JP4636855B2 - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus that records image data obtained by converting a photographed image into an electrical signal on a detachable recording medium, reads out the image data from the recording medium, and outputs the image data to a display device, and a control method thereof. is there.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an imaging apparatus that converts a subject image into an electrical signal and records it as image data on a recording medium, the photographed image is immediately processed and displayed on a display device after the photographing operation ends (hereinafter referred to as a quick review). It was working.
JP 2001-326890 A JP 2003-101829 A

  As described above, when a photographed image is displayed on the display device immediately after the photographing operation is finished, this display period is a photographing provided by a photographing instruction means such as a switch until a predetermined display time has elapsed. Until the shooting instruction is released from the state where the instruction is continuously maintained after the shooting (the switch is kept pressed), it is until a later time. And when a shooting preparation instruction is given from a shooting preparation instruction means such as a switch during this quick review, the drive of the image sensor is maintained even during the quick review in order to immediately switch the quick review display to a live image from the image sensor. Was.

  As described above, since the image pickup device is continuously driven even during the quick review, there is a problem that it is not possible to save power of the apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems. An imaging unit that converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal and outputs image data; and image processing that performs image processing on the image data output from the imaging unit. Means, display means for displaying the image data processed by the image processing means, and display of the image data processed by the image processing means until the display instruction by the user is released And a control means having a first display control mode for controlling the image data and a second display control mode for controlling the image data to be displayed on the display means for a predetermined time. When controlling in the first display control mode, control is performed so as to stop driving of the imaging means, and when controlling in the second display control mode, the imaging means It controls so as to continue the movement.

Further, the present invention provides an imaging unit that converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal and outputs image data, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image data output from the imaging unit, and the image processing unit. An image pickup apparatus control method having display means for displaying image processed image data, wherein image data processed by the image processing means is displayed on the display means until a display instruction by a user is canceled. A control process having a first display control mode for controlling to display, and a second display control mode for controlling to display the image data on the display means for a predetermined time. In the control process, When controlling in the first display control mode, control is performed so as to stop driving the imaging means, and when controlling in the second display control mode, the imaging hand is controlled. It controls to continue the drive.

  According to the present invention, even when a next shooting preparation instruction is given while displaying an image immediately after shooting, a live image can be displayed immediately and power saving of the apparatus can be achieved. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

In addition, the present invention supplies software and firmware program codes for realizing functions of an electronic camera according to an embodiment to be described later to an imaging apparatus by communication via a storage medium (or recording medium) storing the codes or a network. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the embodiments described later, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention.
[Configuration of electronic camera]
First, the configuration and operation of an electronic camera that converts a subject image into an electrical signal and records it as image data on a recording medium will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a lens, 2 is a shutter, 3 is an image sensor made up of a CCD or CMOS sensor, 4 is a signal processing circuit unit that performs various corrections, clamps, etc. on an image signal output from the image sensor 3. Is an A / D converter that performs analog-to-digital conversion of an image signal output from the signal processing circuit unit 4, and 6 is a digital image data input from the A / D converter 5 that performs various processes and compresses / decompresses the image data. An image processing circuit unit 7 is a memory for storing digital image data and various data. Image data (hereinafter referred to as RAW data) in a state where color filter information for each pixel output from the image sensor 3 is maintained. A RAW data area 71 is stored. Further, the memory 7 includes an image file area 72 for performing various processing on the RAW data and temporarily storing a plurality of image data immediately before recording on the recording medium.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device equipped with or attached to the electronic camera body through the image processing unit 6 with digital image data from the A / D converter 5 or the memory 7, and includes an image display circuit. , 11 is a timing generator for outputting various timing signals to the image sensor 3 and the A / D converter 5, 10 is an overall controller such as a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus according to a program, and 15 is incorporated in the overall controller 10. An internal timer 16, a RAM built in the overall control unit 10, and a SW group 9 instructing various operations and operation modes of the apparatus. The overall control unit 10 detects the state of the SW group 9. The SW group can take any form such as a push button or a dial, and is not limited to a specific form as the present embodiment.

  The SW group 9 can instruct and select at least a power-off mode, a recording mode, and a reproduction mode as an operation mode of the electronic camera. The SW group 9 also has at least a recording medium lid opening / closing sensor and a battery lid opening / closing sensor as means for detecting opening / closing of the recording medium 12 or a lid covering the battery. Further, it is a switch of a two-stroke structure, and means for instructing shooting preparation (hereinafter referred to as SW1) when pressed down to the first stroke (half-press), and means for instructing shooting when pressed down to the second stroke (fully pressed) SW2) is configured.

14 is a flash ROM for storing the operation program of the overall control unit 10 or various data, 12 is a detachable recording medium for recording or reading image data, and 13 is a recording for transferring data to and from the recording medium 12. The medium control I / F unit 17 is a time measuring circuit unit for measuring time, and measures the date and time. Further, a predetermined time is also measured to detect that a time set in advance by the overall control unit 10 has elapsed.
[Operation of electronic viewfinder]
Next, an electronic finder mode for displaying a live image of a subject on the image display device 8 and confirming the subject in the above configuration will be described.

  When the electronic control mode is instructed by the SW group 9 to the overall control unit 10, the overall control unit 10 opens the shutter 2. Appropriate exposure is controlled by an electronic shutter based on a timing signal generated by the timing generator 11 and reads out the image sensor 3. The image signal is subjected to various processing such as gain correction and clamping for each color in the signal processing circuit unit 4.

  Thereafter, analog-to-digital conversion is performed by the A / D converter 5, resizing for various signal processing and image display is performed by the image processing circuit unit 6, and the data is temporarily stored in the memory 7. The image data stored in the memory 7 is read again and the image display device 8 displays the image.

  An electronic viewfinder (hereinafter referred to as EVF) is realized by repeating reading of the image sensor 3. Of course, prior to the EVF operation, a power supply unit (not shown) is controlled, and power supply to the image sensor 3, the signal processing circuit unit 4, the A / D converter 5, and the timing generation unit 11 is started in advance. Further, the image display device 8 is driven and the power supply is started in advance as necessary.

When the EVF operation is stopped, the overall control unit 10 stops various signal processing operations of the image processing circuit unit 6 and the writing / reading operation of the memory 7, and further controls the timing generation unit 11 to generate timing. Various timing signals generated by the unit 11 are stopped, and then a power supply unit (not shown) is controlled to supply power to the image sensor 3, the signal processing circuit unit 4, the A / D converter 5, and the timing generation unit 11. Stop supplying. Further, the image display device 8 may be driven and the power supply may be stopped as necessary.
[Shooting Operation (First Embodiment)]
Next, in the above configuration, the shooting operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, when an imaging preparation instruction is issued to the overall control unit 10 by pressing SW1 of the SW group 9 (S200), the overall control unit 10 starts an imaging preparation operation. That is, the distance to the subject is measured, and the position of the lens group 1 is controlled according to this (automatic focus adjustment (AF) in S201), and the subject is photometrically determined, and the aperture value and shutter speed are determined accordingly (S202). Automatic exposure adjustment (AE)).

  Next, it is detected whether SW1 is continuously pressed (S203). If not pressed, the process proceeds to step S200 again. On the other hand, if it is continuously pressed, it is detected whether SW2 is further pressed (S204). If SW2 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S203 again. When SW2 is pressed, the photographing operation is executed. That is, exposure is performed by driving the shutter 2 (S205).

  After exposure for an appropriate period, the shutter 2 is closed and reading of the image sensor 3 is started (S206). The image signal is subjected to various processing such as gain correction and clamping for each color in the signal processing circuit unit 4, and further subjected to analog-digital conversion by the A / D converter 5, and is stored in the memory 7 via the image processing circuit unit 6. The data is stored in the RAW data area 71. At this time, the image processing circuit unit 6 does not perform processing, but only stores it in the RAW data area 71 of the memory 7. Therefore, the image data from the image sensor 3 is substantially stored as it is in the RAW data area 71 of the memory 7.

  Next, this captured image data is processed (S207). That is, the RAW data stored in the memory 7 is once read and subjected to signal processing in the image processing circuit unit 6, is further subjected to compression processing via YUV data, and is again subjected to the image file area 72 of the memory 7. Is remembered. At the same time, the YUV data is resized to a small size, and is also subjected to compression processing and stored as a thumbnail image in the image file area 72 of the memory 7. Further, various shooting condition data and the like are added and stored in the image file area 72 of the memory 7. As a result, the image file for the last photographed image is completed in the image file area 72. Note that the structure of the image file is not limited to this.

  Next, it is detected whether SW2 is continuously pressed (S208). If SW2 is continuously pressed, the image data processed in step S207 is displayed on the image display device 8 (S209). Here, the overall control unit 10 detects the state of the voltage level of a battery (not shown) which is the main power source of the apparatus (S210). There are at least three battery voltage states: a normal level, a level at which only a battery voltage drop warning is given, and a level at which the operation of the apparatus is quickly stopped together with the warning.

  If the battery is at a normal level, the process proceeds to step S212. If it is a level at which a battery voltage drop warning is given, driving of the image sensor 3 is stopped (S211).

  More specifically, the overall control unit 10 stops various signal processing operations of the image processing circuit unit 6 and writing / reading operations of the memory 7, and further controls the timing generation unit 11 to generate various types of signals generated by the timing generation unit 11. The timing signal is stopped, and then a power supply unit (not shown) is controlled to stop power supply to the image sensor 3, the signal processing circuit unit 4, the A / D converter 5, and the timing generation unit 11.

  Then, the image file data in step S207 is read again from the image file area 72 of the memory 7, and recorded on the recording medium 12 via the image processing circuit unit 6 and the recording medium control I / F unit 13 (S212).

  Next, it is detected again whether SW2 is continuously pressed (S213). If SW2 is not pressed, electronic viewfinder driving of the image sensor 3 is started (S214), and a live image is displayed on the image display device 8. Is displayed (S215), the photographing operation is terminated, and the next photographing standby state is entered.

  Next, when SW2 is not continuously pressed in step S208, it is determined whether or not the REC review timer playback is valid (S216). Here, the REC review timer playback is to display a photographed image on the image display device 8 for a predetermined time immediately after the photographing operation. Therefore, when the timer playback for the REC review is not valid, the electronic finder driving of the image sensor 3 is started without displaying the captured image on the image display device 8 (S225), and the live image is displayed on the image display device 8. The image file data in step S207 is read again from the image file area 72 of the memory 7 and recorded on the recording medium 12 via the image processing circuit unit 6 and the recording medium control I / F unit 13 (S226). S227).

  If the REC review timer playback is valid in step S216, the image data processed in step S207 is displayed on the image display device 8 (S217). Here, the overall control unit 10 detects the state of the voltage level of a battery (not shown) which is the main power source of the apparatus (S218). Here, as described above, there are at least three states of the battery voltage, that is, a normal level, a level at which only a battery voltage drop warning is given, and a level at which the operation of the apparatus is quickly stopped together with the warning.

  If the battery is at a normal level, the process proceeds to step S220. If it is a level for warning the battery voltage drop, at least the driving of the image sensor 3 is stopped (S219).

  More specifically, the overall control unit 10 stops various signal processing operations of the image processing circuit unit 6 and writing / reading operations of the memory 7, and further controls the timing generation unit 11 to generate the timing generation unit. Various timing signals are stopped, then a power supply unit (not shown) is controlled, and power supply to the image sensor 3, the signal processing circuit unit 4, the A / D converter 5, and the timing generation unit 11 is stopped.

  Then, the image file data in step S207 is read again from the image file area 72 of the memory 7 and recorded in the recording medium 12 via the image processing circuit unit 6 and the recording medium control I / F unit 13 (S220). Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined timer reproduction time has elapsed (S221). If the predetermined timer reproduction time has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not SW1 has been pressed (S222). If SW1 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S221.

  When a predetermined timer playback time has elapsed or when SW1 is pressed, the electronic finder drive of the image sensor 3 is started (S223), a live image is displayed on the image display device 8 (S224), and a shooting operation is performed. And the next shooting standby state is entered.

According to the first embodiment, when the battery voltage level is equal to or lower than a predetermined level at least during the quick review or during the REC review timer reproduction, the imaging device even during the quick review or during the REC review timer reproduction. By stopping the drive, even if the next shooting preparation instruction is given while displaying the image immediately after shooting, the live image can be displayed immediately and the power of the apparatus can be saved. Can do.
[Shooting Operation (Second Embodiment)]
In the above configuration, the shooting operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the same processes as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

3 is different from the flow of FIG. 2 in that the driving of the image sensor is stopped during the quick review regardless of the battery voltage level (without monitoring the battery voltage level). That is,
(1) If SW2 is continuously pressed in step S208 and a quick review is in progress (S209), the drive of at least the image sensor 3 is stopped without checking the battery voltage level (step S210 in FIG. 2). (S211).
(2) In contrast to the operation during the quick review, during the REC review timer playback in step S216 (S217), at least the driving of the image sensor 3 is not stopped and the driving is continued regardless of the battery voltage level ( S223).
(3) When a predetermined timer playback time has elapsed, a live image is immediately displayed (S224).

  In the above cases (1) and (2), as in the first embodiment, the overall control unit 10 stops the various signal processing operations of the image processing circuit unit 6 and the writing / reading operations of the memory 7, Further, the timing generation unit 11 is controlled to stop various timing signals generated by the timing generation unit, and then the power supply unit (not shown) is controlled, and the imaging device 3, the signal processing circuit unit 4, and the A / D conversion. The power supply to the device 5 and the timing generator 11 is stopped.

According to the second embodiment, regardless of the battery voltage level (without monitoring the battery voltage level), the driving of the image sensor is stopped during the quick review, and at least during the timer playback of the REC review, By not stopping the drive, a live image can be displayed immediately even when the next shooting preparation instruction is given while displaying an image immediately after shooting, and power consumption of the apparatus can be reduced. it can.
[Playback operation]
Next, the reproduction operation of the image data recorded on the recording medium in the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, when an instruction to reproduce the recorded image by the SW group 9 is given to the overall control unit 10, the overall control unit 10 executes a reproduction operation. That is, the image data recorded on the recording medium 12 is read via the recording medium control I / F unit 13 and temporarily stored in the memory 7 (S300).

  The image data stored in the memory 7 is read again, the data compressed by the image processing circuit unit 6 is expanded (S301), further changed to an optimum size for image display, and stored again in the memory 7. (S302). The image data stored in the memory 7 is read again and the image is displayed on the image display device 8 (S303).

1 is a block diagram of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography operation | movement of 1st Embodiment based on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the reproduction | regeneration operation | movement of embodiment which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lens 2 Shutter 3 Image pick-up element 4 Signal processing circuit part 5 A / D converter 6 Image processing circuit part 7 Memory 8 Image display apparatus 9 SW group 10 Overall control part 11 Timing generation part 12 Recording medium 13 Recording medium control I / F Part 14 FlashROM
15 Internal timer 16 RAM

Claims (6)

Imaging means for converting an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal and outputting image data;
Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data output from the imaging means;
Display means for displaying the image data processed by the image processing means;
A first display control mode for controlling image data processed by the image processing means to be displayed on the display means until the display instruction by the user is released; and the display of the image data for a predetermined time. Control means having a second display control mode for controlling to display on the means,
The control means controls to stop driving of the imaging means when controlling in the first display control mode,
When controlling in the second display control mode, the imaging apparatus is controlled so as to continue driving the imaging means. The imaging device includes a switch for a user to instruct photographing,
The control means controls to display the image data subjected to the image processing on the display means in the first display control mode by continuing the state in which the switch is turned on by the user. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit controls the driving of the imaging unit when a state where the switch is turned on is released by a user. The control means controls to start driving the imaging means after the predetermined time has elapsed when displaying the image data subjected to the image processing in the second display control mode on the display means. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein A determination unit that determines whether a power supply voltage of the imaging device is equal to or lower than a predetermined level when the image data subjected to the image processing is displayed on the display unit;
Wherein, when the determination means determines, when the power supply voltage is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined level, of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that control to stop the driving of said image pickup means The imaging device according to any one of the above. Imaging means for converting an optical image of a subject into electrical signals and outputting image data, image processing means for performing image processing on image data output from the imaging means, and image data image-processed by the image processing means A method of controlling an imaging apparatus having display means for displaying
A first display control mode for controlling image data processed by the image processing means to be displayed on the display means until the display instruction by the user is released; and the display of the image data for a predetermined time. A control process having a second display control mode for controlling to display on the means,
In the control step, when controlling in the first display control mode, control is performed so as to stop driving of the imaging unit,
When controlling in the second display control mode, a control method for an imaging apparatus, wherein control is performed so as to continue driving the imaging means.

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