JP2010273035A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device which attains real-time and high-speed live view, attains high definition during reproduction, and reduces power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: In imaging mode, a camera controller 108 transfers digital image data to an EVF unit 102 through a transmitter 114 at a first display speed, and the EVF unit 102 performs live view display at first resolution, for example, 640×480 pixels of an image size (VGA) and at a display rate 60fps. On the other hand, in reproduction mode, the camera controller 108 divides the digital image data into four parts, for example, and transfers the data to the EVF unit 102 through the transmitter 114 at a second display speed slower than the first display speed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera to which a display unit for displaying a captured image and a reproduced image is attached.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera has a liquid crystal monitor (LCD) used for visually recognizing a standby image (hereinafter referred to as a live view) and a reproduced image as performance increases. A display device typified by such a liquid crystal monitor can also display a high-definition image.

  On the other hand, as a digital camera, a single-lens reflex camera type is widespread. This type of digital camera is available on the market as an electronic viewfinder (Electronic View Finder: hereinafter referred to as EVF) that eliminates the mirror for the viewfinder screen for further miniaturization and high-speed continuous shooting.

  The EVF can be unitized and separated from the camera unit which is the camera body. When the EVF unit and the camera unit are separated, data transmission between the EVF unit and the camera unit is performed via a transmission means that is electrically connected.

  In the live view state, the user performs framing and focusing. For this reason, real-time performance and high-speed display are required for live view display in EVF. Further, when reproducing an image, relatively high speed of image reproduction is not required, but there is a demand for high-definition display of an image in order to confirm whether or not the image is in focus. In order to realize such a request, processing such as shortening the cycle of the internal clock in the camera unit is required, but this leads to an increase in power consumption. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses that EVF display data is compressed in the camera unit to reduce the data amount, the compressed display data is transmitted to the EVF unit, and the display data is expanded by the EVF unit. .

JP 2004-104222 A

In Patent Document 1, EVF display data is compressed in the camera unit, and the display data is expanded in the EVF unit. However, a relatively large circuit is required for compression / expansion without impairing the image quality. In addition, the compression / decompression process causes a delay due to a complicated process, which may impair the real-time performance during live view.
An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that enables real-time performance and high-speed display during live view, enables high-definition display during reproduction, and can reduce power consumption.

  An imaging apparatus according to a main aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit that converts a subject image into an electrical signal, an image processing unit that processes the electrical signal output from the imaging unit to generate image data, and the image A display unit that displays the image data generated by the processing unit, and if in the shooting mode, controls the imaging unit and the image processing unit to send the image data to the display unit at a first display speed. If the live view display is performed at the first resolution and the playback mode is selected, the image capturing unit and the image processing unit are controlled to display the image data at a second display speed that is slower than the first display speed. And a control unit that transmits to the display unit and performs reproduction display at a second resolution higher than the first resolution.

  An imaging apparatus according to a main aspect of the present invention displays a camera unit having an imaging unit that converts a subject image into an electrical signal, and image data that is detachable from the camera unit and transferred from the camera unit. In an imaging apparatus comprising a display unit, an image processing unit that processes the electrical signal output from the imaging unit to generate the image data, and the image data output from the image processing unit is displayed on the display unit unit. A transfer unit that transfers to the display unit, and if in the shooting mode, the image pickup unit and the image processing unit are controlled to send the image data to the display unit at a first display speed to display a live view at a first resolution. If the playback mode is selected, the image pickup unit and the image processing unit are controlled to increase the image data at a second display speed that is slower than the first display speed. Send to the display unit and a control unit to perform the reproduction and display a high second resolution than the first resolution.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that enables real-time performance and high-speed display during live view, enables high-definition display during playback, and suppresses power consumption.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera system according to the present invention. The figure which shows the flow of the data in the same apparatus. The shooting mode operation | movement flowchart in the same apparatus. The reproduction mode operation | movement flowchart in the same apparatus.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera system, and FIG. 2 shows a data flow in the apparatus. The digital camera system 100 includes a digital camera unit 101 and an EVF unit 102 as a display unit. The EVF unit 102 can be attached to and detached from the digital camera unit 101.

  The digital camera unit 101 includes a photographing lens 103, an image sensor 104, an image signal processing unit 105, a first memory control unit 106, a first memory (hereinafter referred to as camera work memory) 107, a first CPU (hereinafter referred to as a camera controller) 108, a card interface 109, a storage medium 110, a first system bus 111, a first driver 112, and an LCD provided on the back of the camera of the digital camera unit 101 A first image display unit (hereinafter referred to as a rear LCD) 113, a transmitter (parallel / serial conversion unit) 114 as a transfer unit for transferring digital image data or the like to the EVF unit 102, and one type of image format JPEG decoder (hereinafter referred to as JPEG decoder) 1 And a 5.

  Among these, to the camera controller 108, an image sensor 104, an image signal processing unit 105, a first memory control unit 106, and a decoder 115 are connected via a first system bus 111. The camera controller 108 issues commands to the image sensor 104, the image signal processing unit 105, the first memory control unit 106, and the decoder 115 via the first system bus 111 to control the operation.

  On the other hand, the EVF unit 102 includes a receiver (serial / parallel converter) 121, an EVF driver 123, a second image display unit (hereinafter referred to as an EVF LCD) 124 that is an electronic viewfinder (EVF), Second memory control unit 125, second memory (hereinafter referred to as EVF work memory) 126, second CPU (hereinafter referred to as EVF controller) 127, ROM 128, second system bus 122, Have Among these, the EVF controller 127 is connected to the receiver 121, the EVF driver 123, the EVF LCD 124, the second memory control unit 125, and the EVF work memory 126 via the second system bus 122. Yes. The EVF controller 127 issues commands to the receiver 121, the EVF driver 123, the EVF LCD 124, and the second memory control unit 125 through the second system bus 122 to control the operation.

Hereinafter, specific configurations of the digital camera unit 101 and the EVF unit 102 will be described.
In the present embodiment, for example, the display output resolution during live view is 640 × 480 pixels in the image size (VGA), the resolution of the rear LCD 113 provided on the back of the camera is 640 × 480 pixels, and the resolution of the EVF LCD 124 is, for example. Is 1280 × 960 pixels (Quad-VGA) which is twice (4 times) each in the vertical and horizontal directions of the image size (VGA).

The transmission rate between the digital camera unit 101 and the EVF unit 102 is, for example, 20 Mbps. Note that transmission is performed at 60 fps in the VGA size.
The signal transfer rate during live view of the image sensor 104 is 60 fps. The display rate of the back LCD 113 and the EVF LCD 124 provided on the back of the camera is 60 fps.

In the digital camera unit 101, the photographing lens 103 forms a subject image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 104.
The image sensor 104 has a CCD or a CMOS, and has processing blocks such as CDS and A / D conversion inside. The image sensor 104 captures a subject image formed on the imaging surface by the photographing lens 103, and outputs the digital image signal. Output. The image sensor 104 is, for example, a CCD or a CMOS image sensor.

  The first memory control unit 106 temporarily stores the digital image signal output from the image sensor 104 in the camera work memory 107. The camera work memory 107 is also used as a buffer memory when the image signal processing unit 105 performs image processing. The camera work memory 107 preferably has a high data writing / reading speed, and can be constituted by a DRAM, for example. The image sensor 104, the image signal processing unit 105, the camera controller 108, and the rear LCD 113 are accessible to the camera work memory 107 through the system bus 111. Note that the first memory control unit 106 has a function of arbitrating access requests from the image sensor 104, the image signal processing unit 105, the camera controller 108, and the rear LCD 113.

  The image signal processing unit 105 is configured by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or the like. The image signal processing unit 105 synchronizes with the digital image signal output from the image sensor 104 and temporarily stored in the camera work memory 107 (demosaic processing), white balance adjustment, gradation / level correction, unsharp masking Then, digital image data is generated by processing such as shading correction.

Further, the image signal processing unit 105 executes the following three processes.
As a first process, the image signal processing unit 105 generates a live view image and performs a display live view process (live view image display process) on the rear LCD 113 or the EVF LCD 124 in the shooting mode.
As the second processing, the image signal processing unit 105 generates image data for recording based on a digital image signal acquired by imaging by the image sensor 104, and performs recording processing on the image data.
As a third process, the image signal processing unit 105 reads the recorded image data, and performs an image based on the image data on the rear LCD 113 or the EVF LCD 124 (reproduction display process).

  The storage medium 110 can use various memories. The storage medium 110 may be constituted by, for example, a flash memory, and may be built in the digital camera unit 101 or detachable from the digital camera unit 101. In the storage medium 110, when image recording processing is performed by the image signal processing unit 105, image data generated by the image signal processing unit 105 is JPEG-compressed as necessary and recorded through the card interface 109.

  The rear LCD 113 and the EVF LCD 124 are configured by a color liquid crystal (color LCD) panel. Further, as an element other than the liquid crystal, an organic EL (electroluminescence: OPEL), a plasma display panel, or the like may be used. The rear LCD 113 is a monitor display panel provided on the rear or side surface of the digital camera system 100.

The transmitter 114 includes a parallel / serial converter and a differential transmitter. The transmitter 114 performs parallel / serial conversion on the parallel digital image signal by the parallel / serial conversion unit, and transmits the digital image signal converted into the serial signal by the differential transmission unit, for example, a TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Differential) signal. Is transmitted to the EVF unit 102. The transmission destination of the transmitter 114 is not limited to the EVF unit 102 but may be a television monitor or the like. That is, the transmission signal output from the transmitter 114 can be received by all HDMI receivers according to, for example, the HDMI (High Definition Multitimedia Interface) standard, so that a transmitter such as the transmitter 114 can be shared.
The JPEG decoder 115 decompresses digital image data.

  The system bus 111 includes control signals and data between the camera controller 108, the image sensor 104, the image signal processing unit 105, the first memory control unit 106, and the decoder 115 via the first system bus 111. Used when transferring

The camera controller 108 generally controls the operation of the digital camera system 100. For example, the camera controller 108 performs a series of operations such as photometry relating to automatic exposure, exposure amount calculation, charging of the main capacitor for the flash unit, adjustment of the light emission amount of the flash, zoom driving of the photographing lens 103, and focusing. Receiving a shooting mode setting operation by the photographer, sending a control signal to the EVF LCD 124 in the rear LCD 113 or the EVF unit 102, opening and closing of a shutter (not shown), and opening of an aperture (not shown). Control and so on.
The camera controller 108 performs overall control of the operation of the image processing unit 105. That is, the camera controller 108 performs a display live view process (live view image display process), a recording process (image recording process), and a live view process (playback display process) of a reproduced image with respect to the image processing unit 105. A command is issued to perform one of the processes.

  Further, the camera controller 108 can set the shooting mode and the playback mode, for example, by an operation unit (not shown). Of these, in the shooting mode, the camera controller 108 controls the image sensor 104 and the image processing unit 105 to transfer digital image data to the EVF unit 102 through the transmitter 114 at the first display speed. Live view display is performed at a first resolution, for example, 640 × 480 pixels of the image size (VGA) and a display rate of 60 fps.

  In this photographing mode, the camera controller 108 transfers the digital image data output from the image processing unit 105 to the EVF unit 102 through the transmitter 114 as shown in FIG. For example, the camera controller 108 performs thinning readout from each pixel of the image sensor 104 and transfers the digital image data acquired by the thinning readout to the EVF unit 102 at a transfer rate, for example, 20 Mbps (VGA size is transmitted at 60 fps).

On the other hand, in the playback mode, the camera controller 108 controls the image sensor 104 and the image processing unit 105 as shown in FIG. 2, and the second display speed is lower than the first display speed. The digital image data (Quad-VGA) is divided into four equal parts and transferred to the EVF unit 102 through the transmitter 114 (that is, the Quad-VGA is transmitted at 15 fps). In the playback mode, the digital image data is divided into a plurality of pieces and transferred to the EVF unit 102. Therefore, the image data for one screen becomes larger than the transfer of the digital image data thinned out as in the shooting mode. The time it takes to slow down.
Further, the EVF unit 102 has a second resolution higher than the first resolution, for example, 1280 × 960 pixels (Quad-VGA) that is twice (4 times) each in the vertical and horizontal directions of the image size (VGA), and Reproduction display is performed at a display rate of 60 fps. Since the display rate of the EVF LCD 124 is defined by the characteristics of the liquid crystal element, if the display rate is lowered from 60 fps, it cannot be displayed accurately on the EVF LCD 124. Since the rate of image data sent from the camera controller 108 is 15 fps, the image data displayed on the EVF LCD 124 is displayed once for every four displays. Therefore, the display rate is apparently 15 fps.

  In the playback mode, the camera controller 108 transmits digital image data output from the image processing unit 105 to the JPEG decoder 115 as shown in FIG. 2, decompresses the JPEG decoder 115, and transfers the digital image data to the EVF unit 102 through the transmitter 114. To do.

  The camera controller 108 determines whether or not the EVF unit 102 is attached. When the EVF unit 102 is attached, the camera controller 108 recognizes the resolution of the EVF unit 102, and according to the recognition result, the shooting mode and the reproduction mode. The resolution and display rate of the digital image data in are set. Since the resolution of the EVF unit 102 is set in advance depending on the model or the like, it can be dealt with by storing in advance the resolution of the digital image data of these models and the display rate corresponding to the resolution.

The resolution of the EVF unit 102 is recognized when the EVF unit 102 is attached to the digital camera unit 101. When the EVF unit 102 is attached to the digital camera unit 101, at this time, data is transmitted and received between the camera controller 108 and the EVF controller 127. At the time of this data transmission and reception, the EVF controller 127 is stored in, for example, the ROM 128. Data of the resolution of the EVF unit 102 stored in advance is transmitted to the camera controller 108. Accordingly, the camera controller 108 receives the resolution data of the EVF unit 102 sent from the EVF controller 127 and recognizes the resolution of the EVF unit 102.
Further, the resolution of the EVF unit 102 may be recognized by providing, for example, a pin in the mechanical attachment mechanism between the digital camera unit 101 and the EVF unit 102, and by the difference in the number or shape of the pins.

On the other hand, in the EVF unit 102, the receiver 121 performs serial / parallel conversion on digital image data transferred from the transmitter 114 of the digital camera unit 101.
The EVF driver 123 drives the EVF LCD 124.

  The second memory control unit 125 temporarily stores the digital image data serial / parallel converted by the receiver 121 in the EVF work memory 126. The EVF work memory 126 preferably has a high data writing / reading speed, and can be constituted by, for example, a DRAM. The EVF work memory 126 can be accessed by the receiver 121, the EVF driver 123, the EVF LCD 124, and the EVF controller 127 through the system bus 122. The second memory control unit 125 has a function of arbitrating access requests from the receiver 121, the EVF driver 123, the EVF LCD 124, and the EVF controller 127.

The EVF controller 127 displays the VGA size digital image data serial / parallel converted by the receiver 121 on the EVF LCD 124 in the vertical and horizontal directions during live view.
The EVF controller 127 converts the resolution of the digital image data transferred from the digital camera unit 101 in accordance with the resolution of the EVF LCD 124 during the shooting mode.

  Further, the EVF controller 127 JPEG-decompresses the digital image data serial / parallel converted by the receiver 121 during the reproduction mode, and then sets the resolution of the EVF LCD 124 in the EVF unit 102 in the vertical and horizontal directions of the image size (VGA). Double (4 times) 1280 × 960 pixels (Quad-VGA).

  Further, the EVF controller 127 synthesizes the digital image data divided into a plurality of parts and displays them on the EVF LCD 124 during the reproduction mode. In this case, the EVF controller 127 sequentially stores each of the divided digital image data in the EVF work memory 126 via the second memory control unit 125, and each digital image data stored in the EVF work memory 126. , And display image data that matches the display size of the EVF LCD 124 is constructed.

Next, the operation of the imaging mode of the imaging apparatus configured as described above will be described according to the imaging mode operation flowchart shown in FIG.
When the camera controller 108 recognizes in step S101 that it is in the imaging mode when the power is turned on (Power ON) or has switched from another mode to the imaging mode, the process proceeds to step S102, where the live view mode is set. Is turned on.
Next, the camera controller 108 determines whether or not the EVF unit 102 is attached in step S103. If the EVF unit 102 is attached as a result of this determination, the camera controller 108 recognizes the resolution of the EVF unit 102 in step S104, and according to the recognition result, the first digital image data in the shooting mode is recognized. The number of pixels and the first display speed are set. For example, the camera controller 108 controls the image sensor 104 and the image processing unit 105, transfers digital image data to the EVF unit 102 through the transmitter 114 at a first display speed, and the EVF unit 102 has a first resolution, for example, It is set to perform live view display at a display rate of 60 fps with 640 × 480 pixels of the image size (VGA).

  Next, in step S105, the camera controller 108 notifies the EVF controller 127 of the EVF unit 102 that the live view mode is set. Note that data transmission between the camera controller 108 and the EVF controller 127 is performed via the first system bus 111, the image signal processing unit 105, the transmitter 114, the receiver 121, and the second system bus 122. Done.

  During this imaging mode, the imaging element 104 captures a subject image formed on the imaging surface by the photographing lens 103 and outputs the digital image signal. At this time, the first memory control unit 106 temporarily stores the digital image signal output from the image sensor 104 in the camera work memory 107.

Next, in step S <b> 106, the image signal processing unit 105 corresponds to each pixel of the digital image signal temporarily stored in the camera work memory 107 except for a predetermined pixel among all the pixels of the image sensor 104. Only a signal is thinned out and a live view image is generated.
Next, in step S107, the image signal processing unit 105 performs synchronization (demosaic processing), white balance adjustment, gradation / level correction, unsharp mask, shading correction on the live view image generated by thinning out reading. The digital image data is generated by performing the above process. The digital image data generated by the image signal processing unit 105 is transferred to the transmitter 114 under the control of the camera controller 108 as shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S108, the transmitter 114 performs parallel / serial conversion of the parallel digital image signal by the parallel / serial conversion unit, and the digital image signal converted to serial is transmitted by the differential transmission unit, for example, a TMDS signal. Is transmitted to the EVF unit 102.

On the other hand, the receiver 121 of the EVF unit 102 performs serial / parallel conversion on the digital image data transferred from the transmitter 114 of the digital camera unit 101 in step S109.
Next, the second memory control unit 125 temporarily stores the digital image data serial / parallel converted by the receiver 121 in the EVF work memory 126 in step S110.

Next, the EVF controller 127 interpolates the digital image data temporarily stored in the EVF work memory 126 via the second memory control unit 125, and as shown in FIG. The data is converted into digital image data having a VGA size of 4 times that is doubled vertically and horizontally.
Next, in step S111, the EVF controller 127 displays the digital image data of 4 times the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the VGA size on the EVF LCD 124 at a display rate of 60 fps.
The EVF controller 127 displays the digital image data on the EVF LCD 124 as a moving image by repeating steps S106 to S111.

  On the other hand, as a result of determining whether or not the EVF unit 102 is attached, if the EVF unit 102 is not attached, the image signal processing unit 105 moves to step S112 and is temporarily stored in the camera work memory 107. Only a signal corresponding to each pixel excluding a predetermined pixel among all the pixels of the image sensor 104 among the digital image signals being read out is read out to generate a live view image. This live view image has a VGA size, and the signal transfer rate during live view of the image sensor 104 is 60 fps.

  Next, in step S113, the image signal processing unit 105 performs synchronization (demosaic processing), white balance adjustment, gradation / level correction, unsharp mask, shading correction on the live view image generated by thinning out reading. The digital image data is generated by performing the above process.

  Next, the first driver 112 displays the digital image data generated by the image signal processing unit 105 on the rear LCD 113 in step S114. This live view image is displayed in VGA size and at a display rate of 60 fps on the rear LCD 113.

Next, the reproduction mode operation of the imaging apparatus will be described with reference to a reproduction mode operation flowchart shown in FIG.
When the camera controller 108 recognizes in step S201 that the playback mode has been switched on when the power is turned on (Power ON) or has switched from another mode to the playback mode, the process proceeds to step S202, where the recording medium 110 is switched. For example, digital image data designated by a manual operation with respect to the operation unit is selected from among the plurality of digital image data stored in.

  Next, in step S203, the camera controller 108 determines whether or not the EVF unit 102 is attached. If the EVF unit 102 is attached as a result of this determination, the camera controller 108 recognizes the resolution of the EVF unit 102 in step S204, and the second digital image data in the playback mode is determined according to the recognition result. The number of pixels and the second display speed are set. For example, the camera controller 108 controls the image sensor 104 and the image processing unit 105 as shown in FIG. 2, and converts the digital image data into a second display speed slower than the first display speed, that is, the digital image data. It is set to be divided into a plurality of parts, for example, divided into four equal parts and transferred to the EVF unit 102 through the transmitter 114.

  In step S205, the camera controller 108 notifies the EVF controller 127 of the EVF unit 102 that the playback mode is set.

  Next, in step S206, the JPEG decoder 115 decompresses one digital image data selected from a plurality of digital image data stored in the recording medium 110. Here, the digital image data to be decompressed is decompressed, for example, for each divided digital image data out of each digital image data obtained by dividing one piece of all digital image data into four.

Next, in step S207, the camera controller 108 resizes the expanded digital image data to double (4 times) the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the VGA size.
Next, the camera controller 108 temporarily stores the decompressed digital image data in the camera work memory 107 via the first memory control unit 106 in step S208.
Next, in step S209, the camera controller 108 expands one divided digital image data out of the four divided digital image data and temporarily stores it in the camera work memory 107. = 1.

  Next, the camera controller 108 transfers one division of the digital image data to the transmitter 114 in step S210. At this time, the digital image data of one division is VGA size and the transfer rate is 60 fps.

  Next, in step S211, the transmitter 114 performs parallel / serial conversion on one parallel digital image data by the parallel / serial conversion unit, and transmits the digital image signal converted to serial to the transmission signal by the differential transmission unit. For example, a TMDS signal is generated and transmitted to the EVF unit 102.

On the other hand, the receiver 121 of the EVF unit 102 performs serial / parallel conversion on one divided digital image data transferred from the transmitter 114 of the digital camera unit 101 in step S212.
Next, in step S213, the second memory control unit 125 temporarily stores one divided digital image data serial / parallel converted by the receiver 121 in a predetermined area in the EVF work memory 126.

Next, the EVF controller 127 determines in step S214 whether n = 4. That is, it is determined whether or not all four divided digital image data from the digital camera unit 101 have been received and temporarily stored in the EVF work memory 126.
If n = 4 as a result of this determination, the EVF controller 127 adds n = n + 1 and notifies the camera controller 108 that n = 4 is not satisfied in step S215.

  Again, in step S <b> 210, the camera controller 108 transfers one divided digital image data to the transmitter 114. Thereafter, steps S210 to S215 are repeated until the EVF controller 127 determines that n = 4.

Next, all the four divided digital image data are received and temporarily stored in the EVF work memory 126. When n = 4, the EVF controller 127 passes through the second memory control unit 125 in step S216. Then, all of the four divided digital image data are read from the EVF work memory 126, and in step S217, these digital image data are synthesized, and display image data matching the display size of the EVF LCD 124 is constructed. The display image data is displayed on the EVF LCD 124 at a display rate of 60 fps as digital image data that is four times the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the VGA size. As already described, the apparent display rate of the image data of the EVF LCD 124 is 15 fps.
Next, in step S218, the EVF controller 127 determines whether or not other digital image data has been selected from among the plurality of digital image data stored in the recording medium 110, for example, by manual operation on the operation unit. If the result of this determination is that no other digital image data has been selected, the EVF controller 127 returns to step S216. When another digital image data is selected, the EVF controller 127 proceeds to step S206.

On the other hand, if the EVF unit 102 is not attached as a result of the determination as to whether or not the EVF unit 102 is attached, the JPEG decoder 115 applies the digital image data stored in the recording medium 110 in step S219. To stretch.
Next, the image signal processing unit 105 moves to step S220 and resizes the expanded digital image data to the VGA size.
Next, in step S221, the image signal processing unit 105 displays the digital image data resized to the VGA size on the rear LCD 113 via the first driver 112 at a display rate of 60 fps.

  Next, in step S222, the camera controller 108 determines whether or not other digital image data is selected from among the plurality of digital image data stored in the recording medium 110 by, for example, a manual operation on the operation unit. If no other digital image data is selected as a result of this determination, the camera controller 108 returns to step S221. When other digital image data is selected, the camera controller 108 proceeds to step S219.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, in the photographing mode, the digital image data is transferred to the EVF unit 102 through the transmitter 114 at the first display speed, and the EVF unit 102 has the first resolution, for example, the image. When the live view display is performed at a size (VGA) of 640 × 480 pixels and a display rate of 60 fps, and in the playback mode, digital image data is displayed at a second display speed lower than the first display speed, that is, a digital image. The data is divided into a plurality of parts, for example, divided into four equal parts, and transferred to the EVF unit 102 through the transmitter 114. As a result, real-time performance and high-speed display during live view are possible, high-definition display during playback is possible, and power consumption can be reduced.

  That is, during live view, digital image data having a relatively low resolution and a high frame rate is transferred from the digital camera unit 101 to the EVF unit 102, and the EVF unit 102 performs resolution conversion (pixel interpolation) suitable for the EVF LCD 124 for display. To do. As a result, real-time characteristics and high-speed display during live view can be realized.

  In the playback mode, high-resolution digital image data is divided and transferred from the digital camera unit 101 to the EVF unit 102 at the same transfer rate (bandwidth) as in live view, and the EVF unit 102 transmits the divided data in time series. High-definition images can be displayed by reconstructing and displaying each digital image data. And since a transmission band does not widen, power consumption can be suppressed. As a result, high-definition display in the playback mode can be realized without increasing power consumption.

  The camera controller 108 determines whether or not the EVF unit 102 is attached. When the EVF unit 102 is attached, the camera controller 108 recognizes the resolution of the EVF unit 102. Therefore, the shooting mode is selected according to the resolution of the EVF unit 102. In addition, the resolution and display rate of the digital image data in the reproduction mode can be automatically set.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.
In the above-described embodiment, the digital camera system 100 has been described so that the digital camera unit 101 and the EVF unit 102 can be attached and detached. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the digital camera unit 101 and the EVF unit 102 are integrally configured. May be.
The digital camera unit 101 can be detachably attached to not only the EVF unit 102 but also a display unit of another model.

  100: Digital camera system, 101: Digital camera unit, 102: EVF unit, 103: Shooting lens, 104: Image sensor, 105: Image signal processing unit, 106: First memory control unit, 107: First memory ( Camera work memory), 108: first CPU (camera controller), 109: card interface, 110: storage medium, 111: first system bus, 112: first driver, 113: first image display unit, 114: Transmitter (parallel / serial conversion unit), 115: JPEG decoder, 121: Receiver (serial / parallel conversion unit), 122: Second system bus, 123: EVF driver, 124: Second image display unit ( EVF LCD), 125: second memory control unit, 126: second memory ( VF working memory), 127: second CPU (EVF controller), 128: ROM.

Claims (12)

An imaging unit that converts a subject image into an electrical signal;
An image processing unit that processes the electrical signal output from the imaging unit to generate image data;
A display unit for displaying the image data generated by the image processing unit;
In the shooting mode, the image pickup unit and the image processing unit are controlled to send the image data to the display unit at a first display speed to perform live view display at a first resolution. For example, the imaging unit and the image processing unit are controlled to send the image data to the display unit at a second display speed that is slower than the first display speed, and the second resolution higher than the first resolution. A control unit for reproducing and displaying at a resolution of
An imaging apparatus comprising: The control unit sends the image data to the display unit with the first number of pixels in the photographing mode to perform the live view display, and if in the reproduction mode, the control unit sends the image data to the first number of pixels. A larger number of second pixels is sent to the display unit for playback display.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   If the control unit is in the shooting mode, the control unit controls the image capturing unit and the image processing unit, thins out the image data acquired by the image capturing unit, transfers the image data to the display unit, and performs the playback. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the mode, the imaging unit and the image processing unit are controlled to divide the image data into a plurality of parts and transfer the divided image data to the display unit. In an imaging apparatus comprising a camera unit having an imaging unit that converts a subject image into an electrical signal, and a display unit that is detachable from the camera unit and displays image data transferred from the camera unit.
An image processing unit that processes the electrical signal output from the imaging unit to generate the image data;
A transfer unit that transfers the image data output from the image processing unit to the display unit unit;
In the shooting mode, the image pickup unit and the image processing unit are controlled to send the image data to the display unit at a first display speed to perform live view display at a first resolution. For example, the imaging unit and the image processing unit are controlled to send the image data to the display unit at a second display speed that is slower than the first display speed, and the second resolution higher than the first resolution. A control unit for reproducing and displaying at a resolution of
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The control unit sends the image data to the display unit with the first number of pixels in the photographing mode to perform the live view display, and if in the reproduction mode, the control unit sends the image data to the first number of pixels. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a reproduction display is performed by sending the image to the display unit with a larger second number of pixels.   In the photographing mode, the control unit controls the imaging unit and the image processing unit, thins out the image data output from the image processing unit, and transfers the image data to the display unit through the transfer unit. In the reproduction mode, the image pickup unit and the image processing unit are controlled to divide the image data output from the image processing unit into a plurality of pieces and transfer them to the display unit through the transfer unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that:   7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the display unit synthesizes and displays the plurality of image data divided into a plurality during the reproduction mode.   The display unit sequentially stores the plurality of image data transferred through the transfer unit in the playback mode in the playback mode, and synthesizes the image data stored in the memory to display in accordance with a display size. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image data is constructed.   The number of pixels of one piece of the image data divided into the plurality of pieces of image data during the reproduction mode is equal to the number of pixels of the image data transferred to the display unit during the photographing mode. The imaging device according to claim 6.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display unit converts the resolution of the image data transferred through the transfer unit according to a resolution of the display unit during the photographing mode.   5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the camera unit decompresses the image data output from the image processing unit and transfers the image data to the display unit through the transfer unit during the playback mode.   The control unit determines whether or not the display unit is attached. When the display unit is attached, the control unit recognizes the resolution of the display unit, and the image in the shooting mode is determined according to the recognition result. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first display speed and the first resolution of data, and the second display speed and the second resolution in the reproduction mode are set.

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