JP2003111012A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient management method for image data in an electronic camera. SOLUTION: An imaging device 2 photoelectric-converts an object image into an image signal. The image signal processed by an imaging processing section 3 is given to an analog/digital converter 4, which outputs a photographing image expressed the object image. A CPU 15 allows an image processing section 6 to generate a basic image from the photographing image and allows a removable recording medium 7 to record the basic image. The CPU 15 allows the image processing section 6 to a simple image whose number of pixels is smaller than that of the basic image from the photographing image or the basic image and allows an image recording 14-2 in a flash memory 14 to record the simple image. Here, number of pixels of the simple image is decided on the basis of number of pixels of the image able to be displayed on an LCD display device 13. Further, the CPU 15 copies all the simple images recorded in the image recording section 14-2 and records them to the removable recording medium 7.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique used in an electronic camera, and more particularly to a technique for recording / managing image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Digital cameras, which have become widespread in recent years, are not only tools for photographing, but also have an image reproducing function, which is one of the major characteristics that silver halide cameras do not have. This reproduction function generally reads a captured image that has been subjected to data compression from a recording medium such as a memory card installed in the camera, and performs processing such as data expansion on the read captured image. The image for display thus obtained is displayed on a liquid crystal display or the like provided in the camera.

[0003]

Consider the case of reproducing an image with a digital camera. In such a case, there is a method of performing reproduction while repeatedly attaching and detaching the recording medium, or performing an edit process of extracting images desired to be reproduced from each of the plurality of recording media and collecting them into one recording medium. Although conceivable, any of these methods will force the user to perform a troublesome work.

Further, since the photographed image is recorded in the memory card, if the free recording capacity of the memory card is exhausted, further photographing cannot be performed. Therefore, there is a case that the photo opportunity that comes after the memory card is used up may be missed.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient image data management method in an electronic camera.

[0006]

An electronic camera according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image pickup device for photoelectrically converting a subject image into an image signal, and image data for converting the image signal to express the subject image. An image pickup means for outputting a photographed image that is
Image display means for displaying an image, and image data created based on the photographed image, the image having a number of pixels determined based on the number of pixels of the image that can be displayed by the image display means are represented. A simple image recording means for recording a simple image which is the image data on a first recording medium;
The above-mentioned problems can be solved by a copying means for copying the simple image recorded on the first recording medium and recording it on the second recording medium.

With the above arrangement, the simple image, which is the image data for image reproduction, in which the image having the number of pixels based on the number of pixels of the image that can be displayed by the image display means is expressed is stored in the first recording medium. Since it is recorded, this simple image can be used when the image is reproduced by the electronic camera, which is convenient. Moreover, since this simple image has a smaller number of pixels than the image represented by the image data that has been recorded even in the conventional electronic camera, the recording capacity required for recording the simple image is small. For example, only the simple image is recorded in the electronic camera. If left untouched, more images can be taken and more images can be reproduced than before, without affecting the image reproduction. Further, since the simple image recorded on the first recording medium is copied to the second recording medium, the simple image recorded on the second recording medium can be read so that the simple image can be used by other devices. Therefore, the usability of the simple image is improved.

In the above-described electronic camera according to the first aspect of the present invention, the copying means collectively copies all the simple images recorded on the first recording medium to obtain the second image. The recording medium can also be configured to record.

According to this structure, since the simple images are collectively copied between the recording media, the time required for copying is shortened. In the electronic camera according to the first aspect of the present invention described above, the first recording medium is built in the electronic camera, and the second recording medium is attachable to and detachable from the electronic camera. It can also be configured as follows.

According to this structure, the simple image created by this electronic camera can be easily used by another electronic camera or other device. In the electronic camera according to the first aspect of the present invention described above, the first recording medium is attachable to and detachable from the electronic camera, and the copying unit starts supplying power to the electronic camera. When the instruction to be performed is detected, or when the first recording medium is mounted, a simple image recorded on the first recording medium is copied and recorded on the second recording medium. It can also be configured to.

With this arrangement, the simple copying of the simple images between the recording media is automatically performed without the user of the electronic camera giving an instruction for the collective copying. An electronic camera according to a second aspect of the present invention is an image pickup device for photoelectrically converting a subject image into an image signal, and an image pickup unit for converting the image signal and outputting a shot image which is image data expressing the subject image. An image display means for displaying an image and image data sent from another device, the image data having a number of pixels determined based on the number of pixels of the image that can be displayed by the image display means. The above-mentioned problems can be solved by a simple image recording means for recording a simple image, which is the image data to be expressed, on a recording medium.

With this configuration, a simple image, which is image data for image reproduction, in which an image having the number of pixels based on the number of pixels of the image that can be displayed by the image display means is represented is created by another device. It can be used with this electronic camera. Moreover, since this simple image has a smaller number of pixels than the image represented by the image data that has been recorded even in the conventional electronic camera, the recording capacity required for recording the simple image is small. For example, only the simple image is recorded in the electronic camera. If left untouched, more images can be taken and more images can be reproduced than before, without affecting the image reproduction.

In the electronic camera according to the second aspect of the present invention described above, the recording medium may be built in the electronic camera. Further, the recording medium may be configured to be attachable / detachable to / from the electronic camera. According to this configuration, the simple image recorded on the recording medium can be easily used in other devices. As a result, the portability of the simple image is further improved.

The electronic camera according to the second aspect of the present invention described above may further comprise an output means for outputting the simple image recorded on the recording medium to the outside of the electronic camera. Even with this configuration, the simple image can be easily used in other devices, and the portability of the simple image is further improved.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera embodying the present invention. In the figure, A / D4, D
The RAM 5, the image processing unit 6, the removable recording medium 7, the video driver 8, the USB I / F 10, the LCD driver 12, the flash memory 14, and the CPU 15 are all bus 18
, And can exchange data with each other.

The photographing lens unit 1 captures an image of a subject by an image pickup device 2
It has a lens for imaging on top. The image pickup device 2 is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and photoelectrically converts the subject image formed on the image pickup device 2 by the action of the image pickup lens unit 1 to output an electric signal representing the image.

The image pickup processing section 3 controls the drive of the image pickup element 2 and reduces a noise component in an electric signal output from the image pickup element 2 by a CDS (Correlated Doubl).
e Sampling) and AGC (Au) that stabilizes the signal level.
Perform processing such as tomatic Gain Control).

A / D 4 is an A / D (analog / digital) conversion process for converting an electric signal, which is an analog signal expressing a subject image formed on the image pickup device 2, into image data which is digital data. Do.

DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memor)
y) 5 is for temporarily storing image data output from the A / D 4 or image data being processed in various image processes by the image processing unit 6, or as a work area for executing control processing by the CPU 15. It is a memory used for such purposes.

The image processing unit 6 performs correction processing such as gamma correction and white balance correction performed when recording an image, and JPEG (Joint Photograhs) for recording / reproducing image data.
phicExperts Group) image data compression / expansion processing, image enlargement / reduction processing that increases or decreases the number of pixels that make up the image, and a portion of the image is displayed on the LCD display 1
Various image processes such as a process of cutting out a partial image to be displayed on the screen 3 are performed.

The detachable recording medium 7 is a detachable recording medium for this electronic camera, and is image data representing an image taken by this electronic camera (hereinafter, this image data is particularly referred to as "basic image"). Record) and save. In this embodiment, a so-called IC is used as the removable recording medium 7.
A memory card is used and is connected to the bus 18 via a card I / F (not shown). Further, a simple image described later may be recorded on the removable recording medium 7.

The video driver 8 converts the image data into a video signal. The video signal output from the video driver 8 is output from the video out terminal 9, and the output video signal is input to a home television to display an image captured by this electronic camera.

The USB I / F 10 is a USB (Universal Se
rial bus), which provides an interface according to the standard, and exchanges various data between this electronic camera and an external device such as a personal computer 20 or another digital camera 30 connected to the USB terminal 11. It is possible.

An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) driver 12 drives an LCD display 13 to display an image represented by image data on the LCD display 13.

The LCD display 13 is a display device for displaying an image. The flash memory 14 is a read / write memory that can also be electrically rewritten, and in addition to the operation program 14-1 executed by the CPU 15 being stored in advance, a recording for recording image data. An image recording unit 14-2, which is an area, is secured.

In the image recording section 14-2, the image data corresponding to the basic image and used for displaying the image (hereinafter, this image data is particularly referred to as "simple image"). The simple image recording unit 14-21, which is a recording area for recording the data), is secured, and, for example, the removable recording medium 7 is not mounted on this electronic camera, or a new basic image is recorded on the removable recording medium 7. In the case where there is not enough free recording area left to be recorded, the auxiliary recording section 14 is a recording area that can record several basic images instead of the removable recording medium 7.
22 and 22 are secured. The recording area of the image recording unit 14-2 is allocated to the simple image recording unit 14-21 and the auxiliary recording unit 14-22 at a predetermined ratio when the electronic camera is initialized. The ratio can be changed by the CPU 15 performing a recording area change mode process described later.

As the image size of the simple image, for example, an image size that can be displayed on the LCD display (for example, the number of pixels of 320 × 240 corresponding to QVGA) can be set, or is output from the video out terminal 9. The image size used in the video signal (for example, the number of pixels of 640 × 480 corresponding to VGA) may be set.

The CPU 15 is a central processing unit and controls the overall operation of the electronic camera by executing the operation program 14-1 stored in the flash memory 14 in advance. The CPU 15 is provided with a clock unit 15-1 for realizing a timekeeping function for timing the current date and time, and when shooting is performed with this electronic camera, the date and time of the shooting is the date and time of the camera at the time of shooting. It is recorded together with a predetermined area of the basic image, for example, a header information area as a part of the shooting information indicating the setting status and the like.

The input instructing section 16 is a general term for various setting switches operated for giving various operations and setting instructions, a release switch for instructing execution of a photographing operation, and the like. The operation is detected.

The photographing direction detection sensor 17 is oriented in the direction when the electronic camera takes a picture, that is, the camera is positioned, for example, upright, right sideways, left sideways, or upside down. The sensor is a sensor that detects whether or not the image has been captured at the time of the image capturing. For example, the sensor is configured by using a mercury switch that conducts between the electrodes when the mercury enclosed in the tube moves according to the inclination and comes into contact with the electrodes. The detection result by the shooting direction detection sensor 17, that is, the direction of the camera at the time of shooting is also recorded together with the shooting date and time as a part of the shooting information in a predetermined area of the basic image.
A user who uses this electronic camera for shooting may operate the input instructing unit 16 to input the direction of the camera at the time of shooting.

The electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 is constructed as described above. Next, of the electronic camera control processing performed by the CPU 15 of the electronic camera having the above-described configuration, processing relating to creation / recording of a basic image and a simple image will be described. The control process of the electronic camera is realized by the CPU 15 reading and executing the operation program 14-1 stored in the flash memory 14.

[Single Frame Reproduction Mode Processing] First, FIG. 2 will be described. This figure is a diagram showing the processing contents of the single-frame reproduction mode processing.

In the single frame reproduction mode, the basic image already recorded on the removable recording medium 7 is displayed on the LCD display 13.
Alternatively, it is an operation mode for causing the electronic camera to perform the operation of reproducing and displaying on the television connected to the video out terminal 9. CPU for single-frame playback mode processing
In addition to causing the electronic camera to perform this reproducing operation, a simple image is created from the basic image in accordance with an instruction from the user of this electronic camera, and the created simple image is created by the image memory 15 of the flash memory 14. Recording unit 1
The operation for recording in 4-2 is also performed.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the one-frame reproduction mode processing. The process shown in this flowchart is started when the CPU 15 detects that the various setting switches of the input instructing unit 16 are operated and the operation instruction of the single frame reproduction mode is issued.

First, in S101, the removable recording medium 7
Of the data-compressed basic images that have already been recorded in, the basic image currently specified according to the operation of various setting switches of the input instructing unit 16 (this designated basic image is referred to as “designated image”). Will be read). Note that here, the size of the basic image is 16 pixels.
It is assumed that the size is 00 × 1200.

In step S102, the image processing unit 6 is made to perform the decompression process of the designated image which has been data-compressed and which has been read out by the process of the previous step, and the decompressed designated image is DRA.
Store in M5.

In S103, the designated image stored in the DRAM 5 is read by the process of the previous step, and the display process for changing the size of the designated image is performed so that the designated image can be displayed on the LCD display 13. The processing unit 6 is made to perform it. Here, it is assumed that the display size of the LCD display 13 is 400 × 300 pixels.

In S104, the designated image subjected to the processing in the previous step is sent to the LCD driver 12, and the image represented by the designated image is displayed on the LCD display 13. At this time, the designated image is also sent to the video driver 8, and the video signal corresponding to the designated image is output from the video out terminal 9.

Here, in S105, the input instruction unit 1
It is determined whether or not an instruction to display another basic image different from the one currently displayed is made by operating the various setting switches of No. 6, and if the result of this determination is Yes, the process returns to S101, and is described above. The process is repeated. On the other hand, if the determination result is No, the process proceeds to S106.

In S106, it is determined whether or not an instruction to create and record a simple image from the basic image is made by operating the various setting switches of the input instructing unit 16,
If this determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S107, where N
If it is o, the process returns to S105 and the above process is repeated.

In S107, the empty recording area for newly recording the simple image is the image recording section 14 of the flash memory 14.
-2, it is determined whether or not it is left, and the determination result is Yes.
If s, the process proceeds to S109, and if No, the process proceeds to S108.

At S108, a warning is output indicating that no free recording area for newly recording a simple image is left, and then the process returns to S105 to repeat the above-described process. As the warning output, for example, there is a method of causing the LCD display 13 to display a message to that effect or operating a sounding unit (not shown) to generate a warning sound.

In S109, it is determined whether or not an instruction to perform batch recording of simple images is made by operating the various setting switches of the input instructing unit 16. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S110. , No, the process proceeds to S112.

The simple image batch recording refers to a simple image recording method for collectively creating and recording simple images corresponding to all the basic images already recorded on the removable recording medium 7. On the other hand, when there is no instruction to perform the batch recording of the simple images, the simple image corresponding to the image currently displayed on the LCD display 13 is created and recorded.

In S110, one of the basic images already recorded on the removable recording medium 7 is read out, and the subsequent S
At 111, the image processing unit 6 is made to perform the decompression process of the data-compressed basic image read by the process of the previous step, and the decompressed basic image is stored in the DRAM 5.

In S112, the decompressed basic image stored in the DRAM 5 (the decompressed designated image stored in the DRAM 5 when the simple image batch recording operation is not performed) is read out and included therein. Whether or not the orientation of this electronic camera was horizontal when the basic image was captured, that is, whether or not the basic image was captured according to the orientation of the camera in the right sideways or left sideways orientation. Is determined. Then, if the image is a basic image taken by the camera in the horizontal direction, the determination result is Yes, and the processes of S114 and S115 are performed,
On the other hand, for the basic image that is not so, the determination result is No and the process of S113 is performed.

In the process of S112, when the user of the electronic camera refers to the LCD display 13 and determines that the image currently displayed is in the horizontal direction, that is, the basic image being displayed is displayed by the camera. When the user determines that the image was photographed in the landscape state, the input instruction unit 16 may be operated to instruct the electronic camera to that effect, and the CPU 15 may perform the determination process of S112 based on the content of the instruction.

In S113, the size of the basic image is set to the LCD.
A process of resizing to the display size of the display 13 is performed, and then the process proceeds to S116. The image obtained by this resizing process becomes a simple image corresponding to this basic image.

In S114, the resizing process is applied to the basic image taken by the camera in the horizontal direction, and the subsequent S11.
In 5, the vertical / horizontal conversion processing is performed. The processing of S114 and S115 will be further described.

The size of the basic image obtained by taking an image with this electronic camera held horizontally is 160 pixels.
It is a vertically long image of 0 × 1200. Therefore, in this case, in S114, the length of the long side of the basic image is L.
Among the display sizes of the CD display 13, the image processing unit 6 is made to perform the resizing process of the size of the basic image such that the value is equal to the number of pixels on the short side, that is, 300.
An example of an image resulting from this resizing process is shown in FIG.
It is shown in (1) of (b). In this way, the image resulting from this resizing process has a pixel count of 300 × 22.
The size is 5.

Next, in S115, a vertical / horizontal conversion process is performed. The vertical / horizontal conversion processing is processing for rotating the image subjected to the resizing processing in the previous step by 90 degrees. Note that the direction of rotation at this time is determined based on whether the camera orientation at the time of shooting indicated in the shooting information included in the basic image is right sideways or left sideways.

An example of the result of vertical / horizontal conversion processing applied to the resized basic image shown in (1) of FIG. 2B is shown in (2) of FIG. 2B. . Here, the size of the image after the vertical / horizontal conversion is set to 400 × 300, and the rotated image is arranged in the center thereof. At this time, the left and right band portions (the portion (2) in FIG. 2B) where no image exists may be treated in any way, but here, it is necessary to fill them with a single color such as black. To do.

The image obtained by the above-described processing of S114 and S115 is a simple image corresponding to the basic image obtained by taking an image with the electronic camera held in the horizontal direction. Returning to the description of the flowchart in FIG.

In S116, the image processing section 6 is caused to perform the image data compression processing on the simple image created by the processing of S113 or S114 and S115 described above. In the image data compression processing for this simple image, for example, 1/10 is set as the data compression rate.

At S117, the data-compressed simple image is recorded in the image recording section 14-2 of the flash memory 14. It should be noted that here, it is necessary to show the correspondence relationship between the simple image to be recorded and the basic image corresponding to the simple image. However, in the recording processing of the simple image, the correspondence relationship between the simple image and the basic image is clarified. The method for achieving this will be described in more detail later.

At S118, it is determined whether or not the simple image is collectively recorded at present, and the determination result is Y.
If es, the process proceeds to S119, and if No, S105.
The process returns to and the above process is repeated.

In step S119, a simple image corresponding to each of the basic images already recorded on the removable recording medium 7 is created.
It is judged whether or not all recording is completed, and the judgment result is Y
If es, it is considered that the batch recording of the simple images is completed, and S
The processing returns to 105, and the processing for the single frame reproduction mode is repeated. On the other hand, if the determination result in S119 is No, the process returns to S110, and the process of creating and recording the simple image for the basic image for which the simple image has not been created and recorded is repeated.

The processing up to this point is the one-frame reproduction mode processing, and by the CPU 15 performing this processing, a simple image corresponding to the basic image is created and recorded. In this one-frame reproduction mode process, various setting switches of the input instructing unit 16 are operated to give an operation instruction for an operation mode other than the one-frame reproduction mode, or an instruction to turn off the power of this electronic camera What was done CPU
As soon as it is detected by 15, the process ends.

Next, a method of indicating the correspondence between the simple image and the basic image in the simple image recording process, which is the process of S117 in the above-described single frame reproduction mode process, will be described.

Here, the basic image is MS-DOS.
(MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) file management system and DCF (Design r
ule for Camera File system), and is recorded in the image recording unit 14-2 of the memory card 7 or the flash memory 14 in accordance with the image data format of
The basic image is stored in the directory "\ DCIM \ 100OLYMP". Further, it is assumed that the basic image “P7170001.JPG” is stored in this directory.

At this time, the simple image and the basic image "P717"
0001. For example, there are the following methods for showing the correspondence with "JPG". Without applying MS-DOS and DCF to the simple image, the simple image recording area is logically divided into frame units, and each area is numbered (frame number) to record the simple image. At this time, additional information for identifying the basic image corresponding to the simple image is added to the simple image for recording. The supplementary information may be, for example, information indicating the file name of the corresponding basic image, and table data indicating the correspondence between the frame number and the file name of the basic image is recorded in a part of the recording area of the simple image. You may do it.

MS-DOS and DCF are also applied to the simple image so that the file name of the simple image matches the file name of the basic image. However, the simple image is stored in a directory different from the directory for storing the basic image.

In the example described above, the basic image "P7
170001. The simple image corresponding to "JPG" has a file name "P7170001.JPG" and is in a directory different from the basic image, for example, "\ DCIM \ 99".
9OLYMP ”.

Although the MS-DOS and DCF are applied to the simple image, the file name of the simple image does not match the file name of the basic image and is stored in a directory different from the directory for storing the basic image. . Information indicating the file name of the basic image corresponding to the simple image is recorded in the simple image. If Exif is adopted as the file format of the simple image, this information may be recorded using the maker note area. When this method is adopted, it is desirable to record information indicating the file name of the simple image corresponding to this basic image also in the maker note of the basic image.

MS-for file management of simple images
Although DOS is applied, the file name of the simple image does not match the file name of the basic image, and is stored in a directory under a root directory different from the root directory for storing the basic image. Using the example above,
A simple image is stored in a root directory different from "\ DCIM", for example, a directory "\ MYPC \ 999OLYMP" under the root directory "\ MYPC". At this time, information indicating the file name of the basic image corresponding to the simple image is recorded in the maker note area of the simple image or the like. Although this method does not comply with DCF, the degree of freedom in managing image files increases. Even when this method is adopted, it is desirable to record information indicating the file name of the simple image corresponding to the basic image in the maker note of the basic image.

In the above-mentioned simple image recording process,
By adopting one of these methods, it becomes possible to show the correspondence between the simple image and the basic image.

When recording information about a basic image such as a file name in a simple image, the shooting information about the basic image such as the shooting date and time recorded in the basic image should also be recorded in the simple image. This is convenient because it is possible to acquire shooting information from only a simple image.

[Index reproduction mode processing] Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described. The figure is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the index reproduction mode processing.

The index reproduction mode is an operation in which reduced images of a plurality of basic images already recorded on the removable recording medium 7 are arranged vertically and horizontally and reproduced and displayed on the LCD display 13 or a television connected to the video out terminal 9. This is an operation mode for this electronic camera to perform. In addition to causing the electronic camera to perform the index reproduction operation by the CPU 15 performing the index reproduction mode process, image data representing the index image being reproduced and displayed (hereinafter The image data representing the index image will be referred to as "index simple image"), and the created index simple image is recorded in the image recording unit 14-2 of the flash memory 14.

In the process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 3, it is CP that the various setting switches of the input instructing section 16 are operated to give the operation instruction of the index reproduction mode.
It starts when detected by U15.

First, in S201, the removable recording medium 7
The number of data-compressed basic images that have already been recorded in 1 are read out for the number of sheets required to create one index image.

In S202, the image processing unit 6 is made to perform the decompression process of each basic image which has been data-compressed and read out in the process of the previous step, and each decompressed basic image is D
It is stored in the RAM 5.

In S203, each basic image stored in the DRAM 5 is read by the processing in the previous step,
The size of each of the basic images is reduced, and the image processing unit 6 is made to perform a combining process of arranging vertically and horizontally in one image having a size corresponding to the display size of the LCD display 13, and the index created by this combining process. DR the image
Store in AM5. Then, in subsequent S204,
The index image stored in the DRAM 5 is read and sent to the LCD driver 12, and the index image is displayed on the LCD display 13. At this time, the index image is also sent to the video driver 8, and the video signal corresponding to the index image is output from the video out terminal 9.

In the synthesizing process of S203, when the basic image includes the thumbnail image, the thumbnail image is extracted from the basic image instead of performing the process of reducing the size of the basic image included in the index image. An index image may be created by arranging the extracted thumbnail images.

Here, in S205, the input instruction unit 1
It is determined whether or not an instruction to change the currently displayed index image is issued by operating the various setting switches 6 and if the determination result is Yes, S20.
The process returns to 1 and the above process is repeated to change the index image. On the other hand, this determination result is N
If o, the process proceeds to S206.

In S206, it is determined whether or not an instruction to create and record the index simple image is issued by operating the various setting switches of the input instructing section 16,
If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S207 and N
If it is o, the process returns to S205 and the above process is repeated.

At S207, the size of the index image stored in the DRAM 5 is resized to create an index simple image. If the size of the index simple image is the same as the display size of the LCD display 13, the DRAM is
The resize process of the index image stored in No. 5 is unnecessary.

In S208, the image processing section 6 is caused to perform the image data compression processing on the index simple image created by the above processing. In the image data compression processing for this index simple image, for example, 1/10 is set as the data compression rate.

In S209, the index-compressed image subjected to the data compression is recorded in the image recording unit 14-2 of the flash memory 14, and then the process returns to S205 and the above-described process is repeated.

Incidentally, in the recording process of the index simple image in S209, the correspondence between the index simple image and the basic image is also recorded, but this method is applied to a plurality of basic images in one index simple image. If it is noted that the correspondence relationship between the basic image and the simple image described in the above-described one-frame reproduction mode process is recorded, the same method can be used. It is also convenient to collectively record the shooting information about each basic image recorded in each basic image corresponding to the index simple image in the index simple image.

The processing up to this point is the index reproduction mode processing, and the CPU 15 performs this processing to create and record the index simple image. It should be noted that this index reproduction mode process is performed by the input instruction unit 1
When various setting switches 6 are operated and the CPU 15 detects that an operation instruction for an operation mode other than the index reproduction mode has been given, or that an instruction to turn off the power of this electronic camera has been given, the processing ends immediately.

[Shooting Mode Processing] Next, FIG. 4 will be described. This figure is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the shooting mode processing.

The photographing mode is an operation mode for causing the electronic camera to perform a photographing operation. The CPU 15 performs the shooting mode process to cause the electronic camera to perform the shooting operation to record the basic image, and also to create and record the simple image at the time of shooting according to the setting of the electronic camera. Let me do it. in this way,
If a simple image is created at the time of shooting, the image data is compressed so that the image quality is deteriorated compared to the original captured image, and a simple image with better image quality than that created from the basic image is created. Can be created.

The processing shown in the flow chart of FIG. 4 is started when the CPU 15 detects that the various setting switches of the input instructing unit 16 are operated and the operation instruction of the photographing mode is issued.

First, in S301, the input instruction unit 16
It is determined whether or not an instruction to change the setting of the image quality of the basic image recorded by the shooting is operated by operating the various setting switches of, and the determination result is Y.
Only in the case of es, in S302, the value of the predetermined register in the CPU 15 in which the image quality is set is changed, and the image quality setting is changed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of setting the image quality of the basic image that can be performed for this electronic camera. In the example shown in the figure, with this electronic camera, one of two types of image quality, “standard” and “high image quality”, can be selected for the image size setting of the basic image to be recorded. This selection of image quality corresponds to a high or low compression rate in image data compression performed when recording a basic image. The basic image file format is the JPEG format.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. In S303, it is determined whether or not the release switch of the input instructing unit 16 has been operated to instruct shooting, and the process of S303 is repeated until the determination result is Yes.

In S304, A for photographing the subject image is taken.
E (Auto Exposure) and AF (Auto F)
ocus: automatic focus adjustment) control processing is performed. S30
In 5, the exposure process is performed, and the electric signal representing the subject image output from the image pickup device 2 is subjected to predetermined processing in the image pickup processing unit 3 and then converted into image data in the A / D 4. Further, in subsequent S306, the image data output from the A / D 4 is stored in the DRAM 5.

In step S307, the image data stored in the DRAM 5 in the previous step is read by the image processing unit 6, and the correction process for image recording such as gamma correction and white balance correction, and the image according to the above-described setting are performed. Image processing for a basic image such as resizing and image data compression processing is performed.

In S308, the image data processed in the previous step, that is, the basic image is recorded on the removable recording medium 7. In S309, it is determined whether or not an instruction to create and record a simple image at the time of shooting is made by operating the various setting switches of the input instruction unit 16. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S310, and if No. If this shooting mode processing ends.

At S310, D is obtained by the processing at S306.
The image data stored in the RAM 5 is read by the image processing unit 6, and in subsequent S311, correction processing for image display such as gamma correction and white balance correction, resizing to a predetermined image size, and image data compression are performed. The image processing unit 6 is caused to perform image processing for a simple image, such as processing.

In S312, the image data processed in the previous step, that is, the simple image is recorded in the image recording section 14-2 of the flash memory 14, and thereafter the photographing mode process is terminated.

Incidentally, in the recording process of the simple image in S312, the correspondence relationship between the simple image and the basic image is also recorded, but this method is the same as the basic image and the simple image described in the above-mentioned single frame reproduction mode process. A method similar to the method of recording the correspondence relationship with can be used.

The processing up to this point is the shooting mode processing,
By performing this processing by the CPU 15, a simple image can be created / recorded at the time of shooting, so that a simple image can be created / recorded from the image data of the subject image rather than the basic image. [Batch Copy Processing] Next, FIG. 6 will be described. The figure is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the batch copy processing.

The batch copy process collectively includes all simple images (or simple index images) recorded in the image recording section 14-2 of the flash memory 14 by the above-described one-frame reproduction mode process or index reproduction mode process. Copy to the empty recording area of the removable recording medium 7
Alternatively, it is a process of collectively copying all the simple images recorded on the removable recording medium 7 in this way to an empty recording area of the image recording unit 14-2 of the flash memory 14.

By recording the simple image on the removable recording medium 7 in this way, the simple image can be used in other devices, and the usability of the simple image is improved. Moreover, since the simple images are collectively copied between the recording media, the time required for the processing is shortened.

The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is a process executed by the CPU 15 as an interrupt process. For example, the one-frame reproduction mode process described above is a CP process.
While being executed by U15, the input instruction unit 16
It is started when the CPU 15 detects that the various setting switches have been operated and a batch copy operation instruction has been issued.

First, in step S401, the contents of the collective copy instruction are checked, and it is determined whether the instruction is to collectively copy the simple image from the removable recording medium 7 to the flash memory 14. And the result of this determination is Ye
If s, the process proceeds to S402. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is No, that is, if this instruction is to collectively copy the simple images from the flash memory 14 to the removable recording medium 7, the processing proceeds to S404.

In S402, it is determined whether or not an empty recording area for recording all the simple images recorded on the removable recording medium 7 is left in the image recording section 14-2 of the flash memory 14, and the determination is made. If the result is Yes, S40
The process proceeds to 3, and if No, the process proceeds to S406.

In S403, all the simple images recorded on the removable recording medium 7 are read out and the flash memory 1
No. 4 is recorded in the empty recording area of the image recording unit 14-2. At this time, the simple image recorded on the removable recording medium 7 is not erased.

After the processing of S403 is completed, this batch copy processing is completed and the processing returns to the original processing. S404
Then, it is determined whether or not an empty recording area for recording all the simple images recorded in the image recording unit 14-2 of the flash memory 14 is left in the removable recording medium 7, and if the determination result is Yes. For example, the process proceeds to S403, N
If o, the process proceeds to S406.

In S405, all the simple images recorded in the image recording section 14-2 of the flash memory 14 are read out and all are recorded in the empty recording area of the removable recording medium 7. At this time, the simple image recorded in the image recording unit 14-2 of the flash memory 14 is not erased.

After the processing of S405 is completed, this batch copy processing is completed and the processing returns to the original processing. S406
Then, a warning output indicating that there is no free recording area left for recording all the simple images is issued.
As the warning output, similar to the above, for example, there is a method of causing the LCD display 13 to display a message to that effect, or operating a sounding unit (not shown) to generate a warning sound.

After the processing of S406 is completed, this batch copy processing is completed and the processing returns to the original processing. The above processing is the batch copy processing, and this processing is executed by the CPU 15.
Is performed, a simple image is collectively copied.

The contents of this batch copy process are modified so that, instead of the removable recording medium 7, the simple image recorded in the image recording section 14-2 of the flash memory 14 is connected to the USB terminal 11. A device such as the memory 20-1 built in the personal computer 20 or the digital camera 30 is made to be collectively copied.
On the contrary, it is also possible to capture the simple images recorded in these devices via the USB terminal 11 and collectively copy them to the image recording unit 14-2 of the flash memory 14. Further, the contents of the batch copy process may be modified so that the devices connected to the USB terminals 11 and the removable recording medium 7 can perform simple batch copy of images.

[Automatic Batch Copy Processing] Next, FIG. 7 will be described. This figure is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the automatic batch copy processing.

This process is a process of reading a simple image recorded on the removable recording medium 7 and recording it in the image recording section 14-2 of the flash memory 14. However, when the electronic camera is turned on, the electronic image is recorded. When the CPU 15 detects that the supply of electric power to each part of the camera has been started or that the removable recording medium 7 has been installed in this electronic camera, it automatically starts even if no operation instruction for batch copying is given. This is different from the batch copy process described above.

First, in S501, the recorded contents of the mounted removable recording medium 7 are examined. Then, in subsequent S502, it is determined whether or not the simple image is recorded on the removable recording medium 7, and if the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S503. On the other hand, if the determination result in S502 is No, this automatic batch copy process ends, and the CPU 1
5 starts other processing.

When the detachable recording medium 7 is not loaded when the automatic batch copy process is started by turning on the power of the electronic camera,
The determination result of S502 is No.

In S503, it is determined whether or not an empty recording area for recording all the simple images recorded in the removable recording medium 7 is left in the image recording section 14-2 of the flash memory 14, and the determination is made. If the result is Yes, S50
The process proceeds to step 4, and if No, the process proceeds to step S505.

In S504, all the simple images recorded on the removable recording medium 7 are read out and the flash memory 1
No. 4 is recorded in the empty recording area of the image recording unit 14-2. At this time, the simple image recorded on the removable recording medium 7 is not erased.

After the processing of S504 is completed, this automatic batch copy processing is completed and the CPU 15 starts other processing. In S505, a warning output indicating that no empty recording area for recording all the simple images is left in the image recording unit 14-2 of the flash memory 14 is output. As the warning output, similar to the above-described one, for example, the LCD display 13 is caused to display a message to that effect.
Alternatively, there is a method of operating a sounding unit (not shown) to generate a warning sound.

After the processing of S505 is completed, this automatic batch copy processing is completed and the CPU 15 starts other processing. The above-described process is the automatic batch copy process, and the CPU 15 performs this process to store the simple image recorded on the removable recording medium 7 in the image recording unit 14-2 of the flash memory 14. By doing so, it becomes possible to automatically batch copy the simple images to the image recording unit 14-2 of the flash memory 14 without receiving any instruction.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and changes can be made. For example, the present invention relates to a mobile phone or PDA equipped with a camera function
(Personal Digital Assistants) terminals (portable information communication device terminals for individuals) and the like can also be used. Further, for example, the present invention can be implemented when a simple image is collectively copied between removable recording media in an electronic camera to which a plurality of removable recording media can be connected.

[0115]

As described in detail above, the electronic camera according to the present invention records the simple image created based on the photographed image on the first recording medium, and at the same time, records the first recording medium. Since the simple image recorded on the second recording medium is copied and recorded on the second recording medium, the convenience of image reproduction is improved and the usability of the simple image is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the processing content of single-frame reproduction mode processing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing content of an index reproduction mode processing.

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

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of setting the image quality of a basic image.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of batch copy processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of automatic batch copy processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Shooting lens section 2 image sensor 3 Imaging processing unit 4 A / D 5 DRAM 6 Image processing unit 7 removable recording media 8 video drivers 9 Video out terminal 10 USB I / F 11 USB terminal 12 LCD driver 13 LCD display 14 Flash memory 14-1 Operation program 14-2 Image recording section 14-21 Simple image recording unit 14-22 Auxiliary recording section 15 CPU 15-1 Clock part 16 Input instruction section 17 Shooting direction detection sensor 18 bus 20 personal computer 20-1 memory 30 digital camera

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup device for photoelectrically converting a subject image into an image signal, an image pickup means for converting the image signal and outputting a picked-up image which is image data representing the subject image, and an image display for displaying the image. Means and image data created based on the captured image, the image data representing an image composed of the number of pixels determined based on the number of pixels of the image that can be displayed by the image display means. A simple image recording means for recording the simple image on the first recording medium; and a copying means for copying the simple image recorded on the first recording medium and recording it on the second recording medium. A characteristic electronic camera. 2. The copying means collectively copies all the simple images recorded on the first recording medium and records them on the second recording medium.
The electronic camera described in. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first recording medium is built in the electronic camera, and the second recording medium is detachable from the electronic camera. Electronic camera described. 4. The first recording medium is attachable to and detachable from the electronic camera, and the copying means detects when an instruction to start supplying power to the electronic camera is detected or The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, when one recording medium is mounted, a simple image recorded on the first recording medium is copied and recorded on the second recording medium. camera. 5. An image pickup device for photoelectrically converting a subject image into an image signal, an image pickup means for converting the image signal to output a picked-up image which is image data representing the subject image, and an image display for displaying the image. Means and image data sent from another device, the image data representing an image composed of the number of pixels determined based on the number of pixels of the image that can be displayed by the image display means. An electronic camera comprising: a simple image recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium. 6. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the recording medium is built in the electronic camera. 7. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the recording medium is removable from the electronic camera. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 5, further comprising output means for outputting a simple image recorded on the recording medium to the outside of the electronic camera.