JP2007060292A - Digital camera and image quality correction method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a digital camera capable of shortening a photographing interval in continuous photographing without increasing cost, and to obtain an image quality correction method. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 40 allows an external memory 52 to previously store image information which is acquired by photographing in the continuous photographing, in connection with parameter information which indicates a predetermined parameter concerning image quality correction, reads the image information and the parameter information from the external memory 52 at a predetermined timing after the completion of the continuous photographing, and performs image quality correction in the image information with the use of the parameter information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera and an image quality correction method, and more particularly to a digital camera capable of continuous shooting and an image quality correction method for the digital camera.

  In recent years, with the increase in resolution of image sensors such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) area sensors and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensors, digital cameras, mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants, personal digital assistants), etc. The demand for information equipment having a photographing function is increasing rapidly.

  On the other hand, due to the downsizing and cost reduction of digital cameras, inexpensive lenses are often used.

  As described above, while the resolution of the image sensor is increasing, the price of the lens is decreasing. As a result, the image quality of the high-resolution image obtained from the image sensor is low. Therefore, it has become essential to perform complex image processing with a large amount of calculation.

  However, the time required for image processing increases as the amount of calculation increases and the complexity of image processing increases, which greatly affects the shooting interval (continuous shooting speed) during continuous shooting (hereinafter also referred to as “continuous shooting”). Giving.

  As a conventional technique that can be applied to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses that image data is stored in a memory card or buffer memory without being compressed during continuous shooting, and is compressed and stored in a memory card after continuous shooting is completed. Techniques to do this are disclosed.

Further, as a technique different from the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when priority is given to the shooting speed in a state where the shooting mode is set, the time required for the image processing is minimized by simplifying the image processing. A technology to shorten the time can also be considered.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-099629

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, signal processing such as γ correction processing and edge enhancement processing is performed on an image during continuous shooting, so that the imaging interval can be sufficiently shortened. There was a problem that it was not limited. In addition, when the image data is stored in the buffer memory before the compression processing, a large amount of buffer memory is required, leading to an increase in cost.

  In addition, since the above-described technology for simplifying image processing requires two procedures, when image processing is not simplified and when it is simplified, the processing becomes complicated and a large amount of memory capacity is required for the processing. Is necessary, which has an effect on the cost of digital cameras.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera and an image quality correction method capable of shortening the shooting interval during continuous shooting without causing an increase in cost. .

  In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to claim 1, an image forming unit that forms a subject image, and an image that shows the subject image by capturing the subject image formed by the image forming unit. Imaging means for acquiring information, storage means for storing image information acquired by the imaging means during continuous shooting in association with parameter information indicating a predetermined parameter relating to image quality correction, and the continuous Image quality correction means for reading out the image information and the parameter information from the storage means at a predetermined timing after shooting is finished, and performing image quality correction on the image information using the parameter information. Yes.

  According to the digital camera of the first aspect, the subject image is formed by the imaging unit, and the formed subject image is captured by the imaging unit, and image information indicating the subject image is acquired. The imaging means includes a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD area sensor or a CMOS image sensor.

  Here, in the digital camera according to claim 1, the image information acquired by the imaging unit during continuous shooting is associated with parameter information indicating a predetermined parameter relating to image quality correction, and is stored in the digital camera. Is stored. The storage means includes portable recording media such as smart media (SmartMedia (registered trademark)) and flexible disks, and fixed recording media such as hard disks.

  In the digital camera according to claim 1, the image information and the parameter information are read from the storage unit at a predetermined timing after the continuous shooting is finished by the image quality correction unit, and the image information is stored in the image information. On the other hand, image quality correction is performed using the parameter information.

  As described above, according to the digital camera of the first aspect, the image information acquired by the shooting during the continuous shooting is stored in advance in association with the parameter information indicating the predetermined parameter relating to the image quality correction. The image information and the parameter information are read from the storage means at a predetermined timing after the continuous shooting is completed, and image quality correction is performed on the image information using the parameter information. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the shooting interval at the time of continuous shooting without causing an increase in cost.

  According to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 2, the predetermined parameter is obtained by adjusting a gain value or a light source type for adjusting white balance, a photographing sensitivity, and an optical magnification by the imaging unit. It is good also as at least one.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the third aspect of the invention, the predetermined timing is the same as the timing at which an instruction to turn off the power of the apparatus body is issued and the predetermined time has elapsed since the last operation. The timing may be at least one of the timings.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 4, there is further provided mounting means for mounting the storage means, and operation means operated when removing the storage means mounted on the mounting means. And the predetermined timing may be a timing when the operation means is operated.

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the image quality correction method according to claim 5 is characterized in that image information acquired by shooting during continuous shooting is obtained by using parameter information indicating predetermined parameters relating to image quality correction. The image information and the parameter information are read from the storage means at a predetermined timing after the continuous shooting is completed, and the parameter information is used for the image information. Image quality correction is performed.

  Therefore, according to the image quality correction method of the fifth aspect, since it operates in the same manner as the first aspect of the invention, as in the first aspect of the invention, the continuous shooting can be performed without causing an increase in cost. It is possible to shorten the shooting interval.

  According to the present invention, the image information acquired by shooting during continuous shooting is stored in advance in association with parameter information indicating a predetermined parameter relating to image quality correction, and the continuous shooting ends. Since the image information and the parameter information are read from the storage unit at a predetermined timing after the image processing is performed and the image quality correction is performed on the image information using the parameter information, the cost increases. There is also an effect that the shooting interval during continuous shooting can be shortened.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, an external configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In front of the digital camera 10, a lens 21 for forming a subject image, a strobe 44 that emits light to irradiate the subject when necessary, and a viewfinder used to determine the composition of the subject to be photographed. 20 is provided. Further, on the upper surface of the digital camera 10, a release switch (so-called shutter) 56A, a power switch 56B, and a mode changeover switch 56C that are pressed when performing shooting are provided.

  Note that the release switch 56A of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is pressed down to an intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as “half-pressed state”) and to a final pressed position beyond the intermediate position. A two-stage pressing operation of a state (hereinafter referred to as a “fully pressed state”) can be detected.

  In the digital camera 10, the release switch 56A is pressed halfway to activate the AE (Automatic Exposure) function and set the exposure state (shutter speed, aperture state), and then AF (Auto Focus). , Automatic focusing) function is performed to control focusing, and then exposure (photographing) is performed when the button is fully pressed.

  The mode changeover switch 56C is rotated when setting to any one of a shooting mode that is a mode for shooting and a playback mode that is a mode for playing back a subject image on the LCD 38 described later.

  Further, on the back of the digital camera 10, the eyepiece of the finder 20, the liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 38 for displaying the photographed subject image and the menu screen, and the cross cursor switch 56D. And are provided. The cross-cursor switch 56D includes four arrow keys that indicate four moving directions of up, down, left, and right in the display area of the LCD 38.

  Furthermore, on the back of the digital camera 10, a menu switch that is pressed when displaying the menu screen on the LCD 38, a determination switch that is pressed when confirming the operation content up to that point, and the previous operation content are displayed. A cancel switch that is pressed when canceling and a single / continuous shooting switch 56E are provided.

  The single-shot / continuous-shooting switch 56E has a single-shot mode, which is a mode for recording image data indicating one still image for each shooting, and shooting for a predetermined period (in this embodiment, 0). .1) is performed every second to perform a pressing operation when setting to any one of the continuous shooting mode, which is a mode for continuously recording image data indicating a plurality of still images. Here, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, when the continuous shooting mode is set, continuous shooting is performed while the release switch 56A is kept fully pressed.

  On the other hand, on the side surface of the digital camera 10, a medium mounting port 64 for mounting an external memory 52 (see also FIG. 2), which will be described later, is pressed when the external memory 52 mounted in the media mounting port 64 is removed. And an eject switch 56F to be operated.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the main part of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The digital camera 10 includes an optical unit 22 including the lens 21 described above, a charge coupled device (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 24 disposed behind the optical axis of the lens 21, and an input analog. And an analog signal processing unit 26 that performs various analog signal processing on the signal.

  The digital camera 10 also includes an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 28 that converts an input analog signal into digital data, and an image quality correction process that will be described later on the input digital data. And a digital signal processing unit 30 that performs various types of digital signal processing.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 has a built-in line buffer with a predetermined capacity, and also performs control to directly store the input digital data in a predetermined area of the internal memory 48 described later.

  The output terminal of the CCD 24 is connected to the input terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26, the output terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26 is connected to the input terminal of the ADC 28, and the output terminal of the ADC 28 is connected to the input terminal of the digital signal processing unit 30. . Accordingly, the analog signal indicating the subject image output from the CCD 24 is subjected to predetermined analog signal processing by the analog signal processing unit 26, converted into digital image data by the ADC 28, and then input to the digital signal processing unit 30.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 generates a signal for displaying a subject image, a menu screen or the like on the LCD 38 and supplies the signal to the LCD 38, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10. The internal memory 48 temporarily stores digital image data obtained by photographing, and the internal memory interface 46 that controls access to the internal memory 48.

  Furthermore, the digital camera 10 includes an external memory interface 50 for enabling the portable external memory 52 to be accessed by the digital camera 10, and a compression / decompression processing circuit 54 that performs compression processing and decompression processing on the digital image data. It is configured to include.

  In the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, a flash memory is used as the internal memory 48 and a smart media (Smart Media (registered trademark)) is used as the external memory 52. Note that various programs such as a continuous shooting processing program and an image quality correction processing program described later are stored in a predetermined area of the internal memory 48. The external memory 52 stores an image quality correction management table described later.

  The digital signal processing unit 30, the LCD interface 36, the CPU 40, the internal memory interface 46, the external memory interface 50, and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 are connected to each other via a system bus BUS. Accordingly, the CPU 40 controls the operation of the digital signal processing unit 30 and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54, displays various information via the LCD interface 36 to the LCD 38, the internal memory interface 46 to the external memory 52 and the external memory 52 or the external memory 52. Each access through the memory interface 50 can be made.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 includes a timing generator 32 that mainly generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 24 and supplies the timing signal to the CCD 24, and the driving of the CCD 24 is controlled by the CPU 40 via the timing generator 32.

  Further, the digital camera 10 is provided with a motor drive unit 34, and driving of a focus adjustment motor, a zoom motor, and an aperture drive motor (not shown) provided in the optical unit 22 is also controlled by the CPU 40 via the motor drive unit 34. The

  In other words, the lens 21 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses, is configured as a zoom lens that can change (magnify) the focal length, and includes a lens driving mechanism (not shown). The lens drive mechanism includes the focus adjustment motor, the zoom motor, and the aperture drive motor, and these motors are each driven by a drive signal supplied from the motor drive unit 34 under the control of the CPU 40.

  Furthermore, various switches such as the release switch 56A, the power switch 56B, the mode switch 56C, the cross cursor switch 56D, the single / continuous shooting switch 56E, the eject switch 56F, the menu switch, etc. (in FIG. ”Is connected to the CPU 40, and the CPU 40 can always grasp the operation state of the operation unit 56.

  In addition, the digital camera 10 includes a charging unit 42 that is interposed between the strobe 44 and the CPU 40 and charges power for causing the strobe 44 to emit light under the control of the CPU 40. Further, the strobe 44 is also connected to the CPU 40, and the light emission of the strobe 44 is controlled by the CPU 40.

  Furthermore, the digital camera 10 is provided with an eject mechanism unit 60 that mechanically ejects the external memory 52 from the media mounting port 64 when the eject switch 56F is pressed, and drives the eject mechanism unit 60. The CPU 40 controls the operation of the ejection mechanism unit 60 via the ejection drive unit 62.

  Incidentally, the image quality correction processing executed by the digital signal processing unit 30 according to the present embodiment includes white balance adjustment processing, noise reduction processing, distortion correction processing, and shading correction processing.

  That is, the color of the subject image indicated by the digital image data acquired by shooting is often different from the color of the subject viewed by the human eye, and the lower the color temperature of the light source at the time of shooting, the more red the color Higher temperatures tend to look blue. The white balance adjustment process is to adjust the difference in appearance color. R (red), G (green), B (blue) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “RGB”) to be processed. This is a process of adjusting each digital image data by multiplying a corresponding gain value for each RGB based on the light source type for each corresponding color. Hereinafter, a gain value corresponding to the R digital image data is referred to as a gain value Rg, a gain value corresponding to the G digital image data is referred to as a gain value Gg, and a gain value corresponding to the B digital image data is referred to as a gain value Bg. And

  Further, the noise component included in the digital image data is amplified by increasing the photographing sensitivity. The noise reduction processing is to reduce the noise component, and for a density value for each pixel of the digital image data, a filter determined in advance based on the shooting sensitivity at the time of shooting when obtaining the digital image data. Filter processing is performed by a noise reduction filter (a low-pass filter in the present embodiment) in which coefficients are set.

  In addition, when photographing is performed through a lens having distortion, the digital image data obtained thereby is distorted. The distortion correction process corrects the distortion of the digital image data, and the coordinate position for each pixel of the digital image data distorted due to the distortion aberration of the lens 21 is captured when the digital image data is obtained. The distortion is corrected by moving by a predetermined coordinate movement amount for each pixel for each optical magnification at the time.

  In addition, when shooting is performed using a wide-angle lens or the like, the amount of light decreases as the distance from the center to the periphery of the subject image decreases, resulting in darkening of the four corners of the digital image data obtained by the shooting. In other words, so-called shading is likely to occur. The shading correction process is for correcting the shading, and for the density value for each pixel of the digital image data, a subject image predetermined for each optical magnification at the time of shooting when obtaining the digital image data. By multiplying a gain value proportional to the distance from the center of the image, the peripheral portion of the darkened image is corrected to an appropriate brightness.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3A schematically shows an example of the data structure of the image quality correction management table according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the image quality correction management table according to the present embodiment is referred to as a file name (hereinafter referred to as “image file name”) of an image file (digitized file) in which digital image data is recorded during continuous shooting. ) And parameter information used in the image quality correction process described above are stored. The parameter information includes the aforementioned gain values Rg, Gg, Bg, photographing sensitivity, and optical magnification. Further, the digital signal processing unit 30 acquires the optical magnification from the motor driving unit 34, and the gain values Rg, Gg, Bg and photographing sensitivity from the analog signal processing unit 26.

  The data structure of the image quality correction management table is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3A, and for example, the data structure shown in FIG. 3B may be applied. Also in the image quality correction management table shown in the figure, the image file name and the parameter information are stored, but the light source type is applied to the parameter information instead of the gain values Rg, Gg, and Bg. Is different. Note that the light source type is parameter information used for white balance adjustment processing in the same manner as the gain values Rg, Gg, and Bg, and the digital signal processing unit 30 includes a gain value determined in advance for each light source type. Adjustment is performed by multiplying the RGB gain values corresponding to the light source types at the time of shooting for each corresponding color of the digital image data.

  Next, the overall operation of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment at the time of shooting when the single shooting mode is set will be briefly described.

  First, the CCD 24 performs imaging through the optical unit 22 and sequentially outputs analog signals for each RGB indicating the subject image to the analog signal processing unit 26. The analog signal processing unit 26 performs analog signal processing such as correlated double sampling processing on the analog signal input from the CCD 24 and sequentially outputs the analog signal to the ADC 28.

  The ADC 28 converts the analog signal for each RGB input from the analog signal processing unit 26 into digital image data for each RGB and sequentially outputs the digital image data to the digital signal processing unit 30. The digital signal processing unit 30 accumulates digital image data sequentially input from the ADC 28 in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stores the digital image data directly in a predetermined area of the internal memory 48.

  Digital image data stored in a predetermined area of the internal memory 48 is read out by the digital signal processing unit 30 under the control of the CPU 40, and the white balance adjustment processing, noise reduction processing, distortion correction processing, and shading correction processing described above are performed. Do.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 performs YC signal processing on the digital image data subjected to the image quality correction processing to generate a luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”). , YC signals are stored in an area different from the predetermined area of the internal memory 48.

  The LCD 38 is configured to display a moving image (through image) obtained by continuous imaging by the CCD 24 and can be used as a finder. When the LCD 38 is used as a finder, the LCD 38 is generated. The YC signal is sequentially output to the LCD 38 via the LCD interface 36. As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 38.

  Here, at the timing when the release switch 56A is half pressed by the user, after the AE function is activated and the exposure state is set as described above, the AF function is activated and the focus control is performed, and then the fully pressed state is continued. The YC signal stored in the internal memory 48 at that time is compressed in a predetermined compression format (in this embodiment, JPEG format) by the compression / expansion processing circuit 54 and then the external memory interface 50 Are recorded in the external memory 52 as an electronic file (image file).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the overall operation of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment at the time of shooting when the continuous shooting mode is set will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a continuous shooting processing program executed by the CPU 40 every predetermined time (in this embodiment, 0.1 second) when the continuous shooting mode is set. .

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the release switch 56A is fully pressed. If the determination is negative, the continuous shooting processing program is terminated, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 102. Transition.

  In step 102, YC signal processing is performed on the digital image data directly stored in the predetermined area of the internal memory 48 by the digital signal processing unit 30 (that is, digital image data that has not been subjected to image quality correction processing). And the gain values Rg, Gg, Bg and photographing sensitivity at this time are obtained from the analog signal processing unit 26, and the optical magnification at this time is obtained from the motor driving unit 34, respectively. After that, the YC signal and the acquired parameter information (gain values Rg, Gg, Bg, photographing sensitivity and optical magnification) are stored in an area different from the predetermined area of the internal memory 48, and then the process proceeds to step 104.

  Note that the LCD 38 can be used as a viewfinder by sequentially outputting the generated YC signal to the LCD 38, as in the case where the single shooting mode is set.

  In step 104, the compression / expansion processing circuit 54 is controlled so that the YC signal stored in the internal memory 48 is compressed in a predetermined compression format. In step 106, the compressed YC signal is converted into an electronic file (image). (File) in the external memory 52, and after writing the image file name and the parameter information corresponding to the digitized file in the image quality correction management table, the process proceeds to step 108.

  In step 108, it is determined whether or not the storage capacity of the external memory 52 is free. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 100. If the determination is negative, the continuous shooting processing program is terminated. .

  By executing the above continuous shooting processing program, digital image data that has been continuously shot and YC converted and image quality correction processing has not been performed while the release switch 56A is fully pressed, and image quality correction are performed. The parameter information used for the processing is stored in the external memory 52.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the operation of image quality correction after execution of continuous shooting by the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of an image quality correction processing program executed every predetermined time (in this embodiment, 0.1 second) by the CPU 40 of the digital camera 10 after execution of continuous shooting. .

  First, in step 200, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (5 minutes in the present embodiment) has elapsed since any switch of the operation unit 56 of the digital camera 10 was last operated. If YES in step 202, the flow advances to step 202 to execute the correction execution processing routine program. Hereinafter, the correction execution processing routine program according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 300 of the figure, it is determined whether there is digital image data that has not undergone image quality correction processing in the external memory 52. If the determination is negative, the correction execution processing routine program is terminated. If the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 302.

  In step 302, a predetermined number (one in the present embodiment) of digital image data (YC signal) that has not undergone image quality correction processing is read from the external memory 52 together with parameter information corresponding to the digital image data. In the next step 304, the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 is controlled so that the read digital image data is decompressed in a decompression format corresponding to the compression format.

  In the next step 306, the digital image data, parameter information, and image file name corresponding to the digital image data read in step 302 are deleted (erased) from the external memory 52. In the next step 308, the above step 304 is performed. The digital signal processing unit 30 is controlled so that the YC signal expanded by the above process is subjected to a process reverse to the YC signal process to generate digital image data before YC conversion.

  In the next step 310, the image quality is the same as in the case where the single shooting mode is set using the corresponding parameter information read out in the step 302 for the digital image data generated in the step 308. The digital signal processing unit 30 is controlled so that correction processing (white balance adjustment processing, noise reduction processing, distortion correction processing, and shading correction processing) is performed, and then the process proceeds to step 312.

  In step 312, the digital signal processing unit 30 is controlled so that the YC signal is generated by performing YC signal processing on the digital image data after the image quality correction processing obtained by the processing in step 310, and the next step In step 314, the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 is controlled so that the generated YC signal is compressed in a predetermined compression format. In the next step 316, the compressed YC signal is converted into an image file in the external memory 52. To remember.

  In the next step 318, it is determined whether or not an image file that has not been subjected to image quality correction processing remains in the external memory 52. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 302, and when the determination is negative, The correction execution processing routine program is terminated. The image quality correction processing program is terminated by the above processing.

  By executing the image quality correction processing program described above, white balance adjustment processing, noise reduction processing, distortion correction processing, and shading correction processing are performed on the digital image data acquired during continuous shooting.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 200 of the image quality correction processing program (see FIG. 5), the process proceeds to step 220, where it is determined whether or not the power switch 56B has been operated, whereby the main body of the digital camera 10 is determined. It is determined whether or not an instruction to turn off the power of the power source is turned off (OFF state). If the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 222, and the correction execution processing routine program (FIG. 6) is performed as in step 202. In step 224, an instruction to turn off the digital camera 10 is output, and the image quality correction processing program is terminated.

  If the determination in step 220 is negative, the image quality correction processing program is terminated without executing the processing in steps 222 and 224.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, as the “predetermined timing” of the present invention, a timing when an instruction to turn off the power source of the digital camera 10 is issued, a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last operation. An example in which at least one of the timings at which the eject switch 56F is operated is applied will be described. The configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, an image quality correction operation after continuous shooting by the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of an image quality correction processing program executed every predetermined time (0.1 seconds in this embodiment) by the CPU 40 of the digital camera 10 after completion of continuous shooting. . Also, steps in FIG. 5 that perform the same processing as in FIG. 5 are assigned the same reference numerals as in FIG.

  If the determination in step 200 is negative, the process proceeds to step 210, where it is determined whether the eject switch 56F of the digital camera 10 has been operated. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 220, where an affirmative determination is made. If YES, step 212 is entered.

  In step 212, a correction execution routine program (see FIG. 6) is executed in the same manner as in step 202, and then the process proceeds to step 214.

  In step 214, the eject drive unit 62 is controlled so that the external memory 52 is ejected from the media loading port 64, and then the image quality correction processing program is terminated.

  As described above in detail, according to each of the above-described embodiments, image information acquired by shooting during continuous shooting is associated with parameter information indicating a predetermined parameter related to image quality correction in advance. The image information and the parameter information are read out from the storage means at a predetermined timing after the continuous shooting is completed, and stored in the storage means (here, the external memory 52). Since the image quality correction process is performed using the parameter information, it is possible to shorten the shooting interval during continuous shooting without causing an increase in cost.

  Further, according to each of the above-described embodiments, the predetermined parameters are the gain value or light source type for adjusting the white balance, the photographing sensitivity, and the optical magnification by the imaging means. As a result of the white balance adjustment processing, noise reduction processing, distortion correction processing, and shading correction processing used, it is possible to obtain image information indicating an image with less distortion and noise and good color reproducibility.

  In addition, according to each of the above embodiments, as the predetermined timing of the present invention, the timing at which an instruction to turn off the power of the apparatus main body and the timing at which a predetermined time has elapsed since the last operation are applied. Therefore, image quality correction processing can be performed without interfering with continuous shooting.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the mounting means for mounting the storage means (here, the media mounting port 64) and the operation operated when removing the storage means mounted on the mounting means. Means (here, an eject switch 56F), and the timing at which the operating means is operated is applied as the predetermined timing, so that image quality correction processing is performed without hindering continuous shooting. In addition, it is possible to obtain an image file that does not need to be subjected to image quality correction processing after the storage means is removed.

  In the above embodiment, any one of the timing when the instruction to turn off the power source of the digital camera 10 is input, the timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last operation, and the timing when the eject switch 56F is operated is any one. Although the case where the image quality correction processing is performed at one timing has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the timing at which the single / continuous shooting switch 56E is operated or the mode switch 56C is operated. An image quality correction process may be performed at the timing. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the case where digital image data acquired by continuous shooting is compressed in a predetermined compression format and then stored in the external memory 52 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, digital image data acquired by continuous shooting may be stored in the external memory 52 without being compressed. In this case, since image data is not compressed, continuous shooting can be performed without impairing image quality.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the white balance adjustment process, the noise reduction process, the distortion correction process, and the shading correction process are performed as the image quality correction process has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, In addition to these processes, a form in which gamma processing and sharpness processing are performed, or a form in which one or more of these processes are performed may be employed. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the jpeg format is applied as the compression format has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other compression formats such as the gif format, the ping format, and the Tiff format, for example. It is good also as a form which applies. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained. In particular, when the ping format is applied, since the ping format is a reversible compression format, continuous shooting can be performed without impairing the image quality of the image file.

  In the above embodiment, the case where continuous shooting is performed while the release switch 56A is maintained in the fully depressed state has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the release switch The continuous shooting can be started by fully pressing 56A, and the continuous shooting can be ended by pressing the release switch 56A again. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a PDA, a mobile phone, a personal computer, a CCD area sensor, Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to any information device having an image sensor such as a CCD line sensor or a CMOS image sensor. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the data structure of the image quality correction management table which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the continuous imaging | photography process program which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the image quality correction processing program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the correction | amendment execution process routine program which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the image quality correction processing program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital camera 22 Optical unit (imaging means)
24 CCD (imaging means)
30 Digital signal processor (image quality correction means)
40 CPU
48 Internal memory 52 External memory (memory means)
56 Operation section 56A Release switch 56E Single / continuous shooting switch 56F Eject switch (operating means)
64 Media loading slot (mounting means)

Claims (5)

An imaging means for forming a subject image;
An imaging unit that captures an image of a subject image formed by the imaging unit and acquires image information indicating the subject image;
Storage means for storing image information acquired by the imaging means during continuous shooting in association with parameter information indicating a predetermined parameter relating to image quality correction;
Image quality correction means for reading out the image information and the parameter information from the storage means at a predetermined timing after the continuous shooting is completed, and performing image quality correction on the image information using the parameter information;
Digital camera equipped with. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined parameter is at least one of a gain value or a light source type for adjusting white balance, a photographing sensitivity, and an optical magnification by the imaging unit. 3. The digital according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is at least one of a timing at which an instruction to turn off the power of the apparatus main body and a timing at which a predetermined time has elapsed since the last operation. camera. Mounting means for mounting the storage means;
Operation means operated when removing the storage means attached to the attachment means;
Further comprising
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing at which the operation unit is operated. The image information acquired by shooting when performing continuous shooting is stored in advance by a storage unit in association with parameter information indicating a predetermined parameter related to image quality correction,
The image information and the parameter information are read from the storage unit at a predetermined timing after the continuous shooting is completed, and image quality correction is performed on the image information using the parameter information.
Image quality correction method.

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