JP2004072550A - Imaging device and picture reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device capable of obtaining a desired still picture without lowering image quality at the time of photographing a moving picture and without interrupting moving picture photographing. <P>SOLUTION: A determining part 61 determines that an image constituting a moving image that is now photographed is usable as a still picture on the basis of focal distance information of a lens 1 outputted from a lens driving part 12, hand shaking information based on a value of a speed element applied to a digital camera outputted from a hand shaking detecting part 14, a shutter speed calculated on the basis of information on object luminance outputted from an object brightness measuring part 18, and the movement amount (hand shaking correction information) of a hand shaking correction lens which is calculated on the basis of hand shaking information of the hand shaking detecting part 14 and is moved by a hand shaking correcting part 15 on the basis of its calculation result, and makes the determination result correspond to the determined image and records the determination result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus and an image reproducing apparatus having a photographing function for photographing a still image during moving image photographing.
[0002]
2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a still image is to be obtained during reproduction of a moving image, it is necessary to stop or advance the reproduced moving image to select a clear image and record it as a still image. It is very troublesome. Therefore, a video print system that can easily obtain a desired still image from a reproduced moving image has been developed. One example of such a video printing system is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-343147.
[0003]
In a video print system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-343147, a high-speed shutter is operated every several frames to capture an image when a moving image is taken by a video camera, and a video signal of a frame in which the high-speed shutter is operated is taken. Is superimposed on the ID signal. When a moving image is reproduced by the video camera, when a print button is pressed to obtain a still image, a frame to which an ID signal is added when a latest ID signal after a print command is issued by the print button is detected. Is printed as a still image.
[0004]
On the other hand, as a method of obtaining a still image from a moving image, there is a method of recording one frame during shooting as a still image during moving image shooting. One example of such an electronic camera is described in JP-A-2001-103361. In the electronic camera device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-103361, when a still image shooting button is pressed during shooting of a moving image, the shooting state for shooting a moving image is reset to a shooting state for shooting a still image. Still image shooting is performed under a shooting state for shooting. At this time, the moving image shooting is interrupted, and the moving image shooting is restarted after the still image shooting operation ends.
[0005]
However, in the video printing system disclosed in JP-A-6-343147, the high-speed shutter always operates every several frames even when a still image is not required. Thus, the quality of moving images and still images is reduced.
[0006]
In other words, by operating the high-speed shutter, the amount of light incident on the image sensor of the video camera is reduced, and the gain of the signal processing unit is instantaneously increased to compensate for the insufficient amount of light. And it becomes a still image. Further, since the high-speed shutter is operated, smooth moving images cannot be obtained.
[0007]
Furthermore, since the obtained still image is the most recent image after the print button is pressed, an image at a moment different from the operator's intention is printed.
[0008]
In the electronic camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-103361, a desired still image can be obtained as required by a photographer by pressing a still image shooting button during moving image shooting. When outputting a still image of a scene where a still image is not recorded because the still image shooting button is not pressed at the time, it is necessary to stop or advance the playback moving image and select a clear image as in the past, It is very troublesome. Further, if a still image is to be recorded at the time of shooting a moving image, there is a drawback that the shooting of the moving image, which is originally required, is interrupted.
[0009]
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can obtain a desired still image without interrupting moving image shooting without deteriorating the image quality of both the moving image and the still image at the time of shooting a moving image. And It is another object of the present invention to provide an image reproducing apparatus capable of easily selecting and recording a desired still image even when reproducing a moving image.
[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having a function of shooting a moving image composed of a plurality of continuous images, the method being based on a predetermined judgment condition during moving image shooting. Has a judging means for judging that an image constituting a moving image can be used as a still image, and when the judging means judges that the image can be used as a still image, the information indicating the judgment result of the judging means corresponds to the judged image. The information is recorded by causing it to be recorded (claim 1).
[0011]
Further, the image pickup apparatus has a camera shake detecting unit that detects occurrence of a camera shake at the time of capturing a moving image, and the determination unit makes a determination based on camera shake information detected by the camera shake detecting unit (claim 2).
[0012]
Further, the imaging apparatus has a camera shake detection unit that detects occurrence of camera shake at the time of capturing a moving image, and a camera shake correction unit that corrects camera shake by moving a part of the imaging device based on an output from the camera shake detection unit. The determination means makes a determination based on the correction amount corrected by the camera shake correction means (claim 3).
[0013]
The imaging apparatus includes a shutter speed calculation unit that calculates a shutter speed from a subject luminance, and a focal length detection unit that detects a focal length of the imaging lens, and the determination unit includes a shutter that is calculated by the shutter speed calculation unit. A determination is made by comparing the speed with the camera shake limit shutter speed calculated based on the focal length detected by the focal length detecting means (claim 4).
[0014]
In the imaging device, the determination unit makes the determination based on the number of pixels of the still image (claim 5).
[0015]
According to the first to fifth aspects, the imaging apparatus determines that an image being captured as a still image can be used as a still image under a predetermined condition. Therefore, it is necessary to change exposure conditions such as using a high-speed shutter. Therefore, a moving image can be shot under normal exposure conditions, and as a result, the image quality of the moving image does not deteriorate. In addition, since only the determination result determined by the determination unit corresponding to an image usable as a still image is recorded, moving image shooting for still image shooting is not interrupted.
[0016]
Furthermore, the imaging device has a display unit for displaying a result determined by the determination unit when capturing a moving image (claim 6).
[0017]
With this configuration, the photographer can recognize that the image being photographed at the time of photographing can be used as a still image.
[0018]
The imaging apparatus has an exposure program for capturing a moving image, an exposure program for capturing a still image, and operation means for instructing a still image to be captured while capturing a moving image. When the operation 1 is performed, the exposure program for shooting a moving image is changed to an exposure program for shooting a still image. When the second operation of the operation unit is performed, a still image is recorded according to the exposure program for a still image ( Claim 7).
[0019]
With this configuration, when a still image is required when shooting a moving image, a still image at the moment intended by the photographer is obtained, and at the same time, a still image is recorded based on a still image exposure program. Is obtained.
[0020]
Further, an image reproducing apparatus to which a recording medium in which information indicating that the image can be used as a still image is recorded together with the image can be mounted, image reading means for reading the image recorded on the recording medium, Detecting means for detecting information indicating that recording is possible as an image, display means for displaying information indicating that recording is possible as a still image detected by the detecting means and a reproduced image, and instructing recording of a still image Recording instruction means for recording, and image recording means for recording the image designated by the recording instruction means, and when information indicating that recording is possible as a still image is displayed together with the reproduced image on the display unit, recording is performed. When the operation of the instruction means is performed, an image corresponding to the image displayed on the display means is recorded on a predetermined recording medium by the image recording means. Section 8).
[0021]
With this configuration, a moving image viewer can easily select and record a still image without camera shake.
[0022]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the following embodiments, the same portions or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be appropriately omitted.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Although the present embodiment describes a digital camera capable of shooting a moving image with a still image shooting function as a main function, it is naturally applicable to a digital video camera having a moving image shooting function as a main function and a still image shooting function. is there. The digital camera has a photographing function for photographing an image and a reproducing function for reproducing recorded image data and displaying the image data as an image.
[0024]
Each configuration of the digital camera will be described with reference to FIG.
[0025]
The lens 1 forms light from a subject on the CCD 2 to form an image of the subject. The lens 1 is a zoom lens. When the zoom operation key 21 is operated, a command is issued from the control unit 6 to the lens driving unit 12 to change the focal length of the lens 1. On the other hand, the focal length information of the lens 1 is output from the lens driving unit 12 to the control unit 6.
[0026]
The CCD 2 converts the image of the subject formed by the lens 1 into image signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components (a signal composed of a signal train of pixel signals received by each pixel). ) And output it.
[0027]
The timing generator (TG) 3 generates a drive control signal for the CCD 2 based on a reference clock transmitted from the control unit 6. For example, a clock signal such as an integration start / end (exposure start / end) timing signal and a light-receiving signal readout control signal (horizontal synchronization signal, vertical synchronization signal, transfer signal, etc.) for each pixel is generated and output to the CCD 2. .
[0028]
The signal processing unit 4 performs predetermined analog signal processing on an image signal (analog signal) output from the CCD 2. The signal processing unit 4 has a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit and an AGC (auto gain control) circuit. The CDS circuit reduces the noise of the image signal, and the AGC circuit adjusts the gain to adjust the image signal. Adjust the level of.
[0029]
The A / D converter 5 converts (A / D converts) a signal of each pixel of the image into, for example, a 12-bit digital signal. The A / D converter 5 converts each pixel signal (analog signal) into a digital signal based on an A / D conversion reference clock input from the control unit 6. The digital signal converted by the A / D converter 5 is input to the control unit 6 and the image processing unit 7.
[0030]
The digital signal sent to the control unit 6 is evaluated for contrast and used for autofocus control. The control unit 6 issues a command to the lens driving unit 12 so that the contrast becomes highest, and moves a part of the lens 1 (focusing lens) to focus.
[0031]
The digital signal input to the image processing unit 7 is subjected to various image processing (for example, gamma correction, color correction, and the like) in the image processing unit 7 and displayed on the display unit 10 as a live view image. Further, an image compression process (for example, a Motion-JPEG method) is performed, and the image is recorded on the memory card 8 by the recording / reproducing unit 71. At the time of image reproduction, the recording / reproduction unit 71 reads out image data from the memory card 8, and then decompresses the compressed image data by the image processing unit 7 and displays it on the display unit 10.
[0032]
The display unit 10 is an LCD monitor for displaying an image, and is driven by an LCD driver 11.
[0033]
The image memory 9 is a work memory that stores image data output from the image processing unit 7.
[0034]
The flash memory 13 contains various exposure programs. For example, it is a moving image shooting program or a still image shooting program. The still image shooting program can be selected according to the subject and shooting conditions, such as a shutter speed priority mode, an aperture priority mode, or a program corresponding to various shooting scenes (sports, portrait, etc.). .
[0035]
The photometry unit 18 is for measuring the brightness of the subject and determining the exposure at the time of shooting. The control unit 6 determines a shutter speed and an aperture value based on information from the photometric unit 18 and an exposure program read from the flash memory 13.
[0036]
The camera shake detection unit 14 is a camera shake detection device that detects a value of a speed element (translation speed, angular speed, or the like) applied to the digital camera, and includes, for example, a gyro. When a speed element equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the camera shake detection unit 14, information on the added speed is transmitted from the camera shake detection unit 14 to the control unit 6. Based on this signal, the control unit 6 issues a command to the camera shake correction unit 15 to move a part of the lens 1 (camera shake correction lens) to correct camera shake. Note that an acceleration sensor that detects the value of an acceleration element (such as translational acceleration or angular acceleration) may be used for the camera shake detection unit. In order to correct camera shake, the CCD 2 may be moved instead of the camera shake correction lens.
[0037]
The flash unit 16 emits a flash for a predetermined time according to a command from the control unit 6.
[0038]
The operation key group 20 includes an image recording / reproduction switching button, a shooting mode switching button, a moving image reproduction button, a still image recording button, and the like.
[0039]
The photographing operation when photographing only a still image will be described with reference to FIG.
[0040]
When the still image release button 17 is half-pressed by the photographer, a preset still image exposure program is read from the flash memory 13. Subsequently, the control unit 6 calculates the shutter speed and the aperture value based on the information on the subject brightness from the photometry unit 18 and the read exposure program. When the still image release button 17 is fully pressed, the control unit 6 sets an aperture value (not shown in the drawing) and issues a command to the timing generator 3 based on the calculated shutter speed and aperture value. The charge reading time (shutter speed) is set, and the image data is sent to the signal processing unit 4. The image data processed by the signal processing unit 4 and the A / D converter 5 is subjected to various image processing (for example, γ correction, color correction, etc.) and image compression processing (for example, JPEG method) by the image processing unit 7, and It is recorded on the card 8.
[0041]
Next, a photographing operation for photographing a moving image will be described. When the moving image start / stop button 19 is pressed by the photographer, the moving image shooting program is read from the flash memory 13. In the moving image shooting program, the shutter speed is usually set to 1/60 second. The control unit 6 sets the aperture value or the gain of the signal processing unit 4 based on the moving image exposure program. The image processing unit 7 performs various image processing and compression processing on the digital image signal converted by the A / D converter 5, and stores moving image data as moving image data including a plurality of continuous images in the memory card 8. Record. When the moving image start / stop button 19 is pressed again, or when a predetermined time has elapsed, the moving image shooting ends. During the moving image shooting, it is determined whether or not the image during the moving image shooting can be used as a still image, as described below.
[0042]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting operation for determining whether an image being shot can be used as a still image during shooting a moving image. The photographing operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0043]
When the moving image start / stop button 19 is pressed by the photographer, a moving image photographing program is read from the flash memory 13, and exposure conditions such as a shutter speed and an aperture value are set based on the moving image photographing program. It is started (step S1).
[0044]
The following information is input to the determination unit 61 inside the control unit 6 simultaneously with the start of the moving image shooting. Based on the focal length information of the lens 1 output from the lens driving unit 12, the camera shake information based on the value of the speed element applied to the digital camera output from the camera shake detection unit 14, and the subject brightness information output from the photometry unit 18. The calculated shutter speed and further the amount of movement (information of camera shake correction) of the camera shake correction lens which is calculated based on the camera shake information of the camera shake detection unit 14 and moved by the camera shake correction unit 15 based on the calculation result are input. (Step S2).
[0045]
The determination unit 61 determines whether or not the image can be used as a still image by using one of the following (judgment method 1) to (judgment method 4) based on the information. (Step S3).
[0046]
(Determination Method 1) When the output from the camera shake detection unit 14 is smaller than a certain value, it is determined that the image can be used as a still image.
[0047]
(Determination Method 2) When the camera shake correction unit 15 performs the camera shake correction based on the information from the camera shake detection unit 14, it is determined that the image can be used as a still image.
[0048]
(Determination method 3) The relationship between the shutter speed that is considered to cause no camera shake and the focal length of the lens is used (if the shutter speed is equal to or lower than the so-called camera shake limit shutter speed, it is determined that the image can be used as a still image). Generally, in the case of a camera using a silver halide film of 135 size (36 mm × 24 mm), it is said that a clear picture without camera shake can be obtained by taking a picture at a shutter speed shorter than the reciprocal of the focal length. This is applied to the still image use determination.
[0049]
When the following determination formula (1) is satisfied, it is determined that the image can be used as a still image.
T ≦ K1 × 1 / FL (1)
Here, T is the shutter speed (second), and FL is the focal length (mm) of the lens 1. K1 is a correction coefficient representing the ratio between the CCD size and the 135 film size. For example, when the CCD size is 1 / 1.8 type, the diagonal dimension is about 9 mm and the diagonal dimension of the film size is 43.3 mm, so that K1 = 9 / 43.3.
[0050]
Although the determination formula (1) uses the relationship between the shutter speed and the focal length of the lens 1, the shutter speed can be calculated using information on the subject brightness, the aperture value, and the CCD sensitivity. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on information on the subject brightness, the aperture value, and the CCD sensitivity.
[0051]
(Judgment method 4) The relationship between the shutter speed and the focal length of the lens that is considered to cause no camera shake, the camera shake information from the camera shake detection unit 14, the camera shake correction information from the camera shake correction unit 15, and the desired number of pixels of the still image Is determined based on When the following determination formula (2) is satisfied, it is determined that the image can be used as a still image.
T ≦ K1, K2, K3, K4 × 1 / FL (2)
T is a shutter speed (second), and FL is a focal length (mm) of the lens 1. K1, K2, K3, and K4 are correction coefficients.
[0052]
K1 is the same as the correction coefficient used in (Determination Method 3), and is a correction coefficient representing the ratio between the CCD size and the 135 film size.
[0053]
K2 is a correction coefficient relating to the camera shake amount, and has a value of 1 or less. When the camera shake state is detected based on the value of the speed element from the camera shake detection section 14, the control section 6 calculates the camera shake state based on the camera shake information. When a camera shake state is detected, a faster shutter speed is required, so that it has a value of 1 or less.
[0054]
K3 is a correction coefficient when camera shake correction is performed. By performing camera shake correction, the occurrence of camera shake can be suppressed even at a slower shutter speed. Therefore, K3 has a value of 1 or more, and the value is calculated by the control unit 6 based on the correction amount of camera shake.
[0055]
When camera shake is not detected, K2 = 1, and when camera shake correction is not performed, K3 = 1.
[0056]
K4 is a correction coefficient determined by the number of pixels of the still image, and has a value of 1 or more. When comparing the number of pixels of a still image by the image sensor with the number of pixels (for example, 1.5 million pixels) that can be recognized as a clear image in advance, if the number of pixels of the still image by the image sensor is small, the resolution becomes lower. Due to the low image quality, image deterioration due to camera shake becomes inconspicuous. Therefore, a slower shutter speed can be used, and K4 has a value of 1 or more. K4 = 1 when the number of pixels of the still image by the image sensor is equal to or larger than the number of pixels that can be recognized as a clear image set in advance.
[0057]
Although the shutter speed is used in the determination formula (2), the shutter speed can be calculated using information on the subject brightness, the aperture value, and the CCD sensitivity. The determination may be made based on the information of (1).
[0058]
When the judging section 61 judges that the image being captured as a moving image can be used as a still image based on any of the above four judging methods, the recording / reproducing section 71 inside the image processing section 7 sends a signal to that effect (hereinafter, referred to as “still image”). , A flag). The recording / reproducing unit 71 writes a flag in the header of the determined image.
[0059]
On the other hand, a display mark indicating a flag (hereinafter, referred to as a still image mark) is also displayed on the image displayed on the display unit 10 so that the image being displayed (recording) can be used as a still image. The photographer is notified that there is (step S4). The photographer may be notified that the image displayed on the display unit 10 can be used as a still image by using another display unit instead of the display mark superimposed on the image. For example, it is also possible to light an LED embedded in the housing of the digital camera.
[0060]
If the determination unit 61 determines that the image cannot be used as a still image, no flag is written in the header of the determined image. Further, the still image mark is not displayed on the image displayed on the display unit 10 (step S5).
[0061]
When the moving image start / stop button 19 is pressed again by the photographer or a predetermined time elapses, the moving image shooting ends (step S6).
[0062]
In the shooting operation described above, the imaging apparatus determines whether or not the image forming the moving image being shot can be used as a still image, so that it is not necessary to change exposure conditions such as operating a high-speed shutter. A natural moving image can be obtained without impairing the image quality of the obtained moving image. In addition, since only the determination result of the determination unit 6 is recorded in correspondence with the determined image, it is not necessary to apply an excessive load to a circuit such as a signal processing unit for recording a still image. No need to do. Further, by recording the determination result of the determination unit 6, a still image can be easily selected and output at the time of image reproduction.
[0063]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of moving image data recorded on the memory card 8. FIG. 3 (a) continuously records images compressed for each image (frame) as in the Motion-JPEG method. (B) is a file format in which data is compressed by detecting only a moving part in an image as in the MPEG system. (C) is a file format in a case where a flag indicating that a still image can be used is recorded in another file other than the moving image file in which the moving image data is recorded.
[0064]
In the case of FIG. 3A, a flag indicating that a still image can be used is recorded for each image (frame). In the case of FIG. 3A, the images of the third to fifth frames indicate that a still image can be used. In the case of (B), a flag indicating that a still image can be used is recorded in the header portion of the image file during a certain section such as 3 to 5 frames. In the case of (C), the shooting frame number and the presence / absence of the flag are recorded in a file different from the moving image file. In the description of the first embodiment, the flag indicating that the image can be used as a still image is written in the header of the image. However, as shown in FIG. May be. Also, the method of recording a flag in the first embodiment and other embodiments described below will be described as the (A) type.
[0065]
Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The digital camera according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting operation according to the second embodiment when still image shooting is performed during moving image shooting. Hereinafter, an operation when recording a still image during shooting of a moving image will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0066]
When the moving image start / stop button 19 is pressed by the photographer, a moving image shooting program is read from the flash memory 13, exposure conditions are set based on the exposure program, and moving image shooting is started (step S10).
[0067]
The following information is input to the determination unit 61 inside the control unit 6 simultaneously with the start of the moving image shooting. Based on the focal length information of the lens 1 output from the lens driving unit 12, the camera shake information based on the value of the speed element applied to the digital camera output from the camera shake detection unit 14, and the subject brightness information output from the photometry unit 18. The calculated shutter speed and further the amount of movement (information of camera shake correction) of the camera shake correction lens which is calculated based on the camera shake information of the camera shake detection unit 14 and moved by the camera shake correction unit 15 based on the calculation result are input. (Step S11).
[0068]
The determination unit 61 determines whether the image being captured can be used as a still image based on any one of the (determination method 1) to (determination method 4) described in the first embodiment (step S1). S12).
[0069]
When judging section 61 judges that the image can be used as a still image, it outputs a signal (flag) to that effect to recording / reproducing section 71 inside image processing section 7. The recording / reproducing unit 71 writes a flag in the header of the determined frame image. On the other hand, a still image mark is displayed on the image displayed on the display unit 10 to notify the photographer that the image being displayed (recording) is in a usable state as a still image (step S13).
[0070]
When the determination unit 61 determines that the image cannot be used as a still image based on the determination method, the writing of the flag is stopped, and the still image mark is not displayed on the image displayed on the display unit 10 (step S14).
[0071]
The still image release button 17 includes a switch (SW1) that operates when half-pressed, and a switch (SW2) that operates when fully pressed.
[0072]
When the still image release button 17 is half-pressed (SW1 ON) by the photographer (step S15), the still image shooting exposure program is read out from the flash memory 13, and the moving image shooting exposure program is changed to the still image shooting exposure program. (Hereinafter, referred to as program shift 1) (step S16). The exposure program for still image shooting is, for example, changing the shutter speed at the time of shooting a moving image from 1/60 seconds to 1/250 seconds to the high-speed side, and opening the aperture accordingly, or increasing the gain of the signal processing unit 4. Things. When changing the shutter speed, if the speed is changed rapidly, the response of the aperture will not be in time, and disturbance such as hunting will occur on the screen. Therefore, the speed is changed gradually over several frames.
[0073]
Exposure programs for still image shooting are not limited to those automatically set, but include sports scene programs, portrait programs, shutter speed priority mode, aperture priority mode, manual mode, etc. A function may be selected in advance and used.
[0074]
Information such as the focal length, camera shake information, shutter speed, camera shake correction information, and the like is input to the determination unit 61 in the same manner as before the program shift 1 is performed (step S17).
[0075]
The determination unit 61 determines whether the image being captured can be used as a still image based on one of the four determination methods described in the first embodiment (step S18).
[0076]
When the determining unit 61 determines that the image can be used as a still image, a flag is written in the header of the determined image, and a still image mark is displayed on the image displayed on the display unit 10 (step S19).
[0077]
If the determination unit 61 determines that the still image cannot be used, the writing of the flag is stopped and the still image mark is not displayed (step S20).
[0078]
The determination unit 61 repeatedly determines whether or not the still image can be used as a still image during the shooting of a moving image. When it is determined that the still image can be used, the still image release button 17 is fully pressed (SW2 ON) (step S2). S21) A still image is recorded based on the still image exposure program (step S22). When the switch SW2 is turned on, the image at the time when the switch SW2 is turned on is taken into the image memory 9, and then subjected to a compression process (for example, a JPEG method) by the image processing unit 7 and then recorded on the memory card 8. . Instead of recording the image itself on the memory card 8, the information that the switch SW2 is turned on may be recorded in the header portion of the image data when the switch SW2 is turned on, and may be recorded as a still image. Since no image is recorded on the memory card 8, a still image at the time point intended by the photographer can be recorded without imposing a load on a circuit such as a signal processing unit of the digital camera.
[0079]
If the determination unit 61 determines that the still image cannot be used as a still image, and the still image release button 17 is fully pressed (SW2 ON) (step S23), the flash unit 16 emits light as necessary, and the switch SW2 is turned on. The image when it is turned on is once taken into the image memory 9 and then compressed by the image processing unit 7 and then recorded on the memory card 8 (step S24).
[0080]
When the still image is recorded, the moving image shooting program is read from the flash memory 13 again (program shift 2), and the exposure condition is set based on the moving image shooting program. (Step S25).
[0081]
Then, the process returns to step 11 to repeat the above operation.
[0082]
When the moving image start / stop button 19 is pressed again by the photographer or a predetermined time has elapsed, the moving image shooting ends (steps S26, S27, S28).
With the above-described shooting operation, a still image can be recorded during shooting of a moving image as required by the photographer. Also, as in the first embodiment, by recording the determination result of the determination unit 6, a still image can be easily selected and recorded during image reproduction.
[0083]
Note that regarding the determination method 1, the determination method 2, and the determination method 4 of the still image use determination method in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the camera shake information from the camera shake detection unit 14 (the value of the speed element added to the digital camera) ), But has a camera shake detection unit that performs a camera shake determination (for example, a method described in JP-A-2002-27300) using a correlation between images obtained by an image sensor such as the CCD 2. Alternatively, it may be determined that the image can be used as a still image if the amount of camera shake is equal to or less than a predetermined amount based on the information of the camera shake detection unit. This determination method can cope not only with camera shake due to the camera but also with camera shake due to the subject.
[0084]
Next, an operation of recording a still image from a reproduced moving image during moving image reproduction will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when a still image is recorded at the time of reproducing a moving image. The operation when still image recording is performed during reproduction of a moving image will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0085]
When the operator presses the moving image reproduction button of the operation key group 20, the recorded moving image data is read from the memory card 8 by the recording / reproducing unit 71, and the read compressed data is decompressed by the image processing unit 7, It is reproduced and displayed on the display unit 10 (step S30).
[0086]
The determination unit 61 detects a flag determined to be usable as a still image (step S31).
[0087]
When a flag indicating that the image can be used as a still image is detected, a signal indicating that the flag is detected is sent to the image processing unit 7, and the still image mark is superimposed on the reproduced image. The image on which the still image mark is superimposed is displayed on the display unit 10 (step S32), and the operator is notified that the image can be used as a still image.
[0088]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the reproduced moving image is displayed on the display unit 10 of the digital camera. The reproduced moving image can be displayed not only on the display unit 10 but also on a PC monitor connected to a digital camera or on a TV screen by converting video data into an NTSC signal.
[0089]
If no flag indicating that the image can be used as a still image is detected, no still image mark is displayed on the corresponding image (step S35).
[0090]
When the operator watching the playback moving image presses the still image recording button of the operation key group 20 while the still image mark is displayed during the playback of the moving image (step S33), the still image is recorded (step S34). ). When the still image recording button is pressed, the control unit 6 sends a signal to that effect to the image processing unit 7. Based on the signal, the image processing section 7 compresses image data corresponding to an image displayed on the LCD 10 or the like when the still image recording button is pressed. The compressed still image is recorded on the memory card 8. Alternatively, it may be recorded on another recording medium connected to the digital camera. In the description of FIG. 5, a still image is recorded only when the still image mark is displayed, but a still image may be recorded even when the still image mark is not displayed.
[0091]
The above operation is performed until the reproduction of the moving image ends (step S36).
[0092]
As described in the second embodiment, when only the information on which the switch S2 is turned on is recorded as an additional signal when the switch S2 is turned on (step S20 in FIG. 4), the switch is turned on when the moving image is reproduced. The signal of S2 being turned on is detected, and an image having the detected header portion is recorded on the memory card 8 or the like.
[0093]
In the embodiment relating to the image reproduction described above, the detection of the flag for determining the use of a still image, the image compression, and the like are performed by a digital camera. However, another method, for example, a computer can be used to perform processing based on a program. . Hereinafter, a description will be given of a modified example of moving image reproduction using a personal computer and still image recording during moving image reproduction.
[0094]
FIG. 7 shows reproduction of a moving image using a personal computer.
[0095]
The memory card 8 or the recording medium 80 on which the contents are copied is inserted into the slot 101 of the personal computer 100. The moving image data is read from the inserted memory card 8 or the recording medium 80, and the moving image is reproduced according to the procedure of the image processing software installed in the personal computer 100. The image processing software describes at least an image reading / recording function, an image processing function of performing image compression / expansion, a flag detection function of still image use determination, a flag display function, a reproduced image display function, and a still image recording instruction function. I have.
[0096]
Comparing the constituent blocks of the image pickup apparatus (FIG. 1) with the functions described in the image processing software, the recording / reproducing unit 71 and the image reading / recording function perform image processing for performing image compression / decompression with the image processing unit 7. The function corresponds to the determination unit 61 and the flag detection function of still image use determination, the display unit 10 corresponds to the flag display function and the reproduced image display function, and the still image recording button 20 corresponds to the still image recording instruction function.
[0097]
The moving image data read by the image processing software is expanded from the compressed state according to the procedure of the image processing software. Also, the presence or absence of a flag is detected from the header part of the reproduced image. A still image mark is superimposed on the image for which the flag has been detected, and is displayed on the PC monitor 102. By displaying the still image mark, the moving image player can easily recognize whether the reproduced image can be used as a still image.
[0098]
For example, when the moving image player clicks the still image recording button 103 displayed on the PC monitor 102 using the mouse 104, the image displayed on the PC monitor 102 when the mouse 104 is clicked is displayed. The corresponding image data is compressed and recorded on a recording medium inserted into the slot 101 or another recording medium connected to the personal computer 100, such as an MO, DVD, hard disk, or the like. Further, data may be output to a printer (not shown) connected to the personal computer 100, and a still image may be printed by the printer.
[0099]
In the embodiment related to the image reproduction described above, the moving image recorded by the imaging device of the first embodiment and the second embodiment is reproduced, and it is determined that the imaging device can be used as a still image at the time of shooting. Since the information is displayed when the moving image is reproduced, the moving image reproducer can easily recognize that the information can be used as a still image. Further, when recording a still image, a still image at the moment intended by the operator can be easily obtained.
[0100]
As described above, according to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the imaging apparatus determines that an image being captured as a still image can be used as a still image under a predetermined condition. A beautiful moving image and a still image without noise can be obtained without using a shutter, and a smooth moving image can be obtained at the same time. In addition, since only the determination result determined by the determination unit corresponding to an image that can be used as a still image is recorded in the image, no load is applied to a circuit such as a signal processing circuit. There is no need to interrupt movie shooting. Also, moving image shooting is performed so that a still image without camera shake can be easily selected at the time of moving image reproduction.
[0101]
According to the invention of claim 6, the photographer can recognize that the image being photographed at the time of moving image photographing can be used as a still image. In addition, the display indicating that the image can be used as a still image can be used as a camera shake warning because it is a display indicating that camera shake has been suppressed. It is possible to shoot moving images without any problem.
[0102]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a still image can be obtained as required by a photographer during moving image shooting, and a still image is recorded based on a still image exposure program, so that a more beautiful still image can be obtained. . Also, moving image shooting is performed so that a still image without camera shake can be easily selected at the time of moving image reproduction.
[0103]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a moving picture reproducer can easily select and record a still image without camera shake.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing operation of the first embodiment for determining whether an image being photographed can be used as a still image during moving image photographing.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing moving image data recorded on a memory card 8;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting operation when a still image is recorded during moving image shooting according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a still image is recorded during reproduction of a moving image.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a reproduced moving image is displayed on a display unit 10 of the digital camera.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing moving image reproduction using a personal computer.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 lens
2 CCD
3 Timing generator
4 Signal processing unit
5 A / D converter
6 control unit
7 Image processing unit
8 Memory card
9 Image memory
10 Display
11 LCD driver
12 Lens drive unit
13 Flash memory
14 Camera shake detection unit
15 Image stabilizer
16 Flash unit
17 Still image release button
18 Photometry section
19 Movie start / stop button
20 operation keys
21 Zoom operation keys
61 Judge
71 Recording / playback unit
100 PC
101 slots
102 PC monitor
103 Still image recording button
104 mouse

Claims (8)

An imaging device having a function of capturing a moving image including a plurality of continuous images,
Having a determination unit that determines that an image forming a moving image can be used as a still image based on a predetermined determination condition during video shooting,
An imaging apparatus characterized in that when the determination means determines that the image can be used as a still image, information indicating the determination result of the determination means is recorded in association with the determined image. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a camera shake detection unit that detects occurrence of a camera shake at the time of capturing a moving image, wherein the determination unit makes a determination based on camera shake information detected by the camera shake detection unit. Camera shake detecting means for detecting the occurrence of camera shake at the time of shooting a moving image; 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made based on a correction amount corrected by the means. Shutter speed calculating means for calculating a shutter speed from subject brightness; and focal length detecting means for detecting a focal length of the imaging lens, wherein the determining means includes a shutter speed and a focal length detecting means calculated by the shutter speed calculating means. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made by comparing with a camera shake limit shutter speed calculated based on the focal length detected by the control unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines based on the number of pixels of the still image. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a result determined by the determination unit when capturing a moving image. An exposure program for shooting a moving image, an exposure program for shooting a still image, and operation means for instructing still image shooting during the shooting of a moving image. When the first operation of the operation means is performed during shooting of a moving image, The exposure program for shooting a moving image is changed to an exposure program for shooting a still image, and when the second operation of the operation means is performed, a still image is recorded based on the exposure program for a still image. Item 7. The imaging device according to any one of Items 1 to 6. An image reproducing apparatus to which a recording medium in which information indicating that it can be used as a still image is recorded together with an image can be mounted,
Image reading means for reading an image recorded on a recording medium,
Detecting means for detecting information indicating that recording is possible as a still image from a recording medium;
Display means for displaying information indicating that recording is possible as a still image detected by the detection means and a reproduced image,
Recording instruction means for instructing still image recording,
Having image recording means for recording the image instructed by the recording instruction means,
When information indicating that recording is possible as a still image is displayed together with the reproduced image on the display unit, when the recording instruction unit is operated, an image corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit is displayed by the image recording unit. An image reproducing apparatus recorded on a predetermined recording medium.

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