JP2009044573A - Imaging device, image processing program and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the motion of an image object that is continuously imaged to be grasped at one view. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging device judges whether or not a layout combination imaging mode is set (S2) after continuous imaging is carried out (S1). If set, a plurality of images are selected from the continuously picked-up images at a predetermined interval (or at random) based on an imaging program and trigger signal (S4). More specifically, a plurality of images P1-P9 are selected at the predetermined interval from a plurality of the continuously picked-up images P covering from the start trigger point to the end trigger one as shown in Fig.7. Next, the selected plurality of images are combined into an image according to the predetermined size and layout (S5). The processing carried out as far as the S5 results in generating a combined image P0 of a milk crown on which images P1-P9 are sequentially disposed from, for example, a first row to a third one. Further, the combined image data are encoded to be stored in a memory (S6). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having a high-speed imaging function, and an image processing program and an image processing method used in the imaging apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a high-speed imaging device has been proposed that captures an object moving at high speed so that it can be reproduced slowly with a clear image. The high-speed imaging device sequentially operates the first, second, and third imaging elements to capture a spherical object that moves at high speed in a short time interval, thereby obtaining a plurality of time-sequential images. . Therefore, even when a plurality of time-sequential images are slowly played back, the motion of the spherical object can be clearly played back (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-22320

  Nowadays, CMOS image sensors capable of high-speed and high-speed photography, such as 60 frames / second with a resolution of 6 million pixels and 300 frames / second or more with a low resolution of VGA, have been developed. When such a CMOS image sensor is used, high-speed continuous shooting and moving image shooting with a high resolution and a high frame rate can be performed even with a compact camera without using the first, second, and third imaging elements as in the prior art described above. It becomes possible.

  However, when the CMOS image sensor is used, a large number of frame images can be easily captured in a short time, but the number of captured frame images becomes enormous. For this reason, it is difficult to display all captured frame images in a multi-display on the same screen or to print them out on the same sheet, so that the user can confirm and grasp the characteristics of the overall movement of the shooting target. It becomes difficult.

  Further, since the frame images are temporally close to each other, the change in the temporally adjacent images is minute, and there are many approximate frame images. For this reason, for example, when multiple frame images taken are displayed on the same screen or printed out on the same sheet, there are many similar images, so that the user can accurately determine the overall movement of the shooting target. It becomes difficult to grasp.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and can generate and display a composite image in a mode desired by a user when generating and displaying a composite image composed of continuously shot images. An object is to provide an apparatus, an image processing program, and an image processing method.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the first aspect of the present invention, an image pickup means for picking up images according to a predetermined frame period and a continuous image composed of a plurality of images picked up by the image pickup means according to the frame period are stored. An image storage means, a selection means for intermittently selecting an image from a plurality of images constituting a continuous image stored in the image storage means, and a plurality of images selected by the selection means are synthesized and combined. An image composition means for generating an image and a display means for displaying the composite image generated by the image composition means are provided.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the image storage means starts storing the image in response to a start operation, and ends storing the image in response to an end operation. The image storage means intermittently selects an image from continuous images immediately after the storage ends, and the display means displays the composite image immediately after the image storage means ends the storage. To do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus further includes a reproduction unit that reproduces a continuous image composed of a plurality of images recorded in the recording unit, and the selection unit reproduces the continuous image by the reproduction unit. In the reproduction mode, the image is intermittently selected from a plurality of images constituting the continuous image.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the synthesizing unit generates a single synthesized image by arranging a plurality of images selected by the selecting unit.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the synthesizing unit cuts out a predetermined portion of each of the plurality of images selected by the selection unit, and arranges the cut out partial images in a predetermined direction. Thus, a single composite image is generated.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the synthesizing unit generates a single synthesized image by superimposing a plurality of images selected by the selecting unit.

  The invention according to claim 7 further comprises an operation means, wherein the selection means selects an image from the plurality of images at different intermittent timings according to an operation on the operation means. To do.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided control information storage means for storing different frame periods and different image composition forms corresponding to the shooting scene, and the image pickup means includes the control information storage means. The imaging is performed according to the frame period corresponding to the selected photographic scene, and the image synthesizing unit synthesizes the plurality of images in an image synthesizing form corresponding to the selected photographic scene.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided imaging means for imaging in accordance with a predetermined frame period, and image storage means for storing continuous images made up of a plurality of images taken by the imaging means in accordance with the frame period. A computer included in the apparatus comprising: a selection means for intermittently selecting an image from a plurality of images constituting a continuous image stored in the image storage means; a plurality of images selected by the selection means; An image synthesizing unit that generates a synthesized image, and a display control unit that displays the synthesized image generated by the image synthesizing unit.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 10, an imaging step of capturing according to a predetermined frame period, and an image storing step of storing a continuous image composed of a plurality of images captured according to the frame period by the imaging step; A selection step for intermittently selecting an image from a plurality of images constituting the continuous image stored in the image storage step, and an image for generating a composite image by combining the plurality of images selected in the selection step It includes a combining step and a display step for displaying the combined image generated by the image combining step.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to create and display a composite image in a mode desired by a user.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The imaging apparatus 1 has a high-speed continuous shooting function, and has a control circuit 2 as shown in the figure. The control circuit 2 includes a CPU 3, an interface 5, an audio input / output circuit 6, an input circuit 7, a memory card interface 8, a USB controller 9, an input / output interface 10, an input / output connected to the CPU 3 via a data bus 4. A circuit 11, input / output ports 12 and 13, and an HDD interface 14 are provided. A microphone 16 is connected to the audio input / output circuit 6 via an amplifier 17 and an A / D converter 18, and a speaker 19 is connected via an amplifier 20 and a D / A converter 21. An operation input unit 22 provided with various operation keys, switches, and the like is connected to the input circuit 7, and an image memory medium 25 provided detachably is connected to the memory card interface 8. The USB controller 9 is connected to a USB terminal 26, and the input / output interface 10 is connected to a wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 28 having an antenna 27 via a communication controller 29. Further, an external trigger terminal 30 is connected to the input / output circuit 11 via a trigger detection unit 31.

  The input / output port 12 is connected to a focus lens driving unit 32, a zoom lens driving unit 33, an aperture driving unit 34, and a shutter driving unit 35, and a strobe 36 is connected via a strobe driving circuit 37 to perform photometry. / A distance measuring sensor 38 is connected via a detection circuit 39. In the input / output port 13, an angular velocity sensor (Y / Pitch) 40 for detecting the vertical shake of the imaging apparatus 1 and an angular velocity sensor (X / Yaw) 42 for detecting the vertical shake are respectively detected circuits. 41 and 43 are connected. An HDD storage device 46 is connected to the HDD interface 14. The HDD storage device 46 includes a disk medium 47 and also includes a motor 48, a motor driver 49, a microcomputer unit 50, a VC motor 51, a head amplifier 52, a read / write channel + CODEC 53, an HDD control unit 54, and the like.

  In addition, a battery 44 is connected to the control circuit 2 via a power supply control unit 45, and the power supply control unit 45 is controlled by the control circuit 2 to supply power from the battery 44 to each unit. Further, an audio CODEC (encoder / decoder) 15, a program memory 23 and a data memory 24 are connected to the data bus 4. The audio CODEC 15 encodes an audio signal and decodes audio data. The program memory 23 stores a program for operating the control circuit 2 shown in the flowchart described later. The data memory 24 stores various data in advance and stores other data other than image data.

  On the other hand, an imaging element 56 is disposed on the rear optical axis of the imaging optical system 55 including the zoom lens, and the diaphragm 57 driven by the diaphragm driving unit 34 and the shutter driving in the imaging optical system 55. A shutter 58 driven by the unit 35 is inserted. The focus lens drive unit 32 drives the focus lens in the imaging optical system 55, and the zoom lens drive unit 33 is configured to drive the zoom lens.

  The image sensor 56 is capable of high-speed reading such as parallel reading, and includes an image sensor unit 59, a horizontal scanning unit 60, a vertical scanning unit 61, and a P / S conversion unit 62. A DSP unit 63 is connected to the image sensor 56. The DSP unit 63 includes an S / P conversion unit 64 for processing the image signal captured from the P / S conversion unit 62 of the image sensor 56, a buffer memory 65, a WB correction unit 66, a resizing / pixel interpolation unit 67, a color An interpolation unit 68, a contour correction unit 69, a gamma correction unit 70, a matrix circuit unit 71, a controller 73 for controlling the period of the vertical scanning unit 61, the buffer memory 65, an image recognition process, and other digital signals. A processing unit 72 is provided.

  The matrix circuit unit 71 and the image recognition processing and other digital signal processing unit 72 are connected via an image data bus 74 to a buffer memory 75, an image CODEC (encoder / decoder) 76, and a moving image CODEC (encoder / decoder). 77 and the display drive circuit 78, and the image data bus 74 is connected to the interface 5 of the control circuit 2. In addition to image recognition processing, the digital signal processing unit 72 digitally processes and synthesizes a plurality of captured images, and the buffer memory 75 temporarily stores image data when the image CODEC 76 and the moving image CODEC 77 perform encoding and decoding processing. The display driving circuit 78 drives the (finder) display unit 79.

  2 and 3 are diagrams showing examples of setting data of the scene-specific shooting program stored in the program memory 23. FIG. In other words, the imaging apparatus 1 is capable of not only high-speed continuous shooting and moving image shooting, but also still image shooting. As shown in FIG. 2, in a general scene (still image) shooting program, a person is shot. A sample image and display data for displaying the sample image, description, and the like are stored for each scene-specific shooting program such as when shooting a landscape.

  Further, “high-speed shooting conditions” and “other shooting conditions / correction conditions” are stored in correspondence with these sample images. “High-speed shooting conditions” include “shooting speed (f / s (frame / second))”, “continuous shooting frame number”, “exposure time (s)”, “image size”, “trigger condition”, “Playback speed (f / s)” and “Image composition” are stored, and as “other shooting conditions / correction conditions”, “strobe”, “white balance”, “ISO sensitivity, photometry”, “AF area”, “filter”, “color enhancement”, “saturation”, “sharpness”, and the like are stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the high speed shooting scene-specific shooting program, when shooting a milk crown, shooting a running car, shooting a golf swing, etc., a high speed shooting scene-specific shooting program Each sample image and display data for displaying the sample image and description are stored, and the above-mentioned “high-speed shooting conditions” and “other shooting conditions / correction conditions” are stored. Yes.

  Since FIG. 2 shows setting data of a general (single still image) scene-specific shooting program, “shooting speed (f / s)” and “continuous shooting frame number” are not stored. Since 3 is the setting data of the high-speed shooting scene-specific shooting program, “1200 fps”, “300 fps”, etc. are stored as “shooting speed (f / s)”, and “continuous shooting frame number” is “continuous 600”. “Frame (0.5 seconds)”, “continuous 900 frames (3 seconds)”, and the like are stored.

  In addition, “image composition” of “high-speed shooting conditions” in the setting data of the scene-by-scene shooting program of FIG. 3 selects one image intermittently from a plurality of high-speed shot images. An image composition form at the time of compositing the image is shown.

  That is, the “layout composition 9” stored corresponding to “image composition” when photographing a milk crown is selected when “milk crown” is selected in the scene-specific photography program and high-speed photography is performed. When a composite image is generated, it means that nine images are intermittently selected from a plurality of images taken at a high speed and a layout composition described later is performed. In addition, “horizontal side-by-side slice synthesis” stored corresponding to “image synthesis” when shooting a golf swing is combined when high-speed shooting is performed by selecting “golf swing” in the scene-specific shooting program. When an image is generated, it means that the image is replaced with a slice which will be described later.

  It should be noted that “reproduction speed (f / s)” which is a reproduction speed such as “60 fps (slow reproduction 1/20)” in the milk crown shown in FIG. include.

(Overall operation)
4 and 5 are a series of flowcharts showing a processing procedure in the first embodiment of the present invention. The control circuit 2 executes processing as shown in this flowchart based on the program stored in the program memory 23. First, it is determined whether or not the shooting mode is set by an operation on the operation input unit 22 by the user (step S101). If the shooting mode is not set, the process proceeds to other mode processing (step S102).

  When the shooting mode is set, it is determined whether or not “Select from scene-specific shooting program” has been selected by the operation of the operation input unit 22 by the user (step S103). If “select from scene-specific shooting program” is not selected, the shooting speed (number of frames / second), exposure time, and other shooting conditions are set according to the operation input (step S104), and step S109. Proceed to

  When “select from scene-specific shooting program” is selected, a sample image of a scene-specific shooting program or a list thereof is displayed on the display unit 79 (step S105), and a scene or a sample image is selected according to an operation input. (Step S106). Further, according to the selected scene or sample image program, other shooting conditions (see FIGS. 2 and 3) are set (step S107).

  Next, after executing zoom processing, AF processing, and photometry processing (step S108), a through image of the subject image is displayed on the display unit 79 (step S109). The frame period in the through image display state is a normal low-speed period, for example, 30 fps. The user adjusts the orientation of the imaging apparatus 1 while viewing the through image displayed on the display unit 79. During this time, it is determined whether the release button provided in the operation input unit 22 has been operated, whether a predetermined shooting operation has been performed, and whether a start trigger has been detected (FIG. 5, step S110). If not, other key processing and display processing are executed (step S111).

  If there is a release button operation or shooting operation, or if a start trigger is detected, it is determined whether or not the selected scene selected in step S106 is high-speed continuous shooting (step S112). If the selected scene is high-speed continuous shooting, the required shooting speed (frame number / second), frame number, and exposure time are set according to the selected scene or sample image (step S113). In other words, when the milk crown shooting scene is selected, the shooting speed is “1200 fps”, so that 1200 fps (second frame period) is set as the shooting speed, and the number of frames is “600 frames”. Therefore, 600 is set as the number of frames, the exposure time is “1/6000 (s)”, and 1/6000 (s) is set as the exposure time. As a result, the frame period changes from the normal period, for example, 30 fps (first frame period) to 1200 fps (second frame period) which is higher than the normal period.

  Further, a shooting time interval is set based on the set shooting speed (step S114). That is, when a milk crown shooting scene is selected, the shooting speed is 1200 fps, so the shooting time interval is 1/1200 seconds, and the shooting time interval is set to 1/1200 seconds.

  Next, based on the set exposure time and other shooting conditions, exposure and shooting processing are performed to capture an image for one frame (step S115). The captured image data for one frame is compressed and encoded (step S116) and recorded in the memory (buffer memory 75) (step S117). At this time, regarding the captured image data captured at the time when the start trigger is detected in step S110, information indicating that it is captured image data at the start trigger point is also recorded, as shown in FIGS. To do. Note that, as shown in FIG. 7, a representative trigger for specifying a representative image in the scene may be detected, and information indicating the captured image data of the representative trigger point may be recorded. Thereafter, a counter for counting the number of frames taken is incremented (step S118).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number of frames to be photographed is equal to or greater than the set number of frames (“600 frames in the case of milk crown”) (step S119). Then, the time from the previous shooting of one frame is counted (step S120). It is determined whether or not the time measured since the previous one-frame shooting has passed the shooting time interval (1/1200 seconds) set in step S114 (step S122). Then, the processing from step S115 is repeated when the photographing time interval has elapsed. Therefore, when the milk crown photographing scene is selected, the processing from step S115 is repeated at a cycle of 1/1200 seconds, and each frame image data photographed every 1/1200 seconds is stored in the memory (buffer memory 75). ).

  In this example, when the number of shot frames is “600”, the number of shot frames = the set number of frames, and the determination in step S119 is YES. Accordingly, the process proceeds from step S119 to step S122, and an end trigger is generated. In addition, a process of recording continuously shot image data (600 frame image data) as group data in a memory (the image memory medium 25 or the disk medium 47) together with shooting conditions is executed. Here, since the shooting conditions include “reproduction speed (f / s)” as described above, “reproduction speed (f / s)” is also recorded together with the group data. In addition, regarding the captured image data captured when the end trigger is generated in step S122, information indicating that the captured image data is the end trigger point is also recorded as shown in FIGS. .

  Further, it is determined whether or not an automatic editing function such as layout composition or multiple composition is set (step S124). If not set, the process proceeds to step S127 without performing the processes of steps S125 and S126. move on. If it is set, a predetermined image extracted from the continuously shot image is automatically edited based on setting conditions as will be described later (step S125), and the edited image data is stored in a memory (image memory medium). 25 or the disk medium 47) (step S126). Thereafter, the continuously photographed image or the automatically edited image is reviewed and displayed on the display unit 79 (step S127).

  Note that the automatic editing process in step S125 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S124, if it is not a continuous shooting but a single still image shooting, exposure and shooting processing are performed based on the set shooting conditions (step S128), and the shot image data Is compressed and encoded (step S129). Further, after the compressed and encoded image data is recorded in the memory (the image memory medium 25 or the disk medium 47) together with the shooting information (step S130), the shot image is reviewed and displayed on the display unit 79 (step S131). .

(Composition processing of high-speed shot images)
Next, automatic processing examples (1) to (3) of “automatic editing of a predetermined image extracted from continuously shot images based on setting conditions” executed in step S125 according to FIGS. 6 to 12. The editing processes (1) to (3) will be described.
The automatic editing process (1) in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the layout composition process of the high-speed captured image. As described above, after continuous shooting is performed based on the selected scene-specific shooting program (step S1), it is determined whether or not layout composite shooting is set (step S2). The process proceeds to other processing (step S3). If set, a plurality of images are selected from the continuously shot images at predetermined intervals (or randomly) according to the shooting program and the trigger signal (step S4). That is, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of (9 in this example) images P1 to P9 are selected at a predetermined interval from a plurality of continuously shot images P from the start trigger point to the end trigger point.

Next, the selected plurality of images are combined into a single image with a predetermined size and layout (step S5). By the process in step S5, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a composite image P0 of the milk crown in which images P1 to P9 are arranged in time series from the first column to the third column is generated. Then, the synthesized image data is encoded and stored in the memory (step S6).
Therefore, as described above, “9 layout composites” are stored corresponding to “image composition” when photographing a milk crown as described above, so that the user selects “milk crown” in the scene-specific photographing program. When high-speed shooting is performed, a composite image P0 of the milk crown illustrated in FIG. 7 is generated in step S125 of FIG.

  Therefore, it is possible to generate a composite image P0 having an appropriate composite form according to the shooting scene (milk crown) selected by the user.

  Further, since this composite image P0 is displayed as a review on the display unit 79 in step S127 of FIG. 5, the user visually recognizes this to grasp the movement of the shooting target continuously shot. can do.

  In addition, since the preview display in step S127 of FIG. 5 is executed immediately after the end of shooting, it is possible to grasp at a glance the movement of the shooting target that has been shot quickly and continuously immediately after shooting.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, since continuous shooting or the like is performed before the processing of step S125 is performed, and recording in the memory is performed in the next step S126, in step S125, in FIG. What is necessary is just to perform the process of step S4 and step S5.

  The automatic editing process (2) in FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the slice synthesizing process of the high-speed captured image. As described above, after continuous shooting is performed based on the selected scene-specific shooting program (step S11), it is determined whether or not slice composite shooting is set (step S12). The process proceeds to other processing (step S13). If set, a predetermined number of images are selected from the continuously shot images according to the shooting program and the trigger signal (step S14). That is, as shown in FIG. 9, a predetermined number (6 in this example) of images P1 to P6 are intermittently selected from a plurality of continuously shot images P from the start trigger point to the end trigger point.

Next, according to the shooting program, a partial area such as the center of each image is sliced and cut out (step S15). Through the processing in step S15, slice images PS1 to PS6 obtained by slicing and cutting out the central portions of the images P1 to P6 are generated as illustrated in FIG. Subsequently, the slice images from the plurality of images are combined while being shifted by a predetermined interval (horizontal direction or vertical direction) (step S16). As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a golf swing composite image P <b> 0 is generated in which the slice images PS <b> 1 to PS <b> 6 are shifted and overlapped by a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction. Then, the synthesized image data is encoded and stored in the memory (step S17).
Therefore, as described above, “horizontal slice composition” is stored in correspondence with “image composition” when photographing a golf swing, so that the user selects “golf swing” in the scene-by-scene photography program. When speed shooting is performed, a composite image P0 of the golf swing illustrated in FIG. 9 is generated in step S125 of FIG.

  Therefore, it is possible to generate a composite image P0 having an appropriate composite form according to the shooting scene (golf swing) selected by the user.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, since continuous shooting or the like is performed before the process of step S125 is executed, and recording in the memory is performed in the next step S126, in step S125, the step of FIG. What is necessary is just to perform the process of S14-S16. Further, not only the golf swing shown in FIG. 9 but also the other action objects shown in FIG. 10 can use the slice synthesizing process of the high-speed photographed image.

  The automatic editing process (3) in FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the multiple burn-in synthesis process for high-speed captured images. As described above, after continuous shooting is performed based on the selected scene-specific shooting program (step S21), it is determined whether or not multiple-burning composite shooting is set (step S22). In this case, the process proceeds to other processing (step S23). If it is set, according to the shooting program and the trigger signal, the continuous shot images are selected at predetermined intervals (or all images) (step S24). That is, as shown in FIG. 12, images P1 to PN are selected at predetermined intervals from a plurality of continuously shot images P from the start trigger point to the end trigger point.

  Next, the plurality of selected images are superimposed and combined (step S25). By the process in step S25, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a composite image P0 in which a single ball repeatedly bounces is generated. The synthesized image data is encoded and stored in the memory (step S26).

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, since continuous shooting or the like is performed before the process of step S125 is executed, and recording in the memory is performed in the next step S126, in step S125, the step of FIG. What is necessary is just to perform the process of S24 and step S25.

(Play, edit)
FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are a series of flowcharts showing the processing procedures in the reproduction and editing modes in the present embodiment. First, it is determined whether or not the playback or edit mode is set by an operation on the operation input unit 22 by the user (step S301). If the playback or editing mode is not set, the process proceeds to other mode processing (step S302). If the playback or editing mode is set, it is determined whether or not an instruction to display and display an image has been given (step S303). If transition to image reproduction display is to be performed, it is determined whether the image reproduction is high-speed image reproduction (step S306). In the case of normal continuous shooting or moving image reproduction instead of high-speed captured image reproduction, the selected image is expanded and decoded and reproduced on the display unit 79.

  If the image reproduction is high-speed image reproduction, the reproduction method is automatically set according to the scene at the time of photographing recorded in the photographed image data (step S307). Therefore, when reproducing the above-described high-speed photographed image of the milk crown, “60 fps (slow reproduction 1/20)” is recorded as “reproduction speed (f / s)”. Playback 1/20) "is automatically set. Next, the start trigger point shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 12 is searched, and the selected image or group image is expanded from the start trigger point, decoded, and set according to the playback method or slow playback speed set. It is reproduced and displayed on the display unit 79 (step S309). If the result of determination in step S303 is not reproduction display of an image, it is determined whether or not to shift to list display (step S304). A list of display or thumbnail images is displayed on the display unit 79 (step S305).

  In step S311 following one of steps S305, S309, and S310, it is determined whether or not an image selection operation has been performed by an operation on the operation input unit 22 by the user. Selects an image to be reproduced in accordance with the operation input, and proceeds to reproduction display of the image (step S312). If no image selection operation has been performed, it is determined whether or not a fast-forward or fast-reverse playback operation has been performed (step S313). If there has been an image selection operation, a moving image is displayed according to the set fast-forward or fast-reverse speed. Fast forward and fast reverse playback are performed (step S314).

  If the result of determination in step S313 is that there has been no fast forward or fast reverse playback operation, it is determined whether or not there has been a list display operation (step S315). Step S316). If there is no list display operation (step S315; NO), it is determined whether there is a menu operation (step S317). If there is a menu operation, the process proceeds to the display of the menu screen (step S318), and if there is no menu operation, the process proceeds to other key processing (step S319).

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S304 is not to shift to list display, it is determined whether or not to shift to menu display (FIG. 14, step S320). If the menu display should be shifted, a menu screen for selecting an operation item or the like is displayed on the display unit 79 (step S321). Then, it is determined whether or not a selection operation has been performed on the displayed item (step S322). If there is no selection operation, other key processing is executed (step S324). If there is a selection operation, each edit item is selected in accordance with the selection operation, and the screen shifts to an edit screen for the corresponding item (step S323).

  If the result of determination in step S320 is not to shift to menu display, it is determined whether or not to shift to display of each edited image (step S325) and shift to display of each edited image. If not, other display processing is executed (step S326). If the display should be shifted to the display of each edited image, the operation screen for the corresponding edit item is displayed together with the reproduced image (step S327). Then, it is determined whether or not trigger information is recorded corresponding to the reproduced image (step S328). If there is, the recorded trigger information is displayed corresponding to the corresponding scene (step S329).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there has been an automatic editing operation (step S330). If there is, an editing condition or the like is automatically input or selected according to the recorded trigger information (step S333). If there is no automatic editing operation, it is determined whether there is an editing operation (step S331). If there is no automatic editing operation, other key processing is executed (step S332). If there is an editing operation, an editing condition or the like is input or selected according to the operation input and recording trigger information (step S334).

Then, in step S335 following step S333 or S334, the corresponding editing process, that is, one of the following editing processes is executed. In steps S4 and S5 in the automatic editing process (1) which is the layout composition process in FIG. processing.
Processing in steps S14 to S16 in the automatic editing process (2) that is the slice synthesis process in FIG.
The processes of steps S24 and S25 in the automatic editing process (3) that is the multiple baking composition process of FIG.

  Next, the editing result is displayed as a preview on the display unit 79 (step S336). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an instruction to record the edited image has been given (whether or not an OK operation has been performed at the operation input unit 22) (step S337). When the instruction is given, separately from the original image data, the edited image data is recorded in the memory medium (the image memory medium 25 or the disk medium 47) together with the shooting conditions and the editing condition data (step S339).

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when playing back an image or moving image shot by selecting a scene or sample image, the playback method such as slow playback preset for each scene at the time of shooting or the best for the scene Reproduction display is performed at a high reproduction frame rate.

  Further, any one of the automatic editing processes (1) to (3) is executed during reproduction, and the composite image generated by any one of these editing processes can be displayed and recorded.

(Image sensor)
In the case where the image pickup device 56 is constituted by a CCD image sensor, for example, signal charges generated in the photodiode by incident light are not amplified but are transferred in order through the vertical and horizontal CCD transfer paths, and output circuit. For the first time, the signal voltage is amplified by a FD (Floating Diffusion) amplifier and output. The image pickup signal output from the CCD is subjected to noise removal and sample & hold processing by a CDS circuit (correlated double sampling circuit), amplified by an AGC (automatic gain control) amplifier, and digitally imaged by an ADC (A / D converter). It is converted into a signal and output to a DSP (signal processing circuit).

  On the other hand, when the imaging device is constituted by a CMOS (complementary metal monoxide semiconductor) image sensor, in a general APS (amplified pixel sensor) type CMOS sensor as shown in FIG. Each unit pixel circuit including a built-in amplifying element (amplifier), the signal charge photoelectrically converted by the photodiode is once amplified by the amplifier in the pixel circuit, the row address selection signal from the vertical scanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit The image pickup signal for each pixel selected by the column selection signal from the XY address method can be sequentially extracted from the output as voltage or current. Even if it is not taken out sequentially like a CCD, the CMOS sensor can take out only the image signals of any pixel or area in any order. Can be read.

  In CCD, signal charges are transferred as they are, so they are vulnerable to smear and noise. However, in CMOS sensors, each pixel is read out by random access, and each pixel circuit is electrically separated, so it is resistant to transmission noise. Similar to a CMOS LSI or the like, there is an advantage that digital logic circuits such as various CMOS circuits and addition arithmetic circuits are highly integrated around the image sensor portion in the same manufacturing process and can be relatively easily formed together. On the other hand, in CMOS sensors, fixed pattern noise (FPN), dark current, and KTC noise due to variations in individual elements, such as the dark value of the amplifier for each pixel, were difficult, but embedded photodiodes (similar to CCD) As a result, the dark current and the KTC noise can be reduced, and the photodiode is reset by a column type CDS / ADC circuit provided in a column circuit arranged in parallel for each column signal line. Fixed pattern noise can be removed by subtracting the front and back signals, and integration signals, cyclic types, and sequential type AD converters are built into each column circuit, making it easy to output imaging signals as digital signals. became.

  In the imaging device used in the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the imaging device 200 shown in FIG. 15 is selected so that an image area of an arbitrary size can be selected and the readout signal of the imaging signal of the pixels in the area can be selected. It is preferable to use it. That is, the imaging device 200 includes a vertical scanning circuit 202, a horizontal scanning circuit 203, and a column circuit unit 204 connected to the timing generation circuit 201, and also includes a parallel / serial conversion unit 204 and an encoder 205. The column circuit unit 204 includes a plurality of circuits each including a CDS circuit 206, an A / D conversion circuit 207, and a pixel addition circuit 208, and each column signal line 209 is connected to the column circuit unit 204. On the other hand, to the vertical scanning circuit 202, a row selection line (address line) 210, a transfer TC line (row readout line) 211, and a row reset line 212 are connected. The image sensor unit 213 is provided with a plurality of unit pixel circuits 214, and each unit pixel circuit 214 includes the column signal line 209, a row selection line (address line) 210, a transfer TC line (row readout line). ) 211, a photodiode 215 connected to the row reset line 212, and the like.

  Therefore, in the imaging device 200, the pixel addition circuit 208 that adds the signals of a plurality of pixels of the same color (filter) adjacent to the subsequent stage of the CDS circuit 206 and the A / D circuit 207 of the column circuit unit 204 as a digital signal is provided. By providing it, it is configured to be able to read out the image signal obtained by adding the pixel data in the selection area for a predetermined number of pixels for each arbitrary matrix during digital zooming, and image data can be obtained even at a high rate in through image and video shooting. It can be converted into an image signal with a small amount and output.

  The picked-up image signals of the selected area and the image signals added with the pixels are the column signals selected from the CDS circuit 206 of the column circuit unit 204 and the column selection signal of the horizontal scanning circuit 202 from the A / D circuit 207. Are output in sequence, but at this time, it is output as a parallel digital signal in synchronization with a high-speed clock, or the parallel digital signal is encoded and converted by a parallel / serial conversion circuit to obtain a serial digital imaging signal. The high-resolution imaging signal can be transferred and output to the DSP at a high frame rate.

  Further, in the setting data of the scene-specific shooting program stored in the program memory 23 shown in FIG. 3, the “shooting speed (f / s)” to “synthesized image etc.” shown as “high-speed shooting conditions”. In addition, the image area for reading out pixel signals from the image sensor 200 is stored in correspondence with each scene, and when a shooting scene is selected, the pixels in the stored image area are imaged. You may make it perform the selective reading which reads a signal.

(Other embodiments)
(1) Second Embodiment FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the second embodiment of the present invention. First, it is determined whether or not layout composite shooting has been selected (step S401). If it has not been selected, the process proceeds to other processing (step S402). If layout composite shooting has been selected, it is determined whether or not a shooting instruction has been given by a user operation (step S403). If there is a shooting instruction, based on the selected scene or shooting program, PAST continuous shooting for performing continuous shooting processing or cyclic recording is executed (step S404). Through the processing in step S404, the buffer memory 75 sequentially stores or cyclically stores frame images captured at a high-speed frame rate according to the selected scene or shooting program.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there has been a trigger input or a shooting end instruction (step S405), and the process of step S404 is continued until a trigger input or a shooting end instruction is received. Then, if there is a trigger input or an instruction to end shooting, continuous shooting or PAST continuous shooting ends after the set predetermined time (step S406). That is, in the present embodiment, the continuous shooting or the PAST continuous shooting is not immediately ended when the trigger input or the shooting end instruction is given, but the continuous shooting or the shooting end instruction is not performed. The PAST continuous shooting is continued and finished after a predetermined time.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 17A, the buffer memory 75 includes not only the representative trigger point T which is the time when the trigger input or the photographing end instruction is given from the time when the photographing is started, but also from the representative trigger point T. Continuously captured images P captured at a high frame rate up to a point when a predetermined time has elapsed are sequentially stored.

  Next, a plurality of images are selected from the continuously shot images P at predetermined intervals according to a shooting program and a trigger signal (such as a release button). That is, as shown in FIG. 17B, if the predetermined interval according to the shooting program and the trigger signal is 2 ms, continuous shooting is performed at intervals of 0 ms, 2 ms, 4 ms, etc. with the representative trigger point T set to 0 ms. Images P1, P2, P3... Are selected from the image P.

  Subsequently, the selected images P1, P2, P3,... Are combined into one image with a predetermined size and layout (step S408). Further, the automatically synthesized image is displayed on the finder (display unit 79) as a review after shooting or as a preview before recording (step S409). That is, the continuously shot image P is recorded in the image memory medium 25 at this time, and then the synthesized image P0 obtained by synthesizing the images P1, P2, P3... Shown in FIG. (Review display) may be performed, or the continuously shot image P is not recorded in the image memory medium 25 at this time, but is recorded in step S419 described later, and the composite image P0 is displayed (preview display) on the finder. Also good.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there has been an interval adjustment key input by operating an up / down key or the like provided in the operation input unit 22 (step S410). If there is no interval adjustment key input, it is determined whether there is a timing adjustment key input by operating the left and right keys (step S412). If there is no timing adjustment key input, it is determined whether or not a recording OK key is input (step S417). If there is no record OK key input, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (step S418). If the predetermined time has not passed, the process returns to step S410 and the processing from step S410 is repeated. .

  In the state where the processing from step S410 is repeated, if there is an interval adjustment key input (step S410; YES), the interval between images to be selected or the number of images to be combined is increased or decreased according to the operation. (Step S411). If there is an interval adjustment key input (step S412; YES), the image to be selected is changed to an image with the timing changed earlier or later according to the operation (step S413).

  That is, in the case of step S411, if the image interval is 2 ms as described above, the image is increased by 1 ms, or the image is decreased by 4 ms as shown in FIG. 6 → 5). On the other hand, in the case of step S413, the selection start timing of the image to be combined is made earlier or later than the representative trigger point T (FIG. 17D shows a case where the selection start timing is made earlier than the representative trigger point T. Show).

  Next, a plurality of images are selected according to the adjustment operation, that is, according to the interval and number of images changed in step S411 and / or the selection start timing changed in step S413 (step S414). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 17D, when the image interval is changed from 2 ms to 4 ms in step S411 (the number of sheets 6 remains as it is) and the selection start timing is changed 4 ms earlier, the representative trigger point as shown in FIG. When T is ± 0 ms, six images corresponding to −4 ms, ± 0 ms, 4 ms, 6 ms,... 16 ms are selected.

  Subsequently, the plurality of selected images are combined again into a single image with a predetermined size and layout (step S415). Further, the composite image obtained in this way is displayed on the finder (display unit 79) as a review after shooting or as a preview before recording (step S416). That is, as in the case described above, the continuously shot image P may be recorded in the image memory medium 25 at this time, and then the composite image P0 shown in FIG. 17E may be displayed on the finder (review display). The continuously shot image P may be recorded in step S419 described later without being recorded in the image memory medium 25 at this time, and the composite image P0 may be displayed (preview display) on the viewfinder.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a record OK key is input (step S417). At this time, the user can be satisfied with the composite image by visually recognizing the composite image before the adjustment operation displayed by the user in step S409 or the composite image displayed by the user in step S416. For example, the recording OK key is operated. As a result, the determination in step S417 is YES, and the combined image data is encoded and recorded in the image memory medium 25 (step S419). If the continuously shot image P is not yet recorded in the image memory medium 25 and the composite image P0 is displayed as a preview, the image data of the continuously shot image P is also encoded in step S419, and the image memory medium 25 is displayed. To record.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the user can arbitrarily set the image selection start timing, the image interval, and the number of images to be combined, and a plurality of images selected by the user are individually arranged 1 It is possible to create and display a single composite image.

(2) Third Embodiment FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the third embodiment of the present invention. First, it is determined whether or not slice composite imaging has been selected (step S501). If it has not been selected, the process proceeds to other processing (step S502). If slice composite shooting is selected, it is determined whether or not a shooting instruction has been given by a user operation (step S503). If there is a shooting instruction, based on the selected scene or shooting program, PAST continuous shooting for performing continuous shooting processing or circular recording is executed (step S504). Through the processing in step S504, frame images captured at a high-speed frame rate corresponding to the selected scene or shooting program are sequentially stored or circularly stored in the buffer memory 75.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there has been a trigger input or a photographing end instruction (step S505), and the processing in step S504 is continued until a trigger input or a photographing end instruction is received. Then, if there is a trigger input or an instruction to end shooting, continuous shooting or PAST continuous shooting ends after the set predetermined time (step S506). That is, as in the second embodiment described above, instead of immediately ending continuous shooting or PAST continuous shooting when a trigger input or shooting end instruction is given, there is a trigger input or shooting end instruction. In addition, continuous shooting or PAST continuous shooting is continued and finished after a predetermined time.

  Next, a plurality of images are selected from the continuously shot images P at a predetermined interval in accordance with a shooting program and a trigger signal (such as a release button), and substantially the same region is sliced (cut out) (step S507). Therefore, after the image P1, P2, P3,... Is selected from the continuously shot image P shown in FIG. 19A by the processing in step S507, for example, the center of these images P1, P2, P3,. Slice images PS1, PS2, PS3,. Subsequently, the plurality of selected and sliced images are shifted by a predetermined interval (position) and synthesized into one image (step S508). Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 19C, a golf swing composite image P0 is generated by combining the slice images PS1, PS2, PS3,. Further, the image automatically synthesized in this way is displayed on the finder (display unit 79) as a review after shooting or as a preview before recording (step S509).

  The processes of the next steps S510 to S513 and steps S517 and S518 are the same as the processes of steps S410 to S413 and steps S417 and S418 in the above-described second embodiment. That is, it is determined whether or not there has been an interval adjustment key input by operating an up / down key or the like provided in the operation input unit 22 (step S510). If there is no interval adjustment key input, it is determined whether there is a timing adjustment key input by operating the left and right keys (step S512). If there is no timing adjustment key input, it is determined whether there is a recording OK key input (step S517). If there is no record OK key input, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (step S518). If the predetermined time has not passed, the process returns to step S510 and the processing from step S510 is repeated. .

  In the state where the processing from step S510 is repeated, if there is an interval adjustment key input (step S510; YES), the interval between images to be selected or the number of images to be combined is increased or decreased according to the operation. (Step S511). If there is an interval adjustment key input (step S512; YES), the image to start selection is changed to an image with the timing changed earlier or later according to the operation (step S513).

  Next, a plurality of images are selected according to the adjustment operation, that is, according to the interval and number of images changed in step S511 and / or the selection start timing changed in step S513, and the above-described step S507 is performed. Similarly, substantially the same area is sliced (cut out) (step S514). Subsequently, in the same manner as in step S508 described above, the plurality of selected and sliced images are shifted by a predetermined interval (position) and synthesized into one image (step S515). Similarly to step S509 described above, the synthesized image is displayed on the viewfinder (display unit 79) as a review after shooting or as a preview before recording (step S516).

  Accordingly, when the selection start timing is advanced and the time interval is shortened, the composite image P0 shown in FIG. 19D is displayed on the display unit 79, and when the selection start timing is delayed and the time interval is lengthened. In this case, the composite image P0 shown in FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a recording OK key has been input (step S517). At this time, the user displays the composite image (FIG. 19C) before the adjustment operation displayed by the user displayed in step S509 (FIG. 19C) or the composite image adjusted by the user displayed in step S516 (FIG. 19D). ) Or (E)), and if the composite image is satisfactory, the recording OK key is operated. As a result, the determination in step S517 is YES, and the combined image data is encoded and recorded in the image memory medium 25 (step S519). If the continuously shot image P is not yet recorded in the image memory medium 25 and the composite image P0 is displayed as a preview, the image data of the continuously shot image P is also encoded in step S519, and the image memory medium 25 is displayed. To record.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user can arbitrarily set the image selection start timing, the image interval, and the number of images to be combined. It is possible to create and display a composite image made up of a plurality of partial images cut out of.

(3) Fourth Embodiment FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. First, it is determined whether or not multiple-burning composite shooting has been selected (step S601). If it has not been selected, the process proceeds to other processing (step S602). If multiple burn composite shooting has been selected, it is determined whether or not a shooting instruction has been given by a user operation (step S603). If there is a shooting instruction, based on the selected scene or shooting program, PAST continuous shooting for performing continuous shooting processing or cyclic recording is executed (step S604). As a result of the processing in step S604, the buffer memory 75 sequentially stores or cyclically stores frame images captured at a high-speed frame rate according to the selected scene or shooting program.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there has been a trigger input or a shooting end instruction (step S605), and the process of step S604 is continued until a trigger input or a shooting end instruction is received. Then, if there is a trigger input or an instruction to end shooting, continuous shooting or PAST continuous shooting ends after the set predetermined time (step S606). That is, as in the second embodiment described above, instead of immediately ending continuous shooting or PAST continuous shooting when a trigger input or shooting end instruction is given, there is a trigger input or shooting end instruction. In addition, continuous shooting or PAST continuous shooting is continued and finished after a predetermined time.

  Next, in accordance with the shooting program and a trigger signal (such as a release button), a plurality of images are selected from the continuously shot images at a predetermined interval (step S607). Therefore, by the processing in step S607, images P1, P2, P3... Shown in FIG. 20B are selected from the continuously shot images P shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the plurality of selected images are superimposed and combined into a single image (multiple combination) (step S608). By the process in step S608, as illustrated in 21 (C), a composite image P0 in which a single ball repeatedly bounces is generated. Further, the image automatically synthesized in this way is displayed on the finder (display unit 79) as a review after shooting or as a preview before recording (step S609).

  The processes of the next steps S610 to S613 and steps S617 and S618 are the same as the processes of steps S410 to S413 and steps S417 and S418 in the above-described second embodiment. That is, it is determined whether or not there has been an interval adjustment key input by operating an up / down key or the like provided in the operation input unit 22 (step S610). If there is no interval adjustment key input, it is determined whether there is a timing adjustment key input by operating the left and right keys (step S612). If there is no timing adjustment key input, it is determined whether or not a recording OK key is input (step S617). If there is no record OK key input, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (step S618). If the predetermined time has not passed, the process returns to step S610 and the processing from step S610 is repeated. .

  In a state where the processing from step S610 is repeated, if there is an interval adjustment key input (step S610; YES), the interval between images to be selected or the number of images to be combined is increased or decreased according to the operation. (Step S611). If there is an interval adjustment key input (step S612; YES), the image to start selection is changed to an image with the timing changed earlier or later according to the operation (step S613).

  Next, a plurality of images are selected according to the adjustment operation, that is, according to the interval and number of images changed in step S611 and / or the selection start timing changed in step S613 (step S614). Similar to step S608 described above, the plurality of selected images are superimposed and synthesized into one image (multiple synthesis) (step S608). Similarly to step S609 described above, the synthesized image is displayed on the finder (display unit 79) as a review after shooting or as a preview before recording (step S616).

  Therefore, when the selection start timing is advanced and the time interval is shortened, the composite image P0 shown in FIG. 21D is displayed on the display unit 79, and when the selection start timing is delayed and the time interval is lengthened. The combined image P0 shown in FIG. 21E is displayed on the display unit 79.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a recording OK key has been input (step S617). At this time, the user displays the composite image (FIG. 21C) displayed before the adjustment operation displayed in step S609 (FIG. 21C) or the composite image adjusted by the user displayed in step S616 (FIG. 21D). ) Or (E)), and if the composite image is satisfactory, the recording OK key is operated. As a result, the determination in step S617 becomes YES, and the combined image data is encoded and recorded in the image memory medium 25 (step S619). If the continuously shot image P is not yet recorded in the image memory medium 25 and the composite image P0 is displayed as a preview, the image data of the continuously shot image P is also encoded in step S619, and the image memory medium 25 is displayed. To record.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the user can arbitrarily set the image selection start timing, the image interval, and the number of images to be combined, and the images selected by the user can be multiplexed within one image. It is possible to create and display a synthesized composite image.

  In the present embodiment, layout composition processing, slice composition processing, and multiple firing composition processing are shown as composition processing of a plurality of images, but other composition processing may be used.

It is a block diagram which shows the target circuit structure of the imaging device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting data of the imaging | photography program classified by scene. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting data of the imaging | photography program classified by scene following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the high-speed still image shooting mode in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the layout synthetic | combination process of a high speed picked-up image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process sequence of the layout synthetic | combination process of a high speed picked-up image. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the slice synthetic | combination process of a high speed picked-up image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process sequence of the slice synthetic | combination process of a high speed picked-up image. It is a figure which shows the example of an image by which the slice synthetic | combination process of the high speed picked-up image was carried out. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the multiple burning synthetic | combination process of a high speed picked-up image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process sequence of the multiple baking synthetic | combination process of a high speed picked-up image. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of reproduction | regeneration and edit mode. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a figure which shows the circuit structural example of an image pick-up element. It is R which shows the process sequence in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process sequence of the embodiment. It is R which shows the process sequence in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process sequence of the embodiment. It is R which shows the process sequence in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process sequence of the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 2 Control circuit 3 CPU
5 control circuit 23 program memory 24 data memory 25 image memory medium 30 external trigger terminal 31 trigger detection unit 32 program memory 39 detection circuit 47 disk medium 56 image sensor 58 shutter 59 image sensor unit 60 horizontal scanning unit 61 vertical scanning unit 62 P / S conversion unit 63 DSP unit 64 S / P conversion unit 65 Buffer memory 75 Buffer memory 78 Display drive circuit 79 Display unit

Claims (10)

Imaging means for imaging according to a predetermined frame period;
Image storage means for storing continuous images composed of a plurality of images imaged according to the frame period by the imaging means;
A selection means for intermittently selecting an image from a plurality of images constituting a continuous image stored in the image storage means;
A plurality of images selected by the selection means, and an image composition means for generating a composite image;
An imaging apparatus comprising: display means for displaying the composite image generated by the image composition means. The image storage means starts storing the image in response to a start operation and ends storing the image in response to an end operation,
The selection means intermittently selects an image from continuous images immediately after the image storage means finishes storing,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the composite image immediately after the image storage unit finishes storing. Replaying means for replaying a continuous image composed of a plurality of images recorded in the recording means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit intermittently selects an image from a plurality of images constituting the continuous image in a reproduction mode in which the reproduction unit reproduces the continuous image.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the synthesizing unit arranges a plurality of images selected by the selection unit to generate a single synthesized image.   The synthesizing unit cuts out a predetermined portion of each of the plurality of images selected by the selecting unit, and arranges the cut out partial images in a predetermined direction to generate a single combined image. Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the synthesizing unit generates a single synthesized image by superimposing a plurality of images selected by the selecting unit. Further comprising an operating means,
7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the selection unit selects an image from the plurality of images at different intermittent timings according to an operation on the operation unit. Corresponding to the shooting scene, comprising a control information storage means for storing different frame periods and different image composition forms,
The image pickup means picks up an image according to a frame period corresponding to a shooting scene selected from the control information storage means,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image synthesizing unit synthesizes the plurality of images in an image synthesis form corresponding to the selected shooting scene. A computer having an apparatus that includes an imaging unit that captures an image according to a predetermined frame period and an image storage unit that stores a continuous image including a plurality of images captured by the imaging unit according to the frame period;
Selection means for intermittently selecting an image from a plurality of images constituting a continuous image stored in the image storage means;
A plurality of images selected by the selection means, and an image composition means for generating a composite image;
An image processing program that functions as display control means for displaying the composite image generated by the image composition means. An imaging step of imaging according to a predetermined frame period;
An image storage step of storing a continuous image composed of a plurality of images imaged according to the frame period by the imaging step;
A selection step of intermittently selecting an image from a plurality of images constituting the continuous image stored in the image storage step;
A plurality of images selected by the selection step, and an image synthesis step for generating a synthesized image;
And a display step for displaying the composite image generated by the image composition step.

Images