JP2011040996A - Image capturing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image capturing apparatus capable of efficiently recording an image by effectively utilizing limited capacity of a memory. <P>SOLUTION: The image capturing apparatus includes: an imaging unit 11; a buffer memory 13; and a data amount reduction part 19a. The imaging unit 11 repeatedly images a subject image to acquire a plurality of image data. The buffer memory 13 records the image data. The data amount reduction part 19a reduces data amounts of the plurality of image data recorded in the buffer memory 13 according to time elapse from specific timing while the subject image is repeatedly imaged by the imaging unit 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as an electronic camera.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for thinning out an image recorded during continuous shooting in an electronic camera that is one of imaging devices has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Thereby, in the electronic camera of patent document 1, the capacity | capacitance of the volatile memory which records an image temporarily can be saved.

JP 2000-125183 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a large number of images are recorded in a volatile memory during continuous shooting, the capacity of the limited memory becomes insufficient by simply thinning out the images. There is a risk that recording cannot be performed efficiently.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of efficiently recording an image by effectively utilizing a limited memory capacity.

  An imaging apparatus according to a first invention includes an imaging unit, a memory, and a data amount reduction unit. The imaging unit repeatedly captures a subject image and acquires a plurality of image data. The memory records image data. The data amount reduction unit reduces the data amount of the plurality of pieces of image data recorded in the memory as time elapses from a specific timing during repeated imaging by the imaging unit.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the specific timing is a start time of photographing.

  In a third aspect based on the first or second aspect, the data amount reduction unit reduces the data amount by changing a time interval for thinning out the image data.

  In a fourth aspect based on the first or second aspect, the data amount reducing unit reduces the data amount by changing the image size of the image data.

  In a fifth aspect based on the first or second aspect, the data amount reducing unit reduces the data amount by changing the compression rate of the image data.

  In a sixth aspect based on any one of the first to fifth aspects, the data amount reduction unit reduces the data amount stepwise with a plurality of reduction rates as time elapses.

  In a seventh invention according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, the seventh invention further comprises a remaining capacity calculation unit, an operation unit, and a condition setting unit. The remaining capacity calculation unit calculates the remaining capacity of the memory. The operation unit receives shooting conditions including a frame speed indicating the number of shots per unit time and a shooting recording time. The condition setting unit sets a reduction condition for reducing the data amount based on the remaining capacity calculated by the remaining capacity calculation unit, the frame speed, and the recording time. The data amount reduction unit reduces the data amount based on the reduction condition.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, an image can be efficiently recorded by effectively utilizing a limited memory capacity.

Block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the electronic camera 1 A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic camera 1 in the continuous shooting mode. Figure showing an example of the continuous shooting mode setting screen The figure which shows an example of a process of the data amount reduction part 19a The conceptual diagram which shows the relationship between the image based on the process of the data amount reduction part 19a, and elapsed time The figure which shows an example of a process of the data amount reduction part 19a after the instruction | indication of a full press operation is input. The figure which shows an example of a process of the data amount reduction part 19a when a release timing is made into a reference | standard. The figure which shows an example of a process of the data amount reduction part 19a The figure which shows an example of a process of the data amount reduction part 19a in a 1st modification. The figure which shows an example of a process of the data amount reduction part 19a in a 2nd modification. The figure explaining an example of the process of the condition setting part 19c in a 3rd modification. The figure explaining the 4th modification

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the continuous shooting mode described in the present embodiment is a shooting mode in which a subject image is repeatedly captured to acquire a plurality of image data.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the electronic camera 1. The electronic camera 1 includes a photographing lens 10, an imaging unit 11, an image processing unit 12, a buffer memory 13, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14, a display monitor 15, an operation unit 16, a release button 17, A touch panel 18, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 19, a recording interface unit (hereinafter referred to as “recording I / F unit”) 20, and a bus 21 are provided. Among these, the image processing unit 12, the buffer memory 13, the ROM 14, the display monitor 15, the CPU 19, and the recording I / F unit 20 are connected to each other via a bus 21. The operation unit 16, the release button 17, and the touch panel 18 are connected to the CPU 19.

  The imaging unit 11 captures the subject image formed by the photographing lens 10 and outputs the image. For example, the imaging unit 11 continuously outputs still images for recording during continuous shooting. Here, in the present embodiment, when the release button 17 receives an instruction input for a half-press operation during continuous shooting, the CPU 19 starts the continuous shooting preliminarily. Thereafter, when the release button 17 receives an instruction input for a full-press operation, the CPU 19 ends the continuous shooting after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  An image output by the imaging unit 11 is temporarily recorded in the buffer memory 13 as image data. The buffer memory 13 is composed of a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

  The image processing unit 12 reads the image data recorded in the buffer memory 13 and performs various image processing (gradation conversion processing, contour enhancement processing, white balance processing, etc.).

  The ROM 14 is a non-volatile memory that stores a program for controlling the electronic camera 1 in advance.

  The display monitor 15 displays a still image, a through image, an operation menu of the electronic camera 1, and the like. As the display monitor 15, a liquid crystal monitor or the like can be appropriately selected and used.

  The operation unit 16 includes, for example, a command dial for command selection, a power button, and the like, and receives an instruction input for operating the electronic camera 1. As an example, the operation unit 16 can accept input of shooting condition instructions for a frame speed indicating the number of shots per unit time and a shooting recording time when the continuous shooting mode is set.

  The touch panel 18 is an input device that detects the position of a fingertip or the like that touches the surface of the touch panel. Here, based on the information corresponding to the position detected by the touch panel 18, the CPU 19 may accept input of shooting condition instructions for the frame speed and the shooting recording time when the continuous shooting mode is set.

  Further, the recording I / F unit 20 is formed with a connector (not shown) for connecting a detachable recording medium 30. The recording I / F unit 20 accesses the recording medium 30 connected to the connector and performs image recording processing and the like. The recording medium 30 is, for example, a non-volatile memory card. FIG. 1 shows the recording medium 30 after being connected to the connector.

  The CPU 19 is a processor that controls the electronic camera 1. The CPU 19 controls each part of the electronic camera 1 by executing a sequence program stored in advance in the ROM 14. Further, the CPU 19 of the present embodiment also functions as a data amount reduction unit 19a, a remaining capacity calculation unit 19b, a condition setting unit 19c, and a timer 19d.

  The data amount reducing unit 19a reduces the data amount of the plurality of image data recorded in the buffer memory 13 along the direction of the time axis. In this embodiment, as an example, the amount of data is divided into a time lapse from the start of continuous shooting by half-press operation to the release timing (full press operation) and a time lapse from the release timing to the end of continuous shooting. Reduce.

  In this case, the data amount reducing unit 19a increases the number of images to be left toward the release timing from the start of continuous shooting. Further, the data amount reducing unit 19a reduces the number of images to be left from the release timing toward the end of continuous shooting. In other words, the data amount reducing unit 19a reduces the data amount stepwise with a plurality of reduction rates as time elapses. However, the data amount reduction unit 19a may set the reduction rate to zero for image data of the number of frames taken within 1 second before and after the release timing (full press operation), for example.

  From another point of view, the data amount reduction unit 19a reduces the data amount by dividing the time passage back to the past (previous) and the time passage toward the future (rear) based on the timing of the full press operation. .

  The remaining capacity calculator 19b calculates the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13. For example, the remaining capacity calculation unit 19 b refers to an unused area of the buffer memory 13 and calculates the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13.

  The condition setting unit 19c sets a reduction condition for reducing the data amount of the image data based on the remaining capacity calculated by the remaining capacity calculation unit 19b, the frame speed, and the recording time for continuous shooting. In addition, the condition setting unit 19c may set the reduction condition by an instruction input from the photographer via the operation unit 16 or the touch panel 18. The data amount reducing unit 19a reduces the data amount of the image data recorded in the buffer memory 13 based on the reduction condition.

  The timer 19d measures an elapsed time after receiving an instruction input for a half-press operation in the continuous shooting mode. As a specific example, the timer 19d measures the elapsed time by generating a clock signal inside the CPU 19 and counting the number of clocks based on the clock signal.

  Next, an example of the operation in continuous shooting of the electronic camera 1 in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic camera 1 in the continuous shooting mode. In the following description, a case where the continuous shooting mode function is set to ON will be described. In other words, after the electronic camera 1 is turned on, when the touch panel 18 receives an instruction input for the continuous shooting mode, the CPU 19 starts the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Step S101: The CPU 19 causes the display monitor 15 to output a continuous shooting mode setting screen. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a continuous shooting mode setting screen. FIG. 3A shows a setting screen for setting the recording time and frame rate of shooting. The horizontal axis in FIG. 3 represents the recording time (seconds) of shooting. The vertical axis in FIG. 3 represents the frame speed (fps: frame / second) corresponding to the recording time of shooting. Note that the recording time of shooting shown in FIG. 3 is displayed with reference to the release timing (full pressing operation).

  Here, in the present embodiment, the recording time of shooting is defined centering on the release timing. The CPU 19 receives an instruction input of a recording time and a frame speed via the touch panel 18. As shown in FIG. 3A, the CPU 19 causes the display monitor 15 to superimpose and display a pointer (black circle) indicating the relationship between the shooting recording time and the frame speed. In the example of FIG. 3, a straight section connecting between the black circles “ab” represents the recording time of shooting. In this case, the recording time of shooting is 6 seconds since it is 3 seconds before and after the release timing.

  In this state, when the CPU 19 receives an “OK” instruction input via the touch panel 18, the CPU 19 displays the graph shown in FIG. 3B on the display monitor. Further, when the CPU 19 receives an instruction input of “No” via the touch panel 18, the CPU 19 deletes the black circles a to d from the display screen of the display monitor 15 in order to restart the input of the shooting time and the frame speed. Let

  In FIG. 3B, the CPU 19 newly displays black circles e and f on the display monitor. Thereby, the CPU 19 sets the frame speed (black circles a to f) per unit time with the passage of time with the release timing as a reference. As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 19 provides a photographer with a GUI (Graphical User Interface) environment. Thus, the photographer can easily set the parameters for the continuous shooting mode.

  In FIG. 3, the frame speed from the half-press operation to the release timing is an apparent frame speed. Actually, as will be described later in step S103, the CPU 19 displays an image on the imaging unit 11 at 20 frames / second. To get. When the setting of the continuous shooting mode is completed, the process proceeds to step S102.

  Step S102: The CPU 19 detects the presence / absence of a half-press operation instruction input. When an instruction input for a half-press operation is received (step S102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, when the instruction input for the half-press operation is not accepted (step S102: No), the CPU 19 repeats the process of step S102.

  Step S103: The CPU 19 performs a continuous shooting process before inputting a full-press operation instruction. Specifically, the CPU 19 sends a drive signal to each of the image sensor and the A / D conversion unit via a timing generator in the imaging unit 11. Then, the CPU 19 causes the imaging unit 11 to perform continuous shooting at a frame speed (eg, 20 frames per second). The imaging unit 11 acquires image data at the frame speed.

  In this step S103, it is difficult for the CPU 19 to predict when the photographer will perform a full press operation. Therefore, the data amount reduction unit 19a reduces the data amount of the plurality of image data recorded in the buffer memory 13 as time elapses from the start of continuous shooting based on the condition set in step S101. To do. Here, a process until the CPU 19 receives an instruction input for a full-press operation will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of the data amount reduction unit 19a. The horizontal axis in FIG. 4 represents the elapsed time of continuous shooting, and the vertical axis in FIG. 4 represents the number of images (number of frames) per unit time. FIG. 4A shows that 20 frames of image data group A first captured at 20 frames / second was recorded in the buffer memory 13 after the start of continuous shooting. FIG. 4B shows the image data group B and the image data group A of 20 frames taken at the next 20 frames / second. Since the image data group A has been recorded in the buffer memory 13 and one second has passed, the data amount reducing unit 19a deletes the image of the image data group A by thinning out the half of the total number of frames. To do. Thereby, the data amount of the image data group A is reduced to half (for 10 frames). In this case, the reduction rate is 50%.

  FIG. 4C further shows an image data group C of 20 frames and image data groups A and B captured at the next 20 frames / second. Since the image data group A has been recorded in the buffer memory 13 and 2 seconds have elapsed, the data amount reducing unit 19a further thins out the number of frames (5 frames) by half for the images of the image data group A. . In this case, the reduction rate is 50%. Thereby, the data amount of the image data group A is reduced to the original 1/4 frame number (5 frames). Similarly, the data amount of the image data group B is reduced to ½ of the total number of frames (10 frames). Note that the data amount reduction unit 19a deletes all image data recorded in the buffer memory 13 and having passed 3 seconds until an instruction input for a full-press operation is received. In this case, the reduction rate is 100%. In this manner, the data amount reducing unit 19a sequentially performs the processing illustrated in FIG. 4 until receiving an instruction input for a full press operation. Here, the processing of the data amount reduction unit 19a will be described more specifically.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the image and the elapsed time based on the processing of the data amount reducing unit 19a. In FIG. 5, the image data acquired at a frame rate of 20 frames / second is reduced to 20 frames (FIG. 5A), 10 frames (FIG. 5B), and 5 frames (FIG. 5C). Represents the state to be performed. Here, in FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, a series of images are numbered in order of imaging.

  For example, when the frame speed is 20 frames / second, 20 frames of image data per second are recorded in the buffer memory 13 (FIG. 5A). When 1 second has elapsed since the image data was recorded in the buffer memory 13, the data amount reduction unit 19a deletes 10 frames of images so that the shooting intervals are equal (FIG. 5B). .

  Further, the data amount reducing unit 19a deletes five frames of images so that the shooting intervals are equal to each other for two seconds after being recorded in the buffer memory 13 (FIG. 5C). Further, the data amount reducing unit 19a deletes an image that has passed 3 seconds after being recorded in the buffer memory 13.

  Step S104: The CPU 19 detects the presence / absence of a full-press operation instruction input. When the instruction input for the full press operation is received (step S104: Yes), the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, when the instruction input for the full-press operation is not accepted (step S104: No), the process returns to step S103.

  Step S105: The CPU 19 performs a continuous shooting process after inputting a full-press operation instruction. At this time, the CPU 19 determines the image acquired before the full-press operation instruction is input and remaining in the buffer memory 13 as a recording image.

  Note that when the image capturing unit 11 acquires image data, the CPU 19 proceeds to the process of step S106 and repeats the process of step S105 when the continuous shooting is not completed. In other words, the data amount reducing unit 19a performs processing for reducing the number of images to be left from the release timing toward the end of continuous shooting.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of the data amount reduction unit 19a after inputting a full-press operation instruction. FIG. 6A shows the state before and after the instruction input for the full press operation. Here, it is assumed that following the image data group C, after the image data group D was photographed at the next 20 frames / second, an instruction for full-press operation was input. Here, since the image data group A is 3 seconds after the release timing, it is deleted by the data amount reducing unit 19a.

  The data amount reduction unit 19a sets the reduction rate to zero and does not reduce the data amount for the 20-frame image data group E acquired in one second after the release timing.

  Here, the CPU 19 switches the frame speed stepwise between 20 frames / second, 10 frames / second, and 5 frames / second after inputting the instruction for the full-press operation. FIG. 6B shows a state in which the image data group F of 10 frames is recorded at the next 10 frames / second following the image data group E. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the image data group G of 5 frames is recorded at the next 5 frames / second following the image data group F. That is, after inputting the instruction for the full-press operation, the CPU 19 gradually sets the frame speed to 20 frames / second, 10 frames / second, and 5 frames / second every time one second elapses based on the measurement time of the timer 19d. By switching, the data amount reduction unit 19a can make the data amount of the image data stepwise.

  Note that the CPU 19 may cause the image capturing unit 11 to acquire image data at a rate of 20 frames / second even after inputting a full-press operation instruction. In this case, the data amount reducing unit 19a may reduce the data amount of the image data using the method shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of the data amount reducing unit 19a when the release timing is used as a reference. The data amount reducing unit 19a thins out the data amount of the image data step by step in accordance with the passage of time in the past (front) and future (rear) directions based on the release timing.

  Step S106: The CPU 19 determines whether or not continuous shooting has been completed. That is, the CPU 19 issues an instruction to the imaging unit 11 and ends continuous shooting after n seconds (for example, 3 seconds) after the release timing. If the continuous shooting has been completed (step S106: Yes), the CPU 19 proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, when the continuous shooting is not completed (step S106: No), the process returns to step S105.

  Step S107: The CPU 19 compresses the image data obtained by the continuous shooting and stores it in the recording medium 30. Then, the CPU 19 ends the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the electronic camera 1 of the present embodiment, an image can be efficiently recorded by effectively utilizing the limited capacity of the buffer memory 13. As described above, conventionally, on the electronic camera side, it is difficult to predict when the photographer fully presses the camera. For this reason, it has been difficult for the electronic camera to shoot in multiple stages so that the frame speed is maximized toward the release timing. However, since the electronic camera 1 of the present embodiment performs continuous shooting for a long time so that the frame speed before and after the release timing is substantially maximized, the number of images to be left near the release timing is set to other times. It can be increased compared to the belt. That is, the electronic camera 1 according to the present embodiment can increase the number of images to be left near the release timing, and reduce the number of images to be left as the time elapses from the release timing toward the past and the future. Can do. Thereby, the photographer can obtain many images at the release timing and in the vicinity thereof.

In the present embodiment, the recording time for shooting is set to 3 seconds before and after the release timing as a reference (6 seconds in total). However, the recording time for shooting may be from the half-press operation to the release timing. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of the data amount reduction unit 19a. As shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 19 may record an image so as to achieve a multi-step frame speed from the half-press operation to the release timing.
(First modification)
Next, a first modification of the present embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the data amount reducing unit 19a reduces the data amount by thinning out the number of frames of image data. In the first modification, the resolution size of the image data is reduced stepwise. In the first modification, the frame speed is constant.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of the data amount reducing unit 19a in the first modification. As shown in FIG. 9, when the release timing is used as a reference, the data amount reduction unit 19a gradually changes the resolution of the image data in accordance with the passage of time toward the past (front) and the future (rear). (So-called L, M, S size) is changed. For example, the data amount reduction unit 19a changes the image data of the L size pixel to the image data of the M size pixel by thinning out the number of pixels.

  Here, as an example, the data amount reducing unit 19a sequentially changes the resolution size to L, M, and S step by step based on the release timing. In other words, the description will be based on the release timing. When 1 second elapses from the release timing, the data amount reducing unit 19a changes the resolution size from the L size to the M size. When 2 seconds elapse from the release timing, the data amount reduction unit 19a further changes the resolution size from the M size to the S size. When 3 seconds elapse from the release timing, the data amount reducing unit 19a deletes the S size image.

As described above, according to the electronic camera 1 of the first modification, the limited capacity of the buffer memory 13 can be efficiently utilized by changing the size of the resolution. In this case, the electronic camera 1 can record a high-resolution image at the release timing and in the vicinity thereof.
(Second modification)
Next, a second modification of the present embodiment will be described. In the second modification, the compression rate of the image data is reduced stepwise. In the second modification, the frame speed is constant.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of the data amount reducing unit 19a in the second modified example. As shown in FIG. 10, when the release timing is used as a reference, the data amount reducing unit 19a compresses the captured image in a stepwise manner as the time elapses before (past) and after (future). Change the rate. Here, the data amount reduction unit 19a changes the compression rate using image data in the JPEG (Joint photographic experts group) format. This JPEG has “Fine”, “Normal”, and “Basic” depending on the compression rate. Fine (F) represents high image quality, and Basic (B) represents low image quality. Normal (N) represents an intermediate image quality between Fine and Basic. The compression format is not limited to JPEG, and may be another compression format such as JPEG2000.

  For example, the data amount reducing unit 19a generates “Fine” image data from 20 frames of image data (RAW data). Then, after 1 second, the data amount reduction unit 19a deletes the “Fine” image data and generates “Normal” image data from the RAW data. Subsequently, after 2 seconds, the data amount reducing unit 19a deletes the “Normal” image data and generates “Basic” image data from the RAW data. Subsequently, the data amount reduction unit 19a deletes the “Basic” image data and the RAW data after 3 seconds.

  In FIG. 10, the description will be based on the release timing. When one second has elapsed from the release timing, the data amount reducing unit 19 a changes the image quality from Fine to Normal. When 2 seconds elapse from the release timing, the data amount reduction unit 19a changes the image quality from Normal to Basic. When 3 seconds elapse from the release timing, the data amount reduction unit 19a deletes the target image.

According to the electronic camera 1 of the second modified example, the limited capacity of the buffer memory 13 can be efficiently utilized by changing the image quality. In this case, the electronic camera 1 can record a high-quality image at the release timing and in the vicinity thereof.
(Third Modification)
Next, a third modification of the present embodiment will be described. In the third modification, when the data amount of the number of shots based on the photographer's input information (frame speed, shooting recording time) exceeds the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13, the condition setting unit 19c of the CPU 19 Set reduction conditions.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of the condition setting unit 19c in the third modification. For example, it is assumed that the photographer inputs to set the frame speed to 40 frames / second and the recording time of shooting to 10 seconds. Here, the number of shots set by the photographer is 40 (frames / second) × 10 seconds = 400 frames (frames). In this case, the remaining capacity calculation unit 19b of the CPU 19 calculates the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13. It is assumed that the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13 calculated by the remaining capacity calculation unit 19b is the data amount for 200 sheets. In FIG. 11A, the shaded area represents the number of images that can be recorded. In this case, the condition setting unit 19c, for example, (10 (frames / second) × 2 seconds) + (20 (frames / second) × 2 seconds) + (40 (frames)) as indicated by the oblique lines in FIG. / Sec) × 2 seconds) + (20 (frame / second) × 2 seconds) + (10 (frame / second) × 2 seconds) = 200 sheets (frame). The data amount reducing unit 19a reduces the data amount based on the reduction condition shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the electronic camera 1 of the third modified example, when the data amount of the number of shots set by the photographer exceeds the remaining capacity of the buffer memory 13, the vicinity of the release timing is within a range not exceeding the remaining capacity. Continuous shooting can be performed for a long time so that the frame speed before and after is maximized.

Therefore, the electronic camera 1 of the third modification can efficiently utilize the limited capacity of the buffer memory 13.
(Fourth modification)
Next, a fourth modification of the present embodiment will be described. In the above-described example, the interval between thinned shot images is equal. This is because it is possible to obtain an effect that the transition of the image tends to be smooth. In this case, the data amount reducing unit 19a thins out the number of frames of the image data group by 1/2 per unit time, but this is an example, and for example, the data amount reducing unit 19a is a fourth modified example. The following may be used.

  When the CPU 19 sets the frame speed to 60 frames / second by an input from the user, the data amount reduction unit 19a can thin out images at equal intervals by thinning out to 30 frames or 20 frames. In this case, the mathematical relationship 60 is an integer multiple of 20 and an integer multiple of 30 is established. Therefore, when the CPU 19 sets the frame speed to 60 frames / second, the data amount reduction unit 19a can thin out at equal intervals as long as it is 1 / integer of 60.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a fourth modification. Here, the frame speed is set to 6 frames / second for easy understanding. Here, since the mathematical relationship 6 is an integer multiple of 2 and an integer multiple of 3 is established, when continuous shooting is continued at 6 frames / second, etc., the cycle is 1, 2, 3, 6 etc. Means an interval.

  Therefore, when thinning out images at equal intervals, the data amount reducing unit 19a has units of (a) 6 frames (initial state), (b) 3 frames (d) 1 frame, and a deletion sequence as shown in FIG. You may thin out every hour. Alternatively, the data amount reduction unit 19a may thin out every unit time in a sequence of (a) 6 frames (initial state), (c) 2 frames (d) 1 frame, and deletion. Alternatively, the data amount reduction unit 19a may thin out every unit time in a sequence of (a) 6 frames (initial state), (b) 3 frames (c), 2 frames (d), 1 frame, and deletion. However, in this case, the fourth frame image is deleted at the stage of FIG. Therefore, when moving to the stage of FIG. 12B, the fourth frame image may be temporarily saved in another free area of the buffer memory 13, or the CPU 19 may store the third frame. The fourth frame image may be created by interpolating the image and the fifth frame image.

  As described above, according to the electronic camera 1 of the fourth modified example, even if a continuous shooting image is thinned out by introducing a mathematical relationship such as an integer multiple and thinning out images at equal intervals, the image transitions. The effect is that it is easy to be smooth.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic camera, 11 ... Imaging part, 13 ... Buffer memory, 19a ... Data amount reduction part, 19b ... Remaining capacity calculation part, 19c ... Condition setting part

Claims (7)

An imaging unit that repeatedly captures a subject image and obtains a plurality of image data;
A memory for recording the image data;
A data amount reduction unit that reduces the data amount of the plurality of image data recorded in the memory according to the passage of time from a specific timing during repeated imaging by the imaging unit;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging device according to claim 1,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific timing is a start time of photographing. In the imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
The data amount reduction unit reduces the data amount by changing a time interval for thinning out the image data. In the imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
The data amount reduction unit reduces the data amount by changing an image size of the image data. In the imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
The data amount reduction unit reduces the data amount by changing a compression rate of the image data. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data amount reduction unit reduces the data amount stepwise with a plurality of reduction rates as the time elapses. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A remaining capacity calculator for calculating the remaining capacity of the memory;
An operation unit for receiving shooting conditions of a frame speed indicating the number of shots per unit time and a shooting recording time;
A condition setting unit that sets a reduction condition for reducing the amount of data based on the remaining capacity calculated by the remaining capacity calculation unit, the frame speed, and the recording time;
The data amount reduction unit reduces the data amount based on the reduction condition.

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