JP2006345188A - Image sensing device and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect an external apparatus against a reduction in its capacity due to the fact that a camera drops in performance as images are transferred or unnecessary images are transferred. <P>SOLUTION: The image sensing device is equipped with a photography means for photographing the optical image of an object and generating the image data, a reduced image generating means for generating the reduced image data obtained by reducing the above image data, a storing means for storing the image data and the reduced image data, a transfer means for transferring either the image data or the reduced image data to the external apparatus, and a selecting means for selecting either the image data or the reduced image data based on the operating state of the device when the data are transferred to the external apparatus by the transfer means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as an electronic camera and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus that transfers image data and image data stored in a mounted recording medium to an external device and a control method thereof.

  In recent years, there have been many proposals regarding multifunctional imaging devices such as digital still cameras using IC memory cards, magnetic recording media, magneto-optical recording media, flash memories and the like as recording media. As one of them, there is a proposal of a digital still camera capable of transmitting / receiving image data to / from an external device. It is also possible to download an image stored in a recording medium in a digital still camera by connecting to a PC via a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

In this regard, there has been proposed a digital camera that transfers only the thumbnail image and transfers the main image in response to a request from the external device in order to realize high-speed communication and a reduction in the storage area of the external device (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP2004-48183

  In the case of a camera that transfers captured images to an external device in real time, the performance of the camera is degraded (for example, continuous shooting cannot be performed or the frame rate is limited) depending on the transfer speed and image data size. There was a case. Also, when the photographer finally selects an image, such as bracket shooting, the image is transferred in the same manner as in normal shooting, and therefore unnecessary image data is stored in the external device.

  If only thumbnail images are always transferred, it is necessary to always request transfer of the main image as a result of normal shooting, and the user's post-shooting operation becomes complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent the performance degradation of the camera accompanying the transfer of an image and the compression of the capacity of an external device due to the transfer of an unnecessary image.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention generates an image capturing unit that captures an optical image of a subject to generate main image data, and generates reduced image data obtained by reducing the main image data. Reduced image generating means, storage means for storing the main image data and the reduced image data, transfer means for transferring either the main image data or the reduced image data to an external device, and an external device by the transfer means Selecting means for selecting either the main image data or the reduced image data based on the operating state of the apparatus when transferring to the device;

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an imaging apparatus, a photographing unit that captures an optical image of a subject to generate main image data, a reduced image generation unit that generates reduced image data obtained by reducing the main image data, An image pickup apparatus control method comprising: storage means for storing main image data and the reduced image data; and transfer means for transferring either the main image data or the reduced image data to an external device, wherein the transfer A selection step of selecting either the main image data or the reduced image data on the basis of an operation state of the apparatus when transferring to an external device by the means;

  According to the present invention, when it is assumed that the performance of the camera is deteriorated due to the transfer of the image or when it is assumed that the user performs an operation of selecting the target image after shooting, only the thumbnail image is transferred, It is possible to prevent the performance of the camera from being reduced due to the image transfer and the compression of the capacity of the external device due to the transfer of an unnecessary image.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described 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.

[Description of device]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an image pickup apparatus represented by an electronic camera or the like.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a shutter for controlling the amount of exposure to the image sensor 14, and reference numeral 14 denotes an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal.

  The light beam incident on the lens 310 is guided through the diaphragm 312, the lens mounts 306 and 106, the mirror 130, and the shutter 12 by the single-lens reflex method, and is formed on the image sensor 14 as an optical image.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal.

  A timing generator 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 controller 22 and the system controller 50.

  An image processing unit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D conversion unit 16 or the data from the memory control unit 22. Further, the image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data as necessary, and the system control unit 50 performs the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (Through The Lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash dimming) processing are performed to control 42.

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

  In the present embodiment, since the distance measurement unit 42 and the photometry unit 46 are exclusively provided, each of the AF process, the AE process, and the EF process is performed using the distance measurement unit 42 and the photometry unit 46. The AF processing, AE processing, and EF processing using the image processing unit 20 may not be performed.

  Further, AF processing, AE processing, and EF processing are performed using the distance measuring unit 42 and photometry unit 46, and further, each of AF processing, AE processing, and EF processing using the image processing unit 20 is performed. It is good also as a structure.

  A memory control unit 22 controls the A / D conversion unit 16, the timing generation unit 18, the image processing unit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A conversion unit 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression unit 32. The data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processor 20 and the memory controller 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is directly passed through the memory controller 22. It is.

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

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images, which has a sufficient storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of still images. This makes it possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed even in continuous shooting where a plurality of still images are continuously captured. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control unit 50.

  A compression / decompression unit 32 compresses / 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.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes a shutter control unit that controls the shutter 12 in cooperation with an aperture control unit 340 that controls the aperture 312 based on photometric information from the photometry unit 46.

  Reference numeral 42 denotes a distance measuring unit for performing AF processing, and a light beam incident on the lens 310 is converted into a single-lens reflex system through an aperture 312, lens mounts 306 and 106, a mirror 130, and a distance measuring sub mirror (not shown). By making the light incident on the distance measuring unit 42, it is possible to measure the in-focus state of the image formed as an optical image.

  Reference numeral 46 denotes a photometric unit for performing AE processing. Light rays that have entered the lens 310 are converted into a single-lens reflex system through an aperture 312, lens mounts 306 and 106, mirrors 130 and 132, and a photometric lens (not shown). By making it incident on the photometry unit 46, the exposure state of an image formed as an optical image can be measured. The photometry unit 46 also has an EF processing function in cooperation with the flash 48.

  A flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  Further, the AF control may be performed using both the measurement result by the distance measurement unit 42 and the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data captured by the image sensor 14 by the image processing unit 20. The exposure control may be performed using both the measurement result obtained by the photometry unit 46 and the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data captured by the image sensor 14 by the image processing unit 20.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control unit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 100, and reference numeral 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control unit 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 unit 50. A single or a plurality of locations are provided 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. The display unit 54 has a part of its function installed in the optical viewfinder 104. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like is, for example, single / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded images, number of remaining images that can be captured , Shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, buzzer setting display, battery remaining display, error display, information display with multiple digits, display / removal state display of recording media 200 and 210, There are a lens unit 300 attachment / detachment state display, a communication I / F operation display, a date / time display, a display indicating a connection state with an external computer, and the like.

  In addition, among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 is, for example, in-focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, shutter speed display, There are an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, a recording medium writing operation display, and the like. Further, among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LED or the like includes, for example, a recording medium writing operation display. And what is displayed on a lamp etc. among the display contents of the display part 54 includes a self-timer notification lamp, for example. This self-timer notification lamp may be used in common with AF auxiliary light.

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

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control unit 50, and are configured by a single or a plurality of combinations such as a switch and a dial.

  Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which is an automatic shooting mode, program shooting mode, shutter speed priority shooting mode, aperture priority shooting mode, manual shooting mode, depth of focus priority (depth) shooting mode, portrait shooting mode, landscape shooting mode, and close-up shooting. Each function shooting mode such as a mode, a sport shooting mode, a night view shooting mode, a panorama shooting mode, and the like can be switched and set.

  Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned on during the operation of a shutter button (not shown) and instructs the start of operations such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, and EF processing.

  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 14 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory controller 22. A series of development processes using computations in the image processing unit 20 and the memory control unit 22, recording processes for reading out image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression unit 32, and writing the image data in the recording medium 200 or 210 The operation start of the process is instructed.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes a playback switch that instructs the start of a playback operation in which a captured 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.

  68 is a single-shot / continuous-shooting switch. When the shutter switch SW2 is pressed, a single-shot mode is set in which one frame is shot and the camera is in a standby state, and continuous shooting is performed while the shutter switch SW2 is pressed. You can set the mode.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit including various buttons, a touch panel, and the like. A menu button, a set button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu movement + (plus) button, a menu Move-(minus) button, playback image move + (plus) button, playback image-(minus) button, shooting image quality selection button, exposure correction button, date / time setting button, ON / OFF of image display unit 28 Image display ON / OFF switch, quick review ON / OFF switch for setting a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after shooting, a compression mode switch for selecting a compression rate for JPEG compression, a playback mode , Multi-screen playback / erase mode, PC connection mode, etc. When the playback switch that can set the function mode, the shutter switch SW1, is pressed, the autofocus operation is started, and once focused, the one-shot AF mode that keeps the focused state and while the shutter switch SW1 is pressed. Includes an AF mode setting switch that can set a servo AF mode in which the autofocus operation is continuously performed.

  In addition, the functions of the plus button and the minus button can be selected more easily by providing a rotary dial switch.

  Reference numeral 72 denotes a power switch that can switch the imaging apparatus 100 to either a power-on or power-off mode. In addition, the power on and power off settings of various accessory devices such as the lens unit 300, the external strobe, and the recording media 200 and 210 connected to the imaging device 100 can be switched at the same time.

  A power control unit 80 includes a power detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. In addition, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the system control unit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  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. It is a recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit that detects 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 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, a CF (registered trademark) card, or the like, a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, an IEEE 1394 card, a P1284 card. By connecting various communication cards such as SCSI cards, PHS and other communication cards, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other computers and peripheral devices such as printers. it can.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can guide a light beam incident on the lens 310 through an aperture 312, lens mounts 306 and 106, and mirrors 130 and 132 by an SLR system, and form an image as an optical image. Thereby, it is possible to perform photographing using only the optical viewfinder 104 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.

  A communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication. With this communication function, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other computers and peripheral devices such as a printer. Details regarding the transfer of the image data will be described later. 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 120 denotes an interface for connecting the imaging device 100 to the lens unit 300 in the lens mount 106, 122 denotes a connector for electrically connecting the imaging device 100 to the lens unit 300, and 124 denotes the lens mount 106 and / or the connector 122. It is a lens attachment / detachment detection unit that detects whether or not the lens unit 300 is attached.

  The connector 122 transmits a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like between the imaging device 100 and the lens unit 300, and also has a function of supplying currents of various voltages. The connector 122 may be configured to transmit not only electrical communication but also optical communication, voice communication, and the like.

  Reference numerals 130 and 132 denote mirrors that can guide the light incident on the lens 310 to the optical viewfinder 104 by a single-lens reflex system. The mirror 132 may be either a quick return mirror or a half mirror.

  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 300 denotes an interchangeable lens type lens unit.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes a lens mount that mechanically couples the lens unit 300 to the imaging apparatus 100. The lens mount 306 includes various functions for electrically connecting the lens unit 300 to the imaging device 100.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes a photographing lens, and 312 denotes an aperture.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an interface for connecting the lens unit 300 to the imaging device 100 in the lens mount 306, and 322 denotes a connector for electrically connecting the lens unit 300 to the imaging device 100.

  The connector 322 transmits a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like between the imaging device 100 and the lens unit 300, and also has a function of supplying or supplying currents of various voltages. The connector 322 may be configured to transmit not only electrical communication but also optical communication, voice communication, and the like.

  Reference numeral 340 denotes an aperture control unit that controls the aperture 312 in cooperation with the shutter control unit 40 that controls the shutter 12 based on photometric information from the photometry unit 46.

  A ranging control unit 342 controls the focusing of the photographing lens 310, and a zoom control unit 344 controls the zooming of the photographing lens 310.

  A lens control unit 350 controls the entire lens unit 300. The lens control unit 350 includes a memory for storing operation constants, variables, programs, etc., identification information such as numbers unique to the lens unit 300, management information, function information such as an open aperture value, minimum aperture value, focal length, And a function of a nonvolatile memory for holding past setting values and the like.

  An ID for specifying a user, a connection destination, or theme information set by a computer connected by USB, IEEE1394, or the like by the operation unit 70 or the interface 90 is stored in the memory 30. In addition to the connection via the PCMCIA card, the connection method with the computer may be a mode in which an I / F circuit is provided inside the camera and directly connected via USB or the like, or may be wireless instead of wired.

  The image data stored in the memory 30 is stored in the memory 30 again after being subjected to data compression processing by the compression / decompression unit 32. The image data subjected to data compression is attached with the above-described ID and date / time data, as well as shooting information data recording shooting conditions such as shutter speed and aperture value. Image data and shooting information data are recorded on the recording medium 200.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data file structure of image data recorded on the recording medium 200.

  It is determined by DCF (Designrule for Camera File system) that names of image data captured by the imaging apparatus are distinguished by adding a directory 410 called “DCIM” under the root directory 400 shown in FIG. .

  In the directory 410 “DCIM”, a plurality of subdirectories 430 are provided. Furthermore, each subdirectory 430 is provided with an image data file 441 and a shooting information data file 442. One photographing information data file 442 is provided for each subdirectory 430.

[First Embodiment]
Next, a characteristic operation of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, when a captured image is transferred to an external device by the communication unit 110 in real time, control is performed so that a main image is transferred during single shooting and a thumbnail image is transferred during continuous shooting. This is an operation example in which the continuous shooting performance is reduced by selecting thumbnail transfer when priority is given to the continuous shooting performance and the continuous shooting performance is reduced by image transfer.

  First, the user can select and set the storage location of the captured image from the recording medium 210 and / or an external device such as a computer transferred by the communication unit 110, or both from the operation unit 70 of the camera.

  Here, an operation when an external device is selected as a storage location of a captured image will be described with reference to FIG.

  The main image data captured in steps S401 and S402 is temporarily stored in the memory 30 after being compressed by the compression / decompression unit 32. Thereafter, when it is determined in step S403 that the shooting mode is the single shooting mode, the main image data is immediately transferred by the communication unit 110 in step S404.

  If it is determined that the shooting mode is the continuous shooting mode, the thumbnail image is transferred in step S405. When only thumbnail images are transferred, information that can identify that only thumbnail images are transferred is added. Then, when the continuous shooting is finished, the user is confirmed whether untransferred main image data is to be transferred. If the main image transfer is instructed here, it is transmitted at this time. Note that if the image is displayed on an external device or camera without confirmation from the user on the camera side, the untransferred mark of the main image may be displayed superimposed on the image based on the information added to the thumbnail image. good. In this case, the user can select and acquire / transfer a necessary main image from images with the untransferred mark of the main image.

  In this example, the continuous shooting / single shooting mode of the camera is determined in step S403, but it is not a simple single shooting / continuous shooting determination, but the data size of the main image, the communication rate at the communication unit 110, the continuous shooting frame speed, and the like. Therefore, the main image may be transferred when it is determined that the main image data can be transferred without reducing the continuous shooting speed. In this case, for example, the data size of the actually generated main image, the set compression rate or image size, or the set ISO sensitivity, or the connected USB standard is USB 1.0 or USB 2.0. There is a determination method such as predicting the time required for transfer from the communication rate in the communication unit 110 and the actual data size of the main image.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, not only the continuous shooting performance of the camera is prevented from being lowered, but also when the external device is a PC or the like, it is possible to display a captured image on the display in real time for the shooting operation. Become.

  Further, as described above, the communication unit 110 is not particularly limited with respect to communication modes such as USB and wireless.

“Second Embodiment”
In the second embodiment, when a captured image is transferred to an external device by the communication unit 110 in real time, the main image data is transferred during normal shooting, and the thumbnail image is transferred during bracket shooting. This is an example of an operation that prevents a wasteful compression of the capacity of an external device by selecting thumbnail transfer when an operation for selecting a desired image from the above is assumed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a transfer operation during bracket shooting according to the second embodiment.

  First, the image data photographed in steps S501 and S502 is temporarily stored in the memory 30 after being compressed by the compression / decompression unit 32. Thereafter, if it is determined in step S503 that the shooting mode is the normal shooting mode, the main image is immediately transferred by the communication unit 110 in step S504. When it is determined that the shooting mode is AE bracketing for shooting multiple images with different exposures by the specified number of steps, WB bracketing mode for shooting multiple images with different white balance, or FE bracketing for shooting multiple images with different flash emission levels In step S505, the thumbnail image is transferred. When only thumbnail images are transferred, information that can identify that only thumbnail images are transferred is added. When bracket shooting is finished, the user is asked whether to transfer the untransferred main image. If the main image transfer is instructed, it is transmitted at this time. Here, the confirmation to the user is not performed on the camera side, and the untransferred mark of the main image may be displayed superimposed on the image based on the information added to the thumbnail when the image is displayed on the external device or the camera. good. In this case, the user can select and acquire / transfer a necessary main image from images with the untransferred mark of the main image.

[Other Embodiments]
In the present embodiment, a computer-readable recording medium (or storage medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus is supplied. Or MPU) can read out and execute the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) or the like 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 recording medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present embodiment is applied to the recording medium, program code corresponding to the flowchart described above is stored in the recording medium.

  Note that the present embodiment can be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. ).

It is a block diagram of an imaging device of an embodiment concerning the present invention. It is a figure which shows the data file structure in the recording medium in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the transfer operation | movement at the time of the continuous shooting by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the transfer operation | movement at the time of bracket imaging | photography by 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

12 Shutter 14 Image sensor 16 A / D conversion unit 18 Timing generation unit 20 Image processing unit 22 Memory control unit 24 Image display memory 26 D / A conversion unit 28 Image display unit 30 Memory 32 Compression / decompression unit 40 Shutter control unit 42 Distance measurement Unit 46 Photometry unit 48 Flash 50 System control unit 52 Memory 54 Display unit 56 Non-volatile memory 60 Mode dial switch 62 Shutter switch SW1
64 Shutter switch SW2
66 Playback Switch 68 Single / Continuous Shooting Switch 70 Operation Unit 72 Power Switch 80 Power Control Unit 82 Connector 86 Power Supply Unit 90 Interface 92 Connector 94 Interface 96 Connector 98 Recording Medium Attachment / Disconnection Detection Unit 100 Imaging Device 104 Optical Finder 106 Lens Mount 110 Communication Part 112 connector (or antenna)
120 Interface 122 Connector 130 Mirror 132 Mirror 200 Recording Medium 202 Recording Unit 204 Interface 206 Connector 210 Recording Medium 212 Recording Unit 214 Interface 216 Connector 300 Lens Unit 306 Lens Mount
310 photographing lens 312 aperture 320 interface 322 connector 340 aperture control unit 342 distance measurement control unit 344 zoom control unit 350 lens control unit

Claims (14)

Photographing means for photographing an optical image of a subject to generate main image data;
Reduced image generation means for generating reduced image data obtained by reducing the main image data;
Storage means for storing the main image data and the reduced image data;
Transfer means for transferring either the main image data or the reduced image data to an external device;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: selection means for selecting one of the main image data and the reduced image data based on an operation state of the apparatus when the transfer means transfers to an external device.   The selection means selects the main image data when the operation state is a single shooting mode, and selects the reduced image data when the operation mode is a continuous shooting mode. Imaging device.   2. The imaging according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects the main image data when the operation state is a normal shooting mode, and selects the reduced image data when the operation state is a bracket shooting mode. apparatus.   The selection means is at least one of the size of the main image data, the compression rate when stored in the storage means, the ISO sensitivity, the transfer speed of the transfer means, and the continuous frame speed instead of the operating state of the apparatus. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein either the main image data or the reduced image data is selected based on the image data.   5. The transfer unit according to claim 1, wherein when transferring only the reduced image, the transfer unit adds information that can be identified as transfer of only the reduced image and transfers the reduced image to an external device. The imaging device according to item.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising display means for displaying the identification information together with the main image when the main image is displayed. Photographing means for photographing an optical image of a subject to generate main image data;
Reduced image generation means for generating reduced image data obtained by reducing the main image data;
Storage means for storing the main image data and the reduced image data;
A transfer unit that transfers either the main image data or the reduced image data to an external device, and a control method for an imaging apparatus,
A control method comprising a selection step of selecting either the main image data or the reduced image data based on an operating state of the apparatus when transferring to an external device by the transfer means.   8. The selection process according to claim 7, wherein the main image data is selected when the operation state is a single shooting mode, and the reduced image data is selected when the operation mode is a continuous shooting mode. Control method.   8. The control according to claim 7, wherein in the selection step, the main image data is selected when the operation state is a normal shooting mode, and the reduced image data is selected when the operation state is a bracket shooting mode. Method.   In the selection step, at least one of the size of the main image data, the compression rate when stored in the storage means, the ISO sensitivity, the transfer speed of the transfer means, and the continuous frame speed instead of the operation state of the apparatus. The control method according to claim 7, wherein either the main image data or the reduced image data is selected based on the image data.   11. The transfer unit according to claim 7, wherein when transferring only the reduced image, the transfer unit adds information that can identify that the transfer is only the reduced image and transfers the reduced image to an external device. The control method according to item.   The control method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of displaying the identification information together with the main image when the main image is displayed.   A program for causing a computer mounted on an imaging apparatus to execute the control method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.   A computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to claim 13.

Images