing data includes a signal processing data amount for one screen by the signal processing means 4 of the image data determined by at least the number of images of the imaging means 1 and a compression of the signal processing data. It is necessary to have a capacity that can store the amount of compressed data for two screens by the processing means 5 simultaneously. (Embodiment 2) An electronic still camera according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 shows an electronic still camera described as a second embodiment (an electronic still camera described later as a third embodiment has the same configuration).
Each of the data processing means 3, 4, 5,
6 is a block diagram illustrating functions of an image recording control unit that controls a data recording process according to No. 6; FIG. In addition, about the same structure as embodiment mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted using the same code | symbol.

In this electronic still camera, as shown in FIG. 4, pressing of an operation button (usually a shutter button) for image recording is detected by the image recording control means 10 based on the pressing signal. A series of operations for image recording are performed by the recording processing start signal (a), and image data obtained by A / D conversion of the image signal from the imaging unit 1 by the A / D converter 2 is captured by the input processing unit 3. While the signal processing by the signal processing means 4 is started, and when the end of writing of a predetermined amount of output data (b) into the buffer memory 8 is detected by the detection signal (b), the buffer memory 8 The compression processing is started by reading the signal processing data (b) from the compression processing unit 5 with the start signal (c), and the recording processing by depressing the operation button is permitted again. Buffer of the reduced data (c) memory 8
The image recording by re-detecting the pressing of the operation button can be performed in parallel while executing the writing to the.

The timing for generating the detection signal (b) is as follows.
The fact that the signal processing data (b) is read out by the compression processing means 5 and the amount of signal processing data which does not hinder the compression is written to the buffer memory 8 is suitable for high-speed recording processing. Needless to say.

Next, when the completion of the writing of the compressed data into the buffer memory 8 by the compression processing means 5 is detected by the detection signal (c), the image recording control means 10 The process of recording data on the recording medium 7
Starting with the start signal (d), the compressed data is read from the buffer memory 8 by the recording
This starts the recording process for recording to As a matter of course, the end of the recording processing on the recording medium 7 is determined by the detection signal (d) on the image recording system.
It is necessary to inform 0.

Next, the image recording processing by re-pressing the operation button is performed when the free space in the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 8 for writing the compressed data is less than the capacity of one screen of the compressed data. It is prohibited and needs to be re-permitted when the capacity of one screen or more is detected. The detection of the free space can be easily calculated by the microprocessor controlling the image recording of the electronic still camera from the predetermined capacity of the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 8 and the capacity of the compressed data by the compression processing means 5.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the condition for starting the image recording is a free space detection processing S21 of the signal processing data temporary storage area of the buffer memory 8, and
If there is free space, image recording is permitted by processing S22 of detecting pressing of an operation button for image recording. When the operation button press is detected, a series of image input processing for image recording is performed by the image input start processing S23, and the image signal from the imaging unit 1 is A / D converted by the A / D converter 2. The capture of the image data by the input processing means 3 is permitted.

If the predetermined condition is satisfied by the end detection processing S24 of the next input processing,
The signal processing is started in the signal processing S25 of the input image data, and the signal processing data in the signal processing S25 is
The end of the signal processing data is read out by the compression processing means 5 and the end detection processing S26 for detecting the point in time when the amount of signal processing data which does not hinder the writing is written in the buffer memory 8, and the compression processing is started in the compression processing S27 of the signal processing data. To do.

If the compression processing has not been completed,
In the free space detection processing S21, it is determined that there is no free space, and the end of the compression processing is waited for in the previous compression processing end detection processing S28.

If the end of compression is detected by the end-of-compression detection processing S28, the recording medium
With the recording process S29, the recording on the recording medium 7 is started, the free space in the signal processing data temporary storage area of the buffer memory 8 is calculated, and the image can be recorded by pressing the next operation button. Of course, when the compression processing is started, it goes without saying that the control of the imaging unit 1 for recording the next image is performed.

Further, the end detection processing of the previous input processing S24
Is different depending on the type of the image pickup device constituting the image pickup means 1. In order to speed up the image recording process, the condition is determined by interlace and non-interlace, which are the driving methods of the image pickup device. It should be changed.

In the case of the interlaced drive, the image data of the previous field is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 8 by the drive divided into two fields, and the image data of the first field is stored in accordance with the fetch timing of the image data of the next field. Is read out from the buffer memory 8 temporarily stored and input to the signal processing means 4 as a non-interlace signal.

Therefore, the image data input processing means 3 shown in FIG. 1 includes the memory control means 9 and the next signal processing means 4.
Describes the flow of image data. Also, in the case of non-interlace driving, it is understood that there is no need to temporarily store the image data in the buffer memory 8 and it is sufficient to output the image data to the signal processing unit 4.

However, the processing performance of the signal processing means 4 by the former interlaced driving is determined by the buffer memory 8 on the time axis because the driving frequency of the image data of the second field is determined by the driving clock of the imaging means 1. , First
Obviously, in order to read out the image data of the feed and perform the signal processing, it is necessary to have a performance twice as high as the frequency which is the driving clock of the imaging means 1. In the case of the latter non-interlace driving, it is understood that it is necessary to perform signal processing at the frequency itself, which is the driving clock of the imaging unit 1.

However, in any case, in the memory control means 9 which has secured the predetermined processing performance, in the case of the interlace driving, the operation rate of the buffer memory 8 is increased in the second field for signal processing. It can be seen that it becomes lower in one field. Also, in the case of non-interlace driving, it is apparent that the operation rate becomes the average. Embodiment 3 An electronic still camera according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 shows an electronic still camera described as the third embodiment (the electronic still camera described as the second embodiment has the same configuration).
Each of the data processing means 3, 4, 5,
6 is a block diagram illustrating functions of an image recording control unit that controls a data recording process according to No. 6; FIG. In addition, about the same structure as embodiment mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted using the same code | symbol.

This electronic still camera, as shown in FIG. 4, responds to a selection switching signal between one-frame shooting and continuous shooting by a signal.
For example, when continuous shooting is selected, pressing of an operation button for image recording of continuous shooting is detected by the image recording control means 10, and a series of operations for image recording are performed by a recording process start signal (a). And the image signal from the imaging means 1 is A
End detection for starting the signal processing by the signal processing means 4 in parallel while taking in the image data A / D converted by the / D converter 2 by the input processing means 3 and detecting the end time of writing to the buffer memory 8 When a data amount that does not hinder the compression processing by the compression processing means 5 is detected by the detection signal (b) obtained in the processing S36, the compression processing means 5 compresses the data from the buffer memory 8 by the start signal (c). The signal processing data (b) having a data amount that does not hinder the processing is read out to start the compression processing, and the data processing for the next image recording is started again by the start signal (a), so that the compression processing is started. This enables parallel processing of processing and writing of the compressed data (c) into the buffer memory 8 and signal processing by the signal processing means 4 for recording the next image.

Next, upon detecting, by the detection signal (c), the end of the writing of the first-time image recording compressed data into the buffer memory 8 by the image compression processing means 5, the image recording control means 10 executes the recording processing means. 6 starts the recording process of the compressed data on the recording medium 7 by the start signal (d), starts the recording process of reading the compressed data from the buffer memory 8 by the recording processing means 6 and recording the compressed data on the storage medium 8. is there. As a matter of course, the end of the recording processing on the recording medium 7 needs to be notified to the image recording control means 10 in the operation of the image recording system.

Next, in the image recording processing for continuous photographing, when writing the compressed data into the buffer memory 8, it is detected that the free space of the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 8 is less than the capacity of one screen of the compressed data. The image recording control means 10 controls the processing so that the processing is forcibly terminated at the time.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, when the pressing of the operation button, which is a condition for starting the image recording of the continuous photographing, is detected in the detection processing S31, the free space in the temporary storage area of the compressed data in the buffer memory 8 is detected. Processing S3
In step S33, a series of image input processing for image recording is started.

As a matter of course, at the start of the first image recording, the temporary storage area of the buffer memory 8 is empty, and the image data obtained by A / D conversion of the image signal from the image pickup means 1 by the A / D converter 2 is obtained. By the input processing means 3 is started.

In the next input processing end detection processing S34, if a predetermined condition is satisfied,
The signal processing is started by the signal processing S35 of the input image data, and when the signal processing end is detected by the signal processing end detection processing S36, the compression processing is started on the signal processing data by the compression processing S37. .

At this point, a series of processing returns to the free space detection processing S32, and when it is detected that there is no free space, the end of the continuous shooting is waited until the end of the previous compression processing in the end detection processing S38 of the compression processing. Become. If it is detected that there is free space, a series of image input processing in the next image recording is started again.

As is well known, the driving clock frequency for reading an image signal from the image pickup means 1 is related to the performance of the image pickup device in the image pickup means 1 and has an upper limit. Since it is determined by the operating frequency performance of the logic circuit and the buffer memory 8 used, sufficiently high-speed processing is possible without being restricted by the driving clock frequency of the image sensor.

Since the input processing of the image data includes the exposure of the image pickup means 1 and the time for taking in the image data,
By the start of the next signal processing by the signal processing S35, the compression processing of the previous image data has sufficiently proceeded, and the compression processing is performed between the start of the next signal processing and the end of the signal processing. Is completed. (Embodiment 4) An electronic still camera according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic still camera according to the fourth embodiment. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 7, an A / D converter 12 A / D converts an audio signal from an audio input unit 11 into audio data,
The voice data of a predetermined format obtained by subjecting the voice data to signal processing by the voice processing means 13 is written into the buffer memory 8 via the memory control means 14,
When additional recording of audio information is selected, audio recording is performed in parallel with image recording.

The memory control means 14 has a configuration in which a channel for recording audio data is added to the memory control means 9 for image recording so that audio data can be additionally recorded in the buffer memory 8.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the function of the recording control means in the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 8, when the addition of the audio data is instructed by the audio data addition recording signal for controlling the addition recording of the audio data to the image data, the recording control means 10 starts the image and audio recording start signals (a) and (a). In step e), the recording by the image recording unit 15 and the audio recording unit 16 is started, and the start of recording is notified to the timing detection unit 17 for detecting the recording time.
In response to the timing signal from the timing detecting means 17, the recording processing means 6 reads out the image and audio data from the buffer memory 8 by a recording start signal (d) on the recording medium 7 and records it on the recording medium 7. Is to start.

Further, the audio data addition recording needs to be completed when the shortage of free space in the temporary storage area of the image and audio data in the buffer memory 8 is detected. Further, the image and audio data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 8 are written in the buffer memory 8 in an array according to a predetermined file format structure.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to use an efficient memory in a time-sharing manner which is characteristic of an image recording process corresponding to an image pickup means, and to perform the operation under a predetermined operating clock frequency condition. In addition to improving the memory use efficiency, it is possible to execute data processing necessary for image recording in parallel, and when performing continuous shooting of a still image, the operability of image recording requires an image corresponding to the imaging means. Continuous photographing can be performed with the period of the theoretical limit corresponding to the exposure time and scanning output time of the image pickup means during the recording process as the photographing interval.

In the image recording processing corresponding to the imaging means, particularly, when one frame of a still image is taken,
Due to the adaptive system control of the recording process on the recording medium according to the characteristics of the one-frame shooting, the operability of the image recording of the one-frame shooting increases the exposure time of the imaging means during the image recording processing corresponding to the imaging means. And the cycle of the theoretical limit corresponding to the scanning output time can be taken as the photographing interval.

In the image recording processing corresponding to the image pickup means, especially when continuous shooting of a still image is performed, a compression processing according to the input processing of image data and the data processing of signal processing which are characteristic of the continuous shooting. In the operability of image recording for continuous shooting, the adaptive system control of (1) sets the cycle of the principle limit corresponding to the exposure time and scanning output time of the imaging unit in the image recording process corresponding to the imaging unit. Continuous shooting can be performed at intervals.

In the image recording process corresponding to the image pickup means, particularly when audio information is additionally recorded on an image,
The adaptive system control of the recording process of image data and audio data, which has the characteristics of shooting with additional recording of audio information, allows the buffer memory to be shared, creating an optimal system for shooting with additional audio information added to the image. Can be realized.

As described above, it is possible to dramatically improve the image data processing capability at the time of continuous shooting, to shorten the time interval at the time of continuous shooting without increasing the buffer memory capacity and the number, and to increase the circuit scale. In addition to suppressing the increase in price and increasing the recording speed, it eliminates problems such as compression distortion that occurs during high compression rate processing without increasing the compression rate, and records image data with high quality image quality. In addition, at the time of the image recording process corresponding to the imaging unit, only the image data and the audio data are added using the cycle of the principle limit corresponding to the exposure time and the scanning output time of the imaging unit as the shooting interval. The recorded image data can be recorded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic still camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory control unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a signal processing unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing functions of a recording control unit in the electronic still camera according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a recording process according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic still camera according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating functions of a recording control unit according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 imaging means 2, 12 A / D converter 3 input processing means 4 signal processing means 5 compression processing means 6 recording processing means 7 recording medium 8 buffer memory 9, 14 memory control means 10 image recording control means 11 audio input means 13 audio Processing means 15 Image recording means 16 Audio recording means 17 Timing detection means 41 Signal processing circuit 42 Data storage circuit 43 Data output control circuit 44 Signal processing control circuit 91 Memory control circuit 92 Selection circuit 93 Priority judgment circuit 94 Clock control circuit 100 Recording Control means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AC32 AC52 5C052 AA16 AB10 AC02 CC11 DD02 5C053 FA07 FA08 FA10 FA27 GA11 GA19 GB11 GB21 GB40 HA22 HA33 JA03 KA03 KA04 KA21 KA24 KA25

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An input processing means for inputting image data obtained by A / D conversion of an image signal from an imaging means, and a predetermined signal processing predetermined for the image data inputted through the input processing means A signal processing means for performing compression processing on the output data from the signal processing means, and a recording processing means for recording the compressed data from the compression processing means on a recording medium in a predetermined file format. In the still camera, each of the input processing unit, the signal processing unit, the compression processing unit, and the recording processing unit is a data processing unit that performs various data processing for recording image data on the recording medium, and a predetermined predetermined A buffer memory having a recording capacity, and arbitration of time-division arbitration between reading and writing of various data to and from the buffer memory by each data processing means. Memory control means for performing control processing by connecting each of the data processing means to the buffer memory independently via the memory control means, and recording the image data by each data processing means. An electronic still camera, wherein each data processing is adaptively executed in parallel according to processing conditions and operation conditions of each data processing means. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the memory control unit is configured to store an address signal generated by each data processing unit and data related to data processing in units of a predetermined data amount read / written to / from the buffer memory by each data processing unit. According to a predetermined priority, a selection is made in accordance with a use request from each data processing means, and data from each data processing means is read / written to / from the buffer memory in accordance with the selected address signal. The electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein the electronic still camera is configured as described above. 3. The memory control means, wherein the priority order of use of the buffer memory by each data processing means is set as an input processing means, a signal processing means, a compression processing means, and a recording processing means.
3. The electronic still camera according to claim 2, wherein reading / writing of data from / to said buffer memory by each data processing means is controlled. 4. A clock control circuit for controlling output of a clock for generating a timing for reading and writing various data to and from a buffer memory by each data processing means performing parallel control in a time-division manner, wherein said memory control means is provided. A clock control circuit configured to control supply and stop of the clock output to the buffer memory according to a clock control signal received from outside the memory control means to control the output of the clock. The electronic still camera according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of said data processing means receives a buffer memory use request from said memory control means in response to a request for use of said buffer memory during time-division parallel execution. The electronic still camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising data storage means for temporarily storing data of a predetermined capacity that does not hinder various data processing. 6. The data processing means has a function of independently controlling the start of each data processing by an external start control signal, and outputs an end detection signal indicating the end when the data processing is completed. The electronic still camera according to claim 5, wherein the electronic still camera is configured to perform the following. 7. A buffer memory comprising: at least signal processing data for one screen in signal processing means based on the number of pixels of image pickup means in image data; and compression processing means for the signal processing data for one screen. 7. The electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein the electronic still camera has a capacity capable of simultaneously storing two screens of compressed data. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an operation button for instructing start of image recording is pressed, signal processing by signal processing means is started while inputting image data by input processing means. At the time when a predetermined condition for writing the signal processing data into the buffer memory is detected, the signal processing data is read out, compression processing is started by compression processing means, the compression processing is performed, and the compressed data is compressed. Means for controlling the data processing means to perform each data processing in parallel so that the recording processing means performs the recording processing by permitting the recording processing by the instruction input based on the depression of the operation button while writing to the buffer memory. An electronic still camera, comprising: 9. When the end of writing of the compressed data from the compression processing means to the buffer memory is detected, by permitting the recording process, the compressed data in the buffer memory is read by the recording means and recorded on the recording medium. 9. The electronic still camera according to claim 8, wherein the electronic still camera is configured to perform processing. 10. A recording process performed by a recording processing unit based on a depression of an operation button, wherein the free space of a buffer memory at the time of writing compressed data from the compression processing unit is detected to be less than the capacity of one screen of the compressed data. Prohibited at the time, said 1
The electronic still camera according to claim 8, wherein the electronic still camera is configured to be permitted when a capacity equal to or larger than a screen capacity is detected. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit for selectively switching between single-frame shooting and continuous shooting as a shooting mode, wherein when the selection unit selects continuous shooting, image recording is performed. By pressing the operation button for instructing the start, the signal processing by the signal processing unit is started while the image data by the continuous shooting is fetched by the input processing unit, and the writing of the signal processing data to the buffer memory is performed in advance. At the time when the predetermined condition is detected, the signal processing data is read out, the compression processing is started by the compression processing means, and the signal processing by the signal processing means is restarted, so that the compression processing is performed and the compressed data is processed. An electronic station configured to perform parallel processing of the image recording restarted while writing to the buffer memory. Camera. 12. When detecting the end of writing of the compressed data from the compression processing means to the buffer memory, read the compressed data in the buffer memory by the recording means and record it on the recording medium by permitting the recording process. The electronic still camera according to claim 11, wherein the electronic still camera is configured to perform processing. 13. An image recording process when the signal processing by the signal processing means is restarted, the free space of the buffer memory at the time of writing the compressed data from the compression processing means is determined by the capacity of one screen of the compressed data. The electronic still camera according to claim 11, wherein the electronic still camera is configured to forcibly end the processing when a value less than the predetermined value is detected. 14. An audio signal having a configuration according to claim 1, which is obtained by performing A / D conversion of an audio signal from a selection unit for additionally recording audio information and an audio signal from an audio input unit, and performing audio signal processing by an audio processing unit. Means for writing the audio data in a predetermined format into a buffer memory. An electronic still camera having an audio recording function for additionally recording image information. 15. A predetermined condition for writing compressed data from a compression processing unit having image information and audio data of a predetermined format from an audio processing unit having audio information to a buffer memory in a memory control unit. And detecting the compressed data and the audio data from the buffer memory by the recording processing means at the time of detecting the compressed data and permitting the recording processing means to record the compressed data and the audio data on the recording medium. Claim 1
5. The electronic still camera according to 4. 16. The memory control means according to claim 1, wherein the processing for adding and recording audio information to the image information is terminated when a shortage of free space in the temporary storage area of the buffer memory is detected. An electronic still camera according to claim 14 or claim 15. 17. The memory control means is configured to write compressed data and audio data of an image temporarily stored in a buffer memory into the buffer memory in an array according to a structure of a predetermined file format. Claim 1
An electronic still camera according to claim 4 or claim 15 or claim 16.