JP2014127797A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera capable of improving operability relating to interval image-capturing.SOLUTION: An imager 16 outputs raw image data representing an imaging scene. The outputted raw image data are converted into image data of a YUV format through processing in a preprocessing circuit 20 and a post-processing circuit 34. When an interval image-capturing mode is selected, each time an imaging period comes, a CPU 26 acquires the image data representing the imaging scene and further accepts an operation of a shutter button 28sh between the imaging periods. The image data representing the imaging scene are also acquired when the shutter button 28sh is operated. The CPU 26 displays a difference time representing a difference between the lapse of time from the last imaging period and a time corresponding to the imaging period on a small-sized LCD 44 in relation to the acceptance of the operation of the shutter button 28sh.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly to an electronic camera having an interval shooting function.

  An example of this type of camera is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to this background art, when there is an instruction to turn on the power before the recording start time of the predetermined number of frames of moving image data comes after the instruction to turn off the power in the interval recording mode, the moving image data in the interval recording mode Recording continues. On the other hand, if there is an instruction to turn on the power after the recording start time of a predetermined number of frames has arrived after the instruction to turn off the power in the interval recording mode, the recording of the moving picture data in the interval recording mode is performed. Stopped. As a result, when the power is turned on again after the power is turned off during the interval shooting, the interval shooting can be automatically continued.

JP 2012-80340 A

  However, in the background art, information related to the next recording start time is not output to the operator, and operability is limited.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that can improve operability.

  An electronic camera according to the present invention (10: reference numeral corresponding to the embodiment; the same applies hereinafter) includes an imaging unit (16) for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on an imaging plane, and an imaging unit every time a specified time elapses. First acquisition means (S95) for acquiring an electronic image from the receiver, reception means (S55, S25, S33) for receiving an image acquisition operation from the operator between the processes of the first acquisition means, and imaging in response to reception of the reception means Second acquisition means (S39) for acquiring an electronic image from the means, and notification means (S65) for outputting different notifications according to the elapsed time from the previous processing of the first acquisition means in relation to the processing of the reception means Prepare.

  Preferably, the notification corresponds to difference information indicating a difference between the elapsed time and the specified time.

  Preferably, the accepting unit accepts an image acquisition operation during a specific time period assigned between the processes of the first obtaining unit, and the notifying unit outputs the notification during the specific time period.

  More preferably, the length of the specific time period is shorter than the length of the specified time period, and the time corresponding to the end of the specific time period comes before the time corresponding to the end of the specified time period.

  Preferably, the first display means (S79) for displaying the electronic image obtained by the previous processing of the first obtaining means on the monitor screen, and the output from the imaging means during a predetermined period prior to the current processing of the first obtaining means. Second display means (S81 to S83) for displaying the electronic image on the monitor screen is further provided.

  Preferably, first storage means (S97) for storing the electronic image acquired by the first acquisition means in the first file, and second storage means for storing the electronic image acquired by the second acquisition means in the second file. (S41) is further provided.

  The imaging control program according to the present invention provides an imaging unit each time a specified time elapses in the processor (26) of the electronic camera (10) including an imaging unit (16) that outputs an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging plane. The first acquisition step (S95) for acquiring an electronic image from the receiver, the reception step (S55, S25, S33) for receiving an image acquisition operation from the operator between the processing of the first acquisition step, and imaging in response to the reception of the reception step A second acquisition step (S39) for acquiring an electronic image from the means, and a notification step (S65) for receiving a different notification according to the elapsed time from the previous processing of the first acquisition step and outputting it in relation to the processing of the step An imaging control program for execution.

  An imaging control method according to the present invention is an imaging control method executed by an electronic camera (10) including an imaging means (16) that outputs an electronic image representing a scene captured on an imaging surface, and a specified time elapses. A first acquisition step (S95) for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means every time, a reception step (S55, S25, S33) for receiving an image acquisition operation from the operator between the processes of the first acquisition step, and a reception step A second acquisition step (S39) for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means in response, and a notification step for outputting different notifications according to the elapsed time from the previous processing of the first acquisition step in relation to the processing of the receiving step (S65).

  An external control program according to the present invention includes an imaging means (16) for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on an imaging surface, and a processor (26) for executing processing according to an internal control program stored in a memory (46). An external control program supplied to the electronic camera (10), which is operated between the first acquisition step (S95) and the first acquisition step for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means every time a specified time elapses Reception step (S55, S25, S33) for receiving an image acquisition operation from the person, second acquisition step (S39) for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means in response to reception of the reception step, and previous processing of the first acquisition step In order to cause the processor to execute a notification step (S65) that outputs different notifications in response to the elapsed time from the reception step (S65) in association with the processing of the step. This is an external control program.

  An electronic camera (10) according to the present invention includes an image pickup means (16) for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on an image pickup surface, a capture means (48) for capturing an external control program, and an external control captured by the capture means. An electronic camera comprising a processor (26) that executes processing according to a program and an internal control program stored in a memory (46), and the external control program acquires an electronic image from the imaging means every time a specified time elapses A first acquisition step (S95), a reception step (S55, S25, S33) for receiving an image acquisition operation from the operator between the processing of the first acquisition step, and an electronic image from the imaging means in response to the reception of the reception step The second acquisition step (S39) to be acquired and the notification that differs depending on the elapsed time from the previous processing of the first acquisition step are related to the processing of the receiving step The outputs Te informing step (S65) corresponds to the internal control program in cooperation with a program to be executed.

  The image acquisition operation is accepted by the accepting means between the processes of the first obtaining means, and a different notification is output in relation to the process of the accepting means depending on the elapsed time from the previous process of the first obtaining means. The operability related to shooting at a specified time is improved.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of this invention. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the mapping state of SDRAM applied to FIG. 1 Example. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the allocation state of the evaluation area in an imaging surface. FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing a part of the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 1 in a normal photographing mode. It is a timing diagram which shows a part of operation | movement of FIG. 1 Example in an interval imaging | photography mode. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the difference time displayed on a small LCD monitor. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing still another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing still another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the other Example of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Basic configuration]

  Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic camera of this embodiment is basically configured as follows. The imaging unit 1 outputs an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging surface. The first acquisition unit 2 acquires an electronic image from the imaging unit 1 every time the designated time elapses. The accepting unit 3 accepts an image obtaining operation from the operator between the processes of the first obtaining unit 2. The second acquisition unit 4 acquires an electronic image from the imaging unit 1 in response to reception by the reception unit 3. The notification means 5 outputs different notifications related to the processing of the reception means 3 according to the elapsed time from the previous processing of the first acquisition means 2.

The image acquisition operation is accepted by the accepting means 3 between the processes of the first obtaining means 2, and different notifications according to the elapsed time from the previous process of the first obtaining means 2 are related to the process of the accepting means 3. By outputting, operability related to shooting at a specified time is improved.
[Example]

  Referring to FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 of this embodiment includes a focus lens 12 and an aperture unit 14 driven by drivers 18a and 18b, respectively. The optical image that has passed through these members is irradiated onto the imaging surface of the imager 16 and subjected to photoelectric conversion. Thereby, a charge corresponding to the optical image is generated.

  The key input device 28 is provided with a shutter button 28sh and a mode switch 28md. When the normal photographing mode is selected by the mode changeover switch 28md, the normal photographing task is activated, and when the interval photographing mode is selected by the mode changeover switch 28md, the interval photographing task is activated. The normal shooting task is also activated when the shutter button 28sh is operated between interval shootings.

  Under the normal shooting task, the CPU 26 first instructs the driver 18c, the pre-processing circuit 20 and the post-processing circuit 34 to execute moving-image capturing, and instructs the LCD driver 36 to execute moving-image display.

  In response to a vertical synchronization signal Vsync periodically generated from an SG (Signal Generator) (not shown), the driver 18c exposes the imaging surface and reads out the charges generated on the imaging surface in a raster scanning manner. From the imager 16, raw image data based on the read charges is periodically output.

  The preprocessing circuit 20 performs processing such as digital clamping, pixel defect correction, and gain control on the raw image data output from the imager 16. The raw image data subjected to these processes is written into the raw image area 32a (see FIG. 3) of the SDRAM 32 through the memory control circuit 30.

  The post-processing circuit 34 reads the raw image data stored in the raw image area 32a through the memory control circuit 30, and performs color separation processing, white balance adjustment processing, and YUV conversion processing on the read raw image data. The YUV format image data thus generated is written into the YUV image area 32b (see FIG. 3) of the SDRAM 32 by the memory control circuit 30.

  The LCD driver 36 repeatedly reads the image data stored in the YUV image area 32b through the memory control circuit 30, and drives the LCD monitor 38 based on the read image data. As a result, a real-time moving image (through image) representing the scene captured on the imaging surface is displayed on the monitor screen.

  Referring to FIG. 4, an evaluation area EVA is assigned to the center of the imaging surface. The evaluation area EVA is divided into 16 in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and 256 divided areas form the evaluation area EVA. In addition to the above-described processing, the preprocessing circuit 20 shown in FIG. 2 executes simple Y conversion processing that simply converts raw image data into Y data.

  The AE evaluation circuit 22 integrates RGB data belonging to the evaluation area EVA among the Y data generated by the preprocessing circuit 20 every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. As a result, 256 integral values, that is, 256 AE evaluation values, are output from the AE evaluation circuit 22 in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync. The AF evaluation circuit 24 integrates the high-frequency component of Y data belonging to the evaluation area EVA among the Y data generated by the preprocessing circuit 20 every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. As a result, 256 integral values, that is, 256 AF evaluation values, are output from the AF evaluation circuit 24 in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync.

  When the shutter button 28sh provided in the key input device 28 is in a non-operating state, the CPU 26 executes a simple AE process based on the 256 AE evaluation values output from the AE evaluation circuit 22, and sets an appropriate EV value. calculate. The aperture amount and exposure time that define the calculated appropriate EV value are set in the drivers 18b and 18c, whereby the brightness of the through image is roughly adjusted.

  With further reference to FIG. 5, when the shutter button 28sh is half-pressed, the CPU 26 executes a strict AE process with reference to 256 AE evaluation values output from the AE evaluation circuit 22, and calculates an optimum EV value. To do. The aperture amount and the exposure time that define the optimum EV value are also set in the drivers 18b and 18c. Thereby, the brightness of the through image is adjusted strictly.

  The CPU 26 also executes AF processing based on the 256 AF evaluation values output from the AF evaluation circuit 24. The focus lens 12 is moved in the optical axis direction by the driver 18a in order to search for a focal point, and is arranged at the focal point found by this. As a result, the sharpness of the through image is improved.

  When the shutter button 28sh is fully pressed, the CPU 26 instructs the LCD driver 36 to stop moving image display. The display on the LCD monitor 38 is updated from a through image to a black image. Subsequently, the CPU 26 executes the still image capturing process by itself and instructs the memory I / F 40 to execute the recording process.

  As a result of the still image capturing process, one frame of image data representing the scene at the time when the shutter button 28sh is fully pressed is saved from the YUV image area 32b to the recorded image area 32c (see FIG. 3). The memory I / F 40 reads one frame of image data stored in the recording image area 32 c through the memory control circuit 30 and records a still image file containing the read image data on the recording medium 42. The moving image display is resumed after the recording process is completed.

  Referring to FIG. 6, when the interval shooting task is activated by selecting the interval shooting mode, the CPU 26 first shifts the power mode to the power saving mode. As a result, power supply to circuits other than the CPU 26 and the key input device 28 is interrupted. In the interval shooting mode, the time corresponding to the imaging cycle is set to 5 minutes, for example. Until the time 30 seconds before the time corresponding to the set imaging period arrives, the power saving mode is maintained unless the shutter button 28sh is operated. Hereinafter, the time 30 seconds before the time corresponding to the imaging cycle is defined as “time immediately before the imaging cycle”.

  If the shutter button 28sh is operated before the time immediately before the imaging cycle arrives, the CPU 26 returns the power mode from the power saving mode to the normal power mode, and activates the normal shooting task. When the shutter button 28sh is half-pressed and fully pressed after the normal shooting task is activated, the still image file is recorded on the recording medium 42 as described above. The operator can shoot a desired scene between interval shootings.

  The CPU 26 repeatedly calculates a time corresponding to the difference between the elapsed time from the previous imaging cycle and the time corresponding to the imaging cycle (= 5 minutes) under the interval shooting task, and the calculated time is stored in the small LCD 44. Display (see FIG. 7). Thereby, a grace time until the next imaging cycle is notified to the operator.

  The elapsed time from the start of the normal shooting task is measured by the timer TM. The activated normal photographing task is stopped when a time-out occurs in the timer TM (= whether the measurement time reaches 30 seconds) or when the time immediately before the imaging cycle arrives. When a timeout occurs, the power mode is shifted to the power saving mode in addition to stopping the normal shooting task. When the time immediately before the imaging cycle arrives, the normal shooting task is stopped after waiting for the time required to record the image data.

  When the time immediately before the imaging cycle arrives, the CPU 26 returns the power mode from the power saving mode to the normal power mode as necessary. Subsequently, the CPU 26 instructs the memory I / F 40 to read the image data recorded at the time of the previous imaging cycle, and instructs the LCD driver 36 to display an image based on this image data, in order to reproduce the previous frame image. To do.

  On the recording medium 42, a moving image file is prepared for interval shooting, and image data before the previous frame is stored in the moving image file. The memory I / F 40 reads the image data designated by the CPU 26 from the moving image file, and writes the read image data into the reproduction image area 32d (see FIG. 3) of the SDRAM 32 through the memory control circuit 30. The LCD driver 36 reads the image data stored in the reproduction image area 32d through the memory control circuit 30, and drives the LCD monitor 38 based on the read image data. As a result, the previous frame image is displayed on the monitor screen.

  Thereafter, the CPU 26 instructs the driver 18c, the pre-processing circuit 20 and the post-processing circuit 34 to execute the moving image capturing, and instructs the LCD driver 36 to execute the moving image composition display. The moving image capturing is executed as described above, whereby YUV image data is repeatedly written in the YUV image area 32 b of the SDRAM 32.

  The LCD driver 36 reads the image data from the YUV image area 32b in parallel with the reading of the image data from the reproduction image area 32d, combines the read image data with each other, and the LCD based on the combined image data. The monitor 38 is driven. As a result, a corresponding composite image (= an image obtained by combining a through image with the previous frame image) is displayed on the monitor screen. The operator can adjust the angle of view with reference to the displayed composite image.

  The simple AE process is repeatedly executed from the start of the composite image display until the imaging cycle comes. As a result, the brightness of the through image is appropriately adjusted. When the imaging cycle arrives, the CPU 26 executes strict AE processing and AF processing. The brightness of the through image is strictly adjusted by the strict AE process, and the sharpness of the through image is improved by the AF process.

  When the AF process is completed, the CPU 26 instructs the LCD driver 36 to stop displaying the moving image. The display on the LCD monitor 38 is updated from a through image to a black image. Subsequently, the CPU 26 executes the still image capturing process by itself and instructs the memory I / F 40 to execute the recording process.

  As a result of the still image capturing process, one frame of image data representing the scene at the time when the shutter button 28sh is fully pressed is saved from the YUV image area 32b to the recorded image area 32c. The memory I / F 40 reads one frame of image data stored in the recorded image area 32c through the memory control circuit 30, and stores the read image data in a moving image file for interval shooting. The power mode is shifted to the power saving mode after the recording process is completed.

  The CPU 26 executes a plurality of tasks including a main task shown in FIG. 8, a normal shooting task shown in FIGS. 9 to 10 and an interval shooting task shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 in parallel under the control of the multitask OS. . Note that control programs corresponding to these tasks are stored in the flash memory 46.

  Referring to FIG. 8, in step S1, the current mode set by mode changeover switch 28md is detected. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the current mode is the normal shooting mode. In step S5, it is determined whether or not the current mode is the interval shooting mode.

  If the determination result in step S3 is YES, the normal shooting task is started in step S7, and if the determination result in step S5 is YES, the interval shooting task is started in step S9. If the determination result in step S3 and the determination result in step S5 are both NO, other processing is executed in step S11.

  When the process of step S7, S9 or S11 is completed, it is repeatedly determined in step S13 whether or not the mode switch 28md has been operated. When the determination result is updated from NO to YES, the task activated by the process of step S7, S9 or S11 is stopped in step S15, and then the process returns to step S1.

  Referring to FIG. 9, in step S21, moving image capture is started, and in step S23, moving image display is started. As a result of the processing in step S21, raw image data representing a scene captured on the imaging surface is output from the imager 16, and corresponding YUV format image data is output from the post-processing circuit. Further, as a result of the processing in step S23, a through image based on the image data output from the post-processing circuit 34 is displayed on the LCD monitor 38.

  In step S25, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 28sh is half-pressed. As long as the determination result is NO, the simple AE process is repeated in step S27. As a result, the brightness of the through image is roughly adjusted. When the determination result in step S25 is updated from NO to YES, the strict AE process is executed in step S29, and the AF process is executed in step S31. The brightness of the through image is strictly adjusted by the strict AE process, and the sharpness of the through image is improved by the AF process.

  In step S33, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 28sh is fully pressed. In step S35, it is determined whether or not the operation of the shutter button 28sh is released. If the determination result of step S35 is YES, it will return to step S25 as it is, and if the determination result of step S33 is YES, it will return to step S25 through the process of steps S37-S43.

  In step S37, the moving image display is stopped, and in step S39, still image capturing is executed. In step S41, the memory I / F 40 is commanded to execute the recording process, and in step S43, the moving image display is resumed.

  As a result of the processing in step S37, the display on the LCD monitor 38 is updated from the through image to the black image. Further, as a result of the processing in step S39, one frame of image data representing the scene at the time when the shutter button 28sh is fully pressed is saved from the YUV image area 32b to the recorded image area 32c.

  Further, as a result of the processing in step S41, the memory I / F 40 reads out one frame of image data stored in the recording image area 32c through the memory control circuit 30, and records a still image file containing the read image data. Recording on the medium 42. Further, as a result of the processing in step S43, the display on the LCD monitor 38 is updated from a black image to a through image.

  Referring to FIG. 11, in step S51, the power mode is shifted to the power saving mode, and in step S53, it is determined whether or not the time immediately before the imaging cycle has come. If the decision result in the step S53 is YES, the power mode is returned from the power saving mode to the normal power mode in a step S63, and thereafter, the process proceeds to a step S79.

  On the other hand, if the result of step S53 is NO, it is determined in step S55 whether or not the shutter button 28sh has been operated. If a determination result is NO, it will return to Step S53, and if a determination result is YES, it will progress to Step S57.

  In step S57, the power mode is returned from the power saving mode to the normal power mode, and in step S59, the normal photographing task is activated. When the process of step S59 is completed, the timer TM is reset and started in step S61. In step S65, a time corresponding to the difference between the elapsed time from the previous imaging cycle and the time corresponding to the imaging cycle (= 5 minutes) is calculated, and the calculated time is displayed on the small LCD 44. Thereby, a grace time until the next imaging cycle is notified to the operator.

  In step S67, it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred in the timer TM (whether or not the measurement time has reached 30 seconds), and in step S69, it is determined whether or not the time immediately before the imaging cycle has come. If the decision result in the step S67 is YES, the normal photographing task is stopped in a step S71, the power mode is shifted to the power saving mode in a step S73, and then the process returns to the step S53. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S69 is YES, the process waits in a step S75 (standby time: time required for recording image data), stops the normal photographing task in a step S77, and then proceeds to a step S79. .

  In step S79, in order to reproduce the previous frame image, the memory I / F 40 is instructed to read out the image data recorded by the previous steps S95 to S97, and the LCD driver 36 displays the image based on this image data. Command.

  The memory I / F 40 reads desired image data from the moving image file for interval shooting recorded on the recording medium 42, and writes the read image data to the reproduction image area 32 d through the memory control circuit 30. The LCD driver 36 reads the image data stored in the reproduction image area 32d through the memory control circuit 30, and drives the LCD monitor 38 based on the read image data. As a result, the previous frame image is displayed on the monitor screen.

  In step S81, moving image capturing is started, and in step S83, synthesized display of moving images is started. The LCD driver 36 reads the image data from the YUV image area 32b in parallel with the reading of the image data from the reproduction image area 32d, combines the read image data with each other, and the LCD based on the combined image data. The monitor 38 is driven. As a result, a corresponding composite image (= an image obtained by combining a through image with the previous frame image) is displayed on the monitor screen.

  In step S85, it is determined whether or not an imaging cycle has come. The simple AE process in step S87 is repeatedly executed as long as the determination result is NO. As a result, the brightness of the through image is appropriately adjusted. When the determination result in step S85 is updated from NO to YES, the strict AE process is executed in step S89, and the AF process is executed in step S91. The brightness of the through image is strictly adjusted by the strict AE process, and the sharpness of the through image is improved by the AF process.

  When the AF process is completed, the moving image display is stopped in step S93, and the still image capturing process is executed in step S95. In step S97, the memory I / F 40 is commanded to execute the recording process, and in step S99, the power mode is shifted to the power saving mode.

  As a result of the processing in step S93, the display on the LCD monitor 38 is updated from the composite image to the black image. Further, as a result of the processing in step S95, one frame of image data representing the scene at the time when the shutter button 28sh is fully pressed is saved from the YUV image area 32b to the recorded image area 32c. Further, as a result of the processing in step S97, the memory I / F 40 reads out one frame of image data stored in the recording image area 32c through the memory control circuit 30, and reads the read image data into a moving image file for interval shooting. Store. When the process of step S99 is completed, the process returns to step S53.

  As can be understood from the above description, the imager 16 outputs raw image data representing a captured scene. The output raw image data is converted into YUV format image data through the processes of the pre-processing circuit 20 and the post-processing circuit 34. When the interval shooting mode is selected, the CPU 26 acquires image data representing an imaging scene every time the imaging cycle arrives (S95), and further accepts an operation of the shutter button 28sh between the imaging cycles (S55, S25, S33). Image data representing a captured scene is also acquired when the shutter button 28sh is operated (S39). The CPU 26 also displays a difference time representing a difference between the elapsed time from the previous imaging cycle and the time corresponding to the imaging cycle on the small LCD 44 in connection with acceptance of the operation of the shutter button 28sh (S65).

  As described above, when the operation of the shutter button 28sh is accepted between the imaging cycles, different notifications are output in association with the acceptance of the operation of the shutter button 28sh depending on the elapsed time from the previous imaging cycle. This improves the operability related to interval shooting.

  In this embodiment, the time indicating the difference between the elapsed time from the previous imaging cycle and the time corresponding to the imaging cycle is output as a notification. However, the time corresponding to the imaging cycle may be divided into a plurality of time zones, and a mark representing the time zone to which the elapsed time from the previous imaging cycle belongs may be output as a notification.

  In this embodiment, the image data acquired under the interval shooting task is stored in the moving image file in the YUV format. However, the image data may be stored in the moving image file in a state of being encoded by the Motion-JPEG method or the H264 method.

  Further, in this embodiment, a multitask OS and a control program corresponding to a plurality of tasks executed thereby are stored in the flash memory 44 in advance. However, as shown in FIG. 14, a communication I / F 48 is provided in the digital camera 10 and a part of the control program is prepared in the flash memory 46 from the beginning as an internal control program, while another part of the control program is prepared as an external control program. May be acquired from an external server. In this case, the above-described operation is realized by cooperation of the internal control program and the external control program.

  In this embodiment, the process executed by the CPU 26 is divided into a plurality of tasks as described above. However, each task may be further divided into a plurality of small tasks, and a part of the divided plurality of small tasks may be integrated with other tasks. Further, when each task is divided into a plurality of small tasks, all or part of the tasks may be acquired from an external server.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera 16 ... Imager 20 ... Pre-processing circuit 26 ... CPU
32 ... SDRAM
34 .. post-processing circuit

Claims (10)

Imaging means for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging surface;
First acquisition means for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means each time a specified time elapses;
Accepting means for accepting an image obtaining operation from an operator between the processes of the first obtaining means;
A second acquisition unit that acquires an electronic image from the imaging unit in response to reception of the reception unit; and a notification that differs depending on an elapsed time from the previous processing of the first acquisition unit. An electronic camera comprising notification means for outputting.   The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the notification corresponds to difference information indicating a difference between the elapsed time and the specified time. The accepting means accepts the image obtaining operation in a specific time zone assigned between the processes of the first obtaining means,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit outputs the notification during the specific time period.   The length of the specific time zone is shorter than the length of the specified time zone, and the time corresponding to the end of the specific time zone arrives before the time corresponding to the end of the specified time zone. Electronic camera. First display means for displaying an electronic image acquired by the previous processing of the first acquisition means on a monitor screen; and electronic image output from the imaging means during a predetermined period prior to the current processing of the first acquisition means. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising second display means for displaying the image on the monitor screen. A first storage means for storing the electronic image acquired by the first acquisition means in a first file; and a second storage means for storing the electronic image acquired by the second acquisition means in a second file; The electronic camera according to claim 1. In a processor of an electronic camera including an imaging unit that outputs an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging surface,
A first acquisition step of acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means each time a specified time elapses;
An accepting step for accepting an image obtaining operation from an operator between the processes of the first obtaining step;
A second acquisition step of acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means in response to the reception of the reception step, and a notification different according to an elapsed time from the previous processing of the first acquisition step related to the processing of the reception step An imaging control program for executing a notification step to be output. An imaging control method executed by an electronic camera including an imaging unit that outputs an electronic image representing a scene captured on an imaging surface,
A first acquisition step of acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means each time a specified time elapses;
An accepting step for accepting an image obtaining operation from an operator between the processes of the first obtaining step;
A second acquisition step of acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means in response to the reception of the reception step, and a notification different according to an elapsed time from the previous processing of the first acquisition step related to the processing of the reception step An imaging control method comprising an informing step for output. An external control program supplied to an electronic camera comprising an imaging means for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on an imaging surface, and a processor for executing processing according to an internal control program stored in a memory,
A first acquisition step of acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means each time a specified time elapses;
An accepting step for accepting an image obtaining operation from an operator between the processes of the first obtaining step;
A second acquisition step of acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means in response to the reception of the reception step, and a notification different according to an elapsed time from the previous processing of the first acquisition step related to the processing of the reception step An external control program for causing the processor to execute a notification step to be output in cooperation with the internal control program. Imaging means for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging surface;
An electronic camera comprising a capturing unit that captures an external control program, and a processor that executes processing according to the external control program captured by the capturing unit and the internal control program stored in a memory,
The external control program is
A first acquisition step of acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means each time a specified time elapses;
An accepting step for accepting an image obtaining operation from an operator between the processes of the first obtaining step;
A second acquisition step of acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means in response to the reception of the reception step, and a notification different according to an elapsed time from the previous processing of the first acquisition step related to the processing of the reception step An electronic camera corresponding to a program that executes the notification step to be output in cooperation with the internal control program.

Images