JP3881168B2 - Digital camera and operation control method thereof, and image reproducing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to a digital camera (including a portable information device having a camera function), an operation control method thereof, and an image reproducing apparatus and method.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are digital still cameras that can record moving images and movie video cameras that can record still images. However, any camera needs to press a moving image switch when recording a moving image, or to press a still image switch when recording a still image. Moving images and still images are independent of each other, and it is not considered to record them in association with each other.
[0003]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to record a moving image and a still image in association with each other.
[0004]
Another object of the present invention is to reproduce moving images and still images recorded in association with each other.
[0005]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera for imaging a subject at a constant cycle and outputting image data representing the subject image, moving image recording command means for giving a moving image recording command, still image recording command for giving a still image recording command The image data output from the imaging means at a constant period from when the moving picture recording command is given from the moving picture recording command means to when the still picture recording command is given from the still picture recording command means, Data amount reducing means for reducing the amount of data, first memory control means for sequentially overwriting the moving image recording area of the image memory with the image data reduced by the data amount reducing means, and the still image When a still image recording command is given from the recording command means, the image data output from the imaging means is increased at the given timing. And a second memory control means for controlling the image memory so as to be recorded in the still image recording area of the image memory in association with the image data recorded in the moving image recording area. To do.
[0006]
The first invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the digital camera. That is, in this method, in a digital camera having an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject at a fixed period and outputting image data representing the image of the subject, a moving image recording command means for giving a moving image recording command and a still image for giving a still image recording command The image recording command means is provided, and is output from the imaging means at a constant cycle from when the moving picture recording command is given from the moving picture recording command means to when the still picture recording command is given from the still picture recording command means. The image data is reduced so as to reduce the amount of data, and the image data with the reduced amount of data is sequentially overwritten in the moving image recording area of the image memory, and the still image recording command means gives a still image recording command. As a result, the image data output from the imaging means at the given timing is transferred to the still image recording area of the image memory. As recorded in association with each other and recorded image data to the video recording area, and controls the image memory.
[0007]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data output from the imaging means at a constant period from the time when the moving image recording command is given until the time when the still image recording command is given is image data of one frame. Reduction processing is performed so that the amount decreases. The image data whose data amount has been reduced is sequentially overwritten in the moving image recording area of the image memory until the still image recording command is given (recording of moving image data). When the still image recording command is given, the image data output from the imaging means is recorded in the still image recording area at the timing when the still image recording command is given (recording of still image data) . The image data recorded in the moving image recording area and the image data recorded in the still image recording area are associated with each other.
[0008]
In the image memory, still image data and moving image data are recorded. This moving image data represents a situation before recording a still image represented by still image data. Therefore, it is possible to view still images by reproducing the image data for still images recorded in the image memory, and to reproduce the situation before the still images by reproducing the image data for moving images. You can also see it at
[0009]
The image memory may be an internal memory inside the digital camera, or may be an external memory provided detachably on the outside.
[0010]
The image memory may include a sound recording area. In this case, a sound data output means for inputting sound and outputting data representing the sound, and a still picture recording command from the still picture recording command means when a moving picture recording command is given from the moving picture recording command means. Until it is given, third memory control means for controlling the image memory so as to record the sound data output from the sound data output means in the sound recording area will be further provided.
[0011]
Adjustment for performing at least one of exposure adjustment and focusing adjustment of the image pickup means based on the image data output from the image pickup means between the time when the moving image recording command is given and the time when the still image recording command is given Means may further be provided.
[0012]
An exposure adjustment unit that adjusts the exposure of the image pickup unit and a focus adjustment unit that adjusts the focus of the image pickup unit may be provided as necessary.
[0013]
An adjustment unit that performs at least one of exposure adjustment and focusing adjustment of the imaging unit based on image data output from the imaging unit immediately before the still image recording command is given may be further provided.
[0014]
Since exposure adjustment, focus adjustment, etc. are performed based on the image data obtained immediately before the still image recording command is given, more accurate exposure adjustment, focus adjustment, etc. can be performed, and the exposure amount is appropriate. You can also obtain a still image that is in focus.
[0015]
There may be further provided adjustment means for performing exposure adjustment or focus adjustment based on exposure information or focus information during a period from when the moving image recording command is given to when the still image recording command is given.
[0016]
In the above case, not only exposure adjustment and focus adjustment, but also white balance adjustment may be performed (white balance adjustment means).
[0017]
A two-stroke type shutter release button may be further provided.
[0018]
In this case, the moving image recording command is given in response to the first release of the shutter release button, and the still image recording command is given in response to the second release of the shutter release button. Will give.
[0019]
Furthermore, a moving image recording mode setting means for setting a moving image recording mode and a shutter release button may be provided. In response to the moving image recording mode being set by the moving image recording mode setting means, the moving image recording command is given, and in response to the shutter release button being pressed, the still image recording command is given. Let's go.
[0020]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an image reproducing apparatus for reading image data from an image memory having a moving image recording area and a still image recording area, a reproduction command means for giving a reproduction command, and a reproduction command is given from the reproduction command means In response, the moving image data recorded in the moving image recording area is output at a constant cycle, and the output of moving image data recorded in the moving image recording area is completed. Still image that is associated with moving image data recorded in the moving image recording area and has a data amount larger than the amount of moving image data for one frame recorded in the still image recording area Image data output means for outputting image image data is provided.
[0021]
The second invention also provides a method suitable for the reproducing apparatus. That is, in this method, in an image reproducing apparatus that reads out image data from an image memory having a moving image recording area and a still image recording area, a reproduction instruction means for giving a reproduction instruction is provided, and the reproduction instruction is given from the reproduction instruction means. Accordingly, the moving image data recorded in the moving image recording area is output at a constant cycle, and the output of the moving image data recorded in the moving image recording area is completed. The data amount is larger than the data amount of the moving image data for one frame, which is associated with the moving image data recorded in the moving image recording area and recorded in the still image recording area. It outputs still image data.
[0022]
The second invention reproduces the image data recorded by the first invention. According to the second invention, a moving image can be reproduced before reproducing a still image having a large amount of data for one frame (high resolution), and the situation when the still image is recorded can be grasped.
[0023]
[Explanation of Examples]
FIGS. 1A to 1C show the appearance of a digital still camera. (A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view, and (C) is a rear view. 1A to 1C are taken as a reference from top to bottom and left and right.
[0024]
Referring to FIG. 1A, a two-stroke type shutter release button 1 is provided at the left end on the plane of the digital still camera. In addition, a power switch 2 is provided substantially at the center of the plane of the digital still camera.
[0025]
Referring to FIG. 1B, a microphone 4 for inputting sound is provided in the upper left part of the front of the digital still camera. A grip 3 is formed at the left end. Furthermore, the imaging lens 5 is exposed on the right side when viewed from the front.
[0026]
Referring to FIG. 1C, a speaker 6 for outputting sound is provided in the upper left part on the back of the digital still camera. Mode setting switches 7, 8, 9 and 10 are provided at the upper part of the back of the digital still camera.
[0027]
In this embodiment, in addition to recording a normal still image, a memorial recording can be performed in which a moving image is recorded for a certain period of time and a still image is recorded following the moving image. In addition to normal still image reproduction, memorial reproduction for reproducing still images can be performed following the reproduction of moving images. The normal reproduction mode setting switch 7 sets normal reproduction, and the memorial reproduction mode setting switch 8 sets memorial reproduction. Further, the normal recording mode setting switch 9 sets normal recording, and the memorial recording mode setting switch 10 sets memorial recording.
[0028]
A liquid crystal display screen 11 is provided in the lower left part of the back of the digital still camera. On the right side of the liquid crystal display screen 11, a menu button 12 and an enter button 13 are provided. Furthermore, an arrow button 14 is provided at the right end of the digital still camera.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital still camera.
[0030]
The overall operation of the digital still camera is controlled by the CPU 30.
[0031]
A signal indicating ON / OFF of the power switch 2 described above, a signal S1 indicating pressing of the shutter release button 1 at the first stage, a signal S2 indicating pressing of the second stage, and the mode setting switches described above (switches) A signal indicating the setting of 33) is input to the CPU 30.
[0032]
The CPU 30 also controls a focus motor 24 for controlling the focusing of the imaging lens 5 and a driver 25 for driving the CCD 21.
[0033]
Further, a flash memory 32 for temporarily storing various data is also included in the digital still camera.
[0034]
A subject image is formed on the light-receiving surface of a CCD (having 1280 pixels in the horizontal direction and 960 pixels in the vertical direction) 21 by the imaging lens 5. In this embodiment, as described above, it is possible to record moving images and still images. In the case of recording a moving image, a video signal representing a subject image is output at a period of 1/30 seconds. In the case of recording a still image, the subject is imaged based on the timing of pressing the shutter release button 1 and a video signal representing the subject image is output from the CCD 21.
[0035]
In either case of moving image recording or still image recording, the video signal output from the CCD 21 is converted into digital image data by an analog / digital conversion circuit 22 and input to a DSP (digital signal processor) 23.
[0036]
In the case of moving image recording, the DSP 23 performs thinning processing so that the number of pixels of one frame of image data is smaller than the number of pixels of one frame of still image, and mpeg (moving picture coding experts group) and the like. The compressed moving image data is given to the internal memory 31 and temporarily stored. In the case of still image recording, still image compression processing based on jpeg (joint photographic coding group) is performed, and the compressed still image data is temporarily stored in the internal memory 31. Needless to say, white balance adjustment is performed in the DSP 23 if necessary.
[0037]
Further, the digital still camera according to this embodiment is provided with a microphone 4. The sound input from the microphone 4 is output as a sound signal. The audio signal is amplified by the amplifier circuit 26 and converted into digital audio data by the analog / digital conversion circuit 27. The digital audio data is compressed by the DSP 23 based on MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3) or the like. The compressed audio data is given to the internal memory 31 and temporarily stored.
[0038]
The moving image data, still image data, and audio data temporarily stored in the internal memory 31 are given to an external memory 34 such as a memory card, and are recorded linked to each other.
[0039]
FIG. 3 shows a storage area of the internal memory 31.
[0040]
The internal memory 31 includes an audio data storage area for storing audio data, a moving image data storage area for storing moving image data, and a still image data storage area for storing still image data. As described above, audio data is stored in the audio data storage area, moving image data is stored in the moving image data storage area, and still image data is stored in the still image data storage area. The voice data storage area can store data representing voice for 10 seconds. When data representing speech is given after 10 seconds, it is overwritten in order. The moving image storage area can also store data representing moving images for 10 seconds. When data representing a movie is given after 10 seconds, it is overwritten in order.
[0041]
FIG. 4 schematically shows how moving image data and still image data are recorded, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing recording processing.
[0042]
In the recording mode (including the memorial recording mode), the subject is imaged at a 1/30 second period, and a video signal representing the subject image is periodically output from the CCD 21.
[0043]
It is determined whether the memorial recording mode is set by the user (step 41). If the memorial recording mode is set (YES in step 41), it is detected whether or not the first step of the shutter release button 1 has been pressed (step 42). When the shutter release button 1 is pressed in the first stage at time t1 (YES in step 42, S1 is on), the image data input to the DSP 23 in the 1/30 cycle as described above is 640 pixels vertical in the horizontal direction. The thinning process is performed so that the direction becomes 480 pixels. The thinned image data is stored as moving image data in the moving image data storage area of the internal memory 31 (step 43). In addition, voice is input from the microphone 4, and data representing the voice starts to be stored in the voice data storage area of the internal memory 31.
[0044]
When the shutter release button 1 is pressed in the second stage at time t2 (YES in step 44, S2 is on), storage of the moving image data in the moving image data storage area of the internal memory 31 is stopped (step 45). . Further, the storage of the sound data in the sound data storage area of the internal memory 31 is stopped. Image data of 1280 pixels in the horizontal direction and 960 pixels in the vertical direction obtained from the output of the CCD 21 in response to the second release of the shutter release button 1 is stored as still image data in the still image data storage area of the internal memory 31. (Step 45).
[0045]
When the time from pressing the shutter release button 1 in the first stage (time t1) to pressing the second stage (time t2) is 10 seconds or more, the audio data is stored in the audio data storage area of the internal memory 31. Needless to say, the moving image data is overwritten in the moving image data storage area of the internal memory 31. In any case, the moving image data and the audio data immediately before the shutter release button 1 is pressed in the second stage are stored in the moving image data storage area and the audio data storage area of the internal memory 31.
[0046]
Thereafter, the moving image data, audio data, and still image data stored in the internal memory 31 are read and given to the external memory 34 to be linked to each other and recorded (step 46).
[0047]
If the memorial recording mode is not set (NO in step 41), no moving image recording is performed, and in response to the second step of pressing the shutter release button 1 (YES in step 47), based on the output of the CCD 21. Still image data is obtained and temporarily stored in the internal memory 31 (step 48). Still image data is read from the internal memory 31 and recorded in the external memory 34 (step 49).
[0048]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the reproduction process.
[0049]
First, it is determined whether or not the memorial playback mode is selected (step 51). When the memorial reproduction mode is set by the memorial reproduction setting switch 8 (YES in step 51), the user selects an image to be reproduced. The frame number to be reproduced in the memorial reproduction mode is displayed on the display screen 11. By operating the arrow button 14, the cursor moves between the frame numbers. When the enter button 13 is pressed, the image designated by the cursor when the enter button 13 is pressed is selected as a reproduced image. It is determined whether or not the selected image is a memorial recording image (an image recorded under the memorial recording mode as described above) (step 52).
[0050]
If it is a memorial recorded image (YES in step 52), as described above, first, the moving image data is read from the external memory 34, subjected to data decompression processing in the DSP 23, and given to the display device 11. The moving image recorded before recording the still image is reproduced on the display screen of the display device 11 (step 53). Needless to say, when reproducing a moving image, the corresponding audio data is also read from the external memory 34 and the audio is output from the speaker 6. When the reproduction of the moving image ends, the still image data is output from the external memory 34 and the DSP 23 performs data decompression. By giving the expanded still image data to the display device 11, a high-resolution still image is displayed on the display screen of the display device 11 (step 54).
[0051]
When the memorial playback mode is not set (NO in step 51), or even when the memorial playback mode is set (YES in step 51), the selected image is not a memorized recording image (NO in step 52). In this case, the selected image is reproduced as a still image without performing the moving image reproduction (step 55).
[0052]
In the above-described embodiment, the focus motor 24 is driven based on the moving image data obtained at the time of recording the moving image, the focusing process of the imaging lens 5 is performed, the shutter speed of the electronic shutter of the CCD 21 is controlled, and the still image is captured. You may do it like taking a picture. Preferably, the focusing process of the imaging lens 5 and the control of the shutter speed are performed based on the moving image data for one frame obtained immediately before the shutter release button 1 is pressed in the second stage. In this case, if necessary, still image shooting and recording will be performed after completion of the focusing process and the shutter speed process. Furthermore, the focusing lens 5 is focused using distance measurement data obtained from a distance measurement sensor or the like at the time of moving image recording without using moving image data. Based on the luminance value obtained from the luminance sensor or the like, Needless to say, the shutter speed may be determined.
[0053]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, recording of a moving image is started in response to the first release of the shutter release button 1, and recording of the moving image is started in response to the second release of the shutter release button 1. Ends and records a still image, but starts recording a movie when the memorial recording mode is set, and ends recording a movie when the shutter release button 1 is pressed in the first stage. However, a still image may be recorded.
[0054]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the moving image storage area of the internal memory 31 is defined so as to be able to store a moving image for 10 seconds, but the remaining area of the area where still image data for one frame can be recorded. May be defined as a moving image storage area and an audio storage area. In the above-described embodiment, the moving image data, audio data, and still image data are stored in the temporary internal memory 31, but may be recorded directly in the external memory 34 without being stored in the internal memory 31. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1A to 1C show the appearance of a digital still camera.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital still camera.
FIG. 3 shows a data storage area of the internal memory.
FIG. 4 shows a relationship between moving image data and still image data.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording process.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a reproduction process.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Shutter release button 4 Microphone 5 Imaging lens 6 Speaker 8 Memorial playback setting switch
10 Memorial recording setting switch
11 Liquid crystal display
21 CCD
23 DSP
30 CPU
31 Internal memory
34 External memory

Claims (10)

An imaging means for imaging a subject at a fixed period and outputting image data representing the subject image;
Movie recording command means for giving a movie recording command,
Still image recording command means for giving a still image recording command,
From the time when the moving image recording command is given from the moving image recording command means to the time when the still image recording command is given from the still image recording command means, the amount of data is about the image data output from the imaging means at a constant cycle. Means for reducing the amount of data to be thinned out so as to reduce it,
Image data the data amount is reduced by thinning-out process that due to the data amount reducing means, first memory control means for sequentially overwritten video recording area of the image memory, and still image recording from the still image recording instruction means When the command is given, the image data output from the imaging means at the given timing is correlated with the image data recorded in the moving image recording area in the still image recording area of the image memory. Second memory control means for controlling the image memory to record,
With digital camera. The image memory contains a sound recording area,
Sound data output means for inputting sound and outputting data representing sound, and from when a moving picture recording command is given from the moving picture recording command means to when a still picture recording command is given from the still picture recording command means , Third memory control means for controlling the image memory so as to record the sound data output from the sound data output means in the sound recording area;
The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: Adjustment for performing at least one of exposure adjustment and focusing adjustment of the image pickup means based on the image data output from the image pickup means between the time when the moving image recording command is given and the time when the still image recording command is given means,
The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: Adjusting means for performing at least one of exposure adjustment and focusing adjustment of the imaging means based on image data for one frame output from the imaging means immediately before the still image recording command is given;
The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: Adjusting means for performing exposure adjustment or focus adjustment based on exposure information or focus information obtained from when the moving image recording command is given to when the still image recording command is given;
The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: It is further equipped with a two-stroke type shutter release button,
In response to the first release of the shutter release button, the moving image recording command is given, and in response to the second release of the shutter release button, the still image recording command is given. The digital camera according to claim 1. It further includes a moving image recording mode setting means for setting a moving image recording mode, and a shutter release button.
The moving image recording command is given in response to the setting of the moving image recording mode by the moving image recording mode setting means, and the still image recording command is given in response to pressing of the shutter release button. ,
The digital camera according to claim 1. In an image reproducing apparatus for reading image data from an image memory having a moving image recording area and a still image recording area,
Reproduction command means for giving a reproduction command, and in response to the reproduction command given from the reproduction command means, moving image data recorded in the moving image recording area is output at a constant cycle, and the moving image recording In response to the end of the output of the moving image data recorded in the area, it is associated with the moving image data recorded in the moving image recording area and is recorded in the still image recording area. Image data output means for outputting still image data having a larger amount of data than the amount of moving image data for one frame,
An image reproducing apparatus comprising: In a digital camera equipped with an imaging means for imaging a subject at a fixed period and outputting image data representing the subject image,
A moving picture recording command means for giving a moving picture recording command and a still picture recording command means for giving a still picture recording command;
From the time when the moving image recording command is given from the moving image recording command means to the time when the still image recording command is given from the still image recording command means, the amount of data is about the image data output from the imaging means at a constant cycle. Perform thinning process to reduce the
Sequentially overwriting the image data the data amount is reduced by decimation process to the moving image recording area of the image memory,
When the still image recording command is given from the still image recording command means, the image data output from the imaging means at the given timing is stored in the still picture recording area of the image memory and the moving image recording area. Controlling the image memory so as to record the image data in association with each other.
Digital camera operation control method. In an image reproducing apparatus for reading image data from an image memory having a moving image recording area and a still image recording area,
A regeneration command means for providing a regeneration command is provided,
In response to the reproduction command given from the reproduction command means, the moving image image data recorded in the moving image recording area is output at a constant period, and the moving image image recorded in the moving image recording area is output. In response to the end of the data output, one frame of the moving image is associated with the moving image data recorded in the moving image recording area and recorded in the still image recording area. Output still image data with a larger amount of data than the amount of image data.
Image playback method.

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