JP4261815B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to activation processing of an imaging apparatus having a plurality of operation modes such as a recording mode in which captured image data is stored in a recording medium and a reproduction mode in which image data stored in the recording medium is displayed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some conventional imaging apparatuses can simultaneously start the apparatus and select an operation mode by turning on a start switch corresponding to a desired operation mode.
[0003]
Further, for the purpose of power saving, there is a device that does not energize the apparatus in the non-activated state and starts energizing the apparatus when the activation switch is turned on.
[0004]
In these imaging devices, when starting the device in a desired operation mode, when energization is started by turning on the start switch corresponding to the desired operation mode, the BIOS is started and the hardware of the device is After initialization, the system program of the device is executed after the OS is started, and the operation mode after startup is determined by determining which start switch is turned on in the device startup processing of the system program. ing.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional imaging apparatus, it is necessary to hold the start switch in the on state from when the energization is started to when the start switch is determined by the system program and the operation mode is determined. When the start switch is operated, the image pickup apparatus may not be started.
[0006]
There are also imaging devices that make it unnecessary to hold the start switch in an ON state by devising the start switch mechanism or adding a hold circuit. In this case, however, the switch and the hold circuit are costly. .
[0007]
In addition, the present invention can easily and surely start imaging in a desired operation mode simply by turning on an activation switch corresponding to the desired operation mode for a very short time when an imaging apparatus having a plurality of operation modes is activated. The object is to provide a device without extra costs.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is an imaging apparatus having a plurality of operation modes including a recording mode in which captured image data is stored in a recording medium and a reproduction mode in which the image data stored in the recording medium is displayed. And a start switch that indicates which start switch is turned on after the initialization is performed once any of the plurality of start switches is turned on. A memory for storing information and an initialization operation other than the memory after the memory stores the activation switch information, and after performing the initialization operation, reading the activation switch information stored in the memory And an activation processing means for determining an operation mode to be activated and executing an activation process in the determined operation mode.
[0009]
The present invention has a plurality of operation modes including a recording mode for storing captured image data in a recording medium and a reproduction mode for displaying image data stored in the recording medium, each corresponding to the plurality of operation modes. An image pickup apparatus control method comprising a plurality of start switches, wherein when any one of the plurality of start switches is turned on, it is once initialized, and after being initialized, which start switch is turned on Storing a start switch information indicating whether the memory is stored in the memory; performing an initialization operation other than the memory after the memory stores the start switch information; performing the initialization operation; A startup process step of reading the startup switch information, determining an operation mode to be started, and executing a startup process in the determined operation mode; Characterized in that it has.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0011]
(First embodiment)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an imaging device.
[0014]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens, 12 denotes a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 denotes an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal.
[0015]
A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.
[0016]
An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22.
[0017]
Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash device pre-flash) processing are performed.
[0018]
Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.
[0019]
A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32.
[0020]
The data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is directly passed through the memory control circuit 22. It is.
[0021]
Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A converter, 28 denotes an image display unit including a TFT LCD, and the image data for display written in the image display memory 24 passes through the D / A converter 26. Displayed by the image display unit 28.
[0022]
If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized.
[0023]
Further, the image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced. I can do it.
[0024]
Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images.
[0025]
Thereby, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed.
[0026]
The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.
[0027]
Reference numeral 32 denotes a compression / decompression circuit that compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and stores the processed data in the memory 30. Write to.
[0028]
Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control means for controlling the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, and has a flash device dimming function in cooperation with the flash device 48.
[0029]
Reference numeral 42 denotes a distance measuring control means for controlling the focusing of the photographing lens 10, reference numeral 44 denotes a zoom control means for controlling zooming of the photographing lens 10, and reference numeral 46 denotes a barrier control means for controlling the operation of the protection means 102 as a barrier.
[0030]
Reference numeral 48 denotes a strobe used as a flash device, which also has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash device dimming function.
[0031]
The exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 are controlled using the TTL method. Based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement. Control is performed on the control means 42.
[0032]
Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 100, and 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 50.
[0033]
Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker that displays an operation state or a message using characters, images, sounds, or the like in accordance with execution of a program in the system control circuit 50, and an operation unit of the imaging device 100 A single or a plurality of locations are provided in the vicinity where they can be easily seen, and are configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element.
[0034]
In addition, the display unit 54 is partially installed in the optical viewfinder 104.
[0035]
Among the display contents of the display unit 54, the operation mode display, single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded images, remaining image can be displayed. Number of images display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, flash device display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, clock battery level display, battery level display, error display, multi-digit number Information display, recording medium 200 and 210 attachment / detachment display, communication I / F operation display, date / time display, release prohibition display, and the like.
[0036]
Among the display contents of the display unit 54, those displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 include operation mode display, focus display, camera shake warning display, flash device charging display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, and exposure correction display. There is a release prohibition display.
[0037]
Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.
[0038]
Reference numerals 61 to 64 and 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50, and are configured by a single or a combination of a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, or the like. The
[0039]
Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given.
[0040]
Reference numeral 61 denotes a recording mode activation switch, which can be activated in a recording mode in which image data captured by turning it on is stored in a recording medium. In addition, when it is already activated in another mode, the operation mode can be switched to the recording mode.
Reference numeral 63 denotes a reproduction mode activation switch, which can be activated in a reproduction mode in which image data stored in the recording medium is displayed by turning it on. In addition, when it is already activated in another mode, the operation mode can be switched to the reproduction mode.
[0041]
Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned on during the operation of a shutter button (not shown), and performs AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash device pre-flash) processing, and the like. Instruct the start of operation.
[0042]
Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and an exposure process for writing a signal read from the image sensor 12 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Development processing using operations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, recording processing for reading image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression circuit 32, and writing the image data to the recording medium 200 or 210. Instructs the start of a series of processing operations.
[0043]
Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit including various buttons, a touch panel, and the like. A menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash device setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu movement + (plus ) Button, menu shift-(minus) button, playback image shift + (plus) button, playback image-(minus) button, shooting image quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, image display ON / OFF button, Quick review ON / OFF button, release prohibition release button, etc.
[0044]
Reference numeral 80 denotes a power supply control means, which includes a power supply detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, and the like, whether or not an external power supply is connected, whether or not a battery is mounted, the type of battery, the remaining battery level Is detected, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on the detection result and the instruction of the system control circuit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each part including the recording medium for a necessary period.
[0045]
Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, and 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or Li battery, an AC adapter, or an external battery.
[0046]
90 and 94 are interfaces with a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, 92 and 96 are connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, and 98 is a recording medium 200 or 210 attached to the connector 92 or 96. Recording medium attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting whether or not the recording medium is present.
[0047]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems and any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard.
[0048]
The interface and connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like that conforms to a standard.
[0049]
Further, when the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like, a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, IEEE1394. Image data and management information attached to image data are transferred to and from peripheral devices such as other computers and printers by connecting various communication cards such as cards, P1284 cards, SCSI cards, and PHS communication cards. I can meet each other.
[0050]
Reference numeral 102 denotes protection means that is a barrier that prevents the imaging unit from being soiled or damaged by covering the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the imaging device 100.
[0051]
Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can perform photographing using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In addition, some functions of the display unit 54, such as in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash device charging display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, release prohibition display, etc., are provided in the optical viewfinder 104. is set up.
[0052]
A communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication.
[0053]
Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the imaging apparatus 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.
[0054]
Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.
[0055]
The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 204 with the imaging device 100, and a connector 206 that connects to the imaging device 100.
[0056]
Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.
[0057]
The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 214 with the imaging device 100, and a connector 216 that connects to the imaging device 100.
[0058]
With reference to FIG. 2 , the operation of the imaging apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart when the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is activated.
[0059]
When the recording mode start switch 63 or the playback mode start switch 61 is turned on and the imaging apparatus 100 is energized, the system control circuit 50 initializes an input port (not shown) to which the start switch is connected and the memory 52 (S101). ), Which start switch is turned on is stored in the memory 52 as start switch information (S102).
[0060]
Next, the system control circuit 50 activates the BIOS (S103), activates the OS (S104), and executes the system program of the imaging apparatus (S105).
[0061]
Here, the system control circuit 50 reads the start switch information stored in the memory 52 (S106), and if the read start switch information is the record mode start switch (S107), the image pickup apparatus 100 is started in the record mode (S107). If it is a reproduction mode activation switch (S108) (S107), the imaging apparatus 100 is activated in the reproduction mode (S109).
[0062]
As described above, the system control circuit 50 is necessary for storing the start switch information such as the initialization of the input port to which the start switch is connected and the initialization of the memory immediately after being energized by turning on the start switch. Performs only a minimum initialization process, stores which startup switch is turned on as startup switch information, continues the startup process, and immediately after energizing when determining the operation mode during a series of startup processes By using the stored start switch information, the image pickup apparatus 100 can be started in the desired operation mode by simply turning on the start switch corresponding to the desired operation mode for a very short time.
[0063]
In the description of the embodiment, the operation mode of the imaging apparatus has been described as two types. However, even when there are three or more operation modes, a start switch corresponding to each operation mode is provided, or one operation mode is provided. It is also possible to assign a plurality of operation modes to the start switch, and to select the operation mode assigned to one start switch by a selection means provided separately.
[0064]
In the embodiment, the start switch information is stored in the memory 55, but it is needless to say that another storage unit may be used for storing the start switch information.
[0065]
Further, although it has been described that the startup switch information is stored before starting the BIOS, the startup switch information may be stored when the BIOS is started by incorporating the startup switch information storage process in the BIOS.
[0066]
Furthermore, even when BIOS and OS are not used in the system of the imaging apparatus, the minimum necessary for storing the startup switch information, such as initialization of the input port of the startup switch and the startup switch information recording means immediately after the power is supplied It is possible to realize an equivalent function by performing only the initialization process and storing the startup switch information and then performing the normal initialization process.
[0067]
In the present invention, as an example, the program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the imaging apparatus via a network such as the Internet, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the imaging apparatus stores it in the storage medium. This can be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.
[0068]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the CPU 50 of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0069]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.
[0070]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.
[0071]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0072]
When the present invention is applied to the above-described storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above. However, in brief, it is indispensable for the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment. The module is stored in a storage medium.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when an image pickup apparatus having a plurality of operation modes is started, the desired switch can be easily and reliably obtained by simply turning on the start switch corresponding to the desired operation mode for a very short time. Thus, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that is activated in the operation mode without extra cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention .
FIG. 2 is a flowchart at the time of activation of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention .
[Explanation of symbols]
61 Playback mode start switch 62 Shutter switch SW1
63 Recording mode start switch 64 Shutter switch SW2

Claims (4)

An imaging apparatus having a plurality of operation modes including a recording mode for storing captured image data in a recording medium and a reproduction mode for displaying image data stored in the recording medium,
A plurality of start switches respectively corresponding to the plurality of operation modes;
When one of the plurality of start switches is turned on, it is initialized once, and after the initialization, a memory that stores start switch information indicating which start switch is turned on;
The memory performs the initialization operation other than the memory after storing the activation switch information, and after performing the initialization operation, reads the activation switch information stored in the memory and determines the operation mode to be activated. And an activation processing means for executing activation processing in the determined operation mode.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the initialization operation by the activation processing unit is a BIOS activation process of the imaging apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the operation of storing the activation switch information in the memory is incorporated in a BIOS activation process of the imaging apparatus by the activation processing unit. A plurality of start switches each having a plurality of operation modes including a recording mode for storing captured image data in a recording medium and a reproduction mode for displaying image data stored in the recording medium, each corresponding to the plurality of operation modes An imaging apparatus control method comprising:
A storage step of storing, in a memory, startup switch information indicating which startup switch is turned on after any of the startup switches is initialized , and once initialized .
The memory performs the initialization operation other than the memory after storing the activation switch information, and after performing the initialization operation, reads the activation switch information stored in the memory and determines the operation mode to be activated. And a startup processing step of executing startup processing in the determined operation mode.

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