JP2006086743A - Imaging apparatus and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus and its control method for executing the synchronization of photographic processing and review display, and for shortening an photographic interval by a few buffer memories. <P>SOLUTION: This imaging apparatus is provided with an imaging means for photographing an object image, an image processing means for executing processing to obtain an image photographed by the imaging means in a prescribed compression file format, a display processing means for executing processing for displaying the photographed image at a display means and a control means for controlling processing for displaying the image photographed by the display processing means and the execution of the photographing means for photographing the next object image to be performed in parallel after the completion of compression processing to be executed by the image processing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that captures, records, and reproduces still images and moving images, and a control method thereof.

  Conventionally, imaging devices such as electronic cameras for recording and reproducing still images and moving images using a memory card having a solid-state memory element as a recording medium are already on the market, and electronic cameras equipped with an electronic viewfinder such as a color liquid crystal panel are also sold. ing.

  According to these electronic cameras, it is possible to continuously display images before photographing and to determine the composition by the user of the electronic camera, or to reproduce and display the photographed images for confirmation.

  In particular, the function of reproducing a captured image immediately after shooting is highly convenient and is a useful function for users of electronic cameras.

In addition, when continuous shooting is performed using the electronic viewfinder, it is not possible to display a through image that has passed through the image sensor during the shooting process on the viewfinder, so the review image is determined by the user during continuous shooting. It also plays an auxiliary role for this purpose.
In the continuous shooting process in the conventional imaging apparatus, as shown in FIG. 12, the next shooting process is performed after generating and displaying the review VRAM from the image data shot after shooting one image. The reason for simply repeating shooting processing → image processing → review display processing is to store and process shot images in a small buffer memory. However, if a large amount of buffer memory is installed, one after another Since unprocessed captured images can be stored, it is possible to perform imaging processing and image processing substantially independently, so that high-speed continuous shooting is possible. In such continuous shooting, the next frame is exposed (captured) during the development / compression processing of the previous frame.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-261853 JP-A-5-161110

  However, in the case of performing the next photographing process after generating and displaying the review VRAM from the image data photographed after one image is photographed as in the conventional imaging device, the photographed image is displayed in synchronization with the photographing process. In addition, since the review VRAM generation / display process is performed between the shooting processes, the shooting interval becomes long.

  In the parallel processing in which the next frame is exposed (captured) during the development / compression processing of the previous frame, the buffer area for RAW data (previous frame) to be processed and the RAW data to be captured next are processed. Since a buffer area for (next frame) is required, the memory cost is increased, which is not always preferable.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of shortening the imaging interval with a small buffer memory, and a control method thereof, while synchronizing the imaging process and the review display.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an image capturing unit that captures a subject image, and an image processing unit that performs a process for converting an image captured by the image capturing unit into a predetermined compressed file format. Display processing means for performing processing for displaying the photographed image on the display means; and after the compression processing executed by the image processing means is completed, the photographed image is displayed by the display processing means. Control means for performing control so that the processing for performing the above-described processing and the execution of the imaging means for photographing the next subject image are performed in parallel.

  The present invention is also a method of controlling an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit that captures a subject image, and an image processing step for performing processing for converting an image captured by the imaging unit into a predetermined compressed file format; In order to display the photographed image by the display processing step after completion of the display processing step for performing processing for displaying the photographed image on the display means and the compression processing performed by the image processing step And a control step for controlling so that the execution of the imaging means for capturing the next subject image is performed in parallel.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the shooting interval by mounting a small buffer memory (for example, one frame) while synchronizing the shooting process and the review display.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, 10 is a photographing lens, 12 is a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 is an imaging element that converts an optical image into an electric signal, and 16 is an analog signal output of the imaging element 14 that is converted into a digital signal. It is an A / D converter.

  A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

  An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22.

  Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing.

  Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

  A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32.

  The data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is directly passed through the memory control circuit 22. It is.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A converter, and 28 denotes an image display unit composed of a TFT LCD or the like. Display image data written in the image display memory 24 passes through the D / A converter 26. Displayed by the image display unit 28.

  If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized.

  Further, the image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced. I can do it.

  Further, the image display unit 28 is coupled to the main body of the imaging apparatus 100 by a rotatable hinge unit, and can use an electronic finder function, a reproduction display function, and various display functions by setting a free orientation and angle. It is.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images.

  Thereby, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed.

  The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 32 denotes a compression / decompression circuit that compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and stores the processed data in the memory 30. Write to.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control means for controlling the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48.

  Reference numeral 42 denotes distance measurement control means for controlling the focusing of the taking lens 10.

  The exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 are controlled using the TTL method, and based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement. Control is performed on the control means 42.

  Reference numeral 44 denotes zoom control means for controlling zooming of the taking lens 10, and reference numeral 46 denotes barrier control means for controlling the operation of the protection means 102 that is a barrier.

  Reference numeral 48 denotes a connector, which is also called an accessory shoe, and includes an electrical contact with the flash device 400 and a mechanical fixing means.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 100, and 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker that displays an operation state or a message using characters, images, sounds, or the like in accordance with execution of a program in the system control circuit 50, and an operation unit of the imaging device 100 One or a plurality of locations are installed in the vicinity where they can be easily seen, and are configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element.

  In addition, the display unit 54 is partially installed in the optical viewfinder 104. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded pixels, number of remaining images that can be captured, shutter Speed display, Aperture value display, Exposure compensation display, Flash display, Red-eye reduction display, Macro shooting display, Buzzer setting display, Clock battery level display, Battery level display, Error display, Multi-digit number information display and recording There are a display state of the media 200 and 210, a communication I / F operation display, a date / time display, and the like.

  Further, among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory, such as an EEPROM.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, and 71 denote operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50, such as switches, dials, touch panels, pointing by line-of-sight detection, voice recognition devices, and the like. Consists of a single or a plurality of combinations.

  Here, specific functions of these operating means will be described.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which can switch and set various function modes such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, and PC connection mode.

  Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned on during operation of a shutter button (not shown), and performs AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and the like. Instruct to start operation.

  Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and an exposure process for writing a signal read from the image sensor 12 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Development processing using operations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, recording processing for reading image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression circuit 32, and writing the image data to the recording medium 200 or 210. Instructs the start of a series of processing operations.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch, which can set ON / OFF of the image display unit 28.

  With this function, when photographing using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to the image display unit such as a TFT LCD.

  68 is a single-shot / continuous-shooting switch. When the shutter switch SW2 is pressed, the single-shot mode that takes a single frame and puts it into a standby state, and continuous shooting continues while the shutter switch SW2 is pressed. You can set the mode.

  Reference numeral 71 denotes a review ON / OFF switch for setting whether or not to confirm shooting for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after shooting.

  Reference numeral 72 denotes a shooting confirmation setting SW, which is a quick review mode for displaying only a shot image, a simple information display mode for displaying shot image information such as an exposure setting value superimposed on the shot image, and a shot image information displayed in the simple information display mode. In addition, it is possible to set a detailed information display mode for displaying more detailed information such as the luminance distribution of the captured image.

  70 is an operation unit composed of various buttons, a touch panel, etc., a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, menu movement + (plus) Button, menu shift-(minus) button, playback image shift + (plus) button, playback image-(minus) button, shooting quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, panorama mode shooting and playback Select / switch button for setting selection and switching of various functions when executing, Determination / execution button for setting determination and execution of various functions when performing shooting and playback in panorama mode, etc., ON of image display unit 28 Image display ON / OFF switch to set / OFF, to select JPEG compression rate or shooting It is possible to set each function mode such as compression mode switch, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, PC connection mode, etc., which is a switch for selecting CCDRAW mode to digitize the element signal as it is and record it on the recording medium There are a playback mode switch that can be used, a playback switch for instructing the start of a playback operation in which a shot image is read from the memory 30 or the recording medium 200 or 210 and displayed by the image display unit 28 in the shooting mode state.

  80 is a power control means, which is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, etc., and detects the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, the remaining battery level, and the detection result In addition, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the system control circuit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each part including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, and 86 denotes a power source means including a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, or an AC adapter.

  90 and 94 are interfaces with a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, 92 and 96 are connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, and 98 is a recording medium 200 or 210 attached to the connector 92 or 96. Recording medium attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting whether or not the recording medium is present.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two systems of interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems and any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard.

  The interface and the connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like that conforms to a standard.

  Further, when the interfaces 90 and 94, and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card or the like, LAN cards, modem cards, USB cards, IEEE1394 Management data attached to image data and image data can be transferred to and from peripheral devices such as other computers and printers by connecting various communication cards such as cards, P1284 cards, SCSI cards, and PHS communication cards. I can meet each other.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes protection means that is a barrier that prevents the imaging unit from being soiled or damaged by covering the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the imaging device 100.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are installed.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes image display unit open / close detection means, which can detect whether or not the image display unit 28 is in a stored state in which the display portion of the image display unit 28 is stored in the image capturing apparatus 100.

  Here, if the storage state is detected, the display operation of the image display unit 28 can be stopped and unnecessary power consumption can be prohibited.

  A communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the imaging apparatus 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

  The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 204 with the imaging device 100, and a connector 206 that connects to the imaging device 100.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

  The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 214 with the imaging device 100, and a connector 216 that connects to the imaging device 100.

  Reference numeral 400 denotes a flash device.

  Reference numeral 402 denotes a connector for connecting to an accessory shoe of the imaging apparatus 100. A flash 404 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 11.

  2A and 2B to FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts showing a main routine of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Upon power-on such as battery replacement, the system control circuit 50 initializes flags, control variables, and the like (S101), and initializes the image display on the image display unit 28 to an OFF state (S102).

  The system control circuit 50 determines the setting position of the mode dial 60, and if the mode dial 60 is set to power OFF (S103), the display of each display unit is changed to the end state, and the barrier of the protection unit 102 is changed. Is closed to protect the imaging unit, and necessary parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags and control variables are recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56, and the power control unit 80 controls each unit of the imaging apparatus 100 including the image display unit 28. After performing a predetermined end process such as shutting off unnecessary power (S105), the process returns to S103.

  If the mode dial 60 is set to the shooting mode (S103), the process proceeds to S106.

  If the mode dial 60 has been set to another mode (S103), the system control circuit 50 executes processing according to the selected mode (S104), and returns to S103 when the processing is completed.

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not there is a problem in the operation of the image capturing apparatus 100 with respect to the remaining capacity and operation status of the power supply 86 constituted by a battery or the like by the power supply control means 80 (S106). After a predetermined warning is displayed by image or voice using the display unit 54 (S108), the process returns to S103.

  If there is no problem with the power supply 86 (S106), the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the operation state of the recording medium 200 or 210 has a problem with the operation of the imaging apparatus 100, particularly with respect to the recording / reproducing operation of image data on the recording medium. Judgment is made (S107), and if there is a problem, a predetermined warning is displayed by an image or sound using the display unit 54 (S108), and the process returns to S103.

  If there is no problem in the operation state of the recording medium 200 or 210 (S107), the process proceeds to S109.

  The system control circuit 50 checks the setting state of the single / continuous shooting switch 68 for setting single shooting / continuous shooting (S109). If single shooting is selected, the single / continuous shooting flag is set. If the continuous shooting is selected, the single / continuous shooting flag is set to continuous shooting (S111). If the flag setting is completed, the process proceeds to S112.

  According to the single-shot / continuous-shot switch 68, when the shutter switch SW2 is pressed, the single-shot mode in which one frame is shot to enter a standby state, and continuous shooting is continued while the shutter switch SW2 is pressed. The setting can be switched by arbitrarily switching the copy mode.

  The state of the single / continuous shooting flag is stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

  The system control circuit 50 uses the display unit 54 to display various setting states of the imaging device 100 using images and sounds (S112). If the image display of the image display unit 28 is ON, the image display unit 28 is also used to display various setting states of the imaging device 100 using images and sounds.

  Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 checks the setting state of the image display ON / OFF switch 66 (S113), and if it is set to image display ON, proceeds to S114.

  Further, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the image display unit 28 is in the storage state or the display state by the image display unit open / close detection means 106 (S114). The flag is set (S115), the image display of the image display unit 28 is set to the ON state (S116), and the captured image data is set to the through display state for sequentially displaying (S117), and the process proceeds to S131.

  In the through display state, the data sequentially written in the image display memory 24 via the image sensor 12, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22 are converted into the memory control circuit 22 and the D The electronic finder function is realized by sequentially displaying on the image display unit 28 via the / A converter 26.

  If the image display ON / OFF switch 66 is set to image display OFF (S113), or if the image display unit 28 is determined to be in the storage state by the image display unit open / close detection means 106 (S114), The image display flag is canceled (S118), the image display of the image display unit 28 is set to the OFF state (S119), and the process proceeds to S120.

When the image display is OFF, shooting is performed using the optical viewfinder 104 without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In this case, it is possible to reduce power consumption of the image display unit 28, the D / A converter 26, and the like that consume a large amount of power.
The state of the image display flag is stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

  If the review ON / OFF switch 71 is set to ON (S120), the review display flag is set to ON and the process proceeds to S121. If the shooting confirmation setting switch 72 is set to quick review (S122), the shooting confirmation setting is set to quick review setting (S123), and the process proceeds to S131. If the shooting confirmation setting switch 72 is set to the simple information display (S122), the shooting confirmation setting is set to the simple information display setting (S124), and the process proceeds to S131. If the photographing confirmation setting switch 72 is set to display detailed information (S122), the photographing confirmation setting is set to detailed information display setting (S125), and the process proceeds to S131 in FIG. If the review ON / OFF switch 71 is set to OFF (S120), the review display flag is set to OFF (S126), and the process proceeds to S131 in FIG.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the three playback modes of quick review setting, simple information display setting, and detailed information display setting will be described. For example, only two playback modes of quick review setting and detailed information display setting are described. It is good to have.

If the shutter switch SW1 has not been pressed (S131), the process returns to S103.
If the shutter switch SW1 is pressed (S131), the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S132), and the image display flag is set. If so, the display state of the image display unit 28 is set to the freeze display state (S133), and the process proceeds to S134.

  In the freeze display state, image data rewriting of the image display memory 24 via the image sensor 12, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22 is prohibited, and the last written image data is By displaying the image on the image display unit 28 via the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A converter 26, the frozen image is displayed on the electronic viewfinder. If the image display flag has been canceled (S132), the process proceeds to S134.

  The system control circuit 50 performs a distance measurement process to focus the photographing lens 10 on the subject, performs a photometry process, and determines an aperture value and a shutter time (S134). In the photometric process, the flash is set if necessary.

  Details of the distance measurement / photometry processing S134 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  After completing the distance measurement / photometry process S134, the system control circuit 50 determines that the shutter speed to be set is the highest speed side of the mechanical shutter from the set photographing operation mode and the exposure result determined in the distance measurement / photometry process S134. It is determined whether or not the shutter time is exceeded (S135). If not, the mechanical shutter time is set (S136), and the process proceeds to S138. If it exceeds, the shutter time setting using both the mechanical shutter and the electronic shutter is set (S137), and the process proceeds to S138.

  The system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S138). If the image display flag is set, the display state of the image display unit 28 is passed. The display state is set (S139), and the process proceeds to S140.

  If the shutter switch SW2 is not pressed (S140) and the shutter switch SW1 is also released (S141), the process returns to S103.

  If the shutter switch SW2 is pressed (S140), the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S142), and the image display flag is set. If so, the display state of the image display unit 28 is set to the fixed color display state (S143), and the process proceeds to S161.

  In the fixed color display state, instead of the photographed image data written in the image display memory 24 via the image sensor 12, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22, the fixed image is replaced. By displaying the color image data by the image display unit 28 via the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A converter 26, a fixed color image is displayed on the electronic viewfinder.

  If the image display flag has been canceled (S142), the process proceeds to S160 in FIG. 4A.

  The system control circuit 50 determines the state of the single / continuous shooting flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S160). If single shooting is set, continuous shooting is set in S161. If so, the process proceeds to S176.

  The system control circuit 50 captures an image in the memory 30 via the imaging device 12, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter via the memory control circuit 22. Exposure processing for writing the image data, and photographing processing including development processing for reading out the image data written in the memory 30 and performing various processing using the memory control circuit 22 and the image processing circuit 20 as necessary. Registration in the shooting process queue (S161) starts the shooting process (S162).

  Details of the photographing process S162 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 checks the shooting completion queue (S163). When shooting is completed (S164), the shot image is registered in the image file registration queue (166) and image recording processing is started (S167). Details of the image recording process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 determines the state of the review flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S168), and displays the review image if the review flag is ON. If the shooting confirmation setting is a quick review (S169), the image data processed according to the display format of the image display unit 28 is read from the memory 30 (S171), and is read into the image display memory 24 via the memory control circuit 22. The display image data is transferred and the display image data read from the image display memory 24 is displayed on the image display unit 28, and a quick review display is performed (S172). When the shooting confirmation setting is simple information display or detailed information display (S169), information display data to be displayed superimposed on image data is created (S170), and then information data is displayed superimposed on the review image (S170). S172). Here, the creation order of the display image data and the creation order of the superimposed display data are not limited.

  If the review flag is OFF (S168), the process proceeds to S173 with the image display unit 28 being OFF. In this case, the image display unit 28 remains off even after shooting, and no quick review display is performed. This is a usage method in which it is not necessary to check a photographed image immediately after photographing as in the case of continuing photographing using the optical viewfinder 104, and the power saving is emphasized without using the electronic finder function of the image display unit 28. .

  If the shutter switch SW1 is released (S173), the process proceeds to S174. The system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S174), and sets the through display state in which captured image data is sequentially displayed (S175).

  If it is determined in S160 that the single / continuous shooting flag is in the state of continuous shooting, the flow advances to S176.

  The system control circuit 50 registers the shooting process in the shooting process queue (S176), and starts the shooting process (S177). Details of the photographing process S177 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 checks the shooting completion queue (S178). When shooting is completed (S179), the shot image is registered in the image file registration queue (S181), and image recording processing is started (S182).

  If the SW2 is turned on after the start of the image recording process (S182) (S183), the process proceeds to S184. The system control circuit 50 determines the state of the review flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S184), and if the review flag is ON and the shooting confirmation setting is the detailed information display setting ( S185) After creating information display data to be displayed superimposed on the image data (S186), processing is performed in accordance with the display format of the image display unit 28 from the memory 30 (S187). The image data is read and the memory control circuit The display image data is transferred to the image display memory 24 via 22 and the display image data and the superimposed display data read from the image display memory 24 are displayed on the image display unit 28 (S188). Here, the creation order of the display image data and the creation order of the superimposed display data are not limited. After the review image is displayed with the detailed information setting (S188), the shooting process is registered again in the shooting process queue (S176), and the shooting process is started (S177).

  If the review flag is ON as a result of determining the review flag state in S184 and the shooting confirmation setting is the quick review setting or the simple information display setting (S185), the shooting process is registered in the shooting process queue (S189). ), The photographing process is started (S190), and the process proceeds to S191. If the shooting confirmation setting is the quick review (S191), the image data processed according to the display format of the image display unit 28 is read from the memory 30 (S193), and is read into the image display memory 24 via the memory control circuit 22. The display image data is transferred and the display image data read from the image display memory 24 is displayed on the image display unit 28, and a quick review display is performed (S194). If the shooting confirmation setting is simple information display (S191), information display data to be displayed superimposed on the image data is created (S192), and then the information data is displayed superimposed on the review image (S194). Here, the creation order of the display image data and the creation order of the superimposed display data are not limited. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S178 and waits for completion of the photographing process started in S190 (S178, S179).

  If the SW2 is turned off (S183) after the image recording process is started (S182), the process proceeds to S195. The system control circuit 50 determines the state of the review flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S1195), the review flag is ON, and the shooting confirmation setting is the detailed information display setting or the simple information display. If set (S196), information display data to be displayed superimposed on the image data is created (S197), and then processing is performed from the memory 30 in accordance with the display format of the image display unit 28 (S198). Then, the display image data is transferred to the image display memory 24 via the memory control circuit 22 and the display image data and the superimposed display data read from the image display memory 24 are displayed on the image display unit 28 (S199). If the shooting confirmation setting is the quick review setting (S196), the image data processed according to the display format of the image display unit 28 is read from the memory 30 (S198), and is displayed on the image display unit 28 (S199). ). After the review image is displayed in S199 (S199), the system control circuit 50 repeats the current processing until the shutter switch SW1 is released (S200).

  In this way, during quick review setting or simple information setting, the generation time of the display image is short, and the review display of the previous shot image can be performed while the shooting process is being performed, so in synchronization with the shooting process Review display can be performed. However, in the detailed display setting, the display image generation time is longer than the quick review or simple information display due to the generation of brightness distribution display data, etc., and the review display is synchronized with the shooting process under the shooting process with a short exposure time. I can't.

  However, by switching the shooting sequence according to the review setting, the continuous shooting interval can be shortened at the time of quick review setting or simple detailed setting.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of shooting processing, image processing, and review display processing of this embodiment in time series. In this embodiment, the continuous shooting frame speed is increased (the continuous shooting interval is shortened). In addition,
(1) At the time of quick review setting (S123 in FIG. 2B), display VRAM is generated after the next exposure is started, and review display is performed. That is, when the image processing is finished, the display processing and the next photographing processing are performed in parallel.
(2) At the time of simple information display setting (S124 in FIG. 2B), after the next exposure is started, a superimposition information display VRAM and a review display VRAM are generated and a review display is performed. That is, the display process and the next photographing process are performed in parallel when the image processing is completed.
(3) However, it takes time to generate a VRAM for superimposed display (display processing takes time), and there is a possibility that the display process may be overtaken without being synchronized with the imaging process. In S125) of FIG. 2B, the next exposure is started after the review is displayed, and the parallel processing is not performed.

  This makes it possible to shorten the continuous shooting interval particularly during quick review and simple information display setting, as compared with the case where shooting processing → image processing → review display processing is simply repeated as shown in FIG. it can.

  FIG. 5 shows a detailed flowchart of the distance measurement / photometry process in S134 of FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 reads the charge signal from the image sensor 14 and sequentially reads the captured image data into the image processing circuit 20 via the A / D converter 16 (S301). Using the sequentially read image data, the image processing circuit 20 is a predetermined used for TTL (through the lens) AE (automatic exposure) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and AF (autofocus) processing. The operation is performed.

  In each processing here, a specific portion of the total number of photographed pixels is extracted by extracting a necessary portion according to necessity and used for calculation. This makes it possible to perform optimal calculations for different modes such as the center-weighted mode, the average mode, and the evaluation mode in the TTL AE, EF, AWB, and AF processes.

Using the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs AE control using the exposure control means 40 (S303) until it is determined that the exposure (AE) is appropriate (S302).
Using the measurement data obtained by the AE control, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not a flash is necessary (S304), and if a flash is necessary, sets a flash flag and charges the flash 48 (S305).

  If it is determined that the exposure (AE) is appropriate (S302), the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50.

  Using the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20 and the measurement data obtained by the AE control, the system control circuit 50 uses the image processing circuit 20 until the white balance (AWB) is determined to be appropriate (S306). AWB control is performed by adjusting processing parameters (S307).

  If it is determined that the white balance (AWB) is appropriate (S306), the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50.

  Using the measurement data obtained by the AE control and the AWB control, the system control circuit 50 performs the AF control using the distance measurement control means 42 until the distance measurement (AF) is determined to be in focus (S308) ( S309).

  If it is determined that the distance measurement (AF) is in focus (S308), the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50, and the distance measurement / photometry processing routine S134 is terminated.

  FIG. 6 shows a detailed flowchart of the imaging process start in S162 of FIG. 4A and S177 and S190 of FIG. 4B.

  The system control circuit 50 checks whether the shooting process queue is empty (S401), and if it is empty, stops the shooting process. If it is not empty, the shooting process queue registered in the shooting process queue is taken out (S402), and the shooting process is performed (S403). When shooting is completed, dark capture processing (S404) shown in FIG. 8 and development processing (S405) shown in FIG. 9 are performed, and image data written in a predetermined area of the memory 30 is read and an image corresponding to the set mode is read. Compression processing is performed by the compression / decompression circuit 32 (S406), and image data that has been photographed and completed a series of processing is written in the empty image portion of the image storage buffer area of the memory 30. After completing the compression process, the system control circuit 50 registers shooting completion in the shooting completion queue (S407).

  FIG. 7 shows a detailed flowchart of the photographing process in S403 of FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 performs charge clearing operation of the image sensor 14 (S501), starts charge accumulation of the image sensor 14 (S502), opens the shutter 12 by the shutter control means 40 (S503), and performs imaging. The exposure of the element 14 is started (S504). Here, it is determined whether or not the flash 48 is necessary based on the flash flag (S505), and if necessary, the flash is emitted (S506). If the flash 48 is not usable, the process proceeds to S507.

  Further, the system control circuit 50 waits for the end of exposure of the image sensor 14 according to the photometric data (S507), closes the shutter 12 by the shutter control means 40 (S508), and ends the exposure of the image sensor 14. If the set charge accumulation time has elapsed (S509), the system control circuit 50 ends the charge accumulation of the image sensor 14 (S510), and then reads out the charge signal from the image sensor 14, and the A / D converter 16, The photographed image data is written to a predetermined area of the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter 16 via the memory control circuit 22 (S511). When the series of processing is completed, the process proceeds to S404 in FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows a detailed flowchart of the dark capturing process in S404 of FIG.

  After performing the charge clear operation of the image sensor 14 (S601), the system control circuit 50 starts the charge accumulation of the image sensor 14 with the shutter 12 closed (S602). When the set predetermined charge accumulation time has elapsed (S603), the system control circuit 50 ends the charge accumulation of the image sensor 14 (S604), and then reads out the charge signal from the image sensor 14, and the A / D converter 16. Write image data (dark image data) to a predetermined area of the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter 16 via the memory control circuit 22 (S605). ).

  By performing development processing using this dark capture data, the captured image data can be corrected with respect to image quality degradation such as dark current noise generated by the image sensor 14 and pixel defects due to scratches inherent to the image sensor 14. The dark image data is held in a predetermined area of the memory 30 until a new dark capturing process is performed or the power of the imaging apparatus 100 is turned off. Alternatively, if a part or all of the memory 30 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM or a hard disk and the dark image data is written in the non-volatile memory, this dark until the dark capturing process is newly performed. Image data is held in a predetermined area of the nonvolatile memory. The dark image data is then subjected to a photographing process, and is used when the photographed image data is read from the image sensor 14 and the developing process is performed. If a series of processing is completed, the process proceeds to S405 in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows a detailed flowchart of the development processing in S405 of FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 reads the captured image data and dark image data written in the memory 30 and sequentially performs luminance signal processing (S701), color processing (S702), and thumbnail image processing (S703), and then the memory 30. The processed image data is written in If a series of processing is completed, the process proceeds to S406 in FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows a detailed flowchart of the image recording process start in S167 of FIG. 4A and S182 of FIG. 4B.

When the captured image is registered in the file registration queue (NO in S801), the system control circuit 50 retrieves the registered image data (S802), and the memory card and the interface 92 or 96 are connected via the interface 90 or 94. Writing is performed to the recording medium 200 or 210 such as a CompactFlash (registered trademark) card (S803).
[Other Embodiments]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like is used. I can do it.
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on an instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
As described above, the description using FIGS. 2A to 11 is based on the assumption that it takes a long time to generate the detailed display data. However, if the detailed display data can be generated at high speed by increasing the hardware speed or improving the CPU performance. Needless to say, it is possible to display a review of the previous photographed image during the photographing process regardless of the photographing confirmation setting.

  In addition, in this system, the shooting confirmation setting has been described with the three settings of the quick review setting, the simple information display setting, and the detailed information display setting. However, not all the settings need to be installed, for example, the quick review setting. There is no problem even if only the system. Further, there is no problem even if there is a shooting confirmation setting other than that described in the above embodiment.

It is a functional block diagram of the imaging device of one embodiment concerning the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a main routine in which the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment operates. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a main routine in which the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment operates. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a main routine in which the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment operates. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a main routine in which the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment operates. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a main routine in which the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment operates. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a main routine in which the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment operates. 4 is a flowchart of a distance measurement / photometry routine of FIG. 3. 5 is a flowchart of a photographing process start routine of FIG. It is a flowchart of the imaging | photography routine of FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a dark capturing routine in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a development processing routine in FIG. 6. 6 is a flowchart of an image recording process start routine of FIG. It is the figure which showed the flow of the imaging | photography process of this embodiment, an image process, and a review display process in time series. It is the figure which showed the flow of the imaging | photography process of the prior art example, an image process, and a review display process in time series.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Shooting lens 12 Shutter 14 Image pick-up element 16 A / D converter 18 Timing generation circuit 20 Image processing circuit 22 Memory control circuit 24 Image display memory 26 D / A converter 28 Image display part 30 Memory 32 Image compression / expansion circuit 40 Exposure Control means 42 Distance measurement control means 44 Zoom control means 46 Barrier control means 48 Connector (accessory shoe)
50 System control circuit 52 Memory 54 Display unit 56 Non-volatile memory 60 Mode dial switch 62 Shutter switch SW1
64 Shutter switch SW2
66 Image display ON / OFF switch 68 Single shooting / Continuous shooting switch 70 Operation unit 71 Review ON / OFF SW
72 Shooting confirmation setting SW
80 power supply control means 82 connector 84 connector 86 power supply means 90 interface 92 connector 94 interface 96 connector 98 recording medium attachment / detachment detection means 100 imaging device 102 protection means 104 optical finder 106 image display unit open / close detection means 110 communication means 112 connector (or antenna)
200 Recording Medium 202 Recording Unit 204 Interface 206 Connector 210 Recording Medium 212 Recording Unit 214 Interface 216 Connector 400 Flash Device 402 Connector 404 Flash

Claims (16)

Imaging means for capturing a subject image;
Image processing means for performing processing for converting an image captured by the imaging means into a predetermined compressed file format;
Display processing means for performing processing for displaying the photographed image on a display means;
After completion of the compression processing executed by the image processing means, processing for displaying the photographed image by the display processing means and execution of the imaging means for photographing the next subject image are performed in parallel. And an imaging device having control means for controlling to be performed. The imaging apparatus further includes setting means for setting a single shooting mode and a continuous shooting mode,
The control means includes processing for displaying the photographed image and execution of the imaging means for photographing the next subject image only when the continuous photographing mode is set by the setting means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is controlled so as to be performed in parallel. The imaging apparatus further includes at least two or more playback display modes that are distinguished depending on whether or not predetermined shooting information is superimposed when the captured image is displayed on the display means, and the playback display mode. A selection means for selecting
The control means captures the processing for displaying the photographed image and the next subject image only when the reproduction display mode in which the predetermined photographing information is not superimposed and displayed by the selection means is selected. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so that the execution of the imaging means for performing is performed in parallel.   The control means selects a reproduction display mode that does not superimpose the shooting information when the reproduction display mode in which the information amount of the shooting information to be displayed superimposed by the previous period selection means is less than a predetermined amount is selected. In the same manner as in the case where the image is taken, control is performed so that the processing for displaying the taken image and the execution of the imaging means for taking the next subject image are performed in parallel. Item 4. The imaging device according to Item 3.   When the reproduction display mode in which the predetermined shooting information is superimposed and displayed by the selection unit is selected by the selection unit, the control unit completes the processing for displaying the shot image and then performs the next subject image. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein control is performed such that execution of the imaging unit for photographing the image is performed.   When the reproduction display mode in which only the shooting conditions are displayed by the selection unit is selected by the selection unit, the control unit is the same as when the reproduction display mode in which the shooting information is not displayed is superimposed. 4. The imaging according to claim 3, wherein control is performed so that processing for displaying the photographed image and execution of the imaging means for photographing the next subject image are performed in parallel. apparatus.   In the case where the reproduction display mode for superimposing and displaying the photographing condition and the luminance distribution of the image is selected by the selection unit, the control unit, after the processing for displaying the photographed image is completed, The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein control is performed such that execution of the imaging unit for capturing a next subject image is performed. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit that captures a subject image,
An image processing step for performing processing for converting an image captured by the imaging unit into a predetermined compressed file format;
A display processing step for performing processing for displaying the photographed image on a display means;
After completion of the compression processing executed in the image processing step, processing for displaying the image taken in the display processing step and execution of the imaging means for taking the next subject image are performed in parallel. And a control method for controlling to be performed. The imaging apparatus further includes setting means for setting a single shooting mode and a continuous shooting mode,
In the control step, only when the continuous shooting mode is set by the setting unit, processing for displaying the captured image and execution of the imaging unit for shooting the next subject image are performed. The control method according to claim 8, wherein control is performed so as to be performed in parallel. The imaging apparatus further includes at least two or more reproduction display modes that are distinguished depending on whether or not predetermined imaging information is superimposed and displayed when displaying the captured image on the display unit, and the reproduction display mode. Having a selection means for selecting,
In the control step, the process for displaying the photographed image and the next subject image are photographed only when the reproduction display mode in which the predetermined photographing information is not superimposed and displayed by the selection unit is selected. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the control is performed so that the execution of the imaging means for performing is performed in parallel.   In the control step, when the reproduction display mode in which the information amount of the photographing information to be displayed superimposed by the selection unit is selected to be a predetermined amount or less, the reproduction display mode in which the photographing information is not superimposed and displayed is selected. In the same manner as in the case where the image is taken, control is performed so that the processing for displaying the taken image and the execution of the imaging means for taking the next subject image are performed in parallel. Item 11. The control method according to Item 10.   In the control step, when the reproduction display mode in which the predetermined photographing information is superimposed and displayed by the selection unit is selected, the processing for displaying the photographed image is completed, and then the next subject image is displayed. The control method according to claim 10, wherein control is performed such that execution of the image pickup means for photographing an image is performed.   In the control step, when the playback display mode in which only the shooting conditions are superimposed and displayed by the selection means is selected, as in the case of the playback display mode in which the shooting information is not superimposed and displayed. The control according to claim 10, wherein control is performed so that processing for displaying the captured image and execution of the imaging unit for capturing the next subject image are performed in parallel. Method.   In the control step, when the reproduction display mode in which the photographing condition and the luminance distribution of the image are superimposed and displayed by the selection unit is selected, after the processing for displaying the photographed image is completed, The control method according to claim 10, wherein control is performed such that execution of the imaging unit for capturing a next subject image is performed.   The program for making the computer of an imaging device perform the control method of any one of Claims 8 thru | or 14.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 15.

Images