JP3028808B2 - Electronic still camera and photographing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging technique using an electronic still camera, and more particularly, to an assisting technique for PAST imaging.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electronic still camera such as a digital camera having a display unit, at the time of imaging, first, a subject light image is converted into an electric signal by an image pickup device, and the image is processed through signal conversion processing and color processing. Data (Y, C
(b, Cr signals) into a working memory such as a DRAM, and image data to a display unit, through a video encoder for image processing, and display a through image (moving image) on a liquid crystal display. When the shutter button is operated at the timing (hereinafter, referred to as a shutter chance), the image data captured in the DRAM at that time is sent to the display unit, and the still image is displayed on the liquid crystal display through the image processing by the video encoder. , JPEG compression processing and recording in a recording memory. At the time of reproduction, the recorded image data is decompressed, reproduced, sent to the display unit, and displayed on a liquid crystal display through image processing by a video encoder.

It is often the case that a shutter chance is missed when taking a picture with a camera. However, with an electronic still camera such as a digital camera, several frames of images are fetched into a DRAM, and several frames of images before the shutter is pressed during photographing. Some cameras have a PAST shooting function that can display an image several frames back from the time of the shutter operation after shooting together and storing and recording them.

[0004]

However, in the conventional PAST photographing function, if the shutter operation is performed in a state where the image has not been completely taken into the DRAM, the image that has been taken up to that point is obtained. (The number of images that does not reach the predetermined number) is recorded and saved.
There is a problem in that when the playback is performed after the T shooting, it is noticed that the PAST shooting was incomplete.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic still camera and an imaging method capable of greatly improving the usability during PAST imaging.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems An electronic still camera according to the first invention to achieve the above object, the predetermined imaging means, the IMAGING image by imaging a subject at predetermined intervals, and sequentially outputs the captured image an image storage means for number of sheets SL憶, or image pickup means
Of imaged images sequentially output from the
Store and then delete the oldest stored image sequentially
Sequentially records new captured images output from the imaging means.
And storage control means for憶, a photographing instruction means for instructing shooting, when shooting is instructed by the imaging instruction means, a storage image recording means for storing recording IMAGING images that have been stored in the image storage means, shooting Shooting is instructed by the instruction means
Stored in the image storage means.
And control means for prohibiting the storage and recording of the captured image by the stored image storage means when not performed .

Further, the second invention, in the electronic still camera of the first aspect of the present invention, includes a change setting means for changing and setting the number of photographic images to be memorize the image storage means, the storage control
Means for storing the picked-up images sequentially output from the imaging means
The number of sheets changed and set by the change setting means is stored in the storage means.
After that, the oldest stored images are sequentially deleted.
The new captured images output from the imaging means are sequentially stored.
So, saving the image recording unit stores record number of sheets captured image that has been changed and set by changing setting means, the control means, prior
If the number of captured images changed and set by the change setting unit is not stored in the image storage unit when the shooting is instructed by the shooting instruction unit , the storage of the captured image by the stored image storage unit is prohibited. It is characterized by the following.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic still camera according to the second aspect, the change setting means is an image storage means.
Characterized in that it comprises a means for changing the setting storage interval of the captured images successively memorize the.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic still camera according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein an image storage device is provided.
Until a predetermined number of captured images are stored in the row, a notifying means for notifying that the storage recording is prohibited by the control means is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic still camera of the fourth aspect, the electronic still camera further comprises a display means, and the notifying means comprises:
It is characterized by including a unit for displaying the remaining time or the number of remaining images until the predetermined number of captured images are stored in the image storage unit on the display unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic still camera according to any one of the first to third aspects, when the photographing is instructed by the photographing instructing means, a predetermined value is stored in the image storing means.
If the captured image of the number of sheets is not stored, stored record of captured images by saving the image recording means by the control means is characterized in that it comprises a notifying means for notifying that will be prohibited. Further, the seventh invention is any one of the first to third inventions.
In such electronic still cameras, the image storage
When the number of captured images is stored, a storage image recording unit
That the captured image can be stored and recorded by the
It is characterized by having an informing means.

An electronic still camera according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is
Capturing an image of a subject at regular intervals, an imaging means for sequentially outputting the captured image, and an image storage means for a predetermined number of sheets Symbol憶the image image shooting, the image storing hand captured images sequentially output from the imaging means
Store the specified number of images in each row, and then store the oldest stored image in order.
Next, a new image output from the imaging means
Storage control means for sequentially storing image images, photographing instruction means for instructing photographing, and storage image recording means for preserving and recording the photographed images stored in the image storage means when photographing is instructed by the photographing instruction means And specified in the image storage means
Until the number of captured images is stored, stored image recording means
The number of captured images stored and recorded by the
And a notifying means for notifying that no information is provided. A ninth aspect of the present invention is the electronic stilka of the eighth aspect.
A display device, wherein the notifying device stores an image.
Until a predetermined number of captured images are stored in the
Shooting time or number of images that can be saved and recorded by the image recording means
Is displayed on the display means.

Further, the electronic still camera of the tenth invention is to capture a subject at regular intervals, an imaging means for sequentially outputting the captured image, and an image storage means for a predetermined number of sheets Symbol憶the image image shooting, the image pickup means The captured images output sequentially from
Storage for a predetermined number of images, and then the oldest stored image
Are sequentially erased, so that the new
A storage control means for sequentially storing a captured image, a photographing instruction means for instructing the imaging, this shooting if photographing is instructed by the instruction means, the stored images to be saved record a captured image stored in the images storage means A recording unit, and a notifying unit for notifying, when the photographing is instructed by the photographing instructing unit, that a predetermined number of captured images are not stored in the image storage unit, to that effect. .

The eleventh invention is the eighth to tenth inventions.
In any of the electronic still camera of the invention, it includes a change setting means for changing and setting the number of captured images to memorize the image storage means, the storage control means sequentially output from the image pickup means
The captured image to be changed is changed to the image storage means by the change setting means.
Store the set number of images, and then store the oldest stored image
Are sequentially erased, so that the new
And the notifying means stores the change setting
Means the number of captured images changed and set by the
If the storage means is not stored, characterized that you notification to that effect.

[0015] A twelfth aspect of the present invention is in the electronic still camera of the eleventh aspect, change setting means, characterized in that it comprises means for changing and setting the storage interval of the captured images sequentially memorize the image storage unit And

Further, the imaging method of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, and sequentially output to obtain a captured image by capturing a subject at regular intervals, stores a predetermined number of sheets in the image storage means captured image
After that, the oldest stored image is
Captured images are stored in sequence, and when shooting is instructed ,
When a predetermined number of captured images are stored in the storage unit, the predetermined number of captured images stored in the image storage unit are stored and recorded in the storage unit, and when photographing is instructed
A predetermined number of captured images are stored in the image storage means.
If not, prohibiting save recording to <br/> saved image storage means of the captured image stored in the image storage means, characterized in that.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image capturing method, captured images are obtained by capturing an image of a subject at regular intervals and sequentially output, and the captured images are stored in a predetermined number of images in image storage means.
After that, the oldest stored image is
The captured images are sequentially stored, and when photographing is instructed, the captured images stored in the image storage unit are stored and stored in the storage image recording unit, and a predetermined number of captured images are recorded in the image storage unit.
Until it is memorized, save it in the saved image recording means according to the shooting instruction
Notifies that the number of captured images to be recorded is less than the predetermined number
That, characterized in that.

Further, the imaging method of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, sequentially outputs to obtain a captured image by capturing a subject at regular intervals, stores a predetermined number of sheets in the image storage means captured image
After that, the oldest stored image is
Sequentially storing the captured image, if the shooting is instructed, save record a captured image stored in the image storage means to store the image recording means, when shooting is instructed, a predetermined number of sheets in the image storage unit If no captured image is stored, the fact is notified.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a circuit configuration of a digital camera to which a photographing method according to the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a digital camera 100 includes an optical system 1.
1, signal conversion unit 12, signal processing unit 13, DRAM 14,
It has a control unit 20, an operation unit 30, a display unit 40, a flash memory 50, and a power supply 90.

The optical system 11 includes an imaging lens 111, an automatic exposure (AE) mechanism 112, and an auto focus (AF).
Including a mechanism and the like, the amount of light incident on the imaging lens 111 is determined by measuring the amount of peripheral light at the time of imaging to obtain an aperture value,
Measure the distance to the subject of interest (for example, measurement by parallax)
To determine the focus position. Then, the luminous flux of the subject image condensed through the imaging lens 111 is converted to a subsequent image sensor (C
CD).

The signal conversion unit 12 includes a CCD, a signal conversion circuit, and the like, converts an image formed on the CCD via the optical system 11 at the preceding stage into an electric signal, converts the image into digital data, and outputs the data at a constant period. I do.

The signal processing unit 13 processes the output from the signal conversion unit 12 in the normal photographing mode, and outputs digital luminance and color difference multiplex signals (Y, Cb, Cr data).
And transfer the Y, Cb, Cr data (hereinafter, image data) to the DRAM 14 and temporarily store them. Also, in a normal shooting mode or in a PAST mode described later.
In the movie shooting mode (during standby for shooting), the captured image data is thinned out and sent to the display unit 40 in order to continuously display images (because the display speed needs to be increased). Also,
In the PAST movie shooting mode, when the shutter is half-pressed (in the case of a two-stage shutter structure, this means a state where the shutter is depressed one stage), a process of circulating (endlessly) storing image data for a predetermined time (a predetermined number of images) in the DRAM 14. To start. When the shutter is fully pressed (in the case of a two-stage shutter structure, this means a state in which the shutter is further pressed one step), the image at the time when the shutter is fully pressed is captured, and a predetermined number of images stored in the DRAM 14 at that time are taken. The JPEG compression processing is performed on the image data of the minute and the image at the time when the image is fully pressed, and is recorded in the flash memory 50. In the normal shooting mode, when a shutter operation is performed, the image data at that time is JPEG-compressed and recorded in the flash memory 50, and simultaneously sent to the display unit 40 to be displayed as a still image.

The signal processing unit 13 reads out the image data written in the DRAM 14 at the time of recording and preserving the data, performs JPEG compression processing, and records and records the data in the recording memory (flash memory) 50 at the time of reproduction. The image data is subjected to decompression processing to reproduce the image data.

The DRAM 14 has a PA as a working memory.
In the ST movie shooting mode, as shown in FIG.
An image buffer area Gi (i = 1 to n) for a predetermined number of images is secured as a buffer for T movie shooting.

The control unit 20 has a microprocessor configuration having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM for storing programs, a timer, and the like. The CPU communicates with the above-described circuits and a power switch (not shown) via a bus line. The digital camera 100 is controlled by the control program stored in the program storage ROM and connected to each mode stored in the program storage ROM in response to a status signal from the operation unit 30. By taking out the processing program, execution control of each function of the digital camera 100, for example, execution of a photographing and recorded image reproducing function, execution of a PAST image photographing in a PAST movie photographing mode, and the like are performed.

The operation unit 30 has a processing mode switching button 3
7. Switches and buttons (not shown) such as a function selection button, a main switch, a shutter button 36, and a recording / playback mode changeover switch are included as constituent parts, and when these switches or buttons are operated, a state signal is controlled. It is sent to the unit 20. Also, the shutter button 36
Has a two-stage shutter structure in this embodiment, and can perform two-stage operation of half-pressing the shutter and full-pressing the shutter. When the shutter button 36 is half-pressed, the endless memory (PA)
AF / AE tracking in the ST movie shooting mode) is started. Note that instead of the shutter button 36 having a two-stage shutter structure, a shooting preparation button is provided in addition to the shutter button 36, and the shutter half-press operation is performed by operating the shooting preparation button or by selecting the PAST movie shooting mode (processing mode switching button). Operation).

The display unit 40 is a video encoder, a VRAM
And a liquid crystal screen (LCD). In addition to displaying a through image in the imaging mode, a reproduced image in the reproduction, a selection menu and a guide (or icon) in the process selection, and a PAST movie shooting mode If you want to prohibit shooting for a certain time after pressing the shutter halfway, count down the remaining time until the shooting is permitted and the number of remaining shots. (If you do not prohibit shooting after pressing the shutter halfway, count the current shooting time and the number of shots. Display up.

The flash memory 50 records the image data from the signal processing unit 13. In addition, the flash memory 5
In 0, an area for recording image data and an image information registration list (not shown) for registering a photographing mode and photographing conditions of the image at the time of recording the image data can also be recorded. Note that a removable IC card may be used instead of the flash memory.

[DRAM Layout, Capture of Images, and Display of Through Images] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of an area layout of the DRAM 14 as a working memory of the digital camera 100 in the PAST movie shooting mode. It is a layout example. FIG. 2A shows a movie (and continuous shooting) image storage area 14 in which 16 through image data storage areas G1 to G16 are secured on the DRAM 14.
1, a work area 142 and a spare area 143 are set. In this example, through image data storage areas G1 to G1 are set.
Each G16 has a capacity of 320 × 240 pixels (R, G, B).

In the PAST movie shooting mode, the captured through image for one frame is stored in G1 and sent to the display unit 40 to display the through image until the shutter 36 is half-pressed. Also, when the shutter 36 is half-pressed, in this example, through images are cyclically recorded in G1 to G16 at intervals of 0.2 seconds. That is, the images stored in G1 to G16 are updated and stored with 3.2 seconds as one cycle until the shutter 36 is fully pressed. When the shutter 36 is half-pressed, the acquired image data is thinned out and sent to the display unit 40 so as to increase the display speed. Thus, the captured image is displayed as a moving image.

FIG. 2B shows an example in which a movie image storage area 141 having 64 through image data storage areas G1 'to G64' secured on the DRAM 14, a work area 142 and a spare area 143 are set. In this example, the through image data storage areas G1 'to G64' are each 1
It has a capacity of 60 × 120 pixels (R, G, B).

In the PAST movie shooting mode, the captured through image for one frame is stored in G1 and sent to the display unit 40 to display the through image until the shutter 36 is half-pressed. When the shutter 36 is half-pressed, in this example, through images are cyclically recorded in G1 'to G64' at 0.1 second intervals. That is, the images stored in G1 ′ to G64 ′ are updated and stored with one cycle of 6.4 seconds until the shutter 36 is fully pressed. When the shutter 36 is half-pressed, the acquired image data is thinned out and sent to the display unit 40 so as to increase the display speed. Thus, the captured image is displayed as a moving image. Until the shutter 36 is fully depressed, the images stored in G1 'to G64' can be updated and stored with 12.8 seconds as one cycle, and a through image can be displayed as a moving image.

In the present embodiment, the storage areas for the through image data are described as 16 G1 to G16 or G1 'to
The number of G64's is 64, but is not limited to this. That is, the number may be any number required for the performance of the model as a number suitable for movie (continuous) shooting when designing the digital camera.

<PAST Movie Shooting Mode> [Embodiment 1] FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view of one embodiment of the PAST movie shooting mode of the present invention. It is an example. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of past images taken in the PAST movie shooting mode, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera in the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, an example in which the photographing operation is prohibited while the subject image is being captured will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and the flowchart of FIG.

Step S1: (Switch to PAST Movie Shooting Mode) The user operates the processing mode switch button 37 to
When T movie shooting mode is selected, R
The program for executing the PAST movie shooting mode is extracted from the OM, and a display 51 (in this example, a character display of “PAST” is displayed but not limited to this in this example) and a blinking display 52 indicating that the mode is the PAST movie shooting mode are displayed. Display the shooting time selection menu 53 and select PA
The user is notified that the ST movie shooting mode is executable, and the user is prompted to select a shooting time. In addition, an image in the field of view of the camera is captured, and a through image is superimposed and displayed for each frame (FIG. 3A). Note that a menu or icon for processing selection displayed on the screen may be selected in place of the operation of the processing mode switching button 37.

Step S2: (PAST shooting time (number of pictures) selection) When the user selects a desired shooting time from the shooting times in the shooting time selection menu 53, the selected PAST
The shooting time T is set. In FIG. 3A, the PAST shooting time is 3.2 seconds (16 consecutive shots at 0.2 second intervals),
6.4 seconds (64 consecutive shots at 0.1 second intervals) and 12.8 seconds (64 consecutive shots at 0.2 second intervals) can be selected.
The AST photographing time is not limited only to these times. The number of consecutive shots may be selected instead of the shooting time (in this case, a menu 53 for selecting the number of shots is displayed in FIG. 3A).

Step S3: (Prohibition of shutter operation after half-pressing the shutter) When the user determines an angle so that the subject of interest is displayed through the center of the screen and half-presses the shutter button,
The control unit 20 controls the movie image storage area 14 of the DRAM 14
1 until the number of images determined by the PAST shooting time T has been completely acquired (that is, until the image has been acquired once).
The shutter operation invalid flag is turned on (O) so that the image recording control is not performed even if the user operates the shutter 36.
N).

Step S4: (Start of AF and AE tracking) At the same time, the control unit 20
3 and a control signal is sent to the automatic exposure mechanism 112 to perform focusing control and exposure control. In this case, shutter 3
The AF and AE follow-up operations are continued even if the finger is released from 6. In the embodiment, the in-focus display is not performed during the AF tracking operation. Further, when the aperture is switched in accordance with the AE, the brightness of the screen may be extremely changed at the time of the switching. Therefore, in order to prevent this, only the switching of the shutter speed is performed and the aperture switching is not performed.

Step S5: (Image capture / through display) At the same time, the control unit 20 controls the signal processing unit 13 to
The subject image is taken into M14 (when the PAST shooting time is 3.2 seconds, the image data for 16 frames is
G1 to G1 of the movie image storage area 141 of the RAM 14
6 is sequentially and cyclically stored every 0.2 seconds. Also, PA
When the ST shooting time is 6.4 seconds, 64 image data are stored in the G of the movie image storage area 141 of the DRAM 14.
The data is sequentially and cyclically stored every 1 second from 1 'to G64'. If the PAST shooting time is 12.8 seconds, 6
The four image data are sequentially and cyclically stored in G1 'to G64' of the movie image storage area 141 of the DRAM 14 every 0.2 seconds.

Step S6: (Judgment as to whether or not the first round of acquisition has elapsed) The control unit 20 checks whether or not the first round of acquisition has been completed. That is, whether or not the PAST shooting time T selected and set has elapsed is checked by the value of the counter (when the down counter = 0, the acquisition is performed once), and when it has elapsed, the process proceeds to S8. Transition to S7.

Step S7: (Display of Waiting Time and Blinking Display) The control unit 20 presses the shutter 36 halfway until photographing becomes possible, that is, 3.2 when the PAST photographing time T = 3.2 seconds. PAST shooting time T =
When 6.4 seconds elapse, 6.4 seconds elapse, and when PAST imaging time T = 12.8 seconds, imaging prohibition display (standby state display) is performed until 12.8 seconds elapse, and imaging is started. A countdown display 54 until the time and a blinking display 52 are performed (FIG. 3B), and the process returns to S5. In the countdown display, the PAST shooting time T selected and set in step S2 is set in a down counter (not shown) at the same time as the shutter 36 is half-pressed, and the counter is incremented by 0.1 second based on the time signal from the timer of the control unit 20. Decrease the value and edit and display the counter value.

Step S8: (Release of shutter operation after one round of capture) When the PAST shooting time T has elapsed in step S6, the control unit 20 turns off the shutter operation invalid flag to perform shooting control by shutter operation. (OFF).

Step S9: (Shooting state display and lighting display) The control unit 20 performs a display 55 to notify the user that the shooting state is ready, and turns on a blinking display 52 '( In this example, switching to red is performed (FIG. 3C).

Step S10: (Judgment of Shooting Operation) After the display of the photographable state and the lighting display, the control unit 20 checks the state signal from the operation unit 30, and if there is a shutter operation, it is determined whether or not the shutter operation is a photographing operation (fully pressed). Find out what. When the shutter 36 is fully pressed, the process proceeds to S12,
Otherwise, the process proceeds to S11.

Step S11: (Capture / through display of image) Returning to step S10 while capturing image data and displaying a through image, waits for the shutter 36 to be fully pressed (as a result, until the shutter is fully pressed). The images recorded in the movie image recording area 141 of the DRAM 14 are sequentially updated.)

Step S12: (PAST Movie Image Recording Processing) When the user fully presses the shutter 36 in the above-described step S10, the control unit 20 controls the signal processing unit 13 to perform DRA.
The image data stored in the M14 movie image storage area 141 is sequentially JPEG-compressed, and the compressed image data is recorded in the flash memory 50. In this case, a display 56 indicating that recording is being performed is performed on the screen (FIG. 3D).

In step S7, instead of displaying the waiting time, the photographed time (number of images) may be counted up and displayed. In addition, instead of the time display and the number of images display, a display indicating that photography is prohibited (for example, "shutter operation prohibited" display, "cannot be taken for 3 seconds", and press the shutter until "shooting OK display" appears Also cannot be shot. " In addition, when a shooting operation (shutter operation) is performed while the shooting is prohibited, a notification by a shooting prohibition display (for example, a display such as “Shooting is not possible even if shooting operation is performed”) or an audio output device is provided. The notification may be made by outputting a voice message.

By the above operation, the user can reliably photograph a certain number of PAST images at a desired photo opportunity after the photographing becomes possible. That is,
Since the image before the shutter is fully pressed for the predetermined time (number) desired by the user can be reliably recorded in the flash memory 50, the PAST image for the desired time (number) is recorded after the user performs the PAST shooting. You will not notice that you are not. Also, since the waiting time until the PAST shooting is displayed, the user is
You can know if shooting is possible. Note that, in step S10 of the flowchart, the shutter is fully depressed and S
At 11, a PAST movie image recording process is performed and PA
When the ST shooting is completed, the image when the shutter is fully pressed becomes one image at the time of the normal shooting, and the PAST movie image (63 images in the example of FIG. 4) before that is a compensation image in the case where a photo opportunity is missed. , But in step S12
The PAST movie shooting mode can be used to secure the start timing for continuous shooting or the start timing for movie shooting by continuing the operation of continuous shooting or movie shooting after.

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view of an embodiment of the PAST movie shooting mode of the present invention, in which the shutter can be fully pressed immediately after the shutter is half-pressed. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera in this embodiment. Hereinafter, description will be given based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7.

Step T1: (Switch to PAST Movie Shooting Mode) The user operates the processing mode switch button 37 to
When T movie shooting mode is selected, R
The program for executing the PAST movie shooting mode is extracted from the OM, and a PAST movie shooting mode display 51 and a blinking display 52 are displayed on the screen to perform the PAST movie shooting mode.
In addition to notifying the user that the movie shooting mode is executable, the camera captures an image in the field of view of the camera, superimposes and displays a through image one frame at a time, and waits for a user's shutter operation (FIG. 6A). Note that a menu or icon for processing selection displayed on the screen may be selected in place of the operation of the processing mode switching button 37.

Step T2: (PAST shooting time (number of pictures) selection) When the user selects a desired shooting time from the shooting times in the shooting time selection menu 53, the selected PAST
The shooting time T is set. In FIG. 3A, the PAST shooting time is 3.2 seconds (16 consecutive shots at 0.2 second intervals),
6.4 seconds (64 consecutive shots at 0.1 second intervals) and 12.8 seconds (64 consecutive shots at 0.2 second intervals) can be selected, but the present invention is not limited to these. Note that the number of continuous shots may be selected instead of the shooting time (in this case, FIG.
(A) displays a photograph number selection menu 53).

Step T3: (Start of AF and AE tracking) When the user determines the angle so that the subject of interest is displayed through the center of the screen and half-presses the shutter button,
The control unit 20 sends a control signal to the auto focus mechanism 113 and the automatic exposure mechanism 112 to perform focus control and exposure control. In this case, even if the finger is released from the shutter 36, the tracking operation of the AF and the AE is continued. In the embodiment, the in-focus display is not performed during the AF tracking operation. Also,
If the aperture is switched by following the AE, the brightness of the screen may be extremely changed at the time of switching. Therefore, in order to prevent this, only the switching of the shutter speed is performed and the aperture switching is not performed.

Step T4: (Image Capture / Through Display) At the same time, the control unit 20 controls the signal processing unit 13 to
The subject image is taken into M14 (when the PAST shooting time is 3.2 seconds, the image data for 16 frames is
G1 to G1 of the movie image storage area 141 of the RAM 14
6 is sequentially and cyclically stored every 0.2 seconds. Also, PA
When the ST shooting time is 6.4 seconds, 64 image data are stored in the G of the movie image storage area 141 of the DRAM 14.
The data is sequentially and cyclically stored every 1 second from 1 'to G64'. If the PAST shooting time is 12.8 seconds, 6
The four image data are sequentially and cyclically stored in G1 'to G64' of the movie image storage area 141 of the DRAM 14 every 0.2 seconds. Note that the user can fully press the shutter 36 at any time after the shutter 36 has been half-pressed (including within the first capture time).

Step T5: (Judgment as to whether or not the first round of fetching has elapsed) The control unit 20 checks whether or not one round of fetching has occurred. That is, whether or not the PAST shooting time T selected and set has elapsed is checked by the value of the counter (if the down counter is 0, the capture is performed once), and if it has elapsed, the process transits to T6. Transition to S7.

Step T6: (Display of Photographed Time and / or Number of Photographed Images) Also, the control section 20 presses the shutter 36 halfway until the first round of capture time elapses, that is, PA
When ST shooting time is 3.2 seconds, until 3.2 seconds elapse, when PAST shooting time is 6.4 seconds, until 6.4 seconds elapse, when PAST shooting time is 12.8 seconds. In step (2), the count-up display 57 of the PAST photographable time and / or the PAST photographable number display 58 are performed until 12.8 seconds have elapsed (FIG. 6B). Further, the flashing display is switched to the lighting display 52 ′ (red lighting in this example) in order to notify the user that the shooting is possible. The count-up display clears a counter (not shown) to zero at the same time when the shutter 36 is half-pressed, increases the counter value by 0.1 second by a time signal from the timer of the control unit 20, and edits the counter value. Do. Where PAS
Since the number of T images that can be taken is equal to the number of images stored in the movie image recording area 141 of the DRAM 14, PAST
Number of images that can be taken = (elapsed time) / (capture time per image): (rounded down to the nearest decimal point). For example, if the PAST shooting time is 6.4 seconds, the capture time per image is 0.1 seconds (described above). Therefore, if the elapsed time from half-pressing the shutter is 3 seconds, PAST
The number of images that can be taken = 3 / 0.1 = 30.

Step T7: (Determination of Shooting Operation) The control unit 20 checks a state signal from the operation unit 30 and checks whether or not a shutter operation by the user is a shooting operation (fully pressed) when there is a user's shutter operation. When the shutter 36 is fully pressed, the process transits to T8. Otherwise, the process returns to T4.
The images recorded in the fourteen movie image recording areas 141 are sequentially updated.)

Step T8: (PAST Movie Image Recording Processing) When the user fully presses the shutter 36 in step T5, the control unit 20 controls the signal processing unit 13 to control the DRAM.
The image data stored in the fourteen movie image storage areas 141 are sequentially JPEG-compressed, and the compressed image data is recorded in the flash memory 50. In this case, a display 55 indicating that recording is in progress is performed on the screen (FIG. 6C). If the image has not been captured one time between half-press and full-press of the shutter, the contents of the unstored area are not written in the flash memory 50.

It should be noted that if the acquisition has not completed one cycle in step T5, only the display indicating that the acquisition has not completed may be performed in step T6. In addition, when the shooting operation is performed when the capturing has not completed one round, a display indicating that the PAST shooting for the selected PAST shooting time (number of images) has not been performed (for example, “still shooting time ( Display such as "the number of images remaining", "they have not been photographed for the set time (number of images)", or the digital camera 100 is provided with an audio output device to output an audio message. It may be.

By the above operation, PAST photography can be performed at an arbitrary timing after the start of image capture. Also, since the number of PAST images that can be taken and the PAST image-capable time at the present time are displayed, it is possible to know how much shooting can be performed by performing the shutter operation now, and the PAST image for the time (number of images) selected and set by the user later is displayed. You will not notice that it has not been recorded. In step T7 of the flowchart, the PAST movie image is recorded by pressing the shutter button fully and by T8, and when the process is completed, the image when the shutter button is fully pressed becomes one image in the normal shooting, and the previous PAST movie image (FIG. 8) shows a compensation image in the case where a photo opportunity is missed. The PAS is performed by continuing the continuous shooting or movie shooting operation after step T8.
The T movie shooting mode can also be used to secure start timing for continuous shooting and start timing for movie shooting.

[Modification of Embodiment 2] After the start of the tracking of the AF / AE in step T3, the user can take a picture at an arbitrary timing. When the photographing (in the embodiment, the shutter 36 is fully pressed) is performed before the time is reached, the PAST photographing time (number of sheets) is automatically switched to change the number of photographed images or the image quality of the photographed image. .

FIG. 8 is an additional flowchart when the above-mentioned setting or the selected PAST photographing time is changed in FIG. 7. Step T8 in FIG.
1 to T8-4 to replace the shutter 36
The PAST shooting time set or selected in step T1 is changed according to the time from half-pressing to full-pressing of the shutter 36. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the automatic switching of the PAST shooting time.

Step T8-1: When the user fully presses the shutter 36 in Step T7 of FIG. 7, the control unit 20 sets the elapsed time t after the shutter is half-pressed in Step T3 and the PAST shooting time set or selected in Step T1. T
(In the example of FIG. 7, 3.2 seconds which is a PAST shooting time candidate,
6.4 seconds or 12.8 seconds), and t
When ≧ T, TAST without changing the PAST shooting time
8-4, and when t <T, transition to T8-2.

Step T8-2: When t <T, if there is no PAST shooting time candidate shorter than T, the process transits to T8-4 without changing the PAST shooting time, and there is a PAST shooting time candidate shorter than T. In this case, the process makes a transition to T8-3.

Step T8-3: If there is a PAST shooting time candidate shorter than T, the longest PAST shooting time candidate is set as T and compared with the elapsed time t. Return to search for a shorter PAST shooting time candidate. If t ≧ T, the PAST shooting time candidate is replaced with T, and the process transits to T8-4.

Step T8-4: The control unit 20 performs PAST
The signal processing unit 13 is controlled according to the length of the photographing time T to perform DR.
The image data stored in the movie image storage area 141 of the AM 14 is sequentially JPEG-compressed, and the compressed image data is recorded in the flash memory 50. In this case, a display 56 indicating that recording is in progress is performed on the screen (FIG. 6).
(C)). If the image has not been captured one time between the half-press and full-press of the shutter, the contents of the unstored area are not written in the flash memory 50.

P is recorded as the PAST shooting time is longer.
Although the number of AST images increases, the processing speed per image needs to be reduced. Therefore, as the number of PAST images increases, the recording density is reduced and the image quality deteriorates. However, in the above-described operation switching operation, imaging is performed within a shorter time than the set PAST imaging time (or the selected PAST imaging time). In that case, PAS shorter than the PAST shooting time
Since the photographed image is recorded by switching to the T photographing time, a clearer image can be obtained as compared with the case where the automatic switching is not performed.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the automatic switching of the photographing time, in which the set PAST photographing time T is 12.8 seconds, and the elapsed time t from half-pressing the shutter is 7.6 seconds. Referring to the flowchart of FIG.
Since t <T (7.6 <12.8) in 8-1, T8
Transition to -2. At T8-2, there is a PAST shooting time candidate (6.4 seconds, 3.2 seconds) shorter than T (12.8 seconds), so that the state transits to T8-3. In T8-3, when the maximum of 6.4 seconds among the PAST shooting time candidates is T and is compared with t, since t> T, T = 6.4 and the process transits to T8-4. In T8-4, first, the image to be recorded first and the number of recordings are determined. In the case of T = 6.4, the recording time =
From 0.1 second, 7.6-6.4 = 1.6, 1.6 / 0.
1 = 16 is obtained. Therefore, the oldest image is the image stored in G17 '. Further, since 7.6> 6.4, the number of recorded images is 64, and G17 ′ to G64 ′ and G1 ′ to G of the movie image storage area 141 of the DRAM 14 (b).
The image data stored in 16 ′ is JPEG-compressed sequentially from the G17 ′ image data, and the compressed image data is recorded in the flash memory 50.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.

[0070]

As described above, according to the electronic still camera of the first invention and the photographing method of the thirteenth invention,
A predetermined number of captured images are stored when shooting is instructed.
Otherwise, saving and recording of captured images is prohibited.
The user can photograph the PAST images securely predetermined number. That is, since images for a predetermined time (number of images) taken before the photographing operation can be reliably stored and recorded in the recording memory, the predetermined number of PAST images are not recorded after the user performs PAST imaging. You will not notice anything.

In the electronic still camera according to the second aspect of the present invention, the user can set the number of captured images by the change setting means and obtain the set number of images. In addition, it is possible to obtain a number of images according to the nature of the subject and the shooting purpose.

In the electronic still camera according to the third aspect of the present invention, the user can set the capture interval of the picked-up image by the change setting means. Of the desired number of images can be obtained.

Further, in the electronic still camera of the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is displayed that the storage recording is prohibited, and it is suggested that the photographing is performed after the prohibition of the storage recording is released. In addition to the effects of the third aspect, it is possible to prevent the user from performing a shooting operation even when the user is not in a shooting enabled state.

In the electronic still camera according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the remaining time or the number of remaining images until the prohibition of storage and recording is released is displayed. Can be known, and it is possible to prevent the user from performing a shooting operation even when the user is not in a shooting enabled state.

Further, in the electronic still camera according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, if the recording operation is prohibited when the photographing operation is performed, the fact is notified. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects, the user can take a picture. operation Ru can know that invalid. Ma
In the electronic still camera according to the seventh aspect, a predetermined number of images are taken.
When the image is stored, the captured image can be saved and recorded.
Since there is a notification that there is a certain effect, the effects of the first to third aspects of the present invention are provided.
In addition, even if the user is not
It is possible to prevent the work from being performed.

In the electronic still camera according to the eighth invention and the photographing method according to the fourteenth invention, the predetermined number of captured images
Until is stored, the image is saved and recorded by the shooting operation
Since it is notified that the number of images has not reached the predetermined number, it is possible to determine whether to wait until the number of images has reached the predetermined number,
The user does not notice that a predetermined number of PAST images are not recorded after PAST shooting. In the electronic still camera according to the ninth aspect of the present invention,
Since the possible shooting time or the number of shots is displayed,
In addition to the effects of the present invention, the current PAST shooting before shooting operation
The number of shadows (time) can be known.

In the electronic still camera according to the tenth aspect and the photographing method according to the fifteenth aspect , when the photographing operation is performed,
If a predetermined number of captured images are not stored in the
Since it is notified that the number of PAST shots has not reached the predetermined number during the shooting operation, it is possible to know that ,
After the PAST shooting, the user does not notice that the desired time (number of sheets) of PAST images has not been recorded.

In the electronic still camera according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the user can set the number of captured images by the change setting means and obtain the set number of images.
In addition to the effects of the eighth to tenth aspects, it is possible to obtain a number of images according to the properties of the subject and the shooting purpose.

[0079] Further, since the electronic still camera of the twelfth aspect of the present invention can be set taking interval of the captured image by the user to change setting means, the image quality in accordance with the eleventh effect addition of the subject nature and objective projection of invention Of the desired number of images can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a circuit configuration of a digital camera to which a photographing method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of a layout of a DRAM.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of one embodiment of a PAST movie shooting mode.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of past images taken in a PAST movie shooting mode.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the digital camera in a PAST movie shooting mode.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of one embodiment of a PAST movie shooting mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the digital camera in a PAST movie shooting mode.

FIG. 8 is an additional flowchart when a set or selected PAST shooting time is changed.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of automatic switching of PAST photographing time.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 DRAM (working memory) 50 Flash memory (recording memory) 100 Digital camera (electronic still camera)

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. A capturing an image of a subject at regular intervals, the imaging means for sequentially outputting the captured image, an image storage unit that憶predetermined number of sheets Symbol of the captured image, the captured image sequentially output from the image pickup means Image
Storage for a predetermined number of images, and then the oldest stored image
Are output from the imaging means by sequentially deleting
A storage control means for sequentially storing the new captured image, a photographing instruction means for instructing shooting, if this photographed by the photographing instruction means is instructed, save for recording an imaging image that has been stored in said image storage means When a photographing instruction is given by the stored image recording means and the photographing instruction means,
A predetermined number of captured images are not stored in the image storage means.
If no, the electronic still camera characterized by comprising a control means for prohibiting the saving record of captured images by the storage image storing means. 2. A includes a change setting means for setting changing the number of photographic images to be memorize in the image storage unit, said storage control means, are sequentially output from said image pickup means
The captured image is stored in the image storage unit by the change setting unit.
Store the changed number of images, and then save the oldest stored image
Output from the imaging means by sequentially erasing the images
New stored images are sequentially stored, the stored image recording unit stores and records the number of captured images changed and set by the change setting unit, and the control unit determines that shooting is instructed by the shooting instruction unit.
When the number of captured images changed and set by the change setting unit is not stored in the image storage unit,
2. The electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein the storage of the captured image by the storage image storage unit is prohibited in the case. 3. The image processing device according to claim 2, wherein the change setting unit includes:
Sequentially serial electronic still camera according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a means for changing and setting the storage interval of the captured image憶to. 4. A predetermined number of captured images are stored in said image storage means.
The electronic still camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a notifying unit for notifying that storage and recording are prohibited by the control unit until an image is stored . 5. A display unit, wherein the notifying unit captures a predetermined number of images in the image storage unit.
5. The electronic still camera according to claim 4, further comprising means for displaying the remaining time until the image is stored or the number of remaining images taken on the display means. 6. When a photographing is instructed by the photographing instructing means, a predetermined number of captured images are stored in the image storage means.
If not stored, the electronic according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a notifying means for notifying the storage record of captured images by the storage image recording means Ru is prohibited by the control means Still camera. 7. A predetermined number of captured images are stored in said image storage means.
When an image is stored, the image is captured by the stored image recording unit.
Equipped with a notification means to notify that images can be stored and recorded
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein
Electronic still camera. 8. An object is photographed at regular intervals, and the photographed image is
Imaging means for sequentially outputting, image storage means for storing a predetermined number of the captured images, and image storage for sequentially outputting the captured images from the imaging means.
Storage for a predetermined number of images, and then the oldest stored image
Are output from the imaging means by sequentially deleting
A storage control means for sequentially storing the new captured image, a photographing instruction means for instructing shooting, when shooting is instructed by the imaging instruction means, the picture
Storage for storing captured images stored in the image storage means.
A predetermined number of captured images are stored in the existing image recording unit and the image storage unit;
Until the stored image is recorded by the stored image recording means
Notifying means for notifying that the number of images has not reached the predetermined number
Electronic still camera comprising the and. 9. A display unit, wherein the notifying unit is configured to store a predetermined number of images in the image storage unit.
Until the image is stored, the image is stored by the stored image recording means.
The recording time or number of images that can be recorded is displayed on the display unit.
9. The electronic device according to claim 8, comprising means for indicating.
Still camera. 10. A photographed image of a subject taken at regular intervals.
Image capturing means for sequentially outputting the captured images, an image storing means for storing a predetermined number of the captured images, and
Storage for a predetermined number of images, and then the oldest stored image
Are output from the imaging means by sequentially deleting
A storage control means for sequentially storing the new captured image, a photographing instruction means for instructing shooting, when shooting is instructed by the imaging instruction means, the picture
Storage for storing captured images stored in the image storage means.
Existing image recording means, and when photographing is instructed by the photographing instruction means,
A predetermined number of captured images are not stored in the image storage means.
An electronic still camera , comprising: a notifying unit for notifying the user of the case . 11. A captured image stored in said image storage means.
Change setting means for changing and setting the number of sheets, wherein the storage control means is sequentially output from the imaging means
The captured image is stored in the image storage unit by the change setting unit.
Store the changed number of images, and then save the oldest stored image
Output from the imaging means by sequentially erasing the images
New shooting images are sequentially stored, and the notification means is changed and set by the change setting means.
Captured images are stored in the image storage means.
If there is no notification, a notification to that effect is provided.
An electronic still camera according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . 12. The image setting device according to claim 11 , wherein
Change and set the storage interval of each captured image to be stored sequentially in a row
The electronic still camera according to claim 11, comprising means . 13. An image pickup method for a subject at a constant interval.
Ri and output sequentially to obtain a captured image, the image storing captured image
After storing a predetermined number of images in the means, the oldest stored images are sequentially erased.
And sequentially store new captured images, and when photographing is instructed, a predetermined number of images are stored in the image storage means.
The image storage means.
Storage means for storing a predetermined number of captured images stored in
When the photographing is instructed, a predetermined number of images are stored in the image storage means.
If no captured image is stored for the
To the stored image storage means of the captured image stored in the row
A photographing method characterized by prohibiting the recording of images. 14. An image pickup apparatus for picking up an object at a constant interval.
And sequentially output the captured images, and store the captured images in an image.
After storing a predetermined number of images in the means, the oldest stored images are sequentially erased.
The new captured images are sequentially stored by leaving, and when the photographing is instructed , the new captured images are stored in the image storage means.
The stored captured images are stored and stored in the stored image recording unit, and a predetermined number of captured images are stored in the image storage unit.
Until the recording instruction is stored in the storage image recording means
A method of notifying that the number of captured images to be performed is less than a predetermined number . 15. An image pickup method for a subject at a constant interval.
And sequentially output the captured images, and store the captured images in an image.
After storing a predetermined number of images in the means, the oldest stored images are sequentially erased.
The new captured images are sequentially stored by leaving, and when the photographing is instructed , the new captured images are stored in the image storage means.
The captured image is stored in the storage image recording means, and when the photographing is instructed, a predetermined number of images are stored in the image storage means.
If no captured image is stored, the
That, imaging method, characterized in that.