JP2006352630A - Image processing device and method, recording medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record still images, without influencing the recording operation of motion images. <P>SOLUTION: Image data taken by an image sensor 11 are A/D-converted by an ADC 12 to be supplied to an LSI13A for motion images and to an LSI16 for still images. The LSI13A for motion images supplies the input image data to a motion image recording signal processor 14, to record the data in a recording medium 51. The LSI16 for still images records once the image data supplied by the ADC12 in a memory 18. The LSI16 for still images produces image data for still images, based on the data recorded in the memory 18 for making the data recorded in the memory 18 again. A still image recording signal processor 17 retrieves the still image data recorded in the memory 18 and supplies and records the data to a recording medium 52. The device can be applied to digital video cameras. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a recording medium that can record a still image without affecting the recording of a moving image. And the program.

Recent digital video cameras have a function of recording not only moving images but also still images. A moving image has sufficient image quality if it has a resolution of several hundred thousand pixels. In contrast, a still image can be obtained with a higher quality when the number of pixels is larger. Therefore, when the number of pixels of the image sensor is increased and a still image is recorded, the image data output from the image sensor is recorded as it is, and when moving image data is recorded, the number of pixels is so large. Therefore, it is proposed to record after converting the number of pixels of the image data output from the image sensor to a small number (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-44531 A

  However, in the invention of Patent Document 1, when a still image is recorded, the driving method of the image sensor is switched, so that there is a problem that the moving image data becomes discontinuous when the still image is recorded. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and enables a high-quality still image to be recorded without affecting a moving image.

  An aspect of the present invention is an acquisition unit or step for acquiring moving image data of a subject, a conversion unit or step for converting moving image data to low-resolution moving image data, and a moving image for recording low-resolution moving image data Recording means or step; moving image data before resolution conversion; storage means or step for storing moving image data of a frame for which recording is designated as designated frame data; and parallel conversion processing by the converting means An image processing apparatus or method comprising: main image generation means or step for generating still image data of the main image from stored designated frame data; and still image recording means or step for recording still image data of the main image. Or a program.

  The main image generation unit may further store the generated still image data of the main image in a storage unit, and the still image recording unit may record the still image data of the main image read from the storage unit. it can.

  The apparatus further comprises thumbnail generation means for generating thumbnail data corresponding to still image data of the main image generated by the main image generation means, and the thumbnail generation means further stores the generated thumbnail data in the storage means, and the still image recording means The thumbnail data read from the storage means can be further recorded.

  The conversion unit and the image generation unit may be configured by an LSI having the same function.

  One of the two LSIs can supply a clock and a synchronization signal to the other one.

  Supply means for supplying a common clock and synchronization signal to the two LSIs can be further provided.

  Control means for controlling power supply to the LSI having the image generating means to be in a sufficient state when frame recording is designated and to be in a power save state when recording is completed is further provided. be able to.

  In an aspect of the present invention, moving image data is converted into moving image data with a low resolution and recorded. In addition, the moving image data before the resolution is converted and the moving image data of the frame designated for recording is stored as the designated frame data, and the main image is stored from the stored designated frame data in parallel with the conversion process. Still image data is generated and recorded.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, a moving image can be recorded together with a still image. In particular, it is possible to record a high-quality still image without affecting the moving image.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode of the present invention will be described below. The correspondence relationship between the disclosed invention and the embodiments is exemplified as follows. Although there is an embodiment which is described in the specification but is not described here as corresponding to the invention, it means that the embodiment corresponds to the invention. It doesn't mean not. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described herein as corresponding to an invention, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to an invention other than the invention. Absent.

  Further, this description does not mean all the inventions described in the specification. In other words, this description is for the invention described in the specification and not claimed in this application, i.e., for the invention that will be applied for in the future or that will appear as a result of amendment and added. It does not deny existence.

An aspect of the present invention is an acquisition means (for example, ADC 12 in FIG. 1) for acquiring moving image data of a subject;
Conversion means for converting the moving image data into low-resolution moving image data (for example, the resolution conversion processing unit 33 in FIG. 1);
Moving image recording means (for example, the moving image recording signal processing unit 14 in FIG. 1) for recording the moving image data of low resolution;
Storage means (for example, the memory 18 in FIG. 1) that stores the moving image data of a frame for which recording is designated, as designated frame data, which is the moving image data before the resolution is converted;
In parallel with the conversion processing by the conversion means, main image generation means for generating still image data of the main image from the stored specified frame data (for example, the rear camera signal control unit 42 and the JPEG codec 46 in FIG. 1); ,
An image processing apparatus (for example, the digital video camera 1 in FIG. 1) including a still image recording unit (for example, the still image recording signal processing unit 17 in FIG. 1) that records the still image data of the main image.

A thumbnail generation unit (for example, resolution conversion processing unit 43 in FIG. 1) that generates thumbnail data corresponding to the still image data of the main image generated by the main image generation unit;
The thumbnail generation means further stores the generated thumbnail data in the storage means,
The still image recording unit can further record the thumbnail data read from the storage unit.

  The conversion unit and the main image generation unit can be configured by LSIs having the same function (for example, the moving image LSI 13 and the still image LSI 16 in FIG. 1).

  Supply means (for example, the clock synchronization generation unit 15 in FIG. 1) for supplying a common clock and synchronization signal to the two LSIs can be further provided.

  The power supply to the LSI having the main image generating means (for example, the still image LSI 16 in FIG. 1) is set to a sufficient state when the recording of the frame is designated, and the power saving state is set when the recording is finished. Control means (for example, the power supply unit 21 in FIG. 1) that controls the above can be further provided.

An aspect of the present invention provides an acquisition step (for example, step S2 in FIG. 2) for acquiring moving image data of a subject,
A conversion step (for example, step S5 in FIG. 2) for converting the moving image data into low-resolution moving image data;
A moving image recording step (for example, step S7 in FIG. 2) for recording the moving image data at a low resolution, and the moving image data before the resolution is converted, the moving image data of a frame for which recording is designated. A storage step (for example, step S34 in FIG. 3) for storing the designated frame data;
In parallel with the conversion processing by the conversion step, a main image generation step (for example, step S37 in FIG. 3 and step S74 in FIG. 4) for generating still image data of the main image from the stored designated frame data;
A still image recording step (for example, step S43 in FIG. 3) for recording still image data of the main image.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital video camera to which the present invention is applied. The digital video camera 1 includes an image sensor 11, an analog-digital converter (ADC) 12, a moving image LSI 13, a moving image recording signal processing unit 14, a clock synchronization generation unit 15, a still image LSI 16, a still image recording signal processing unit 17, a memory 18, a playback unit 19, a display unit 20, a power supply unit 21, an input unit 22, and a control unit 23.

  The image sensor 11 is configured by a solid imaginary element such as a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or a charge-coupled device (CCD), for example. The image sensor 11 captures an image of a subject and records corresponding image data in the ADC 12. The ADC 12 converts the analog image signal input from the image sensor 11 into a digital image signal.

  The moving image LSI (Large Scale Integration) 13 includes a front-stage camera signal processing unit 31, a rear-stage camera signal processing unit 32, a resolution conversion processing unit 33, a data compression / decompression unit 34, a memory interface unit 35, and a JPEG codec unit 36. ing.

  The front-stage camera signal processing unit 31 performs correction processing for deterioration mainly caused by the lens, the image sensor 11, and the like. The post-stage camera signal processing unit 32 performs processes such as white balance and gamma correction on the image data supplied from the pre-stage camera signal processing unit 31. Then, the rear camera signal processing unit 32 generates luminance data Y and color difference data Cr and Cb, and outputs them to the resolution conversion processing unit 33.

  The resolution conversion processing unit 33 converts the number of pixels of the luminance data Y and the color difference data Cr and Cb input from the subsequent camera signal processing unit 32 into a smaller number suitable for the moving image signal, and records the moving image as a baseband signal. The signal is output to the signal processing unit 14.

  The data compression / decompression unit 34 compresses the image data input from the front-stage camera signal processing unit 31 using gamma compression and DPCM (Differential Pulse Code Modulation), and outputs the compressed data to the memory interface unit 35. The data compression / decompression unit 34 also decompresses the image data supplied from the memory interface unit 35 and outputs the decompressed image data to the upstream camera signal processing unit 31. The data compression / decompression unit 34 reduces the amount of data so as to be within the bus band of the memory 18. If the bus band for the memory 18 can be sufficiently secured, the data compression / decompression unit 34 It can be omitted.

  The memory interface unit 35 executes interface processing for the memory 18. That is, the data input from the image resolution conversion processing unit 33, the data compression / decompression unit 34, or the codec unit 36 is supplied to the memory 18 for storage, or the data read from the memory 18 is converted to resolution. The data is supplied to the processing unit 33, the data compression / decompression unit 34, or the codec unit 36.

  The JPEG codec unit 36 encodes the image data supplied from the memory 18 via the memory interface unit 35 by the JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) method, and outputs it to the memory interface unit 35.

  The moving image recording signal processing unit 14 performs processing such as modulating the image data supplied from the resolution conversion processing unit 33 into a method suitable for recording on the recording medium 51, and supplies the recording data to the recording medium 51 for recording. . The recording medium 51 is composed of, for example, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or a magnetic tape, and is attached to the digital video camera 11 as necessary.

  The clock synchronization generation unit 15 generates a clock and a synchronization signal and supplies them to the moving image LSI 13 and the still image LSI 16, respectively. The moving image LSI 13 and the still image LSI 16 operate in synchronization with the clock and the synchronization signal supplied from the clock synchronization generator 15.

  The still image LSI 16 includes a front-stage camera signal processing unit 41, a rear-stage camera signal processing unit 42, a resolution conversion processing unit 43, a data compression / decompression unit 44, a memory interface unit 45, and a JPEG codec unit 46. These pre-stage camera signal processing 41 to JPEG codec section 46 have the same functions as the pre-stage camera signal processing section 31 to JPEG codec section 36 of the moving image LSI 13. That is, in this embodiment, the moving image LSI 13 and the still image LSI 16 are configured by LSIs having substantially the same function.

  Each unit does not execute all the functions that it has, but only performs the necessary functions. For example, the resolution conversion processing unit 43 generates still image data from moving image data supplied from the memory 18 via the memory interface unit 45. The resolution conversion processing unit 33 has a similar function, but the resolution conversion processing unit 33 performs only processing necessary for recording a moving image signal.

  The still image recording signal processing unit 17 performs a modulation process suitable for recording the still image data (the JPEG data of the main image and the JPEG data of the thumbnail) read from the memory 18 on the recording medium 52, and performs recording. This is supplied to the medium 52 and recorded. The recording medium 52 is configured by a solid-state memory such as a Memory Stick (trademark), for example, and is attached to the digital video camera 11 as necessary. Of course, the recording medium 52 can be configured as the same recording medium as the recording medium 51.

  The memory 18 is constituted by, for example, SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory). The memory 18 temporarily stores the data supplied from the memory interface unit 35 or the memory interface unit 45, reads out the data stored therein, and supplies the data to the memory interface unit 35 or the memory interface unit 45. Alternatively, the data read from the memory 18 is supplied to the still image recording signal processing unit 17.

  The reproducing unit 19 reads out the image data recorded on the recording medium 51 or the recording medium 52, outputs it to the display unit 20, and displays it. The display unit 20 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like.

  The power supply unit 21 supplies necessary power to each unit. The input unit 22 includes various buttons and switches, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 23 when operated by the user. The control unit 23 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and controls each unit.

  The removable medium 61 is attached to the digital video camera 1 as necessary, and provides necessary data, programs, and the like to the control unit 23.

  Next, the operation of the digital video camera 1 will be described. When using the digital video camera 1, the user operates the input unit 22 and first turns on the power. The power supply unit 21 supplies necessary power to each unit when the power-on is instructed.

  Then, when starting the recording of the moving image data, the user operates the input unit 22 and instructs the recording. The control unit 23 causes each unit to execute the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 when recording of a moving image is instructed by the user via the input unit 22.

  In step S1, the image sensor 11 captures an image of a subject. In step S <b> 2, the ADC 12 performs A / D conversion on the image data of the subject supplied from the image sensor 11. In step S <b> 3, the front camera signal processing unit 31 performs front signal processing. That is, correction processing is performed for deterioration caused by characteristics of a lens (not shown) disposed in front of the image sensor 11 and the image sensor 11.

  In step S <b> 4, the rear-stage camera signal processing unit 32 executes processing for converting the image data supplied from the front-stage camera signal processing unit 31 into Y / Cr / Cb data. That is, the rear-stage camera signal processing unit 32 performs white balance and gamma correction on the image data supplied from the front-stage camera signal processing unit 31, generates luminance data Y and color difference data Cr and Cb, and performs resolution conversion processing. To the unit 33. In step S5, the resolution conversion processing unit 33 performs resolution conversion processing. That is, the image sensor 11 has a high resolution pixel number, and if recorded on the recording medium 51 as it is, it becomes data of excessive quality as moving image data. Therefore, the resolution conversion processing unit 33 executes a process of converting the number of pixels necessary and sufficient as moving image data (converting to a low resolution).

  In step S6, the moving image recording signal processing unit 14 performs moving image recording processing. That is, the moving image recording signal processing unit 14 performs a moving image recording process on the Y / Cr / Cb data supplied from the resolution conversion processing unit 33. That is, the modulation is performed by a predetermined method. In step S <b> 7, the moving image recording signal processing unit 14 executes processing for recording on a recording medium. That is, the moving image recording signal processing unit 14 supplies the modulated data to the recording medium 51 for recording.

  Next, in step S8, the control unit 23 determines whether or not an end is instructed by the user. If the end is not instructed yet, the process returns to step S1 and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed. If it is determined in step 8 that termination has been instructed, the recording process is terminated.

  As described above, at the timing when the user wants to record a still image while the recording operation is being performed, the user operates the input unit 22 to instruct recording of the still image (instructs a frame to be recorded). ). At this time, the control unit 23 controls each unit to execute the still image recording process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S31, the control unit 23 cancels the power save mode. That is, the power supply unit 21 supplies necessary power to each unit when the digital video camera 1 is turned on, but sets a power save mode for the still image LSI 16 and supplies only a minimum amount of power. Thereby, it is suppressed that electric power is consumed wastefully. Now, since the user has instructed recording of a still image, the power supply unit 21 supplies necessary and sufficient power to the still image LSI 16.

  In step S32, the front-stage camera signal processing unit 31 performs the previous signal processing. That is, the front-stage camera signal processing unit 31 performs processing such as correction for distortion by the lens or the image sensor 11 on the image data of the designated frame in the moving image data input from the ADC 12. In step S33, the data compression / decompression unit 34 compresses the image data of the frame specified by the user in the raw moving image data. That is, the image data is compressed by the data compression / decompression unit 34 using, for example, gamma compression and DPCM. Thereby, even when the bandwidth between the memory 18 and the memory interface unit 35 is narrow, data can be exchanged quickly.

  In step S34, the memory interface unit 35 writes the image data compressed by the data compression / decompression unit 34 into the memory. As a result, the image data of the frame designated by the user in the moving image is directly written as designated frame data in the memory 18 without resolution conversion. After the image data is written in the memory 18, the right to access the memory 18 is transferred from the moving image LSI 13 to the still image LSI 16.

  In step S <b> 35, the memory interface unit 45 reads designated frame data (RAW data) from the memory 18. The read designated frame data is supplied to the data compression / decompression unit 44. In step S <b> 36, the data compression / decompression unit 44 decompresses the designated frame data read from the memory 18 via the memory interface unit 45. That is, the data is expanded by performing a process complementary to the compression process in the data compression / decompression unit 34. The expanded designated frame data is supplied to the rear camera signal processing unit 32 via the front camera signal processing unit 41.

  In step S37, the rear-stage camera signal processing unit 42 converts the designated frame data supplied from the front-stage camera signal processing unit 41 into Y / Cr / Cb data after white balance and gamma correction. The Y / Cr / Cb data is supplied to the resolution conversion processing unit 43.

  In step S38, the resolution conversion processing unit 43 converts the angle of view of the data supplied from the subsequent camera signal processing unit. That is, an angle-of-view conversion process such as clipping is performed to absorb the difference in angle of view during camera shake correction. Conversion processing to a lower resolution is not performed. In step S <b> 39, the memory interface unit 45 writes the data supplied from the resolution conversion processing unit 43 into the memory 18. In this way, the Y / Cr / Cb data of the designated frame is written in the memory 18 in accordance with the angle of view for still image shooting.

  Next, in step S40, JPEG data generation processing is executed. The details thereof will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, and as a result, the JPEG data (not the thumbnail image) of the main image (not the thumbnail image) can be obtained from the Y / Cr / Cb data of the designated frame recorded in the memory 18. Data) is generated and stored in the memory 18 again.

  In step S41, a thumbnail data generation process is executed. The details of the process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. As a result, the data of the designated frame written in the memory 18 in the process of step S39 is read out by the memory interface unit 45, and the resolution conversion process is performed. The thumbnail data is generated by the unit 43. Then, JPEG data (thumbnail JPEG data) of the generated thumbnail data is generated by the JPEG codec unit 46 and written again in the memory 18.

  The JPEG data of the main image generated in the process of step S40 and the JPEG data of the thumbnail generated in the process of step S41 are read from the memory 18 by the still image recording signal processing unit 17 in step S42, and in step S43. It is written on the recording medium 52.

  Next, in step S44, the control unit 23 sets the mode of the still picture LSI 16 to the power save mode. As a result, wasteful power consumption by the still image LSI 16 in the non-operating state is suppressed.

  As described above, the recording medium 52 records still image data (main image and thumbnail JPEG data) of a specified frame among the moving image data recorded on the recording medium 51. Since the still image recording process is performed in parallel (simultaneously) with the moving image recording process, it is possible to prevent the recording of the moving image from becoming discontinuous and the image quality from being deteriorated.

  Next, details of the JPEG data generation process in step S40 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S71, the memory interface unit 45 reads the Y / Cr / Cb data of the designated frame written in the memory 18 by the process of step S39. The read data is supplied to the JPEG codec unit 46. In step S72, the JPEG codec unit 46 estimates the code amount. That is, the JPEG codec unit 46 performs processing for estimating the code amount when generating JPEG data based on the data supplied from the memory 18 via the memory interface unit 45. In step S73, the memory interface unit 45 reads the Y / Cr / Cb data of the designated frame from the memory 18 again. In step S74, the JPEG codec unit 46 generates JPEG data. That is, with reference to the code amount estimated in step S72, the JPEG codec unit 46 generates JPEG data of the main image.

  In step S75, the memory interface unit 45 executes a process of writing the JPEG data of the main image generated in the process of step S74 into the memory 18.

  Next, the details of the thumbnail data generation process in step S41 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 91, the memory interface unit 45 reads the Y / Cr / Cb data of the designated frame stored in the memory 18. The read data is supplied to the resolution conversion processing unit 43. In step S92, the resolution conversion processing unit 43 generates Y / Cr / Cb data for thumbnails by resolution conversion from the Y / Cr / Cb data of the designated frame supplied via the memory interface unit 45. That is, image data of a size obtained by reducing the frame of the main image is generated here.

  In step S93, the memory interface unit 45 executes a process of writing the thumbnail data generated in the process of step S92 into the memory 18. However, this Y / Cr / Cb data for thumbnails is not yet JPEG data.

  Therefore, next, in step S94, JPEG data generation processing is executed. This JPEG data generation process is the same as that shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, the thumbnail data of the designated frame written in the memory 18 is read out by the memory interface unit 45 and supplied to the JPEG codec unit 46 to generate JPEG data. Then, the JPEG data of the thumbnail data is supplied to the memory 18 via the memory interface unit 45 and stored.

  FIG. 6 shows the operating states of the moving picture LSI 13 and the still picture LSI 16. As shown in FIG. 6A, controlled by the control unit 23, the moving picture LSI 13 is always in an operating state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, the still image LSI 16 controlled by the control unit 23 is completely in the still image generation period shown as time t1 to t2 or time t11 to t12. The power saving mode is set during the other periods although the operation state is set. As a result, wasteful power consumption is suppressed when the still image LSI 16 is not substantially operating.

  Next, the operation during reproduction will be described. When the user operates the input unit 22 to instruct reproduction, the control unit 23 instructs the reproduction unit 19 to reproduce the recording medium 51 or the recording medium 52 based on the instruction. Based on this instruction, the reproducing unit 19 reproduces the data recorded on the recording medium 51, outputs it to the display unit 20, and displays it. As a result, the moving image is displayed on the display unit 20. When the recording medium 52 is played back, a still image is displayed on the display unit 20.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the clock synchronization generator 15 is arranged outside the moving picture LSI 13 and the still picture LSI 16, but it can also be arranged inside. The embodiment of FIG. 7 represents an embodiment in this case. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the moving image LSI 13A includes a front-stage camera signal processing unit 31, a rear-stage camera signal processing unit 32, a resolution conversion processing unit 33, a data compression / decompression unit 34, a memory interface unit 35, and a JPEG codec unit 36. In addition, a clock synchronization generation unit 101 is further provided.

  Similarly, the still image LSI 16A has basically the same configuration as the moving image LSI 13A, and includes a front camera signal processing unit 41, a rear camera signal processing unit 42, a resolution conversion processing unit 43, a data compression / decompression unit 44, and a memory. The interface unit 45, JPEG codec unit 46, and clock synchronization generation unit 111 are configured.

  In this embodiment, the clock and the synchronization signal generated by the clock synchronization generation unit 101 of the moving image LSI 13A are supplied to the still image LSI 16A, and the still image LSI 16A is synchronized with the clock and the synchronization signal. Operate. The moving image LSI 13A operates in synchronism with the clock and the synchronization signal generated by the clock synchronization generator 101. As a result, the still picture LSI 16A operates in synchronization with the moving picture LSI 13A.

  In this embodiment, the clock synchronization generator 111 of the still image LSI 16A is not substantially used.

  The other configurations, operations, and operations in the embodiment of FIG. 7 are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows still another embodiment. In this embodiment, the moving image LSI 13A and the still image LSI 16 are combined, and the synchronization signal and the clock output from the clock synchronization generation unit 101 of the moving image LSI 13A are supplied to the still image LSI 16. The still image LSI 16 operates in synchronization with the clock and the synchronization signal supplied from the moving image LSI 13A. It goes without saying that the moving image LSI 13A operates in synchronization with the clock and the synchronization signal generated by the clock synchronization generator 101. Thus, even in the case of this embodiment, the moving image LSI 13A and the still image LSI 16 operate in synchronization.

  Further, in this embodiment, the data output from the ADC 12 is directly supplied to the still image LSI 16. In the still image LSI 16, the data output from the ADC 12 is supplied to and stored in the memory 18 via the front-stage camera signal processing unit 41, the data decompression unit 44, and the memory interface unit 45. Other processes are the same as those described above.

  In the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 7, the image data is exchanged between the moving image LSI 13 (13 </ b> A) and the still image LSI 16 (16 </ b> A) via the memory 18. A transfer bus is not required, the number of wiring patterns between LSIs is reduced, design is facilitated, and the board area can be reduced.

  Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the clock synchronization generator 15 is built in the moving picture LSI 13A compared to the embodiment of FIG.

  In the case of the embodiment of FIG. 8, the moving image LSI 13A and the still image LSI 16 have different configurations, and therefore, each can be a dedicated LSI.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software executes various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, a general-purpose personal computer is installed from a network or a recording medium.

  As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 7, or FIG. 8, this recording medium is a magnetic disk (floppy disk) on which a program is recorded, which is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the apparatus main body. Removable media 61 including an optical disk (including compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), DVD (digital versatile disk)), a magneto-optical disk (including MD (mini-disk)), or a semiconductor memory. And a ROM or a hard disk on which a program is provided, which is provided to the user in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  Further, in this specification, the system means a logical collection of a plurality of devices (or functional modules that realize a specific function), and whether each device or functional module is in a single casing. It doesn't matter whether or not.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital video camera to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart explaining a moving image recording process. It is a flowchart explaining a still image recording process. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the JPEG data generation process of step S40 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the thumbnail data generation process of FIG.3 S41. 4 is a timing chart for explaining operations of a moving image LSI and a still image LSI. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of other embodiment of the digital video camera to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of further another embodiment of the digital video camera to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital Video Camera, 11 Image Sensor, 12 A / D Converter, 13 Video LSI, 16 Still Image LSI, 18 Memory, 21 Power Supply Unit

Claims (10)

Acquisition means for acquiring moving image data of a subject;
Conversion means for converting the moving image data into low-resolution moving image data;
Moving image recording means for recording the moving image data of low resolution;
Storage means for storing the moving image data of a frame for which recording is designated, as the designated frame data, the moving image data before the resolution is converted;
In parallel with the conversion processing by the conversion means, main image generation means for generating still image data of the main image from the stored designated frame data,
An image processing apparatus comprising: still image recording means for recording still image data of the main image. The main image generation means further stores the generated still image data of the main image in the storage means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the still image recording unit records still image data of the main image read from the storage unit. Thumbnail generation means for generating thumbnail data corresponding to still image data of the main image generated by the main image generation means;
The thumbnail generation means further stores the generated thumbnail data in the storage means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the still image recording unit further records the thumbnail data read from the storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit and the main image generation unit are configured by an LSI having the same function. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein one of the two LSIs supplies a clock and a synchronization signal to the other one. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising supply means for supplying a common clock and synchronization signal to the two LSIs. And a control unit configured to control power supply to the LSI having the image generating unit to be in a sufficient state when the recording of the frame is designated and to be in a power saving state when the recording is completed. Item 5. The image processing apparatus according to Item 4. An acquisition step of acquiring moving image data of the subject;
A conversion step of converting the moving image data into low-resolution moving image data;
A moving image recording step for recording the moving image data of low resolution;
A storage step of storing the moving image data of the frame for which recording is designated, as the designated frame data, the moving image data before the resolution is converted;
A main image generation step of generating still image data of the main image from the stored designated frame data in parallel with the conversion processing by the conversion step;
A still image recording step of recording still image data of the main image. An acquisition step of acquiring moving image data of the subject;
A conversion step of converting the moving image data into low-resolution moving image data;
A moving image recording step for recording the moving image data of low resolution;
A storage step of storing the moving image data of the frame for which recording is designated, as the designated frame data, the moving image data before the resolution is converted;
A main image generation step of generating still image data of the main image from the stored designated frame data in parallel with the conversion processing by the conversion step;
A recording medium on which a computer-readable program is recorded, including a still image recording step for recording still image data of the main image. An acquisition step of acquiring moving image data of the subject;
A conversion step of converting the moving image data into low-resolution moving image data;
A moving image recording step for recording the moving image data of low resolution;
A storage step of storing the moving image data of the frame for which recording is designated, as the designated frame data, the moving image data before the resolution is converted;
A main image generation step of generating still image data of the main image from the stored designated frame data in parallel with the conversion processing by the conversion step;
A program for causing a computer to execute a still image recording step of recording still image data of the main image.

Images