JP2003125243A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a more miniaturized imaging apparatus. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus 10 provided with a display section for displaying a picked-up image, includes; an image storage section for storing image data, the display section 100 for displaying the image; and a main CPU 62 for using an image data bus 82 to transmit the acquired image data to the display section, and the main CPU 62 uses the image data bus 82 for a free time when the main CPU 62 transmits no image data acquired from the image storage section to the display section 100 to acquire the image data from the image storage section.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device. In particular, the present invention relates to an image pickup device including a display unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, flat-panel displays such as liquid crystal display devices have been often used not only in notebook PCs and desktop PCs but also in devices such as digital cameras, taking advantage of space saving and light weight. There is.

[0003]

Since the portability of an image pickup device such as a digital camera is an important factor in commercial value, it is desired to further save space and reduce weight when a flat display is mounted. It is rare.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus which can solve the above problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in independent claims of the invention. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

[0005]

That is, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus having a display section for displaying a picked-up image, the image holding section holding image data, and the image display section. And a drive unit that acquires image data from the image holding unit and transmits the acquired image data to the display unit using an image data bus, and the driving unit is the image acquired from the image holding unit. The image data is acquired from the image holding unit using the image data bus in the free time when the data is not transmitted to the display unit.

The driving section may transmit the image data to the display section in units of lines and acquire the image data from the image holding section using the image data bus in the idle time generated between the lines.

The driving unit may transmit the image data to the display unit on a frame-by-frame basis, and acquire the image data from the image holding unit using the image data bus in the idle time generated between the frames.

The driving unit may transmit the image data to the display unit on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and acquire the image data from the image holding unit by using the image data bus in the idle time generated between the pixels.
The image holding unit may be an image pickup unit that picks up an image and generates image data.

The driving unit has a function setting unit for acquiring information indicating an image pickup mode in which the image pickup unit picks up an image or a display mode in which the display unit displays an image without picking up an image. When the setting acquired by is the imaging mode, the image data bus is used to acquire the image data from the imaging unit, and when the setting acquired by the function setting unit is the display mode, the image is displayed on the display unit using the image data bus. Data may be sent.

The drive unit uses the image data bus to capture an image during the idle time when the image data bus is used to acquire image data from the image capture unit or the image data bus is used to provide the image data to the display unit. The image data may be acquired from an image holding unit different from the unit.

The drive unit is configured to display an image in an idle time that occurs when image data is acquired from the image pickup unit using the image data bus, or in an idle time that occurs when image data is transmitted to the display unit using the image data bus. The image data may be output to an image output device different from the display unit that outputs the image using the data bus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device comprising a display section for displaying a picked-up image, the image holding section for holding image data, the display section for displaying the image, and the image holding section. And a drive unit that transmits the acquired image data to the display unit using the image data bus, and the drive unit is configured to transmit the image data to the display unit during an idle time when the image data is not transmitted to the display unit. Image data is output to an image output device other than the display unit using the bus.

The driving unit may transmit the image data to the display unit line by line, and output the image data to an image output device other than the display unit by using the image data bus during a vacant time generated between the lines.

The drive unit may transmit the image data to the display unit in units of frames and output the image data to an image output device other than the display unit by using the image data bus in a vacant time generated between the frames.

The driving unit may transmit the image data to the display unit pixel by pixel and output the image data to an image output device other than the display unit by using the image data bus in a vacant time generated between pixels.

The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be the invention.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and the features described in the embodiments Not all combinations are essential to the solution of the invention. The "main CPU" described in the detailed description is an example of the "driving unit" described in the claims.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional arrangement of a digital camera 10 as an example of an image pickup apparatus characteristic of the present embodiment. The digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment uses a common image data bus to perform transmission of image signals from the drive unit to the display unit and transmission or reception of image data between the drive unit and other devices.

The digital camera 10 includes a display unit 100 and
The external connection unit 150, the storage unit 120, the option device 76, the main CPU 62, the imaging unit 20, and the function setting unit 116 are provided. Display unit 100 and external connection unit 15
0, the storage unit 120, and the option device 76 are examples of image output devices that output image data. The external connection unit 150, the storage unit 120, and the optional device 76
The image pickup unit 20 is an example of an image holding unit that holds image data.

The main CPU 62 transmits the image data acquired from the image holding unit to the display unit 100 using the image data bus 82. The main CPU 62 displays the image data on the display unit 10 during the idle time when the image data is not transmitted to the display unit 100.
Image data bus 8 used to send image data to 0
2 is used to acquire image data from the image holding unit. At this time, the image data transmitted to the display unit 100 is the main CP.
U62 is the same image data as the image data acquired from the image holding unit.

The function setting section 116 acquires information indicating an image pickup mode in which the image pickup section 20 picks up an image, or a display mode in which the display section 100 displays an image without the image pickup section 20 picking up an image, and the main CPU 62 receives the information. send.

When the main CPU 62 receives information indicating the image pickup mode from the function setting section 116, the image pickup section 20.
To obtain image data from the image data using the image data bus 82. Then, the main CPU 62 sends the image data to the image pickup unit 2.
In the free time that is not acquired from 0, the image pickup unit 2 is displayed on the display unit 100.
The image data acquired from 0 is transmitted using the image data bus 82. Further, the main CPU 62 determines that the display unit 1 is included in the free time when the image data is not acquired from the imaging unit 20.
The image data is transmitted to the storage unit 120 using the image data bus 82 during the free time when the image data is not transmitted to 00. Alternatively, the main CPU 62 causes the image capturing unit 2 to transfer the image data.
The image data is received from the storage unit 120 using the image data bus 82 during the free time when the image data is not acquired from 0 and the image data is not transmitted to the display unit 100.

Here, the main CPU 62 has the storage unit 120.
Instead of this, image data may be transmitted or acquired with the external connection unit 150 or the option device 76.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 62 receives the information indicating the display mode from the function setting section 116, the main CPU 62 sends the image data from the image holding section of any one of the external connection section 150, the storage section 120 and the option device 76 to the image data. It is acquired using the bus 82. And the main CPU 62
The acquired image data is transmitted to the display unit 100 using the image data bus 82 in the free time when the image data is not acquired.

The image pickup section 20 picks up an image and generates image data. Then, the imaging unit 20 sends it to the main CPU 62. The display unit 100 displays the image data received from the main CPU 62. The external connection unit 150 acquires image data from a network or an external device, and uses the main C
Send to PU62. The storage unit 120 sends the stored image data to the main CPU 62. In addition, the storage unit 120
Stores the image data received from the main CPU 62. The option device 76 reads image data from a recording medium such as a memory card, and the main CPU 62
Send to. The optional device 76 is the main CPU 62.
The image data received from is written in the recording medium.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the digital camera 10 as an example of the image pickup apparatus. Digital camera 10
Is an imaging unit 20, an imaging control unit 40, a system control unit 6
0, a display unit 100, an operation unit 110, a storage unit 120, an image processing unit 160, and an external connection unit 150.

The image pickup section 20 includes a photographing lens section 22 and a diaphragm 2.
4, a shutter 26, an optical LPF 28, a CCD 30, an image pickup signal processing unit 32, a finder 34, and a strobe 36.

The taking lens unit 22 takes in a subject image and processes it. The taking lens unit 22 includes a focus lens, a zoom lens, and the like, and forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 30. The stop 24 stops the light that has passed through the taking lens unit 22, and the optical LPF 28 allows a wavelength component longer than a predetermined wavelength included in the light that has passed through the stop 24 to pass. Each sensor element of the CCD 30 accumulates electric charge according to the amount of light of the formed subject image (hereinafter, the electric charge is referred to as “accumulated electric charge”).

The shutter 26 is a mechanical shutter,
It controls whether or not the light passing through the taking lens unit 22 is exposed to the CCD 30. Further, the digital camera 10 may have an electronic shutter function instead of the shutter 26. In order to realize the electronic shutter function, the sensor element of the CCD 30 has a shutter gate and a shutter drain. By driving the shutter gate, the accumulated charge is swept out to the shutter drain. By controlling the shutter gate, the time for accumulating charges in each sensor element, that is, the shutter speed can be controlled. In the CCD 30, the accumulated charges are read out to the shift register by the read gate pulse and sequentially read out as a voltage signal by the register transfer pulse.

The image pickup signal processing section 32 color-separates a voltage signal indicating an object image output from the CCD 30, that is, an analog signal, into R, G and B components. Then, the imaging signal processing unit 32 adjusts the white balance of the subject image by adjusting the R, G, and B components. Imaging signal processing unit 32
Performs gamma correction on the subject image. Then, the imaging signal processing unit 32 A / D-converts the analog signal decomposed into R, G, and B components, and obtains the resulting digital image data of the subject image (hereinafter referred to as “digital image data”). Output to the system control unit 60. Image output device 2 of FIG.
The operation of 00 may be performed by the imaging signal processing unit 32 as an example.

The finder 34 may have a display means and may display various information from the main CPU 62 or the like, which will be described later, in the finder 34. The strobe 36 has a discharge tube 37 that discharges the energy stored in the capacitor, and the discharge tube 37 is supplied when the energy is supplied to the discharge tube 37.
Works by emitting light.

The image pickup control section 40 has a lens drive section 42, a focus drive section 44, an aperture drive section 46, a shutter drive section 48, an image pickup system CPU 50 for controlling them, a distance measuring sensor 52, and a photometric sensor 54. Lens drive unit 4
2, the focus driving unit 44, the diaphragm driving unit 46, and the shutter driving unit 48 each have a driving unit such as a stepping motor, and drive a mechanical member included in the imaging unit 20. When the release switch 114, which will be described later, is pressed, the distance measuring sensor 52 measures the distance to the subject, and the photometric sensor 5
4 measures the subject brightness. Then, the distance measuring sensor 52 and the photometric sensor 54 respectively collect data of the measured distance to the subject (hereinafter simply referred to as “distance measuring data”) and subject brightness data (hereinafter simply referred to as “photometric data”). It is supplied to the CPU 50.

The image pickup system CPU 50 uses the lens driving section 42 based on the photographing information such as the zoom magnification designated by the user.
Also, the focus drive unit 44 is controlled to adjust the zoom magnification and focus of the taking lens 22. In addition, the imaging system CPU
The 50 may control the lens driving unit 42 and the focus driving unit 44 based on the distance measurement data received from the distance measuring sensor 52 to adjust the zoom magnification and the focus.

The image pickup system CPU 50 determines the aperture value and the shutter speed based on the photometric data received from the photometric sensor 54. According to the determined value, the diaphragm driving unit 46 and the shutter driving unit 48 respectively control the diaphragm amount of the diaphragm 24 and the opening / closing of the shutter 26.

Further, the image pickup system CPU 50 includes the photometric sensor 5
Based on the photometric data received from
The emission of light is controlled and at the same time, the diaphragm amount of the diaphragm 24 is adjusted.
When the user gives an instruction to capture an image, the CCD 30 starts charge storage, and outputs the stored charge to the imaging signal processing unit 32 after the shutter time calculated from the photometric data has elapsed.

The system control unit 60 includes the main CPU 6
2, a character generator 84, a timer 86, and a clock generator 88. The main CPU 62 controls the entire digital camera 10, particularly the system control unit 60. The main CPU 62 uses an image pickup system CP by serial communication or the like.
Transfer necessary information to and from U50. Further, the main CPU 62 has a function of a DMA controller.

The clock generator 88 is used by the main CPU 62.
The operation clock of is generated and supplied to the main CPU 62. The clock generation unit 88 also generates an operation clock for the image pickup system CPU 50 and the display unit 100. The clock generation unit 88 may supply operation clocks of different frequencies to the main CPU 62, the imaging system CPU 50, and the display unit 100.

The character generation unit 84 generates character information and graphic information to be combined with the photographed image such as photographing date and time and title. The timer 86 is backed up by, for example, a battery, always counts time, and supplies the main CPU 62 with time information such as information regarding the shooting date and time of the shot image based on the count value. It is desirable that the timer 86 count the time by the power supplied from the storage battery even when the power source of the digital camera body is off. Also,
The character generation unit 84 and the timer 86 are the main CPU
It is preferable to be installed at 62.

The storage section 120 has a memory control section 64, a non-volatile memory 66, and a main memory 68. The memory control unit 64 includes a nonvolatile memory 66 and a main memory 6
8 and control. The non-volatile memory 66 is an EEPROM
(Electrically erasable and programmable ROM) and FLAS
The H memory or the like stores data that should be held even while the power of the digital camera 10 is off, such as user setting information and factory adjustment values. The non-volatile memory 66 may store a boot program for the main CPU 62, a system program, and the like.

The main memory 68 is preferably composed of a relatively inexpensive memory having a large capacity, such as a DRAM. The main memory 68 has a function as a frame memory for storing the data output from the imaging unit 20, a function as a system memory for loading various programs, and a function as a work area. The nonvolatile memory 66 and the main memory 68 exchange data with each unit inside and outside the system control unit 60 via the bus 82.
The non-volatile memory 66 may further store digital image data.

The image processing section 160 has a YC processing section 70, an encoder 72, and a compression / expansion processing section 78. Further, the external connection unit 150 includes an optional device control unit 74,
And a communication I / F unit 80.

The YC processing section 70 performs YC conversion on the digital image data to generate a luminance signal Y and color difference (chroma) signals BY and RY. The main memory 68 is
The luminance signal and the color difference signal are stored under the control of the memory control unit 64.

The compression / expansion processing unit 78 has a main memory 68.
The luminance signal and the color difference signal are sequentially read from and compressed. Then, the option device controller 74 writes the compressed digital image data (hereinafter simply referred to as “compressed data”) to a memory card, which is an example of the option device 76.
The optional device 76 may operate the image output device 200 of FIG.

The encoder 72 converts the luminance signal and the color difference signal into a video signal (NTSC or PAL signal) and outputs it from the terminal 90. When a video signal is generated from the compressed data recorded in the option device 76, the compressed data is first given to the compression / expansion processor 78 via the option device controller 74. Subsequently, the data subjected to the necessary expansion processing by the compression / expansion processing unit 78 is converted into a video signal by the encoder 72.

The optional device controller 74 generates necessary signals between the bus 82 and the optional device 76, performs logical conversion, and / or voltage conversion according to the signal specifications permitted by the optional device 76 and the bus specifications of the bus 82. And so on. The digital camera 10 may support, for example, a standard PCMCIA-compliant standard I / O card as the optional device 76, in addition to the memory card described above. In that case, the optional device control unit 74 determines the PCMCIA bus control LS.
You may comprise by I etc.

The communication I / F unit 80 is used for the digital camera 10.
Supported communication specifications, such as USB, RS-23
Controls such as protocol conversion according to specifications of 2C, Ethernet (registered trademark), and the like. The communication I / F unit 80 may output the compressed data or the digital image data to an external device including a network via the terminal 92. Communication I / F
The unit 80 includes a driver IC as needed, and communicates with an external device via a terminal 92. The communication I / F unit 80 may be configured to exchange data with an external device such as a printer, a karaoke machine, a game machine, or the like through a unique interface.

The display unit 100 includes an LCD monitor 102, L
It has a CD panel 104, a monitor driver 106, and a panel driver 108. The monitor driver 106 is L
Control the CD monitor 102. Also, the panel driver 1
08 controls the LCD panel 104. The LCD monitor 102 is provided on the back surface of the camera, for example, with a size of about 2 inches, and has a screen for current shooting and playback modes, zoom magnification for shooting and playback, battery level, date and time, mode setting,
Display the subject image, etc. The LCD panel 104 is, for example, a small black-and-white LCD provided on the upper surface of the camera, and has an image quality (FI
NE / NORMAL / BASIC, etc.), strobe emission /
Displays information such as flash off, standard number of possible shots, number of pixels, battery capacity / remaining amount.

The operation unit 110 includes a power switch 112,
It has a release switch 114, a function setting unit 116, and a zoom switch 118. The power switch 112 is
The power of the digital camera 10 is turned on / off based on a user's instruction. The release switch 114 has a two-step pushing structure of half-push and full-push. As an example, when the release switch 114 is half pressed, the imaging control unit 40 performs automatic focus adjustment and automatic exposure adjustment, and when the release switch 114 is fully pressed, the imaging unit 20 captures a subject image.

The function setting section 116 is, for example, a rotary mode dial or a cross key, and is used for "file format", "special effect", "print", "decide / save",
Settings such as "display switching" are accepted. Zoom switch 1
18 receives the setting of the zoom magnification of the subject image acquired by the imaging unit 20.

The main operation of the above configuration is as follows. First, the power switch 112 is pressed to supply power to each unit of the digital camera 10. Main CPU
Reference numeral 62 reads the state of the function setting section 116 to determine whether the digital camera 10 is in the shooting mode or the reproduction mode.

When the digital camera 10 is in the photographing mode,
The main CPU 62 monitors the half-pressed state of the release switch 114. When the half-pushed state of the release switch 114 is detected, the imaging system CPU 50 obtains photometric data and distance measurement data from the photometric sensor 54 and the distance measuring sensor 52, respectively. The imaging control unit 40 adjusts the focus, diaphragm, etc. of the imaging unit 20 based on the photometric data and the distance measurement data obtained by the imaging system CPU 50. When the adjustment is completed, the LCD monitor displays a character such as "standby" to inform the user.

Subsequently, the main CPU 62 monitors the fully pressed state of the release switch 114. When the fully pressed state of the release switch 114 is detected, the shutter 26 is closed after a predetermined shutter time, and the charge accumulated in the CCD 30 is swept out to the image pickup signal processing section 32. The digital image data generated as a result of the processing by the imaging signal processing unit 32 is output to the bus 82. The digital image data is once stored in the main memory 68, and thereafter the YC processing unit 7
0 is processed by the compression / expansion processing unit 78 and is recorded in the optional device 76 via the optional device control unit 74.
The captured image based on the recorded digital image data is displayed on the LCD monitor 102 for a while in a frozen state, and the user can confirm the captured image. This completes a series of shooting operations.

On the other hand, when the digital camera 10 is in the reproduction mode, the main CPU 62 reads the taken image from the main memory 68, the non-volatile memory 66, and / or the option device 76, and the read image is displayed on the LCD of the display unit 100.
Display on the monitor 102.

In this state, when the user instructs "forward feed" and "reverse feed" in the function setting section 116, the main CPU 6
2 is a main memory 68, a non-volatile memory 66, and / or
Alternatively, another captured image stored in the option device 76 is read out and displayed on the LCD monitor 102 of the display unit 100.

FIG. 3 is a main CPU according to this embodiment.
It is a flow chart which shows operation of 62. When the power switch 112 turns on the power of the digital camera 10 (S100), the function setting unit 116 sets the image capturing mode or the display mode (S110). Main CPU 62
When the function setting unit 116 sets the imaging mode,
Image data is received from the image capturing unit 20 using the image data bus 82 (S120). On the other hand, the main CPU 62
When the function setting unit 116 sets the display mode, the image data is transmitted to the display unit 100 using the image data bus 82 (S130). The main CPU 62 uses S110
And S120 or S110 and S130 are repeated until the power switch 112 turns off the power of the digital camera 10 (S140).

As described above, the main CPU 62 uses the image data bus 82 used in the image pickup mode in the display mode. In the display mode, the main CPU 62
Since the image data is not acquired from the image pickup unit 20, the image data bus 82 has a vacant time. Therefore, by using the image data bus 82 used in the imaging mode also in the display mode, the digital camera 10 can simplify the system. That is, the digital camera 10 can be further downsized.

FIG. 4 shows the main C in S120 of FIG.
It is a flow chart which shows detailed operation of PU62. The main CPU 62 uses the image data bus 82 to acquire image data of a predetermined capacity from the image pickup unit 20 (S20).
0). Next, the main CPU 62 uses the image data bus 82 to transmit image data of a predetermined capacity to the display unit 100 (S210). Next, the main CPU 62 uses the image data bus 82 to store image data of a predetermined capacity in the storage unit 120 (S220). The main CPU 62 is
The operations of S200 to S220 are repeated until the transmission of the image data to the display unit 100, the acquisition of the image data from the imaging unit 20, and the storage of the image data in the storage unit are completed (S230).

The image data of a predetermined capacity transmitted or acquired by the main CPU 62 in S200, S210, and S220 may be image data for one pixel, or 1
Image data for one line may be used, or image data for one frame may be used. Further, the main CPU 62 uses S200,
In S210 and S220, the image data of the same capacity may be transmitted or acquired, or the image data of different capacity may be transmitted or acquired.

As described above, the main CPU 62 uses the image data bus 82 in the image pickup mode to use the image data bus 82 during the free time when the image data is not obtained from the image pickup unit 20.
0 or the image data can be transmitted to the storage unit 120.

FIG. 5 shows the main C in S130 of FIG.
It is a flow chart which shows detailed operation of PU62. The main CPU 62 uses the image data bus 82 to use the option device 76, the storage unit 120, or the external connection unit 1.
Image data of a predetermined capacity is acquired from 50 (S30
0). Next, the main CPU 62 uses the image data bus 82 to transmit image data of a predetermined capacity to the display unit 100 (S310). The main CPU 62 repeats the operations of S300 and S310 until the acquisition of the image data from the option device 76, the storage unit 120 or the external connection unit 150 and the transmission of the image data to the display unit 100 are completed (S320).

Main CP in S300 and S310
The image data of a predetermined capacity transmitted or acquired by the U62 may be image data for one pixel, image data for one line, or image data for one frame. Further, the main CPU 62 may transmit or acquire image data of the same capacity in S300 and S310, or may transmit or acquire image data of different capacity.

Thus, in the display mode, the main CPU 62 has the option device 76 or the storage unit 120 during the idle time when the image data is not transmitted to the display unit 100.
Alternatively, image data can be acquired from the external connection unit 150.

FIG. 6 schematically shows an example of image data acquired by the main CPU 62 from the image holding section and image data transmitted by the main CPU 62 to the image output device.

FIG. 6 (1) schematically shows an example of image data when the image data is transmitted or acquired in pixel units. For example, in S300 of FIG. 5, the main CPU 62 acquires image data R1, G1, and B1 for one pixel from the image holding unit. Next, in S310, the main CPU 62 causes the image data R1 ′, G1 ′, B1 ′ for one pixel.
Is transmitted to the display unit 100. Next, the main CPU 62
Image data R2, G2, B2 for one pixel is acquired from the image holding unit. Next, the main CPU 62 transmits the image data R2 ′, G2 ′, B2 ′ for one pixel to the display unit 100.

As described above, the main CPU 62 can transmit and acquire image data in pixel units by using the image data bus 82. Here, the image data R1, G1, B
1 ... is image data R1 ′, G1 ′, B1 ′ ...
May be the same or different.

FIG. 6B schematically shows an example of image data when transmitting or acquiring the image data in units of frames or lines.

The main CPU 62 is, for example, S30 of FIG.
At 0, image data R1, G1, B1 ... Rn, Gn, Bn for one frame or one line is acquired from the image holding unit. Next, in S310, the main CPU 62 causes the image data R1 ′, G1 ′, B1 ′ for one pixel.
Is transmitted to the display unit 100. Next, the main CPU 62
Image data Rn + 1 for one frame or one line,
Gn + 1 and Bn + 1 are acquired from the image holding unit.

As described above, the main CPU 62 can transmit and acquire image data in frame or line units using the image data bus 82. In the present embodiment, the image data for one pixel is transmitted after the image data for one line or one frame is acquired, but instead of this, the image data for one frame or one line may be transmitted. Good. Here, the image data R1, G1, B1 ...
. May be the same as or different from the image data R1 ′, G1 ′, B1 ′ ...

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A mode in which such changes or improvements are added may be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
It is clear from the description of the claims.

[0070]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a more compact image pickup device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a digital camera 10 as an example of a characteristic image pickup apparatus in the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a digital camera 10 as an example of an image pickup apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a main CPU 62 according to this embodiment.

4 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of a main CPU 62 in S120 of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of the main CPU 62 in S130 of FIG.

FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of image data when image data is transmitted or acquired in pixel units. (2) is a diagram schematically showing an example of image data when image data is transmitted or acquired in frame or line units.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 digital camera 20 Imaging unit 62 Drive 76 Optional equipment 82 Image data bus 100 display 116 Function setting section 120 storage 150 External connection

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus comprising a display unit for displaying a picked-up image, the image holding unit holding image data, the display unit displaying the image, and acquiring the image data from the image holding unit, A drive unit that transmits the acquired image data to the display unit using an image data bus, the drive unit is configured to transmit the image data bus to the display unit during an idle time when the image data is not transmitted to the display unit. An image pickup apparatus, wherein image data is acquired from the image holding unit by using. 2. The driving unit transmits the image data to the display unit in units of lines, and acquires the image data from the image holding unit using the image data bus during the idle time that occurs between lines. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. The drive unit transmits the image data to the display unit in frame units, and acquires image data from the image holding unit using the image data bus during the idle time that occurs between the frames. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 4. The drive unit transmits the image data to the display unit in units of pixels, and acquires the image data from the image holding unit using the image data bus during the idle time that occurs between pixels. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image holding unit is an image pickup unit that picks up an image and generates image data. 6. A drive unit having a function setting unit that acquires information indicating an image capturing mode in which the image capturing unit captures an image or a display mode in which the display unit displays an image without the image capturing unit capturing an image. When the setting acquired by the function setting unit is the imaging mode, the unit acquires image data from the imaging unit using the image data bus, and the setting acquired by the function setting unit is the display mode. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image data is transmitted to the display unit using the image data bus. 7. The drive unit, in a free time to obtain image data from the imaging unit using the image data bus, or in a free time to provide image data to the display unit using the image data bus, The image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein image data is acquired from an image holding unit different from the image pickup unit using the image data bus. 8. The drive unit has a vacant time that occurs when image data is acquired from the image pickup unit using the image data bus, or when image data is transmitted to the display unit using the image data bus. 7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image data bus is used to output image data to an image output device different from that of the display unit during a vacant time that occurs in the above. 9. An imaging device comprising a display unit for displaying a captured image, the image holding unit holding image data, the display unit displaying the image, and the image data acquired from the image holding unit. A drive unit that transmits the image data to the display unit using an image data bus, and the drive unit transmits the image data acquired from the image holding unit to the display unit during a free time. An image pickup apparatus, which outputs image data to an image output device other than the display unit using a bus. 10. The drive unit transmits the image data to the display unit on a line-by-line basis, and in the idle time generated between lines, an image is output to an image output device other than the display unit by using the image data bus. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, which outputs data. 11. The drive unit transmits the image data to the display unit in frame units, and uses the image data bus to display an image output device other than the display unit in the idle time generated between the frames. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, which outputs image data. 12. The drive section transmits the image data to the display section in units of pixels, and in the idle time generated between pixels, an image is output to an image output device other than the display section by using the image data bus. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, which outputs data.