JP4596274B2 - Image recording apparatus, image recording method, and image recording program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, an image recording method, and an image recording program, and is suitable for application to, for example, a digital still camera.

  In recent years, digital still cameras have been rapidly spreading as image recording apparatuses. In a digital still camera, compatibility between different models is maintained by recording an image by a method based on a unified standard called DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System).

  In practice, according to the DCF standard, main image data (hereinafter also referred to as main image data) that depends on the performance of the imaging unit of each model and thumbnail image data (hereinafter referred to as this image data) having a resolution lower than that of the main image. Is also defined as a single image file. Incidentally, the resolution of the main image is usually higher than the resolution of the display unit provided in the main body of the digital still camera, and the resolution of the thumbnail image is set lower than the resolution of the display unit.

  Nowadays, the amount of image data recorded by a digital still camera is increasing due to the higher resolution of the imaging unit. As a result, in the digital still camera, for example, the time required to display an image on the display unit of the main body (that is, the time required to read the main image data and the read main image data are converted into the resolution of the display unit. Time) and the convenience of the user is impaired.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, a method called prefetching in which the next main image data is read in the background while the main image is displayed to prepare for display, or a thumbnail image is displayed while the main image data is being read. A technique called two-stage playback has been proposed that improves the visual response.

  However, in the prefetching method, if an instruction to display the next main image is given by a user operation before the reading of the next main image data is completed, the actual time required to display the image is no different from the case of not prefetching. In the two-stage reproduction method, although the thumbnail image with a low resolution is displayed first, if the user waits until the main image with a high resolution is displayed, the actual time required for the image display is not changed at all. That is, even if these prefetching methods and two-stage reproduction methods are used, the above-mentioned problems have not been fundamentally solved.

Therefore, conventionally, in addition to the main image data and the thumbnail image data, display image data (hereinafter also referred to as display image data) that matches the resolution of the display unit is generated and recorded, and instead of the main image. A digital still camera has been proposed in which the display time is displayed on a display unit to reduce the actual time required for image display (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-49247 A

  However, when the display image data is generated and recorded as described above, the time required to display the image, that is, the time required to reproduce the image can be shortened, but the image data for display is generated and recorded. The time required will increase, and after all, there is a problem that it does not necessarily lead to an improvement in user convenience.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose an image recording apparatus, an image recording method, and an image recording program that can further improve the convenience of the user as compared with the conventional art.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, a subject is photographed, image data is output, first image data is generated based on the output image data, and display data is displayed based on generation information of the first image data. Whether or not to generate the second image data. If it is determined to generate the second image data, the second image data is generated based on the output image data, and the first image data is generated. When it is determined that the data and the second image data are recorded and not to be generated, only the first image data is recorded without generating the second image data.

  Thus, by determining whether or not to generate the second image data for display based on the generation information of the first image data, the second image data for display is made effective. It can be selectively generated and recorded according to the sex.

  According to the present invention, a subject is photographed, image data is output, first image data is generated based on the output image data, and the second image for display is generated based on the generation information of the first image data. It is determined whether to generate data, and if it is determined to generate the second image data, the second image data is generated based on the output image data, and the first image data and the second image data are generated. When it is determined that the image data is recorded and not generated, only the first image data is recorded without generating the second image data, so that the second image data is effective. The image recording apparatus, the image recording method, and the image recording apparatus that can further improve user convenience as compared with the case where the second image data is always generated and recorded An image recording program can be realized.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration of Digital Still Camera In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a configuration of a digital still camera as a whole.
A processing unit (2) develops a program read from a ROM (Read Only Memory) 4 via a bus 3 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 5 and executes it, thereby controlling the whole and recording and recording images. Various processes such as reproduction are performed.

  In practice, the bus 3 of the digital still camera 1 includes, in addition to the CPU 2, the ROM 4, and the RAM 5, an imaging unit 6 that captures a subject and outputs image data, a resolution converter 7 that converts the resolution of the image data, A JPEG converter 8 that encodes / decodes image data in JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group); a memory controller 10 that controls access to a memory card 9 mounted in a casing (not shown) of the digital still camera 1; A display controller 12 for controlling the display of the liquid crystal display 11 provided in the display, an input / output unit 14 for accepting an operation of an operation key 13 provided on the housing as a command input, and a USB controller for controlling a USB connection with an external device 15 is connected.

  That is, when the CPU 2 recognizes through the input / output unit 14 that an image recording command (that is, an imaging command) has been input by a user operation of the operation key 13, the CPU 2 outputs image data to the imaging unit 6. Hereinafter, this is also referred to as original image data) and temporarily stored in the RAM 5. Then, the CPU 2 generates original image data by converting the original image data temporarily stored in the RAM 5 to an arbitrary recording resolution (for example, 2560 × 1944 pixels) by the resolution converter 7, and this original image data is converted into JPEG. JPEG encoding is performed by the converter 8.

  At this time, the CPU 2 generates thumbnail image data by converting the original image data to a predetermined recording resolution (for example, 160 × 120 pixels) by the resolution converter 7, and JPEG encodes this by the JPEG converter 8, Whether to generate display image data having a resolution (for example, 640 × 480 pixels) of the liquid crystal display 11 based on an imaging mode (described later in detail) set by the user, a recording resolution and a compression rate of the main image data When it is determined that the original image data is to be generated, display image data is generated by converting the original image data to the resolution of the liquid crystal display 11 by the resolution converter 7 and is JPEG encoded by the JPEG converter 8.

  If the display image data is not generated, the CPU 2 records the JPEG-encoded main image data and thumbnail image data as one image file on the memory card 9 via the memory controller 10, When the display image data is generated, the display image data, the main image data, and the thumbnail image data are recorded on the memory card 9 via the memory controller 10 as one image file.

  In this way, the digital still camera 1 is configured to record an image in response to a user operation.

  Here, the structure of the image file recorded on the memory card 9 is shown in FIG. The image file 20 shown in FIG. 2 is an example in the case where display image data is generated. The header 21, thumbnail image data 22, main image data 23, display image data 24, arranged in order from the top thereof. A footer 25 is used. Among them, the management information of the thumbnail image data 22 and the main image data 23 is written in the header 21, and the management information of the display image data 24 is written in the footer 25.

  Further, the footer 25 is divided into two areas. The presence or absence (in this case, “present”) of the display image data 24 is written in the tail area 25A, and the display image data pointer is written in the head area 25B. The data size of the display image data 24 is written.

  As a result, the CPU 2 can confirm the presence or absence of the display image data 24 by referring to the region 25A on the tail side of the image file 20, and if it can be confirmed that the display image data 24 is present, the CPU 2 continues. The recording position (address) of the display image data 24 can be confirmed by referring to the area 25B.

  Incidentally, when the display image data is not generated, the image file 20 includes only the header 21, the thumbnail image data 22, the main image data 23, and the footer 25. In this case, “None” is written in the area 25A of the footer 25 as the presence / absence of the display image data 24. The image file 20 has a configuration in which display image data 24 and a footer 25 are added to a header 21, thumbnail image data 22 and main image data 23 compliant with the DCF standard. It can be played if there is any.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 2 recognizes that the image reproduction command is input by the user operation of the operation key 13 through the input / output unit 14, the CPU 2 transfers the transfer speed of the memory card 9, the file size of the corresponding image file 20, and the display. Based on the presence / absence of the image data 24, it is determined which of the main image data 23 and the display image data 24 is to be reproduced.

  When the CPU 2 determines to reproduce the main image data 23, the CPU 2 reads out the main image data 23 with reference to the header 21 of the corresponding image file 20 via the memory controller 10 and temporarily stores it in the RAM 5. Then, the CPU 2 JPEG-decodes the main image data 23 temporarily stored in the RAM 5 by the JPEG converter 8, converts it to the resolution of the liquid crystal display 11 by the resolution converter 7, and converts an image based on the resolution-converted main image data 23 to The image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 11 via the display controller 12.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the display image data 24 is to be reproduced, the CPU 2 reads the display image data 24 with reference to the footer 25 of the corresponding image file 20 via the memory controller 10, and stores it in the RAM 5. Temporarily save to. Then, the CPU 2 JPEG-decodes the display image data 24 temporarily stored in the RAM 5 by the JPEG converter 8 and displays an image based on the JPEG-decoded display image data 24 on the liquid crystal display 11 via the display controller 12.

  In this way, the digital still camera 1 reproduces an image in response to a user operation.

  Incidentally, when the user gives an instruction to reproduce thumbnail images, the CPU 2 reads a plurality of thumbnail image data 22 from the corresponding plurality of image files 20 via the memory controller 10 and temporarily stores them in the RAM 5. The CPU 2 JPEG-decodes the plurality of thumbnail image data 22 temporarily stored in the RAM 5 by the JPEG converter 8, and displays a plurality of images based on the plurality of thumbnail image data 22 obtained by JPEG decoding via the display controller 12. 11 is displayed as a list.

(1-2) Image Recording Processing Procedure and Image Reproduction Processing Procedure Next, an image recording procedure (hereinafter also referred to as an image recording processing procedure) and an image reproduction procedure (hereinafter referred to as “image recording processing procedure”) by the digital still camera 1 described above. This will also be described in detail. Incidentally, each of the image recording processing procedure and the image reproduction processing procedure is a process executed by the CPU 2 of the digital still camera 1 in accordance with a program read from the ROM 4.

  First, the image recording processing procedure RT1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When receiving the image recording command, the CPU 2 of the digital still camera 1 starts this image recording processing procedure RT1, and proceeds to step SP1. In step SP1, the CPU 2 generates the main image data 23 by converting the original image data output from the imaging unit 6 into the recording resolution set by the user by the resolution converter 7, and proceeds to the next step SP2. Incidentally, the digital still camera 1 is provided with a plurality of recording resolutions (for example, 2560 × 1944 pixels, 1600 × 1200 pixels, 640 × 480 pixels, 352 × 288 pixels) as the recording resolution of the main image data 23 and is prepared in advance by the user. However, a desired recording resolution can be selected and set from the plurality of recording resolutions.

  In step SP2, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the currently set imaging mode is a continuous shooting mode in which the main image data 23 is automatically and continuously recorded at predetermined intervals (for example, several hundred mmsec). Incidentally, the digital still camera 1 has a continuous shooting mode and a normal imaging mode in which the main image data 23 is manually recorded by a user operation as an imaging mode, and the user selects either the continuous shooting mode or the normal imaging mode. It can be set by selecting.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP2, this means that the user has set the imaging mode to the normal imaging mode, and the recording interval of the main image data 23 is not as short as the continuous shooting mode. At this time, the CPU 2 proceeds to step SP3.

  In step SP3, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the currently set recording resolution of the main image data 23 is equal to or less than a predetermined pixel (for example, 2M pixels). If a negative result is obtained in step SP3, this means that the currently set recording resolution of the main image data 23 exceeds 2M pixels (in this embodiment, 2560 × 1944 pixels). At this time, the CPU 2 proceeds to step SP4.

  In step SP4, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the currently set compression mode is the high compression mode. Incidentally, the digital still camera 1 has a high compression mode with a high compression rate and a standard compression mode with a lower compression rate (for example, about 1/2) as a compression mode of the main image data 23 by the JPEG converter 8. The user can select and set either the high compression mode or the standard compression mode.

  If a negative result is obtained in this step SP4, this means that the compression mode is set to the normal compression mode by the user, that is, the normal imaging mode and the recording resolution of the main image data 23 exceeds 2M pixels. In this case, the CPU 2 moves to step SP5, and the recording resolution (for example, 640 × 480) of the original image data is matched with the resolution of the liquid crystal display 11 by the resolution converter 7 at step SP5. The display image data 24 is generated by converting into (pixel), and the process proceeds to the next step SP6.

  As described above, when the CPU 2 is in the normal imaging mode and the recording resolution of the main image data 23 exceeds 2 M pixels and is in the normal compression mode, the display image data 24 is displayed at the recording interval of the main image data 23. Since there is a time margin for generation and there is a large difference between the information amount (data size) of the main image data 23 and the information amount of the display image data 24, the effectiveness of the display image data 24 is improved. It is determined that there is, and the display image data 24 is generated.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP2 described above, this means that the user has set the shooting mode to the continuous shooting mode, and this is shorter than the normal shooting mode. This means that in order to record the image data 23, it is necessary to give top priority to the recording of the main image data 23. At this time, the CPU 2 skips the generation of the display image data 24 and proceeds to step SP6. .

  If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP3 described above, this means that the currently set recording resolution of the main image data 23 is 2M pixels or less (in this case, 1600 × 1200 pixels, 640 × 480 pixels, 352 × 288). One of the pixels), that is, the user intends to reduce the data size of the main image data 23, and the information amount of the main image data 23 is not so different from the information amount of the display image data or In this case as well, the CPU 2 omits the generation of the display image data 24 and proceeds to step SP6.

  Furthermore, if a positive result is obtained in step SP4 described above, this means that the compression mode is set to the high compression mode by the user, that is, the user intends to reduce the data size of the main image data 23. Yes, this means that there is not much difference between the information amount of the main image data 23 and the information amount of the display image data. In this case as well, the CPU 2 omits the generation of the display image data 24 and performs the step. Move to SP6.

  Thus, in the continuous shooting mode, the CPU 2 gives the highest priority to recording the main image data 23 so as not to generate the display image data 24, and the recording resolution of the main image data 23 is 2M or less. In the case of the high compression mode, the information amount of the main image data 23 and the information amount of the display image data 24 are not so different, and the display image data 24 is determined to be invalid. Has been made to not generate.

  Incidentally, as a criterion for determining whether the information amount of the main image data 23 and the information amount of the display image data are not so different or large, it is necessary to reproduce the main image data 23 with the digital still camera 1. This is based on the difference between the time and the time required to reproduce the display image data 24. Actually, the time required for reproducing the main image data 23 and the time required for reproducing the display image data 24 are determined from the recording resolution and compression rate of the main image data 23 and the display image data 24, the reading speed of the memory card 9, and the like. For example, when it is predicted that the time required to reproduce the main image data 23 is 0.5 seconds or longer than the time required to reproduce the display image data 24, the information amount of the main image data 23 at this time And the amount of information of the display image data may be determined to be large, and the predetermined pixel in step SP3 and the predetermined compression rate in step SP4 are set to meet the determination criterion. It is made so that.

  In step SP6, the CPU 2 generates thumbnail image data by converting the original image data to a predetermined recording resolution (for example, 160 × 120 pixels) by the resolution converter 7, and proceeds to the next step SP7.

  In step SP7, the CPU 2 performs JPEG encoding on the main image data 23 generated in step SP1 described above by the JPEG converter 8 and proceeds to the next step SP8. In step SP8, the thumbnail image data generated in step SP6 described above is JPEG-encoded. JPEG encoding is performed by the converter 8, and the process proceeds to the next step SP9.

  In step SP9, the CPU 2 generates the header 21 of the image file 20 based on the main image data 23 and the thumbnail image data 22 JPEG-encoded in the above-described steps SP7 to SP8, and proceeds to the next step SP10.

  In step SP10, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the display image data 24 has been generated in the previous stage. If a positive result is obtained in step SP10, this means that a negative result is obtained in each of the above-described steps SP2 to SP4, and the display image data 24 is generated in step SP5. The CPU 2 moves to step SP11, JPEG-encodes the display image data 24 by the JPEG converter 8, and moves to step SP12.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP10 described above, this means that a positive result was obtained in any of the above-described steps SP2 to SP4 and display image data 24 was not generated. At this time, the CPU 2 proceeds to step SP12.

  In step SP12, the CPU 2 generates the footer 25 of the image file 20 based on whether or not the display image data 24 is generated (as a result, the image file 20 is completed), and proceeds to the next step SP13. In step SP13, the CPU 2 records the generated image file 20 in the memory card 9, and ends this image recording processing procedure RT1.

  The digital still camera 1 records an image on the memory card 9 by such an image recording processing procedure RT1.

  Next, the image reproduction processing procedure RT2 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. When receiving the image reproduction command, the CPU 2 of the digital still camera 1 starts this image reproduction processing procedure RT2, and proceeds to step SP20. In step SP20, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the file size of the image file 20 specified by the image reproduction command is less than a predetermined size (for example, 1 MByte) via the memory controller 10.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP20, this means that the file size of the image file 20 is 1 MByte or more, that is, the data size of the main image data 23 included in the image file 20 is relatively large. At this time, the CPU 2 moves to step SP21.

  In step SP21, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the data reading speed of the memory card 9 is high via the memory controller 10. Actually, the memory card 9 has, for example, different data reading speeds for each type. In this step SP21, the data reading speed of the memory card 9 is specified by specifying the type of the memory card 9, It is determined whether or not the data reading speed is a predetermined speed (for example, 5 Mbps) or more.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP21, this means that the data reading speed of the memory card 9 is low, that is, the data size of the main image data 23 is relatively large and the data reading speed of the memory card 9 is low. This means that it takes a predetermined time or more (for example, 1 second or more) to read the main image data 23. At this time, the CPU 2 is not for the main image data 23 but for display with a data size smaller than the main image data 23. It is determined that the image data 24 should be reproduced, and the process proceeds to step SP22.

  In step SP22, the CPU 2 reads the footer 25 of the image file 20, and proceeds to the next step SP23. In step SP <b> 23, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the display image data 24 is included in the image file 20 based on the content of the footer 25.

  If a positive result is obtained in step SP23, this means that the display image data 24 is included in the image file 20. At this time, the CPU 2 moves to step SP24 and reads the display image data 24. Seek the position and move to the next step SP25. In step SP25, the CPU 2 reads the display image data 24, and proceeds to the next step SP28.

  As described above, the CPU 2 predicts the reading time of the main image data 23 based on the file size of the image file 20 and the data reading speed of the memory card 9, and this reading time takes a predetermined time or more and If the display image data 24 is included in the file 20, the display image data 24 out of the main image data 23 and the display image data 24 is read out.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step 20 described above, this means that the file size of the image file 20 is less than 1 MByte, that is, the data size of the main image data 23 included in the image file 20 is relatively small. This means that the reading of the main image data 23 does not take a predetermined time or more, and that there is a possibility that the display image data 24 is not included. At this time, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the display image data 24 is present. It is determined that the main image data 23 should be reproduced immediately without confirmation, and the process proceeds to step SP26.

  If a positive result is obtained in step SP21 described above, this means that the data reading speed of the memory card 9 is high, that is, it does not take a predetermined time or more to read the main image data 23. At this time, the CPU 2 Determines that the main image data 23 should be reproduced immediately without confirming the presence or absence of the display image data 24, and proceeds to step SP26.

  As described above, when it is predicted that the reading time of the main image data 23 does not take a predetermined time or longer, the CPU 2 should immediately reproduce the main image data 23 without confirming the presence or absence of the display image data 24. It is made to judge.

  Further, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP23 described above, this means that the display image data 24 is not included in the image file 20, and the CPU 2 should reproduce the main image data 23 in this case as well. It moves to step SP26.

  In step SP26, the CPU 2 seeks the reading position of the main image data 23 based on the header 21 of the image file 20, and proceeds to the next step SP27. In step SP27, the CPU 2 reads the main image data 23 and proceeds to the next step SP28.

  In step SP28, the CPU 2 JPEG decodes the read image data (that is, the display image data 24 or the main image data 23), and proceeds to the next step SP29. In step SP29, the CPU 2 obtains an image signal by performing predetermined display processing such as resolution conversion processing and digital / analog conversion processing on the JPEG-decoded image data, and proceeds to the next step SP30. The based image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 11, and this image reproduction processing procedure RT2 is completed. Incidentally, the resolution conversion process included in the display process need not be performed if the resolution of the image data and the resolution of the display device (for example, the liquid crystal display 11) are the same.

  The digital still camera 1 reproduces an image recorded on the memory card 9 by such an image reproduction processing procedure RT2.

(1-3) Operation and Effect According to First Embodiment In the above configuration, when an image recording command is input, the digital still camera 1 is configured to display the current imaging mode and the currently set main image data 23. Based on the recording resolution and the currently set compression mode, it is determined whether or not the display image data 24 should be generated separately from the main image data 23. If it is determined that the display image data 24 should be generated, the main image data 23 Separately, the display image data 24 is generated and recorded as one image file 20 in the memory card 9. On the other hand, if it is determined that the display image data 24 should not be generated, the generation of the display image data 24 is omitted. The main image data 23 is recorded on the memory card 9 as one image file 20.

  Specifically, when the imaging mode is the continuous shooting mode, the digital still camera 1 gives the highest priority to recording the main image data 23 because the recording interval of the main image data 23 is shorter than that of the normal imaging mode. Thus, the generation of the display image data 24 is omitted. As a result, the digital still camera 1 can reliably record the main image data 23 without dropping frames in the continuous shooting mode by reducing the recording time for each image.

  In addition, when the recording resolution of the main image data 23 is equal to or lower than the predetermined resolution, the digital still camera 1 has no significant difference between the information amount of the main image data 23 and the information amount of the display image data 24. The data 23 and the display image data 24 are not so different in the readout time at the time of reproduction depending on the information amount (data size) (for example, less than 0.5 seconds) and determined that the display image data 24 is not effective. The generation of the display image data 24 is omitted. Thereby, the digital still camera 1 can shorten the image recording time and can effectively use the capacity of the memory card 9 without waste when the recording resolution of the main image data 23 is equal to or lower than the predetermined resolution. .

  Furthermore, when the compression mode is the high compression mode, the digital still camera 1 has no significant difference between the information amount of the main image data 23 and the information amount of the display image data 24. It is determined that there is no significant difference between the data 24 and the readout time during reproduction depending on the information amount (data size), and the display image data 24 is not valid, and the generation of the display image data 24 is omitted. Thereby, when the compression mode is the high compression mode, the digital still camera 1 can shorten the image recording time and can effectively use the capacity of the memory card 9 without waste.

  On the other hand, only when these three cases do not apply, that is, there is a margin in the recording interval of the main image data 23, and there is a large difference in the reading time during reproduction between the main image data 23 and the display image data 24 ( For example, the digital still camera 1 generates the display image data 24 only when it can be predicted as 0.5 seconds or more.

  In this way, the digital still camera 1 can selectively generate and record the display image data 24 according to the validity at the time of image recording. Therefore, the image recording time and the image file are uselessly recorded. Images can be recorded without increasing the size.

  Further, when an image reproduction command is input, the digital still camera 1 receives the main image data 23 and the display image data 24 based on the transfer speed of the memory card 9, the file size of the image file 20, and the presence / absence of the display image data 24. When the main image data 23 is determined to be reproduced, even if the image file 20 includes the display image data 24, the main image data 23 is reproduced. When it is determined that the display image data 24 should be reproduced, the display image data 24 is reproduced.

  More specifically, the digital still camera 1 can detect the main image data included in the image file 20 when the file size of the image file 20 is equal to or larger than the predetermined size and the transfer speed of the memory card 9 is low (less than the predetermined speed). 23 and the display image data 24 are estimated to have a large difference in reading time (for example, 0.5 seconds or more), and if the display image data 24 is included in the image file 20 at this time, The display image data 24 is read and reproduced.

  On the other hand, when the file size of the image file 20 is less than the predetermined size and when the transfer speed of the memory card 9 is high (more than the predetermined speed), the digital still camera 1 displays the display time and display time of the main image data 23. Assuming that there is not much difference (for example, less than 0.5 seconds) from the readout time of the image data 24 for the image, the main image data 23 that will have higher image quality is read regardless of the presence or absence of the display image data 24. Reproduce. Further, the digital still camera 1 reads and reproduces the main image data 23 even when the image file 20 does not include the display image data 24.

  By doing so, the digital still camera 1 confirms the presence or absence of the display image data 24 when reproducing the image and there is not much difference between the reading time of the main image data 23 and the reading time of the display image data 24. Since the main image data 23 can be read out and reproduced immediately without omission, a higher quality image can be shown to the user without extending the image reproduction time.

  According to the above configuration, in the digital still camera 1, the CPU 2 has the main image data 23 based on the current imaging mode, the currently set recording resolution of the main image data 23, and the currently set compression mode. Since it is determined whether or not the display image data 24 should be generated separately, the display image data 24 can be selectively generated and recorded in accordance with the effectiveness thereof. Compared with the case where the image data 24 is always generated and recorded, the convenience of the user can be further improved.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The second embodiment is an example for executing an image recording process different from that of the first embodiment described above, and the configuration of the digital still camera 1 and the image file 20 which are parts other than the image recording process. The configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The image recording processing procedure RT3 according to the second embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. When receiving the image recording command, the CPU 2 of the digital still camera 1 starts this image recording processing procedure RT3 and proceeds to step SP40. In step SP40, the CPU 2 generates the main image data 23 by converting the original image data output from the imaging unit 6 into the recording resolution set by the user by the resolution converter 7, and proceeds to the next step SP41.

  In step SP41, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the image frequency of the main image data 23 generated in step SP40 is low. Here, this image frequency represents the correlation between pixels. If this image frequency is low, the correlation between the pixels is high and the image is uniform, that is, the JPEG encoding for the main image data 23 is performed. This means that the compression rate becomes high. Conversely, if the image frequency is high, it means that the correlation between pixels is small and the image changes rapidly, that is, the compression rate during JPEG encoding becomes low. Incidentally, in practice, in step SP40, it is determined whether or not the image frequency of the main image data 23 is equal to or lower than a predetermined frequency.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP41, this means that the image frequency of the main image data 23 is low, that is, the compression rate at the time of JPEG encoding for the main image data 23 is low, and the data size after JPEG encoding is JPEG encoded. This means that it is not so small as compared with the previous data size. At this time, the CPU 2 determines that the display image data 24 should be generated, and proceeds to step SP42.

  In step SP42, the CPU 2 generates the display image data 24 by converting the original image data into a recording resolution (for example, 640 × 480 pixels) that matches the resolution of the liquid crystal display 11 by the resolution converter 7. Control goes to step SP43.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP41 described above, this means that the image frequency of the main image data 23 is high, that is, the compression rate at the time of JPEG encoding for the main image data 23 is high, and after the JPEG encoding. This means that the data size is sufficiently smaller than the data size before JPEG encoding. At this time, the CPU 2 determines that the display image data 24 should not be generated, and displays the display image data 24. The process proceeds to step SP43 without generation.

  Thus, the CPU 2 determines that the display image data 24 is not effective because the data size after JPEG encoding of the main image data 23 is sufficiently small if the image frequency of the generated main image data 23 is low. Thus, while the generation of the display image data 24 is omitted, if the image frequency of the generated main image data 23 is high, the data size after JPEG encoding of the main image data 23 is not so small. The display image data 24 is generated by determining that there is 24 validity.

  Incidentally, as a criterion for determining whether the data size after JPEG encoding of the main image data 23 is sufficiently small or not small, the time required for reproducing the main image data 23 in the digital still camera 1 and the reproduction of the display image data 24 are described. It is based on the difference from the time required for. For example, when it is predicted that the time required for reproducing the main image data 23 is 0.5 seconds or longer than the time required for reproducing the display image data 24, the data size of the main image data 23 at this time is not small. The predetermined frequency in step SP41 described above is set so as to meet this criterion.

  In step SP43, the CPU 2 generates thumbnail image data by converting the original image data to a predetermined recording resolution (for example, 160 × 120 pixels) by the resolution converter 7, and proceeds to the next step SP44.

  In step SP44, the CPU 2 JPEG encodes the main image data 23 generated in the above-described step SP40 by the JPEG converter 8 and proceeds to the next step SP45. In step SP45, the thumbnail image data generated in the above-described step SP43 is converted into JPEG. JPEG encoding is performed by the converter 8, and the process proceeds to the next step SP46.

  In step SP46, the CPU 2 generates the header 21 of the image file 20 based on the main image data 23 and the thumbnail image data JPEG-encoded in the above-described steps SP44 to SP45, and proceeds to the next step SP47.

  In step SP47, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the display image data 24 has been generated in the preceding stage. If a positive result is obtained in step SP47, this means that a negative result is obtained in step SP41 described above, and the display image data 24 is generated in step SP42. At this time, the CPU 2 executes step SP48. The display image data 24 is JPEG encoded by the JPEG converter 8 and the process proceeds to step SP49.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in the above-described step SP47, this means that a positive result is obtained in the above-described step SP41 and the display image data 24 has not been generated. The CPU 2 moves to step SP49.

  In step SP49, the CPU 2 generates the footer 25 of the image file 20 (as a result of completion of the image file 20) based on whether or not the display image data 24 has been generated, and proceeds to the next step SP50. In step SP50, the CPU 2 records the generated image file 20 in the memory card 9, and ends this image recording processing procedure RT3.

  The digital still camera 1 records an image on the memory card 9 by such an image recording processing procedure RT3.

  In the above configuration, the digital still camera 1 generates the main image data 23 when an image recording command is input, and the display data is displayed separately from the main image data 23 based on the image frequency of the generated main image data 23. It is determined whether or not the image data 24 should be generated. If it is determined that the image data 24 should be generated, the display image data 24 is generated separately from the main image data 23 and is stored as one image file 20 in the memory card 9. On the other hand, if it is determined that it should not be generated, the generation of the display image data 24 is omitted, and the main image data 23 is recorded on the memory card 9 as one image file 20.

  Specifically, when the image frequency of the generated main image data 23 is low, the digital still camera 1 has a sufficiently small data size after JPEG encoding of the main image data 23, and the information amount of the main image data 23 and the display data are displayed. Since there is not much difference in the information amount of the image data 24, there is not much difference in the readout time during reproduction depending on the information amount (data size) between the main image data 23 and the display image data 24 (for example, 0.5 (Less than seconds) It is determined that the display image data 24 is not valid, and the generation of the display image data 24 is omitted. Thereby, the digital still camera 1 can shorten the image recording time and can effectively use the capacity of the memory card 9 without waste when the image frequency of the generated main image data 23 is low.

  On the other hand, when the image frequency of the generated main image data 23 is high, that is, it can be predicted that there will be a large difference in reading time during reproduction between the main image data 23 and the display image data 24 (for example, 0.5 seconds or more). In this case, the digital still camera 1 generates display image data 24.

  In this way, the digital still camera 1 can selectively generate and record the display image data 24 according to the validity at the time of image recording. Therefore, the image recording time and the image file are uselessly recorded. Images can be recorded without increasing the size.

  According to the above configuration, the digital still camera 1 determines whether the CPU 2 should generate the display image data 24 separately from the main image data 23 based on the image frequency of the generated main image data 23. By doing so, the display image data 24 can be selectively generated and recorded in accordance with the effectiveness thereof, so that the display image data 24 can be further generated as compared with the case where the display image data 24 is always generated and recorded. User convenience can be improved.

(3) Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The third embodiment is an example in which an image reproduction process different from that of the first embodiment is executed. The configuration of the digital still camera 1 and the image file 20 which are parts other than the image reproduction process. The configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, when the digital still camera 1 does not include the display image data 24 in the image file 20 during image reproduction, the display image data 24 is added to the image file 20 as necessary. It is made to do.

  That is, when the CPU 2 of the digital still camera 1 accepts the image reproduction command as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, it starts the image reproduction processing procedure RT4 and proceeds to step SP60. In step SP60, the CPU 2 initializes (that is, turns off) a display image recording flag indicating whether or not to additionally record the display image data 24 at the time of reproducing the image, and proceeds to the next step SP61. Incidentally, the display image recording flag indicates that the display image data 24 is generated when it is ON, and indicates that it is not generated when it is OFF.

  In step SP61, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the file size of the image file 20 specified by the image reproduction command is less than a predetermined size (for example, 1 MByte) via the memory controller 10.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP61, this means that the file size of the image file 20 is 1 MByte or more, that is, the data size of the main image data 23 included in the image file 20 is relatively large. At this time, the CPU 2 proceeds to step SP62.

  In step SP62, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the data reading speed of the memory card 9 is high via the memory controller 10. In practice, for example, the memory card 9 has a different data reading speed for each type. In this step SP62, the data reading speed of the memory card 9 is specified by specifying the type of the memory card 9, It is determined whether or not the data reading speed is a predetermined speed (for example, 5 Mbps) or more.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP62, this means that the data reading speed of the memory card 9 is low, that is, the data size of the main image data 23 is relatively large and the data reading speed of the memory card 9 is low. Therefore, it is predicted that the reading of the main image data 23 will take a predetermined time or longer (for example, 1 second or longer). Is determined to be reproduced, and the process proceeds to step SP63.

  In step SP63, the CPU 2 reads the footer 25 of the image file 20, and proceeds to the next step SP64. In step SP <b> 64, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the display image data 24 is included in the image file 20 based on the content of the footer 25.

  If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP64, this means that the display image data 24 is included in the image file 20. At this time, the CPU 2 moves to step SP65 and reads the display image data 24. The position is sought and the process proceeds to the next step SP66. In step SP66, the CPU 2 reads the display image data 24, and proceeds to the next step SP72.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP61 described above, this means that the file size of the image file 20 is less than 1 MByte, that is, the data size of the main image data 23 included in the image file 20 is relatively small. This means that the reading of the main image data 23 is small and it is predicted that it will not take a predetermined time or more, and that there is a possibility that the display image data 24 may not be included. Is determined to be reproduced, and the process proceeds to step SP70.

  If a positive result is obtained in step SP62 described above, this means that the data reading speed of the memory card 9 is high, that is, it is predicted that the reading of the main image data 23 will not take a predetermined time or more. At this time, the CPU 2 determines that the main image data 23 should be reproduced, and proceeds to step SP70.

  Furthermore, if a positive result is obtained in step SP64 described above, this means that the image file 20 does not contain the display image data 24 although the CPU 2 determines that the display image data 24 should be reproduced. At this time, the CPU 2 moves to step SP67.

  In step SP67, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the recording resolution of the main image data 23 included in the image file 20 is a predetermined pixel (for example, 2M pixels) or less. Incidentally, the recording resolution of the main image data 23 is described in the header 21, for example. If a negative result is obtained in step SP67, this means that the recording resolution of the main image data 23 exceeds 2M pixels. At this time, the CPU 2 proceeds to step SP68.

  In step SP68, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the main image data 23 included in the image file 20 is recorded in the high compression mode. Incidentally, it is assumed that the compression mode at the time of recording the main image data 23 is also described in the header 21 in practice. If a negative result is obtained in step SP68, this means that the main image data 23 is recorded in the normal compression mode, that is, the recording resolution of the main image data 23 exceeds 2M pixels and is recorded in the normal compression mode. At this time, the CPU 2 has a large difference between the information amount (data size) of the main image data 23 and the information amount of the display image data 24. Therefore, the process proceeds to step SP69, the display image recording flag is turned ON, and the process proceeds to step SP70.

  On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in the above-described step SP67 or step SP68, this means that the information amount of the main image data 23 is not so different from or less than the information amount of the display image data. At this time, the CPU 2 determines that the display image data 24 is not valid, and proceeds to step SP70 while keeping the display image recording flag OFF.

  As described above, when the display image data 24 is not included in the image file 20 even though the CPU 2 determines that the display image data 24 should be reproduced, the determination criteria are almost the same as those at the time of image recording. It is determined whether or not the display image data 24 should be additionally recorded along the line.

  In step SP70, the CPU 2 seeks the reading position of the main image data 23 based on the header 21 of the image file 20, and proceeds to the next step SP71. In step SP71, the CPU 2 reads the main image data 23 and proceeds to the next step SP72.

  In step SP72, the CPU 2 JPEG decodes the read image data (that is, the display image data 24 or the main image data 23), and proceeds to the next step SP73. In step SP73, the CPU 2 obtains an image signal by performing predetermined display processing such as resolution conversion processing and digital / analog conversion processing on the JPEG-decoded image data, and proceeds to the next step SP74. The base image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 11, and the process proceeds to the next step SP75. Incidentally, the resolution conversion process included in the display process need not be performed if the resolution of the image data and the resolution of the display device (for example, the liquid crystal display 11) are the same.

  In step SP75, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the display image recording flag is ON. If a negative result is obtained in step SP75, this means that the display image recording flag is OFF, that is, the CPU 2 determines that it is not necessary to additionally record the display image data 24, and at this time The CPU 2 ends this image reproduction processing procedure RT4.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP75, this means that the display image recording flag is ON and the CPU 2 determines that the display image data 24 should be additionally recorded. At this time, the CPU 2 moves to step SP76.

  In step SP76, the CPU 2 uses the main image data 23 whose resolution has been converted to the resolution of the liquid crystal display 11 in step SP73 described above as display image data 24, and JPEG encodes the display image data 24 using the JPEG converter 8, and then step SP77. Move on.

  In step SP77, the CPU 2 updates the footer 25 of the image file 20 based on the generation of the display image data 24, and updates the original image file 20 to the image file 20 including the display image data 24. Here, when the CPU 2 updates the image file 20, the update date / time of the image file 20 is not updated. That is, even if the display image data 24 is additionally recorded, the CPU 2 keeps the update date and time of the image file 20 at the date of image capture, thereby making the user aware of the additional recording of the display image data 24. Thus, the display image data 24 can be additionally recorded.

When the update of the image file 20 (excluding the update date) is completed in this way, the CPU 2 ends the image reproduction processing procedure RT4.

  By such an image reproduction processing procedure RT4, the digital still camera 1 reproduces an image recorded on the memory card 9 and additionally records display image data 24 as necessary.

  In the above configuration, the digital still camera 1 is based on the recording resolution and compression rate of the main image data 23 included in the image file when the image file 20 does not include the display image data 24 during image reproduction. Then, it is determined whether or not the display image data 24 should be additionally recorded. If it is determined that the display image data 24 should be additionally recorded, the display image data 24 is additionally recorded in the image file 20.

  By doing so, the digital still camera 1 can record the image file when the image file 20 does not include the display image data 24 because the image is recorded in the continuous shooting mode, or when the image file is recorded by another image recording apparatus. Even when the display image data 24 is not included in the image 20, the display image data 24 is additionally recorded at the time of image reproduction, so that the image reproduction time can be shortened thereafter.

  Also in this case, the digital still camera 1 can selectively record the display image data 24 according to the effectiveness thereof, instead of unconditionally additionally recording the display image data 24. Therefore, the image recording time and the image file size are not increased unnecessarily.

  Further, when the display still image data 24 is additionally recorded, the digital still camera 1 uses the main image data 23 whose resolution is converted to the resolution of the liquid crystal display 11 at the time of reproduction as the display image data 24 as it is. The generation processing (that is, resolution conversion processing) of the image data 24 for use can be omitted.

  Further, when the digital still camera 1 additionally records the display image data 24 and updates the image file 20, the update date and time of the image file 20 is not updated, so that the display image data 24 is displayed to the user. The display image data 24 can be additionally recorded without being conscious of the additional recording, and the update date and time of the image file 20 deviates from the date of shooting, that is, the image file 20 of the image taken at what time. It can be prevented that it is not understood.

  According to the above configuration, when the image file 20 does not include the display image data 24, the digital still camera 1 additionally records the display image data 24 at the time of image playback, and thereafter the image playback time. Can be shortened.

(4) Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The fourth embodiment is an example in which an image recording process different from that of the first embodiment is executed. The configuration of the digital still camera 1 and the image file 20 which are parts other than the image recording process are described. The configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The image recording processing procedure RT5 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When receiving the image recording command, the CPU 2 of the digital still camera 1 starts this image recording processing procedure RT5 and proceeds to step SP80. In step SP80, the CPU 2 generates the main image data 23 by converting the original image data output from the imaging unit 6 into the recording resolution set by the user by the resolution converter 7, and proceeds to the next step SP81.

  In step SP81, the CPU 2 JPEG encodes the generated main image data 23 by the JPEG converter 8, and proceeds to the next step SP82. Although explanation is omitted, the CPU 2 is also configured to generate a thumbnail image and perform JPEG encoding. In step SP82, the CPU 2 generates the header 21 of the image file 20, and proceeds to step SP83.

  In step SP83, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the currently set imaging mode is the continuous shooting mode. If a negative result is obtained in step SP83, this means that the imaging mode is set to the normal imaging mode by the user, and the recording interval of the main image data 23 is not as short as the continuous shooting mode. At this time, the CPU 2 moves to step SP84.

  In step SP84, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the currently set recording setting of the display image data 24 is OFF. Incidentally, the digital still camera 1 can be set by the user as to whether or not the display image data 24 may be recorded, and the recording setting of the display image data 24 is turned ON by a user operation. For example, it is determined that the generation of the display image data 24 is permitted. On the other hand, if the display image data 24 is turned off, it is determined that the generation of the display image data 24 is prohibited.

  If a negative result is obtained in step SP84, this means that the recording setting of the display image data 24 is ON, that is, the generation of the display image data 24 is permitted. The process proceeds to step SP85.

  In step SP85, the CPU 2 stores the value obtained as a result of dividing the data size of the main image data 23 after JPEG encoding (hereinafter also referred to as the encoding size) by the reading speed of the memory card 9, that is, the main image data 23. It is determined whether or not the time required for reading from the card 9 exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). Incidentally, the time required to read the display image data 24 from the memory card 9 can be predicted based on the recording resolution and compression rate set in the display image data 24, and here, for example, 0.5 seconds Suppose that it is a degree.

  If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP85, this means that the time required to read the main image data 23 from the memory card 9 (that is, the reading time) exceeds 1 second. At this time, the CPU 2 It is determined that the image data 24 is valid, and the process proceeds to step SP86 where the original image data is converted into a recording resolution (for example, 640 × 480 pixels) that matches the resolution of the liquid crystal display 11 by the resolution converter 7. Thus, the display image data 24 is generated, and the process proceeds to the next step SP87.

  In step SP87, the CPU 2 JPEG encodes the display image data 24 by the JPEG converter 8, and proceeds to the next step SP88.

  As described above, when the CPU 2 is in the normal imaging mode and recording of display image data is permitted and the reading time of the main image data 23 exceeds 1 second, the CPU 2 displays the display image data at the recording interval of the main image data 23. Since there is enough time to generate the image data 24 and there is a large difference (for example, 0.5 seconds or more) between the reading time of the main image data 23 and the reading time of the display image data 24, the display The display image data 24 is generated by determining that the image data 24 is valid.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP83 described above, this means that the user has set the shooting mode to the continuous shooting mode, which is shorter than the normal shooting mode. This means that in order to record the image data 23, it is necessary to give top priority to the recording of the main image data 23. At this time, the CPU 2 skips the generation of the display image data 24 and proceeds to step SP88. .

  If a positive result is obtained in step SP84 described above, this means that the recording setting of the display image data 24 is OFF, that is, the generation of the display image data 24 is prohibited. Also in this case, the CPU 2 omits the generation of the display image data 24 and proceeds to step SP88.

  Further, if a negative result is obtained in step SP85 described above, this means that the reading time of the main image data 23 is 1 second or less. At this time, the CPU 2 has no validity of the display image data 24. It moves to step SP88.

  In step SP88, the CPU 2 generates the footer 25 of the image file 20 (as a result of completing the image file 20) based on whether or not the display image data 24 has been generated, and proceeds to the next step SP89. In step SP89, the CPU 2 records the generated image file 20 in the memory card 9, and ends this image recording processing procedure RT5.

  The digital still camera 1 records an image on the memory card 9 by such an image recording processing procedure RT5.

  In the above configuration, when an image recording command is input, the digital still camera 1 receives the current imaging mode, the recording setting of the display image data 24, the encoding size of the main image data 23, and the reading speed of the memory card 9. Based on the reading time of the main image data 23 obtained by the above, it is determined whether or not the display image data 24 should be generated separately from the main image data 23. Separately, the display image data 24 is generated and recorded as one image file 20 in the memory card 9. On the other hand, if it is determined that the display image data 24 should not be generated, the generation of the display image data 24 is omitted. The main image data 23 is recorded on the memory card 9 as one image file 20.

  Specifically, when the imaging mode is the continuous shooting mode, the digital still camera 1 gives the highest priority to recording the main image data 23 because the recording interval of the main image data 23 is shorter than that of the normal imaging mode. Thus, the generation of the display image data 24 is omitted. As a result, the digital still camera 1 can reliably record the main image data 23 without dropping frames in the continuous shooting mode by reducing the recording time for each image.

  Further, since the digital still camera 1 is set not to record the display image data 24 by the user when the recording setting of the display image data 24 is OFF, the generation of the display image data 24 is omitted. As a result, the digital still camera 1 can allow the user to select whether or not to record the display image data 24, thereby further improving user convenience.

  Further, the digital still camera 1 reads the main image data 23 when the read time of the main image data 23 obtained from the encoding size of the main image data 23 actually generated and the reading speed of the memory card 9 is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time. It is determined that there is not much difference between the time and the reading time of the display image data 24 and the display image data 24 is not effective, and the generation of the display image data 24 is omitted. As a result, the digital still camera 1 performs the image recording time when the reading time of the main image data 23 obtained from the encoding size of the main image data 23 actually generated and the reading speed of the memory card 9 is not more than a predetermined time. Can be shortened, and the capacity of the memory card 9 can be effectively used without waste.

  On the other hand, only when the above three cases are not satisfied, that is, there is a margin in the recording interval of the main image data 23, and the recording setting of the display image data 24 is permitted, and the main image data 23, the display image data 24, The digital still camera 1 generates the display image data 24 only when it can be predicted that there will be a large difference in the readout time during reproduction (for example, 0.5 seconds or more).

  In this way, the digital still camera 1 can selectively generate and record the display image data 24 in accordance with the validity and user settings at the time of image recording. An image can be recorded without increasing the file size of the image file.

  According to the above configuration, the digital still camera 1 has the CPU based on the current imaging mode, the recording setting of the display image data 24 set by the user, and the reading time when reproducing the main image data 23. By determining whether or not the display image data 24 should be generated separately from the main image data 23, the display image data 24 is selectively generated and recorded in accordance with the validity and user settings. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be further improved as compared with the case where the display image data 24 is always generated and recorded.

(5) Other Embodiments In the first embodiment described above, at the time of image recording, the imaging mode (that is, the recording interval of the set main image data 23) and the set main image data 23 are set. When the recording resolution and the set compression mode (that is, the set compression rate of the main image data 23) are used as determination conditions for determining whether or not the display image data 24 should be generated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any one or two of these imaging modes, recording resolutions, and compression modes may be used as the determination conditions. In addition, for the recording resolution and compression rate of the main image data 23, preset numerical values may be used, or numerical values obtained from the generated main image data 23 and the header 21 may be used.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the case where the determination conditions are set in the order of the imaging mode (step SP2), the recording resolution (step SP3), and the compression mode (step SP4) has been described. However, the order is not limited, and the order may be interchanged (that is, the steps may be interchanged).

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, whether or not the display image data 24 should be reproduced based on the file size of the image file 20, the presence / absence of the display image data 24, and the reading speed of the memory card 9 during image reproduction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any one or two of these three determination conditions may be used as the determination conditions.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the determination conditions are in the order of the file size of the image file 20 (step SP20), the reading speed of the memory card 9 (step SP21), and the presence / absence of the display image data 24 (step SP23). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the order of these may be interchanged (that is, the steps may be interchanged).

  Furthermore, in the above-described third embodiment, the recording resolution and compression rate of the main image data 23 are used as determination conditions for determining whether or not the display image data 24 should be additionally recorded during image reproduction. However, the semi-invention is not limited to this, and one of these two determination conditions may be used as the determination condition.

  Furthermore, in the above-described third embodiment, the case where the determination conditions are set in the order of the recording resolution of the main image data 23 (step SP67) and the compression rate (step SP68) has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the order of these may be interchanged (that is, the steps may be interchanged).

  Further, in the above-described fourth embodiment, during image recording, the main image data 23 obtained from the imaging mode, the recording setting of the display image data 24, the encoding size of the main image data 23, and the reading speed of the memory card 9 are recorded. Is used as a determination condition for determining whether or not the display image data 24 should be generated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one of these three determination conditions is used. Any one or two may be used as the determination conditions.

  Further, in the above-described fourth embodiment, the determination conditions are set in the order of the imaging mode (step SP83), the recording setting of the display image data 24 (step SP84), and the reading time of the main image data 23 (step SP85). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the order may be changed (that is, the steps may be changed).

  Further, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, as a determination condition for determining whether or not the display image data 24 should be generated, the imaging mode, recording resolution, and compression as the generation information of the display image data 24 are determined. The recording setting of the main image data 23 as setting information set by the user, the mode and the image frequency, the encoding size of the main image data 23 as generation information, and the reading speed of the memory card 9 Although the case where the reading time is used has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the data size, compression format, and the like as the generation information of the main image data 23 may be used. You may make it combine conditions arbitrarily.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, when the display image data 24 is generated, the display image data “present” is written in the footer 25 of the image file 20 and is not generated. In the above description, the display image data “None” is described in the footer 25, and the presence or absence of the display image data 24 is indicated by the footer 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the image data 24 is generated, the footer 25 is added to the image file 20. When the image data 24 is not generated, the footer 25 is not added to the image file 20. You may make it show the presence or absence of 24. In this way, the capacity of the memory card 9 can be used more effectively than when the footer 25 is always added. Further, the presence or absence of the display image data 24 may be described in the header 21.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the digital still camera 1 displays an image based on the main image data 23 or the display image data 24 on the liquid crystal display 11 provided in the casing of the digital still camera 1. Although the case of displaying is described, the present invention is not limited to this, and an image is displayed on an external display (not shown) connected to the digital still camera 1 via an image output terminal (not shown). You may make it make it.

  Here, if the resolution of the external display is higher than the resolution of the liquid crystal display 11, when an image based on the main image data 23 is displayed instead of the display image data 24 at the time of image reproduction as in the present invention. The difference in image quality from when an image based on the display image data 24 is displayed becomes clear, and a higher quality image can be provided to the user.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the case where the thumbnail image data 22, the main image data 23, and the display image data 24 are JPEG encoded has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and You may make it encode with other various encoding formats.

  Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the case where the thumbnail image data 22, the main image data 23, and the display image data 24 are recorded on the memory card 9 as one image file 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the thumbnail image data 22, the main image data 23, and the display image data 24 may not be recorded as one image file 20 as long as they are linked.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the case where the image file 20 is recorded on the memory card 9 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the hard disk, flash memory, DVD- Other various recording media such as R (Digital Versatile Disk Recordable) may be used.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the digital still camera 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the main image data 23, the display image data 24, and the like. It can also be applied to a mobile phone with a camera having a function of recording

  Further, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the case where the CPU 2 of the digital still camera 1 executes the above-described image recording process and image reproduction process according to a program recorded in advance in the ROM 4 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and a program for executing these processes may be recorded in, for example, the memory card 9 and installed in the ROM 4 from the memory card 9 or via the USB controller 15. May be acquired from the connected external device and installed in the ROM 4.

  Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the imaging unit 6, the image generation unit that generates the main image data 23 as the first image data and the display image data 24 as the second image data, And a digital still camera as an image recording device by a resolution converter 7 and a JPEG converter 8 as an image reproducing unit, a memory card 9 as an image recording unit, a CPU 2 as a control unit, a display controller 12 as an image reproducing unit and a liquid crystal display 11 Although the present invention is not limited to this, the present invention is not limited to this, and any digital imaging device, image generation unit, image recording unit, and control unit can be used as long as they have similar functions. The camera 1 may be configured.

  The present invention can be widely used for a digital still camera capable of recording a main image and a display image, a mobile phone with a camera, and the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a digital still camera. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of an image file. It is a flowchart which shows the image recording process procedure by 1st Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an image reproduction processing procedure according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the image recording process procedure by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the image reproduction process procedure by 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the image recording process procedure by 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital still camera, 2 ... CPU, 6 ... Imaging part, 7 ... Resolution converter, 8 ... JPEG converter, 9 ... Memory card, 10 ... Memory controller, 11 ... Liquid crystal display, 12 ... Display controller, 13 Operation keys, 14 Input / output unit, 20 Image file, 21 Header, 23 Main image data, 24 Display image data, 25 Footer.

Claims (14)

An imaging unit that shoots a subject and outputs image data;
An image generation unit that generates first image data and second image data for display based on the image data output from the imaging unit;
An image recording unit for recording the first image data and the second image data generated by the image generation unit;
A control unit for controlling the image generation unit,
The control unit
Based on the generation information of the first image data, it is determined whether or not the image generation unit generates the second image data. If it is determined that the second image data is generated, the image generation unit receives the first image data. When the image data and the second image data are generated and the first image data and the second image data are recorded in the image recording unit and it is determined not to be generated, the image generating unit An image recording apparatus, wherein only the first image data is generated without generating the second image data, and the first image data is recorded in the image recording unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation information is a resolution of the first image data. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation information is a compression rate of the first image data. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation information is a recording interval of the first image data depending on an imaging interval of the imaging unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation information is an image frequency of the first image data. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation information is a data size of the first image data. The control unit
In addition to the generation information, it is determined whether or not to cause the image generation unit to generate the second image data based on setting information indicating that the generation of the second image data set by the user is permitted or prohibited. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit
2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in addition to the generation information, it is determined whether or not the image generation unit generates the second image data based on a data reading speed of the image recording unit. . An image reproduction unit for reproducing the first image data and the second image data recorded in the image recording unit;
The control unit
When the second image data is generated by the image generation unit during image recording, the first image data and the second image data are recorded as one image file in the image recording unit and generated. If not, only the first image data is recorded as an image file in the image recording unit,
At the time of image reproduction, based on the file size of the image file recorded in the image recording unit, the image reproduction unit determines whether to reproduce the first image data or the second image data, and When it is determined that the first image data is to be reproduced, the image reproduction unit is caused to reproduce the first image data, and when it is determined that the second image data is reproduced, the image reproduction unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image data is reproduced. The control unit
In addition to the file size of the image file, based on the data reading speed of the image recording unit, the image reproduction unit determines whether to reproduce the first image data or the second image data. The image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: The control unit
When the second image data is not included in the image file recorded in the image recording unit, the first image data included in the image file is reproduced with respect to the image generation unit. Generating the second image data based on the first image data, adding the second image data to the image file including the first image data, and updating the image file. The image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: The control unit
The image recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the image file is updated, the update date and time of the image file is not updated. An imaging step of shooting a subject and outputting image data;
A first image generation step for generating first image data based on the image data output in the imaging step;
A determination step for determining whether to generate second image data for display based on the generation information of the first image data;
When it is determined that the second image data is generated in the determination step, the second image data is generated based on the image data output in the imaging step, and the first image data and A recording step of recording only the first image data without generating the second image data when it is determined that the second image data is recorded and not generated. Image recording method. For information processing equipment
An imaging step of shooting a subject and outputting image data;
A first image generation step for generating first image data based on the image data output in the imaging step;
A determination step for determining whether to generate second image data for display based on the generation information of the first image data;
When it is determined that the second image data is generated in the determination step, the second image data is generated based on the image data output in the imaging step, and the first image data and A recording step of recording only the first image data without generating the second image data when it is determined that the second image data is recorded and not generated. Image recording program.

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