JP4524208B2 - Digital camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera capable of continuous shooting.

  In recent years, many digital cameras have a single shooting mode and a continuous shooting mode as operation modes at the time of shooting. The single shooting mode is an operation mode in which an image of one frame is taken in response to a user pressing the release button. On the other hand, the continuous shooting mode is an operation mode in which the shooting operation is repeated while the user presses the release button, thereby shooting a plurality of frames of images. Here, the continuous shooting speed in the continuous shooting mode is expected to reach several tens of frames per second in the future. When shooting is performed in such an ultra-high speed continuous shooting mode, image files for several tens of frames are recorded on a recording medium in one continuous shooting.

  By the way, the biggest reason for photographing in the continuous shooting mode is to surely obtain the best shot. Therefore, after continuous shooting, it is important to be able to easily and quickly find the best shot image from a series of images obtained by continuous shooting. As a technique for searching for such a best shot image, a technique is generally known in which a button for image selection is operated and images are displayed one by one on a liquid crystal monitor or the like. However, with such a method, the confirmation work may become complicated if the number of images taken by continuous shooting increases.

Therefore, many proposals have been made to eliminate the above-described complexity by continuously reproducing a series of images shot in the continuous shooting mode. For example, in Patent Document 1, a series of images shot in the continuous shooting mode is continuously reproduced in the shooting order and at the same time interval as the time interval at the time of shooting.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-224752

  Here, in the method proposed in Patent Document 1, when the time interval at the time of shooting in the continuous shooting mode is short, the reproduction interval of one frame at the time of reproduction is shortened, so that the user can reproduce a moving image. Looks like it has been. In this case, it is difficult to recognize the image switching point, and it may be difficult to find the best shot image.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a digital camera that can easily and quickly find a best shot from a series of images obtained by high-speed continuous shooting. .

In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to the first aspect of the present invention is a digital camera having a continuous shooting mode, a recording means for recording a plurality of images taken in the continuous shooting mode, display means for displaying by reading an image recorded in the recording means, and controls the display means, and control means for the plurality of images recorded on type recording means is continuously displayed The control means sets the display time of one image longer than the shutter speed at the time of photographing so that the image displayed on the display means can be visually confirmed, and at the time of image switching in the continuous display. The blackout image is displayed for a predetermined time , and when the button is operated, the continuous display is finished and the selected image is displayed .

According to a first aspect of this, it is possible to recognize the point of switching of the image, simply and quickly can find the best shot.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a digital camera that can easily and quickly find a best shot from a series of images obtained by high-speed continuous shooting.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Figure 1 is a digital camera according to the implementation mode of the present invention (hereinafter, simply referred to as camera) to show the structure of a perspective view schematically showing the internal structure by cutting a part of the digital camera body It is. Here, as an example, the camera 1 in FIG. 1 is a single-lens reflex camera.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 1 includes a lens barrel 100 and a camera body 200.

  In the lens barrel 100, a photographing optical system 102 composed of a plurality of optical lenses is disposed. The photographing optical system 102 is configured to be movable in the optical axis direction by a lens driving mechanism to be described later, and transmits a light beam from a subject (not shown) in the internal direction of the camera body 200.

  An exposure opening having a predetermined aperture for guiding the light beam transmitted through the photographing optical system 102 to the inside of the camera body 200 is formed at a substantially central portion on the front side of the camera body 200. A photographing optical system mounting portion 200a is formed at the peripheral edge of the exposure opening, and the lens barrel 100 is detachably attached to the camera body 200 via the photographing optical system mounting portion 200a. Here, the camera body 200 can be equipped with various lens barrels 100 according to the purpose of shooting.

  Furthermore, various constituent members such as a viewfinder device 202, a shutter unit 208, an imaging unit 211, and a circuit board 200b are disposed at predetermined positions inside the camera body 200.

  The viewfinder device 202 includes a quick return mirror (hereinafter referred to as a movable mirror) 202a, a focusing screen 202b, a pentaprism 202c, and an eyepiece lens 202d.

  The movable mirror 202a has a light incident surface that is a half mirror. The movable mirror 202a has a position on the optical axis of the photographing optical system 102 (the position shown in FIG. 1 hereinafter referred to as a down position) and a position retracted from the optical axis (hereinafter, up (Referred to as position). In the normal state, the movable mirror 202a is arranged at a predetermined angle, for example, an angle of 45 degrees from the optical axis of the photographing optical system 102. With such a configuration, when the camera 1 is in a normal state, a part of the light beam that has passed through the photographing optical system 102 is reflected by the movable mirror 202a, and a part thereof is transmitted through the movable mirror 202a. Here, a sub-mirror 203 is provided on the back surface of the movable mirror 202a, and the light beam transmitted through the movable mirror 202a is incident on an AF sensor unit described later.

  Further, the light beam reflected by the movable mirror 202a forms an image on the focusing screen 202b. The image formed on the focusing screen 202b is inverted by the pentaprism 202c to become an erect image. The image formed by the pentaprism 202c is magnified by the eyepiece lens 202d. With such a configuration, the user can visually check the image of the subject.

  On the other hand, when the camera 1 is in the photographing operation state, the movable mirror 202a is moved to a predetermined up position where it is retracted from the optical axis of the photographing optical system 102. At this time, the light beam from the subject that has passed through the imaging optical system 102 enters the imaging unit 211 via the shutter unit 208. The shutter unit 208 is composed of, for example, a focal plane shutter mechanism. The shutter unit 208 is configured to be opened and closed by a shutter control circuit, which will be described later. By controlling the opening and closing time of the shutter unit 208, the exposure time and the like of the imaging unit 211 disposed behind the shutter unit 208 are controlled. Be controlled.

  The imaging unit 211 includes a dustproof filter (also referred to as dustproof glass) 213, an imaging element 212, and the like. The dust filter 213 is disposed on the front side of the image sensor 212, and the dust filter 213 prevents dust from adhering to the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 212. Further, the dustproof filter 213 is configured to be vibrated by a piezoelectric element described later, and dust attached to the dustproof filter 213 is removed by vibrating the dustproof filter 213. The image sensor 212 includes a large number of photoelectric conversion elements (for example, photodiodes) that form a photoelectric conversion surface, and a light beam incident on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 212 is converted into an electrical signal.

  Various electric circuits of the camera 1 are mounted on the circuit board 200b.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing in detail the internal electric circuit configuration of the camera 1 shown in FIG. Note that the components described in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, the camera 1 includes the lens barrel 100 and the camera body 200.

  Control of each part of the lens barrel 100 is performed by a lens control microcomputer 101 (hereinafter referred to as “Lucom”). On the other hand, each part of the camera body 200 is controlled by a body control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as Bucom) 201. Here, when the lens barrel 100 is attached to the camera body 200, the Lucom 101 and the Bucom 201 are communicably connected via the communication connector 101a. In this case, as a camera system, the Lucom 101 is operated so as to be subordinate to the Bucom 201.

  Further, as described above, the photographing optical system 102 is disposed inside the lens barrel 100. Here, in FIG. 2, a plurality of optical lenses constituting the photographing optical system 102 are representatively illustrated as one optical lens. The photographing optical system 102 is driven in the optical axis direction by a DC motor (not shown) existing in the lens driving mechanism 103.

  A diaphragm 104 is provided behind the photographic optical system 102. The diaphragm 104 is driven to open and close by a stepping motor (not shown) existing in the diaphragm drive mechanism 105. By controlling the opening and closing of the diaphragm 104, the amount of light flux from the subject incident on the camera body 200 via the photographing optical system 102 is controlled.

  Here, the control of the DC motor in the lens driving mechanism 103 and the control of the stepping motor in the aperture driving mechanism 105 are performed by the Lucom 101 that has received a command from the Bucom 201.

  In addition, a finder device including a movable mirror 202a, a focusing screen 202b, a pentaprism 202c, and an eyepiece lens 202d is provided inside the camera body 200. When the camera 1 is in the normal state, as described above, a part of the light beam from the subject incident through the photographing optical system 102 is reflected by the movable mirror 202a. As a result, an observation image is formed via the focusing screen 202b, the pentaprism 202c, and the eyepiece 202d.

  Here, a photometric circuit 204 is provided in the vicinity of the pentaprism 202c, and a part of the light beam that has passed through the pentaprism 202c enters a photosensor (not shown) in the photometric circuit 204. In the photometry circuit 204, a well-known photometry process is performed based on the light amount of the light beam detected by the photosensor. The result processed by the photometry circuit 204 is transmitted to the Bucom 201. In the Bucom 201, the exposure amount at the time of photographing is calculated based on the result input from the photometry circuit 204. This result is transmitted from Bucom 201 to Lucom 101. In the Lucom 101, drive control of the diaphragm 104 is performed based on the exposure amount notified from the Bucom 201.

  Further, the light beam transmitted through the movable mirror 202a and reflected by the sub mirror 203 is guided to an AF sensor unit 205 for performing automatic focus adjustment processing (AF processing). An AF sensor for performing, for example, phase difference AF is provided inside the AF sensor unit 205. The light beam incident on the AF sensor is converted into an electric signal. The output from the AF sensor of the AF sensor unit 205 is transmitted to the Bucom 201 via the AF sensor driving circuit 206. Then, ranging processing is performed in Bucom 201, and the focus state of the photographing optical system 102 is calculated. This result is transmitted from Bucom 201 to Lucom 101. In the Lucom 101, drive control of the photographing optical system 102 is performed based on the focus state notified from the Bucom 201.

  Further, when the camera 1 is in the photographing operation state, the movable mirror 202a is moved to a predetermined up position where it is retracted from the optical axis of the photographing optical system 102. Such a movable mirror 202a is driven by a mirror driving mechanism 207. The mirror drive mechanism 207 is controlled by the Bucom 201. Here, when the movable mirror 202a is moved to the up position, the sub mirror 203 is folded accordingly.

  When the movable mirror 202a is moved to the up position, the light beam from the subject that has passed through the photographing optical system 102 enters the direction of the shutter unit 208. The spring force for driving the front curtain and rear curtain constituting the focal plane type shutter unit 208 is charged by the shutter charge mechanism 209. The front curtain and the rear curtain are driven by the shutter control circuit 210. The shutter charge mechanism 209 and the shutter control circuit 210 are controlled by the Bucom 201.

  The light beam that has passed through the shutter unit 208 is incident on the image sensor 212 inside the imaging unit 211 disposed behind the shutter unit 208. The image pickup device 212 is protected by a dustproof filter 213 disposed between the image pickup device 212 and the photographing optical system 102. The dust filter 213 is made of a transparent member such as glass.

  In addition, a piezoelectric element 214 for vibrating the dustproof filter 213 at a predetermined vibration frequency is attached to the periphery of the dustproof filter 213. The piezoelectric element 214 has two electrodes and is driven by a dustproof filter driving circuit 215. The dust filter 213 is controlled by the Bucom 201. The dust filter 213 vibrates by vibrating the piezoelectric element 214 by the dust filter driving circuit 215. As a result, dust adhering to the surface of the dustproof filter 213 is removed.

  Here, the image sensor 212 and the piezoelectric element 214 are integrally stored in a case having the dust filter 213 as one surface. Thereby, adhesion of dust to the image sensor 212 can be reliably prevented.

  A temperature measurement circuit 216 is provided in the vicinity of the imaging unit 211. Usually, the temperature affects the elastic modulus of a glass material. That is, since the change in temperature becomes one of the factors that change the natural frequency of the dust filter 213, the ambient temperature is always measured when the dust filter 213 is vibrated. Note that the temperature measurement point of the temperature measurement circuit 216 is preferably set in the vicinity of the vibration surface of the dust filter 213. In this way, by controlling the vibration of the dustproof filter 213 in consideration of changes in temperature, the dustproof filter 213 can always be vibrated under optimum conditions.

  The electrical signal (image signal) obtained by the image sensor 212 is read out and digitized via the image interface circuit 217 at every predetermined timing. Image data obtained by digitization by the imaging interface circuit 217 is stored in a buffer memory 219 configured by SDRAM or the like via an image processing controller 218. Here, the buffer memory 219 is a memory for temporarily storing data such as image data, and is used as a work area when various processes are performed on the image data.

  Further, after the photographing is finished, the image processing controller 218 reads out the image data read out via the imaging interface circuit 217 and stored in the buffer memory 219. The image data read by the image processing controller 218 is stored in the buffer memory 219 after being subjected to known image processing such as white balance correction, gradation correction, and color correction. Thereafter, the image data stored in the buffer memory 219 is read by the image processing controller 218, converted into a video signal, resized to a predetermined size for display, and then output and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 as a display means. The The user can confirm the photographed image with the image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222.

  At the time of image recording, the image data processed by the image processing controller 218 is compressed by a known compression method such as the JPEG method. The JPEG data obtained by JPEG compression is stored in the buffer memory 219 and then recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 as a recording means as a JPEG file to which predetermined attached data is added. Here, the Flash ROM 220 is assumed to be a memory built in the camera 1, and the recording medium 221 is assumed to be mounted outside the camera 1. As the recording medium 221, for example, a memory card or a hard disk drive configured to be detachable from the camera 1 is used.

  Further, when an image is reproduced from a JPEG file recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221, the JPEG data recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 is read and decompressed by the image processing controller 218. Thereafter, the decompressed data is converted into a video signal, resized to a predetermined size for display, and output and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222.

  The Bucom 201 is connected to a nonvolatile memory 223 that stores predetermined control parameters necessary for camera control. The non-volatile memory 223 is composed of, for example, a rewritable EEPROM.

  Further, a battery 225 as a power source is connected to the Bucom 201 via a power circuit 224. In the power supply circuit 224, the voltage of the battery 225 is converted into a voltage required by each part of the camera system and supplied to each part of the camera system.

  Further, the Bucom 201 includes an operation display LCD 226 for notifying the user of the operation state of the camera 1 by display output, and a camera operation switch (SW) 227 for detecting operation states of various operation members of the camera 1. And are connected.

  The Bucom 201 is connected with a sound generation circuit 228 as a notification means. The sound generation circuit 228 emits a pseudo operation sound of the photographing mechanism. As a pseudo operation sound of the photographing mechanism, for example, there is an operation sound of the movable mirror 202a.

  Here, the operation member of the camera 1 will be described. 3 to 6 are external views of the camera 1 for explaining the operation members of the camera. 3 shows a top view of the camera 1, FIG. 4 shows a front view of the camera 1, FIG. 5 shows a side view of the camera 1, and FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the camera 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the upper surface of the camera 1, a power switch lever 301, a release button 302, a mode dial 303, a sub dial 304, an ISO button 305, an exposure correction button 306, a white balance (WB) ) Button 307, image quality mode button 308, flash mode button 309, and LIGHT button 310.

  The power switch lever 301 is an operation member for turning on / off the power of the camera 1. When the power switch lever 301 is turned, the main power supply of the camera 1 is switched on / off.

  The release button 302 is a button for executing a shooting preparation operation and an exposure operation. This release button is composed of a two-stage switch of a first release switch and a second release switch. When the release button 302 is pressed halfway, the first release switch is turned on to perform photometry processing or distance measurement. A shooting preparation operation such as processing is executed. Further, when the release button 302 is fully pressed, the second release switch is turned on to perform the exposure operation.

  A mode dial 303 is an operation member for setting a shooting mode at the time of shooting. By rotating the mode dial 303, a shooting mode at the time of shooting is set. In the example of FIG. 3, for example, five modes of a program AE mode (P), an aperture priority AE mode (A), a shutter priority AE mode (S), a manual mode (M), and a scene mode (SCN) can be set. .

  The program AE mode is a mode in which an exposure operation is performed according to the exposure conditions (aperture value and shutter speed) calculated by the camera 1. The aperture priority AE mode is a mode in which exposure is performed with the shutter speed set according to the aperture value set by the user. The shutter priority AE mode is a mode in which exposure is performed with an aperture value set according to the shutter speed set by the user. The manual mode is a mode in which exposure is performed at the aperture value and shutter speed set by the user. The scene mode is a mode in which shooting is performed under conditions suitable for various shooting scenes. In the scene mode, it is necessary to set a desired scene on the menu screen with the mode dial 303 set to SCN.

  The sub dial 304 is an operation member that is operated in a state where another operation member is pressed. By rotating the sub dial 304, it is possible to change the setting of the function related to the operation member currently pressed by the user. Here, when the setting using the sub dial 304 is performed, the operation state of the camera 1 at that time is displayed on the operation display LCD 226. The user can change the setting while viewing this display.

  The ISO button 305 is a button for setting the imaging device sensitivity (corresponding to the ISO sensitivity of the film) during the exposure operation. When the dial operation is performed while the ISO button 305 is pressed, the setting of the image sensor sensitivity during the exposure operation is changed.

  The exposure correction button 306 is a button for setting an exposure correction value for correcting the exposure amount during the exposure operation. When the dial operation is performed while the exposure correction button 306 is pressed, the value of the exposure correction value is changed. By setting the exposure correction value, for example, even when the exposure amount automatically calculated by the camera 1 in the program AE mode or the like is not appropriate, it is possible to perform shooting while correcting this.

  The WB button 307 is a button for setting how white balance is performed. By performing a dial operation while the WB button 307 is pressed, the white balance setting is changed to auto white balance or preset white balance.

  In auto white balance, white balance correction is automatically performed by the camera 1. Further, in the preset light source white balance, white balance correction is performed under conditions set in advance according to various light sources such as sunlight in fine weather, fluorescent lamps, and light bulbs.

  The image quality mode button 308 is a button for setting an image quality mode (image size and compression rate) at the time of image recording. The image quality mode is changed by performing a dial operation while the image quality mode button 308 is pressed.

  The flash mode button 309 is a button for setting the light emission mode of the external flash device when an external flash device (not shown) is attached to the camera 1. By performing a dial operation while the flash mode button 309 is pressed, the light emission mode is changed in the order of, for example, an auto light emission mode, a red-eye reduction light emission mode, a slow sync mode, and a forced light emission mode.

  The auto light emission mode is a mode in which conditions such as the light emission amount of the external flash device are automatically set by the camera 1. The red-eye reduction flash mode is a mode in which pre-flash for red-eye reduction is performed prior to shooting. The slow sync mode is a mode in which flash emission is performed by using a low-speed shutter together, and is an effective mode for night scene shooting and the like. The forced light emission mode is a mode in which the flash is emitted regardless of shooting conditions.

  The LIGHT button 310 is a button for turning on or off the backlight of the operation display LCD 226.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a one-touch white balance (WB) button 311 is provided on the front of the camera 1. The one-touch WB button 311 is a button for registering white balance conditions that cannot be handled by auto white balance or preset white balance.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an auto bracket (BKT) button 312, a photometry mode button 313, a DRIVE mode button 314, and a focus mode lever 315 are provided on the side surface of the camera 1.

  The BKT button 312 is a button for setting the number of shots, exposure correction amount, and white balance gain during bracket shooting. In bracket shooting, a plurality of images with different exposure amounts and white balance gains are shot. When the dial operation is performed while the BKT button 312 is pressed, the number of shots, the exposure correction amount, and the white balance gain are changed.

  The photometry mode button 313 is a button for setting a photometry mode at the time of photometry processing. When a dial operation is performed while the photometry mode button 313 is pressed, the photometry mode is changed in the order of, for example, spot photometry mode, center-weighted average photometry mode, and evaluation photometry mode.

  The spot photometry mode is a mode in which photometry processing is performed based on the amount of light within an extremely narrow range on the screen. The center-weighted average metering mode is a mode in which average metering is performed with weighting applied to the center portion in the screen. Further, the evaluation photometry mode is a mode in which the final photometry result is obtained by dividing the inside of the screen into a plurality of areas and performing photometry processing and evaluating the result obtained for each divided area.

  The DRIVE mode button 314 is a button for setting the operation mode of the camera 1. When the dial operation is performed while the DRIVE mode button 314 is pressed, the operation mode is changed in the order of, for example, a single shooting mode, a continuous shooting (continuous shooting) mode, a self mode, and a remote control mode.

  The single shooting mode is a mode in which an image of one frame is shot in response to a full pressing operation of the release button 302 by the user. Further, the continuous shooting mode is a mode in which the shooting operation is repeated while the user fully presses the release button 302, thereby shooting a plurality of frames of images. The self mode is a mode in which so-called self-timer shooting is performed in which an exposure operation is performed after a predetermined time after the release button 302 is fully pressed. The remote control mode is a mode for enabling the camera 1 to be operated by a remote controller (not shown).

  The focus mode lever 315 is an operation member for setting an AF mode at the time of shooting. By switching the focus mode lever 315, the AF mode is changed in the order of, for example, a single AF mode, a continuous AF mode, and a power focus (PF) mode.

  The single AF mode is a mode in which the focus state of the photographing optical system 102 is fixed until the half-press of the release button 302 is released after the focus control of the photographing optical system 102 is once performed. The continuous AF mode is a mode in which focus control of the photographing optical system 102 is performed following the movement of the subject. The PF mode is a mode in which the user can manually adjust the focus of the photographing optical system 102.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, on the back of the camera 1, there are a main dial 316, an AF frame button 317, an AE lock button 318, a playback mode button 319, an erase button 320, a protect button 321 and information. A display button 322, a menu button 323, a cross button 324, and an OK button 325 are provided.

  The main dial 316 is an operation member having the same function as that of the sub dial 304. When the main dial 316 is rotated, the setting of the function related to the operation member currently pressed by the user can be changed. Is possible.

  The AF frame button 317 is a button for selecting an AF method at the time of shooting. When the dial operation is performed while the AF frame button 317 is being pressed, the AF method is changed to, for example, multi AF or spot AF.

  In multi AF, the focus state of a plurality of ranging points in the screen is detected. On the other hand, in the spot AF, the focus state of one point (can be selected from a plurality of candidates) in the screen is detected.

  The AE lock button 318 is a button for fixing exposure conditions. While the AE lock button 318 is being pressed, the exposure amount calculated at that time is fixed.

  The playback mode button 319 is a button for switching the operation mode of the camera 1 to a playback mode in which an image can be played back from a JPEG file recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221.

  The delete button 320 is a button for deleting the image data (JPEG file) from the flash ROM 220 and the recording medium 221 during the playback mode.

  The protect button 321 is a button for protecting the image data so that the image data is not accidentally erased during the reproduction mode.

  The information display button 322 is a button for displaying image information based on attached information (for example, Exif information) of image data.

  The menu button 323 is a button for displaying a menu screen on the liquid crystal monitor 222. This menu screen is composed of menu items having a plurality of hierarchical structures. The user can select a desired menu item with the cross button 324 and can determine the item selected with the OK button 325. Here, the menu items include, for example, a setup menu for the Flash ROM 220 and the recording medium 221, a shooting menu capable of setting image data quality, image processing, scene mode, and the like, playback conditions during image playback, and settings during image printing. There are a playback menu that allows the user to perform various operations, a custom menu that allows various fine settings according to the photographer's preference, and a setup menu that sets the operating state of the camera such as the type of warning sound.

  For example, when setting the scene mode, a desired scene can be selected on the menu screen while the mode dial 303 is set to the scene mode (SCN). Examples of this scene include portrait, sports, commemorative photo, landscape, night view, and the like. In accordance with the selected scene, shooting conditions such as exposure conditions, flash emission conditions, photometry mode, AF method, and continuous shooting interval are set.

  Next, the operation at the time of shooting of the camera 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera 1 during shooting. Note that the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is started when the release button 302 is half-pressed by the user.

  When the release button 302 is half-pressed by the user, the first release switch is turned on. In response to this, the photometric circuit 204 performs photometric processing. This result is transmitted to Bucom 201, and the exposure amount is calculated in Bucom 201 (step S1). Next, a signal detected by the AF sensor unit 205 is transmitted to the Bucom 201 via the AF sensor driving circuit 206. In response to this, the Bucom 201 performs distance measurement processing to calculate the focus state of the photographing optical system 102. Then, the drive amount of the photographing optical system 102 necessary for focus adjustment is calculated in the Lucom 101 according to the focus state. Then, the photographing optical system 102 is driven based on the driving amount calculated here (step S2).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the second release switch has been turned on by the user, that is, whether or not the release button 302 has been fully pressed (step S3). In step S3, if the second release switch is not turned on, the process branches from step S3 to step S17, and it is determined whether or not the first release switch remains on (step S17). If it is determined in step S17 that the first release switch remains ON, the process returns from step S17 to step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that the first release switch has been turned OFF, the process of FIG. 7 is terminated and the process returns to the main process of the camera 1 (not shown).

  If it is determined in step S3 that the second release switch is turned on, the process branches from step S3 to step S4, and the movable mirror 202a is moved to the up position (step S4). Next, the aperture 104 is reduced based on the exposure amount calculated in step S1 (step S5). Thereafter, the imaging operation of the imaging device 212 is started (step S6). Subsequently, the shutter 208 is opened and closed based on the exposure amount calculated in step S1 (step S7). After the shutter unit 208 is closed, the imaging operation of the imaging device 212 is stopped (step S8).

  Next, image processing is performed based on the image signal obtained by the image sensor 212 (step S9), and the image data obtained thereby is stored in the buffer memory 219 (step S10). The buffer memory 219 has a capacity sufficient to temporarily store a large number of image data shot by high-speed continuous shooting.

  Thereafter, the aperture 104 is opened (step S11), and the movable mirror 202a is moved to the down position (step S12).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the camera 1 is a continuous shooting mode (step S13). If it is determined in step S13 that the operation mode of the camera 1 is the single shooting mode, step S13 is branched to step S14 to generate a single shooting image file (step S14). At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, as attached data of the single-shot file, the file name, shooting date, shooting time, equipment used, exposure conditions (aperture value information (AV), shutter speed information (TV), etc.), shooting Data such as a condition and single-shot / continuous-shot identification information (information indicating a single-shot image file here) are added. After the single image file is generated, the process proceeds to step S15.

  If the operation mode of the camera 1 is the continuous shooting mode in the determination in step S13, step S13 is branched to step S18 to determine whether or not the second release switch remains ON ( Step S18). If it is determined in step S18 that the second release switch remains ON, step S18 is branched to step S4, and the next image is captured. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that the second release switch is turned off, step S18 is branched to step S19, and a continuous image file is generated (step S19). In this case, as in the case of the single-shot image file, attached data as shown in FIG. 8 is added. However, since it is a continuous-shot image file here, single-shot / continuous-shot identification information is information indicating that it is a continuous-shot image file. After the continuous image file is generated, the process proceeds to step S15.

  After the above processing, the generated image file is recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 (step S15). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the first release switch is turned off by the user (step S16). The determination in step S16 is repeated until the first release switch is turned off.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the first release switch has been turned off, the process in FIG. 7 is terminated and the process returns to the main process in the camera 1.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing when image data recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 is reproduced. Note that the processing in FIG. 9 is performed by the Bucom 201 and the image processing controller 218 constituting the control means.

  When the playback mode button 319 is pressed by the user and the operation mode of the camera 1 is switched to the playback mode, the processing in FIG. 9 is started. First, the latest image is selected from a plurality of images recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 (step S31). Here, the latest image is the last image taken. However, when the image is the last image in a series of images obtained by continuous shooting, the first image of continuous shooting is selected as the latest image.

  After the latest image is selected, it is determined whether or not the selected latest image is the first image for continuous shooting (step S32). If it is determined in step S32 that the latest image is the first image for continuous shooting, step S32 is branched to step S33, and continuous image display processing is performed (step S33). This continuous image display processing will be described later. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that the latest image is not the first image for continuous shooting, step S32 is branched to step S34, and single-shot image display processing is performed. In this single-shot image display process, the image selected in step S31 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222.

  After the process of step S33 or step S34, it is determined whether or not an instruction to end the reproduction mode has been issued (step S35). Here, when the playback mode button 319 or the release button 302 is pressed, it is determined that an instruction to end the playback mode has been issued. If it is determined in step S35 that an instruction to end the reproduction mode is given, step S35 is branched to step S36, and the image display on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is turned off (step S36), and then the processing of FIG. Then, the process returns to the main process of the camera 1.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S35 that the reproduction mode end instruction has not been issued, step S35 is branched to step S37, and it is determined whether or not the cross button 324 has been operated (step S37). If it is determined in step S37 that the cross button 324 is not operated, step S37 is returned to step S35. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S37 that the cross button 324 has been operated, an image is selected in accordance with the operation of the cross button 324 (step S38), and the process returns to step S32.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the continuous-shot image display processing in step S33 of FIG.

  In the continuous image display processing, first, shutter speed information (TV) added as data attached to an image file is read (step S41).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the TV is 6 or more (step S42). If it is determined in step S42 that TV is 6 or more, step S42 is branched to step S48, the time interval Ti is set to 0 (ms) (step S48), and the process proceeds to step S55. Here, the time interval Ti is a time interval for determining a specific time interval when a series of images taken in the continuous shooting mode is reproduced with a specific time interval.

  If it is determined in step S42 that TV is less than 6, step S42 is branched to step S43, and it is determined whether TV is 5 or more (step S43). If it is determined in step S43 that TV is 5 or more, step S43 is branched to step S49, the time interval Ti is set to 33 (ms) (step S49), and the process proceeds to step S55.

  If it is determined in step S43 that TV is less than 5, step S43 is branched to step S44, and it is determined whether TV is 4 or more (step S44). If it is determined in step S44 that TV is 4 or more, step S44 is branched to step S50, the time interval Ti is set to 66 (ms) (step S50), and the process proceeds to step S55.

  If it is determined in step S44 that TV is less than 4, step S44 is branched to step S45, and it is determined whether TV is 3 or more (step S45). If it is determined in step S45 that TV is 3 or more, step S45 is branched to step S51, the time interval Ti is set to 125 (ms) (step S51), and the process proceeds to step S55.

  If it is determined in step S45 that TV is less than 3, step S45 is branched to step S46, and it is determined whether TV is 2 or more (step S46). If it is determined in step S46 that TV is 2 or more, step S46 is branched to step S52, the time interval Ti is set to 250 (ms) (step S52), and the process proceeds to step S55.

  If it is determined in step S46 that TV is less than 2, step S46 is branched to step S47, and it is determined whether TV is 1 or more (step S47). If it is determined in step S47 that TV is 1 or more, step S47 is branched to step S53, the time interval Ti is set to 500 (ms) (step S53), and the process proceeds to step S55.

  If it is determined in step S47 that TV is less than 1, step S47 is branched to step S54, the time interval Ti is set to 1000 (ms) (step S54), and the process proceeds to step S55. .

  After the time interval Ti is set by the above-described processing, the selected image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 (step S55). In synchronism with this, the timing operation of a timer (not shown) provided in the Bucom 201 is started (step S56).

  Next, a pseudo operation sound of the movable mirror 202a is emitted from the sound generation circuit 228 (step S57). The pseudo mirror operating sound is substantially the same as the actual operating sound of the movable mirror 202a, and the reproduction time is also substantially the same as the actual operating time of the movable mirror 202a (in this case, for example, 30 (ms)). For this reason, the pseudo mirror operating sound generated in step S57 differs depending on the specifications of the camera.

  After the pseudo operation sound of the movable mirror 202a is emitted, it is determined whether 70 + Ti (ms) has elapsed (step S58). The determination in step S58 is repeated until 70 + Ti (ms) has elapsed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S58 that 70 + Ti (ms) has elapsed, it is determined whether or not the OK button 325 has been pressed (step S59). If it is determined in step S59 that the OK button 325 is not pressed, step S59 is branched to step S60, and an image (final image) taken at the end of a series of continuous shooting is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222. It is determined whether or not it has been completed (step S60). If it is determined in step S60 that the final image has been displayed, step S60 is branched to step S61, and the first continuous image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 (step S61). Thereafter, the processing in FIG. 10 is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S35 in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S60 that the final image has not been displayed, step S60 is branched to step S62. After the next image is selected (step S62), the process returns to step S55. Furthermore, if the OK button 325 is pressed in the determination in step S59, step S59 is branched to step S63, and the image selected at that time is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 (step S63). Thereafter, the processing in FIG. 10 is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S35 in FIG.

As described above, according to the reference example of the present invention, when a series of images obtained by continuous shooting is continuously displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222, one image is displayed according to the shutter speed at the time of shooting. The display time is changed. As a result, the user can continuously reproduce the continuous shot images with a feeling close to that when the actual shooting is performed.

Here, when the shutter speed is high, it is difficult to recognize the switching of one image. Therefore, in this reference example , the images are switched at a time interval obtained by adding 100 (ms) (pseudo mirror operating sound 30 (ms) +70 (ms)) to the time interval Ti determined according to the shutter speed. I have to. This makes it easy for the user to recognize the switching of images, and even when a large number of images are taken by continuous shooting, the images can be confirmed reliably and the best shot can be easily found. Note that 70 (ms) in step S58 is merely an example and can be changed.

Furthermore, in this reference example , since the pseudo mirror operation sound is sounded in synchronization with the display start timing of the image, the user can easily recognize the change of the image audibly. Note that the pseudo operation sound of the photographing mechanism generated by the sound generation circuit 228 is not limited to the operation sound of the movable mirror 202a but may be the operation sound of the shutter unit 208 or the like. In addition, the user may be able to select the sound that is generated by the sound generation circuit 228. In this case, the sound generation circuit 228 is configured so that a plurality of types of sounds can be emitted, and the user can select a desired sound from among the plurality of sounds in a setup menu, for example. It may be.

In the following, it is described implementation form of the present invention. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part similar to having demonstrated with the reference example which concerns on this invention .

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing continuous-shot image display processing according to the embodiment of the present invention . The processing from step S41 to step S56 shown in FIG. 11 is the same as that in the reference example .

  After the timer timing operation is started in step S56, it is determined whether 80 + Ti (ms) has elapsed (step S71). The determination in step S71 is repeated until 80 + Ti (ms) has elapsed.

  On the other hand, if 80 + Ti (ms) has elapsed in the determination in step S71, a blackout image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 (step S72). Here, the blackout image is an image in which the luminance value of each pixel is all zero.

After the blackout image is displayed in step S72, it is determined whether 20 (ms) has elapsed (step S73). The determination in step S73 is repeated until 20 (ms) has elapsed. On the other hand, in the determination in step S73, the processing after 20 (ms) has elapsed is the same as that in the reference example, and a description thereof is omitted.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the blackout image is displayed prior to the switching of one image, so that the switching of the one image is visually easier to understand. In the present embodiment, the sound generation circuit 228 is not necessary. However, it goes without saying that auditory notification by the sound generation circuit 228 may be performed simultaneously.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are naturally possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

  Further, the above-described embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be extracted as an invention.

To illustrate a configuration of a digital camera according to the implementation embodiments of the present invention, is a perspective view schematically showing the internal structure by cutting a part of the digital camera body. It is a block diagram which shows in detail about the electric circuit structure inside a digital camera. It is an external appearance top view of a digital camera. It is an external appearance front view of a digital camera. It is an external appearance side view of a digital camera. It is an external appearance rear view of a digital camera. It is a flowchart shown about the operation | movement at the time of imaging | photography of a digital camera. It is a figure shown about the example of the file structure at the time of image recording. It is a flowchart shown about the process at the time of an image being reproduced | regenerated. It is a flowchart shown about the continuous-shot image display process in the reference example which concerns on this invention . It is a flowchart shown about the continuous-shot image display process in embodiment of this invention .

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera (camera), 100 ... Lens barrel, 101 ... Microcomputer for lens control (Lucom), 101a ... Communication connector, 102 ... Shooting optical system, 103 ... Lens drive mechanism, 104 ... Aperture, 105 ... Aperture drive Mechanism 200 ... Camera body 200a ... Shooting optical system mounting portion 200b ... Circuit board 201 ... Body control microcomputer (Bucom) 202a ... Quick return mirror (movable mirror) 202b ... Focusing screen 202c ... Penta prism , 202d ... eyepiece, 203 ... sub-mirror, 204 ... photometry circuit, 205 ... AF sensor unit, 206 ... AF sensor drive circuit, 207 ... mirror drive mechanism, 208 ... shutter part, 209 ... shutter charge mechanism, 210 ... shutter control circuit 211 Image pickup unit, 212 ... image sensor, 213 ... dust filter, 214 ... piezoelectric element, 215 ... dust filter drive circuit, 216 ... temperature measurement circuit, 217 ... imaging interface circuit, 218 ... image processing controller, 219 ... buffer memory (SDRAM) , 220 ... Flash ROM, 221 ... recording medium, 222 ... liquid crystal monitor, 223 ... nonvolatile memory (EEPROM), 224 ... power supply circuit, 225 ... battery, 226 ... operation display LCD, 227 ... camera operation switch (SW), 228 ... Sounding circuit

Claims (1)

In digital cameras with continuous shooting mode,
Recording means for recording a plurality of images taken in the continuous shooting mode;
Display means for reading out and displaying an image recorded in the recording means;
And controlling the display means, and control means for the plurality of images recorded on type recording means is continuously displayed,
Comprising
The control means sets the display time of one image longer than the shutter speed at the time of photographing so that the image displayed on the display means can be visually confirmed, and the black is displayed when the image is switched in the continuous display. A digital camera, wherein an out image is displayed for a predetermined time , and when a button operation is performed, the continuous display is finished and the selected image is displayed .

Images