JP2003158665A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device that can photograph a desired number of pictures by taking precedence of either of an image size and a compression rate over the other even when the capacity of a recording means is small. SOLUTION: The image pickup device detects the capacity of a loaded recording memory card, a user enters a desirable photographing number of pictures within the capacity of the memory card and then sets a precedence mode as to which of the compression rate or the image size is given priority. When the user sets the compression rate as the precedence mode, the user enters a desired compression rate, the image pickup device calculates the image size on the basis of the card capacity, the number of photographing pictures set by the user, and the compression rate. When the user sets the image size as the precedence mode, the user enters a desirable image size, the image pickup device calculates the compression rate on the basis of the card capacity, the number of photographing pictures set by the user and the image size and records the photographing pictures of the desired number.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus capable of shooting images by designating the number of images to be shot.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an electronic camera, when recording a plurality of photographed image data, it may not be possible to secure a sufficient recording capacity of a recording medium. In this case, there are a method of partially erasing image data recorded in the past, a method of exchanging a recording medium with a new one, and recording. However, the former method has a problem that important images in the past disappear. On the other hand, the latter method has a problem that it is troublesome to replace the recording medium.

As a method for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-219807 discloses an image data compression means, a compressed image data storage means, and a remaining amount detection means of the storage means in a digital still camera. It is disclosed that the display device is provided with an accumulable remaining amount display means and is configured to select either image quality priority or shooting number priority according to the application.

[0004]

However, according to the method disclosed in the above publication, it is impossible to secure the number of shots to be originally shot in the image quality priority, and on the other hand, the desired image quality or image size can be set in the shot number priority. There is a problem that you cannot do it.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventionally proposed image pickup method. Even when the recording means has a small capacity, either the image size or the compression ratio is prioritized to obtain the desired number of sheets. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus capable of shooting a plurality of images, and an image pickup apparatus capable of shooting a desired number of images without erasing image data that has already been recorded. To do.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 relates to a recording means for recording image data, a photographable number setting means for setting the number of photographable images, an image size or In setting the variable value of the compression ratio, the recording condition manual setting means for preferentially manually setting one of the variable values and the recording condition manual setting means were not manually set according to the number of photographed images. Based on the recording condition automatic setting means for automatically setting the other variable value and the set image size and compression rate, the number of images set in the free area of the recording means by the photographable number setting means is set. The image pickup apparatus is configured to include a recording control unit that records the.

In the image pickup apparatus constructed as described above, even if the capacity of the recording means is small, the desired number of images can be taken, and whether the image size or the image quality is prioritized. Since the selection is possible, it is possible to record the image data according to the photographer's preference.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect further comprises means for manually setting an image recording format. By thus providing the image recording format manual setting means, it is possible to record a desired number of images in a desired image recording format.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a recording means for recording image data, a photographable number setting means for setting the number of photographable images, and an image corresponding to the number of photographable images set by the photographable number setting means. When it is determined that the area for recording data is insufficient, the image pickup apparatus is configured with a resizing unit that resizes the image data already recorded in the recording unit to secure the recording area.

By providing such a resizing means, it is possible to realize an image pickup apparatus which can secure a recording area for recording the required number of images without erasing the image data already recorded in the recording means. be able to.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the third aspect, a capacity for recording a set number of image data in the recording means is secured even if the image data is resized by the resize means. When it is not possible, it is characterized in that a display means is provided for displaying that fact. By providing such display means, it is possible to clearly indicate that the recording means has exceeded its capacity.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the third aspect, when the image data is resized by the resizing means, a variable value of either the image size or the compression rate is preferentially set manually. Recording condition manual setting means, and recording condition automatic setting means for automatically setting the other variable value that has not been manually set by the recording condition manual setting means, and the resizing means includes the set image size. Also, the recording means is configured to secure an empty area for the number of sheets set by the photographable sheet number setting means, based on the compression ratio.

By configuring the resizing means in this way, it is possible to take a desired number of images even when the capacity of the recording means is small, and whether to give priority to image size or image quality. Since the selection is possible, it is possible to record the image data according to the photographer's preference.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments will be described. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital camera of an embodiment of an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a digital camera, and a zoom lens 3, a focus lens 4, and a diaphragm 5 are provided in a lens barrel 2 of the digital camera 1. The optical image obtained through this lens barrel 2 is a CCD which is an image pickup element.
An image is directly formed on the image pickup surface of No. 6. When the charge of each pixel of each color component is accumulated and output by the CCD 6 during the exposure time,
The output is converted into a video signal by the image pickup circuit 7. The analog-valued video signal output from the image pickup circuit 7 is A / D
The converter 8 digitizes and outputs to the buffer memory 9.

The buffer memory 9 temporarily stores the video signal output from the A / D converter 8. The video signal stored in the buffer memory 9 is read out by the D / A converter 10. After being converted to an analog value, the display unit such as a color liquid crystal panel with a backlight ("LCD" in the figure)
Is displayed on the monitor. Further, the video signal stored in the buffer memory 9 is also read out to the compression / expansion circuit 12, and after the data amount is appropriately compressed by the specified compression method, the removable recording constituted by the flash memory or the like. It is designed to be recorded and stored in the memory card 13 for use.

When the video signal stored in the recording memory card 13 is read in the reproduction mode, the compression / expansion circuit 12 expands the video signal by a process reverse to that in the recording and restores the video signal to obtain the video signal. Video signal is buffer memory 9
And is displayed on the display unit 11 via the D / A converter 10 and output.

A CPU 16 for controlling the entire digital camera 1 is provided.
On the other hand, an AE processing circuit 14 for performing AE (automatic exposure) calculation during shooting, an AF processing circuit 15 for performing AF (automatic focusing) calculation during shooting, and a timing generator (TG) 17 are connected. The timing generator 17 generates various timing signals under the control of the CPU 16 and sends them to the image pickup circuit 7 and the CCD driver 18 which drives the CCD 6.

The CPU 16 is also connected to the first to third motor drive circuits 19, 20, 21 and the switching circuit 28. Then, the first motor drive circuit 19 drives the first motor 22 that rotates the diaphragm 5. The second motor drive circuit 20 drives a second motor 23 that moves the focus lens 4. Further, the third motor drive circuit 21 drives a third motor 24 that moves the zoom lens 3. The switching circuit 28 controls switching of charging and light emission in the flash light emitting unit 29 according to an instruction from the CPU 16.

Further, the CPU 16 is adapted to directly input an operation signal from an operation unit 25 including a menu button, a release switch, various mode switches, and other switches, and the CPU 16 automatically operates. It is connected to an EEPROM 26 which stores a control program for centrally operating all the circuits including the focusing operation.
It should be noted that necessary power is supplied from the battery 27, which is a power source, to the above-described circuits including the CPU 16.

The basic operation of the digital camera 1 in the recording mode is as follows. That is, a subject image is formed on the image pickup surface of the CCD 6 through the zoom lens 3, the focus lens 4, and the diaphragm 5, and the CCD output is converted into a video signal by the image pickup circuit 7. This video signal is
After being digitized by the A / D converter 8, it is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 9. Then, the video signal stored in the buffer memory 9 is re-analogized by the D / A converter 10 and displayed on the display unit 11 as a monitor.

The video signal stored in the buffer memory 9 is data-compressed by the compression / expansion circuit 12 by a predetermined method such as JPEG and recorded in the recording memory card 13. (Conversely, at the time of reproduction, the contents of the recording memory card 13 are expanded by the compression / expansion circuit 12 and stored in the buffer memory 9 and displayed on the display unit 11.)

Based on the output signal of the A / D converter 8,
The exposure is automatically adjusted by the AE processing circuit 14. Specifically, the digital video signals are integrated by the AE processing circuit 14, and the integrated value (AE evaluation value) is supplied to the CPU 16. As a result, the CCD by the CCD driver 18
The charge accumulation time at 6 is variably controlled to automatically adjust the exposure.

Further, based on the output signal of the A / D converter 8,
The AF processing circuit 15 automatically adjusts the focus position.
Specifically, the CPU 16 obtains the AF evaluation value by extracting the high frequency component by integrating the digital video signal through the high-pass filter (not shown) by the AF processing circuit 15, and the CPU 16 stores it in the EEPROM 26. The second motor 23 is driven via the second motor drive circuit 20 to move the focus lens 4 in the front-rear direction of the photographing optical axis so that the driving range and the driving speed are within the range.
By increasing the contrast, the spatial high frequency component in the video signal becomes the largest, and by setting the focus lens 4 at the position where the AF evaluation value is maximum, it is possible to automatically focus.

Next, a more detailed mode of the image pickup operation in the image pickup apparatus (digital camera) according to the present invention will be described. In the present invention, shooting is performed by presetting the predetermined number of shots desired by the user. First, the first aspect thereof will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. As described above, since the number of shots is designated and shooting is performed, the number of shots fixing mode is first set by the mode switch of the operation unit 25 on the camera side (step S).
1). When this mode is designated, the capacity of the memory card 13 as a recording memory mounted is identified by the CPU 16
(Step S2). Next, the user inputs the desired number of images to be photographed through the operation unit 25.

At this time, for example, in the case of a memory card having a storage capacity of 8 MB, the smallest size (eg 640 × 480)
When the compression rate is maximum (for example, 1/8) in pixels,
The maximum number of shots is 96, and similarly 16MB
Memory card is 192, a 32MB memory card is 384, and a 64MB memory card is 768. The maximum number of shots is determined according to the memory card capacity. The upper limit of the number of input sheets is determined in accordance with the card capacity identified in the card capacity identifying step S2, and the number of input sheets is set within that range, that is, within the photographable range.

Next, on the camera side, the compression ratio or the image size can be selectively input as the priority mode, and the priority mode desired by the user is input through the operation unit 25 (step S4). When the priority mode is input, it is next determined whether the compression ratio or the image size is input as the priority mode (step S5). When the compression rate is selected and input as the priority mode, candidates for the compression rate (for example, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8) are displayed on the display screen, so that the user can select one of the compression rates. A rate selection input is performed via the operation unit 25 (step S6). Next, in the CPU 16 of the camera, the image size is determined based on the capacity of the memory card 13 identified in step S2, the number of shots set by the user in step S3, and the compression ratio set by the user in step S6. (For example, 1280 × 960, 1024
× 768, 640 × 480 pixels) are calculated (step S
7). Then, a predetermined number of shots / recordings are executed with the set compression rate and the calculated image size.

On the other hand, when the image size is input and set as the priority mode in step S4, it is determined in step S5 that the priority mode is the image size, and the image size candidates (for example, 1280 × 960, Ten
Since 24 × 768 and 640 × 480 pixels are displayed, the user selects and inputs one of the image sizes (step S8). Next, on the camera side, based on the capacity of the memory card identified in step S2, the number of shots set by the user in step S3, and the image size set by the user in step S8, the compression rate (for example, 1 / 2,1
/ 4, 1/8) is calculated (step S9). Then, a predetermined number of images are taken / recorded with the set image size and the calculated compression rate.

Next, a concrete second mode of the image pickup operation will be described.
A description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG. This mode allows the user to select either the compression rate or the image size as the priority mode when the user presets the desired number of shots and performs shooting when the user selects the compression rate as the priority mode. In addition, the image recording format can be selected and set.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the steps S11 to S15 in the fixed number mode to the determination step S15 in the priority mode are the same as the operations from steps S1 to S5 in the mode shown in the flowchart of FIG. , Input the compression ratio in the input step S14 of the priority mode,
If it is determined in step S15 of the priority mode that the priority mode is the compression rate, the image recording format is attached to the compression rate that is set as a priority. Either of them is selected and set via the operation unit 25 (step S16).
Next, it is determined whether the image recording format selected and set by the user is JPEG, TIFF or BMP (step S17). If the image recording format selected by the user is TIFF or BMP, the compression rate is set to 1 Double the size (step S18), then on the camera side, the capacity of the memory card 13 identified in step S12, the number of shots set by the user in step S13, and step S13.
The image size is calculated based on the compression ratio of 1 set in 18 (step S19). And the set compression rate 1
A predetermined number of images are taken / recorded with the calculated image size.

On the other hand, if JPEG is selected and input as the image recording format in step S16, it is determined in step S17 that the image recording format is JPEG. If the image recording format is JPEG, the compression rate is displayed on the screen of the display unit. Candidates (eg 1/2, 1 /
No. 4, 1/8) is displayed and the compression rate can be further selected, and the user selects and inputs one of the compression rates (step S20). Next, on the camera side, step S
The image size is calculated based on the capacity of the memory card identified in 12, the number of shots set by the user in step S13, and the compression ratio set by the user in step S20 (step S21). Then, a predetermined number of shots / recordings are performed with the set compression ratio and the calculated image size.

When the image size is input and set as the priority mode in step S14, the user selects and inputs one of the image sizes in step S22 as in the mode shown in the flowchart of FIG. Then, on the camera side, the compression rate is calculated based on the capacity of the memory card 13 identified in step S12, the number of shots set by the user in step S13, and the image size set by the user in step S22 ( Step S2
3). Then, a predetermined number of images are taken / recorded with the set image size and the calculated compression rate.

Next, a concrete third mode of the photographing operation will be described.
This will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In this mode, when a certain number of shot images have already been recorded on the memory card 13 and the user is in the middle of recording and the user newly sets the desired number of shots to perform shooting, The present invention relates to a photographing processing operation including a process of performing a resizing process involving compression of image data or a change of an image size to secure a storage capacity of a memory card corresponding to a desired number of photographed images.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, first, the fixed number mode is set (step S31), and the CPU 16 is used to identify the remaining capacity of the memory card 13 in a state where the image data is already recorded in a part thereof. Through (step S3
2). Next, the user inputs the desired number of shots in the future via the operation unit 25 (step S33). Here, the input desired number of shots is the upper limit of the recordable number of the memory card 13 (for example, 96 MB for an 8 MB memory card).
It is determined via the CPU 16 (step S34) whether or not the number of captured images exceeds the upper limit, and if the input number of captured images exceeds the upper limit, recording is not performed even if resizing processing of the recorded image data is performed. Since it is possible, a display such as "card capacity over" is displayed on the display unit 11 (step S35), and the process returns to the number input step S33 again.

If the desired number of shots input in the number input step S33 is less than or equal to the memory card upper limit, it is determined in the determination step S34 that the memory card upper limit is not exceeded, and then the remaining capacity of the memory card 13 is determined in step S33. Then, it is determined whether the number of input sheets newly designated by the user can be dealt with, that is, whether the resizing process of the image data already recorded in the memory card 13 is necessary (step S36). If the resize processing is not necessary, the process directly proceeds to the next step S38 (priority mode input). However, if the resize processing is necessary, the compression rate of the recorded image data is largely converted or the image size is reduced. By performing conversion or the like, the image data is made compact, and resizing processing is performed to increase the remaining memory capacity (step S37).
The process moves to the next processing step S38 (priority mode input).

In the next priority mode input step S38, as in the mode shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3, either the compression ratio or the image size is selected as the priority mode desired by the user for the next image to be photographed. Select input.
When one of the priority modes is selected and input, it is then determined whether the compression rate or the image size is input as the priority mode (step S39). If the compression rate is selected and input as the priority mode, Similarly, compression rate candidates (for example, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8) are displayed on the display screen, and the user selects and inputs one of the compression rates (step S40).

In the compression rate input step S40,
Depending on the compression ratio input by the user, the remaining capacity of the memory card 13 may become insufficient even if it is the minimum image size, and it may be necessary to resize again.Next, determine whether resize processing is necessary. Is performed (step S41). If the resizing process is not required here, the process proceeds to the next size calculating process step S43. on the other hand,
When the resizing process is necessary, the resizing process is performed (step S42), and then the process proceeds to the size calculating process step S43. In the size calculation processing step S43, based on the remaining capacity of the memory card 13 without or after the resizing processing, the number of images to be photographed specified by the user in step S33, and the compression ratio specified by the user in step S40. Then, the image size is calculated. Then, with the set compression ratio and the calculated image size, a predetermined number of shots are continued, and the continued predetermined number of shot images are recorded in the halfway recorded memory card 13.

On the other hand, when the image size is selected and input as the priority mode in the step S38 of inputting the priority mode for the image to be photographed next, the image size candidates (for example, 1280 × 960, 1024 ×) are displayed on the display screen. 768, 640 x
Since 480 pixels) are displayed, the user selects and inputs one of the image sizes (step S44). Similarly in the image size input step S44, depending on the image size input by the user, the remaining capacity of the memory card 13 may become insufficient even as the maximum compression rate, and the resizing process may be necessary again. ,next,
It is determined whether the resizing process is necessary (step S45). If the resizing process is not necessary, the process proceeds to the next compression rate calculation process step S47. On the other hand, if the resizing process is necessary, the resizing process is performed (step S46), and then the compression rate calculating process proceeds to step S47.

In the compression rate calculation processing step S47, the remaining capacity of the memory card 13 without the resizing processing or after the resizing processing, the number of images to be photographed specified by the user in step S33, and also specified by the user in step S44. The compression rate is calculated based on the image size. Then, with the set image size and the calculated compression rate, the predetermined number of shots are continued, and the continued predetermined number of shot images are recorded in the halfway recorded memory card 13.

Next, the resizing process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The resizing process is a process of changing the remaining capacity of the memory card by changing the compression rate or the image size of the image data already recorded on the memory card, but as shown in FIG. For the recorded memory card 13, the CPU can
How much free space is required in 16, that is, the target free space is calculated (step S51). Next, the user makes an input setting of the priority mode regarding which of the compression rate and the image size is to be prioritized for the resizing (step S52). When the priority mode is selected and input, it is next determined whether the compression ratio or the image size is input as the priority mode (step S53).

When the compression rate is selected and input as the priority mode, the compression rate of the recorded image data is left as it is, and the image is recorded based on the target free space of the memory card 13 and the desired number of shots. The size is calculated (step S54). On the other hand, when the image size is selected as the priority mode, the image size of the recorded image data is left unchanged, and the compression ratio is determined based on the target free space of the memory card 13 and the desired number of shots. Is calculated (step S55). Then, in the size calculation step S54 or the compression rate calculation step S55, the image size conversion processing of the recorded image data or the compression rate conversion processing is performed based on the calculated size or compression rate (step S56). , Complete the resizing process.

[0041]

As described above based on the embodiments, according to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to take a desired number of images even when the recording means has a small capacity. It is possible to implement an image pickup apparatus capable of selecting whether to give priority to image size or image quality and record image data according to the photographer's preference. According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to record a desired number of image data in a desired image recording format. According to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to realize an image pickup apparatus capable of ensuring a recording area for recording the required number of images without erasing the image data already recorded in the recording means. . According to the invention of claim 4, in the image pickup device provided with the resizing means, it is possible to clearly display that the capacity of the recording means is exceeded. According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to select whether to prioritize the image size or the image quality in the imaging device provided with the resizing means, and the image data can be recorded according to the photographer's preference. It will be possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital camera of an embodiment of an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a first imaging operation of the digital camera shown in FIG.
3 is a flowchart for explaining the aspect of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a second imaging operation of the digital camera shown in FIG.
3 is a flowchart for explaining the aspect of FIG.

4 is a third imaging operation of the digital camera shown in FIG.
3 is a flowchart for explaining the aspect of FIG.

5 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the resizing processing operation in the imaging operation shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 digital camera 2 lens barrel 3 zoom lens 4 Focus lens 4 5 aperture 6 CCD 7 Imaging circuit 8 A / D converter 9 buffer memory 10 D / A converter 11 Display 12 Compression / expansion circuit 13 Memory for recording 14 AE processing circuit 15 AF processing circuit 16 CPU 17 Timing generator 18 CCD driver 19 First motor drive circuit 20 Second motor drive circuit 21 Third motor drive circuit 22 First motor for diaphragm 23 Second motor for focus lens 24 3rd motor for zoom lens 25 Control section 26 EEPROM 27 batteries 28 Switching circuit 29 Flash unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A recording means for recording image data, a photographable number setting means for setting the number of photographable images, and a variable value for the image size or compression ratio, one of the variable values is given priority. Recording condition manual setting means for manually setting the recording condition, and recording condition automatic setting means for automatically setting the other variable value not manually set by the recording condition manual setting means according to the number of photographed images. And a recording control unit for recording the number of images set by the photographable image number setting unit in an empty area of the recording unit based on the image size and the compression rate. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for manually setting an image recording format. 3. A recording means for recording image data, a photographable number setting means for setting a photographable number, and an area for recording image data according to the photographable number set by the photographable number setting means. When it is determined that there is a shortage,
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a resizing unit that resizes image data already recorded in the recording unit to secure a recording area. 4. If the capacity for recording the set number of image data in the recording means cannot be secured even if the image data is resized by the resizing means, a display means is provided to display that effect. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein 5. When the image data is resized by the resizing means, a recording condition manual setting means for preferentially manually setting a variable value of either the image size or the compression rate, and the recording condition manual setting means are used. Recording condition automatic setting means for automatically setting the other variable value that has not been manually set, and the resize means, based on the set image size and compression ratio, the number of recordable images in the recording means. 4. The structure is configured to secure a free area for the number of sheets set by the setting means.
Imaging device according to.