JP2005333461A - Camera, and recording method and recording/reproducing method of the camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera having wide applicability and capable of performing more effective reproduction or the like of subject images on the basis of incidental information such as time elapsed from reference time and sounds. <P>SOLUTION: A system controller 28 is provided with a stop watch function for counting time elapsed from the point of time of reference on the basis of date information outputted from a clock circuit 30 and recording the elapsed time at the time of image pickup together with the subject images. In the case of reproducing a series of the photographed subject images by the stop watch function, the system controller 28 calculates the reproducing time of each subject image from set total reproducing time, counted total elapsed time and the elapsed time recorded at each photographing time and executes display switching of the series of the subject images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera, a camera recording method, and a recording / reproducing method capable of effectively reproducing a subject image accompanied by an elapsed time from a reference time, a sound, and the like based on each auxiliary information.

  In recent years, so-called electronic cameras that form a subject image on an image sensor, convert it into an electrical signal, and record image data obtained therefrom on a computer-readable recording medium have become widespread. Further, in order to make use of the advantage of computerization that makes it possible to apply information processing technology, various proposals have been made to increase the functionality of this type of electronic camera.

  For example, the camera described in Patent Document 1 has a stopwatch function. This stopwatch function is suitable for shooting each competitor in a track competition. For example, timing is started by the first release operation, and in the second and subsequent release operations, the time elapsed during the timekeeping with the imaging of the subject image. Time is recorded. If this function is used, for example, after performing the first release operation at the start of the competition, it is possible to record the competition time together with the subject image of each athlete only by performing the release operation every time each athlete finishes.

  Further, for example, the camera described in Patent Document 2 has an image reproduction function for reproducing the image information with the time information added in accordance with the time information. This image reproduction function is suitable for reproduction of a captured image in each cooking step in a cooking class, for example.When each image is photographed while recording the elapsed time in the timer photographing mode, the image is reproduced in the timer reproduction mode. The reproduction is performed along the elapsed time. According to this function, when reviewing the cooking process at a later date, each image can be referred to at the same time as the time elapses in the cooking class.

Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 3 describes a camera that has a function of automatically recording sound at the timing of capturing an image of the subject as well as capturing the image of the subject.
JP 2000-125165 A JP 2001-103431 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-230090

  As described above, recent electronic cameras have been provided with a function for attaching various information to a captured subject image such as time information and voice. However, these incidental information is only used to the extent that the playback is performed according to the elapsed time. For example, the playback function is more effectively used to expand the applicability of the camera. It is hard to say that it has been done.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and can be applied to a more effective subject image reproduction based on incidental information such as an elapsed time from the reference time and sound. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wide camera, a camera recording method, and a recording / reproducing method.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the camera of the present invention includes an imaging means, a time measuring means, a reset means for resetting the start time of the elapsed time to be timed by the time measuring means, and an elapsed time timed by the time measuring means. And a recording means for recording a series of subject images having a common start time of the elapsed time so that the subject images can be distinguished from other subject images. To do.

  Further, the recording method of the camera of the present invention measures the elapsed time from the reference start time, associates the elapsed time measured at the time of capturing each subject image with the subject image, and counts the elapsed time. A series of subject images having a common start time are recorded so as to be distinguishable from other subject images.

  The camera and the camera recording method according to the present invention include means for resetting the elapsed time to be timed, and the subject image group after the time measurement start time is reset by the reset means as another subject image. It is characterized by comprising means for recording in an identifiable manner.

  In addition, the camera of the present invention includes an imaging unit, a timing unit, a recording unit that records an elapsed time measured by the timing unit in association with a subject image captured by the imaging unit, and a timing of the elapsed time Interval playback means for playing back a series of subject images that have a common start time while switching at every time calculated according to the elapsed time associated with each of the subject images.

  Further, the recording / reproducing method of the camera of the present invention measures the elapsed time from the reference start time, records the elapsed time measured at the time of capturing each subject image, and records the elapsed time. A series of subject images having the same time measurement start time are reproduced while being switched at every time calculated in accordance with the elapsed time associated with each.

  According to the present invention, a camera, a camera recording method, and a recording / reproducing method with wide applicability, such as enabling more effective reproduction of a subject image based on incidental information such as an elapsed time from a reference time and sound, etc. Can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of the camera according to this embodiment as viewed from the front. This camera is a so-called electronic camera that forms an object image on an image sensor by a lens and converts it into an electrical signal, and records the image data of the object image obtained thereby on a recording medium, as shown in FIG. In addition, an opening 1 for taking in subject light into the camera body and a strobe 2 for illuminating the subject are provided on the front surface of the housing. A release button 3 for instructing a photographing operation at a desired timing is provided on the upper surface of the housing.

  On the other hand, FIG. 2 is an external view of the camera according to this embodiment viewed from the back. As shown in FIG. 2, a color liquid crystal display (LCD) 4 for displaying a subject image and various menus is displayed on the back of the housing of the camera, and menus are displayed on the LCD 4 and responds to the displayed menus. A menu / OK button 5 for performing an operation, zoom buttons 6a and 6b for performing a zoom operation, and a speaker 7 for outputting sound are provided. In addition to the one shown in FIG. 1, a microphone 8 for voice input is provided on the upper surface of the housing. Further, on one side of the housing, there is a dial 9 for performing various operation settings, a back button 10 for returning the menu operation to the previous one, and switching for switching the camera operation between the photographing mode and the reproduction mode. A switch 11 and a power button 12 for turning on / off the camera are provided.

  This camera has a stopwatch function that measures the elapsed time from a certain reference time and records it at the time of capturing a subject image. When the camera operation is in the shooting mode, after the menu / OK button 5 is pressed to display the menu on the LCD 4, the dial 9 is used to select the stopwatch mode, and the menu / OK button 5 is pressed again in this selected state. The camera is set to stopwatch mode. Hereinafter, the operation principle related to the stopwatch function will be described.

  First, the device configuration in the camera body will be described with reference to FIG. The subject light that has passed through the zoom lens 13 provided in the opening 1 is further controlled to pass through an AF (automatic focus adjustment) lens 15 after the amount of light is controlled by a diaphragm 14. The subject light that has passed through the zoom lens 13, the diaphragm 14, and the AF lens 15 enters a CCD (two-dimensional color image sensor) 16 and forms a subject image on the imaging surface.

  The CCD 16 is configured by arranging a plurality of pixels that perform photoelectric conversion in a two-dimensional matrix to form an imaging surface, and further arranging a color filter on the imaging surface, corresponding to a subject image formed on the imaging surface. Accumulated signal charge. The CCD 16 is provided with an image pickup circuit 17 that controls exposure, readout, element shutter, gain adjustment, power supply, and the like. The output from the CCD 16 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 18 and then input as an image signal to the AE (automatic exposure) processing unit 19, the AF processing unit 20, and the image processing unit 21.

  The AE processing unit 19 receives the digitized pixel signal output from the A / D converter 18 and performs arithmetic processing mainly including the cumulative addition of the pixel signal from each pixel. Based on the cumulative addition value, the subject An AE evaluation value corresponding to the brightness of the image is obtained.

  The AF processing unit 20 receives the digitized pixel signal output from the A / D converter 18 and extracts, for example, a high-frequency component of the pixel signal for one screen by a high-pass filter, and performs cumulative addition or the like on this. An AF evaluation value corresponding to the contour component amount on the high frequency side is calculated by performing arithmetic processing.

  In the image processing unit 21, ISO sensitivity setting, auto white balance, luminance / color signal generation, gamma processing, and the like are performed on the digitized pixel signal output from the A / D converter 18. As a result, a color image signal of a predetermined format is generated.

  The color image signal generated by the image processing unit 21 is temporarily stored in the DRAM 22 which is a buffer memory. A liquid crystal control unit 23 is connected to the DRAM 22, and the color image signal is converted into a form suitable for display output here, supplied to the LCD 4, and displayed in real time as a through image.

  Further, a compression / decompression unit 24 is further connected to the DRAM 22. The compression / decompression unit 24 reads out the image signal stored in the DRAM 22 and performs compression (encoding) processing, whereby a compression processing unit for obtaining a form suitable for recording on the recording medium 25 and the recording medium 25 are provided. An expansion processing unit that reads the recorded image signal and performs expansion (decoding) processing. At the time of reproduction, the decompressed image signal is temporarily stored in the DRAM 22 and appropriately displayed on the LCD 4 via the liquid crystal control unit 23. The compression / decompression unit 24 can also perform compression processing and decompression processing on the audio signal. The audio input from the microphone 8 is digitized by the audio processing unit 26, and then is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 24. It is compressed and recorded on the recording medium 25, and at the time of reproduction, it is read out from the recording medium 25 by the compression / decompression unit 24, decompressed, converted into an analog signal by the audio processing unit 26, and then output from the speaker 7.

  The strobe control circuit 27 is a circuit that controls the light emission amount of the strobe 2, includes a strobe capacitor capable of storing a predetermined amount of charge, and causes the strobe 2 to emit light by charging and discharging the strobe capacitor.

  The operation of each of the above parts is controlled by the system controller 28, and this system controller 28 performs processing results of the AE processing unit 19 and the AF processing unit 20 and the operation unit 29 (release button 3 in FIG. 1, FIG. 2). Are equivalent to the dial 9, the back button 10, etc.), and each part is controlled by a CPU.

  The clock circuit 30 is a clock module that incorporates a unique battery and counts the time continuously even when the camera body is turned off, and outputs the counted date and time information. The power supply circuit 31 controls supply of electric power necessary for the operation of each unit. The EEPROM 32 is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores various processing programs and various information used in these processing programs.

  When the power of the camera is turned on by the power button 12, the camera operation is switched to the shooting mode by the changeover switch 11, and when the stopwatch mode is set by the menu / OK button 5 and the dial 9, the system controller 28 When the first release button 5 is pressed, the elapsed time using the date / time information from the clock circuit 30 is started. In other words, the elapsed time attached to the first captured subject image is 0, and the second and subsequent subject images are each accompanied by the elapsed time since the first subject image was captured. . When the back button 10 is pressed during the elapsed time measurement, the elapsed time measurement is reset, and the elapsed time measurement is newly started from 0 when the first release button 5 is pressed thereafter. It will be. In addition, although the example which uses the back button 10 as a reset button was shown here, it can change easily so that other buttons may be used or a dedicated button may be newly provided. Further, instead of the first release button 5 being pressed, it is also possible to change some operation such as when another button is pressed so that the elapsed time starts to be measured.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the LCD 4 when this camera is set to the stopwatch mode. As shown in the figure, the system controller 28 displays a subject image to be imaged on the LCD 4 as a through image, and a mark (a) that is an icon for notifying that the stopwatch mode is in the upper left part of the through image. ) And the elapsed time (b) to be measured is displayed at the lower right. Since the elapsed time (g) starts timing when the release button 5 is first pressed, the user can know the elapsed time in progress by this display. The image data such as the mark (a) is stored in the EEPROM 29.

  In addition, when no operation is performed over a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes), this camera automatically switches the operation state to a state (sleep state) for reducing power consumption, such as turning off the LCD 4. It has a sleep function to shift to. In this regard, when the camera is set to the stopwatch mode, the system controller 28 prohibits the transition to the sleep state so as not to miss a so-called photo opportunity.

  Next, a recording format of a subject image shot in the stopwatch mode will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data configuration in the recording medium 25 that is detachably attached to the camera. The system controller 28, as shown in the figure, includes a data root folder 251, a subfolder 252, image data (subject image). ) In addition to creating a tree structure composed of the group 253 for data storage, an image list 254 for managing image data stored in the tree structure is created. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image list 254.

  The image list 254 is composed of text data, and as shown in FIG. 6, one record is created for each subject image. Each record has fields A to D shown in the figure, which indicate the following items. That is, the A field indicates the type of image data, and “Still” indicates that it is a still image. The B field indicates a mode at the time of shooting, and “SW” indicates that it is a stopwatch mode. The C field indicates the time measurement result, and the elapsed time from the start of time measurement is expressed in seconds. The D field represents the storage location (path) and file name of each image data.

  As described above, the B field indicates whether or not the stopwatch mode is set, and the C field indicates the elapsed time at the time of each imaging. As a result, the system controller 28 has a series of subject images that are common at the start of counting the elapsed time. Are recorded so as to be distinguishable from other subject images (groups c1, c2, c3,...). The last record of the series of subject images is inserted to record the elapsed time at the end of timing, that is, the total elapsed time measured, and “RESET” is set in the D field for identification. And record. The use of the elapsed time at the end of timing will be described later. Next, a description will be given of a procedure for reproducing a series of subject images in the stopwatch mode recorded in such a manner that they can be identified.

  When the camera operation is set to the reproduction mode by the change-over switch 11, the system controller 28 reproduces the subject images in the order of imaging and displays them on the LCD 4. Here, in response to pressing of the zoom buttons 6a and 6b, switching control is performed so that the subject image to be displayed is moved back or forwarded (so-called frame advance), but the present invention is not limited to this. It is possible to easily modify the buttons so that the buttons are used or a dedicated button is newly provided.

  Then, when the system controller 28 recognizes that the subject image to be displayed by this switching is captured in the stopwatch mode, all the subject images having a common start time measurement of elapsed time are stored in one An image (representative image) is presented on the LCD 4. FIGS. 7 and 8 show examples of presentation of the representative image, respectively.

  In the first example shown in FIG. 7, the system controller 28 displays, on the LCD 4, the earliest subject image in time among the series of subject images captured in the stopwatch mode as their representative images. In the second example shown in FIG. 8, the system controller 28 edits an image including a series of subject images (here, 14 subject images) captured in the stopwatch mode as a group image of small screens. Display on LCD4. In these presentation examples, either one may be selected by setting, or either one may be fixedly used as a specification. A mark (d) indicating that it is a series of subject image images captured in the stopwatch mode is presented at the lower right of the images shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. With this mark (d), the user can recognize that this image is an image in the stopwatch mode. That is, when displaying a list of subject images, it is possible to present only a series of subject images that are common at the start of timing and present them in an easy-to-understand manner. If the frame advance is instructed by the zoom button 6a in the state where the representative image of FIG. 7 is displayed, it switches to the next subject image in time among the series of subject images taken in the stopwatch mode. Instead, it switches to the next subject image of the entire series of subject images. At this time, if the image is captured in the stopwatch mode, the earliest subject image in time is displayed as a representative image in the same manner as this.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in addition to the mark (d) described above, the mark (e) is presented at the lower right of the stopwatch mode image. This camera has a function of recording a sound as well as capturing a subject image, and this mark (e) indicates that there is a sound associated with the subject image.

  The release button 5 includes a first switch that is turned on in a so-called half-pressed state and a second switch that is turned on in a fully-pressed state. When the first switch is turned on, the system controller 28 When the AE processing unit 19 and the AF processing unit 20 are instructed to perform photometry processing and distance measurement processing as preparation for photographing, and the second switch is turned on, the main imaging processing is executed based on the result of these preparation processing. After the second switch is turned on and until this on is released, the system controller 28 continues to input sound from the microphone 8, and records the input sound in association with the subject image. Store in the medium 25. For association with the subject image, any method may be used, for example, only changing the extension of the file name from image to sound. In the stopwatch mode, the result of the photometric process immediately before the second switch is first turned on is used for subsequent imaging. Here, the result of the photometric processing has been mentioned, but in addition, it is easy to modify it so that all items of the imaging conditions are kept the same.

  As described above, when the frame advance is instructed in the state where the representative image of FIG. 7 is displayed, it is described that the next subject image of the whole series of subject images captured in the stopwatch mode is switched. When reproducing each, the menu / OK button 5 is pressed while the representative screen is displayed. In response to pressing of the menu / OK button 5, the system controller 28 sequentially reproduces each series of subject images while switching the display target at a predetermined timing. Here, this display form is called interval reproduction. When performing the interval reproduction, the system controller 28 controls the switching timing of the subject image based on the incidental information of each elapsed time and audio recording time.

  Now, it is assumed that the subject images are captured in the stopwatch mode and the sound is recorded when each subject image is captured as shown in FIG. Specifically, 2.5 seconds of audio is recorded during the first imaging after setting the stopwatch mode, and after 3 minutes, the second imaging is performed and 2 seconds of audio is recorded, When the elapsed time reaches 10 minutes, the third imaging is performed. At that time, 3 seconds of audio is recorded, and when the elapsed time is 18 minutes, the fourth imaging is performed and for 1 second. Is recorded, and when the elapsed time reaches 20 minutes, the fifth imaging and 10-second voice recording are performed, and when the elapsed time reaches 30 minutes, the elapsed time is reset or from the stopwatch mode. It is assumed that transition to another mode has been performed.

  When performing interval reproduction on a series of subject images in the stopwatch mode in which imaging with audio recording is performed as shown in FIG. 9, the system controller 28, as shown in FIG. Display control is performed in one of the three procedures of C). Any one of these may be selected by setting, or any one of them may be fixedly used as a specification.

  First, the first example shown in FIG. 10A will be described. The system controller 28 executes playback of each subject image and sound while switching at predetermined time intervals. Here, the time is 2 seconds. Then, when performing switching for this predetermined time, that is, every 2 seconds, the system controller 28 ends the reproduction of the sound in 2 seconds if the sound of 2 seconds or more is recorded, and the next subject. Move to image and audio playback. As a result, the audio reproduction is interrupted at the first frame, the third frame, and the fifth frame in the figure. Note that, in the fourth frame, the display of the subject image is continued until 2 seconds elapses after the audio reproduction is finished. By this reproduction, even if an image recorded for a long time is included, the image can be viewed at a certain timing.

  Next, a second example shown in FIG. 10B will be described. As in the first example, the system controller 28 executes reproduction of each subject image and sound while switching at predetermined time intervals. The difference from the first example is that when the sound reproduction exceeds a predetermined time, the sound reproduction is continued to the end together with the reproduction of the subject image. As a result, the reproduction times of the first frame, the third frame, and the fifth frame in the figure are extended to the respective audio reproduction times. By this reproduction, the sound can be reproduced without interruption.

  In both cases of the first example and the second example, when the user actively performs a frame advance operation, the reproduction target is immediately switched accordingly.

  Further, in the third example shown in FIG. 10C, the system controller 28 determines the elapsed time at the end of time measurement (image list 254 shown in FIG. 6). From the relationship between the elapsed time recorded in the record in which the D field in the middle is “RESET”) and a predetermined interval reproduction time, the imaging interval of the subject image is recalculated to determine the switching timing. Assuming that the interval playback time is set to 5 minutes, the ratio to the elapsed time of 30 minutes when the stopwatch mode is canceled is 1: 6. Therefore, the system controller 28 recalculates the imaging interval of 3 minutes between the first frame and the second frame as 30 seconds corresponding to this ratio, and after the first frame is played back, the second frame is 30 seconds later. Let's move on to playback. Similarly, the imaging interval of 7 minutes between the second frame and the third frame is recalculated as 70 seconds. Through this reproduction, a series of subject images can be confirmed in a short time while reproducing the atmosphere at the time of shooting.

The interval reproduction time may be determined according to the total number of captured images of a series of subject images. For example,
(1) Within 30 sheets: Number of sheets x 1 minute (2) 31 sheets or more: 30 minutes (fixed)
Based on this rule, the system controller 28 first determines the total interval reproduction time of the series of subject images, and then executes the above-described recalculation.

  Next, the operation procedure of this camera will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an imaging operation procedure in the stopwatch mode.

  When the system controller 28 detects that the release button 5 is half-pressed and the first switch is turned on (YES in step A1), the system controller 28 checks whether the elapsed time is 0 (step A2). If it is 0 (YES in step A2), photometry processing is instructed to the AE processing unit 19 (step A3). Next, the system controller 28 instructs the AF processing unit 20 to perform distance measurement processing (step A4), and determines shooting conditions from the result of the photometry processing and the result of the distance measurement processing (step A5).

  Thereafter, the system controller 28 waits for the first switch to be turned off (half-press release) or the second switch to be turned on (full press) (steps A6 and A7), and detects that the first switch is turned off. (YES in step A6), the process returns to step A1. On the other hand, when it is detected that the second switch is turned on (YES in step A7), the system controller 28 performs shooting under the shooting conditions determined in step A5 (step A8), and records the elapsed time counted at that time. (Step A9). If the elapsed time at this time is 0, the system controller 28 starts counting the elapsed time at the same time as recording the elapsed time.

  Then, the system controller 28 continues to record voice until it detects that the second switch is turned off (step A10), and if it is detected that the second switch is turned off (YES in step A11), whether or not a reset operation has been performed. (Step A12), the elapsed time is reset to 0 (step A13), and the process returns to step A1.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation procedure regarding the sleep function.

  The system controller 28 monitors whether or not the elapsed time since the last notification is received from the operation unit 29 exceeds a predetermined time (step B1). If the predetermined time is exceeded (YES in step B1), the system controller 28 checks whether or not the stopwatch mode is set (step B2). If the stopwatch mode is not set (step B2). (NO in B2), the transition to the sleep state is executed (step B3).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the procedure for reproducing the captured subject image.

  First, the system controller 28 checks whether or not the subject image to be reproduced was captured in the stopwatch mode (step C1), and if it is captured in the stopwatch mode (YES in step C1), the menu / It is checked whether or not the OK button 5 has been pressed (step C2). When the pressing of the menu / OK button 5 is detected (YES in step C2), the system controller 28 executes interval reproduction processing for a series of subject images captured in the stopwatch mode (step C3).

  Further, the image is not captured in the stopwatch mode (NO in step C1), or is captured in the stopwatch mode, but pressing of the menu / OK button 5 is not detected (NO in step C2). The system controller 28 checks whether or not a frame advance operation has been performed (step C4). If it has been performed (YES in step C4), the subject image to be reproduced is switched to the next (step C5).

  FIG. 14 is a first flowchart showing the flow of the operation procedure of interval reproduction, and shows the flow of the operation procedure in the first example shown in FIG.

  When the system controller 28 displays the subject image of the first frame (step D1) and reproduces the sound associated with the subject image (step D2), the elapsed time from that time exceeds a predetermined time, or It waits for a frame advance operation by the user (steps D3 and D4). When the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step D3) or when a frame advance operation is performed (YES in step D4), the system controller 28 next switches the subject image to be reproduced (step D5), and step D2 Repeat the process from.

  FIG. 15 is a second flowchart showing the flow of the interval reproduction operation procedure, and shows the flow of the operation procedure in the second example shown in FIG.

  The system controller 28 displays the subject image of the first frame (step E1). When the sound associated with the subject image is reproduced (step E2), it is first checked whether or not the reproduction of the sound is completed (step E2). Step E3). When the end is detected (YES in step E3), it is checked whether or not the display time of the subject image exceeds a predetermined time (step E4). Next, the subject image is switched (step E5), and the processing from step E2 is repeated.

  If the audio reproduction has not been completed (NO in step E3) or if the predetermined time has not been exceeded (NO in step E4), the system controller 28 checks whether or not the frame advance operation has been performed by the user. (Step E6). When the frame advance operation is performed (YES in step E6), the system controller 28 switches the subject image (step E5) and repeats the processing from step E2 at that time. If not (NO in step E6), the state is maintained as it is.

  FIG. 16 is a second flowchart showing the flow of the operation procedure of interval reproduction, and shows the flow of the operation procedure in the third example shown in FIG.

  First, the system controller 28 calculates the reproduction time of each subject image from the measured total elapsed time and the elapsed time at the time of each imaging (step F1), and then starts displaying the subject image of the first frame (step F1). Step F2). At the same time, the system controller 28 reproduces the sound associated with the subject image (step F3). Thereafter, the reproduction time of the subject image calculated in step F1 elapses, or the frame advance operation is performed by the user. Waiting to be performed (steps F4 and F5).

  When the calculated reproduction time has elapsed (YES in step F4) or when a frame advance operation is performed (YES in step F5), the system controller 28 next switches the subject image to be reproduced (step F6). The processing from step F3 is repeated.

  In other words, for example, when reproducing a plurality of subject images captured in a few tens of minutes, the timing for switching the reproduction of each subject image is determined according to the time interval between two subject images that are temporally changed. This makes it possible to reproduce the subject image more effectively.

  As described above, according to this camera, it is possible to efficiently record a series of subjects imaged in the stopwatch mode and reproduce them in a more effective procedure.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The external view seen from the front of the camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention External view seen from the back of the camera of the embodiment Device configuration diagram in the camera body of the embodiment The figure which shows the example of a display of LCD at the time of setting the camera of the embodiment to stopwatch mode The figure which shows the data structure in the recording medium detachably mounted in the camera of the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the image list which the camera of the embodiment produces The figure which shows the 1st example of the representative image which the camera of the embodiment displays The figure which shows the 2nd example of the representative image which the camera of the embodiment displays The figure which shows the specific example of the sound recording at the time of imaging of the to-be-photographed object image in the stopwatch mode by the camera of the embodiment, and each object image The figure for demonstrating the interval reproduction which the camera of the embodiment performs The flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging operation procedure at the time of stopwatch mode of the camera of the embodiment The flowchart which shows the flow of the operation | movement procedure regarding the sleep function of the camera of the embodiment A flowchart showing a flow of a procedure for reproducing a captured subject image in the camera of the embodiment. 1st flowchart (1st example) which shows the flow of the operation | movement procedure of the interval reproduction | regeneration in the camera of the embodiment 2nd flowchart (2nd example) which shows the flow of the operation | movement procedure of the interval reproduction | regeneration in the camera of the embodiment 3rd flowchart (3rd example) which shows the flow of the operation | movement procedure of interval reproduction in the camera of the embodiment

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Opening part, 2 ... Strobe, 3 ... Release button, 4 ... LCD, 5 ... Menu / OK button, 6a, 6b ... Zoom button, 7 ... Speaker, 8 ... Microphone, 9 ... Dial, 10 ... Back button, 11 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Change-over switch, 12 ... Power button, 13 ... Zoom lens, 14 ... Aperture, 15 ... AF lens, 16 ... CCD, 17 ... Imaging circuit, 18 ... A / D converter, 19 ... AE processing unit, 20 ... AF processing , 21... Image processing unit, 22... DRAM, 23... Liquid crystal control unit, 24... Compression / decompression unit, 25. 30 ... Clock circuit, 31 ... Power supply circuit, 32 ... EEPROM.

Claims (12)

Imaging means;
Timekeeping means,
Reset means for resetting the start time of the elapsed time to be timed by the time measuring means;
A record that associates the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means with the subject image captured by the imaging means, and records a series of subject images that share the elapsed time start time so as to be distinguishable from other subject images. And a camera. Imaging means;
Timekeeping means,
A power saving means for shifting the operating state to a low power consumption state for reducing power consumption when an operation is not performed over a predetermined time; and
Setting means for setting an imaging operation environment in a timekeeping mode in which an elapsed time measured by the timekeeping means is recorded in association with the subject image when the subject image is taken by the imaging means;
And a control unit that prohibits the power saving unit from shifting to a low power consumption state when the timekeeping mode is set. Imaging means;
Timekeeping means,
Recording means for recording the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means in association with the subject image captured by the imaging means;
And a control unit configured to control the imaging unit so that at least a part of imaging conditions set in imaging at the start of timing of the elapsed time is made the same, and the subsequent imaging is performed. Imaging means;
Timekeeping means,
Audio recording means for recording audio in association with the subject image captured by the imaging means;
Setting means for setting an imaging operation environment in a timekeeping mode in which an elapsed time measured by the timekeeping means is recorded in association with the subject image when the subject image is taken by the imaging means;
An interval reproduction means for reproducing the subject image picked up by the image pickup means together with the sound recorded by the sound recording means while switching every predetermined time;
The interval reproduction means includes
When reproducing a subject image picked up in the timekeeping mode that is associated with sound longer than the predetermined time, the reproduction of the sound is terminated when the predetermined time has elapsed. And switching to playback of the next subject image. Imaging means;
Timekeeping means,
Audio recording means for recording audio in association with the subject image captured by the imaging means;
Setting means for setting an imaging operation environment in a timekeeping mode in which an elapsed time measured by the timekeeping means is recorded in association with the subject image when the subject image is taken by the imaging means;
An interval reproduction means for reproducing the subject image picked up by the image pickup means together with the sound recorded by the sound recording means while switching every predetermined time;
The interval reproduction means includes
When playing back a subject image captured in the timekeeping mode, which is associated with a sound longer than the predetermined time, the reproduction of the sound is continued even after the predetermined time has elapsed. Then, after the reproduction of the sound is finished, the camera is switched to the reproduction of the next subject image. Comprising instruction means for instructing switching of a subject image to be reproduced;
The interval reproduction means terminates reproduction of the sound and reproduces the next subject image when an instruction is given by the instruction means when the sound is being reproduced over the predetermined time. 6. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the camera is switched. Imaging means;
Timekeeping means,
Recording means for recording the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means in association with the subject image captured by the imaging means;
An interval playback means for playing back a series of subject images having the same start time of the elapsed time while switching the images for each time calculated according to the elapsed time associated with each of the images.   The interval playback means determines a total playback time of the entire series of subject images based on at least one of the total number of captured images of the series of subject images and the total elapsed time, and based on the total playback time, The camera according to claim 7, wherein the reproduction time of is calculated.   2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising reproducing means for collectively reproducing the series of subject images as a collective image of a small screen.   2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a reproducing unit that reproduces the earliest subject image in the series of subject images as a representative image of the series of subject images. Measure the elapsed time from the start of the reference,
The elapsed time that was timed when each subject image was captured is associated with the subject image, and a series of subject images that share the same elapsed time when the elapsed time starts are recorded so that they can be distinguished from other subject images. Camera recording method. Measure the elapsed time from the start of the reference,
Record the elapsed time that was counted at the time of capturing each subject image in association with the subject image,
A method of recording and reproducing a camera, wherein a series of subject images having the same time when the elapsed time is started are reproduced while being switched at every time calculated according to the elapsed time associated with each of the images.

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