JP2005143034A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of preventing a print charge from becoming a huge monetary amount in the case of carrying out automatic printing on the basis of a print ordering file. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 1 makes print settings to a photographed image in interlocking with an photographing operation to acquire an image of one frame when an automatic print setting function is turned on in a one-frame photographing mode and records the print ordering file to a memory card 90. In a consecutive photographing mode on the other hand, the digital camera 1 is configured to prevent print settings from automatically being made to many acquired images at consecutive shot by limiting the automatic print setting function or limiting the consecutive shot operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus configured to record an image obtained by shooting on a recording medium such as a memory card.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a digital camera, a technique for recording a print order file called a DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) file or the like on a recording medium such as a memory card in order to automatically print a captured image (automatic printing). Exists (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, when it is known in advance that a user designates printing in order to eliminate troublesome print setting operations for each frame, In conjunction with this, images can be automatically added to the print order file.

JP 2002-44577 A

  In the digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, the print order file recorded on the recording medium is updated every time one frame of image is taken. A problem occurs when it is necessary to repeat the shooting operation.

  In other words, if the print order file is updated every time one frame shooting operation is performed, the file update process becomes a burden, and the shooting operation cannot be repeated at regular intervals. . When such a phenomenon occurs, the user may not notice at the time of shooting, and may notice that the continuous shooting timing is not a normal interval only after confirming the image after shooting.

  In addition, every time a single frame image is obtained, the print designation is automatically made for the image. Therefore, print designation is made for all the images obtained by continuous shooting, and the print fee for automatic printing. There was a problem that became a huge amount of money. Since continuous shooting has a short shooting interval, a plurality of frames of the same subject are shot. As a result, a plurality of images obtained by shooting are similar to each other. The user does not print all of the plurality of images, and usually prints only one favorite image among them.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of preventing a printing fee from becoming a huge amount when automatic printing is performed. It is what.

  An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is configured to record an image obtained by shooting on a recording medium, and controls the shooting operation in response to a shooting instruction, and the recording in conjunction with the shooting operation. Print setting means for performing print settings for an image recorded on a medium and recording a print order file on the recording medium, wherein the print setting means is used when continuous shooting is performed by the control means. Is characterized in that the print order file update process is not performed in conjunction with individual shooting operations.

  The imaging apparatus further includes a display unit that displays an image, and when the continuous shooting is performed by the control unit, the display unit is configured to select an image for print setting after the continuous shooting is completed. A selection screen is displayed, and the print setting means is configured to perform print setting for a selected image designated when the selection screen is displayed on the display means, and to record the print order file. It is preferable.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus further includes a display unit that displays an image, and when the display unit performs continuous shooting by the control unit, an image to be recorded on the recording medium after the continuous shooting is completed. When the image to be recorded on the recording medium is selected, the print setting unit performs print setting for the selected image, and performs recording processing of the print order file. Preferably configured to do.

  Further, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is configured to record an image obtained by shooting on a recording medium, and in conjunction with the shooting operation, a control unit that controls the shooting operation in response to a shooting instruction, A print setting unit configured to perform print setting on an image recorded on the recording medium and record a print order file on the recording medium, and the print setting unit performs continuous shooting by the control unit. In such a case, print settings should be made for an image having a predetermined number of frames in conjunction with the shooting operation, and print settings should not be made for an image exceeding the predetermined number of frames in conjunction with the shooting operation. It is characterized by.

  The image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is configured to record an image obtained by photographing on a recording medium, and is recorded on the recording medium, control means for controlling a photographing operation in response to a photographing instruction. A print setting unit configured to perform print setting for an image and record a print order file on the recording medium, and when the print setting for the image is performed in conjunction with a shooting operation in the print setting unit, the control The means prohibits continuous shooting.

  In the image pickup apparatus, when the shooting operation is set to be performed in the continuous shooting mode, the control unit is configured to set the print setting for the image in conjunction with the shooting operation by the print setting unit. However, it is preferable that the setting is changed to a shooting mode other than the continuous shooting mode.

  The image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is configured to record an image obtained by photographing on a recording medium, and is recorded on the recording medium, control means for controlling a photographing operation in response to a photographing instruction. Print setting means for performing print setting for an image and recording a print order file on the recording medium, and when the print setting for the image is performed in conjunction with a shooting operation in the print setting means, When the control means performs continuous shooting, the number of shots by continuous shooting is limited.

  In this imaging apparatus, it is preferable that the control unit is configured to limit the number of shots by continuous shooting based on a preset upper limit of a print fee.

  According to the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, since the print setting is not automatically performed for many images during continuous shooting, automatic printing is performed based on the print order file recorded on the recording medium. However, it is possible to prevent the print fee from becoming a huge amount.

  In particular, when continuous shooting is performed, the print order file is not updated in conjunction with individual shooting operations, so that print settings are automatically set for individual images acquired during continuous shooting. This can be avoided, and it is possible to prevent the print order file update process from becoming a burden and affect the shooting timing of each shooting operation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, a digital camera will be described as an example of an imaging apparatus.

<Outline of configuration>
1 and 2 are diagrams showing an external configuration of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view seen from the front side, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view seen from the back side. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the digital camera 1 has a thin, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 includes a photographing lens 2, an optical viewfinder 4, and a flash 6 on the front side thereof. The photographing lens 2 is an optical system for capturing light from a subject in front, and the optical viewfinder 4 is a viewing window for confirming a framing state during photographing operation. The flash 6 is a light source for illuminating a subject during photographing. The digital camera 1 also includes a power button 3 and a shutter button (release button) 9 on the upper surface side. The power button 3 is used for receiving a power on operation and an off operation. Specifically, every time the power button 3 is pressed, the transition to the on state and the transition to the off state are alternately repeated. The shutter button 9 is a two-stage push-in switch that can be detected by distinguishing between a half-pressed state (hereinafter also referred to as S1 state) and a fully-pressed state (hereinafter also referred to as S2 state) by the user (operator). In the half-pressed state S1, automatic focusing control or the like is started in the digital camera 1 for guiding the subject image to the focused state, and in the fully-pressed state S2, a main photographing operation for photographing a recording image is started. Is done.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 is provided with a lid 14 that can be opened and closed on the side surface thereof, and by opening the lid 14, a memory card incorporating a storage element such as a semiconductor memory is provided. 90 can be attached to the digital camera 1. That is, the memory card 90 is a recording medium that is detachable from the digital camera 1. When the digital camera 1 performs a shooting operation with the memory card 90 attached, the digital camera 1 records a recording image obtained thereby on the memory card 90. The recording medium is not limited to the memory card, and may be a magnetic disk card or the like.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 1 has a preview display (also referred to as a live view display) for displaying a subject image before photographing on the back side, and reproduction of a recorded image obtained by the photographing operation. A liquid crystal display unit (hereinafter referred to as LCD) 5 for performing display or the like is provided. The LCD 5 has a predetermined number (for example, 320 × 240) of display pixels, and can display a color image.

  After the digital camera 1 is turned on or after the main photographing operation for acquiring a recording image is completed, the digital camera 1 repeatedly performs a photographing operation at a low resolution every 1/30 seconds in the photographing mode, for example. Images sequentially obtained thereby are displayed on the LCD 5 in a moving image form as a live view display. Thereby, the user can perceive the position and size of the subject in the captured image by the live view display on the LCD 5 and can perform the framing operation. It is also possible to perform the framing operation using only the optical viewfinder 4 without using the LCD 5.

  On the back side of the digital camera 1, button groups 7, 8, a switch button 11, and a print button 13 are provided as operation members for performing various operations.

  The button group 7 is composed of cross cursor buttons 7a to 7e (hereinafter, 7a is also referred to as an up button, 7b as a down button, 7c as a left button, 7d as a right button, and 7e as a center (execution) button). For example, it is used when a selection operation or a determination operation is performed on a menu screen or the like displayed on the LCD 5.

  The button group 8 includes a menu button 8a, a liquid crystal monitor button 8b, and a flash mode button 8c.

  The menu button 8 a has a function of switching between displaying and hiding the menu on the LCD 5. For example, every time the menu button 8a is pressed on the initial screen of each operation mode, the menu screen and the non-menu screen (display screen for live view or reproduced image) are alternately displayed on the LCD 5. Further, the display cursor on the menu screen displayed on the LCD 5 can be moved in four directions by using the cross cursor buttons 7a to 7d. Further, by pressing the execution (center) button 7e in a state where a desired option is selected, a setting operation or the like corresponding to the option is executed (determined). With such an operation, various shooting conditions can be set.

  The liquid crystal monitor button 8b is a button for switching display / non-display of the LCD 5, which is a liquid crystal monitor. Each time the liquid crystal monitor button 8b is pressed, the state in which an image or the like is displayed on the LCD 5 (display state) and the state in which it is not displayed (non-display state) are alternately switched. Power consumption can be reduced if it is not displayed.

  The flash mode button 8c is a button for determining the mode of the flash 6. Each time the flash mode button 8c is pressed, the flash mode is switched in the order of automatic light emission, forced light emission, and light emission inhibition.

  The switch button 11 is an operation member for switching the operation mode and the like of the digital camera 1. The user can set the operation mode of the digital camera 1 to the shooting mode or the playback mode by pressing the switch button 11. The shooting mode is a mode for taking a picture, and performs an operation of acquiring a recording image and recording it on the memory card 90. When the shooting mode is further subdivided, there are a single frame shooting mode and a continuous shooting mode, and these modes are switched by pressing the switching button 11. The reproduction mode is a mode for reproducing and displaying the captured image recorded on the memory card 90 on the LCD 5. In the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, the shooting mode is set when the power is turned on by pressing the power button 3.

  The print button 13 is a button for shifting the operation mode of the digital camera to the print mode. In the print mode, when the user manually operates the digital camera 1, print settings can be made for the captured image already recorded on the memory card 90. However, the digital camera 1 can automatically perform print settings in conjunction with shooting operations in addition to print settings by manual operation in the print mode. In this case, in the digital camera 1, a function for automatically setting print settings for an image acquired by the photographing operation in conjunction with a photographing operation for photographing a recording image is set to an on state in advance. Will be.

  Next, the internal configuration of the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal functions of the digital camera 1.

  In the photographing mode, the digital camera 1 is configured to perform a photographing operation for photographing a recording image in response to a photographing instruction when, for example, the shutter button 9 is fully pressed. Such a photographing operation is realized by subjecting a subject image incident through the photographing lens 2 to photoelectric conversion in a CCD (imaging device) 20.

  The CCD (imaging device) 20 functions as an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts a subject image to generate an electronic image signal. The CCD 20 has, for example, 1600 × 1200 pixels and is formed by the photographing lens 2. The light image of the subject is converted into an image signal of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components for each pixel (a signal composed of a signal sequence of pixel signals received by each pixel). Output.

  An image signal obtained from the CCD 20 is supplied to an analog signal processing circuit 21, and predetermined analog signal processing is performed on the image signal (analog signal) in the analog signal processing circuit 21. The analog signal processing circuit 21 includes a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) and an auto gain control circuit (AGC). The correlated double sampling circuit performs noise reduction processing of the image signal, and the auto gain control circuit performs gain. The level of the image signal is adjusted by adjusting.

  The A / D converter 22 converts each pixel signal of the image signal into a 12-bit digital signal. The converted digital signal is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 54 in the RAM 50a as image data. The image data stored in the buffer memory 54 is subjected to WB (white balance) processing, γ correction processing, color correction processing, and the like by the image processing unit 51, and then compressed by the compression / decompression unit 52. Processing is performed. In the buffer memory 54 of the RAM 50a, image data for a plurality of frames (frames) can be stored so as to support continuous shooting.

  The operation unit 30 is an operation unit including the power button 3, the button groups 7 and 8, the shutter button 9, the switching button 11, and the like described above, and performs a shooting operation when the user changes the setting state of the digital camera 1. Used for occasions.

  The overall control unit 50 is constituted by a microcomputer having an internal RAM 50a and a ROM 50b, and the microcomputer controls the above-described units centrally by executing a predetermined program. Specifically, the overall control unit 50 is configured to function as an image processing unit 51, a compression / expansion unit 52, a shooting control unit 53, and a print setting processing unit 55. Each of these processing units 51, 52, 53, and 55 is a functional unit that is realized when the microcomputer executes a predetermined program. The RAM 50a is a semiconductor memory (for example, DRAM) that can be accessed at high speed, and the ROM 50b is configured as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (for example, flash ROM) that can electrically rewrite data. A part of the area in the RAM 50a functions as a temporary storage buffer area. Here, this buffer area is referred to as a buffer memory 54. The buffer memory 54 temporarily stores image data and the like.

  A card interface (card I / F) 60 is an interface for writing and reading image data to and from a memory card 90 attached to the insertion attachment portion on the side of the digital camera 1. When the overall control unit 50 reads / writes image data from / to the memory card 90, the compression / decompression unit 52 performs image data compression processing or decompression processing using, for example, the JPEG method, and the image data is stored in the buffer memory via the card interface 60. 54 and the memory card 90 are transmitted and received.

  Using the card interface 60, the digital camera 1 can not only transmit and receive image data, but can also import programs that operate on the digital camera 1. For example, the control program recorded in the memory card 90 can be taken into the RAM 50a or ROM 50b of the overall control unit 50. Thereby, it is possible to update the control program executed by the overall control unit 50.

  Next, each functional unit of the overall control unit 50 will be described.

  The image processing unit 51 is a processing unit that performs various digital image processing such as WB processing and γ correction processing. The WB process is a process of adjusting the color balance by performing level conversion of each color component of R, G, and B, and the γ correction process is a process of correcting the gradation of the pixel data.

  The compression / decompression unit 52 is a processing unit that performs compression processing and decompression processing of image data. For example, compression processing is executed when recording images acquired by the photographing operation are recorded on the memory card 90, and expansion processing is executed when images recorded on the memory card 90 are reproduced and displayed.

  The photographing control unit 53 controls the photographing operation in the digital camera 1 by controlling the CCD 20, the analog signal processing circuit 21, and the A / D converter 22 in the photographing mode. As described above, the shooting modes include the single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode, and the operations corresponding to these modes, that is, the shooting operations executed in response to the shooting instruction, are the single frame shooting operation and the continuous shooting mode. There is a shooting operation. The single-frame shooting operation is a shooting operation for performing a single shooting operation in response to a shooting instruction and acquiring a shot image of one frame (one frame). The continuous shooting operation is a shooting operation for continuously capturing a plurality of times in response to one shooting instruction and acquiring a plurality of frames of captured images. Therefore, when the single-frame shooting mode is set, the shooting control unit 53 controls each unit to perform one shooting operation in response to the shooting instruction, while the continuous shooting mode is set. If so, each unit is controlled so as to repeatedly perform a plurality of photographing operations in response to the photographing instruction.

  The print setting processing unit 55 is a processing unit for performing print setting for an image recorded in the memory card 90, writing a print order file in the memory card 90, or updating the print order file. For example, in the print mode, when the user designates print for an image recorded on the memory card 90 by manual operation, the print setting processing unit 55 selects an image to be subjected to print setting based on an input instruction from the user. The print setting process is executed so that the image is automatically printed, and the print order file is written in the memory card 90. When the automatic print setting function is turned on in the shooting mode, the print setting processing unit 55 functions in conjunction with the shooting operation controlled by the shooting control unit 53, and the shot image stored in the RAM 50a is stored. In conjunction with being recorded on the memory card 90, print settings for images (captured images) recorded on the memory card 90 are automatically executed, and a print order file is written to the memory card 90. The print order file is a file similar to a so-called DPOF file or the like, and is a file that stores print setting information for each image recorded on the memory card 90.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data storage state in the memory card 90. A captured image folder Fa and a print order file folder Fb are created in the memory card 90. The photographed image folder Fa stores a plurality of image files Gf acquired by the photographing operation, and the folder Fb different from the photographed image folder Fa stores a print order file Pf. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the print order file Pf is composed of general information Df1, user information Df2, print job information Df3, image source information Df4, various setting information Df5, and vendor information Df6. Here, the vendor information Df6 is information uniquely defined by each manufacturer that manufactures the digital camera. By recording such a print order file Pf on the memory card 90, when the print processing of the image recorded on the memory card 90 is performed, the print order file Pf is recorded on the memory card 90 by analyzing the contents of the print order file Pf. Any printed image can be automatically printed.

  The overall control unit 50 as described above implements internal processing when the digital camera 1 is in each of the operation modes of the shooting mode, the playback mode, and the print mode.

  For example, when live view display is performed in the shooting mode, as a relatively simple shooting operation, the resolution of the CCD 20 is set to a low resolution, and the shooting operation for live view display is repeated. When the shutter button 9 is half-pressed (S1 state), an AF evaluation value for automatic focusing control (AF) is obtained based on the image data output from the CCD 20, and the image is taken at the in-focus position by a known hill-climbing method. Move the lens. Further, based on the luminance information of the subject read by the CCD 20, the shutter speed (SS) and the aperture value during the actual photographing operation are obtained, automatic exposure control (AE) is performed, and gain setting for adjusting the white balance is performed. The value is determined and auto white balance control (AWB) is performed.

  Thereafter, when the shutter button is fully pressed (S2 state), the overall control unit 50 performs a main photographing operation for acquiring a recording image after setting the resolution of the CCD 20 to a high resolution, and is acquired by the CCD 20. A compression / decompression unit 52 generates a compressed image based on the photographed image data. The compressed high resolution image data is recorded on the memory card 90.

  When the shooting button is switched to the playback mode by pressing the switch button 11, the overall control unit 50 reads out the data of the image with the largest frame number in the memory card 90, that is, the data of the most recently shot image, and compresses / compresses the data. The decompression unit 52 decompresses data and displays an image on the LCD 5. In this playback mode, the frame can be forwarded / returned by pressing the left button 7c / right button 7d.

  In the digital camera 1 as described above, when shooting is performed in the continuous shooting mode, the automatic print setting function is turned on, and automatic print settings for sequentially shot images are performed in conjunction with the shooting operation for each frame. As a result, print settings are made for all of the plurality of images recorded on the memory card 90 by continuous shooting. As a result, if automatic printing is performed by attaching the memory card 90 to a printer or bringing it to a print service store, the print fee may become enormous. In order to prevent such a situation from occurring, the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment prevents a large number of print settings from being automatically set for an image acquired during continuous shooting. Composed. Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the digital camera 1 will be described.

<First Embodiment>
First, the first embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, one mode for preventing the automatic print setting function from being set to the on state in the continuous shooting mode is illustrated.

  FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram showing a change in operation mode in the digital camera 1 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, when the power of the digital camera 1 is turned on, the digital camera 1 shifts to the single frame shooting mode M10. The single frame shooting mode M10 is a mode for shooting a single frame image in response to a shooting instruction, and the single frame recording image generated in conjunction with the shooting operation is automatically recorded on the memory card 90. . When the user presses the menu button 8a in the single frame shooting mode M10, the shooting menu display G10 for performing various settings related to the single frame shooting mode M10 is displayed on the LCD 5.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the shooting menu display G10. The shooting menu display G10 is a display for performing various settings for the single-frame shooting mode M10. As shown in FIG. 7, as setting items, for example, “size”, “image quality”, “white balance”, “automatic print” Setting "etc. are provided. By referring to the shooting menu display G10, the user can change the state of each setting item by operating the cross cursor buttons 7a to 7d and the execution button 7e. For example, the “automatic print setting” item can be selected by operating the upper button 7a or the lower button 7b, and the automatic print setting function can be turned on / off by operating the left button 7c or the right button 7d. Can be switched. When the shooting menu display G10 is being performed and the setting change operation is completed and the execution button 7e is pressed, the screen returns to the single frame shooting mode M10 again. In the single frame shooting mode M10, when the user gives a shooting instruction by fully pressing the shutter button 9, the overall control unit 50 performs a shooting operation reflecting the contents set on the shooting menu screen G10.

  In the single frame shooting mode M10, when the user presses the switching button 11, the digital camera 1 shifts to the continuous shooting mode M20. At the time of this transition, as shown in FIG. 6, the overall control unit 50 executes processes P10 and P11. Specifically, when the switching button 11 is pressed in the single frame shooting mode M10, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not the automatic print setting function is set to the on state (processing P10), and the on state. If it is, the automatic print setting function is changed from the on state to the off state (processing P11), and then the continuous shooting mode M20 is entered. In the process P10, when the automatic print setting function is in the off state, the process shifts to the continuous shooting mode M20 without performing the process P11.

  In the continuous shooting mode M20, when the user performs a full pressing operation of the shutter button 9 to give a shooting instruction, a shooting operation is started in response to the shooting instruction, and while the shutter button 9 is fully pressed, The photographing operation is repeatedly performed a plurality of times at preset time intervals, and a plurality of images photographed at different timings are acquired. In the continuous shooting mode M20, if the user presses the menu button 8a, the screen shifts to the shooting menu display G20, and a screen for performing various settings related to the continuous shooting mode M20 is displayed on the LCD 5.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the shooting menu display G20. The shooting menu display G20 is a display for performing various settings for the continuous shooting mode M20. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, “size”, “image quality”, “white balance”, and the like are provided as setting items. ing. By referring to the shooting menu display G20, the user can change the state of each setting item by operating the cross cursor buttons 7a to 7d and the execution button 7e. However, in this shooting menu display G20, unlike the shooting menu display G10 related to the single frame shooting mode M10 (see FIG. 7), the setting item related to “automatic print setting” is not displayed, and the automatic print setting function is turned on. It can no longer be operated. When the shooting menu display G20 is being performed and the setting change operation is completed and the execution button 7e is pressed, the continuous shooting mode M20 is resumed.

  In the continuous shooting mode M20, when the user gives a shooting instruction by fully pressing the shutter button 9, the overall control unit 50 reflects the content set on the shooting menu screen G20 and continuously performs the shooting operation. By repeating the above, continuous shooting is performed. In the continuous shooting mode M20, when the user presses the switching button 11, the digital camera 1 shifts to the playback mode M30.

  In the reproduction mode M30, the image recorded on the memory card 90 is reproduced and displayed on the LCD 5. Further, when the user presses the switching button 11, the digital camera 1 again shifts to the single frame shooting mode M10 in the shooting mode.

  Note that, even when the digital camera 1 is in any of the single frame shooting mode M10, the continuous shooting mode M20, and the playback mode M30, if the user presses the print button 13, the digital camera 1 responds accordingly. Then, the printer shifts to a print mode for performing print settings manually by the user.

  Next, a specific processing sequence when the digital camera 1 performs a shooting operation will be described.

  9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure in the single frame shooting mode M10, and show the shooting operation when the automatic print setting function is turned on in the single frame shooting mode M10.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the mode is switched to the single frame shooting mode M10, live view display is performed on the LCD 5 (step S100). The user performs framing in this state, and half-presses the shutter button 9 at a desired timing. In the digital camera 1, in response to the shutter button 9 being half-pressed, the overall control unit 50 executes AF, AE, and AWB processes, and the user performs a full-press operation of the shutter button 9. (Step S101). When the shutter button 9 is fully pressed, exposure of the CCD 20 is started, and a photographing operation for acquiring a recording image for one frame is performed (step S102). The image data acquired by the shooting operation is stored in the RAM 50a (step S103), and after various image processing is performed, recording processing to the memory card 90 is performed (step S104). In conjunction with the recording process, the print setting for the image recorded on the memory card 90 is automatically performed (step S105), and the print order file creation process is executed (step S106).

  In the print order file creation process, as shown in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the print order file Pf has already been recorded on the memory card 90 (step S111). A process for updating the print order file Pf is performed by adding the print setting to the image recorded in 90 (step S112). On the other hand, if the print order file Pf is not yet recorded in the memory card 90, a process of newly creating a print order file Pf describing the print settings and recording it in the memory card 90 is performed (step S113).

  Note that after the print order file creation process (step S106) in FIG. 9 is completed, the process returns to step S100 again, and the live view display for the next shooting is resumed.

  As described above, in the single frame shooting mode M10, when the automatic print setting function is set to the on state, a single frame shot image is acquired by the shooting operation in response to the shooting instruction and recorded in the memory card 90. At the same time, the print setting for the one frame image is automatically performed, and the print order file Pf is recorded in the memory card 90. That is, the print setting is automatically performed in conjunction with the shooting operation for one frame, and the print order file Pf is recorded in the memory card 90. Therefore, the user does not have to perform a complicated print setting operation for each image by shifting the digital camera 1 to the print mode after performing the photographing operation, and the operability is improved.

  Even when the automatic print setting function is in the on state in the single frame shooting mode M10, the automatic print setting function is turned off when the mode is shifted to the continuous shooting mode M20 by pressing the switching button 11. Also, the automatic print setting function cannot be set to the on state even in the shooting menu display G20 related to the continuous shooting mode M20. For this reason, in the continuous shooting mode M20, the print setting is not automatically performed in conjunction with the shooting operation.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the continuous shooting mode M20. As shown in FIG. 11, when the continuous shooting mode M20 is entered, live view display is performed on the LCD 5 (step S200). The user performs framing in this state, and half-presses the shutter button 9 at a desired timing. In the digital camera 1, in response to the shutter button 9 being half-pressed, the overall control unit 50 executes AF, AE, and AWB processes, and the user performs a full-press operation of the shutter button 9. (Step S201). When the shutter button 9 is fully pressed, exposure of the CCD 20 is started and a photographing operation for acquiring an image is performed (step S202). The image data acquired by this photographing operation is temporarily stored in the RAM 50a (step S203).

  When the storage process of the acquired image data is completed, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not the shutter button 9 is fully pressed (step S204), and if the fully pressed state is continued. Proceed to step S205.

  In step S205, it is determined whether or not the storable area of the RAM 50a is full based on image data acquired by continuous shooting. For example, if there is an area capable of storing an image for one frame in the RAM 50a, “No” is determined. If there is no area for storing an image for one frame, “Yes” is determined. If the RAM 50a has enough capacity to store the next image (“No” in step S205), the process returns to step S202 again to perform the next photographing operation. That is, when the shutter button 9 is fully pressed and the remaining storage capacity of the RAM 50a is sufficient, the processing of steps S202 to S205 is repeatedly executed to perform continuous shooting. At this time, sequentially acquired images are accumulated in the RAM 50a.

  If the full-pressing operation of the shutter button 9 is released during the repetition of steps S202 to S205, “No” is determined in step S204, and continuous shooting operations for continuous shooting are performed. The repetition is stopped and the process proceeds to step S208. In step S208, a recording process for recording the image accumulated in the RAM 50a by the continuous shooting up to that time on the memory card 90 is performed.

  On the other hand, if the full pressing operation of the shutter button 9 is continued and the remaining storage capacity of the RAM 50a becomes insufficient, “Yes” is determined in step S205, and the process proceeds to step S206, where the continuous shooting up to that point is performed. A recording process for recording a plurality of images accumulated in the RAM 50a by photographing on the memory card 90 is performed. At this time, images for which recording processing to the memory card 90 has been completed are sequentially deleted from the RAM 50a. Then, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 9 is fully pressed (step S207). If the shutter button 9 is continuously pressed, the process returns to step S205. The image stored in the RAM 50a by the processing in steps S205 to S207 is moved to the memory card 90, and a sufficient free area is created in the RAM 50a. Therefore, it is determined as “No” in the next determination in step S205, and the process returns to step S202, and the shooting operation for continuous shooting is continued.

  Note that after the recording process (step S206), if the shutter button 9 is not fully pressed, the shooting operation for continuous shooting ends. After all the processes are completed, the process returns to step S200 again, and the live view display for preparing for the next continuous shooting is resumed.

  Through the processing as described above, in the continuous shooting mode M20, the shooting operation is continuously and repeatedly executed while the shutter button 9 is fully pressed. In the continuous shooting mode M20, since the automatic print setting function is prohibited, the print setting for each image is automatically performed in conjunction with each continuous shooting operation. There is no. Therefore, in order to perform print setting for an image obtained by continuous shooting, the user presses the print button 13 to shift the digital camera 1 to the print mode, and the user performs print setting manually. . For this reason, in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, when continuous shooting is performed, a print in which print settings are made for all of a plurality of images obtained by continuous shooting on the memory card 90 is performed. The order file Pf is not automatically recorded, and even when automatic printing is performed, it is possible to prevent the print fee from becoming an enormous amount unexpected by the user.

  Also, in continuous shooting, the print order file is not updated every time a frame image is acquired, so the file update process does not become a burden during the shooting operation, which is good. The shooting operation can be repeated at the timing.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, one mode for prohibiting the transition to the continuous shooting mode when the automatic print setting function is set to the on state is illustrated.

  FIG. 12 is a state transition diagram showing a change in the operation mode in the digital camera 1 in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, when the power of the digital camera 1 is turned on, the digital camera 1 shifts to the single frame shooting mode M11. The single frame shooting mode M11 is a mode for shooting a single frame image in response to a shooting instruction, and the single frame recording image generated in conjunction with the shooting operation is automatically recorded in the memory card 90. . When the user presses the menu button 8a in the single frame shooting mode M11, the LCD 5 shifts to a state in which a shooting menu display G11 for performing various settings related to the single frame shooting mode M11 is displayed.

  In the shooting menu display G11, a screen similar to the display screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and the user can set the automatic print setting function to the on state. When the shooting menu display G11 is being performed and the setting change operation is completed and the execution button 7e is pressed, the mode returns to the single frame shooting mode M11. In the single frame shooting mode M11, when the user gives a shooting instruction by fully pressing the shutter button 9, the overall control unit 50 performs a shooting operation reflecting the contents set on the shooting menu screen G11. At this time, if the automatic print setting function is set to the on state, the digital camera 1 proceeds with the same processing as in the flowchart of FIG.

  When the user presses the switching button 11 in the single frame shooting mode M11, the digital camera 1 shifts to the continuous shooting mode M21 or the reproduction mode M31. At the time of this transition, as shown in FIG. 12, the overall control unit 50 executes process P12. Specifically, when the switching button 11 is pressed in the single frame shooting mode M11, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not the automatic print setting function is set to the on state (process P12), and the on state. In this case, the mode is shifted to the reproduction mode M31 without shifting to the continuous shooting mode M21. On the other hand, in the process P12, when the automatic print setting function is in the off state, the process shifts to the continuous shooting mode M21.

  In the continuous shooting mode M21, when the user presses the menu button 8a, the screen shifts to the shooting menu display G21, and a screen for performing various settings related to the continuous shooting mode M21 is displayed on the LCD 5. In the shooting menu display G21, a screen similar to the display screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. Therefore, the user cannot change the automatic print setting function to the on state in the shooting menu display G21 related to the continuous shooting mode M21. When the shooting menu display G21 is being performed and the setting change operation is completed and the execution button 7e is pressed, the continuous shooting mode M21 is resumed.

  In the continuous shooting mode M21, when the user gives a shooting instruction by fully pressing the shutter button 9, the overall control unit 50 reflects the content set on the shooting menu screen G21 and continuously performs the shooting operation. By repeating the above, continuous shooting is performed. In the continuous shooting mode M21, since the automatic print setting function is not set to the on state, the processing similar to the flowchart of FIG. 11 is performed during continuous shooting.

  In the continuous shooting mode M21, when the user presses the switching button 11, the digital camera 1 shifts to the playback mode M31.

  In the reproduction mode M31, the image recorded on the memory card 90 is reproduced and displayed on the LCD 5. Further, when the user presses the switching button 11, the digital camera 1 again shifts to the single frame shooting mode M11 in the shooting mode.

  Note that, even when the digital camera 1 is in any one of the single frame shooting mode M11, the continuous shooting mode M21, and the reproduction mode M31, if the user presses the print button 13, the digital camera 1 responds accordingly. Then, the printer shifts to a print mode for performing print settings manually by the user.

  As a result of the transition processing as described above, when the automatic print setting function is set to the on state, the digital camera 1 is prohibited from performing the continuous shooting without shifting to the continuous shooting mode M21. Become. Therefore, it is possible to prevent print settings for individual images from being automatically performed in conjunction with individual shooting operations during continuous shooting. Therefore, in order to perform print settings for an image obtained by continuous shooting, the print button 13 is pressed to shift the digital camera 1 to the print mode, and the user performs print settings manually. . For this reason, also in this embodiment, when continuous shooting is performed, a print order file Pf in which print settings are made for all of a plurality of images obtained by continuous shooting is stored in the memory card 90. It is not automatically recorded, and even when automatic printing is performed, it is possible to prevent the printing fee from becoming an enormous amount unexpected by the user.

  Also, in continuous shooting, the print order file is not updated every time a frame image is acquired, so the file update process does not become a burden during the shooting operation, which is good. The shooting operation can be repeated at the timing.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, when the shooting menu display in the single-frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode is shared, and the automatic print setting function is set to the on state in the shooting menu display related to the continuous shooting mode, the continuous shooting mode is entered. One mode for shifting to another mode without returning is illustrated.

  FIG. 13 is a state transition diagram showing changes in the operation mode in the digital camera 1 in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, when the power of the digital camera 1 is turned on, the digital camera 1 shifts to the single frame shooting mode M12. The single frame shooting mode M12 is a mode for shooting a single frame image in response to a shooting instruction, and a single frame recording image generated in conjunction with the shooting operation is automatically recorded in the memory card 90. . When the user presses the menu button 8a in the single frame shooting mode M12, the shooting menu display G12 for performing various settings related to the single frame shooting mode M12 is displayed on the LCD 5.

  In the shooting menu display G12, a screen similar to the display screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and the user can set the automatic print setting function to the on state. When the shooting menu display G12 is being performed and the setting change operation is completed and the execution button 7e is pressed, the screen returns to the single frame shooting mode M12 again. In the single frame shooting mode M12, when the user gives a shooting instruction by fully pressing the shutter button 9, the overall control unit 50 performs a shooting operation reflecting the contents set on the shooting menu screen G12. At this time, if the automatic print setting function is set to the on state, the digital camera 1 proceeds with the same processing as in the flowchart of FIG.

  When the user presses the switch button 11 in the single frame shooting mode M12, the digital camera 1 shifts to the continuous shooting mode M22 or the reproduction mode M32. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the overall control unit 50 executes process P13. Specifically, when the switch button 11 is pressed in the single-frame shooting mode M11, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not the automatic print setting function is set to the on state (process P13), and the on state. In this case, the mode is shifted to the reproduction mode M32 without shifting to the continuous shooting mode M22. On the other hand, in the process P13, when the automatic print setting function is in the off state, the process shifts to the continuous shooting mode M22.

  In the continuous shooting mode M22, when the user presses the menu button 8a, the screen shifts to the shooting menu display G22, and a screen for performing various settings related to the continuous shooting mode M22 is displayed on the LCD 5. In the shooting menu display G22, a screen similar to the display screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and the user can set the automatic print setting function to the on state. In the present embodiment, when the automatic print setting function is set to the on state in the shooting menu display G22, control is performed so as not to return to the continuous shooting mode but to shift to another mode. That is, when the setting change operation is completed and the execution button 7e is pressed while the shooting menu display G21 is being performed, the process P14 is executed in the overall control unit 50 as shown in FIG. Then, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not the automatic print setting function is set to the on state (process P14). If the automatic print setting function is in the on state, the overall control unit 50 does not shift to the continuous shooting mode M22, but the continuous shooting mode. The mode is shifted to a single frame shooting mode M12 which is a mode other than the above. On the other hand, if the automatic print setting function is in the off state in process P14, the process returns to the continuous shooting mode M22 again.

  In the continuous shooting mode M22, when the user gives a shooting instruction by fully pressing the shutter button 9, the overall control unit 50 reflects the content set on the shooting menu screen G21 and continuously performs the shooting operation. By repeating the above, continuous shooting is performed. Also in the present embodiment, since the automatic print setting function is not set to the on state in the continuous shooting mode M22, the same processing as the flowchart of FIG. 11 is performed during continuous shooting.

  In the continuous shooting mode M22, when the user presses the switching button 11, the digital camera 1 shifts to the playback mode M32.

  In the reproduction mode M32, the image recorded on the memory card 90 is reproduced and displayed on the LCD 5. Further, when the user presses the switch button 11, the digital camera 1 again shifts to the single frame shooting mode M12 in the shooting mode.

  When the digital camera 1 is in the single frame shooting mode M12, the continuous shooting mode M22, or the playback mode M32, if the user presses the print button 13, the digital camera 1 responds accordingly. Then, the printer shifts to a print mode for performing print settings manually by the user.

  When the continuous shooting mode M22 is designated by the transition processing as described above and the automatic print setting function is set to the on state, the continuous shooting mode M22 switches to a mode other than the continuous shooting mode. Settings are changed. Therefore, in the continuous shooting mode M22, the automatic print setting function is not turned on, and print settings for individual images are prevented from being automatically performed in conjunction with individual shooting operations during continuous shooting. it can. Therefore, also in this embodiment, in order to perform print setting for an image obtained by continuous shooting, the print button 13 is pressed to shift the digital camera 1 to the print mode, and the user manually performs print setting. Will do. For this reason, when continuous shooting is performed, the print order file Pf in which print settings are made for all of a plurality of images obtained by continuous shooting is automatically recorded on the memory card 90. Even when automatic printing is performed, it is possible to prevent the printing fee from becoming an enormous amount unexpected by the user.

  Also, in continuous shooting, the print order file is not updated every time a frame image is acquired, so the file update process does not become a burden during the shooting operation, which is good. The shooting operation can be repeated at the timing.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, switching to the continuous shooting mode is not limited by turning on / off the automatic print setting function, but one mode that enables continuous shooting even when the automatic print setting function is on. Illustrate.

  FIG. 14 is a state transition diagram illustrating a change in operation mode in the digital camera 1 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, when the power of the digital camera 1 is turned on, the digital camera 1 shifts to the single frame shooting mode M13. When the user presses the menu button 8a in the single frame shooting mode M13, the shooting mode display G13 for performing various settings related to the single frame shooting mode M13 is displayed on the LCD 5.

  In the shooting menu display G13, a screen similar to the display screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and the user can set the automatic print setting function to the on state. When the shooting menu display G13 is being performed and the setting change operation is completed and the execution button 7e is pressed, the process returns to the single frame shooting mode M13 again. In the single frame shooting mode M13, when the user gives a shooting instruction by fully pressing the shutter button 9, the overall control unit 50 performs a shooting operation reflecting the contents set on the shooting menu screen G13. At this time, if the automatic print setting function is set to the on state, the digital camera 1 proceeds with the same processing as in the flowchart of FIG.

  When the user presses the switch button 11 in the single frame shooting mode M13, the digital camera 1 shifts to the continuous shooting mode M23. If the user presses the menu button 8a in the continuous shooting mode M23, the screen shifts to the shooting menu display G23, and a screen for performing various settings related to the continuous shooting mode M23 is displayed on the LCD 5. Also in the shooting menu display G23, a screen similar to the display screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and the user can set the automatic print setting function to the on state. When the shooting menu display G23 is displayed and the setting change operation is completed and the execution button 7e is pressed, the continuous shooting mode M23 is resumed. In the continuous shooting mode M23, when the user gives a shooting instruction by fully pressing the shutter button 9, the overall control unit 50 performs a shooting operation reflecting the content set on the shooting menu screen G23. At this time, if the automatic print setting function is set to the on state, the digital camera 1 proceeds with photographing processing described later.

  When the user presses the switch button 11 in the continuous shooting mode M23, the digital camera 1 shifts to the playback mode M33.

  In the reproduction mode M33, the image recorded on the memory card 90 is reproduced and displayed on the LCD 5. Further, when the user presses the switching button 11, the digital camera 1 again shifts to the single frame shooting mode M13 in the shooting mode.

  When the digital camera 1 is in any one of the single frame shooting mode M13, the continuous shooting mode M23, and the playback mode M33, if the user presses the print button 13, the digital camera 1 responds accordingly. Then, the printer shifts to a print mode for performing print settings manually by the user.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the user presses the switching button 11, the single frame shooting mode M13, the continuous shooting mode M23, and the playback mode M33 are sequentially performed regardless of the on / off state of the automatic print setting function. Will be switched to.

  However, in this embodiment, when the automatic print setting function is set to the on state in the continuous shooting mode M23, automatic print setting linked to individual shooting operations for continuous shooting is not performed, and continuous shooting is not performed. The automatic print setting process is performed after all the photographing operations for the above are completed.

  15 and 16 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure in the continuous shooting mode M23 when the automatic print setting function is on in this embodiment. In the continuous shooting mode M23 in the present embodiment, the processing proceeds according to the flowcharts of FIGS. Each process of steps S210 to S218 shown in FIG. 15 is the same as each process of steps S200 to S208 shown in FIG. 11, and the photographing operation is repeatedly executed while the shutter button 9 is fully pressed by the user. The captured images are continuously acquired at different timings, and a plurality of images are recorded on the memory card 90. Specifically, continuous shooting is executed and a plurality of images are acquired by repeatedly performing the processes of steps S212 and S213. In this embodiment, the print setting is not automatically performed at the timing immediately after the processing of steps S212 and S213. That is, print settings are not automatically performed in conjunction with individual shooting operations.

  When the full pressing operation of the shutter button 9 is released, the process proceeds to step S219 in the flowchart of FIG. In step S219, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not the after view setting is set. After-viewing is to display an image acquired by the shooting operation on the LCD 5 after the shooting is completed. By displaying a plurality of images obtained by continuous shooting on the LCD 5, one of the plurality of images is displayed. The user is prompted to select an image as described above.

  If after-view setting is not performed, the process proceeds to step S220, and print settings are automatically performed for all images acquired by continuous shooting and recorded on the memory card 90.

  On the other hand, when the after view setting is performed, the process proceeds to step S221, and the after view display is performed on the LCD 5. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the after view display in the continuous shooting mode. As shown in FIG. 17, in the after-view display, all the captured images (more strictly, thumbnail images of the captured images) acquired by continuous shooting are arranged and displayed on the LCD 5. Note that the example in FIG. 16 illustrates a case where six frames of captured images are acquired by continuous shooting. In general, in continuous shooting, a plurality of similar images are acquired, while an image that the user desires to print is often one frame among the images of the plurality of frames. The after-view display in step S221 is an image display for allowing the user to perform print designation in such a case. Therefore, in the after view display in step S221, the user performs an operation for selecting an image to be set for printing. For example, by operating the button group 7, the thick frame display indicating the selected image is moved to an arbitrary image, and the liquid crystal monitor button 8b to which the selection function is assigned in a state where the thick frame is attached to the image to be recorded. The selection operation is performed by pressing. Note that the number of images for which print designation is performed by after-view display is not limited to one frame, and may be a plurality of frames.

  When the selection operation is performed in the after view display, the overall control unit 50 identifies the designated image from the images recorded on the memory card 90, and performs print settings for the image (step S222). Then, print order file creation processing for the memory card 90 is executed (step S223). The details of the print order file creation process in step S223 are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG.

  After the print order file creation process (step S223) in FIG. 16 is completed, the process returns to step S210 in FIG. 15 again, and the live view display for preparing for the next continuous shooting is resumed.

  As described above, when the automatic print setting function is set to the on state in the continuous shooting mode M23, the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment prints a print order file in conjunction with individual shooting operations for continuous shooting. After the continuous shooting is completed, a selection screen for selecting an image for print setting is displayed, and print setting is performed for the selected image specified by the user based on the selection screen. The card 90 is configured to record the print order file Pf.

  Therefore, in the continuous shooting mode M23, even when the automatic print setting function is on, it is possible to prevent the print setting for each image from being automatically performed in conjunction with each shooting operation. Therefore, the updating operation of the file is not burdened while the shooting operation is continued, and the shooting operation can be repeated with good timing. Further, since the user designates printing manually after the photographing is completed, the print order file Pf in which the print setting is performed on all of the plurality of images obtained by the continuous photographing on the memory card 90 is performed. It is not automatically recorded, and even when automatic printing is performed, it is possible to prevent the printing fee from becoming an enormous amount unexpected by the user.

  In the above description of the present embodiment, the case where an image to be printed is selected in the after view display is exemplified. However, the image to be recorded on the memory card 90 is selected by the after view display. Also good. In that case, only the image selected by the after-view display among the plurality of images acquired by the continuous shooting is recorded on the memory card 90, and the print setting processing unit 55 stores the memory card 90. The print setting is performed for the selected image recorded in the area 90. That is, after the continuous shooting is completed, a selection screen for selecting an image to be recorded on the memory card 90 is displayed. When an image to be recorded is selected, print setting is performed for the selected image, and the memory card The print order file Pf is recorded on the print order file 90. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as in the case of selecting an image to be printed is achieved.

<Fifth embodiment>
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the automatic print setting function is allowed to be turned on in the continuous shooting mode, and the print setting is automatically performed in conjunction with each shooting operation during continuous shooting, while the number of prints is unlimited. An example in which a limit is set on the number of print settings so that the number of prints does not increase is illustrated.

  The operation mode of the digital camera 1 in this embodiment changes in the same manner as the state transition diagram and mode shown in FIG. Therefore, the automatic print setting function may be set to the on state in the continuous shooting mode M23. In the shooting menu display G23 in FIG. 14, the upper limit value N (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) for the set number of prints can be set in advance to a value desired by the user. Even if the user does not set the upper limit value N in the shooting menu display G23, the upper limit value N is predetermined as a default value that is a predetermined integer of 1 or more.

  18 and 19 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure in the continuous shooting mode M23 in this embodiment. First, as shown in FIG. 18, when the continuous shooting mode M23 is entered, live view display is performed on the LCD 5 (step S230). The user performs framing in this state, and half-presses the shutter button 9 at a desired timing. In the digital camera 1, in response to the shutter button 9 being half-pressed, the overall control unit 50 executes AF, AE, and AWB processes, and the user performs a full-press operation of the shutter button 9. (Step S231).

  When the shutter button 9 is fully pressed, exposure of the CCD 20 is started and a photographing operation for acquiring an image is performed (step S232). The image data acquired by this photographing operation is temporarily stored in the RAM 50a (step S233). That is, the processing in steps S232 and S233 is a single shooting operation for acquiring an image for one frame.

  Next, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not the automatic print setting function is on (step S234), and if it is on, proceeds to step S235. If it is in the off state, the process proceeds to step S238 in FIG.

  If the automatic print setting function is on, it is determined whether or not the set number of prints has reached a predetermined limit number (N) (step S235). If the set number of prints has not reached the limit number, steps S236 and S237 are performed. That is, a print setting process (step S236) for the image stored in the RAM 50a and a process (step S237) for recording (updating) the print order file Pf on the memory card 90 based on the print setting are executed. When the print setting is automatically performed in step S236, the print setting number is cumulatively increased by incrementing the print setting number held in the RAM 50a by one.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S238 in FIG. 19, and the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not the shutter button 9 is fully pressed (step S238). If the fully pressed state is continued, the process proceeds to step S239. move on. Steps S239, S240, and S241 are the same as steps S205, S206, and S207 in FIG. 11, and step S232 is performed until the area that can be stored in the RAM 50a is full due to image data acquired by continuous shooting. Subsequent processes described above are repeated, and when the image becomes full, a recording process for recording a plurality of images accumulated in the RAM 50a by the continuous shooting until then is performed on the memory card 90. Note that after the recording process (step S240), if the shutter button 9 is not fully pressed (Yes in step S241), the shooting operation for continuous shooting ends.

  On the other hand, if the full pressing operation of the shutter button 9 has been released in step S238, the process proceeds to step S242, and a process of recording the image stored in the RAM 50a on the memory card 90 is performed. Then, the shooting operation for continuous shooting is finished.

  After all the processes are completed, the process returns to step S230 in FIG. 18 again, and the live view display for preparing for the next continuous shooting is resumed.

  As described above, in the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, when the automatic print setting function is in the on state, the acquired image is associated with each shooting operation repeated for continuous shooting. Print settings are made automatically. In this embodiment, the number of prints set by the automatic print setting function is limited, print settings are made only for images of a predetermined number of frames, and images exceeding the predetermined number of frames are linked to the shooting operation. The automatic print setting is not performed.

  Therefore, in the continuous shooting mode M23, even when the automatic print setting function is on, it is possible to prevent an unlimited increase in the number of print settings during continuous shooting, and even when automatic printing is performed, It is possible to prevent the print fee from becoming an enormous amount unexpected by the user.

<Sixth Embodiment>
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the automatic print setting function is allowed to be turned on in the continuous shooting mode, and the print setting is automatically performed in conjunction with each shooting operation during continuous shooting, while the number of prints is unlimited. An example in which a restriction is imposed on the number of shots that can be taken by continuous shooting so as not to increase the number of shots will be described.

  The operation mode of the digital camera 1 in this embodiment changes in the same manner as the state transition diagram and mode shown in FIG. Therefore, the automatic print setting function may be set to the on state in the continuous shooting mode M23. In the shooting menu display G23 in FIG. 14, the upper limit N (where N is an integer of 1 or more) for the number of shots can be set in advance to a value desired by the user. Even if the user does not set the upper limit value N in the shooting menu display G23, the upper limit value N is predetermined as a default value that is a predetermined integer of 1 or more.

  20 and 21 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure in the continuous shooting mode M23 in the present embodiment. First, as shown in FIG. 20, when the continuous shooting mode M23 is entered, live view display is performed on the LCD 5 (step S250). The user performs framing in this state, and half-presses the shutter button 9 at a desired timing. In the digital camera 1, in response to the shutter button 9 being half-pressed, the overall control unit 50 executes AF, AE, and AWB processes, and the user performs a full-press operation of the shutter button 9. (Step S251).

  When the shutter button 9 is fully pressed, exposure of the CCD 20 is started and a photographing operation for acquiring an image is performed (step S252). The image data acquired by this photographing operation is temporarily stored in the RAM 50a (step S253). That is, the processing in steps S252 and S253 is a single shooting operation for acquiring an image for one frame. Note that each time the photographing operation of steps S252 and S253 is performed, the number of shots is cumulatively increased by incrementing the number of shots held in the RAM 50a by one.

  Next, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not the automatic print setting function is on (step S254), and if it is on, proceeds to step S255. If it is off, the process proceeds to step S259 in FIG.

  When the automatic print setting function is on, the print setting process for the image stored in the RAM 50a (step S255) and the process for recording (updating) the print order file Pf in the memory card 90 based on the print setting. (Step S256) is executed.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the number of shots has reached the limit number (N) (step S257). If the number of shots reaches the limit number, the process proceeds to step S258, and a warning display is displayed on the LCD 5 indicating that continuous shooting has been forcibly terminated due to the number limit. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the display state of the LCD 5 in the continuous shooting mode. As shown in FIG. 22, in the continuous shooting mode, a display 500 indicating that the user is in the continuous shooting mode is displayed on the screen of the LCD 5. However, when the number of shots reaches the limit number in step S257, the display 500 is blinked by the process in step S258, and the warning state indicating that the continuous shooting is forcibly ended is changed. With such a warning display, the user can easily grasp that the continuous shooting has been forcibly terminated. Note that the warning display indicating that the continuous shooting has been forcibly terminated is not limited to the mode of FIG. 22, and various display modes can be applied.

  On the other hand, if the number of shots has not reached the limit number in step S257, the process proceeds to step S259 in FIG. Then, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not the shutter button 9 is fully pressed (step S259), and if the fully pressed state is continued, the process proceeds to step S260. The processes in steps S260, S261, and S262 are the same as steps S205, S206, and S207 in FIG. 11, and step S252 is performed until the storable area of the RAM 50a is full due to image data acquired by continuous shooting. Subsequent processing described above is repeated, and when the image becomes full, recording processing (step S261) for recording a plurality of images accumulated in the RAM 50a by the continuous shooting until then on the memory card 90 is performed. Note that after the recording process (step S261), if the shutter button 9 is not fully pressed (Yes in step S262), the shooting operation for continuous shooting ends.

  On the other hand, if the number of shots reaches the limit number and the continuous shooting is forcibly terminated, or if the shutter button 9 is not fully depressed in step S259, the process proceeds to step S263, and so far. Processing for recording the image stored in the RAM 50a on the memory card 90 is performed. Then, the shooting operation for continuous shooting is finished.

  After all the processes are completed, the process returns to step S250 in FIG. 20 again, and the live view display for resuming the next continuous shooting is resumed.

  As described above, in the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, when the automatic print setting function is in the on state, the acquired image is associated with each shooting operation repeated for continuous shooting. Print settings are made automatically. When the number of shots by continuous shooting reaches the limit number, the continuous shooting is forcibly terminated.

  Therefore, in the continuous shooting mode M23, even when the automatic print setting function is on, it is possible to prevent an unlimited increase in the number of print settings during continuous shooting, and even when automatic printing is performed, It is possible to prevent the print fee from becoming an enormous amount unexpected by the user.

<Seventh embodiment>
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a method for determining the limited number N of print settings described in the fifth embodiment or the limited number N of shots described in the sixth embodiment is described. explain.

  FIG. 23 shows a more detailed state transition diagram in the shooting menu display G23 related to the continuous shooting mode M23. When an operation for changing the limit number N is performed in the shooting menu display G23, the overall control unit 50 displays a screen G24 for setting the number limit on the LCD 5. In this screen G24, there are two items, for example, “Restrict by number of prints” and “Restrict by print fee” as selection items. The user can switch the selection state by pressing the upper button 7a or the lower button 7b. For example, if the screen G24 is in a state where “Restrict by number of sheets” is selected, the user moves to the screen G26 by pressing the upper button 7a or the lower button 7b, and “Restrict by print fee” is selected. Change to the state.

  If the user presses the execute button 7e in a state where “limit by number” is selected (screen G24), the screen shifts to a screen G25 for setting the limit number N by the number. On this screen G25, a value indicating the limit number N is displayed, and the value of the limit number can be changed by the user pressing the upper button 7a or the lower button 7b. When the execution button 7e is pressed while a desired value is displayed as the limit number, the overall control unit 50 executes a process P20 for determining the limit value N. The process P20 here is a process in which the value displayed on the screen G25 is set as the limit value N as it is. Then, the determined limit value N is written in the ROM 50b, and the shooting menu display G23 is returned again.

  On the other hand, when the user presses the execution button 7e in a state where “limit by print fee” is selected (screen G26), the screen shifts to a screen G27 for setting the limit number N of prints by the print fee. In this screen G27, a value relating to the print fee is displayed, and the value indicating the total amount of the print fee can be changed by the user pressing the upper button 7a or the lower button 7b. The unit price is also preferably configured so that the user can set the desired value. When the execution button 7e is pressed when a desired value is displayed as the total amount of the print fee, the overall control unit 50 executes a process P20 for determining the limit value N. The process P20 here is a calculation process for obtaining the limit value N based on the total amount and unit price information displayed on the screen G27. That is, the limit value N = (total amount) / (unit price). The limit value N determined in this way is written in the ROM 50b, and the display returns to the shooting menu display G23.

  As described above, as a method for determining the limit number N of the set number of prints or the limit number N of shooting at the time of continuous shooting, the user directly specifies the number value, the print fee, and the print fee. In the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, when the user inputs a print fee, the limited number N is determined by internal calculation processing. It has become. Therefore, the user can determine the limit number N automatically only by inputting the print fee, and the operability of the digital camera 1 is improved.

<Modification>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above contents.

  For example, the case where the digital camera 1 has a configuration in which print designation can be performed for each image by manual operation in the print mode is illustrated, but the digital camera 1 may not have a function for performing such manual operation. Good.

  Moreover, although the case where the shooting mode is configured by the single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode is illustrated, the shooting mode may be configured by further including a moving image shooting mode and other modes.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure which looked at the digital camera from the front side. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure which looked at the digital camera from the back side. It is a block diagram which shows the internal function of a digital camera. It is a figure which shows an example of the data storage state in a memory card. It is a figure which shows an example of the information recorded on a print order file. It is a state transition diagram which shows the change of the operation mode in the digital camera in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen in the imaging | photography menu display in single frame imaging | photography mode. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen in the imaging | photography menu display in continuous shooting imaging | photography mode. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in single frame imaging | photography mode. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a print order file creation process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the continuous shooting mode in 1st Embodiment. It is a state transition diagram which shows the change of the operation mode in the digital camera in 2nd Embodiment. It is a state transition diagram which shows the change of the operation mode in the digital camera in 3rd Embodiment. It is a state transition diagram which shows the change of the operation mode in the digital camera in 4th thru | or 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the continuous shooting mode in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the continuous shooting mode in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the after view display in continuous shooting photography mode. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the continuous shooting mode in 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the continuous shooting mode in 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the continuous shooting mode in 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the continuous shooting mode in 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display state at the time of continuous shooting mode. It is a figure which shows the detailed state transition in the imaging | photography menu display regarding continuous imaging | photography mode.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital camera (imaging device)
5 LCD (display means)
50 Overall control unit 53 Imaging control unit (control means)
55 Print setting processing section (print setting means)
90 Memory card (recording medium)

Claims (8)

An imaging device for recording an image obtained by shooting on a recording medium,
Control means for controlling the shooting operation in response to the shooting instruction;
In conjunction with the shooting operation, print setting is performed for an image recorded on the recording medium, and a print order file is recorded on the recording medium; and
With
The image pickup apparatus, wherein the print setting unit does not update the print order file in conjunction with each shooting operation when continuous shooting is performed by the control unit. The imaging device according to claim 1,
It further comprises display means for displaying an image,
When the continuous shooting is performed by the control unit, the display unit displays a selection screen for selecting an image for print setting after the continuous shooting is completed, and the print setting unit includes the display unit. An image pickup apparatus, wherein print setting is performed for a selected image designated when the selection screen is displayed, and recording processing of the print order file is performed. The imaging device according to claim 1,
It further comprises display means for displaying an image,
When the continuous shooting is performed by the control unit, the display unit displays a selection screen for selecting an image to be recorded on the recording medium after the continuous shooting is completed, and the print setting unit includes: An image pickup apparatus, wherein when an image to be recorded on the recording medium is selected, print setting is performed for the selected image and recording processing of the print order file is performed. An imaging device for recording an image obtained by shooting on a recording medium,
Control means for controlling the shooting operation in response to the shooting instruction;
In conjunction with the shooting operation, print setting is performed for an image recorded on the recording medium, and a print order file is recorded on the recording medium; and
With
When continuous shooting is performed by the control unit, the print setting unit performs print setting for an image having a predetermined number of frames in conjunction with the shooting operation, and images exceeding the predetermined number of frames are set. An image pickup apparatus is characterized in that print setting is not performed in conjunction with a shooting operation. An imaging device for recording an image obtained by shooting on a recording medium,
Control means for controlling the shooting operation in response to the shooting instruction;
Print setting means for performing print setting on an image recorded on the recording medium, and recording a print order file on the recording medium;
With
An image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the print setting unit performs print setting for an image in conjunction with a shooting operation, the control unit prohibits continuous shooting. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5,
When it is set to perform the shooting operation in the continuous shooting mode, if the print setting unit is set to perform the print setting for the image in conjunction with the shooting operation, the control unit performs the continuous shooting. An image pickup apparatus, wherein the setting is changed to a shooting mode other than the mode. An imaging device for recording an image obtained by shooting on a recording medium,
Control means for controlling the shooting operation in response to the shooting instruction;
Print setting means for performing print setting on an image recorded on the recording medium, and recording a print order file on the recording medium;
With
An image pickup apparatus, wherein when the print setting unit performs print setting for an image in conjunction with a shooting operation, the number of shots by continuous shooting is limited when the control unit performs continuous shooting. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7,
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means limits the number of shots by continuous shooting based on a preset upper limit of a print fee.

Images