JP2004104222A - Imaging unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging unit capable of photographing an object and displaying an imaged object that attains live view display with high image quality while suppressing increase in the power consumption and a generated heat. <P>SOLUTION: An entire control unit 50 and an EVF display unit 100 are configured to be separate units, and the entire control unit 50 transmits image data to be displayed on an EVF 22 to the EVF display unit 100. The entire control unit 50 applies compression processing to the image data obtained from a CCD 41 and transmits compressed image data G12 to the EVF display unit 100. The EVF display unit 100 applies expansion processing to the compressed image data G12 received from the entire control section 50 and displays an image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【００９３】
例えば、表１に示すように、非圧縮転送表示において低解像度（画像サイズ：ＱＶＧＡ）の画像を表示する場合、９０ｆｐｓで表示画像の更新を行うことができるものとする。この場合において、高解像度（画像サイズ：ＶＧＡ）の画像を非圧縮転送表示すると、全体制御部５０からＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等に送出されるデータ量は４倍になるため、フレームレートは９０／４ｆｐｓとなる。つまり、転送すべきデータ量が増加するため、全体制御部５０の処理能力で、発熱量を抑制しつつデータ転送を行うためには、フレームレートを低下させなくてはならない。
【００９４】
これに対し、圧縮転送表示において低解像度（画像サイズ：ＱＶＧＡ）の画像を表示する場合、９０／（圧縮率）ｆｐｓで表示画像の更新を行うことが可能になる。圧縮率をＲとすると、一般にＲ＜１であるため、圧縮転送表示の低解像度表示では、高速フレームレートでの表示が可能になる。また、高解像度（画像サイズ：ＶＧＡ）の画像を圧縮転送表示すると、フレームレートは９０／４／（圧縮率）ｆｐｓとなる。この場合も、非圧縮転送表示の高解像度表示に比べて高速フレームレートでの表示が可能になる。
【００９５】
したがって、本実施形態のように、全体制御部５０から表示用画像を圧縮した状態で送出し、ＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等で圧縮画像データに対する伸長処理を行って画像表示を行うことで、全体制御部５０からＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等に対して画像データを送出するフレームレートを増加させることも可能になり、高品質な画像を高速フレームレートで更新しつつ、ライブビュー表示を行うことが可能になる。
【００９６】
また、本実施形態では、全体制御部５０とＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００又はＬＣＤ表示ユニット２００とは、それぞれ別ユニットとして構成されており、全体制御部５０がフレキシブル基板等によって形成される伝送路６０を介してＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等に圧縮画像データを出力するように構成されている。このため、データ量を低減させた状態でデータ転送を行うことができ、特に波形の折り返しひずみ等の問題が発生する可能性を低減した状態でデータ転送が行われるので、高い信頼性で表示用画像の伝送を行うことが可能である。また、これにより、全体制御部５０とＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００又はＬＣＤ表示ユニット２００との距離が比較的遠くなったとしても表示用の画像データは良好に伝達されるので、全体制御部５０、ＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００及びＬＣＤ表示ユニット２００の配置に関する自由度が増す。
【００９７】
また、本実施形態では、ＣＣＤ４１が縦方向及び横方向に複数の画素が配列され、ＥＶＦ２２等に表示させるための表示用画像データを生成する際には、縦方向に画素間引きを行いつつ表示用画像データを生成するように構成され、全体制御部５０において表示用画像データの横方向の画素配列に関して圧縮処理（データ縮小処理）が施される。一般には、ＣＣＤ４１から横方向のライン毎に画像の読み出し動作が行われるため、上記の処理はＣＣＤ４１からの読み出し動作に連動して行うことができ、より効率的な内部処理が可能なように構成されている。
【００９８】
また、本実施形態では、ＥＶＦ２２及びＬＣＤ２３は面順次表示方式で構成されており、Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂの各色を順次に高速で切り替えることによってカラー画像の表示を行うので、表示用画像のデータ量は特に多くなる。このため、全体制御部５０において圧縮処理を施した圧縮画像データをＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等に送出することが特に有効となる。
【００９９】
また、本実施形態では、全体制御部５０においてＣＣＤ４１から得られる画像データの解像度を変化させることができ、ＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等に入力する画像データの解像度が表示解像度と異なる解像度である場合には、画像データの解像度を表示解像度に適合させて画像表示を行うように構成されている。このため、解像度を低下させてデータ伝送効率を向上させつつも、ＥＶＦ２２やＬＣＤ２３に対しては表示解像度に適合させた画像表示を良好に行うことが可能である。
【０１００】
さらに、合焦動作を行う場合にはＣＣＤ４１から得られる画像データの解像度を高解像度に変化させ、合焦動作を行わない場合にはＣＣＤ４１から得られる画像データの解像度を低解像度に変化させることで、ユーザが高解像度の画像を視認する必要のない場合には消費電力や発熱量をさらに低減させることができ、ユーザが高解像度の画像を視認する必要がある場合には消費電力や発熱量の増加を抑制しつつも高解像度の画像データをＥＶＦ２２等に送出することができるようになる。
【０１０１】
また、本実施形態においては、全体制御部５０の圧縮部５７は、ＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等に送出する表示用画像データの圧縮処理を行うだけでなく、メモリカード９に対して記録する記録用画像データの圧縮処理を行うようにも構成されているため、それぞれに専用の圧縮部を設ける場合と比較すれば内部構成のコンパクト化を図ることが可能になる。また、ＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等において伸長処理を行うことができるので、メモリカード９に記録された画像を再生表示する際には、全体制御部５０がメモリカード９から画像データを取得してそのままＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００に送出することも可能である。
【０１０２】
＜２．第２の実施の形態＞
次に、本発明にかかる第２の実施の形態について説明する。本実施形態のデジタルカメラ１の構成及び内部構成は、図１乃至図５に示すものと同様である。また、本実施形態のデジタルカメラ１は、第１の実施の形態のデジタルカメラ１とは圧縮処理及び伸長処理が相違する。このため以下では、第１の実施の形態との相違点を中心に説明する。
【０１０３】
第１の実施の形態においては、圧縮部５７においていわゆるＪＰＥＧ方式による圧縮処理が施され、ＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等の伸長部１１０ではその逆変換が行われる場合を例示した。ＪＰＥＧ方式による圧縮では、単なる間引き処理等と比較すると画質の劣化は少ないが、圧縮率を上げればそれに応じて画質劣化は生じることになる。そこで、本実施形態では、完全可逆変換が可能ないわゆるＤＰＣＭ方式による圧縮処理・伸長処理を行うことで、より高画質な画像表示を可能にする例について説明する。
【０１０４】
図１２はＤＰＣＭによる圧縮処理及び伸長処理の概念を示す図であり、（ａ）は原画像における画素値を、（ｂ）は圧縮画像における画素値を示している。
【０１０５】
本実施形態の圧縮部５７では、図１２に示すように、ＣＣＤ４１から得られる画像データから、横方向（水平方向）Ｘに沿ったライン毎に隣接画素間での画素値の差分を求めることによって圧縮画像データが生成される。例えば、図１２（ａ）においてラインＬ１の１画素目（左端の画素）の画素値と２画素目の画素値との差分を求め、圧縮画像における２画素目の画素値とする。また２画素目の画素値と３画素目の画素値との差分を求め、その値を圧縮画像における３画素目の画素値とする。以下、これを繰り返す。さらに、ラインＬ２，Ｌ３，…の全てのラインについても同様の差分演算処理を繰り返し行うことで、図１２（ｂ）に示すような圧縮画像を生成する。
【０１０６】
上記のような差分演算を行うことで、１画素当たりの信号成分を低減することができ、全体制御部５０からＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００又はＬＣＤ表示ユニット２００に対してデータ量が低減された状態の圧縮画像が送出される。
【０１０７】
また、本実施形態のＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００及びＬＣＤ表示ユニット２００では、伸長部１１０において横方向（水平方向）Ｘに沿ったライン毎に隣接画素間での加算処理を行うことによって、圧縮画像から圧縮前の画像を復元する。例えば、図１２（ｂ）に示すような圧縮画像を入力すると、ラインＬ１の１画素目（左端の画素）の画素値と２画素目の画素値との加算演算を行い、圧縮前の状態の２画素目の画素値とする。また加算演算によって求められる２画素目の画素値と、入力する３画素目の画素値との加算演算を行うことにより、圧縮前の状態の３画素目の画素値とする。以下、これを繰り返す。さらに、ラインＬ２，Ｌ３，…の全てのラインについても同様の差分演算処理を繰り返し行うことで、図１２（ａ）に示すような圧縮前の画像を復元する。
【０１０８】
図１３は本実施形態での全体制御部５０における圧縮部５７の概略構成を示す図である。図１３に示すように、圧縮部５７は差分演算部５７６とメモリ５７７とを備えて構成される。差分演算部５７６は、横方向ラインに沿って順次入力する画素値をメモリ５７７に格納するとともに、隣接画素間での差分演算を行い、圧縮画像データを出力するように構成される。
【０１０９】
図１４は本実施形態でのＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００の概略構成を示す図であり、第１の実施の形態で説明した部材と同様の構成部材については同一符号を付している。なお、ＬＣＤ表示ユニット２００についても同様の構成である。
【０１１０】
本実施形態の伸長部１１０は、加算演算部１１６とメモリ１１７とを備えて構成され、横方向（水平方向）の隣接画素間での差分演算によって生成された圧縮画像データから圧縮前の画像を復元するための伸長処理が実行される。具体的には、全体制御部５０から伝送路６０を介して入力する表示用の圧縮画像データは、加算演算部１１６によってメモリ１１７に一時的に格納される。そして隣接画素間での加算演算（つまり圧縮部５７における圧縮処理の逆変換処理）を行うことで、圧縮前の画像が完全に復元された画像が生成される。
【０１１１】
このような圧縮・伸長処理は、完全可逆変換が可能であり、ＥＶＦ２２において表示される画像の画質は、全体制御部５０において生成されるライブビュー画像の画質と同等である。
【０１１２】
このため、本実施形態のように、全体制御部５０においてＣＣＤ４１から得られる画像データに基づいて隣接画素間での画素値の差分を求めることによって圧縮画像データを生成し、ＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等において圧縮画像データに含まれる画素値の差分から画像データを復元して画像表示を行うように構成することで、第１の実施の形態と同様の作用効果を得ることができるとともに、さらに高画質な画像表示を行うことが可能になる。
【０１１３】
また、圧縮部５７及び伸長部１１０の内部構成を比較しても明らかなように、本実施形態の場合には圧縮部５７及び伸長部１１０の構成が簡略化されるので、効率的な処理が可能になるとともに、各ユニットのコンパクト化を図ることができる。
【０１１４】
なお、上記説明においては、横方向（水平方向）に隣接する２画素間での画素値の差分を演算することによって圧縮処理を行う場合を例示したが、縦方向（垂直方向）に関する隣接画素間で差分値を求めることにより、圧縮処理を行うよういに構成してもよい。
【０１１５】
＜３．変形例＞
以上、本発明の実施の形態について説明してきたが、この発明は上記実施の形態にて説明した内容のものに限定されるものではなく様々な変形が可能である。
【０１１６】
例えば、上記説明においては、ＥＶＦ２２とＬＣＤ２３との双方がＶＧＡサイズの表示画素数を有している場合を例示したが、ＥＶＦ２２とＬＣＤ２３との表示解像度は異なっていてもよい。この場合において、ＥＶＦ２２がＶＧＡサイズの表示画素数を有しており、ＬＣＤ２３がＱＶＧＡサイズの表示画素数を有している場合、例えばＥＶＦ２２にて画像表示を行う際には全体制御部５０から圧縮画像データを送出し、ＬＣＤ２３によって画像表示を行う際には全体制御部５０から圧縮しない画像データを送出するようにしてもよい。ＬＣＤ２３がＱＶＧＡサイズであれば、表示用画像データのデータ量はそれほど多くはならないと考えられるからである。また、上記の場合において、ＬＣＤ２３に対しても圧縮画像データを送出するように構成し、ＬＣＤ２３に表示する際のフレームレートを上げるようにしてもよい。
【０１１７】
また、ライブビュー画像生成部５５３の解像度変換部５５３ａにおいて、画像の横方向（水平方向）のみに関して、ＥＶＦ２２又はＬＣＤ２３の表示画素数よりも少ない画素数の小さいライブビュー画像を生成し、全体制御部５０はそのライブビュー画像に対して圧縮処理を施して転送するように構成してもよい。この場合、ＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等において横方向に関する補間処理が行われて画像表示が行われる。同様に、画像の縦方向（垂直方向）のみに関してＥＶＦ２２又はＬＣＤ２３の表示画素数よりも少ない画素数の小さいライブビュー画像を生成し、全体制御部５０がそのライブビュー画像に対して圧縮処理を施してデータ転送するように構成してもよい。
【０１１８】
また、上記説明においては、自動解像度表示が選択されている場合、ユーザが操作部材１０に対する操作を行っていない撮影待機状態では、ＥＶＦ２２又はＬＣＤ２３に対して低解像度でライブビュー表示を行い、ユーザがシャッタボタン１１を操作して、Ｓ１状態に変化させたことに応答してＥＶＦ２２又はＬＣＤ２３に対する高解像度のライブビュー表示を行う場合を例示した。しかし、これに限定されるものではなく、ＡＦモードのＡＦ制御が開始された後、ピントがほぼ合った状態（合焦状態に近い状態）若しくはピントが完全に合った状態（合焦状態）で、高解像度のライブビュー表示に切り替えるようにしてもよい。このような表示制御を行えば、ユーザはピントが合ったことを容易かつ明確に把握することができ、デジタルカメラ１の操作性を向上させることができる。
【０１１９】
また、上記説明においては、デジタルカメラ１において全体制御部５０からＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等に対して表示用の画像を送出する際に、常に圧縮処理を施して圧縮転送表示を行う場合を例示したが、全体制御部５０からＥＶＦ表示ユニット１００等に対する画像転送モードとして、圧縮転送表示モードと非圧縮転送表示モードとを選択可能なように構成し、圧縮転送表示モードが選択設定されている場合に、上述したような圧縮転送表示処理を行うようにしてもよい。この場合、ユーザはメニューボタン１８と十字キー１９とを操作することで、圧縮転送表示モード及び非圧縮転送表示モードのいずれか一方を予めデジタルカメラ１に設定しておくことになる。
【０１２０】
また、上記説明においては、ＣＣＤ４１からドラフトモードで画像を読み出し、縦２４０本のサイズを有する画像を取得する場合（すなわち、ＣＣＤ４１から得られる画像の解像度が表示手段の縦解像度を下回る場合）を例示したが、これに限定されるものでもない。例えば、ＣＣＤ４１からの画像読み出しをＶＧＡサイズ（横６４０×縦４８０）以上の解像度で行うことによって高解像度の画像を取得し、画像処理部５５及び表示ユニット１００，２００ではＶＧＡサイズへの補間処理を行わず、そのままの画像サイズで或いは間引き処理を行った画像サイズで表示用画像を生成するように構成してもよい。
【０１２１】
また、上記説明においては、撮像装置の一形態としてデジタルカメラ１を例示したが、本発明の撮像装置はデジタルカメラに限定されるものではなく、例えば撮像機能付き携帯電話機等のような撮像装置であってもよい。
【０１２２】
さらに、上記実施形態で、電気的回路によって実現されるとした機能の全部又は一部は、ＣＰＵがプログラムに従って演算処理を行うことにより実現されてもよい。
【０１２３】
なお、上述した内容には以下の発明概念が含まれる。
【０１２４】
（１）　請求項１又は２に記載の撮像装置において、前記データ処理手段は、前記撮像素子から得られる前記画像データから隣接画素間での画素値の差分を求めることによって圧縮画像データを生成し、前記表示手段は、前記画素値の差分から前記画像データを復元して画像表示を行うことを特徴とする撮像装置。
【０１２５】
これにより、消費電力量の増加や発熱量を抑えつつ、さらに高画質な画像を表示することができる。また、効率的な処理や撮像装置のコンパクト化を実現することもできる。
【０１２６】
（２）　請求項１乃至５のいずれかに記載の撮像装置において、前記撮像素子から得られる前記画像データを記録する記録手段をさらに備え、前記データ処理手段において圧縮処理を施す圧縮手段は、前記記録手段に対して記録する記録用画像データの圧縮処理も行うように構成されることを特徴とする撮像装置。
【０１２７】
これにより、撮像装置の構成が簡略化され、コンパクト化を図ることが可能になる。また、表示手段において伸長処理を行うことができるので、記録手段に記録された画像を再生表示する際には、データ処理手段が伸長処理を行う必要はなく、記録手段に記録された画像をそのまま表示手段に送出することも可能である。
【０１２８】
（３）　請求項５に記載の撮像装置において、前記解像度変換手段は、合焦動作を行う場合に、前記撮像素子から得られる前記画像データの解像度を高解像度に変化させ、合焦動作を行わない場合に、前記撮像素子から得られる前記画像データの解像度を低解像度に変化させることを特徴とする撮像装置。
【０１２９】
これにより、ユーザが高解像度の画像を視認する必要がある場合には高解像度の画像が表示され、その必要性が低い場合には低解像度の画像を表示することができる。この結果、ユーザが高解像度の画像を視認する必要性が低い場合には、消費電力量の増加や発熱量を良好に抑えつつ、画像表示を行うことが可能になる。
【０１３０】
（４）　被写体を撮影して得られる画像を表示可能な撮像装置に対してインストール可能なプログラムであって、前記撮像装置に内蔵されるマイクロコンピュータによって実行されることにより、前記撮像装置を、請求項１乃至５のいずれか一つ又は上記（１）乃至（３）のいずれか一つに記載の撮像装置として機能させることを特徴とするプログラム。
【０１３１】
これにより、消費電力量の増加や発熱量を抑えつつ、高画質な画像表示を行うことのできる撮像装置を実現することができる。
【０１３２】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、請求項１に記載の発明によれば、データ処理手段が撮像素子から得られる画像データに対して圧縮処理を施して圧縮画像データを出力するように構成され、表示手段がデータ処理手段から入力する圧縮画像データに対して伸長処理を施して画像表示を行うように構成されるため、画像の画質低下を抑制しつつ、データ処理手段と表示手段との間で伝送されるデータ量を低減することができる。この結果、撮像装置において、消費電力量の増加や発熱量を抑えつつ、高画質な画像表示を行うことが可能になる。
【０１３３】
請求項２に記載の発明によれば、データ処理手段と表示手段とが別ユニットとして構成され、データ処理手段は、表示手段と電気的に接続される伝送手段を介して圧縮画像データを出力するので、波形の折り返しひずみ等の問題が発生する可能性を低減しつつ、画像データの出力が行われることになる。また、データ処理手段及び表示手段の配置に関する自由度が増すことになる。
【０１３４】
請求項３に記載の発明によれば、撮像素子は、縦方向及び横方向に複数の画素が配列され、表示手段に表示させるための表示用画像データを生成する際には、縦方向に画素間引きを行いつつ表示用画像データを生成するように構成され、データ処理手段は、表示用画像データにおける横方向の画素配列に関して圧縮処理を施すように構成されるので、圧縮処理は撮像素子からの表示用画像データの生成動作に連動して行うことができ、より効率的な圧縮処理が可能になる。
【０１３５】
請求項４に記載の発明によれば、表示手段が、面順次表示方式によってカラー画像の表示を行うように構成されるので、表示用の画像のデータ量は特に多くなるが、画像の画質低下を抑制しつつ、データ処理手段と表示手段との間で伝送されるデータ量を低減することができるため、消費電力量の増加や発熱量を抑えつつ、高画質な画像表示を行うことが可能である。
【０１３６】
請求項５に記載の発明によれば、表示手段が、データ処理手段から入力する画像データの解像度が表示解像度と異なる解像度である場合、画像データの解像度を表示解像度に適合させて画像表示を行うように構成されるため、データ処理手段は表示解像度よりも解像度を低下させて画像データを送出することができ、データ処理手段と表示手段との間で伝送されるデータ量をさらに低減することが可能である。この結果、消費電力量の増加や発熱量をさらに抑えることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】デジタルカメラの要部構成を示す正面図である。
【図２】デジタルカメラの要部構成を示す上面図である。
【図３】デジタルカメラの要部構成を示す背面図である。
【図４】デジタルカメラの内部構成を機能ブロックとして示す図である。
【図５】画像処理部で実現される機能をそれぞれ機能ブロックとして示す図である。
【図６】第１の実施の形態における圧縮部の内部機能を示すブロック図である。
【図７】第１の実施の形態におけるＥＶＦ表示ユニットの構成を示すブロック図である。
【図８】自動解像度表示が選択されている場合の撮影モードにおける表示動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図９】低解像度でライブビュー表示を行う場合の内部動作を模式的に示す図である。
【図１０】高解像度でライブビュー表示を行う場合の第１の内部動作を模式的に示す図である。
【図１１】高解像度でライブビュー表示を行う場合の第２の内部動作を模式的に示す図である。
【図１２】第２の実施の形態における圧縮処理及び伸長処理の概念を示す図である。
【図１３】第２の実施の形態における圧縮部の概略構成を示す図である。
【図１４】第２の実施の形態におけるＥＶＦ表示ユニットの概略構成を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１　デジタルカメラ（撮像装置）
２２　ＥＶＦ（電子ビューファインダ）
２３　ＬＣＤ（液晶ディスプレイ）
４１　ＣＣＤ（撮像素子）
５０　全体制御部（データ処理手段）
５５　画像処理部
５７　圧縮部
６０　伝送路
１００　ＥＶＦ表示ユニット（表示手段）
１１０　伸長部
１２０　補間処理部
１３０　ＲＧＢ変換部
１４０　セレクタ
２００　ＬＣＤ表示ユニット（表示手段）
５５３　ライブビュー画像生成部
５５３ａ　解像度変換部（解像度変換手段）[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device such as a digital camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there is a technique for improving the operability of a digital camera by shortening a time during which a live view display for displaying a real-time subject image is not displayed by devising a processing timing during imaging (for example, See Patent Document 1.).
[0003]
By the way, in recent years, while the number of pixels of an image sensor has been increasing, there has been a demand for an improvement in image quality of a display image in live view display, and the number of display pixels in a display device has also been increasing. For this reason, the data amount of the display image transmitted to the display device for performing the live view display is increasing.
[0004]
In recent years, the data processing capability of a processing device (such as a CPU) has also been improved. For example, by increasing the scale of the processing device or increasing the internal clock, it is possible to cope with an increase in the data amount of a display image. .
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-238106 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when considering an imaging device as a portable device, such as a general digital camera, it is necessary to reduce the power consumption and the amount of internal heat generation. On the other hand, it may be difficult to cope with the problem by increasing the scale of the processing device or increasing the internal clock.
[0007]
Also, in order to perform live view display well, it is necessary to transmit a large amount of display images from the processing device to the display device at high speed. For example, the processing device and the display device are connected by a transmission path such as a flexible substrate. In such a case, a problem such as aliasing distortion of a waveform occurs, so that a high-frequency image signal cannot be transmitted.
[0008]
In other words, it has been difficult to improve the image quality in live view display even if the technology for improving the performance of the processing device or the technology disclosed in the above publication is adopted.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an imaging device capable of performing high-quality live view display while suppressing an increase in power consumption and a calorific value.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an imaging device capable of photographing and displaying a subject, comprising: an imaging device that captures a subject to generate image data; Data processing means for performing compression processing on the image data to be output, and outputting compressed image data; display means for performing image expansion processing on the compressed image data input from the data processing means to display an image; It comprises.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the first aspect, the data processing unit and the display unit are configured as separate units, and the data processing unit is electrically connected to the display unit. It is configured to output the compressed image data via the transmission means.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the first or second aspect, the image sensor has a plurality of pixels arranged in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, and a display image to be displayed on the display unit. When generating data, the display image data is generated while performing pixel thinning in the vertical direction, and the data processing unit performs a compression process on a horizontal pixel array in the display image data. It is characterized by applying.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the display means displays a color image by a frame sequential display method.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the data processing unit includes a resolution conversion unit that changes a resolution of the image data obtained from the imaging device, The display means, when the resolution of the image data input from the data processing means is different from the display resolution, performs image display by adapting the resolution of the image data to the display resolution. .
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
<1. First Embodiment>
<1-1. Digital Camera Configuration>
FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are diagrams showing a main part configuration of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 correspond to a front view, a top view, and a rear view, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the digital camera 1 mainly includes a camera body 2 and a photographing lens 3.
[0017]
The photographing lens 3 is configured as a zoom lens including a plurality of lens groups, and a photographing magnification (focal length) can be changed by rotating a zoom ring 31 provided on a peripheral portion thereof. The photographing lens 3 is provided with a macro switching lever 32, and the macro switching can be performed by sliding the macro switching lever 32. The digital camera 1 employs a mechanical shutter system, and a mechanical shutter (not shown) is provided at an appropriate position inside the taking lens 3.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, a grip portion 4 is provided at the left end on the front surface of the camera main body portion 2 and a built-in flash 5 is provided at the upper right portion. As shown in FIG. Is provided with a shutter button 11. The shutter button 11 is a two-stage switch capable of detecting a half-pressed state (S1 state) and a fully-pressed state (S2 state) as employed in a silver halide camera. The half-press operation (operation to the S1 state) of the shutter button 11 is a trigger for starting AF (autofocus) control, and the full-press operation (operation to the S2 state) captures an image for recording. Instructions for shooting.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, on the right side of the upper surface of the camera main body 2, a dial type for switching on / off the power and switching an operation mode among a “photographing mode”, a “playback mode”, and a “communication mode”. Main switch 15 is provided.
[0020]
The photographing mode is an operation mode in which a subject is photographed, image data (hereinafter, also appropriately referred to as “image”) is acquired, and the acquired image data is recorded on the memory card 9. The reproduction mode is an operation mode in which image data recorded on the memory card 9 is read out and reproduced and displayed. The communication mode is an operation mode for performing communication such as transferring image data to an external computer via a USB terminal 27 provided on the back of the camera body 2.
[0021]
On the left side of the main switch 15, a data panel 21 for displaying various setting information of the digital camera 1 is provided so that the setting information of the digital camera 1 can be easily grasped.
[0022]
A function dial 16 and a function button 16a for setting various items are provided above the side of the digital camera 1. After setting the item to be set by the function dial 16, by turning the selection dial 12 above the grip unit 4 while pressing the function button 16 a, the setting content of the set item can be sequentially changed.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 3, a live view display for displaying a real-time subject image in a photographing standby state, a reproduction display of recorded image data, a display of various setting information, and the like are performed on the rear left side of the camera body 2. Viewfinder (EVF) 22 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 23 are provided. As the EVF 22 and the LCD 23, a liquid crystal of a screen sequential display method for sequentially displaying each color of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) at high speed is adopted. The EVF 22 and the LCD 23 have, for example, 640 × 480 display pixels corresponding to VGA, and are configured to display a high-resolution image. The EVF 22 and the LCD 23 can change the frame rate, and the frame rate is changed as needed.
[0024]
The display on the EVF 22 and the display on the LCD 23 can be switched by operating the display switching lever 17 on the right side of the EVF 22. A central portion of the display switching lever 17 is an information display switching button 17a, so that when image data is displayed on the LCD 23 or the EVF 22, it is possible to switch whether to simultaneously display setting information and the like. It has become.
[0025]
On the right side of the LCD 23, a menu button 18 and a cross key 19 are provided. The cross key 19 includes an upper switch 19U, a lower switch 19D, a quad switch including a left switch 19L and a right switch 19R, and a center button 19C. When the menu button 18 is pressed, a setting menu is displayed on the LCD 23. By operating the cross key 19 while referring to the setting menu, basic settings of the digital camera 1 can be made.
[0026]
For example, the digital camera 1 is configured so that the display state on the EVF 22 or the LCD 23 can be selected from a high-resolution display, a low-resolution display, and an automatic resolution display. By operating the user, the display state on the EVF 22 or the LCD 23 is set to a desired state.
[0027]
A quick view / erase button 20 is provided below the cross key 19. The quick view / erase button 20 functions as a quick view button for performing a simple playback display of the image data captured immediately before in the shooting mode, and an erase button for deleting the image data being played back from the memory card 9 in the playback mode. Function as
[0028]
A battery chamber 24 is provided below the camera body 2. The battery compartment 24 is opened with a battery compartment release lever 24a, and four AA batteries are loaded. The portable digital camera 1 uses an AA battery loaded in the battery compartment 24 as a normal drive source, but is supplied from the outside through a power input terminal 25 provided on the right side of the battery compartment 24. It is also possible to use a DC power supply as a drive source.
[0029]
A video output terminal 26 is provided on the right side of the power input terminal 25 so that image data can be transferred to an external monitor and displayed.
[0030]
Further, a card slot 29 is provided inside the camera body 2, and a memory card 9 for recording image data and the like can be inserted and mounted from the side of the camera body 2. An access lamp 28 for indicating that the memory card 9 is being accessed is arranged near the insertion slot of the card slot 29.
[0031]
<1-2. Internal structure of digital camera>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main internal configuration of the digital camera 1 as functional blocks.
[0032]
The CCD 41 is an image pickup device having a two-dimensional pixel array in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and includes, for example, 2560 × 1920 pixels. The CCD 41 photoelectrically converts the optical image of the subject formed by the photographing lens 3 into an image signal (a signal composed of a signal sequence of pixel signals received by each pixel) and outputs the image signal. The image pickup surface of the CCD 41 has a pixel array corresponding to each color component in a Bayer array, and each pixel is one of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) corresponding to the Bayer array. It is configured to detect a luminance component for.
[0033]
The CCD 41 has, as an output mode of an image signal, a frame mode for outputting image data having all pixels of 2560 × 1920 and a 2560 × 240 image in which pixels in the vertical direction (vertical direction) are thinned out to 1/8. And a draft mode for outputting low-resolution image data having pixels. When acquiring simple image data for live view, enter the draft mode for speeding up.When acquiring image data for recording after instructing shooting, it is necessary to acquire a high-definition image, so frame mode Are set respectively. Then, image signals are sequentially output from the CCD 41 in accordance with the pixel arrangement arranged in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction).
[0034]
The signal processing circuit 42 performs predetermined signal processing on an image signal (analog signal) output from the CCD 41. The signal processing circuit 42 has therein a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit, an AGC (auto gain control) circuit, an A / D converter, etc., and reduces noise of an image signal by the CDS circuit. The level of the image signal is adjusted by adjusting the gain of. Further, the A / D converter converts the analog signal for each pixel into a digital signal of, for example, 12 bits.
[0035]
The image data output from the signal processing circuit 42 has a Bayer format in which each pixel value has only one of RGB color components corresponding to the Bayer array. This image data is transferred via the bus line 45 inside the digital camera 1 and input to the overall control unit 50.
[0036]
The timing generator 43 generates and outputs a drive control signal to the CCD 41 and the signal processing circuit 42 based on a signal input from the overall control unit 50. For example, a signal such as a timing signal for instructing start or stop of integration of the received light amount, an output control signal of an image signal (including a signal for changing an output mode to a draft mode or a frame mode), and the like are generated. Output to the processing circuit 42.
[0037]
When the digital camera 1 acquires image data for live view, the CCD 41 and the like are set so that the acquisition rate is, for example, 30 fps (frames per second) (to acquire image data every 1/30 second). , And sends a drive control signal. When acquiring image data for recording, the CCD 41 and the like transmit a drive control signal for photographing an image for recording.
[0038]
The lens driving unit 33 drives a lens group included in the photographing lens 3, an aperture for adjusting the amount of incident light, and a mechanical shutter based on a signal input from the overall control unit 50.
[0039]
The lens drive unit 33 drives the photographing lens 3 so that the digital camera 1 can perform automatic focusing control (AF control). However, the configuration is such that the user can manually guide the photographing lens 3 to bring the subject image into a focused state. That is, the digital camera 1 is configured to be able to switch between AF (auto focus) and MF (manual focus).
[0040]
The operation member 10 includes the above-described shutter button 11, function dial 16, menu button 18, cross key 19, and the like. When the user performs an operation on the operation member 10, the content of the operation is input to the overall control unit 50 as a signal. Information set by the operation member 10 is stored in the RAM 53 or the like in the overall control unit 50.
[0041]
The overall control unit 50 has a control function for integrally controlling the entire apparatus of the digital camera 1 and also has a data processing function for performing various data processing, and includes a microcomputer. Specifically, a CPU 51 as a main body, a ROM 52 for storing a control program and the like, and a RAM 53 as a work area are provided, and each is connected by a bus line 45. Further, the overall control unit 50 includes a bus controller 54, an image processing unit 55, a video controller 56, a compression unit 57, a memory card controller 58, and a serial interface (I / F) 59. Connected via
[0042]
The bus controller 54 is connected to the image memory 44 that stores various types of image data, and controls transfer via the bus line 45 between each processing unit of the overall control unit 50 and the image memory 44. . When there are a plurality of requests for transfer via the bus line 45, the bus controller 54 has an arbitration function that arbitrates these requests and satisfies each request.
[0043]
The bus controller 54 also has a function as a DMA controller. In response to a request from each processing unit of the overall control unit 50, the bus controller 54 performs processing of the CPU 51 between the processing unit that has made the request and the image memory 44. Direct image data transfer (so-called DMA transfer) is performed without intervention.
[0044]
The image processing unit 55 is configured to perform various image processing on the image data acquired by the CCD 41. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the functions realized by the image processing unit 55 as functional blocks. As shown in FIG. 5, main functions of the image processing unit 55 are expressed as a data correction unit 551, a color interpolation conversion unit 552, and a live view image generation unit 553.
[0045]
The data correction unit 551 performs various correction processes such as black level correction, white balance correction, and γ correction on the image data. An appropriate correction process is performed for each image data based on the parameters set by the CPU 51.
[0046]
The color interpolation conversion unit 552 performs a pixel interpolation process such that each pixel of the image data in the Bayer format has data on all RGB color components. Further, each pixel value represented by the RGB value is converted into a YCrCb value including a luminance component and a color difference component. As a result, the YCrCb format image data is output from the color interpolation conversion unit 552.
[0047]
The live view image generation unit 553 inputs image data expressed in the YCrCb format, and displays image data for displaying a real-time image of a subject on the EVF 22 or the LCD 23 as a live view (hereinafter, also referred to as a “live view image”). ). The live view image generation unit 553 includes a resolution conversion unit 553a, and converts the resolution of image data displayed on the EVF 22 or the LCD 23. Specifically, the image data obtained from the CCD 41 is converted into a VGA size which is a display resolution of the EVF 22 or the LCD 23, or a QVGA size (320 × 240) which is lower than the display resolution of the EVF 22 or the LCD 23. It has a function to convert to resolution.
[0048]
For example, when performing the live view, as described above, the CCD 41 is set to the draft mode, and the image data having the image size of 2560 × 240 in which the 1/8 thinning is performed in the vertical direction is read out. From this image data, a live view image having a resolution of VGA size or QVGA size is generated in the live view image generation unit 553.
[0049]
Note that in order to generate a VGA size live view image from an image of 2560 × 240, a live view image generation unit 553 needs to perform interpolation processing in the vertical direction and perform resolution reduction processing in the horizontal direction. However, when the interpolation processing is performed in the vertical direction, the amount of data transmitted from the overall control unit 50 to the EVF display unit 100 or the LCD display unit 200 may increase. For this reason, it is preferable that the interpolation processing in the vertical direction is performed in the EVF display unit 100 or the LCD display unit 200. Therefore, in this case, the live view image does not become a VGA size live view image, but becomes a live view image having an image size of 640 (horizontal) × 240 (vertical).
[0050]
Returning to FIG. 4, the compression unit 57 performs compression processing on the live view image obtained from the image processing unit 55 during live view display. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal functions of the compression section 57. The compression unit 57 includes a DCT unit 571, a quantization unit 572, a Huffman encoding unit 573, a quantization table 574, and a Huffman table 575, and performs compression processing at a predetermined compression rate by a so-called JPEG method. . Specifically, the live view image obtained from the image processing unit 55 at the time of live view display is subjected to discrete cosine transform in the DCT unit 571, and quantization is performed in the quantization unit 572 based on the quantization table 574. Then, the Huffman encoding unit 573 performs encoding processing based on the Huffman table 575, thereby generating compressed image data. Such a compression process can reduce the data amount while suppressing image quality deterioration.
[0051]
Further, the compression unit 57 is configured to perform a compression process according to the JPEG method on the image data for recording obtained from the CCD 41 after the photographing instruction is given.
[0052]
The video controller 56 outputs image data to be displayed to the EVF display unit 100 or the LCD display unit 200 based on the setting of the display switching lever 17. When displaying the live view image, the compressed image data subjected to the compression processing by the compression unit 57 is output to the EVF display unit 100 or the LCD display unit 200.
[0053]
The video controller 56 is also configured to output an image signal to the external monitor 62. When the external monitor 62 is connected to the digital camera 1, the video controller 56 performs signal conversion to a system such as NTSC or PAL. Thereafter, an image signal is output through the video output terminal 26.
[0054]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the EVF display unit 100. The EVF display unit 100 is configured as a separate unit from the overall control unit 50, and the EVF display unit 100 and the overall control unit 50 are electrically connected to each other via a transmission path 60 formed by a flexible substrate or the like inside the digital camera 1. Connected.
[0055]
The EVF display unit 100 includes a decompression unit 110, an interpolation processing unit 120, an RGB conversion unit 130, a selector 140, and an EVF 22, and inputs display compressed image data input from the overall control unit 50 to the EVF 22. And has the function of displaying images.
[0056]
The decompression unit 110 includes a Huffman decoding unit 111, an inverse quantization unit 112, an inverse DCT unit 113, a Huffman table 114, and a quantization table 115. The image data compressed by the so-called JPEG method is in a state before compression. A decompression process is performed for restoring the image. Specifically, the display compressed image data input from the overall control unit 50 via the transmission path 60 is subjected to decoding processing based on the Huffman table 114 in the Huffman decoding unit 111, and the inverse quantization unit 112 , An inverse quantization process based on the quantization table 115 is performed. Then, the inverse DCT unit 113 performs an inverse transform of the discrete cosine transform. Here, the Huffman table 114 and the quantization table 115 have the same contents as the Huffman table 575 and the quantization table 574 in the compression unit 57, and the live view image generated in the image processing unit 55 is reproduced by the decompression processing. Is done. That is, the live view image expressed in the YCrCb format is reproduced by the decompression unit 110. The live view image thus obtained is provided to the interpolation processing unit 120.
[0057]
The interpolation processing unit 120 performs an interpolation process for adjusting the resolution of the live view image to the display resolution of the EVF 22. For example, when the live view image of the QVGA size has been generated in the live view image generation unit 553 of the overall control unit 50, the interpolation processing unit 120 functions to perform the interpolation processing, thereby obtaining the resolution of the live view image. Is converted from the QVGA size to the VGA size. However, when the live view image of the VGA size is generated in the live view image generation unit 553 of the overall control unit 50, the live view image of the VGA size is obtained by the decompression process. Instead, the live view image to be input is provided to the RGB conversion unit 130 as it is.
[0058]
When a live view image having an image size of 640 (horizontal) × 240 (vertical) is input from the overall control unit 50, the interpolation processing unit 120 performs an interpolation process in the vertical direction to obtain a VGA of 640 × 480 (vertical). A live view image of the size will be generated.
[0059]
The RGB conversion unit 130 converts the live view image expressed in the YCrCb format into the RGB format, and generates VGA size image data for each of the RGB color components. Each image data for the three colors R, G, and B is output to the selector 140.
[0060]
The selector 140 sequentially outputs the image data of each color of R, G, B to the EVF 22. As described above, since the EVF 22 is of the frame sequential display system, the color image is displayed at high speed by switching the display state of each color at high speed based on the image data of each color of R, G, and B sequentially provided from the selector 140. Display in detail.
[0061]
As described above, the EVF display unit 100 is configured to perform a decompression process on the compressed image data obtained from the overall control unit 50 to display a color image.
[0062]
Note that the configuration of the LCD display unit 200 is also substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 7, and the detailed configuration of the LCD display unit 200 is obtained by replacing the EVF 22 in FIG.
[0063]
Returning to FIG. 4, the memory card controller 58 controls input and output of data with the memory card 9 mounted on the digital camera 1. When recording the image data, a name of a predetermined format is added, and the image data is recorded as an image file.
[0064]
The above-described timing generator 43, lens driving unit 33, and operation member 10 are electrically connected to a bus line 45 via a serial interface 59, respectively. This allows the CPU 51 to transmit various signals to these members and perform control, while receiving various signals output from these members.
[0065]
The image data processed in each processing unit of the overall control unit 50 is temporarily stored in the image memory 44. Therefore, areas for storing the processed image data are secured in the image memory 44. For example, when live view display is performed, image data obtained by thinning out 1/8 in the vertical direction from the CCD 41 is temporarily stored in the image memory 44, and then the image processing unit 55 reads the image data from the image memory 44. The acquired live view image is generated and stored in the image memory 44 again. Then, the compression unit 57 acquires the live view image from the image memory 44, performs a compression process, and stores the image in the image memory 44 again. The video controller 56 acquires a compressed live view image from the image memory 44 at a predetermined frame rate, and sends it to the EVF display unit 100 or the like, thereby realizing live view display.
[0066]
The overall control of the digital camera 1 by the overall control unit 50 is performed by the CPU 51 performing an arithmetic operation in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 52. Functions realized by such a control program include, in addition to the above-described operation control of each unit of the digital camera 1, exposure control for determining exposure conditions such as an aperture value and a shutter speed, and focusing of a lens group of the photographing lens 3. AF control for determining a position, image processing control for determining various parameters in the image processing unit 55, and the like are included.
[0067]
It should be noted that such a control program can be read out from a memory card (which stores the control program) 9 as a recording medium and newly stored (installed).
[0068]
<1-3. Display Operation in Shooting Mode>
Next, a display operation in the photographing mode of the digital camera 1 will be described. First, a case where the automatic resolution display is selected in the digital camera 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a display operation in the photographing mode when the automatic resolution display is selected. In the following description, it is assumed that the live view display is set on the EVF 22 by the display switching lever 17, but the same applies to the case where the live view display is performed on the LCD 23.
[0069]
When the digital camera 1 is set to the shooting mode, first, it is determined whether the AF mode or the MF mode is set as the focus mode (step ST1). If the AF mode has been set, the process proceeds to step ST2, and if the MF mode has been set, the process proceeds to step S7.
[0070]
In the case of the AF mode, the CCD 41 is set to the draft mode, enters a shooting standby state, and the live view display is started. At this time, the live view image generation unit 553 of the overall control unit 50 sets the internal state so as to generate a live view image at a low resolution of QVGA size, and the shutter button 11 is set to the S1 state (half-pressed state). Until the above, live view display at a low resolution is performed (step ST2).
[0071]
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing an internal operation of the digital camera 1 when performing live view display at a low resolution. When the image is read out from the CCD 41 in the draft mode, image data G10 in a Bayer arrangement of 2560 × 240 pixels is input to the overall control unit 50. The image data G10 is converted into a low-resolution, ie, QVGA size (320 × 240) live view image G11 by predetermined image processing and live view image generation processing. For example, by performing 1/8 data reduction processing (a kind of compression processing) only in the horizontal direction, a live view image G11 of QVGA size is generated. The live view image G11 is subjected to data compression by a compression process, and compressed image data G12 having a smaller data amount than the live view image G11 is generated. The overall control unit 50 sends out the compressed image data G12 to the EVF display unit 100.
[0072]
Upon receiving the compressed image data G12, the EVF display unit 100 performs a decompression process to restore the live view image G13. Since the decompression process is a process corresponding to the inverse conversion of the compression process in the overall control unit 50, the live view image G13 obtained by the decompression process is substantially the same as the live view image G11 generated by the overall control unit 50. Restored to state. Since the display size of the EVF 22 is VGA while the live view image G13 has a QVGA size, interpolation processing such as linear interpolation is performed in each of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the live view image adapted to the display size of the EVF 22 is displayed. An image G14 is generated. Thereafter, color conversion and the like are performed, and the live view image G14 is displayed on the EVF 22.
[0073]
By repeating the above processing at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 90 fps), an image having a resolution lower than the display resolution is displayed on the EVF 22 as a live view. For example, the image data displayed on the EVF 22 is updated 90 times per second (however, an image of each color alone is updated by 90 × 3 = 270 times because of the frame sequential display method), and the live view display is performed.
[0074]
Generally, in a shooting standby state in which the user performs a framing operation or the like, it is not necessary to confirm a high-definition image. Therefore, by transmitting the low-resolution image data in a compressed state to the EVF display unit 100 from the overall control unit 50, the amount of data transmission for live view display can be reduced. Therefore, data transmission can be performed efficiently, and the need to increase the scale of the overall control unit 50 and the need to increase the internal clock are reduced, thereby increasing power consumption and heat generation. Instead, an image can be displayed on the EVF 22.
[0075]
Next, when the shutter button 11 is set to the S1 state (half-pressed state) (YES in step ST3), the digital camera 1 starts AF control. At this time, since the user needs to visually recognize the in-focus state of the subject image, live view display with high resolution is performed (step ST4). That is, the live view image generation unit 553 of the overall control unit 50 sets an internal state so as to generate a live view image with a high resolution of VGA size, and performs a live view display at a high resolution.
[0076]
FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first internal operation of the digital camera 1 when performing live view display at a high resolution. As the image is read out from the CCD 41 in the draft mode, image data G20 in a Bayer arrangement of 2560 × 240 is input to the overall control unit 50. The image data G20 is converted into a live view image G21 of high resolution, that is, a VGA size (640 × 480) by predetermined image processing and live view image generation processing. For example, a VGA size live view image G21 is generated by performing a 1/4 data reduction process (a kind of compression process) in the horizontal direction and a 2x data expansion in the vertical direction. The live view image G21 is subjected to data compression by a compression process, and compressed image data G22 having a smaller data amount than the live view image G21 is generated. The overall control unit 50 sends the compressed image data G22 to the EVF display unit 100.
[0077]
Upon receiving the compressed image data G22, the EVF display unit 100 performs a decompression process to restore the live view image G23. Since the decompression process is a process corresponding to the inverse conversion of the compression process in the overall control unit 50, the live view image G23 obtained by the decompression process is substantially the same as the live view image G21 generated by the overall control unit 50. Restored to state. Since the live view image G23 has a VGA size suitable for the display size of the EVF 22, it is not necessary to perform the interpolation processing in the EVF display unit 100. Then, color conversion and the like are performed, and the live view image G23 is displayed on the EVF 22.
[0078]
By repeating the above processing at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 90 fps), an image having a high resolution equivalent to the display resolution is displayed on the EVF 22 as a live view. By visually recognizing the image, it is possible to easily confirm the state of the details of the subject. Also, when performing a high-resolution live view display, the high-resolution image data is sent from the overall control unit 50 to the EVF display unit 100 in a compressed state. It is possible to reduce the amount of data transmission of a complicated image. Therefore, data transmission can be performed efficiently, and the need to increase the scale of the overall control unit 50 and the need to increase the internal clock are reduced, thereby increasing power consumption and heat generation. Therefore, it is possible to display a high-definition image on the EVF 22.
[0079]
Next, FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second internal operation of the digital camera 1 when performing live view display at a high resolution. When the image is read out from the CCD 41 in the draft mode, the overall control unit 50 receives the image data G30 in the Bayer arrangement of 2560 × 240 pixels. The image data G30 is converted into an image G31 by predetermined image processing and live view image generation processing. This image G31 is generated as an image size of 640 (horizontal) × 240 (vertical). For example, data reduction processing (a kind of compression processing) is performed only in the horizontal direction of an image G30 obtained by thinning out 1/8 in the vertical direction from the CCD 41 in the draft mode, and an image G31 is generated. The image G31 is subjected to data compression by a compression process, and compressed image data G32 having a smaller data amount than the image G31 is generated. The overall control unit 50 sends the compressed image data G32 to the EVF display unit 100.
[0080]
Upon receiving the compressed image data G32, the EVF display unit 100 restores the image G33 by performing decompression processing. Since the decompression process is a process corresponding to the inverse conversion of the compression process in the general control unit 50, the image G33 obtained by the decompression process is restored to a state substantially similar to the image G31 generated by the general control unit 50. You. Then, by performing an interpolation process in the vertical direction, the image G33 is converted into a VGA size live view image 34 suitable for the display size of the EVF 22. Thereafter, color conversion and the like are performed, and the live view image G34 is displayed on the EVF 22.
[0081]
By repeating the above processing at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 90 fps), an image having a high resolution equivalent to the display resolution is displayed on the EVF 22 as a live view. By visually recognizing the image, it is possible to easily confirm the state of the details of the subject. Also in this case, the high-resolution image data is sent from the overall control unit 50 to the EVF display unit 100 in a compressed state, so that the power consumption required for data transmission for live view display is reduced. And the amount of heat generation is suppressed.
[0082]
In the high-resolution display, any of the first and second operations may be adopted. In the case of the second operation, the EVF display unit 100 compresses an image having a smaller data amount in the vertical direction of the image. The second operation is more preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the power consumption and the heat generation, since the data transmission is performed in the same manner as described above.
[0083]
Returning to FIG. 8, when the shutter button 11 is set to the S2 state (fully pressed state) and the photographing process ends (YES in step ST5), the digital camera 1 returns to the photographing standby state. At this time, the live view image generation unit 553 of the overall control unit 50 changes the setting of the internal state so as to generate the live view image again at the low resolution of the QVGA size, and performs the live view display at the low resolution (step ST6). ). The live view operation here is the same as that shown in FIG.
[0084]
Then, it is determined whether or not the user has performed a switching operation from the shooting mode to another mode (step ST8), and when the shooting mode is ended, the operation shifts to another operation mode (step ST9). On the other hand, if the user has not performed the mode switching operation, the process returns to step ST1, and the above operation is repeated.
[0085]
On the other hand, if the MF mode has been set in step ST1, the live view image generation unit 553 of the overall control unit 50 changes the setting of the internal state so as to generate a live view image with high resolution, and FIG. Alternatively, live view display with high resolution is performed by the internal operation shown in FIG. 11 (step ST7).
[0086]
In the case of the MF mode, the user needs to visually recognize the details of the image in order to determine whether or not the in-focus state of the subject has been realized in order to realize the in-focus state by manual operation. By performing live view display at a high resolution, it is possible to meet the demand.
[0087]
As described above, when the automatic resolution display is selected in the digital camera 1, the high-resolution image is displayed on the EVF 22 when the necessity of visually recognizing the high-resolution image is high, and when the necessity is low. Displays a low-resolution image on the EVF 22.
[0088]
Next, when high-resolution display or low-resolution display is selected in the digital camera 1, an image is displayed on the EVF 22 in a state where it is always selected. When the high-resolution display is selected, a high-resolution image is always displayed on the EVF 22 by the internal operation shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11, and when the low-resolution display is selected, the image shown in FIG. The low resolution image is always displayed on the EVF 22 by the internal operation shown in FIG.
[0089]
As described above, the first embodiment has been described. In the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, the image data obtained from the CCD 41 is subjected to compression processing, and the obtained compressed image data is displayed on the EVF display unit 100. And the LCD display unit 200. The EVF display unit 100 and the LCD display unit 200 are configured to perform an expansion process on the input compressed image data to display an image. . In other words, the amount of data to be transmitted to the EVF display unit 100 or the like is reduced by the compression process, and the image before compression is restored by the decompression process in the EVF display unit 100 or the like. As compared with the case, in the case of the present embodiment, the amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced without lowering the image quality. Therefore, efficient data transfer is possible without deteriorating the display image quality of the EVF 22 or the like. Even if the data amount of the display image increases, the data transfer can be performed without increasing the size of the processing device or increasing the internal clock. It is possible to do. As a result, it is possible to reduce the power consumption required for transmitting data from the overall control unit 50 to the EVF display unit 100 and the like, and the amount of heat generated for that purpose.
[0090]
Further, the display image is transmitted in a compressed state from the general control unit 50, and the EVF display unit 100 or the like performs decompression processing on the compressed image data, so that the general control unit 50 transmits the image data to the EVF display unit 100 or the like. Can be increased.
[0091]
Table 1 below shows a comparison between a case where image data is transmitted in an uncompressed state and a case where image data is transmitted in a compressed state. This indicates that view display can be performed.
[0092]
[Table 1]

[0093]
For example, as shown in Table 1, when a low-resolution (image size: QVGA) image is displayed in the non-compressed transfer display, the display image can be updated at 90 fps. In this case, when an image of a high resolution (image size: VGA) is uncompressed and transferred and displayed, the amount of data transmitted from the overall control unit 50 to the EVF display unit 100 or the like is quadrupled, so that the frame rate is 90/4 fps. It becomes. That is, since the amount of data to be transferred increases, the frame rate must be reduced in order to perform the data transfer with the processing capability of the overall control unit 50 while suppressing the heat generation.
[0094]
On the other hand, when a low-resolution (image size: QVGA) image is displayed in the compressed transfer display, the display image can be updated at 90 / (compression rate) fps. Assuming that the compression ratio is R, generally R <1, so that a low-resolution display of the compression transfer display can be displayed at a high frame rate. When a high-resolution (image size: VGA) image is compressed and displayed, the frame rate becomes 90/4 / (compression rate) fps. Also in this case, display at a higher frame rate is possible as compared with high-resolution display of non-compression transfer display.
[0095]
Therefore, as in the present embodiment, the display image is transmitted from the overall control unit 50 in a compressed state, and the image display is performed by performing the decompression process on the compressed image data by the EVF display unit 100 or the like. From 50, it is also possible to increase the frame rate at which image data is transmitted to the EVF display unit 100 and the like, and it is possible to perform live view display while updating a high-quality image at a high frame rate.
[0096]
Further, in the present embodiment, the overall control unit 50 and the EVF display unit 100 or the LCD display unit 200 are configured as separate units, and the overall control unit 50 is connected via a transmission path 60 formed by a flexible substrate or the like. And outputs the compressed image data to the EVF display unit 100 or the like. For this reason, data transfer can be performed with the data amount reduced, and in particular, data transfer is performed with a reduced possibility of occurrence of problems such as waveform aliasing. It is possible to transmit images. In addition, even if the distance between the general control unit 50 and the EVF display unit 100 or the LCD display unit 200 is relatively long, the image data for display is transmitted well. The degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of the unit 100 and the LCD display unit 200 is increased.
[0097]
In the present embodiment, the CCD 41 has a plurality of pixels arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions, and when generating display image data to be displayed on the EVF 22 or the like, the pixel for display is thinned out in the vertical direction while performing pixel thinning. The overall control unit 50 is configured to generate image data, and performs a compression process (data reduction process) on the horizontal pixel array of the display image data. Generally, the image reading operation is performed for each line in the horizontal direction from the CCD 41. Therefore, the above processing can be performed in conjunction with the reading operation from the CCD 41, so that more efficient internal processing can be performed. Have been.
[0098]
Further, in the present embodiment, the EVF 22 and the LCD 23 are configured by a frame sequential display system, and display of a color image is performed by sequentially switching each color of R, G, and B at a high speed. Is particularly large. Therefore, it is particularly effective to transmit the compressed image data that has been subjected to the compression processing in the overall control unit 50 to the EVF display unit 100 or the like.
[0099]
In the present embodiment, the resolution of the image data obtained from the CCD 41 can be changed in the overall control unit 50. If the resolution of the image data input to the EVF display unit 100 or the like is different from the display resolution, The image display is configured so that the resolution of the image data is adapted to the display resolution. For this reason, it is possible to satisfactorily display images on the EVF 22 and the LCD 23 that match the display resolution, while lowering the resolution and improving the data transmission efficiency.
[0100]
Further, the resolution of the image data obtained from the CCD 41 is changed to a high resolution when the focusing operation is performed, and the resolution of the image data obtained from the CCD 41 is changed to a low resolution when the focusing operation is not performed. When the user does not need to view the high-resolution image, the power consumption and the heat generation can be further reduced. When the user needs to view the high-resolution image, the power consumption and the heat generation can be reduced. High-resolution image data can be sent to the EVF 22 or the like while suppressing an increase.
[0101]
In the present embodiment, the compression unit 57 of the overall control unit 50 not only performs compression processing of display image data to be sent to the EVF display unit 100 or the like, but also performs recording image recording to be recorded on the memory card 9. Since it is also configured to perform data compression processing, it is possible to reduce the size of the internal configuration as compared with the case where a dedicated compression unit is provided for each. In addition, since the decompression process can be performed in the EVF display unit 100 or the like, when reproducing and displaying an image recorded on the memory card 9, the overall control unit 50 obtains image data from the memory card 9 and directly outputs the EVF. It is also possible to send it to the display unit 100.
[0102]
<2. Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. The configuration and the internal configuration of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS. Further, the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment is different from the digital camera 1 of the first embodiment in the compression processing and the expansion processing. Therefore, the following description focuses on differences from the first embodiment.
[0103]
In the first embodiment, a case has been exemplified in which the compression unit 57 performs a compression process according to the so-called JPEG method, and the decompression unit 110 of the EVF display unit 100 or the like performs the reverse conversion. In the compression by the JPEG method, the image quality is less deteriorated compared to a simple thinning process or the like. However, if the compression rate is increased, the image quality will be deteriorated accordingly. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a compression process and a decompression process based on the so-called DPCM method capable of completely reversible conversion are performed to enable higher-quality image display.
[0104]
FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing the concept of compression processing and decompression processing by DPCM. FIG. 12A shows pixel values in an original image, and FIG. 12B shows pixel values in a compressed image.
[0105]
The compression unit 57 of the present embodiment obtains a difference between pixel values between adjacent pixels for each line along the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) X from image data obtained from the CCD 41 as shown in FIG. Compressed image data is generated. For example, in FIG. 12A, the difference between the pixel value of the first pixel (pixel on the left end) of the line L1 and the pixel value of the second pixel is obtained, and is set as the pixel value of the second pixel in the compressed image. Further, a difference between the pixel value of the second pixel and the pixel value of the third pixel is obtained, and that value is set as the pixel value of the third pixel in the compressed image. Hereinafter, this is repeated. Further, the same difference calculation process is repeated for all the lines L2, L3,... To generate a compressed image as shown in FIG.
[0106]
By performing the difference operation as described above, the signal component per pixel can be reduced, and the overall control unit 50 compresses the EVF display unit 100 or the LCD display unit 200 in a state where the data amount is reduced. Images are sent.
[0107]
Further, in the EVF display unit 100 and the LCD display unit 200 of the present embodiment, the expansion unit 110 performs the addition process between adjacent pixels for each line along the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) X, thereby compressing the compressed image. Restore the previous image. For example, when a compressed image as shown in FIG. 12B is input, an addition operation is performed on the pixel value of the first pixel (the leftmost pixel) of the line L1 and the pixel value of the second pixel, and the state before compression is obtained. The pixel value of the second pixel is used. Further, by performing an addition operation on the pixel value of the second pixel obtained by the addition operation and the pixel value of the input third pixel, the pixel value of the third pixel in a state before compression is obtained. Hereinafter, this is repeated. Further, by repeating the same difference calculation process for all the lines L2, L3,..., An image before compression as shown in FIG.
[0108]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the compression unit 57 in the overall control unit 50 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the compression unit 57 includes a difference calculation unit 576 and a memory 577. The difference calculator 576 is configured to store pixel values sequentially input along the horizontal line in the memory 577, perform a difference calculation between adjacent pixels, and output compressed image data.
[0109]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the EVF display unit 100 according to the present embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those described in the first embodiment. Note that the LCD display unit 200 has the same configuration.
[0110]
The decompression unit 110 of the present embodiment includes an addition operation unit 116 and a memory 117, and converts an uncompressed image from compressed image data generated by a difference operation between adjacent pixels in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction). Decompression processing for restoration is performed. More specifically, the compressed image data for display input from the overall control unit 50 via the transmission path 60 is temporarily stored in the memory 117 by the addition operation unit 116. By performing an addition operation between adjacent pixels (that is, an inverse conversion process of the compression process in the compression unit 57), an image in which an image before compression is completely restored is generated.
[0111]
Such compression / decompression processing can perform complete lossless conversion, and the image quality of the image displayed on the EVF 22 is equivalent to the image quality of the live view image generated by the overall control unit 50.
[0112]
For this reason, as in the present embodiment, the overall control unit 50 generates compressed image data by calculating a difference in pixel value between adjacent pixels based on image data obtained from the CCD 41, and generates the compressed image data in the EVF display unit 100 and the like. By constructing the image display by restoring the image data from the difference between the pixel values included in the compressed image data, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the image quality can be further improved. Image display can be performed.
[0113]
Also, as is apparent from a comparison of the internal configurations of the compression unit 57 and the decompression unit 110, in the case of the present embodiment, the configuration of the compression unit 57 and the decompression unit 110 is simplified, so that efficient processing is performed. As a result, the size of each unit can be reduced.
[0114]
In the above description, the case where the compression process is performed by calculating the difference between the pixel values of two pixels adjacent in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) is illustrated. The compression processing may be performed by calculating the difference value by using.
[0115]
<3. Modification>
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible.
[0116]
For example, in the above description, the case where both the EVF 22 and the LCD 23 have the number of display pixels of the VGA size is illustrated, but the display resolution of the EVF 22 and the LCD 23 may be different. In this case, when the EVF 22 has the number of display pixels of the VGA size and the LCD 23 has the number of display pixels of the QVGA size, for example, when performing image display on the EVF 22, the compression is performed by the overall control unit 50. When the image data is transmitted and the image is displayed on the LCD 23, the uncompressed image data may be transmitted from the overall control unit 50. This is because if the LCD 23 has the QVGA size, the data amount of the display image data is not considered to be so large. Further, in the above case, the compressed image data may be sent to the LCD 23 to increase the frame rate when the image is displayed on the LCD 23.
[0117]
In the resolution conversion unit 553a of the live view image generation unit 553, a live view image having a smaller number of pixels than the number of display pixels of the EVF 22 or the LCD 23 is generated only in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) of the image. 50 may be configured to perform compression processing on the live view image and transfer the live view image. In this case, the EVF display unit 100 or the like performs an interpolation process in the horizontal direction to display an image. Similarly, a live view image having a smaller number of pixels than the number of display pixels of the EVF 22 or the LCD 23 is generated only in the vertical direction (vertical direction) of the image, and the overall control unit 50 performs a compression process on the live view image. May be configured to transfer data.
[0118]
In the above description, when the automatic resolution display is selected, in a shooting standby state in which the user has not performed an operation on the operation member 10, a live view display is performed on the EVF 22 or the LCD 23 at a low resolution, and the user The case where the high-resolution live view display is performed on the EVF 22 or the LCD 23 in response to the change of the shutter button 11 to the S1 state by operating the shutter button 11 has been illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. After the AF control in the AF mode is started, the camera is in a substantially focused state (a state close to a focused state) or in a completely focused state (a focused state). Alternatively, the display may be switched to a high-resolution live view display. By performing such display control, the user can easily and clearly grasp that the focus has been achieved, and the operability of the digital camera 1 can be improved.
[0119]
Also, in the above description, a case has been exemplified in which, when the image for display is transmitted from the overall control unit 50 to the EVF display unit 100 or the like in the digital camera 1, compression processing is always performed to perform compression transfer display. A configuration in which a compression transfer display mode and a non-compression transfer display mode can be selected as an image transfer mode from the overall control unit 50 to the EVF display unit 100 and the like, and when the compression transfer display mode is selected and set, The above-described compressed transfer display processing may be performed. In this case, the user operates the menu button 18 and the cross key 19 to set one of the compressed transfer display mode and the non-compressed transfer display mode to the digital camera 1 in advance.
[0120]
In the above description, a case where an image is read out from the CCD 41 in the draft mode and an image having a size of 240 vertical lines is acquired (ie, the case where the resolution of the image obtained from the CCD 41 is lower than the vertical resolution of the display means) is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by reading an image from the CCD 41 at a resolution of VGA size (640 × 480 pixels) or more, a high-resolution image is obtained, and the image processing unit 55 and the display units 100 and 200 perform interpolation processing to the VGA size. Instead, the display image may be generated with the same image size or the image size subjected to the thinning process.
[0121]
In the above description, the digital camera 1 is illustrated as one form of the imaging device. However, the imaging device of the present invention is not limited to the digital camera, and may be an imaging device such as a mobile phone with an imaging function. There may be.
[0122]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, all or a part of the functions realized by the electric circuit may be realized by the CPU performing arithmetic processing according to a program.
[0123]
The contents described above include the following inventive concept.
[0124]
(1) In the imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, the data processing unit generates compressed image data by obtaining a difference in pixel value between adjacent pixels from the image data obtained from the image sensor. An image pickup apparatus for displaying an image by restoring the image data from the difference between the pixel values;
[0125]
As a result, it is possible to display a higher quality image while suppressing an increase in power consumption and a calorific value. Further, efficient processing and downsizing of the imaging device can be realized.
[0126]
(2) The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a recording unit that records the image data obtained from the imaging device, wherein the compression unit that performs a compression process in the data processing unit is An image pickup apparatus configured to also perform a compression process of recording image data to be recorded on a recording unit.
[0127]
This simplifies the configuration of the imaging device and makes it possible to reduce the size. Also, since the decompression process can be performed on the display device, when reproducing and displaying the image recorded on the recording device, the data processing device does not need to perform the decompression process, and the image recorded on the recording device is not changed. It is also possible to send it to the display means.
[0128]
(3) In the imaging device according to claim 5, when performing a focusing operation, the resolution conversion unit changes a resolution of the image data obtained from the imaging element to a high resolution and performs the focusing operation. An image pickup apparatus, wherein when there is no image data, the resolution of the image data obtained from the image pickup device is changed to a low resolution.
[0129]
Accordingly, a high-resolution image is displayed when the user needs to visually recognize a high-resolution image, and a low-resolution image can be displayed when the necessity is low. As a result, when the user does not need to visually recognize a high-resolution image, it is possible to display an image while increasing power consumption and suppressing heat generation.
[0130]
(4) A program which can be installed in an imaging device capable of displaying an image obtained by photographing a subject, and which is executed by a microcomputer built in the imaging device, thereby causing the imaging device to execute the program. A program causing a computer to function as the imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 5 or any one of the above items (1) to (3).
[0131]
As a result, it is possible to realize an imaging device capable of displaying a high-quality image while suppressing an increase in power consumption and a calorific value.
[0132]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the data processing unit is configured to perform a compression process on the image data obtained from the imaging device and output the compressed image data, Since the compressed image data input from the data processing means is configured to be subjected to decompression processing to display an image, the compressed image data transmitted between the data processing means and the display means is suppressed while suppressing image quality deterioration. The amount of data can be reduced. As a result, in the imaging device, it is possible to perform high-quality image display while suppressing an increase in power consumption and a calorific value.
[0133]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the data processing means and the display means are configured as separate units, and the data processing means outputs the compressed image data via the transmission means electrically connected to the display means. Therefore, image data is output while reducing the possibility that a problem such as aliasing of a waveform occurs. Further, the degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of the data processing means and the display means is increased.
[0134]
According to the invention described in claim 3, the image pickup device has a plurality of pixels arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and when generating display image data to be displayed on the display means, the image sensor has pixels in the vertical direction. The image processing apparatus is configured to generate display image data while performing thinning, and the data processing unit is configured to perform compression processing on a horizontal pixel array in the display image data. This can be performed in conjunction with the generation operation of the display image data, and more efficient compression processing can be performed.
[0135]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the display means is configured to display a color image by a frame sequential display method, the data amount of the display image is particularly large, but the image quality of the image is deteriorated. It is possible to reduce the amount of data transmitted between the data processing means and the display means while suppressing power consumption, thus enabling high-quality image display while increasing power consumption and suppressing heat generation. It is.
[0136]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the resolution of the image data input from the data processing unit is different from the display resolution, the display unit performs image display by adjusting the resolution of the image data to the display resolution. With such a configuration, the data processing unit can transmit image data with a resolution lower than the display resolution, and the data amount transmitted between the data processing unit and the display unit can be further reduced. It is possible. As a result, it is possible to further suppress an increase in power consumption and a calorific value.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a main part of a digital camera.
FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a main configuration of the digital camera.
FIG. 3 is a rear view illustrating a main configuration of the digital camera.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the digital camera as functional blocks.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating functions implemented by an image processing unit as functional blocks.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an internal function of a compression unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an EVF display unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a display operation in a shooting mode when automatic resolution display is selected.
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing an internal operation when performing live view display at a low resolution.
FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a first internal operation when performing live view display at a high resolution.
FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a second internal operation when performing live view display at a high resolution.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the concept of compression processing and decompression processing according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a compression unit according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an EVF display unit according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Digital camera (imaging device)
22 EVF (Electronic Viewfinder)
23 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
41 CCD (Imaging device)
50 Overall control unit (data processing means)
55 Image processing unit
57 Compressor
60 transmission line
100 EVF display unit (display means)
110 Extension
120 interpolation unit
130 RGB converter
140 selector
200 LCD display unit (display means)
553 Live View Image Generator
553a Resolution conversion unit (resolution conversion means)

Claims (5)

An imaging device capable of shooting and displaying a subject,
An image sensor that captures a subject and generates image data;
Data processing means for performing a compression process on the image data obtained from the image sensor, and outputting compressed image data,
Display means for performing an expansion process on the compressed image data input from the data processing means to display an image,
An imaging device comprising: The imaging device according to claim 1,
An image pickup apparatus configured as a separate unit from the data processing unit and the display unit, wherein the data processing unit outputs the compressed image data via a transmission unit electrically connected to the display unit . The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein
The image pickup device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. When generating display image data to be displayed on the display unit, the display image data is thinned out in a vertical direction. Is configured to generate
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data processing unit performs a compression process on a horizontal pixel array in the display image data. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image pickup apparatus, wherein the display unit displays a color image by a frame sequential display method. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The data processing unit includes a resolution conversion unit that changes a resolution of the image data obtained from the imaging device,
When the resolution of the image data input from the data processing unit is different from the display resolution, the display unit performs image display by adapting the resolution of the image data to the display resolution. Imaging device.

Images