JP2015213255A - Imaging apparatus, control method of the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to efficiently transfer reduced image data of a photographed image to an external device without reducing the number of possible serial photographing in serial photographing.SOLUTION: In a camera 100 having a function of transferring reduced image data of a photographed image by connecting to an external device 137, at a stage when a series of photographing and developing is completed in serial photographing, selected developed image data is held in a buffer memory 122, and reduced image data of the developed image is generated and is transferred to the external device 137.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having a function of connecting to an external device and transferring reduced image data of a captured image, a control method thereof, and a program.

There has been proposed a system in which an external device browses an image in the digital camera by connecting the digital camera to an external device such as a smartphone and transferring image data from the digital camera to the external device.
When image data is transferred from a digital camera to an external device, if the captured image data is transferred in the same size, the transfer takes time. In addition, since the size of the transfer image data is large, it may not be displayed on an external device such as a smartphone.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 discloses a digital camera that captures image data of the latest image captured by a CCD into a buffer, a recording process that reads image data from the buffer and records it in an HDD device, and external image data. A configuration is disclosed in which transmission processing for receiving image data and transmitting image data to the outside is executed by multiple processing. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which, when an image data transmission request is received from the outside, image data of an image requested to be transmitted is read from the HDD device and transmitted to the outside.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, reduced image data obtained by reducing the main image data obtained by photographing is generated, and when transferring the image to an external device, the main image data and the reduced image are based on the operation state of the apparatus. A configuration for selecting any of the data is disclosed.

JP 2004-32593 A JP 2006-345188 A

  However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an image data transmission request is received from the outside, the image data is read from the HDD device and transferred. For this reason, there is a problem that when it is desired to view an image immediately after shooting, it is necessary to wait for image data to be recorded in the HDD device. The pattern (3) in FIG. 6 corresponds to this. In the example of the pattern (3) in FIG. 6, six shootings are continuously performed, the last shot and developed, and the image data stored in a file (shooting 6, development 6, and file 6) is read, Reduced image data is generated (resize 6) and transferred (resize 6 transfer).

  In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2, images of both main image data and reduced image data are created at the time of shooting. Therefore, it is necessary to create two images at the time of shooting, and there is a problem that image processing cannot keep up with the shooting speed and the number of continuously shot images is reduced. The pattern (2) in FIG. 6 corresponds to this.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. In continuous shooting, it is possible to efficiently transfer reduced image data of a captured image to an external device without reducing the number of images that can be continuously captured. Objective.

  The imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus that has a function of transferring reduced image data of a photographed image connected to an external device, and the developed image selected at the stage when a series of photographing and development in the continuous photographing is completed. The reduced image data is generated and transferred to the external device.

  According to the present invention, in continuous shooting, reduced image data of a shot image can be efficiently transferred to an external device without reducing the number of images that can be continuously shot.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the single-lens reflex digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the single-lens reflex digital camera and external apparatus which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging process with the single-lens reflex digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing development processing in the single-lens reflex digital camera according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the image development process with the single-lens reflex digital camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the time chart of each process in continuous imaging | photography.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a single-lens reflex digital camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera) 100 that is an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Reference numeral 101 denotes a photographing lens.
Reference numeral 102 denotes an AF (autofocus) drive circuit. The AF drive circuit 102 is constituted by, for example, a DC motor or a stepping motor, and focuses by changing the focus lens position of the photographing lens 101 under the control of the microcomputer 123.
Reference numeral 103 denotes a zoom drive circuit. The zoom drive circuit 103 is configured by, for example, a DC motor or a stepping motor, and changes the focal length of the photographic lens 101 by changing the zoom lens position of the photographic lens 101 under the control of the microcomputer 123.
Reference numeral 104 denotes an aperture. A diaphragm driving circuit 105 drives the diaphragm 104. The driving amount of the diaphragm 104 is calculated by the microcomputer 123, and the optical diaphragm value is changed.

A main mirror 106 switches the light beam incident from the photographing lens 101 between the viewfinder side and the image sensor side. The main mirror 106 is normally arranged so as to reflect the light beam toward the viewfinder side, but when photographing is performed, the main mirror 106 jumps upward so as to guide the light beam toward the image sensor side, and escapes from the light beam. The main mirror 106 is a half mirror so that the central part can transmit a part of the light, and transmits a part of the light beam so as to enter a sensor for focus detection.
The 107 sub-mirror reflects the light beam transmitted from the main mirror 106 and guides it to a sensor (disposed in the focus detection circuit 109) for focus detection.
Reference numeral 108 denotes a pentaprism that constitutes a finder. In addition, the viewfinder includes a focus plate, an eyepiece lens (not shown), and the like.
Reference numeral 109 denotes a focus detection circuit. The light beam that has been transmitted through the central portion of the main mirror 106 and reflected by the sub mirror 107 reaches a sensor that performs photoelectric conversion, which is disposed in the focus detection circuit 109. The defocus amount used for the focus calculation is obtained by calculating the output of the sensor. The microcomputer 123 evaluates the calculation result and instructs the AF drive circuit 102 to drive the focus lens.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a focal plane shutter. Reference numeral 111 denotes a shutter drive circuit that drives the focal plane shutter 110. The opening time of the focal plane shutter 110 is controlled by the microcomputer 123.
Reference numeral 112 denotes an image sensor. A CCD, CMOS sensor, or the like is used as the image sensor 112 and converts the subject image formed by the photographing lens 101 into an electrical signal.
Reference numeral 113 denotes a clamp circuit. Reference numeral 114 denotes an AGC circuit. Reference numeral 115 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog output signal of the image sensor 112 into a digital signal. The clamp circuit 113 and the AGC circuit 114 perform basic analog signal processing before A / D conversion by the A / D converter 115, and the microcomputer 123 changes the clamp level and the AGC reference level.

  Reference numeral 116 denotes a video / audio signal processing circuit, which is realized by a logic device such as a gate array. The video / audio signal processing circuit 116 performs filtering processing, color conversion processing, gamma processing, and compression processing such as JPEG on the digitized image data, and outputs the result to the memory controller 119. Also, the video / audio signal processing circuit 116 performs compression processing of the audio signal from the microphone 132 or the audio line input 133 and outputs the compressed signal to the memory controller 119. The video / audio signal processing circuit 116 can also output the video signal from the image sensor 112 and the image data input in reverse from the memory controller 119 to the EVF monitor 118 through the EVF drive circuit 117. Switching between these functions is performed according to instructions from the microcomputer 123. The video / audio signal processing circuit 116 can output information such as exposure information and white balance of the signal from the image sensor 112 to the microcomputer 123 as necessary. Based on these pieces of information, the microcomputer 123 instructs white balance and gain adjustment. In the case of continuous shooting, shooting data is temporarily held in the buffer memory 122 as an unprocessed image, unprocessed image data is read through the memory controller 119, and image processing and compression processing are performed by the video / audio signal processing circuit 116. The number of continuous images that can be taken depends on the size of the buffer memory 122. The video / audio signal processing circuit 116 can output audio data from the microphone 132 or the audio line input 133 to the speaker 136 through the DA conversion 135.

Reference numeral 117 denotes an EVF drive circuit. Reference numeral 118 denotes an EVF (electronic viewfinder) monitor.
Reference numeral 119 denotes a memory controller. Reference numeral 120 denotes a memory. Reference numeral 121 denotes an interface connectable to the external device 137. Reference numeral 122 denotes a buffer memory. The memory controller 119 holds the unprocessed digital image / audio data input from the video / audio signal processing circuit 116 in the buffer memory 122 and records the processed digital image / audio data in the memory 120. Conversely, digital image / audio data is output from the buffer memory 122 or the memory 120 to the video / audio signal processing circuit 116. The memory 120 may be removable. The memory controller 119 can output image / sound data recorded in the memory 120 via an interface 121 that can be connected to a computer or the like.

Reference numeral 123 denotes a microcomputer.
Reference numeral 124 denotes an operation member. The operation member 124 transmits the state to the microcomputer 123, and the microcomputer 123 controls each part according to the change of the operation member. Reference numeral 125 denotes a switch 1 (hereinafter referred to as SW1). Reference numeral 126 denotes a switch 2 (hereinafter referred to as SW2). SW1 and SW2 are switches that are turned on / off by operating the release button, and are each one of the input switches of the operation member 124. When only SW1 is on, the release button is half-pressed, and in this state, autofocus operation or photometry operation is performed. When both SW1 and SW2 are on, the release button is fully pressed, and the release button for recording an image is on. Shooting is performed in this state. Further, continuous shooting is performed while SW1 and SW2 are kept on. In addition, the operation member 124 includes an ISO setting button, an image size setting button, an image quality setting button, an information display button, and the like, and each state is detected.

Reference numeral 127 denotes a liquid crystal driving circuit. Reference numeral 128 denotes an external liquid crystal display member. Reference numeral 129 denotes a liquid crystal display member in the viewfinder. The liquid crystal drive circuit 127 drives the external liquid crystal display member 128 and the in-finder liquid crystal display member 129 in accordance with the display content command of the microcomputer 123. The in-finder liquid crystal display member 129 is provided with a backlight such as an LED (not shown), and the LED is also driven by the liquid crystal driving circuit 127. The microcomputer 123 confirms the capacity of the memory through the memory controller 119 based on the predicted value data of the image size according to the ISO sensitivity, the image size, and the image quality set before shooting, and then the remaining number of images that can be shot. Can be calculated. If necessary, it can also be displayed on the external liquid crystal display member 128 and the liquid crystal display member 129 in the viewfinder.
Reference numeral 130 denotes a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) that can store data even when the camera 100 is not powered on.
A power supply unit 131 supplies power necessary for each IC and drive system.

Reference numeral 132 denotes a microphone. Reference numeral 133 denotes a voice line input. An A / D converter 134 converts an analog output signal of the microphone 132 or the audio line input 133 into a digital signal.
A D / A converter 135 converts a digital signal into an analog output signal.
136 speakers.
Reference numeral 137 denotes an external device typified by a personal computer, a mobile phone, and a portable information terminal, and is a partner for transmitting and receiving various information and image data of the camera 100 via the interface 121. In addition, a camera provided with a communication circuit can also be used as the external device 137, and in this case, various types of information and image data can be transmitted and received between the cameras.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, a situation in which a reduced image is transferred from the camera 100 according to the first embodiment to the external device 137 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the interface 121 of the camera 100 and an external device (smart phone) 137 are connected by wire (USB, Ether, dedicated cable, etc.) or wirelessly (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.), the camera 100 microcomputers 123 start the operations shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an imaging process performed by the camera 100.
In step S <b> 101, the microcomputer 123 determines whether or not the release button on the operation member 124 has been pressed. If the release button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S102. If not, the imaging process ends.
In step S102, image reading from the image sensor 112 is performed under the control of the microcomputer 123, and an analog signal processed by the clamp circuit 113 and the AGC circuit 114 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 115. The
In step S103, the microcomputer 123 holds the digital signal obtained in step S102 as image data before development in the buffer memory 122, and returns to step S101.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the development processing in the camera 100. In the following flowcharts, for ease of explanation, each module may be described as if it performs an operation. In practice, the microcomputer 123 controls each part of the camera 100 using each module to execute the operation.
In step S <b> 201, the microcomputer 123 checks whether image data before development is held in the buffer memory 122. If the image data before development is held in the buffer memory 122, the process proceeds to step S202. If not, the development process is terminated.
In step S202, the microcomputer 123 develops the pre-development image data held in the buffer memory 122 with the image quality designated by the user. The developed image data is held in the buffer memory 122 and notified to the file recording module, and the process proceeds to step S203. The file recording module records the developed image data notified in step S202 in the memory 120 (file storage).

  In step S203, the microcomputer 123 confirms whether or not the external device 137 is being connected. If it is connected to the external device 137, the process proceeds to step S204. If not connected, the pre-development image data developed in step S202 is deleted from the buffer memory 122, and the process returns to step S201.

In step S204, the microcomputer 123 evaluates the image developed in step S202 (developed image) and gives an evaluation score. If there is evaluated developed image data in the buffer memory 122, the developed image having a high evaluation score is left as a transfer image to an external device, compared with the evaluation score of the developed image, and the developed image data having a low evaluation score is buffered. It deletes from the memory 122 and proceeds to step S205. As a method of assigning an evaluation point in step S204, an evaluation point may be given by comprehensively judging whether the AF is in focus, no camera shake, or the person who is the subject is smiling.
Alternatively, instead of assigning an evaluation score, the last developed image taken in continuous shooting may be selected.

In step S205, the microcomputer 123 determines whether or not the release button is pressed. When the release button is pressed, that is, when shooting is in progress, the process returns to step S201. When shooting is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S206.
In step S206, the microcomputer 123 reduces the transfer image selected in step S204 to the image size for the external device, generates reduced image data, notifies the communication module for the external device, and returns to step S201. . In the communication module for the external device, the reduced image data notified in step S206 is transferred to the external device 137 via the interface 121.

Pattern (4) in FIG. 6 corresponds to the processing in the first embodiment. In the example of pattern (4) in FIG. 6, six shootings are continuously performed, and the last image to be captured is selected as the transfer image. At the stage where a series of photographing and development in the continuous photographing is completed, reduced image data of the selected developed image (photographing 6, development 6) is generated (resize 6) and transferred to the external device 137 (resize 6 transfer). ).
Note that the pattern (1) in FIG. 6 is an example when resizing is not performed. In the pattern (4), it can be seen that the continuous photographing operation itself does not change compared to the pattern (1). Then, it can be seen that the image transfer to the external device 137 is efficiently performed as compared with the patterns (2) and (3).

  As described above, in continuous shooting, reduced image data of a shot image can be efficiently transferred to the external device 137 without reducing the number of images that can be continuously shot.

When continuous shooting is finished and no new images have been shot, the number of images that can be continuously shot by the camera 100 is not affected. Therefore, reduced images of all the images being developed are created and transferred to the external device 137. Also good.
Further, after the continuous shooting is completed, all the untransferred developed image data stored in the file may be read from the memory 120 to generate reduced image data, which may be transferred to the external device 137.

  In the first embodiment, resizing is performed after normal development processing, and the image is transferred to the external device 137. However, when the battery of the camera 100 is low, the battery is removed by resizing or image transfer to the external device 137. Consumption and file saving may not be possible. Therefore, when it is determined that the battery level of the camera 100 is low, priority is given to file storage of captured image data, and reduced image data may be generated and transferred to the external device 137 after file storage is completed (FIG. 6). Pattern (3)).

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, reduced image data of the selected developed image is generated and transferred to the external device 137 when certain conditions are satisfied at the stage where each shooting and development in the continuous shooting is completed. A form is demonstrated.
The configuration of the camera 100 and the imaging process are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the development processing in the camera 100. The second embodiment can be realized when the continuous shooting speed of continuous shooting is relatively slow and the image processing speed is faster than the continuous shooting speed.
In step S <b> 301, the microcomputer 123 checks whether image data before development is held in the buffer memory 122. When the image data before development is held in the buffer memory 122, the process proceeds to step S302, and when it is not held, the development process is terminated.
In step S302, the microcomputer 123 develops the pre-development image data held in the buffer memory 122 with the image quality designated by the user. The developed image data is held in the buffer memory 122 and notified to the file recording module, and the process proceeds to step S203. The file recording module records the developed image data notified in step S202 in the memory 120 (file storage).

  In step S <b> 303, the microcomputer 123 confirms whether or not it is connected to the external device 137. If it is connected to the external device 137, the process proceeds to step S304. If it is not connected, the pre-development image data developed in step S302 is deleted from the buffer memory 122, and the process returns to step S301.

In step S304, the microcomputer 123 evaluates the image (developed image) developed in step S302, and gives an evaluation score. If there is evaluated developed image data in the buffer memory 122, the developed image having a high evaluation score is left as a transfer image to an external device, compared with the evaluation score of the developed image, and the developed image data having a low evaluation score is buffered. Delete from the memory 122 and proceed to step S305. As a method of assigning an evaluation point in step S304, an evaluation point may be given by comprehensively judging whether the AF is in focus, no camera shake, or the person who is the subject is smiling.
Alternatively, instead of assigning an evaluation score, a developed image that is photographed most recently in continuous photographing may be selected.

In step S <b> 305, the microcomputer 123 checks whether or not new image data before development is held in the buffer memory 122. If new pre-development image data is held, the process returns to step S301. If not, the process proceeds to step S306.
In step S306, the microcomputer 123 reduces the transfer image selected in step S304 to the image size for the external device, generates reduced image data, notifies the communication module for the external device, and returns to step S301. . The communication module for the external device transfers the reduced image data notified in step S306 to the external device 137 via the interface 121.

  Pattern (5) in FIG. 6 corresponds to the processing in the second embodiment. In the example of the pattern (5) in FIG. 6, for example, at the stage where the first shooting and development (shooting 1, development 1) are completed, the next shooting (shooting 2) has not started, and there is room for image processing. I have time. Therefore, the latest reduced image data of the first developed image is generated (resizing 1) and transferred to the external device 137 (resizing 1 transfer). The same applies to the third shooting and development (shooting 3, development 3) and the fifth shooting and development (shooting 5, development 5).

  In the second embodiment, reduced image data of the selected developed image is generated and transferred to the external device 137 at a time when there is a margin in image processing. However, if the transfer speed is low due to the poor radio wave condition of the wireless communication connected to the external device 137, it may take time to transfer the image and take time to release the memory of the transferred image. In this case, untransferred reduced image data is accumulated in the memory 120, and there is a problem that the number of images that can be continuously shot decreases. Therefore, when the transfer rate is low, the operation may be switched to the operation described in the first embodiment.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated with various embodiment, this invention is not limited only to these embodiment, A change etc. are possible within the scope of the present invention.
(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  112: Image sensor, 116: Video / audio signal processing circuit, 119: Memory controller, 120: Memory, 121: Interface, 122: Buffer memory, 123: Microcomputer, 137: External device

Claims (10)

An imaging device having a function of connecting to an external device and transferring reduced image data of a captured image,
An image pickup apparatus, wherein reduced image data of a selected developed image is generated and transferred to the external device when a series of shooting and development in continuous shooting is completed.   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer memory that holds image data before development that is shot in continuous shooting, and holds selected development image data.   The developed image having a high evaluation based on a part or all of the conditions that the subject is in focus, is not shaken, and the state of the subject meets a certain condition is selected. Imaging device.   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a developed image that is finally picked up in continuous shooting is selected.   5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after continuous shooting is completed, reduced image data of an untransferred developed image stored in a file is generated and transferred to the external device. 6. . An imaging device having a function of connecting to an external device and transferring reduced image data of a captured image,
An imaging apparatus that generates reduced image data of a selected developed image and transfers the reduced image data to the external device when a certain condition is satisfied at the stage where each time of continuous shooting and development is completed. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus having a function of connecting to an external device and transferring reduced image data of a captured image,
A control method for an image pickup apparatus, comprising: controlling the generation of reduced image data of a selected developed image and transferring the reduced image data to the external device at a stage where a series of shooting and development in continuous shooting is completed. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus having a function of connecting to an external device and transferring reduced image data of a captured image,
An imaging apparatus that controls to generate reduced image data of a selected developed image and transfer it to the external device when a certain condition is satisfied at the stage where each shooting and development in continuous shooting is completed Control method. A program for controlling an imaging apparatus having a function of connecting to an external device and transferring reduced image data of a captured image,
A program for causing a computer to execute a process of controlling to generate reduced image data of a selected developed image and transfer it to the external device when a series of shooting and development in the continuous shooting is completed. A program for controlling an imaging apparatus having a function of connecting to an external device and transferring reduced image data of a captured image,
In order to cause the computer to execute a process of controlling to generate reduced image data of the selected developed image and to transfer it to the external device when certain conditions are satisfied at the stage where each shooting and development in the continuous shooting is completed Program.

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