JP2011019062A - Imaging device, image selection method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device for imaging a target object according to a shooting state at imaging time intervals containing the target object, and recording a crucial image, in consideration of a shutter time lag.SOLUTION: A digital camera (1) includes a solid-state imaging element 13 and a CPU 5. The CPU 5 controls the solid-state imaging element 13 to capture images continuously, and detects a recording instruction for images to be captured. The CPU 5 acquires a shooting state, and changes the imaging time interval for consecutive shooting based on the acquired shooting state. The CPU 5 accumulates a plurality of image data captured at the changed imaging time intervals, based on a timing when the recording instruction is detected. The CPU 5 acquires a time lag correction value, and selects image data among the plurality of accumulated image data based on the acquired time lag correction value.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an image selection method, and a program.

  Conventionally, in the case of shooting a subject by detecting the user's shutter button operation, there is a difference between the moment when the user recognizes the shutter opportunity and the time when the user recognizes the shutter opportunity and operates the shutter button. Since this occurs (this is called shutter time lag), there is an essential problem that it is easy to miss a photo opportunity.

  To solve this problem, the shutter time lag time is measured and continuous shooting is performed. When the user presses the shutter button, the time when the shutter time lag time measured in advance is subtracted from the time the shutter button is pressed. There is known a digital camera that can output one shot at a decisive moment by outputting a single shot (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-271673 A

  However, since the continuous shooting speed (frame rate) is not set in the technique of Patent Document 1 in consideration of the movement of the subject, even if an image can be selected with a corrected shutter time lag time, When shooting due to slow speed or the like, the subject has already deviated from the angle of view, and a definitive instantaneous image including the subject subject may not be acquired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, taking a shutter time lag into consideration, performing shooting at an imaging time interval corresponding to a shooting situation and including a target subject, and is decisive. The purpose is to be able to record a clear image.

  An imaging apparatus according to a first aspect of the invention includes an imaging unit, a continuous imaging control unit that controls the imaging unit to continuously capture images, and a recording that detects a recording instruction of an image captured by the imaging unit. An instruction detecting unit; a shooting state acquiring unit for acquiring a shooting state; a changing unit for changing an imaging time interval controlled by the continuous imaging control unit based on the shooting state acquired by the shooting state acquiring unit; Based on the timing at which the recording instruction is detected by the recording instruction detecting means, the storage means for storing a plurality of image data captured by the continuous imaging control means with the imaging time interval changed by the changing means, and a time lag correction value Based on the time lag correction value acquisition means to be acquired and the time lag correction value acquired by the time lag correction value acquisition means, the storage means From among the stored plurality of image data, characterized by comprising first selection means for selecting the first image data.

  In the imaging apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, the shooting situation acquired by the shooting situation acquisition unit is a movement of a subject included in image data continuously captured by the continuous imaging control unit. It is characterized by.

The image pickup apparatus according to the invention of claim 3 further includes shooting scene storage means for storing a plurality of sets in association with a shooting scene and an optimal shooting time interval corresponding to the shooting scene,
The shooting state acquisition unit includes a selection detection unit that detects selection of a specific shooting scene from a plurality of shooting scenes stored in the shooting scene storage unit, and an imaging corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the selection detection unit. And a reading unit that reads out the time interval from the shooting scene storage unit as an imaging time interval to be changed by the changing unit.

  The imaging apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention further includes brightness acquisition means for acquiring the brightness of the shooting environment, and the changing means is the shortest based on the brightness acquired by the brightness acquisition means. The imaging time interval is changed.

  In the imaging device according to the fifth aspect, the storage unit includes a plurality of images before and after the timing when the recording instruction is detected by the recording instruction detection unit, at least before the timing, or after the timing. Data accumulation is started.

  An image pickup apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is further characterized by further comprising display means for displaying the first image data.

  An image pickup apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention further includes a recording unit that records the first image data.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus comprising: a continuous imaging control step for controlling an imaging unit to continuously capture images; and a recording instruction detection for detecting a recording instruction for an image captured by the imaging unit. A shooting status acquisition step for acquiring a shooting status; a changing step for changing an imaging time interval controlled in the continuous imaging control step based on the shooting status acquired in the shooting status acquisition step; Based on the timing at which the recording instruction is detected in the recording instruction detection step, the accumulation time interval is changed in the changing step and a plurality of image data captured in the continuous imaging control step is accumulated in a predetermined memory. A time lag correction value acquisition step for acquiring a time lag correction value, and a time lag acquired in the time lag correction value acquisition step. Based on the correction value, from among a plurality of image data stored in said storage step, characterized in that it comprises a selection step of detecting the selection of a particular image data.

  The imaging method according to the invention described in claim 9 is a continuous imaging control means for controlling a computer included in the imaging apparatus to continuously take an image, a recording instruction detecting means for detecting a recording instruction for an image to be taken, and an imaging situation Shooting status acquisition means for acquiring the image, a change means for changing the imaging time interval controlled by the continuous imaging control means based on the shooting status acquired by the shooting status acquisition means, and a recording instruction detected by the recording instruction detection means A storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of image data captured by the continuous imaging control means in a predetermined memory, and a time lag correction value acquisition means for acquiring a time lag correction value, based on the determined timing; Based on the time lag correction value acquired by the time lag correction value acquisition means, the storage means From among the stored plurality of image data I, characterized in that to function as a selection detecting means for detecting the selection of a particular image data.

  An imaging program according to the present invention includes: a continuous imaging control unit that continuously images a subject included in a computer included in the imaging device; a timing instruction unit that a user instructs an arbitrary timing; and the timing instruction An image acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of image data picked up by the continuous image pickup control means based on a timing instructed by the means, and a predetermined period from when the user visually recognizes the subject until the timing instruction means is instructed The frame timing at which the continuous imaging control unit continuously captures images based on the shooting status acquired by the acquisition unit, the acquisition unit for acquiring the shooting status, The frame rate changing means for changing and the deviation timing information acquiring means Based on the deviation timing information, from among a plurality of image data acquired by the image acquisition means and thereby specifying means for specifying a particular image data, to function.

  According to the present invention, taking a shutter time lag into consideration, it is possible to take a picture at an imaging time interval corresponding to a shooting situation and including a subject subject, and record a definitive image.

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the frame rate table concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the time lag correction process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the frame rate change process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the time lag correction measurement process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the time lag correction measurement process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the time lag correction measurement process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the time lag correction measurement process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the time lag correction process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the time lag correction process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the frame rate table which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the frame rate change process which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(1) First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera 1 includes an imaging system 2, a memory card 3, a bus 4, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 5, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 6, an image display unit 7, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 8, and a key input unit 9. In the imaging system 2, a plurality of image data acquired by continuously capturing images at a predetermined frame rate (imaging time interval), for example, 1000 fps, is temporarily stored in the RAM 6.

  The imaging system 2 includes a lens driving block 10, a lens 11, a diaphragm 12, a solid-state imaging device 13, a driver 14, a timing generator (TG) 15, a signal processing unit 16, and the like.

  The lens driving block 10 changes the focus, magnification, and aperture 12 of the lens 11 under the control of the CPU 5 via the bus 4. The lens 11 condenses incident light on the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 13 via the diaphragm 12 and forms an optical image of the subject on the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 13.

  The solid-state imaging device 13 may be an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor). The solid-state image sensor 13 operates in accordance with various drive signals output from the driver 14 and outputs an image of an optical image formed on the imaging surface as an image signal. The CPU 5 controls the frame rate, charge accumulation time, and the like that are imaged by the solid-state imaging device 13. In the imaging system 2, the driver 14 generates a driving signal for the solid-state imaging device 13 in accordance with various timing signals output from the timing generator 15. The CPU 5 controls the timing generator 15 via the bus 4. Therefore, the timing signal output to the driver 14 is also controlled by the CPU 5.

  The signal processing unit 16 performs correlated double sampling processing (CDS: Correlated Double Sampling) on the imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device 13, and then performs automatic gain adjustment (AGC: Automatic Gain Control), analog-digital conversion processing (AD: Analog to Digital converter), and the captured image data is output to the bus 4.

  The RAM 6 is used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing frame image data sent by the CPU 5 after being imaged by the solid-state imaging device 13, and as a working memory for temporarily storing data processed by the CPU 5. used.

  The image display unit 7 is a display unit configured by a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and acquires and displays frame image data from the memory card 3 via the bus 4 under the control of the CPU 5 during reproduction. Similarly, during image capturing, the image display unit 7 acquires and displays image data from the RAM 6 via the bus 4 under the control of the CPU 5.

  The CPU 5 is a controller that controls the operation of the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment. The CPU 5 executes a program stored in the ROM 8 and responds to a user operation detected by the key input unit 9 to perform the present embodiment. The operation of each part of the digital camera 1 is controlled.

  In the present embodiment, the program executed by the CPU 5 is described as being stored in advance in the ROM 8, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the program may be recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card and provided, or may be provided by downloading via a network.

  The key input unit 9 includes a plurality of operation keys such as a shutter button that can be fully pressed halfway, a power on / off key, a mode switching key, a cross key, and a SET key, and outputs an operation signal according to a user key operation to the CPU 5. To do. The key input unit 5 has a function as a timing instruction means of the present invention. The key input unit 9 functions as an instruction input unit that receives various instructions from the user in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, it is assumed that instructions from the user are input via the key input unit 9 unless otherwise specified.

  When the CPU 5 receives an instruction to reproduce the image data (frame image data) recorded on the memory card 3 from the user, the CPU 5 sequentially acquires the corresponding image data from the memory card 3, decompresses the image data, and expands the RAM 6. To store. Further, the CPU 5 sequentially transfers the image data from the RAM 6 to the image display unit 7 and causes the image display unit 7 to display the image data. Thus, the CPU 5 reproduces a still image from the image data recorded on the memory card 3 and causes the image display unit 7 to display it.

  When detecting that the user fully presses the shutter button, the CPU 5 sequentially stores the image data acquired by controlling the imaging system 2 in the memory card 3. Further, the CPU 5 executes gamma correction processing, demosaic processing, white balance processing, and the like on the image data and stores them again in the memory card 3, and sequentially stores the stored series of image data on the image display unit 7. Transfer to and display. Thereby, the CPU 5 displays the captured monitor image on the image display unit 7.

<Frame rate table>
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a frame rate table stored in the ROM 8 according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 shows that the frame rate (fps) is recorded for each amount of motion and brightness. This frame rate indicates the frame rate (imaging time interval) at which the solid-state imaging device 13 images.

  The frame rate defined in the frame rate table is defined in various frame rates between 1 and 1000 fps, such as 15 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, and 1000 fps, although not shown. For example, a high frame rate (ie, a short imaging time interval) is specified when the main subject moves fast, and a low frame rate (ie, a long imaging time interval) is specified when the main subject moves statically or slowly. Has been. Similarly, when the brightness is high, that is, when the shooting environment including the main subject is bright, a high frame rate is specified, and when the brightness is low, a low frame rate is specified. The maximum frame rate at which a proper exposure can be obtained at the brightness of the subject is defined. Note that “None” in the item of motion amount in FIG. 2 is a frame rate corresponding to each brightness when the motion amount is not detected. In this example, the frame rate is recorded by dividing the motion amount into three stages (small, medium, and large). However, the frame rate may be recorded by dividing into two or four stages. If it is. The CPU 5 automatically changes the frame rate based on the frame rate specified in the frame rate table.

<Time lag correction processing>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the CPU 5 according to the time lag correction processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. When the still image shooting mode is set by detecting the user's operation of the mode switching key of the key input unit 9, the CPU 5 starts imaging by the solid-state imaging device 13 at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 1000 fps). Then, the frame image data sequentially captured by the solid-state imaging device 13 and output from the signal processing unit 16 is stored in the RAM 6, and so-called live view processing is started in which the stored frame image data is displayed on the image display unit 7. (Step S1). At this time, a frame called an attention image designation frame is displayed at a predetermined position (for example, the center position) on the live view display.

  Next, the CPU 5 determines whether or not a key such as a shutter button has been operated by the user (step S2). When determining that the key is not operated, the CPU 5 returns to step S1 and waits for the REC through process of step S1 until the key is operated. When it is determined that the key has been operated, the CPU 5 determines whether or not a half-press operation of the shutter button has been detected (step S3). This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to a half-press operation of the shutter button has been sent from the key input unit 9. At this time, when the user thinks that a photo opportunity will be coming soon, the subject (main subject) that the user really wants to shoot overlaps the target image designation frame, as well as performing a half-press operation of the shutter button. Sometimes press the shutter button halfway. This is because, as will be described later, when the shutter button is half-pressed, the position of the main subject overlapping the target image designation frame is sequentially detected when the shutter button is half-pressed. Therefore, the user needs to adjust the main subject to the attention image designation frame by changing the position and orientation of the digital camera.

  When it is determined that the half-press operation has not been detected, the CPU 5 performs other processing (step S4). Other processes include a frame rate change and a shooting scene change process.

  At this time, when the frame rate (continuous shooting speed) setting key is operated by the user and an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the frame rate setting key is sent from the key input unit 9, the CPU 5 sets the current frame rate. Change to the specified frame rate. Examples of the frame rate type include 15 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, and 1000 fps. At this time, when the shooting scene setting key is operated by the user and an operation signal corresponding to the shooting scene setting key is sent from the key input unit 9, the CPU 5 changes the current shooting scene to the set shooting scene. change. When the user wants to shoot the main subject under the shooting conditions of the shooting scene most suitable for the current state of the main subject, the shooting conditions can be changed by operating the shooting scene setting mode key. This shooting scene includes a plurality of shooting scenes such as “photographing a person”, “photographing a landscape”, “photographing a child”, “photographing sports”, etc., and the shooting conditions corresponding to each of the shooting scenes are also recorded. ing. When the CPU 5 determines that the half-press operation has been detected, the CPU 5 performs focus processing and exposure measurement processing (step S5). At this time, when the movement of the main subject can be determined by the CPU 5, it is determined that the subject can be predicted, and when the movement of the subject cannot be determined, it is determined that the subject cannot be predicted.

  Next, the CPU 5 starts accumulation of frame image data in consideration of a time lag correction value described later (step S6). The time lag correction value is a predetermined time from when the user visually recognizes the measurement subject 101 to when the user gives an instruction by pressing the shutter button. By acquiring this time lag correction value in advance, the user's shutter time lag can be corrected. When the movement of the main subject is determined in step S5, the time lag correction value starts to accumulate frame image data in consideration of the time lag correction value of the shooting situation in which the movement of the main subject is predicted. If the movement of the subject is not determined, accumulation of frame image data is started taking into account the time lag correction value in a shooting situation in which the movement of the main subject cannot be predicted. In this storage process, the captured frame image data is sequentially stored until the RAM 6 serving as the buffer memory runs out. When the buffer memory runs out, the newly captured frame image data is stored in the buffer. Overwriting the oldest frame image data among the plurality of frame image data stored in the memory. This accumulation process is continuously performed until the release of the shutter button is detected or a full press operation of the shutter button is detected. As a result, the frame image data from the most recently captured frame image data to a certain time before is stored. In addition, when a change in the frame rate is detected in the next step S7, frame image data captured at the changed frame rate is accumulated.

  Next, the CPU 5 performs a frame rate changing process described with reference to FIG. 4 described later (step S7). In this process, a process of automatically changing the frame rate based on the movement of the main subject and the measured brightness is performed.

  Next, the CPU 5 determines whether or not the release of the shutter button is detected when the user releases the shutter button (step S8). If it is determined that the release of the shutter button has been detected, the accumulation process in step S6 is terminated, and the process returns to the live view process in step S1. On the other hand, when it is determined that the release of the shutter button has not been detected, it is determined whether or not the shutter button has been fully pressed (step S9). This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the full pressing operation of the shutter button is sent from the key input unit 9. At this time, when the user determines that a photo opportunity has come, the user fully presses the shutter button.

  When the CPU 5 determines that the shutter button has not been fully pressed by the user, the CPU 5 returns to step S5 and repeats the processes of steps S5 to S9 until the shutter button is fully pressed.

  When the CPU 5 determines that it has detected that the shutter button has been fully pressed, it performs post-imaging processing (step S10). In this process, frame image data corresponding to the time lag correction value measured in the time lag correction measurement process described with reference to FIG. 5 described later is selected as frame image data to be recorded. Specifically, this will be described later with reference to FIGS. The CPU 5 records the selected frame image data on the memory card 3 and displays it on the image display unit 7. When this process ends, the time lag correction process ends.

<Frame rate change processing>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the CPU 5 according to the frame rate changing process according to the first embodiment of this invention. First, the CPU 5 measures the brightness in the vicinity of the main subject (imaging environment) (step S11). Next, the CPU 5 starts detecting the position of the main subject (step S12). In this process, the position of the main subject included in the frame image data sequentially accumulated by the accumulation process in step S6 is detected, and the detected position of the main subject is stored in the RAM 6.

  This method of detecting the position of the main subject causes the subject that overlaps the target image designation frame to be recognized as the main subject when the half-press operation of the shutter button is detected, and where the main subject is located in the frame image data that is sequentially accumulated. The position of the main subject may be detected using a known block matching method or the like. Note that an attention image designation frame may be displayed at the detected subject position. Thus, the attention image designation frame follows the main subject, and the user can determine whether or not the position of the main subject is reliably detected by looking at the attention image designation frame.

  Next, the CPU 5 calculates the amount of movement of the main subject based on the position of the main subject in the plurality of frame image data before and after the detection processing in step S12 at a predetermined timing. This calculation of the amount of movement is performed at a predetermined timing every 0.1 to 5 seconds when the accumulation process of step S6 is performed. The plurality of frame image data before and after the predetermined timing refers to frame image data accumulated from a predetermined number of frames before the predetermined timing (for example, 10 frames before), after a predetermined number of frames from the predetermined timing (for example, This refers to a plurality of frame image data up to the frame image data accumulated after 10 frames), and the amount of movement of the main subject (movement amount per unit time) is calculated based on the plurality of frame image data. The calculated amount of motion is acquired.

  The amount of movement of the main subject based on the plurality of frame image data is calculated based on, for example, the position of the main subject between two frame image data that are consecutive to each other among the plurality of frame image data. Each of the movement amounts may be calculated and may be an average value of the calculated movement amounts, or may be a mean square value of the movement amount of the main subject from immediately before to immediately after a predetermined timing. Note that the amount of motion may be calculated based on two pieces of frame image data, that is, frame image data of a predetermined number before the predetermined timing and frame image data after the predetermined number of times from the predetermined timing.

  Next, the CPU 5 acquires the brightness measured in step S11 and the amount of motion calculated in step S13, and refers to the frame rate table shown in FIG. 2 to determine the frame rate corresponding to the brightness and the amount of motion. Obtain (step S14). Next, the CPU 5 automatically changes the frame rate in the accumulation process performed in step S6 based on the frame rate acquired in step S14 (step S15). When this process ends, the frame rate change process ends.

<Time lag correction measurement processing>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the CPU 5 according to the time lag correction measurement processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. CPU5 will start a time lag correction measurement process, if a time lag correction measurement mode is set by operation of the mode switching key of a user's key input part 9. FIG. First, the CPU 5 performs measurement counter initialization processing (step S21). In this process, the measurement counter stored in the RAM 6 is initialized to 0, and a plurality of values corresponding to the number of times the time lag correction value is measured are set in the measurement counter. In the present embodiment, in order to measure the time lag correction value three times, a process of setting 3 to the measurement counter is performed.

  Next, the CPU 5 determines whether or not a key such as a shutter button has been operated by the user (step S22). When determining that the key is not operated, the CPU 5 returns to step S21 and waits for the measurement counter initialization process of step S21 until the key is operated. On the other hand, when determining that the key has been operated, the CPU 5 determines whether or not a half-press operation of the shutter button has been detected (step S23). This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to a half-press operation of the shutter button has been sent from the key input unit 9. When the user is ready to measure the time lag correction value, the shutter button is half-pressed.

  When it is determined that the half-press operation has not been detected, the CPU 5 performs other processing (step S24). On the other hand, if it is determined that a half-press operation has been detected, it is further determined whether or not the shutter button has been released (step S25). When the CPU 5 determines that the shutter button has been released, the CPU 5 returns to step S22 and again waits for a key operation by the user.

  On the other hand, when determining that the shutter button has been released, the CPU 5 starts measuring the time lag correction value (step S26). Specifically, when 3 is set in the measurement counter, that is, in the case of the first time lag correction value measurement, as shown in FIG. 6, nothing is initially displayed on the image display unit 7. The measurement subject 101 is displayed from the state (state of FIG. 6A) (state of FIG. 6B), and measurement of the time lag correction value is started. The measurement result obtained by measuring the first time lag correction value is measured as a time lag correction value in a shooting situation in which the movement of the subject cannot be predicted.

  When 2 is set in the measurement counter, that is, in the case of measuring the second time lag correction value, first, the measurement subject 101 freely moves on the image display unit 7 as shown in FIG. After the display (state C in FIG. 7), after a lapse of a predetermined time, the measurement subject 101 is displayed in the rectangular frame 102 provided at the approximate center of the image display unit 7 (D in FIG. 7). State) and start measuring the time lag correction value. In the second measurement of the time lag correction value, it is determined whether or not the shutter button full press operation is detected at the timing when the measurement subject 101 is displayed in the rectangular frame 102. The measurement result obtained by measuring the second time lag correction value is measured as a time lag correction value in a shooting situation in which the movement of the subject cannot be predicted.

  Further, when 1 is set in the measurement counter, that is, in the case of measuring the third time lag correction value, first, as shown in FIG. Displayed to move with a certain rule (state E in FIG. 8), and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the measurement subject 101 is displayed in a rectangular frame 102 provided substantially at the center of the image display unit 7. (The state of F in FIG. 8) and the measurement of the time lag correction value is started. In the third measurement of the time lag correction value, it is determined whether or not the shutter button full press operation is detected at the timing when the measurement subject 101 is displayed in the rectangular frame 102. The measurement result obtained by measuring the third time lag correction value is measured as a time lag correction value in a shooting situation in which the movement of the subject can be predicted.

  Next, the CPU 5 determines whether or not a full press operation of the shutter button has been detected (step S27). This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the full pressing operation of the shutter button is sent from the key input unit 9. At this time, when the user determines that the measurement subject is displayed on the image display unit 7, the user fully presses the shutter button.

  When the CPU 5 determines that the shutter button full-pressing operation has not been detected, the CPU 5 returns to step S25 and repeats the processes of steps S25 to S27 until the full-pressing operation is detected. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full pressing operation of the shutter button has been detected, a measurement process is performed (step S28). In this process, in the process of step S26, a process of measuring the time lag correction value in advance and measuring in advance the time from the user's visual recognition to pressing the shutter button as the time lag correction value is performed. This process is performed a plurality of times according to the remaining number of measurement counters. When this measurement process ends, the CPU 5 performs a process of subtracting 1 from the measurement counter.

  Next, the CPU 5 determines whether or not the measurement counter is 0 as a result of subtracting 1 from the measurement counter (step S29). When the CPU 5 determines that the remaining measurement counter is not zero, the CPU 5 returns to step S22 and measures the second time lag correction value or the third time lag correction value according to the remaining number of the measurement counter.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 5 determines that the measurement counter is 0 as a result of subtracting 1 from the measurement counter, the CPU 5 performs a measurement aggregation process (step S30). In this process, data corresponding to the number of measurement counters is measured, and the shooting situation in which the movement of the subject is predicted (measurement results of the first and second time lag correction values) and the shooting situation that cannot be predicted (third time lag correction value). And the average value of the data. If the movement of the subject can be monitored within the time lag correction process, use the average value of the time lag correction value in the shooting situation where the movement of the subject can be predicted, and if the movement of the subject cannot be monitored within the time lag correction process By using the average value of the time lag correction value in a shooting situation in which the movement of the subject cannot be predicted, the accuracy of the time lag correction value can be further increased. When this process ends, the time lag correction measurement process ends.

  With reference to FIGS. 9-12, the time lag correction process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is explained in full detail.

Here, when the frame rate set before starting the time lag correction process is 100 fps and the time lag correction value obtained in advance is −0.01 seconds, the accumulation process shown in FIG. 9 is performed. That is, when a half-press operation of the shutter button is detected at time ta ₁ , accumulation of frame image data starts at a speed of 100 frames / second (100 fps), that is, at a speed of 1 frame per 0.01 second. Is done. The plurality of frame image data are sequentially stored in the RAM 6.

Then, at the time ta ₂ when the full press operation of the shutter button is detected, the frame image data A that is 0.01 seconds that is the time lag correction value from the time ta ₂ is selected, and this frame image data A is stored in the memory card 3. To be recorded. That is, the frame image data A that is one frame back from the time ta _{2 corresponding} to the time lag correction value of −0.01 seconds is the frame image data that takes into account only the time lag correction value (−0.01 seconds). When the time lag correction value is positive “+”, the frame image data after the time corresponding to the time lag correction value from the time ta ₂ when the user fully presses the shutter button is specified. .

Here, even after the storage process is started, whether the release of the shutter button is detected, if the motion amount of the main subject at the time ta ₃ before full press operation is detected is changed (for example, When the amount of movement is changed from small to large), the CPU 5 refers to the frame rate table in FIG. 2 and can obtain the maximum exposure based on the brightness of the shooting environment including the current main subject. Get the frame rate. If the frame rate acquired at this time is 1000 fps, the frame rate set before the start of the time lag correction process is changed from 100 fps to 1000 fps.

  Then, the accumulation process shown in FIG. 10 is performed based on the changed frame rate until the release of the shutter button is detected, the full-pressing operation is detected, or the frame rate is changed again. When the frame rate is changed to 1000 fps, accumulation of frame image data is started at a speed of 1000 frames / second (1000 fps), that is, at a speed of 1 frame per 0.001 second. The plurality of frame image data are sequentially stored in the RAM 6.

Then, at the time ta ₂ when the full pressing operation of the shutter button is detected, the frame image data B that is 0.01 seconds that is the time lag correction value from the time ta ₂ and 10 frames in the past is selected. This frame image data B is recorded on the memory card 3.

  Therefore, when the main subject moves fast and is imaged at a relatively low frame rate of 100 fps, an image of a decisive moment including the main subject can be recorded even if the shutter time lag is corrected. However, if it is determined that recording is possible even at a high frame rate of 1000 fps based on the amount of movement of the main subject and the brightness of the shooting environment including the main subject as described above, it is higher than 100 fps ( By changing to 1000 fps (the imaging time interval is short), the possibility of acquiring a decisive moment image increases.

  As described above, since the frame rate during the accumulation process is changed to the maximum (the shortest shooting time interval) according to the brightness of the shooting environment including the main subject, the appropriate exposure is set for the brightness of the main subject. And the possibility of acquiring frame image data including the main subject can be maximized.

  In addition, since a plurality of frame image data before and after the detection timing of the full-press operation of the shutter button is stored among a plurality of frame image data captured continuously, the shutter button of the shutter button is based on the time lag correction value. The frame image data with the corrected shutter timing can be selected from the frame image data before the full-press operation detection timing.

  Further, by storing the specified frame image data in the memory card 3, it is possible to record more quickly than recording all the frame image data continuously shot, and the storage capacity of the memory card 3 is also wasted. There is nothing to do.

  Also, by displaying the specified frame image data on the image display unit 7, a frame image in which a decisive moment is photographed much faster than when redisplaying and confirming the frame image data continuously shot multiple times. Data can be easily confirmed.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. In the first embodiment, the frame rate is changed according to the amount of movement of the main subject, whereas in the second embodiment, the frame rate is changed according to the selected shooting scene. Different from the first embodiment. The structure, control circuit, and the like of the digital camera 1 of the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. However, the frame rate changing process of FIG. 12 is executed instead of the frame rate changing process of FIG. Further, as the frame rate changing process is changed, the frame rate table of FIG. 11 is referred to instead of the frame rate table of FIG.

<Frame rate table>
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a frame rate table stored in the ROM 8 according to the second embodiment of this invention. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the frame rate (fps) is stored in association with the shooting scene and brightness (brightness of the shooting environment including the main subject).

  The frame rate stored in the frame rate table is not shown, but various frame rates between 1 and 1000 fps, such as 15 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, 1000 fps, etc., are defined. For example, if the shooting scene can be predicted to be fast, such as “shooting sports” or “shooting children”, a high frame rate is prescribed, and the shooting scene is set to “shoot a person” or “shoot a landscape”. In the case where the motion of the subject can be predicted to be stationary or slow, a low frame rate is defined. Similarly, when the brightness is high, that is, when the brightness near the subject is bright, a high frame rate is defined, and when the brightness is low, that is, when the brightness near the subject is dark, a low frame rate is specified. However, the maximum frame rate at which a proper exposure can be obtained at the brightness of the subject is specified. Note that “None” in the shooting scene item in FIG. 11 is a frame rate corresponding to each brightness when the shooting scene is not selected. Here, the frame rate is recorded for each of the shooting scenes, “shoot a person”, “shoot a landscape”, “shoot a child”, and “shoot a sport”. It is sufficient that the frame rate is recorded in a plurality of stages.

<Frame rate change processing>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the CPU 5 according to the frame rate changing process according to the second embodiment of this invention. Steps S102 and S104 are the same processes as steps S11 and S15 of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment.

  First, the CPU 5 acquires a shooting scene selected by the user (step S101). If no shooting scene is selected by the user, “None” is selected. Next, the CPU 5 measures the brightness of the shooting environment including the main subject (step S102).

  Next, the CPU 5 acquires the shooting scene acquired in step S101 and the brightness measured in step S102, and refers to the frame rate table shown in FIG. 11 to determine the frame rate corresponding to the shooting scene and brightness. Read and acquire (step S103). Next, the CPU 5 automatically changes the frame rate of the accumulation process performed in step S6 based on the frame rate acquired in step S103 (step S104). When this process ends, the frame rate change process ends.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, when the shooting scene is predicted to move quickly, that is, when “shoot a sport” or “take a person”, the frame rate is set. For example, by automatically changing to a high frame rate of 1000 fps and continuously capturing images, it is possible to record a decisive moment image including the main subject while the main subject is within the angle of view of the digital camera 1. .

  The digital camera 1 according to various embodiments has been described above. In the present embodiment, the frame image data corresponding to the time lag correction value is specified in the post-imaging processing in step S10, and only the specified frame image data is recorded in the memory card 3, and the specified Although the frame image data is displayed on the image display unit 7, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 5 identifies the frame image data based on only the timing at which the shutter button full-pressing operation is detected, from the plurality of frame image data accumulated by the accumulation process, regardless of the time lag correction value.

  In the present embodiment, the time lag correction values obtained by dividing the time lag correction values when the motion of the main subject can be predicted and when the motion cannot be predicted are averaged. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of time lag correction values may be aggregated into one and used as an average value as time lag correction values in all shooting states.

1 Digital Camera 2 Imaging System 3 Memory Card 4 Bus 5 CPU
6 RAM
7 Image display 8 ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Key input part 10 Lens drive block 11 Lens 12 Aperture 13 Solid-state image sensor 14 Driver 15 Timing generator 16 Signal processing part

Claims (9)

Imaging means;
Continuous imaging control means for controlling the imaging means to continuously capture images;
Recording instruction detecting means for detecting a recording instruction of an image captured by the imaging means;
Shooting status acquisition means for acquiring shooting status;
Based on the shooting situation acquired by the shooting situation acquisition means, changing means for changing the imaging time interval controlled by the continuous imaging control means,
An accumulation unit that accumulates a plurality of image data captured by the continuous imaging control unit with an imaging time interval changed by the changing unit based on a timing when the recording instruction is detected by the recording instruction detection unit;
Time lag correction value acquisition means for acquiring a time lag correction value;
First selection means for selecting first image data from a plurality of image data stored by the storage means based on the time lag correction value acquired by the time lag correction value acquisition means;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging situation acquired by the imaging situation acquisition unit is a movement of a subject included in image data continuously captured by the continuous imaging control unit. A shooting scene storage means for storing a plurality of sets of shooting scenes and an optimum shooting time interval corresponding to the shooting scene;
The shooting state acquisition unit includes a selection detection unit that detects selection of a specific shooting scene from a plurality of shooting scenes stored in the shooting scene storage unit, and an imaging corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the selection detection unit. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a reading unit that reads the time interval from the shooting scene storage unit as an imaging time interval to be changed by the changing unit. It further comprises brightness acquisition means for acquiring the brightness of the shooting environment,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes the shortest imaging time interval based on the brightness acquired by the brightness acquiring unit. The storage means includes
5. The storage of a plurality of image data is started at least before, before or after the timing when a recording instruction is detected by the recording instruction detecting means. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the first image data.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising recording means for recording the first image data. A continuous imaging control step for controlling the imaging unit to continuously capture images;
A recording instruction detection step of detecting a recording instruction of an image captured by the imaging unit;
A shooting status acquisition step for acquiring the shooting status;
Based on the shooting situation acquired in this shooting situation acquisition step, a change step for changing the imaging time interval controlled in the continuous imaging control step;
Based on the timing when the recording instruction is detected in the recording instruction detecting step, the imaging time interval is changed in the changing step, and a plurality of image data captured in the continuous imaging control step is stored in a predetermined memory. An accumulation step;
A time lag correction value acquisition step for acquiring a time lag correction value;
Based on the time lag correction value acquired in the time lag correction value acquisition step, a selection detection step for detecting selection of specific image data from among a plurality of image data stored in the storage step;
An image selection method comprising: A computer included in the imaging apparatus;
Continuous imaging control means for controlling continuous imaging;
Recording instruction detection means for detecting a recording instruction of an image to be captured;
Shooting status acquisition means for acquiring shooting status,
Changing means for changing the imaging time interval controlled by the continuous imaging control means based on the imaging situation acquired by the imaging situation acquisition means;
A storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of image data captured by the continuous imaging control unit in which the imaging time interval is changed by the changing unit based on the timing at which the recording instruction is detected by the recording command detection unit;
Time lag correction value acquisition means for acquiring a time lag correction value;
Selection detection means for detecting selection of specific image data from among a plurality of image data stored by the storage means based on the time lag correction value acquired by the time lag correction value acquisition means;
A program characterized by functioning as

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