JP2015233249A - Display control device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display control device which enables a user to confirm a degree of changing a subject during a series of imaging for creating a motion picture by performing imaging multiple times.SOLUTION: The display control device includes: imaging control means for performing control to perform imaging multiple times including first imaging, second imaging after the first imaging, and third imaging after the second imaging; and control means which performs control in such a manner that an image based on an image obtained by the second imaging is not displayed but at least an image based on an image obtained by the first imaging is displayed on display means after the third imaging before ending a series of imaging for performing the imaging multiple times.

Description

  The present invention relates to a display control device that displays an image obtained by shooting during a series of shootings that are performed a plurality of times, a control method for the display control device, a program, and a recording medium that stores the program.

  In recent years, a method has been gaining popularity in which still images of the same range or subject are continuously photographed at regular intervals, and a moving image file is created from the still images photographed based on the order of photographing. In this photographing method, by performing continuous photographing, the movement and change of the subject within the photographing range can be known in time series in a moving image.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 terminates shooting when a shutter button is pressed, the number of shots, and the remaining capacity of the recording medium are satisfied during shooting of a still image when creating a moving image from a plurality of still images. Is disclosed. In addition, a quick review function setting for playing back image data taken immediately after shooting is disclosed.

JP 2007-215006 A

  In the shooting method of Patent Document 1, only the image shot immediately before by the quick review function can be confirmed in the middle of a plurality of shootings, but how much subject movement is included in the created moving image. Could not be confirmed.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a display control device that allows a user to check the degree of change in a subject in a series of shootings that create a moving image by shooting a plurality of times.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of shootings including a first shooting, a second shooting after the first shooting, and a third shooting after the second shooting. And an image based on the image obtained by the second imaging after the third imaging before the end of the series of imaging to perform the multiple imaging. And control means for controlling to display at least an image based on the image obtained by the first photographing on the display means.

  According to the present invention, the degree of change of a subject can be confirmed during a plurality of shootings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera as an example of an apparatus to which the configuration of the present embodiment can be applied. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera as an example of an apparatus to which the configuration of the present embodiment can be applied. The flowchart which shows the flow of the starry sky interval moving image which concerns on the form of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example on the display unit of the digital camera according to the form of the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the starry sky interval moving image which concerns on the form of Example 2. FIG.

<Hardware>
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a digital camera 100 to which the present invention can be applied (rear appearance diagram).

  The display unit 28 is a display unit that displays images and various types of information.

  The shutter button 61 is an operation unit for issuing a shooting instruction. The mode switch 60 is an operation unit for switching various modes. The connector 112 is a connector for connecting to the digital camera 100 and a connection cable 111 for connecting to a PC or a printer, for example. The operation unit 70 is an operation unit including operation members such as various switches, buttons, and a touch panel for receiving various operations from the user. The controller wheel 73 is a rotatable operation member included in the operation unit 70. The power switch 72 is a push button for switching between power on and power off. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium slot 201 is a slot for storing the recording medium 200. The recording medium 200 stored in the recording medium slot 201 can communicate with the digital camera 100 and can be recorded and reproduced. A lid 202 is a lid of the recording medium slot 201. In the figure, a state in which the lid 202 is opened and a part of the recording medium 200 is taken out from the recording medium slot 201 and exposed is shown.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, a photographing lens 103 is a lens group including a zoom lens and a focus lens. The shutter 101 is a shutter having an aperture function. The imaging unit 22 is an imaging device configured with a CCD, a CMOS device, or the like that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. The A / D converter 23 converts an analog signal into a digital signal. The A / D converter 23 is used to convert an analog signal output from the imaging unit 22 into a digital signal. The barrier 102 covers the imaging system including the imaging lens 103 of the digital camera 100, thereby preventing the imaging system including the imaging lens 103, the shutter 101, and the imaging unit 22 from becoming dirty or damaged.

  The image processing unit 24 performs resizing processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation and reduction and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 23 or the data from the memory control unit 15. The image processing unit 24 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the obtained calculation result. Thereby, AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing of the TTL (through-the-lens) method are performed. The image processing unit 24 further performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.

  Output data from the A / D converter 23 is directly written into the memory 32 via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15 or via the memory control unit 15. The memory 32 stores image data obtained by the imaging unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 23 and image data to be displayed on the display unit 28. The memory 32 has a recording capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images, a moving image and sound for a predetermined time.

  The memory 32 also serves as an image display memory (video memory). The D / A converter 13 converts the image display data stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies the analog signal to the display unit 28. Thus, the display image data written in the memory 32 is displayed on the display unit 28 via the D / A converter 13. The display unit 28 performs display according to the analog signal from the D / A converter 13 on a display such as an LCD. A digital signal once A / D converted by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 13 and sequentially transferred to the display unit 28 for display as an electronic viewfinder. It functions and can perform live view display (live view display).

  The nonvolatile memory 56 is a memory as an electrically erasable / recordable recording medium, and for example, an EEPROM or the like is used. In the nonvolatile memory 56, constants, programs, and the like for operating the system control unit 50 are recorded. Here, the program is a computer program for executing various flowcharts described later in the present embodiment.

  The system control unit 50 controls the entire digital camera 100. By executing the program recorded in the non-volatile memory 56 described above, each process of the present embodiment to be described later is realized. A RAM is used as the system memory 52. In the system memory 52, constants and variables for operation of the system control unit 50, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 56, and the like are expanded. The system control unit 50 also performs display control by controlling the memory 32, the D / A converter 13, the display unit 28, and the like.

  The system timer 53 is a time measuring unit that measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock.

  The mode switch 60, the shutter button 61, and the operation unit 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit 50.

  The mode switch 60 switches the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to any one of a still image recording mode, a moving image shooting mode, a reproduction mode, and the like. Modes included in the still image recording mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene discrimination mode, a manual mode, various scene modes for shooting settings for each shooting scene, a program AE mode, a custom mode, and the like. The mode changeover switch 60 can directly switch to one of these modes included in the menu button. Or after switching to a menu button once with the mode switch 60, you may make it switch to either of these modes contained in a menu button using another operation member. Similarly, the moving image shooting mode may include a plurality of modes. The first shutter switch 62 is turned on when the shutter button 61 provided in the digital camera 100 is being operated, so-called half-press (shooting preparation instruction), and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. In response to the first shutter switch signal SW1, operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are started.

  The second shutter switch 64 is turned ON when the operation of the shutter button 61 is completed, that is, when it is fully pressed (shooting instruction), and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. In response to the second shutter switch signal SW2, the system control unit 50 starts a series of shooting processing operations from reading a signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing image data on the recording medium 200.

  Each operation member of the operation unit 70 is appropriately assigned a function for each scene by selecting and operating various function icons displayed on the display unit 28, and functions as various function buttons. Examples of the function buttons include an end button, a return button, an image advance button, a jump button, a narrowing button, and an attribute change button. For example, when a menu button is pressed, various setting menu screens are displayed on the display unit 28. The user can make various settings intuitively using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28, and the four-way button and the SET button.

  The power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. Further, the power control unit 80 controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and an instruction from the system control unit 50, and supplies a necessary voltage to each unit including the recording medium 200 for a necessary period.

  The power supply unit 30 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like. The recording medium I / F 18 is an interface with the recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The power switch 72 is a push button for switching between power on and power off. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording a captured image, and includes a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or the like.

  In the first and second embodiments, a starry sky interval movie in which a still image is shot by long-second exposure (long-second shooting) will be described as an example to which the present invention can be applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and long-second exposure is performed. The shooting may not be performed.

[Example 1]
The starry sky interval moving image according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 (a) and 4 (b). In the starry sky interval moving image, still image shooting is performed a plurality of times by one shooting instruction, and a moving image is generated (moving image creation) from the still image and recorded. FIG. 3 shows the processing of the starry sky interval moving image in the present embodiment.

  This process is realized by developing a program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 in the system memory 52 and executing it by the system control unit 50. 3 starts when the digital camera 100 is activated and a selection instruction is input by the operation unit 70 (pressing the DISP button included) in the state of setting the starry sky interval movie in the starry sky mode. . In the starry sky mode, there are four operation modes of starry sky snap, starry night view, starry sky locus, and starry sky interval movie, and any one of them can be selected.

  In step S <b> 301, the system control unit 50 performs an initial display such as parameters relating to shooting in the operation mode on the display unit 28.

  In S302, the system control unit 50 receives selection of the starry sky mode by a user operation. If the selection of the starry sky mode is accepted, the process proceeds to S303, and if not, the process proceeds to S304.

  In S303, the system control unit 50 accepts an operation for the user to select one of the above-described starry sky modes, and proceeds to processing of the selected mode. In this embodiment, a case where a starry sky interval moving image is selected will be described.

  In S304, the system control unit 50 receives a selection as to whether or not to set the total shooting time. If it is selected to set the total shooting time, the process proceeds to S305, and if not, the process proceeds to S306. The total shooting time is the length of the shooting time of a series of starry sky interval videos performed by one shooting instruction. Here, if the total shooting time is not set, shooting continues until the user gives an instruction to end shooting or until the battery runs out.

  In S305, the system control unit 50 sets the total shooting time. Here, the total photographing time can be set in units of time such as 1 hour or 2 hours, or in units of days such as 1 day or 2 days.

  In step S306, the system control unit 50 receives a selection as to whether or not to set a shooting interval. If it is selected to set the shooting interval, the process proceeds to S307, and if not, the process proceeds to S308. The shooting interval is a time interval between shooting of each frame of the starry sky interval moving image. If the shooting interval is not set, the time interval value set previously or the initial value of 1 minute is set.

  In S307, the system control unit 50 sets the shooting interval T1. The shooting interval T1 can be freely set by the user. Dividing the total shooting time by the shooting interval T1 gives the total number of shots. The photographing interval T1 may be a second interval, a time interval, or a date interval, and may be set depending on what time unit the user wants to observe the detailed movement of the subject.

  In S308, the system control unit 50 causes the user to select whether or not to save the material. If it is selected to save the material, the process proceeds to S309, and if not, the process proceeds to S310. The material storage is to store still images taken in the starry sky interval movie as individual still images separately from the movie.

  In step S <b> 309, the system control unit 50 performs setting to save the material and records it in the system memory 52.

  In S310, the system control unit 50 determines whether the moving image button included in the operation unit 70 is turned on. If it is determined that it has been turned on, the process proceeds to S311; otherwise, the process returns to S301.

  In S <b> 311, the system control unit 50 focuses the photographing lens 103 of the imaging unit 22 on the subject (AF processing) and performs photometry processing to determine the aperture value and shutter time (exposure time) of the shutter 101 (AE). processing). Note that the photographing interval T1 only needs to be longer than the shutter time and the time required for blackening processing.

  In S <b> 312, the system control unit 50 performs initialization processing such as noise reduction processing for long-second shooting, and setting an initial value to a counter for the number of shooting times of still image shooting described later.

  In S313, the system control unit 50 starts measuring the total shooting time.

  In S314, the system control unit 50 captures a still image and starts measuring the capturing interval T1. A still image is taken under the conditions of the aperture value and the exposure time determined in S311.

  In S315, the system control unit 50 closes the shutter 101 to capture a black image for a long time in order to perform the noise processing for the long-second shooting performed in S314. Further, the image processing unit 24 can generate an image with reduced noise by processing the image obtained in S314 and the image obtained in S315 (blackening process).

  In S316, the system control unit 50 records (saves) the basic image as a still image file in the recording medium 200 (nonvolatile memory). This basic image is the first still image (image taken in S314 and blacked in S315), and is a still image showing the initial state of the subject. In S <b> 308, the basic image is stored in S <b> 316 regardless of whether the material storage setting is performed.

  In S317, the system control unit 50 starts moving image recording and starts measuring the power saving start time T2. In this embodiment, a plurality of shootings are performed over a long period of time. However, the power saving mode can be switched between the shootings to reduce power consumption by preventing the display unit 28 from displaying an image. By pressing the MENU button included in the operation unit 70 during playback image display and still image or movie shooting standby, the power saving mode is turned on and off, and the power saving mode starts after the last display on the display unit 28. You can set the time until it is done. In S317, the still image shot in S314 and subjected to the blackening process in S315 is recorded as a moving image frame, converted into a moving image file format, and then recorded on the recording medium 200. In this manner, still image shooting is repeatedly performed according to the shooting interval set in S307, and an interval moving image (time-lapse moving image) is generated by adding to the moving image file.

  In S318, the system control unit 50 displays the captured still image (the image generated in S315) on the display unit 28.

  In S319, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting interval T1 has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S322, and if not, the process proceeds to S320.

  In S320, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the power saving start time T2 has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S321, and if not, the process returns to S319.

  In step S <b> 321, the system control unit 50 stops displaying the display image (first still image) on the display unit 28, and does not display the image or other information related to shooting on the display unit 28. When the power saving mode is thus started, no display is performed on the display unit 28. Various variables (including the total shooting time, shooting interval T1, presence / absence of material storage setting, and the number of shooting counters) stored in the system memory 52 are stored in the recording medium 200. By storing various variables in the recording medium 200 in this way, a series of imaging can be continued with the variables set before the power saving is started again at the end of the power saving mode. Each saved information (including image data) is read from the recording medium 200 and recorded in the original memory when there is any return operation after that or when the process proceeds to the next shooting step in S322. In addition, the first still image stored in the recording medium 200 in S316 can be displayed on the display unit 28 again.

  After the power saving mode is started, the state of the power saving mode of S321 is maintained until the shooting interval T1 elapses from S314 or until the moving image button is pressed. However, the power saving mode is ended by the user's operation to the operation unit 70 and the instruction operation such as pressing the power switch 72 or the shutter button 61, and the display unit 28 displays the same display as before the power saving mode is started again (return from the power saving mode). The power saving start time T2 is started. That is, when the power saving mode is ended by the user operation after the power saving mode is started, the process proceeds to S317. As described above, when the power saving mode ends, the image recorded on the recording medium 200 can be read to display the image on the display unit 28. The image recorded on the recording medium 200 in response to the start of the power saving mode is deleted from the recording medium 200 in response to the end of the power saving mode, and is recorded on the recording medium 200 again when the power saving mode is started again.

  In the power saving mode, the power saving mode may be terminated when a predetermined time has elapsed after the power saving mode is started, and the image before the power saving mode is started may be displayed again on the display unit 28 until a midway progress review display is displayed in S327.

  S322 to S323 are the second and subsequent shooting, and are the same processes as the processes of S314 to S315 that are the first time.

  In S324, the system control unit 50 determines whether the material storage setting has been made in S309. If it is determined that the material storage setting has been made, the process proceeds to S325, and if not, the process proceeds to S326.

  In S325, the system control unit 50 records the latest still image (the image captured in the latest S322 and subjected to the blackening process in the latest S323) on the recording medium 200 as an image file of the still image.

  In step S326, the system control unit 50 additionally records the latest still image as a moving image frame in the moving image file created in step S317, converts it to a moving image file format, and then records it on the recording medium 200.

  In S <b> 327, the system control unit 50 displays an intermediate progress review display on the display unit 28 and starts measuring the power saving start time T <b> 2. An example of the mid-course review is to display the first still image (read from the recording medium 200) recorded in S316 and the latest still image side by side on the display unit 28 after the latest still image is captured. That is.

  FIG. 4A shows a display example of the intermediate progress review display. The image 401 is the first still image, and the image 405 is the latest still image. By displaying in this way, the user can compare the first still image with the latest still image, and can confirm changes in the subject at a glance. In the first still image, a star 402, a wave 404, and a cloud 403 are shown at each position, and the sky is photographed brightly. By comparing the latest still image with the first still image, the star moves from the star 402 to the star 406, and the wave is drawn like the wave 408 from the wave 404 so that the area for closing the shooting range is small. You can see that it has become. Furthermore, the number of clouds decreases from cloud 403 to cloud 407, and the position of the cloud in the shooting range also changes, confirming that the sky color is darker than the still image of image 401. Thus, by displaying the first still image and the latest still image side by side, it becomes easy to confirm changes in various subjects within the shooting range. If the user determines from the moving distance from the star 402 to the star 406 that the star has moved a sufficient distance as the motion of the star in the moving image, an instruction to stop shooting can be given here. Further, when the wave 404 and the wave 408 are compared with each other and it is determined that the state of the wave pulling is sufficiently transmitted, an instruction to stop shooting may be given here. In this way, by confirming the magnitude of the change in the subject from the initial state to the latest state, it is possible to easily determine whether or not to give an instruction to end the shooting.

  FIG. 4B shows another display example of the intermediate progress review display. As described above, the composite image 420 (still image) obtained by relatively brightly combining the first still image and the latest still image may be displayed on the display unit 28. When the star is brighter than other subjects, only bright subjects are superimposed and synthesized by performing comparatively bright composition. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, when it is desired to shoot the moving state of the stars in the moving image, how much the star has moved from the star 409 to the position of the star 410 can be seen from the composite image, and the shooting should be continued. It becomes easy to judge whether or not. Further, when it is desired to confirm in detail a change in a subject darker than other subjects, comparative dark synthesis may be performed.

  As another display example of the mid-course review, there is a simple moving image including at least the first image and the latest still image (not including all images taken in a series of shooting). For example, create and display a simple video that includes multiple discontinuous still images, such as the first still image from the first image and the odd or even images from the first image to the latest still image. Thus, it can be seen how the subject included in the interval movie changes. Therefore, by confirming the state of change included in the interval moving image, it is possible to easily determine whether or not to give an instruction to end shooting. Further, the number of still images included in the simple moving image may be increased as the number of shootings is increased, for example, the odd number or even number. Also, for example, no matter how many photos are taken, a predetermined number of pictures can be converted into simple videos, such as only three photos, the first photo and the latest still image, and still images obtained by shooting between the first photo and the latest photo. It may be included.

  In addition, as another display example of the midway progress review, a plurality of still images including at least the first image and the latest still image (not including all images taken in a series of shooting) are automatically switched one by one. May be displayed.

  In S328, it is determined whether or not the moving image button of the operation unit 70 is turned on. If it is determined that it has been turned on, the process proceeds to S333, and if not, the process proceeds to S329. The case where it is turned on is a case where the user gives an instruction to end shooting halfway.

  In S329, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting interval T1 has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S332, and if not, the process proceeds to S330.

  In S330, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the power saving start time T2 has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S331, and if not, the process returns to S327.

  In step S <b> 331, the system control unit 50 stops displaying the intermediate progress review being displayed on the display unit 28 and does not display an image on the display unit 28. Thus, when the power saving mode is started, no image is displayed on the display unit 28. Further, the intermediate progress review screen on which the first and latest still images are displayed is recorded on the recording medium 200 (retracted from the memory 32 to the recording medium 200).

  After the power saving mode is started, the state of the power saving mode of S331 remains until the shooting interval T1 elapses from S322 or until the moving image button is pressed. However, the power saving mode is ended by the user's operation to the operation unit 70 and the instruction operation such as pressing the power switch 72 or the shutter button 61, and the display unit 28 displays the same display as before the power saving mode is started again (return from the power saving mode). The power saving start time T2 is started. That is, when the power saving mode is ended by the user's operation after the power saving mode is started, the process proceeds to S327.

  In S332, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the total shooting time set in S305 has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S333, and if not, the process returns to S322.

  In S333, the system control unit 50 performs a moving image file end process. Processing is performed so that the created moving image file can be reproduced by performing attribute processing, inter-frame information, thumbnail creation, compression processing, and the like of the moving image file created in S317 and S326. These pieces of information are stored in the recording medium 200 together with the moving image file. If the material storage setting is not set, the basic image stored in the recording medium 200 is deleted in S316.

  In S334, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not REC review is set. The REC review display is a process for displaying the image data obtained by a series of photographing on the display unit 28 for confirmation of the photographed image. In this embodiment, the created moving image file is reproduced. If it is determined that it is set, the process proceeds to S335, and if not, the process proceeds to S336.

  In S335, the system control unit 50 performs a REC review display of the image data obtained by the photographing process on the display unit 28. Note that the frame rate of the moving image file and the number of frames allocated to one image may be set by the user. Depending on the setting of the user, it is possible to shoot a moving image in which the photographic subject moves faster or slower than it actually is.

  In S336, the system control unit 50 returns to S301 with the through image displayed on the display unit 28.

  As described above, according to the processing described above, by displaying based on the first still image and the latest still image during the shooting of the interval video, the user can change the subject such as the color and the arrangement relationship of the subject from the start of the shooting. You can easily compare how much you have. As a result, the user can grasp not only the information such as the shooting time and the number of images but also the position, color and arrangement relationship of the subject from the still image at the start of shooting, and compare it with the latest still image, It becomes easier to grasp the state of the change and determine whether to continue or end the shooting. Further, when comparative bright combination is performed, it is possible to easily confirm changes such as the position and color of the first bright subject and the bright subject of the latest still image. In addition, when the setting for saving the material is performed, a still image can be recorded simultaneously with the creation of the moving image file.

  That is, in this embodiment, after the third shooting, the image obtained by the first shooting and the image obtained by the latest third shooting are displayed on the display unit 28, but the second shooting is performed. The image obtained in is not displayed. Also, after the fourth shooting, the image obtained by the first shooting and the image obtained by the fourth shooting are displayed on the display unit 28, but obtained by the second and third shooting. No image is displayed.

  In addition, although the example of performing comparative bright composition or comparative dark composition of the first still image and the latest still image was explained, it is also effective to perform comparative bright composition or comparative dark composition from the first image to the latest still image. It is. By synthesizing in this way, the user can know the movement of the subject in the moving image from the locus of the bright (or dark) subject.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example in which the same subject is photographed from the same position is shown, but the photographing position may be changed at predetermined intervals. When changing the shooting position in the middle of a series of shooting, it is possible to compare the subject shot from the position of the first shooting with the subject shot from the position of the latest shooting. Therefore, even when the shooting position is changed during a series of shootings, it is determined whether or not to continue shooting by knowing how much the subject has changed during the interval movie. be able to.

  In this embodiment, the initial value of the time interval is 1 minute, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a value of 3 minutes, 2 hours, or 1 day.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the basic image is the first still image has been described, but a predetermined number of still images such as the second and third images are not used as the basic image. Also good.

  In the present embodiment, the display based on the two still images of the latest still image and the first still image after the latest shooting has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, by displaying at least the first still image without displaying both the first image and the latest still image, the user can determine what kind of subject is in the shooting range of the first image. You can compare with the current subject.

[Example 2]
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the flowchart of FIG. In the first embodiment, the first still image is used as a basic image for comparison with the latest image. In the second embodiment, a still image taken when a user's desired change occurs is used as a basic image. . This process is realized by developing a program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 in the system memory 52 and executing it by the system control unit 50.

  S501 to S515 are the same processes as S301 to S315 in FIG.

  S516 is the same processing as S317 of FIG.

  In step S517, the system control unit 50 displays the captured still image (the image generated in step S515) on the display unit 28 and stores it in the recording medium 200.

  In S518, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the still image captured in the previous S514 and subjected to the blacking process in S515 is the first captured still image (first still image). If it is determined that it is the first still image, the process proceeds to S519, and if not, the process proceeds to S520.

  In step S519, the system control unit 50 receives a change condition setting for determining that the shooting range has changed from the first image from the user. Assume that it is determined that a change has occurred in a captured still image when a movement or color change occurs in a subject within the range set by the change condition.

  FIG. 4C shows an example of setting the change condition and an example when there is a change. A case where the range 411 of the first still image shown in the image 413 is set as a range (change condition) for determining that the subject has changed will be described. Since the shape of the subject in the range 411 is different between the image 413 and the image 414, it is determined that the subject has changed when the image 414 is taken compared to when the image 413 is taken. In addition, it is possible to compare changes in the shooting range from the time when the change occurred by using the image taken when the shape or color changes within the range set as the change condition for the first time as a basic image. it can.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4C, by setting a region 411 having a bud from the first still image shown in the image 413 as a change condition, an image of the image 414 in which the bud has started to open is a basic image. It becomes. By comparing the basic image with the latest still image, the user can confirm what kind of change has occurred after the bud starts to open (after a desired change has occurred in the subject).

  In S520, the system control unit 50 compares the first image stored in the recording medium 200 with the latest image captured in S514, and determines whether or not the imaging range has changed. If it is determined that there has been a change, the process proceeds to S525, and if not, the process proceeds to S521.

  S521 to S523 are the same processes as S319 to S321 of FIG.

  In S524, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the total shooting time set in S305 has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process returns to S501, and if not, the process proceeds to S521.

  In S525, the system control unit 50 leaves the latest still image indicated by the image 414 in FIG. 4C, which has been determined to have changed in S520, as the basic image on the recording medium 200. Further, images other than the basic image stored in the recording medium 200 in each step of S517 are deleted. The basic image is used for display in comparison with the latest still image after the subsequent still image is captured. The latest still image is replaced each time the shooting process is performed, but the basic image remains the still image determined to have changed in S520 even if the number of shootings is repeated. Thus, by using the same still image as the basic image, the user can immediately compare and confirm what kind of change has occurred since the desired change has occurred in the subject.

  In S526, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shooting interval T1 has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S530, and if not, the process proceeds to S527.

  S527 to S529 are the same processes as S522 to S524.

  S530 to S544 are the same processes as S322 to S336 in FIG. Note that the intermediate progress review display displayed in S535 displays the basic image recorded in the recording medium 200 in S525 and the image taken in S530, unlike S327 in FIG. In S541, the image left on the recording medium 200 as a basic image in S525 is deleted.

  According to the processing described above, by comparing the basic image with the latest still image during interval movie shooting, the color of the shooting range, the relationship of the subject, etc. from when the desired change in the subject occurs It is possible to easily compare how much changes have occurred. This makes it easier for the user to determine whether to continue or end shooting not only based on information such as the shooting time and the number of images, but also based on how the subject changes.

  In the second embodiment, it has been described that the change condition is that a change occurs in a range set in advance by the user in the shooting range. However, the change condition may be the number of change points that occur in the shooting range. . In this case, the number of change points is set in S519, and the latest still image determined to have changed portions (change points) by the set number compared to the first image in S520 is defined as the basic image. You just have to do it. Also, the basic image may be set to a desired still image by the user. In this case, whether the captured still image is set as the basic image in S520 without performing the processing of S519 and S521 to S524. What is necessary is just to accept selection of no.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the user may be able to set whether or not to perform an intermediate progress review. If it is set not to perform an intermediate progress review, the still image taken immediately before is set. Only is displayed on the display unit 28.

  In this embodiment, the total shooting time and the shooting interval are set. However, the total shooting number and the shooting interval may be set, and the total shooting number and the total shooting time are not limited. Good. The progress review may not be displayed every time after shooting. For example, after taking a still image taken within the total shooting time after taking the next still image of the basic image, or taking a still image from the next still image of the basic image to the total number of shots It may be after any shooting such as after the odd-numbered shooting. By setting in this way, further power saving becomes possible.

  Although an example in which the basic image and the latest still image are displayed on the display unit 28 at the same time has been shown, not only the basic image and the latest still image but also the intermediate image between the time when the basic image and the latest still image were taken. Still images taken at a time may be displayed at the same time. Still images taken at odd or even numbers from the basic image may be displayed, or still images satisfying conditions set by the user may be displayed simultaneously. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example of simultaneous display is given, but it is sufficient that the basic image and the latest still image can be compared. Therefore, the basic image and the latest still image are alternately displayed on the display unit 28. Also good.

  The control of the system control unit 50 may be performed by one piece of hardware, or the entire apparatus may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware sharing the processing.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. Furthermore, each embodiment mentioned above shows only one embodiment of this invention, and it is also possible to combine each embodiment suitably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the digital camera 100 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and can be applied to any electronic apparatus having shooting control means. That is, the present invention can be applied to a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone terminal, a portable image viewer, a printer device including a display, a digital photo frame, a music player, a game machine, an electronic book reader, a microscope, and the like.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various recording media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program code. It is a process to be executed. In this case, the program and the recording medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

Claims (17)

Shooting control means for controlling to perform a plurality of shootings including a first shooting, a second shooting after the first shooting, and a third shooting after the second shooting;
An image based on the image obtained by the second photographing is not displayed after the third photographing before the series of photographing for performing the plurality of photographings is completed, and is obtained at least by the first photographing. And a control means for controlling the display means to display an image based on the obtained image.   The control means controls the display means to display at least the image obtained by the first photographing and the image obtained by the third photographing after the third photographing. The display control apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display both the image obtained by the first photographing and the image obtained by the third photographing. The display control apparatus described.   After the third photographing before the series of photographings for which the plurality of photographings are completed, the control means does not include the image obtained by the second photographing and obtains at least the first photographing. 3. The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a control is performed so that a still image obtained by combining the obtained image and the image obtained by the third photographing is displayed on the display unit.   The control means switches and displays a plurality of images including the images obtained by the first photographing and the third photographing one by one without including the images obtained by the second photographing. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control device is controlled as follows. Further, the series of photographing includes a fourth photographing after the third photographing,
The control means performs control so that an image based on the image obtained by the first photographing is displayed on the display means after the third photographing and before the start of the fourth photographing. The display control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The display control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a moving image creating unit that creates a moving image file from images obtained by the series of photographing.   The image obtained by said 1st imaging | photography is one image which satisfy | fills the conditions set beforehand among the said several imaging | photography, The one of Claim 1 thru | or 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Display control device.   9. The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first photographing is a first photographing among the plurality of photographings.   2. The photographing control unit according to claim 1, wherein the photographing control unit performs a plurality of photographings including the first photographing, the second photographing, and the third photographing in response to one photographing instruction. The display control apparatus according to any one of 1 to 9. Shooting control means for controlling to take multiple shots;
Movie creation means for creating a movie file with a plurality of images obtained by shooting by the shooting control means;
Based on all the images obtained in the shooting before the shooting out of the images included in the shootings after the shooting performed before the series of shooting processes for performing the shooting of the plurality of times is completed. Control means for controlling to display based on at least the first image obtained in the photographing and the second image obtained in the photographing before the photographing without displaying. A display control device.   The display includes display of a moving image generated from at least the first image and the second image, display of an image obtained by combining at least the first image and the second image, and at least the first image Any one of a display for displaying both the image and the second image, and a display for automatically switching and displaying at least the first image and the second image one by one. The display control apparatus according to claim 11.   The display control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the synthesis is comparative light synthesis or comparative dark synthesis. A shooting control step for controlling to perform a plurality of shootings including a first shooting, a second shooting after the first shooting, and a third shooting after the second shooting;
An image based on the image obtained by the second photographing is not displayed after the third photographing before the series of photographing for performing the plurality of photographings is completed, and is obtained at least by the first photographing. And a control step of controlling the display unit to display an image based on the displayed image. A shooting control step for controlling to take multiple shots;
A movie creation step for creating a movie file with a plurality of images obtained by shooting in the shooting control step;
Based on all the images obtained in the shooting before the shooting out of the images included in the shootings after the shooting performed before the series of shooting processes for performing the shooting of the plurality of times is completed. A control step for controlling to display based on at least the first image obtained in the photographing and the second image obtained in the photographing before the photographing without displaying. A control method for a display control device.   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the display control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 13.   A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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