JP2009200836A - Imaging/recording device, its control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily confirm later the setting of the photographing condition of still images by recording the contents of the setting of the photographing condition by the use, the contents to be performed before photographing the still image in an appropriate range. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging/recording device has: a photographing condition setting means for setting the photographing condition of the still image; a still image photographing means for photographing the still image on the basis of the photographing condition set by the photographing condition setting means; a still image data recording means for recording still image data photographed by the still image photographing means; a time sequential image group photographing means for photographing a time sequential image group in a period determined on the basis of timing of being photographed by the still image photographing means; a time sequential image data group recording means for recording a time sequential image data group photographed by the time sequential image photographing means; and a history information recording means for recording the history information of the setting of the photographing condition set by the photographing condition setting means in the period determined on the basis of the timing of being photographed by the still image photographing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging recording apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. More particularly, the present invention relates to an imaging recording apparatus that records the settings of related shooting conditions together with a still image to be shot in shooting a still image.

  Currently, there are imaging and recording devices such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras capable of simultaneously recording moving image data and still image data. In such digital still cameras and digital video cameras, it is possible to simultaneously record still images of several million pixel class while recording high-definition quality moving image data. In addition, when there is a favorite frame in the taken high-definition video, the user can cut out the frame as a still image.

  Also, when shooting still images, technology for simultaneously shooting multiple still images around the timing when the user releases the shutter, and technology for shooting multiple still images with different imaging conditions such as exposure There is an imaging recording apparatus equipped with the. As a result, even if the still image at the timing when the user releases the shutter is not satisfactory, the user selects the still image with the highest satisfaction level from among the multiple still images recorded at the same time. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with still image shooting that can achieve higher satisfaction.

  In addition, in Patent Document 1, video data to be displayed on a liquid crystal screen in which display information such as characters and marks is overlaid on the captured moving image data is recorded as a moving image file separately from the captured moving image data. Technology is disclosed. Hereinafter, the display information described above is also referred to as OSD (on-screen display). This makes it possible to record information relating to changes in shooting conditions such as white balance that the user changes from the menu screen during moving image recording as moving image data in which the OSD and moving image data are bound.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique that allows an imaging / recording apparatus to record, as a preset file for shooting, the contents of shooting conditions set by a user using shooting condition setting means before shooting a still image. ing. Thus, the shooting conditions can be reproduced by the user selecting a preset file as necessary from the next shooting. Therefore, the user can set the same shooting condition from the next shooting only by setting the shooting condition once.

JP 2006-94145 A JP 2007-37050 A

  In the prior art, it is possible to record a moving image simultaneously with taking a still image. Thereby, it is possible to confirm the change of the setting of the shooting condition at the time of still image shooting with the moving image data. In addition, there is a technique for recording a plurality of still images with different time information and still images with different shooting conditions in conjunction with one still image shooting. However, there is a problem in that setting information relating to shooting conditions that are not reflected in actual video cannot be recorded. That is, change of shooting mode for still image shooting, focus type setting (center, face recognition AF, etc.), recording size of shooting still image (large, middle, small), recording quality (normal, fine, super fine) ), Flash settings cannot be recorded.

  In Patent Document 1, when the shooting condition is changed from the menu screen while the first moving image file is being recorded, the OSD information that changes with the menu operation is overlaid on the moving image data being shot. Data is recorded as a second video file. However, the second video file is to record the menu operation contents during video shooting after the user presses the record button, and the shooting condition setting to be made before the user releases the shutter for still image shooting There is a problem that the contents cannot be recorded. In addition, since the second moving image file is recorded throughout the recording of the first moving image file, a large amount of meaningless moving image data is recorded when the user does not record the menu screen for a long time. There is a problem.

Further, in Patent Document 2, it is possible to record imaging conditions as a preset by saving the contents of setting imaging conditions as a text file. However, since there is no time information related to the operation for which the imaging condition is set, the user cannot review the content of the operation and review it. In addition, the text file has a problem that information relating to framing, which is one of photographing conditions set by the user, cannot be recorded.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and by recording the settings of shooting conditions set by the user before shooting a still image within an appropriate range, the user can later Make it easy to check the shooting condition settings.

The imaging recording apparatus of the present invention includes a shooting condition setting unit that sets shooting conditions for a still image, a still image shooting unit that takes a still image based on the shooting conditions set by the shooting condition setting unit, and the still image Still image data recording means for recording still image data photographed by the photographing means, and time-series image group photographing means for photographing a time-series image group for a period determined based on the timing of photographing by the still image photographing means A time-series image data group recording unit that records a time-series image data group captured by the time-series image capturing unit, and a period determined based on a timing at which the still image capturing unit captures the image. And history information recording means for recording history information of setting of photographing conditions set by the condition setting means.
The control method of the imaging / recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording step for recording a still image shooting condition, a still image shooting step for shooting a still image based on the shooting condition recorded by the recording step, and the still image shooting. A still image data recording step for recording still image data photographed in the step, and a time-series image group photographing step for photographing a time-series image group in a period determined based on the timing of photographing in the still image photographing step; And a history information recording step of recording history information of shooting condition settings recorded by the recording step in a period determined based on the timing of shooting by the still image shooting step.
The present invention provides a recording step for recording still image shooting conditions, a still image shooting step for shooting still images based on the shooting conditions recorded in the recording step, and a still image shot by the still image shooting step. A still image data recording step for recording data, a time-series image group photographing step for photographing a time-series image group for a period determined based on a timing for photographing at the still image photographing step, and the still image photographing step. A program for causing a computer to execute a history information recording step of recording history information of setting of imaging conditions recorded by the recording step in a period determined based on a timing of imaging.

  According to the present invention, the user can easily confirm the setting of the shooting condition of the still image later by recording the setting condition of the shooting condition by the user up to the shooting of the still image in an appropriate range.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
The imaging / recording apparatus according to the first embodiment records a change history of OSD data using the contents of setting of shooting conditions when a user performs still image shooting as supplementary information for shooting a still image.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital still camera as an image recording apparatus.
Reference numeral 101 denotes an imaging unit. The imaging unit 101 includes an imaging device that converts light input through a lens into an electrical signal. Reference numeral 102 denotes an imaging control unit. The imaging control unit 102 controls the input of the electrical signal converted in the imaging unit 101 according to the moving image and the still image. Reference numeral 103 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU 103 performs control and arithmetic processing for each module.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a display control unit. The display control unit 104 displays display information such as video data, characters, and marks sent from the imaging control unit 102 by controlling input / output to the display unit 105. The display control unit 104 controls input / output to the display unit 105 to display OSD (on-screen display) data such as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) menu screen. The display control unit 104 displays the OSD data so as to be overlaid on the displayed video. Reference numeral 105 denotes a display unit, such as a liquid crystal screen. By displaying data sent from the display control unit 104, the display unit 105 serves as a visual interface with the user.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an SD card control unit. The SD card control unit 106 controls reading and writing of data to a storage medium such as an SD card in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 103. Reference numeral 107 denotes an SD card. By attaching the SD card 107 to the digital still camera, the SD card control unit 106 can record still image data and moving image data on the SD card 107. When still image data or moving image data is recorded on the SD card 107, the display control unit 104 can display the recorded still image data or moving image data on the display unit 105.
Reference numeral 108 denotes an SDRAM control unit. The SDRAM control unit 108 performs control to temporarily record data in the SDRAM 109 or read the recorded data in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 103. Reference numeral 109 denotes an SDRAM. The SDRAM control unit 108 can temporarily store the internal state of the digital video camcorder and moving image data waiting for processing in the SDRAM 109.

Reference numeral 110 denotes an image processing unit. The image processing unit 110 changes the imaging data sent from the imaging control unit 102 to a data format suitable for the recording method and stores the data in the internal RAM 111. Reference numeral 111 denotes an internal RAM. The image processing unit 110 can store information for internal use in the internal RAM 111. Since the internal RAM 111 and the image processing unit 110 are directly connected, the image processing unit 110 can execute processing at high speed.
Reference numeral 112 denotes an OSD control unit. The OSD control unit 112 performs processing for sending OSD data managed by the OSD management unit 113 to the display unit 105 in accordance with a control command issued from the CPU 103 according to the operation content of the operation unit 115 from the user. Reference numeral 113 denotes an OSD management unit. The OSD management unit 113 manages OSD data managed for display by the digital still camera, and performs a process of outputting in accordance with control information from the OSD control unit 112.
Reference numeral 114 denotes an operation data processing unit. The operation data processing unit 114 detects the operation content of the operation unit 115 by the user, and performs notification processing to the CPU 103. Reference numeral 115 denotes an operation unit, which is a part that receives an actual operation by the user. The operation unit 115 performs processing for notifying the operation data processing unit 114 of the received operation content.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the digital still camera. FIG. 2A is a rear view of the digital still camera. FIG. 2B is a front view of the digital still camera. The digital still camera is provided with a plurality of buttons as the operation unit 115 described above. Reference numeral 201 denotes a power button. When the user presses the power button 201, the power of the digital still camera can be turned on / off. Reference numeral 202 denotes a mode switch. The user can select a still image shooting mode, a moving image shooting mode, and a playback mode by sliding and operating the mode switch 202. Reference numeral 203 denotes an optical viewfinder. By using the optical viewfinder 203, the user can set the angle of view and the framing. Reference numeral 204 denotes a shutter button. When the user presses the shutter button 204 at the time of still image shooting or moving image shooting, a recording trigger is issued from the shutter button 204 to the operation data processing unit 114.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes a zoom button. When the user presses the zoom button 205, settings relating to the angle of view such as wide angle and telephoto can be performed at the time of shooting. Reference numeral 206 denotes an operation button. The user can perform camera operations such as menu operations and setting of shooting conditions by pressing the operation button 206 while confirming the GUI displayed on the liquid crystal screen 209. Reference numeral 207 denotes an ISO sensitivity setting button. When the user presses the ISO sensitivity setting button 207, the ISO sensitivity setting screen is read and the ISO sensitivity can be set. Reference numeral 208 denotes a menu button. By pressing the menu button 208, the user can issue a request for transition to the menu screen to the digital still camera, or can issue a request for canceling the menu screen.

  Reference numeral 209 denotes a liquid crystal screen as a display unit. The user can set shooting conditions while displaying the settings of the digital still camera on the liquid crystal screen 209 during still image shooting. Further, when a still image is reproduced on the liquid crystal screen 209, a still image to be reproduced can be displayed and various settings can be displayed. Reference numeral 210 denotes a flash light emitting unit. The user can shoot in an environment with little light by causing the flash light emitting unit 210 to emit light during shooting. Reference numeral 211 denotes a lens. The lens 211 can optically capture light into the digital still camera.

Next, processing performed by the digital still camera will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The digital still camera of the present embodiment can shoot a still image (still image shooting means) and can also shoot a moving image (moving image shooting means). First, in step S301, when the digital still camera detects that the user presses the power button 201, the digital still camera turns on the power and starts still image shooting according to the first embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the user selects the mode switch 202 as a still image shooting mode and also selects a recording mode in which shooting condition settings can be recorded. The digital still camera detects the selection of the recording mode described above (recording mode detection means) and prepares for moving image shooting.
In step S302, the digital still camera generates a moving image file for recording moving image data. In step S303, the digital still camera generates an OSD data recording XML file for recording history information of shooting condition settings that change according to user operations. The data format described in the OSD data recording XML file will be described later.

  Here, the digital still camera records the photographed still image data as a still image file in a folder structure as shown in FIG. 4 compliant with the DCF format. The DCF format refers to a format based on the DCF standard (camera file system standard) standardized so as to be reproducible between various digital still cameras. In the folder configuration shown in FIG. 4, a “DCIM” folder 702 is generated under the “ROOT” folder 701. In addition, a “101CANON” folder 703 is generated under the “DCIM” folder 702. The “101CANON” folder 703 stores “IMG — 0001.jpg” still image file 704 as still image data.

  The digital still camera records the moving image file generated in step S302 and the OSD data recording XML file generated in step S303 in the folder structure shown in FIG. Here, it is easy to manage by recording a moving image file and an OSD data recording XML file generated separately from the still image file in a format related to the still image file. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the digital still camera generates an “ATT_FILE” folder 705 in the same hierarchy as the “DCIM” folder 702. The folders below the “ATT_FILE” folder 705 are created with the same naming rule as the folder configuration conforming to the DCF standard. That is, the digital still camera generates a “101CANON” folder 706 under the “ATT_FILE” folder 705. The digital still camera records the “IMG — 0001.MOV” moving image file 707 generated in step S302 in the “101CANON” folder 706. Further, the digital still camera records the “IMG — 0001.XML” OSD data recording XML file 708 generated in step S 303 in the “101 CANON” folder 706.

  As described above, the folder structure conforming to the DCF standard is easily associated with the “DCIM” folder 702. That is, it is assumed that it is desired to access a moving image file and an OSD data recording XML file related to the “DCIM ¥ 101CANON ¥ IMG — 0001.JPG” still image file 704. At this time, the digital still camera may simply search for “ATT_FILE ¥ 101CANON ¥ IMG_0001.MOV” and “ATT_FILE ¥ 101CANON ¥ IMG_0001.XML”, and can easily associate them.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, the digital still camera enters preparations for taking a still image in the processing after step S <b> 304. First, in step S304, the digital still camera starts processing to record the video data acquired from the imaging unit 101 as moving image data for the moving image file generated in step S302. Next, in step S305, the digital still camera performs processing for displaying the video data acquired from the imaging unit 101 in step S304 on the liquid crystal screen 209. As a result, the user can check the video data to be photographed in real time through the liquid crystal screen 209.

Next, in step S306, the digital still camera executes processing for overlaying OSD data (OSD information) corresponding to the initial screen on the video data displayed on the liquid crystal screen 209 in step S305. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial screen on which the OSD data is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 209 by the overlay display process. As shown in FIG. 5, OSD data 501 to 507 displayed on the liquid crystal screen 209 are displayed overlaid on video data.
Next, in step S307, the digital still camera performs a process of recording the OSD data change history (history information) for the initial screen generated in step S306 in the OSD data recording XML file generated in step S303 (history information). Recording means). With the processing so far, the digital still camera finishes preparation for taking a still image.

  Here, the XML structure of the OSD data recording XML file used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The “<operation history>” tag 901 shown in FIG. 6 is a route tag. The <operation history> tag 901 and below indicate that the OSD data recording XML file records the user's operation history. Next, the “<operation content>” tag 902 is a tag generated every time an operation by the user occurs. Here, the case where the power button 201 is pressed to perform processing related to power-on and various settings are assumed will be described. First, information in the “<operation details>” tag 902 will be described. The “<KeyID>” tag 903 is a tag that manages key information operated by the user. In the digital still camera of this embodiment, key information is managed using a button management table 70 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the power button is associated with the ID number “0”. When the user presses the power button 201 to turn on the power, in step S307, the digital still camera refers to the button management table 70 and describes the ID number “0” in the OSD data recording XML file as shown in FIG. To do. Thus, the digital still camera describes the operation history corresponding to the user operation as text data.

  A “<Timestamp>” tag 904 is a tag for recording the time stamp (time information) of the moving image file generated in step S302. With the time stamp, the digital still camera can associate the moving image data with the OSD data recording XML file and uniquely specify the operation history of the user operation corresponding to the moving image data. Here, since it is the time stamp when the power is turned on, in step S307, the digital camera describes “00:00:00” as the time stamp as shown in FIG. As described above, the digital still camera describes the time information corresponding to the operation history corresponding to the user operation as text data.

  An “<OSD_LIST>” tag 905 is a tag for managing the OSD data list displayed on the liquid crystal screen 209. The “<OSD_ID>” tag 907 is a tag for listing the change history of OSD data managed in the “<OSD_LIST>” tag 905. Here, “<OSD_ID>” tags 907 corresponding to the number of OSD data displayed on the liquid crystal screen 209 are described. In the digital still camera of this embodiment, internal OSD data is managed using the OSD data management table 800 shown in FIG. The digital still camera obtains the ID number of the OSD data corresponding to the initial screen shown in FIG. 5 with reference to the OSD data management table 800 shown in FIG. 8, and each of the digital still cameras has an “<OSD_ID>” tag as shown in FIG. 907. For example, the displayed OSD data “Tv” 501 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to “aperture priority” in the shooting mode 1101 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the ID number “1-5” is associated with “aperture priority” in the shooting mode 1101. Therefore, the digital still camera describes the ID number “1-5” in the OSD data recording XML file as shown in FIG. As described above, the digital still camera describes the change history of the OSD data as text data as history information.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, in step S308, the digital still camera determines whether or not the shutter button 204 has been half-pressed. In general, the half-pressed state of the shutter button 204 means that the user performs an actual shooting process. Therefore, when the digital still camera detects the half-pressed state of the shutter button 204, it operates autofocus. The process proceeds to step S312 and subsequent steps. Processing after the shutter button 204 is half-pressed will be described later. On the other hand, if the digital camera does not detect the half-pressed state of the shutter button 204, the process proceeds to step S309.

  In step S 309, the digital still camera determines whether the user has operated using the operation unit 115. If an operation is detected, the digital still camera moves to step S310 to perform corresponding processing. When the operation is not detected, the digital still camera proceeds to step S304, and newly acquires video data from the imaging unit 101 and performs processing for recording the video data in the previous moving image file. As described above, when the user does not perform any operation after the power is turned on, the digital still camera repeats the processes in steps S304 to S309. Further, the series of processing is performed in conjunction with the frame rate of the recorded moving image data, whereby moving image data in accordance with a predetermined moving image data format is recorded.

  In step S310, the digital still camera determines whether any button of the operation unit 115 has been operated. Here, a case where the ISO sensitivity setting button 207 is pressed will be described as an example. When the digital camera detects pressing of the ISO sensitivity setting button 207, the digital camera displays an ISO sensitivity setting menu as shown in FIG. Here, processing until the digital still camera displays the ISO sensitivity setting menu will be described. First, in step S309, when the digital still camera detects pressing of the ISO sensitivity setting button 207, the process proceeds to step S311.

  In step S311, the digital still camera acquires new OSD data corresponding to the operation unit 115 acquired in step S310. Here, the digital still camera acquires OSD data corresponding to the ISO sensitivity setting menu displayed on the liquid crystal screen 209 as shown in FIG. Further, the digital still camera acquires an ID number corresponding to the acquired OSD data with reference to the OSD data management table 800 shown in FIG. That is, the digital still camera has an ID number “8-1” associated with “80 settings”, “100 settings”, “200 settings”, “400 settings”, and “800 settings” in the ISO setting menu 1108 shown in FIG. , “8-2”, “8-3”, “8-4”, “8-5”. Further, the ID number corresponding to the selection icon 1109 shown in FIG. 9 is acquired with reference to the OSD data management table 800 shown in FIG. That is, the digital still camera acquires the ID number “9-1” associated with the “arrow” of the selection icon 1109. As a result, the digital still camera can acquire the ID number corresponding to the OSD data. After obtaining the ID number, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, the video data acquired from the imaging unit 101 is recorded in a moving image file. As a result of a series of processing by the user pressing the ISO sensitivity setting button 207, the digital still camera records the acquired OSD data history in an OSD data recording XML file as shown in FIG. The OSD data storage XML file shown in FIG. 10 is added to the OSD data recording XML file shown in FIG. The “<KeyID>” tag 1002 describes the ID number “10” stored in association with the ISO sensitivity setting button with reference to the button management table 70 shown in FIG. As described above, the digital still camera describes the operation history corresponding to the user operation as text data.

  Further, the “<Timestamp>” tag 1003 describes “00:00:15” as time stamp information when the ISO sensitivity setting button 207 is pressed after the power is turned on. The “<OSD_LIST>” tag 1004 includes a change history of the OSD data acquired in step S311, that is, ID numbers “8-1”, “8-2”, “8-3”, “8-4”. , “8-5” and ID number “9-1”. In this way, every time the user performs an operation on the operation unit 115, the digital still camera sequentially records the setting conditions of the shooting conditions by the user.

  Next, a process when the digital still camera detects that the shutter button 204 is half-pressed in step S308 and proceeds to step S312 will be described. In step S312, the digital still camera drives the autofocus function to display an optimally focused image on the liquid crystal screen 209, and the process proceeds to step S313. In step S313, the digital still camera determines whether the half-press of the shutter button 204 has been released. Here, the release of half-press means that the still image shooting is temporarily stopped, and it can be assumed that the imaging conditions are set again. Therefore, when the digital still camera detects the release of the half-press, Return to S304. Conversely, if release of the half-press of the shutter button 204 is not detected in step S313, the process proceeds to step S314, and the digital still camera determines whether the shutter button 204 has been pressed, that is, whether it has been fully pressed. To do. If the full press of the shutter button 204 is not detected, the process returns to step S313, and the digital still camera repeatedly determines whether to release the half press of the shutter button 204. If full press of the shutter button 204 is detected, the process proceeds to step S315.

In step S315, the digital still camera processes the video data of the imaging unit 101 at the time when the shutter button 204 detects full press in step S314, and generates still image data (still image data recording unit). Through the processing in step S315, the user can obtain desired still image data.
Next, in step S316, the digital still camera confirms the end of shooting of the still image, and performs a process of closing the moving image file in which the moving image data generated in step S302 has been recorded. With this process, the user can acquire a moving image file generated accompanying the shooting of a still image.

Next, in step S317 as well, the digital still camera closes the OSD data recording XML file that has been recorded in step S303 and has continued to record the information related to the OSD data set by the shooting conditions changed by the user. I do. With this process, the user can acquire the OSD data change history associated with the setting of the shooting conditions together with the moving image data obtained in the previous step S316.
After executing step S317, the digital still camera moves to step S302 to generate a moving image file to be associated with the next still image in order to prepare for the next still image. That is, the digital still camera generates a moving image file and an OSD data recording XML file in a range from when the power is turned on or after the previous shooting to the next shooting.

In still image shooting, the user may end shooting by turning off the power button 201 before pressing the shutter button 204. Processing in such a case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S401, the digital still camera starts processing when the user turns off the power button 201 and receives a request for power off.
Next, in step S402, the digital still camera determines whether or not the processing in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is before step S314. Here, the process before step S314 is a state before a request to execute still image shooting by the user is issued. If it is a process before step S314, the process proceeds to step S403.

  In step S403, the digital still camera deletes the moving image file that has been recorded from step S302. Next, in step S404, the digital still camera deletes the OSD data recording XML file that has been recorded since step S303. Next, in step S407, the digital still camera performs a process of turning off the power.

  In step S402, if the process is after step S314, it is after the request for executing the still image shooting is issued, so the digital still camera completes the still image shooting shown in FIG. 3 until step S317. After waiting, the process proceeds to step S407. Next, in step S407, the digital still camera performs a process of turning off the power. With the above processing, the digital still camera does not need to save an extra moving image file or an OSD data recording XML file.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, every time a still image is captured, the digital still camera records moving image data in conjunction with the still image separately from the captured still image data. In addition, the digital still camera stores a change history of OSD data related to setting of shooting conditions in the XML file for OSD data recording in conjunction with the still image. Therefore, the user can acquire the still image data and at the same time acquire the change history of the OSD data as the history information for setting the moving image data and the shooting conditions. Thereby, when the user changes the setting of the shooting condition, the change of the shooting condition reflected in the video such as white balance, focus, and framing can be recorded as moving image data. Further, regarding setting of shooting conditions that are not reflected in the video such as the recording size and recording quality of the still image, it can be recorded in the OSD data recording XML file.

Further, since the time stamp is recorded in the OSD data recording XML file, the user can manage the setting of the photographing condition.
In addition, when a still image is not shot, the moving image file and the OSD data recording XML file are not recorded together, so that only a necessary file can be recorded.
In this way, when shooting a still image, the user keeps track of the contents of all the shooting conditions set by himself / herself by using a moving image file or an OSD data recording XML file recorded within an appropriate range. While confirming, you can review. Therefore, the user can efficiently improve his / her photographing technique.

In the first embodiment, a case is described in which the time period from when the power is turned on or from the previous shooting of a still image to the next shooting is collectively recorded in a moving image file or an OSD data recording XML file. did. However, for example, a digital still camera may be configured to record moving image data only at a portion where shooting conditions are set or only at a timing when a user manually operates. Here, the manual operation includes at least one of white balance setting, exposure setting, aperture setting, ISO sensitivity, angle of view setting, color setting, still image size setting, still image quality setting, and photometry mode setting. The operation to change.
Further, in the first embodiment, the case has been described in which the contents relating to the setting of the shooting conditions performed by the user in the shooting of the still image are recorded as moving image data. However, the slideshow is made using still images shot irregularly. It may be configured to record data in various forms. That is, as the moving image data, at least one time series image group arranged in time series may be photographed (time series image group photographing means).

  Alternatively, the digital still camera may detect that the user has entered a shooting operation and start moving image data recording. At this time, the digital still camera needs to detect the end of the framing operation in order to detect the start of the user's photographing operation. As a method for detecting the end of the framing operation, the digital still camera constantly analyzes the motion vector of the moving image data sent from the imaging unit 101. The digital still camera may be configured to determine the start of the shooting operation by detecting that the motion vector has become smaller than a certain threshold value, and to start recording into a moving image file or an OSD data recording XML file. .

Some digital still cameras have a function of continuously shooting (still image continuous shooting means). When performing a continuous shooting function in such a digital still camera, continuous shooting is normally performed by keeping the shutter button depressed. Therefore, for example, the digital still camera may be configured to continue recording in the moving image file and the OSD data recording XML file while the shutter button is pressed. In this case, the moving image data to be recorded is within a range from the first continuous shooting by the continuous shooting function to the next continuous shooting by the continuous shooting function.
In the first embodiment, the GUI information that changes as the shooting conditions are set has been described only in the case of recording using the OSD data recording XML file that records the OSD data change history. Not limited. For example, the digital still camera may be configured such that a screen on which OSD data for overlaying on a liquid crystal screen is displayed is directly recorded as moving image data.

In the first embodiment, the case where the moving image file and the OSD data recording XML file recorded so far are deleted when the power is turned off has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, it may be configured to continue recording without deleting a once generated moving image file or OSD data recording XML file.
In the first embodiment, the period from when the power is turned on or the previous still image is captured until the next still image is collected and recorded in a moving image file or an OSD data recording XML file. Although the case has been described, the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, it may be configured as a digital video camera that similarly records a moving image file and an OSD data recording XML file with respect to shooting of a moving image, not a still image. . At this time, the digital video camera captures at least one image data group arranged in time series.

(Second Embodiment)
The imaging / recording apparatus according to the second embodiment records moving image data with the operation of setting shooting conditions when the user performs still image shooting as supplementary information for shooting a still image.
Processing performed by the digital still camera will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S501, when the digital still camera detects that the user presses the power button 201, the digital still camera turns on the power and starts still image shooting according to the second embodiment.
Next, in step S502, the digital still camera generates a moving image file for recording moving image data. Here, the digital still camera records the captured still image data as a still image file in a folder structure as shown in FIG. The file configuration shown in FIG. 13 conforms to the folder configuration shown in FIG. 4 described above in the first embodiment. In the folder configuration illustrated in FIG. 13, a “DCIM” folder 802 is generated under the “ROOT” folder 801. Also, a “101CANON” folder 803 is generated under the “DCIM” folder 802. The “101CANON” folder 803 stores “IMG — 0001.jpg” still image file 805 as still image data.

  The digital still camera records the moving image file generated in step S502 in the folder structure shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the digital still camera generates an “ATT_FILE” folder 806 in the same hierarchy as the “DCIM” folder 802. The folders below the “ATT_FILE” folder 806 are generated with the same naming rule as the folder configuration conforming to the DCF standard. That is, the digital still camera generates a “101CANON” folder 807 under the “ATT_FILE” folder 806. The digital still camera records the “IMG — 0001.MOV” moving image file 808 generated in step S502 in the “101CANON” folder 807. Accordingly, the moving image file is recorded with a file path of “ATT_FILE ¥ 101CANON ¥ IMG — 0001.MOV”. With such a folder structure, the digital still camera can easily associate the still image file and the moving image file in the “DCIM” folder 802 compliant with the DCF standard.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 12, the digital still camera is ready to take a still image in the processes in and after step S503. First, in step S <b> 503, the digital still camera performs processing for displaying video data acquired from the imaging unit 101 on the display unit 105. Next, in step S504, the digital still camera executes a process of overlaying OSD data (OSD information) corresponding to the initial screen on the video data displayed on the liquid crystal screen 209 in step S503. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial screen displayed on the liquid crystal screen 209 by overlay display processing.
In step S505, the digital still camera performs processing for recording the video data displayed on the liquid crystal screen 209 in step S503 and step S504 in a moving image file. That is, video data obtained by overlaying OSD data of the initial screen as history information on video data from the imaging unit 101 is recorded in the moving image file. With the processing so far, the digital still camera finishes preparation for taking a still image.

  In step S506, the digital still camera determines whether or not the shutter button 204 is half pressed. In general, the half-pressed state of the shutter button 204 means that the user performs an actual shooting process. Therefore, when the digital still camera detects the half-pressed state of the shutter button 204, it operates autofocus. The process proceeds to step S510 and subsequent steps. Processing after the shutter button 204 is half-pressed will be described later. On the other hand, if the digital still camera does not detect the half-pressed state of the shutter button 204, the process proceeds to step S507.

  In step S507, the digital still camera determines whether the user has operated using the operation unit 115. If an operation is detected, the digital still camera moves to step S508 to perform corresponding processing. If no operation is detected, the digital still camera proceeds to step S503, newly acquires video data from the imaging unit 101, and repeats video data display processing on the liquid crystal screen 209. As described above, when the user does not perform any operation after the power is turned on, the digital still camera repeats the processes in steps S503 to S507. Also, this process is performed in conjunction with the frame rate of the recorded moving image data, whereby moving image data according to a predetermined moving image data format is recorded.

  In step S508, the digital still camera determines whether any button of the operation unit 115 has been operated. Here, a case where the ISO sensitivity setting button 207 is pressed as in the first embodiment will be described. When the digital camera detects pressing of the ISO sensitivity setting button 207, the digital camera displays an ISO sensitivity setting menu as shown in FIG. Here, processing until the digital still camera displays the ISO sensitivity setting menu will be described. First, in step S508, when the digital still camera detects pressing of the ISO sensitivity setting button 207, the process proceeds to step S509.

In step S509, the digital still camera acquires OSD data corresponding to the operation unit 115 acquired in step S508. Here, the digital still camera acquires OSD data from, for example, the OSD management unit 113 or a storage device (not shown). Thereby, the digital still camera can acquire new OSD data to be displayed on the liquid crystal screen 209. After acquiring the OSD data, the process proceeds to step S503.
In step S503, the digital still camera repeatedly performs display processing based on the acquired OSD data. As described above, every time the user performs an operation on the operation unit, the digital still camera sequentially records the setting conditions of the shooting conditions by the user as moving image data overlaid with OSD data.

  Next, a process when the digital still camera detects half-pressing of the shutter button 204 in step S506 and the process proceeds to step S510 will be described. In step S510, the digital still camera drives the autofocus function to display the optimally focused image on the liquid crystal screen 209, and the process proceeds to step S511. In step S511, the digital still camera determines whether the half-press of the shutter button 204 has been released. Here, the release of half-press means that the still image shooting is temporarily stopped, and it can be assumed that the imaging conditions are set again. Therefore, when the digital still camera detects the release of the half-press, Return to S503. Conversely, if release of the half-press of the shutter button 204 is not detected in step S511, the process proceeds to step S512, and the digital still camera determines whether or not the shutter button 204 has been pressed, that is, whether or not it has been fully pressed. To do. When the full press of the shutter button 204 is not detected, the process returns to step S511, and the digital still camera repeatedly determines whether to release the half press of the shutter button 204. If full press of the shutter button 204 is detected, the process proceeds to step S513.

In step S513, the digital still camera processes the video data of the imaging unit 101 at the time when the shutter button 204 detects full press in step S512, and generates still image data. Through the processing in step S513, the user can obtain desired still image data.
Next, in step S514, the digital still camera confirms the end of the still image shooting, and performs a process of closing the moving image file in which the moving image data generated in step S502 has been recorded. With this process, the user can acquire a moving image file on which OSD data is overlaid in association with shooting of a still image.
After executing step S514, the digital still camera moves to step S502 in order to prepare for shooting of the next still image, and generates moving image data to be associated with the next still image.

In still image shooting, the user may end shooting by turning off the power button 201 before pressing the shutter button 204. Processing in such a case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S601, the digital still camera discloses the processing when the user turns off the power button 201 and receives a request for power off.
Next, in step S602, the digital still camera determines whether or not the processing in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is before step S512. Here, the process before step S512 is a state before a request to execute still image shooting by the user is issued. If it is the process before step S512, the process proceeds to step S603.

  In step S603, the digital still camera deletes the moving image file that has been recorded from step S502. In step S605, the digital still camera performs a process of turning off the power. In step S602, if the process is subsequent to step S512, it is after a request to execute still image shooting has been issued. Therefore, the digital still camera completes shooting of the still image shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S605. In step S604, the digital still camera performs a process of turning off the power. With the above processing, the digital still camera does not need to store an extra moving image file.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, every time a still image is captured, the digital still camera records moving image data in conjunction with the still image separately from the captured still image data. Thereby, when the user changes the setting of the shooting condition, the data regarding the setting of the shooting condition reflected in the video such as white balance, focus, and framing can be recorded as the moving image data overlaid with the OSD data. Also, not only data related to shooting condition settings reflected in video, but also data related to shooting condition settings not reflected in video, such as recording size and recording quality of still images, are overlaid with OSD data when the user operates. Can be recorded as video data.
In addition, when a still image is not shot, since a moving image file is not recorded, only a necessary moving image file can be recorded.

  In this way, the user can check and review all the contents related to the setting of shooting conditions performed in the shooting of a still image by using a video file recorded in an appropriate range while tracking time. It is possible to efficiently improve its own photographing technology.

In the second embodiment, a case has been described in which a moving image file is recorded by putting together a period from the time when the power is turned on or the previous shooting of a still image to the next shooting. However, for example, a digital still camera may be configured to record only at a portion where shooting conditions are set or only at a timing when a user manually operates.
In the second embodiment, the case has been described in which the contents relating to the setting of the shooting conditions performed by the user in shooting a still image are recorded as moving image data overlaid with display OSD data. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. . For example, it may be configured to record data in a form such as a slide show using still images taken irregularly. That is, as the moving image data, at least one time series image group arranged in time series may be photographed (time series image group photographing means).

  Alternatively, the digital still camera may detect that the user has entered a shooting operation and start moving image data recording. At this time, the digital still camera needs to detect the end of the framing operation in order to detect the start of the user's photographing operation. As a method for detecting the end of the framing operation, the digital still camera constantly analyzes the motion vector of the moving image data sent from the imaging unit 101. Then, the digital still camera may be configured to determine the start of the photographing operation by detecting that the motion vector has become smaller than a certain threshold value and to start recording moving image data.

Some digital still cameras have a function of continuously shooting (still image continuous shooting means). When performing a continuous shooting function in such a digital still camera, continuous shooting is normally performed by keeping the shutter button depressed. Therefore, for example, a digital still camera may be configured to continue recording in a moving image file while the shutter button is pressed. In this case, the moving image data to be recorded is in a range from the first continuous shooting by the continuous shooting function to the next continuous shooting by the continuous shooting function.
In the second embodiment, a case has been described in which a moving image file overlaid with OSD data recorded so far is deleted when the power is turned off. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, you may comprise so that it may continue recording, without deleting the once produced moving image file.

  In the second embodiment, a case has been described in which a moving image file is recorded by putting together a period from the time when the power is turned on or the previous still image is captured until the next still image is captured. Not limited to cases. For example, it may be configured as a digital video camera that similarly records, as a moving image file, the contents of shooting condition settings that are set by the user before starting moving image recording with respect to moving image shooting instead of still image shooting. At this time, the digital video camera captures at least one image data group arranged in time series.

In the first and second embodiments, the information amount of each frame constituting the moving image data itself may be recorded so as to be different from the information amount of the still image data in which the still image is captured. More specifically, the resolution of each frame constituting the moving image data itself may be recorded so as to be lower than the resolution of the still image data. This is because the frame in the moving image data has no purpose to be used as still image data.
In the first and second embodiments, the case of recording on an SD card as a recording medium has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, a memory card using flash memory, a magnetic disk represented by HDD, an optical disk represented by CD, DVD, HDDVD, BD, or a magneto-optical disk such as MO disk may be used as the recording medium.
Further, when still image data is transmitted from the digital still camera to an external device such as a server, the moving image data and the OSD data recording XML file may be transmitted.

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can easily set the shooting condition of the still image later by recording the setting condition of the shooting condition by the user before the shooting of the still image in an appropriate range. I can confirm. Further, by recording as a text file including history information, it is possible to record even history information for setting shooting conditions that are not reflected in the video data as text data. Also, history information for setting shooting conditions that cannot be recorded only by text can be recorded as moving image data.
Furthermore, only necessary data is recorded in order to record the history information for setting the shooting conditions at the time of still image shooting in the form linked with the still image shooting. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the unnecessary pressure on the storage area.
As a result of the above, after shooting, the user looks back on his / her own judgment regarding the shooting operation and shooting conditions using moving image data or accompanying text data recorded as much as necessary in conjunction with the still image. Can do. As a result, it is possible to grasp the advantages and disadvantages, or the habits and trends of the own photographing technique, and it is possible to efficiently improve the own still image photographing technique.

  Each unit constituting the imaging / recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention or each step of the control method of the imaging / recording apparatus can be realized by operating a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. This program and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are included in the present invention.

  Further, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  The present invention supplies a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus. In addition, this includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention. In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Furthermore, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  As another method, the program read from the recording medium is first written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of the program, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a digital still camera. It is an external view of a digital still camera. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process of the digital still camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the folder which records a file. It is a figure which shows an example of the initial screen displayed on a liquid crystal screen by an overlay display process. It is a figure which shows the XML structure of the XML file for OSD data recording. It is a figure which shows the structure of a button management table. It is a figure which shows the structure of an OSD data management table. It is a figure which shows an example of the ISO sensitivity setting menu displayed on a liquid crystal screen. It is a figure which shows the XML structure of the XML file for OSD data recording to which the change log | history of OSD data was added. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process of a digital still camera when imaging | photography is complete | finished by turning off the power button which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation processing of the digital still camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the folder which records a file. It is a flowchart which shows the operation processing of a digital still camera when imaging | photography is complete | finished by turning off the power button which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101 Imaging unit 102 Imaging control unit 103 CPU
104 Display Control Unit 105 Display Unit 106 SD Card Control Unit 107 SD Card 108 SDRAM Control Unit 109 SDRAM
110 Image processing unit 111 Internal RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112 OSD control part 113 OSD management part 114 Operation data processing part 115 Operation part 201 Power button 202 Mode selection bar 203 Optical finder 204 Shutter button 205 Zoom button 206 Operation part 207 ISO sensitivity setting button 208 Menu button 209 Liquid crystal screen 210 Flash light emission part 211 lenses

Claims (19)

Shooting condition setting means for setting shooting conditions of still images;
Still image shooting means for shooting a still image based on the shooting conditions set by the shooting condition setting means;
Still image data recording means for recording still image data photographed by the still image photographing means;
A time-series image group photographing means for photographing a time-series image group in a period determined based on the timing of photographing by the still image photographing means;
And a history information recording unit that records history information of setting of shooting conditions set by the shooting condition setting unit in a period determined based on a timing of shooting by the still image shooting unit. Imaging recording device. The time-series image group is moving image data,
2. The imaging recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the history information recording unit records a change history of OSD information of the imaging condition set by the imaging condition setting unit as the history information.   3. The history information recording unit records a change history of OSD information of the shooting condition set by the shooting condition setting unit as text data including time information corresponding to the moving image data. The imaging recording device described in 1.   The history information recording means records using a time stamp corresponding to the moving image data in order to uniquely identify the change history of the OSD information of the shooting conditions set by the shooting condition setting means. The imaging recording apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. The time-series image group is moving image data,
2. The imaging recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the history information recording unit records the moving image data captured by the time-series image group capturing unit so as to include OSD information.   6. The imaging and recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the history information recording unit records OSD information in an overlaid form on the moving image data captured by the time-series image group capturing unit.   The moving image data is a range of moving image data from when the imaging / recording apparatus is turned on or from when the image was captured once by the still image capturing unit until the next image was captured by the still image capturing unit. The imaging recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging recording apparatus is a recording medium. The still image shooting means is a still image continuous shooting means for continuously shooting still images,
The moving image data is continuously photographed by the still image continuous photographing means after the imaging recording apparatus is turned on or after being continuously photographed once by the still image continuous photographing means. The imaging recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the image recording data is a moving image data in a range up to.   The moving image data is a range from when the imaging / recording apparatus is turned on, or after being shot once by the still image shooting unit, until being shot by the still image shooting unit, The imaging recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the imaging condition setting means is only moving image data for which a shooting condition is set.   The imaging recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the portion where the photographing condition setting unit sets the photographing condition is a portion where the photographing condition is set according to a manual operation.   The manual operation changes at least one of white balance setting, exposure setting, aperture setting, ISO sensitivity, angle of view setting, color setting, still image size setting, still image quality setting, and photometry mode setting. The imaging recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the imaging recording apparatus is an operation.   The moving image data is moving image data in a range from when the motion vector of moving image data shot by the time-series image group shooting unit becomes smaller than a certain threshold value until shooting by the still image shooting unit. The imaging recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging recording apparatus is provided.   The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the moving image data is different in information amount from still image data in which each frame constituting the moving image data is captured by the still image capturing unit. . The information amount is an information amount related to resolution,
The imaging recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the resolution of each frame constituting the moving image data is lower than the resolution of still image data captured by the still image capturing means. Having a recording mode detecting means for detecting selection of a recording mode by a user;
The history information recording means determines whether or not to record history information of the shooting conditions set by the shooting condition setting means, based on the recording mode detected by the recording mode detection means. The imaging recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.   16. The imaging recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the still image capturing unit captures at least one image data group arranged in time series.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the at least one image data group arranged in time series is moving image data. A recording step for recording still image shooting conditions;
A still image shooting step of shooting a still image based on the shooting conditions recorded by the recording step;
A still image data recording step for recording still image data captured by the still image capturing step;
A time-series image group photographing step of photographing a time-series image group in a period determined based on the timing of photographing by the still image photographing step;
And a history information recording step of recording history information of setting of imaging conditions recorded by the recording step in a period determined based on a timing of imaging by the still image capturing step. Device control method. A recording step for recording still image shooting conditions;
A still image shooting step of shooting a still image based on the shooting conditions recorded by the recording step;
A still image data recording step for recording still image data captured by the still image capturing step;
A time-series image group photographing step of photographing a time-series image group in a period determined based on the timing of photographing by the still image photographing step;
A program for causing a computer to execute a history information recording step of recording history information of setting of shooting conditions recorded by the recording step in a period determined based on a timing of shooting by the still image shooting step.

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