JP3535738B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0001] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention
Turtle that can display the inserted image on the displayTo laRelated
It is. [0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image is confirmed while photographing.
With viewfinder for, for example, digital
For cameras and video cameras,
The display resolution is fixed. [0003] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In such conventional cameras, the display resolution is fixed.
Therefore, there were the following problems. High resolution files
If you try to achieve indder operation,
Processing and image digital processing must be performed at high speed.
Requires high-performance hardware. Subordinate
Is not so high performance hardware
If the operation is performed in
The result is an awkward image with a low rate. This place
If the subject is moving rapidly, such as in a sports scene
Even when shooting a body, the viewfinder keeps track of the subject's movement.
The problem that it is difficult to decide the composition because you can not follow
There was a point. In addition, the finder resolution is reduced to
Color reproduction and pixel density
Image quality and image quality deteriorate, so
In the case of shadows, etc., the image
There is a problem that the images are far apart. [0005] The present invention solves the above problems.
And at a resolution according to the imaging conditions.
A turtle that can be displayed on the electronic viewfinder
LaThe purpose is to provide. [0006] [MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS]La isNext
It is configured as follows. (1)Image sensor and read from the image sensor
Conversion means for AD converting the converted image signal and thinning-out
A control unit including a road and AD conversion means in the control unit.
To a digital signal, and
Digital memory for storing image signals thinned out by a thinning circuit
Memory and an image signal stored in the digital memory
And a display unit for displaying
Recording means for recording the extracted image signal on a removable recording medium
To change the resolution of the image to be displayed on the display unit.
Selecting means, the control unit comprising:
Thinning in the control unit according to the resolution changed by
The image signal is thinned out by the circuit and then supplied to the digital memory.
A camera characterized by feeding. [0008] [0009] [0010] [0011] [0012] [0013] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be
This will be described in more detail with reference to an embodiment of a camera. The present invention
Not only in the form of digital cameras, but also in digital cameras
In the form of an image processing method,
Perform the same procedure in the form of a storage medium that stores the program.
Can be. [0014] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment.
It is. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU (central processing unit).
Processing device), and the operation of this digital camera
It is controlled by U101. The CPU 101 has a control program.
ROM that stores the program (read only memo
Re) 102, RAM (random access memory) 10
3. Data storage unit 104, image processing unit 108, tablet
Control section 109, LCD control section 11
1, shutter SW114, DC for supplying power
/ DC converters 117 are connected to each other to perform image processing.
The unit 108 includes a CCD control unit 107 and a CC
D106 is connected. Then, the tablet control unit 109
Has a handwriting tablet 110 and an LCD control unit 1
11 includes a display driving unit 112 and a display unit (TFT color).
Liquid crystal) 113 is connected, and a DC / DC
The inverter 117 is supplied with power from the battery 116.
You. CPU 101 is a control program in ROM 102.
Various controls are performed based on the gram. In these controls
Reads the captured image signal output from the image processing unit 108.
Processing for performing DMA transfer to the RAM 103,
Data from RAM 103 to LCD control unit 111
DMA transfer of image data and JPEG compression of image data
A process for storing in the data storage means 104 in a compressed file format
From the handwriting tablet (selection means) 110
Execution of various applications according to the input information,
And change the finder resolution from the application
When an instruction is issued, the CCD 106 and the CCD controller
Control unit 107, image processing unit 108, LCD control
For the unit 111 etc.
An instruction to change the image processing is issued. Also, the operation of the shutter SW 114
Instructions for shooting operation and power supply to each element
DC / DC converter for control signal for trawling
117 is included. The RAM 103 has an image development area 103a,
Work area 103b, VRAM 103c, temporary save
A rear 103d is provided. Image development area 103a
Is the captured image (YU) sent from the image processing unit 108.
V digital signal) or read from the data storage unit 104
To temporarily store compressed JPEG compressed image data
Image compression and decompression as a temporary buffer
Used as a work area dedicated to images for processing. The work area 103b stores various programs.
Work area for VRAM 103c is a display unit
As VRAM for storing display data to be displayed on 113
used. In addition, the temporary evacuation area 103d stores various data.
It is an area for temporarily evacuating data. The data storage means 104 is provided to the CPU 101
JPEG-compressed captured image data or
Application data that is referenced by the application
Is a memory for storing in the form of a file.
In the example, it is constituted by a flash memory. A lens group 105 optically converts a subject image into CC.
It consists of multiple lenses to project to D105
The CCD (photoelectric conversion element) 106 includes a lens group 105
The projected image projected by the camera into an analog electric signal
It is an element for performing. This CCD 106 is provided by the CPU 101
According to the resolution conversion instruction, between the horizontal and vertical directions
Output of the subtraction pixel data is possible. CCD controller
The transfer unit 107 supplies a transfer clock signal and a shutter to the CCD 106.
Timing generator to supply the
For noise removal and gain processing of CCD output signal
Circuit, and analog signal to 10 bit digital signal
A / D conversion circuit for converting to
Pixel thinning processing according to the resolution conversion instruction from
And the like for performing the operation. The image processing unit 108 has a CCD controller.
10-bit digital signal output from the roll unit 107
Gamma conversion, color space conversion, white balance,
Performs image processing such as AE, flash correction, etc.
8-bit digital signal output in (4: 2: 2) format
Is to do the power. These processing systems are also provided by the CPU 1
According to the resolution conversion instruction from 01
The corresponding processing can be performed. These lens groups 10
5, CCD 106, CCD control unit 107, image
The processing unit 108 is hereinafter referred to as a camera module.
And The tablet control unit 109 is a handwriting
Input by touch control and touch control of tablet 110
Converts various information obtained into digital signals
Control to transfer to. The LCD control unit 111 performs image processing.
YUV digital image data transferred from the
Or for image files in the data storage means 104
JUV decompressed YUV digital image data
Display drive after receiving and converting to RGB digital signal
A process for outputting to the unit 112 is performed. The display drive unit 112 is
The control for driving the display unit 113 is performed.
According to the resolution conversion instruction from 101, to any resolution
Yes, it is. The display unit 113 is a table for displaying an image.
VGA standard (640 x 480 dots) TF
It is a T liquid crystal display device. The shutter SW 114 starts the photographing operation.
Is a shutter for instructing. This shutter S
W114 is a two-stage switch depending on the pressing pressure of the switch
There is a position and the first stage position (weak pressing pressure-
The lower half-press position is detected)
Locking of camera settings such as lance and AE is performed, and 2
Step position (strong pressing pressure-below "shutter ON port
Detection of the capture signal
Is performed. The battery 116 is a rechargeable secondary battery.
Or it is a dry battery. DC / DC converter 1
17 receives power supply from the battery 116,
To create multiple power supplies,
A power supply of a voltage necessary for each element including the CPU 101
Supplying. This DC / DC converter 117 has a CP
The supply of each voltage is performed by the control signal 118 from U101.
Start and stop feeding can be controlled. Hereinafter, the operation of the camera in the first embodiment will be described.
The processing procedure is based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
A description will be given below. In the first embodiment, the selection of the resolution is determined by the image quality.
Destination finder mode and speed priority finder mode
For digital cameras that can switch between two stages
are doing. FIG. 2 shows a view in the camera photographing operation mode.
5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a viewfinder function.
In accordance with a program stored in the ROM 102, C
This is a process performed in response to an instruction from the PU 101. In step S201, power is turned on, or
Or switch to shooting operation mode,
In step S202, the image quality priority finder
Mode or speed priority finder mode,
In the case of the speed priority mode, the process proceeds to step S203.
Pixel data and line data
Step S20 after setting the capture mode
Proceed to 4. In step S202, priority is given to image quality.
Image processing without thinning in finder mode
, The process proceeds to step S204. Steps
In S204, the CCD 106 and the CCD control unit 1
07 can operate the CCD module including
ble), and then, in step S205, shooting
An electronic viewfinder to confirm the subject
The operation of the display unit 113 is started. Next, in step S206 and thereafter, the camera module
Video captured from the module is displayed on the display unit 113
A continuous process up to this point will be described. First, in step S206, the CCD data
Judge whether the mode is the data thinning mode or not.
In the case of the thinning mode, in step S208,
The light information of the subject captured from the camera lens group 105 is
The CCD 106 performs a process of converting the signal into an electric signal.
This output signal is a non-interlace analog signal and is processed at a high speed.
To increase the degree, the total pixels of 640 x 480 dots
No, reduction of 320 × 240 dots by thinning process
Control to output size data. In step S206, the CCD
If data thinning mode is not set, step
In step S207, the CCD 1 similar to step S208 is used.
An image capturing operation is performed in step 06. However, this
In this case, the thinning process is not performed, and 640 × 480 dots
All pixels are read. Captured in step S207 or S208
The input signal is sent to the CCD in step S209.
Noise removal processing and gain processing by the control unit 107
A / D converted to a 10-bit digital signal
Thereafter, the image data is sent to the image processing unit 108. In the image processing unit 108, step S210
Auto white balance, AE and flash
Processing such as correction at the time of shooting, or YUV (4: 2:
2) Perform processing such as signal conversion into a format. this
The YUV-converted signal is displayed on the CPU 101 by the display image.
The data is written to the VRAM 103c for storing data,
Use A to output to LCD control unit 111 regularly.
It is empowered. The LCD control unit 111 has a step
At S211, the received YUV signal is converted to an RGB digital signal.
After performing the conversion process on the
And outputs an RGB signal to the display driver 112. This display
Upon receiving the output signal from the driving unit 112, the process proceeds to step S21.
In 3, the display of the subject image by the display unit 113 is performed.
Is As described above, steps S206 to S2
Up to 13 processes continuously in 1/30 second cycles
The subject image is always displayed on the display 113.
And the viewfinder operates. Now, during this viewfinder loop
If a key operation by the photographer is detected in
Generates an interrupt event, and goes to interrupt processing A
Processing shifts. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing key operation during camera photographing operation.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt processing control procedure according to the embodiment;
CPU is executed by a program stored in ROM 102.
This processing is performed in accordance with the instruction 101. At the stage when this key operation occurs, an internal
Is in one of two modes. Day
In the normal mode, the view mode described in FIG.
A mode in which the binder operation is continuously performed after the power is turned on.
Mode. The other is the half-press mode.
The shutter is half-pressed and various camera settings are locked.
The viewfinder is operating in the
Mode. In FIG. 3, the processing start position is changed from the normal mode.
Processing and processing from half-press mode
Has been explained. Step S301 is a step from the normal mode.
Check which key operation was performed during the loading process.
This is a key status reading process for locking. This
Here, in step S302, the shutter switch
If it is detected that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S303.
Auto white balance, AE, flash photography
Control in the image processing unit 108, such as strobe correction in the case of
Locks the camera settings to the current settings, and then
In step S318, the processing load of the CPU
Of the display drive unit 112 and the display unit 113 to reduce
Stop working. Now, description will be made with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
As described above, in the viewfinder processing,
Captures the number of pixels of a thinned image depending on the image quality mode
In some cases, only VG
A full image of A standard (640 × 480 dots) is required
You. Therefore, next, in step S319, the VGA image
Captures a prime capture signal and sends it to the image processing unit.
After the predetermined processing in 108, the data of the YUV signal is
The data is written to the image development area 103a in the RAM 103. This data is stored in step S320.
After performing image compression processing conforming to the JPEG standard,
In step S321, the compressed data is stored in the data storage
Write to step 104 (flash memory) as an image file
Get in. After that, in step S322,
The operation of the display drive is restarted, and the operation proceeds to step S323.
To the display unit 113 so that the photographed image can be confirmed.
After displaying the image data for a certain period of time, step S32
In step 4, the interrupt processing ends, and the loop of FIG.
Then, the viewfinder process is restarted. Next, the key steps in step S301
Status reading, the shutter half-press switch is pressed.
If it has been detected that the
In step S305, first, the internal state setting is pressed halfway.
Mode, and in step S306, step S
Auto white balance, AE, strike
Image processing such as strobe correction for Robo shooting
Locks various camera settings in the server with the current settings. Thereafter, in step S312, an interrupt
After that, the process returns to the loop of FIG. Also, key
In step S307, the photographing condition is changed.
If it detects that the key for performing
In step S308, the auto white balance
Image processing such as AE and flash correction for flash shooting
Various camera settings controlled in the control unit 108 to change conditions
After performing the combined correction, return to step S312
Proceed to processing. From the key status, go to step S309.
When the viewfinder mode change is instructed
In step S310, the image quality priority mode
Make internal setting for the speed priority mode. Further, the key status is determined from step S31.
When it is detected in step 1 that the OFF key has been pressed
Is the end of the display driving operation (step S313),
Next, the operation of the CCD module is completed (step S31).
4) is performed, and in step S315, other shooting is performed.
After finishing the operation, power off the system
Execute Also, in step S311, OFF
If no key is found, a valid name key or switch
No processing was performed because none was detected
The process proceeds to the return process of step S312. Next, interrupt processing in the half-press mode
Will be described. Step S316 is a step from the half-press mode.
Check which key operation was pressed during interrupt processing.
This is the key status reading process for checking. Here, in step S317, the shutter
If the switch is detected to have been pressed,
Is locked by the detection of the half-press key (step S304).
Various camera settings in the image processor (step S
306), the shooting after step S318 is performed.
Proceed to execution of shadow processing (described above). Further, the key status is changed to step S325.
As shown in the figure, it detects that the half-press release key is pressed.
In step S326, the internal state is set.
Is released from the half-press mode, and the
Process. Half-press release in step S325
If no keys are found, a valid key or switch
No processing was performed because none was detected
The process proceeds to the return process of step S324. FIG. 4 is a view for reproducing and displaying a photographed image.
Flowchart showing the flow of processing in the playback operation mode
And the program stored in the ROM 102
This processing is performed according to an instruction from the CPU 101. In step S401, power is turned on, or
Or when the switch is switched to playback operation mode.
In step S402, the subject is confirmed at the time of shooting.
Of the display unit 113, which is an electronic viewfinder for
Start operation. Next, in step S403, FIG.
(Shadow operation) in step S319.
Data file to the data storage unit 104 (flash memo
3) Image development area 1 in RAM 103
03a, and in step S404, the image
Image decompression processing, that is, compressed data conforming to the JPEG standard
Data to original data (YUV data)
Then, the decompressed original data is stored in step S405.
To the VRAM 103c for storing the display image data.
Write. Thereafter, step S211 of FIG.
As in the process of step S213, first,
The received YUV signal to an RGB digital signal.
After performing the switching process, the display drive is performed in step S407.
An RGB signal is output to the unit 112. This display drive unit 11
2 and receives the output signal from
Thus, the display of the subject image by the display unit 113 is performed. (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the speed
Data thinning control by CCD 106
But the present invention is not limited to this.
is not. In the second embodiment, the speed priority mode is set.
Data thinning process in the CCD control unit 107
An example performed during the digital processing will be described. FIG. 5 shows a viewer according to the second embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an under operation, RO
The program stored in M102
This is a process performed by an instruction. Steps from power-on in step S501
The process up to the start of the operation of the display unit in S505 is as shown in FIG.
The processing is the same as that from step S201 to step S205. Next, in step S506 and subsequent steps, the camera module
Video captured from the module is displayed on the display unit 113
A continuous process up to this point will be described. First, in step S506, the camera
Optical information of the object captured from the lens group 105
In step 06, a process of converting into an electric signal is performed. Next,
In step S507, in the data thinning mode,
Judge whether the mode is the speed priority mode and perform data thinning.
In the case of the mode, in step S509, the CCD
Noise removal processing and gain processing by the control unit 107
A / D converted to a 10-bit digital signal
Thereafter, the image data is sent to the image processing unit 108. These processes are performed in the horizontal and vertical directions.
The processing is performed for each pixel, and only the data is processed by the image processing unit 108.
Control to be sent to the
It becomes. Also, in step S507, the CCD
If data thinning mode is not set, step
In S508, the same CCD output as in step S509
Is processed. However, in this case, thinning
No processing is performed on all pixels of 640 × 480 dots.
The processing is performed. Step S508 or S509
The signal captured at step S510
In step S513, steps S210 to S
The same digital signal processing and display processing as 213 are performed.
U. (Third Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the speed
Data thinning control by CCD 106
But the present invention is not limited to this.
is not. In the third embodiment, the speed priority mode is set.
The data thinning process in the image processing unit 108
An example performed in the data conversion processing will be described. FIG. 6 shows a viewer according to the third embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an under operation, RO
CPU 10 according to the program stored in M102.
This is a process performed in response to the instruction 1. Steps from power-on in step S601
The process up to the start of the display operation in step S605 is the same as that in FIG.
The processing is the same as that from step S201 to step S305. Next, following the steps, the camera module
Until the captured video is displayed on the display unit 113
Will be described. First, in step S606, the camera
Optical information of the object captured from the lens group 105
In step 06, a process of converting into an electric signal is performed. Next,
In step S607, the CCD control unit 107
Through 10-bit digital processing after noise removal processing and gain processing
After being A / D converted into a total signal,
Can be Next, in step S608, the data
Pull mode, that is, whether to judge whether the mode is the speed priority mode
Is performed, and in the case of the data thinning mode, step S6
In 10, the image processing unit 108
Are lances, AEs, and corrections for flash photography.
Or to the YUV (4: 2: 2) format
Perform processing such as signal conversion. To this YUV format
The conversion process is performed every other pixel in the horizontal and vertical directions
And only that data is sent to the LCD control unit 111.
As a result, a thinning process is eventually performed.
You. In step S608, the CCD
If data thinning mode is not set, step
In step S609, the same image supplement as in step S610 is performed.
Digital signal processing such as correction and conversion is performed. However, this
In the case of, the thinning process is not performed, and 640 × 480 dots
Is performed on all the pixels of. Step S609 or
Or the signal processed in S610 is
In step S613, the process proceeds from step S211.
The same display processing as in step S213 is performed. In the first to third embodiments, the speed
The performance of the card priority mode is shown in the first embodiment.
The process of capturing the original image from the CCD 106
Although the embodiment of thinning out is the best,
Special CCD is required, and hardware
There is a need. On the other hand, as shown in the third embodiment,
In the case of an embodiment in which thinning is performed during the signal processing,
The software performance is controlled by CPU, though the performance is reduced
Is possible. (Fourth Embodiment) The third embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments.
In the embodiment, the selection of resolution is set to the image quality priority finder mode.
And speed priority viewfinder mode
It is intended for digital cameras that can
The resolution of the ladder mode can be cut in multiple
It goes without saying that an alternative embodiment is also possible.
No. In that case, the thinning process is not performed for each pixel,
One image for a plurality of pixels in each horizontal and vertical direction
Elementary thinning or thinning out multiple pixels while leaving one pixel
Thereby, any resolution can be realized. (Fifth Embodiment) From the first embodiment to the fourth
In the embodiment, a so-called digital recording of a still image on a recording medium is performed.
Although the embodiment of the camera has been described,
Akira is not limited to this.
It can also be applied to video cameras that record on recording media.
Needless to say. [0078] As described above, according to the present invention,
On the electronic viewfinder at a resolution appropriate for the shooting conditions
Can provide a camera that can display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a control procedure of a camera photographing operation performed by a CPU according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of an interrupt process by a key operation during a camera photographing operation according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a camera reproducing operation performed by a CPU according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a camera photographing operation performed by the CPU according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a camera photographing operation performed by the CPU according to the third embodiment. 102 ROM 106 CCD 107 CCD control unit 108 Image processing unit 110 Handwriting tablet (selection means) 111 LCD control unit 112 Display drive unit 113 Display unit (electronic viewfinder)

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-9-214836 (JP, A) JP-A-6-54286 (JP, A) JP-A-2-22967 (JP, A) JP-A-62-248390 (JP) JP-A-60-136482 (JP, A) JP-A-11-239284 (JP, A) JP-A-11-146242 (JP, A) JP-A-3-175784 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/225

Claims (1)

(57) Claims 1. An image sensor and an A / D converter for AD converting an image signal read from the image sensor.
A control unit including a D conversion unit and a thinning circuit, and a digital signal converted by an AD conversion unit in the control unit.
And a thinning circuit in the control unit.
A digital memory for storing the drawn image signal;
Table for displaying image signals stored in digital memory
Display unit, and an image signal stored in the digital memory can be detachably attached.
Recording means for recording on a recording medium; and selection means for changing the resolution of an image displayed on the display unit.
Selecting means, wherein the control unit is
In the thinning circuit in the control unit according to the changed resolution
Image signal is thinned out and then supplied to the digital memory
A camera characterized in that: