JP4738224B2 - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and in particular, for example, captures an object scene with an image sensor, records the captured object scene image on a recording medium, and records the object scene image recorded on the recording medium to an external device such as a PC. The present invention relates to an electronic camera that is transferred to a device.

As this type of conventional apparatus, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. This prior art gives identification data to image data recorded in a state where a specific button is turned on. At the time of transfer, image data to which identification data is added is preferentially transmitted. Therefore, when the user wants to preferentially transmit an image to be captured from now on, the user can save the trouble of specifying the transmission order at the time of transfer by performing a shutter operation after turning on the specific button.
JP-A-11-1222569 [H04N 5/765, 5/781, 5/225]

    However, in the prior art, in addition to the shutter operation, an operation to turn on / off the specific button is required, so that the operability at the time of shooting deteriorates.

    Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that can improve operability.

The electronic camera (10) according to the invention of claim 1 includes an imaging means (14) for capturing an object scene, an adjusting means (S15) for adjusting an imaging condition in response to a condition adjustment operation, and an object captured by the imaging means. Recording means (S25) for recording the field image on the recording medium (46) in response to the recording operation executed after the condition adjustment operation, the difference between the execution timing of the condition adjustment operation and the execution timing of the recording operation, or the recording operation Assigning means (S29, S31) for assigning the first identification information for identifying the operation mode of the recording operation based on the presence or absence of the recording operation to the object scene image recorded by the recording means, and the object scene image recorded on the recording medium Are transferred to the external device (50) in the order based on the first identification information assigned by the assigning means (S57, S59, S63).

  The object scene is captured by the imaging means. The imaging condition is adjusted by the adjusting means in response to the condition adjustment operation. The object scene image captured by the imaging unit is recorded on the recording medium by the recording unit in response to a recording operation executed after the condition adjusting operation. The assigning means assigns the first identification information for identifying the operation mode of the recording operation to the object scene image recorded by the recording means. The transfer means transfers the object scene image recorded on the recording medium to the external device in the order based on the first identification information assigned by the assignment means.

The first identification information is information related to the operation modes of the condition adjustment operation and the recording operation, and the transfer order of the object scene image is defined based on such first identification information. By paying attention to the condition adjustment operation and the recording operation, a dedicated operation for defining the transfer sequence of the object scene image is unnecessary. This improves operability.

  An electronic camera according to a second aspect of the invention is dependent on the first aspect, and the first identification information is difference information representing a difference between an execution timing of the condition adjustment operation and an execution timing of the recording operation.

  The electronic camera according to the invention of claim 3 is dependent on claim 2, and includes a first discriminating means (S27) for discriminating whether or not the difference between the execution timing of the condition adjustment operation and the execution timing of the recording operation is below a threshold value. Further, the first identification information assigned by the assigning unit corresponds to the determination result of the first determining unit.

  Whether or not the difference between the execution timing of the condition adjustment operation and the execution timing of the recording operation falls below a threshold value is determined by the first determination means. The first identification information assigned by the assigning unit, that is, the difference information corresponds to the determination result of the first determining unit.

  The electronic camera according to the invention of claim 4 is dependent on claim 3, and the transfer means preferentially transfers the object scene image to which the first identification information corresponding to the positive determination result by the first determination means is assigned. To do. Therefore, as in claim 5, when the case adjustment operation is half-pressing of the shutter button and the recording operation is full-pressing of the shutter button, the time required for shifting from half-pressing to full pressing is a threshold value. The scene image recorded by the operation mode that is less than the level, that is, the “first press” operation, is transferred before the other scene image that is recorded by the “two-step press” operation. .

  An electronic camera according to a fifth aspect of the invention is dependent on any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the condition adjustment operation corresponds to half-pressing of the shutter button, and the recording operation corresponds to full-pressing of the shutter button.

  An electronic camera according to a sixth aspect of the invention is dependent on the fifth aspect, wherein the recording means repeatedly executes a recording process when the shutter button is fully depressed, and the assigning means responds to the continuation of the shutter button fully depressed. Then, common first identification information is assigned to a plurality of object scene images recorded by the recording means.

  When the shutter operation is not released even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the full press, that is, in the “long press” state in which the full press state continues, the recording process is repeatedly executed, and a plurality of recorded scene images are thereby recorded. Are assigned common first identification information. Therefore, each of the plurality of object scene images recorded in the long-pressed state includes first identification information indicating “short-press” if the operation mode of the shutter operation that forms the long-pressed state is “push”. And the first identification information indicating “two-stage push” is given if the operation mode is “two-stage push”.

  The electronic camera according to a seventh aspect of the invention is dependent on any one of the first to sixth aspects, and the transfer means interrupts the transfer process in response to the condition adjustment operation. This makes it possible to concentrate processing capacity on condition adjustment processing and recording processing, thereby shortening processing time and improving comfort.

The transfer control program according to the invention of claim 8 is an adjustment step for adjusting an imaging condition in response to a condition adjustment operation to a processor (24) of an electronic camera (10) having an imaging means (14) for capturing an object scene. S15), a recording step (S25) for recording the object scene image captured by the imaging means on the recording medium (46) in response to a recording operation executed after the condition adjustment operation, execution timing and recording of the condition adjustment operation An assigning step (S29, S31) for assigning the first identification information for identifying the operation mode of the recording operation based on the difference with the execution timing of the operation or the continuation of the recording operation to the scene image recorded by the recording step; And a transfer step (S57, S59, S63) for transferring the object scene image recorded on the recording medium to the external device (50) in the order based on the first identification information assigned by the assigning step.

A transfer control method according to a ninth aspect of the invention is a transfer control method executed by an electronic camera (10) having an imaging means (14) for capturing an object scene, and adjusting an imaging condition in response to a condition adjustment operation. An adjusting step (S15), a recording step (S25) for recording the object scene image captured by the imaging means on the recording medium (46) in response to a recording operation executed after the condition adjusting operation , and a condition adjusting operation An assigning step of assigning first identification information for identifying the operation mode of the recording operation based on the difference between the execution timing and the execution timing of the recording operation or the continuation of the recording operation to the object scene image recorded by the recording step (S29) , S31), and a transfer step (S57, S59, S63) for transferring the object scene image recorded on the recording medium to the external device (50) in the order based on the first identification information assigned by the assigning step.

  According to this invention, operability can be improved.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 of this embodiment includes an optical lens 12. The optical image of the object scene is irradiated to the image sensor 14 through the optical lens 12 and subjected to photoelectric conversion. Thereby, a charge representing the object scene, that is, a raw image signal is generated.

  When the power is turned on, the CPU 24 instructs the TG / SG 22 to repeat pre-exposure and thinning-out reading in order to execute through image processing. The TG / SG 22 gives a plurality of timing signals to the image sensor 14 in order to execute pre-exposure of the image sensor 14 and thinning-out reading of the charges obtained thereby. The raw image signal generated by the image sensor 14 is read in the order according to the raster scanning in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync generated at a rate of once every 1/30 seconds.

  The raw image signal output from the image sensor 14 is subjected to a series of processes of correlated double sampling, automatic gain adjustment, and A / D conversion by the CDS / AGC / AD circuit 16. The signal processing circuit 18 performs processing such as white balance adjustment, color separation, and YUV conversion on the raw image data output from the CDS / AGC / AD circuit 16 and writes the YUV format image data to the SDRAM 36 through the memory control circuit 34. .

  The video encoder 38 reads the image data stored in the SDRAM 36 through the memory control circuit 34 every 1/30 seconds, and converts the read image data into a composite video signal. As a result, a real-time moving image (through image) representing the scene is displayed on the LCD monitor 40.

  The AF / AE evaluation circuit 20 creates a luminance evaluation value indicating the brightness of the scene and a focus evaluation value indicating the degree of focus of the scene based on the image data output from the signal processing circuit 18. . The created luminance evaluation value and focus evaluation value are given to the CPU 24.

  When the shutter button 28s provided in the key input device 28 is not operated, the CPU 24 executes through image AE processing. The pre-exposure time set in the TG / SG 22 is controlled based on the luminance evaluation value from the AF / AE evaluation circuit 20. As a result, the brightness of the through image is appropriately adjusted.

  When the shutter button 28s is half-pressed, the CPU 24 executes AF processing and AE processing. As a result of the AF process, the optical lens 12 is set to the in-focus position by the driver 26. As a result of the AE process, the exposure time set in the TG / SG 22 is set to an optimum value.

  When the shutter button 28s is fully pressed, the CPU 24 instructs the TG / SG 22 to perform main exposure and all-pixel reading and performs JPEG compression to the JPEG codec 32 in order to execute the recording process.

  The TG / SG 22 gives a plurality of timing signals to the image sensor 14 in order to execute the main exposure of the image sensor 14 and the reading of all charges obtained thereby. The raw image signal generated by the image sensor 14 is read out in an order according to raster scanning. The raw image signal output from the image sensor 14 is converted into YUV format image data by the same processing as described above. The converted image data is written into the SDRAM 36 through the memory control circuit 34.

  The JPEG codec 32 reads out the image data stored in the SDRAM 36 through the memory control circuit 34, compresses the read image data by the JPEG method, and writes the compressed image data, that is, JPEG data into the SDRAM 36 through the memory control circuit 34. The JPEG data obtained in this way is then read out by the CPU 24 and recorded on the recording medium 46 in a file format via the I / F 44.

  At this time, the CPU 24 registers the identifier of the JPEG file recorded on the recording medium 46 in the normal list L1 or the priority list L2 in the flash memory 30 (see FIG. 2). Which list is registered is determined based on the operation mode of the shutter button 28s, specifically, the required time from the half-press operation to the full-press operation (described later). A number indicating the registration order is assigned to each registered identifier. Hereinafter, this number is referred to as “order”.

  In the example of FIG. 2, six identifiers corresponding to six JPEG files, that is, “001.jpg”, “003.jpg”, “004.jpg”, “006.jpg”, “007.jpg”, and “009.jpg” is registered in the normal list L1, and “01” to “06” are assigned to these six identifiers as ranks, respectively. On the other hand, in the priority list L2, four identifiers corresponding to the four JPEG files, that is, “002.jpg”, “005.jpg”, “008.jpg”, and “010.jpg” are registered. “01” to “04” are assigned to the four identifiers as ranks, respectively.

  When the playback mode is selected by the key input device 28, playback processing of a desired JPEG file is executed. The CPU 24 accesses the recording medium 46 through the I / F 44 and reads JPEG data stored in a desired JPEG file. The read JPEG data is written into the SDRAM 36 through the memory control circuit 34.

  The JPEG codec 32 reads JPEG data from the SDRAM 36 through the memory control circuit 34, decompresses the read JPEG data, and writes the decompressed image data into the SDRAM 36 through the memory control circuit 34.

  The video encoder 38 reads the image data stored in the SDRAM 36 through the memory control circuit 34, converts the read image data into an NTSC composite video signal, and outputs the converted composite video signal to the LCD monitor 40. To do. As a result, the reproduced image is displayed on the monitor screen.

  Incidentally, the digital camera 10 further includes a network controller 48. The network controller 48 is connected to the PC 50 via a wireless or wired transmission path (not shown). When the transmission mode is selected by the key input device 28 in the state where the connection between the network controller 48 and the PC 50 is established, the CPU 24 selects the JPEG file stored in the recording medium 46 according to the order of the priority list L2. Send to. The JPEG file registered in the normal list L1 is transmitted after the last JPEG file in the priority list L2 is transmitted.

  Specifically, the CPU 24 first reads the JPEG file corresponding to the identifier “002” (002.jpg) from the recording medium 46 via the I / F 44 with reference to the priority list L2. The read JPEG file is stored in the transmission area 36t in the SDRAM 36 by the memory control circuit 34. Next, the network controller 48 is instructed to transmit the JPEG file stored in the transmission area 36t. The network controller 48 reads out the JPEG file stored in the transmission area 36t through the memory control circuit 34, and transmits the read JPEG file to the PC 50.

  When the transmission is completed, the identifier of the transmitted JPEG file, that is, “002.jpg” is deleted from the priority list L2, and the rank of the remaining identifiers is moved up. As a result, “005.jpg” is the first rank (see FIG. 3A). Next, a JPEG file corresponding to “005.jpg” is transmitted, and “005.jpg” is deleted. Then, the remaining identifiers are moved up, and thereafter the same operation is repeated.

  When the identifier disappears from the priority list L2 (see FIG. 3B), the reference destination of the CPU 24 moves to the normal list L1. The CPU 24 refers to the normal list L1, transmits a JPEG file corresponding to “001.jpg” in the first order, deletes “002.jpg” from the normal list L1, and completes the remaining identifier Move up the ranking. As a result, “003.jpg” becomes the first rank (see FIG. 3C). Next, a JPEG file corresponding to “003.jpg” is transmitted, and “003.jpg” is deleted. Then, the ranking of the remaining identifiers is increased, and thereafter the same operation is repeated. Then, when the identifier disappears from the normal list L2 (see FIG. 3D), the transmission process is completed.

  In connection with the assignment of the identifiers to the two lists L1 and L2 described above, the CPU 24 starts the timer T1 in response to the half-pressing operation, and responds to the full-pressing operation following the half-pressing operation. Stop T1. If the value of the timer T1, that is, the time difference D from the half-pressing operation to the full-pressing operation is equal to or smaller than the threshold ThD (such an operation mode is called “push”), the identifier is registered in the priority list L2, and the time difference If D exceeds the threshold ThD (this type of operation is called “two-step push”), it is registered in the normal list L1.

  The operation for selecting the transmission mode is performed using a menu screen (not shown) displayed on the LCD monitor 40. The menu screen is generated by the character generator 42.

  The CPU 24 executes the main task shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the transmission task shown in FIG. 6 in parallel under the control of a multitask OS such as μITRON. The main task is activated / terminated in response to a power on / off operation. The transmission task is activated in response to the transmission mode selection operation, and is terminated by the transmission task itself. Control programs corresponding to these tasks are stored in the flash memory 30.

  First, referring to FIG. 4, "0" is set to the flag F in step S1, and through image processing is executed in step S3. The through image is displayed on the LCD monitor 40 by the process of step S3. In step S5, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 28s is in a half-pressed state. If “NO” here, the through image AE process is executed in a step S7, and then the process returns to the step S5. The brightness of the through image is appropriately adjusted by the process of step S7.

  If “YES” in the step S5, the flag F is set to “1” in a step S9, and the timer T1 is reset and started in a step S11. That is, in response to the half-press detection, the flag F changes from “0” to “1”, and the time counting operation of the timer T1 is started. Then, after executing the recording AF process and the recording AE process in steps S13 and S15, respectively, the process proceeds to a loop process in steps S17 and S19.

  In step S17, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 28s is fully pressed. In step S19, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 28s is in a released state. If “YES” in the step S17, the process proceeds to a step S21 to stop the timer T1, and in a step S23, the value of the timer T1 is set in a variable D indicating a time difference (hereinafter “time difference D”). After setting, the process proceeds to step S25.

  If “YES” in the step S19, the process returns to the step S1. Accordingly, when the shutter button 28s is once pressed halfway and then released without shifting to the full press, the time difference D is determined again based on the next shutter operation. In addition, the operation mode in which the state is changed to the half-pressed state, then the release state, the half-pressed state, and the transition to the full-pressed state is referred to as “double press”. The double press is distinguished from the operation mode of “push at once” and “full press” from the last half-press timing.

  Referring to FIG. 5, in step S25, photographing / recording processing is executed. By this processing, JPEG data representing the object scene image at the time when the shutter button 28s is operated is recorded on the recording medium 46 in a file format.

  In step S27, it is determined whether or not the time difference D is less than or equal to a threshold ThD (for example, 1 second). If “YES” here, the process proceeds to a step S29 to register the identifier of the JPEG file recorded in the step S25 at the end of the priority list L2. If NO, the identifier is registered at the end of the normal list L1 in step S31. After registration, the timer T2 is reset and started in step S33, and the process proceeds to the hoop processing in steps S35 and S37.

  In step S35, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 28s is in a released state. In step S37, it is determined whether or not the value of the timer T2 is equal to or greater than a threshold value Th2 (for example, 2 seconds). If “YES” in the step S35, the process returns to the step S1. If “YES” in the step S37, the process returns to the step S25.

  Therefore, when the shutter operation is released within a predetermined time (= Th2) after the full-press transition, the flag F changes from “1” to “0”, and the state shifts to a state of waiting for the next shutter operation. When the next shutter operation is performed, the flag F changes from “0” to “1”, and the time difference D is calculated based on this shutter operation.

  As described above, the flag F indicates “0” in the released state, that is, the state in which the shutter button 28 s is not operated at all, and indicates “1” in the half-pressed state or the fully-pressed state. The time difference D is calculated for each shutter operation.

  On the other hand, if the shutter operation is not released even after a predetermined time has elapsed (this state is referred to as “long press”), the next shooting / recording process is executed while maintaining the time difference D based on the previous shutter operation. The That is, there is no change in the flag F (= 0) or the time difference D during the long press state, and the photographing / recording process is repeatedly executed every predetermined time Th2.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in step S51, it is determined whether or not flag F is “0”. If YES, that is, if no shutter button 28s is operated, a series of processes in steps S53 to S67. Execute. In step S53, it is determined whether an identifier exists in the normal list L1 or the priority list L2.

  If an identifier exists in at least one of the normal list L1 and the priority list L2, “YES” is determined in the step S53, and the process proceeds to a step S55 to further determine whether or not the identifier is present in the priority list L2. If “YES” here, after the identifier of the first rank is selected from the priority list L2 in a step S57, the process proceeds to a step S61. If “NO” in the step S55, the identifier of the first rank is selected from the normal list L1 in a step S59, and then, the process proceeds to the step S61.

  In step S61, the JPEG file corresponding to the identifier selected in step S57 or S59 is read from the recording medium 46 through the I / F 44, and the read JPEG file is sent to the transmission area 36t in the SDRAM 36 via the memory control circuit 34. Store.

  In step S63, the network controller 48 is instructed to transmit the stored JPEG file. The network controller 48 reads the JPEG file from the transmission area 36t through the memory control circuit 34 and transmits the read JPEG file to the PC 50.

  When the transmission is completed, the process proceeds to step S65, and the identifier of the transmitted file is deleted from the normal list L1 or the priority list L2. Then, after the rank of the remaining identifier is incremented in step S67, the process returns to step S51.

  If there is no identifier in both the normal list L1 and the priority list L2, NO is determined in step S53, and the transmission task itself is terminated.

  As is apparent from the above, in this embodiment, the object scene is captured by the image sensor 14. The CPU 24 adjusts the imaging condition in response to the half-press operation (condition adjustment operation) of the shutter button 28s (S15), and the full-press executed after the half-press operation on the object scene image captured by the image sensor 14 Recording is performed on the recording medium 46 in response to the operation (recording operation) (S25). Further, the difference between the execution timing of the half-press operation and the execution timing of the full-press operation is calculated (S11, S21), and the difference information representing the calculation result is assigned to the recorded scene image (S29, S31). Then, the object scene image recorded on the recording medium 46 is transferred to the PC 50 in the order based on the assigned difference information (S57, S59, S63).

  The difference information is information related to the execution timing of the condition adjustment operation and the recording operation, and the transfer order of the object scene image is defined based on such difference information. By paying attention to the condition adjustment operation and the recording operation, a dedicated operation for defining the transfer sequence of the object scene image is unnecessary. This improves operability.

  In this embodiment, the difference information is used as the information for defining the transfer order of the object scene image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if the identification information for identifying the operation mode of the recording operation is used, the dedicated operation is unnecessary. Become.

It is a block diagram which shows one Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a set of lists applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1; (A)-(D) are the illustrations which showed the change of the FIG. 2 list | wrist accompanying progress of a transfer process in time series. It is a flowchart which shows a part of CPU operation | movement applied to FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other CPU operation | movement applied to FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other CPU operation | movement applied to FIG. 1 Example.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Digital camera 14 ... Image sensor 24 ... CPU
28 ... Key input device 28s ... Shutter button 30 ... Flash memory 36 ... SDRAM
36t ... transmission area 46 ... recording medium 48 ... network controller L1 ... normal list L2 ... priority list T1, T2 ... timer

Claims (9)

Imaging means for capturing the object scene,
Adjusting means for adjusting the imaging condition in response to the condition adjusting operation;
A recording means for recording the object scene image captured by the imaging means on a recording medium in response to a recording operation executed after the condition adjusting operation;
First identification information for identifying the operation mode of the recording operation based on the difference between the execution timing of the condition adjustment operation and the execution timing of the recording operation or the continuation of the recording operation is recorded by the recording unit. An electronic camera comprising: assigning means for assigning to a scene image; and transfer means for transferring the object scene image recorded on the recording medium to an external device in an order based on the first identification information assigned by the assigning means.   The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the first identification information is difference information representing a difference between an execution timing of the condition adjustment operation and an execution timing of the recording operation. First discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the difference between the execution timing of the condition adjustment operation and the execution timing of the recording operation is below a threshold;
The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein the first identification information assigned by the assigning unit corresponds to a determination result of the first determining unit.   The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the transfer unit preferentially transfers an object scene image to which first identification information corresponding to a positive determination result by the first determination unit is assigned.   5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the condition adjustment operation corresponds to a half-press of a shutter button, and the recording operation corresponds to a full-press of the shutter button. The recording means repeatedly executes a recording process when the shutter button is fully depressed;
6. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein the assigning means assigns common first identification information to a plurality of object scene images recorded by the recording means in response to the continuation of the shutter button fully pressed.   The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the transfer unit interrupts transfer processing in response to the condition adjustment operation. To the processor of the electronic camera which has the imaging means to capture the object scene,
An adjustment step for adjusting the imaging condition in response to the condition adjustment operation;
A recording step of recording an object scene image captured by the imaging unit on a recording medium in response to a recording operation executed after the condition adjustment operation;
First identification information for identifying the operation mode of the recording operation based on the difference between the execution timing of the condition adjustment operation and the execution timing of the recording operation or the continuation of the recording operation is recorded by the recording step. An assignment step for allocating to a scene image, and a transfer step for causing the object scene image recorded on the recording medium to be transferred to an external device in an order based on the first identification information assigned by the assignment step. Control program. A transfer control method executed by an electronic camera having an imaging means for capturing an object scene,
An adjustment step for adjusting the imaging condition in response to the condition adjustment operation;
A recording step of recording an object scene image captured by the imaging unit on a recording medium in response to a recording operation executed after the condition adjustment operation;
First identification information for identifying the operation mode of the recording operation based on the difference between the execution timing of the condition adjustment operation and the execution timing of the recording operation or the continuation of the recording operation is recorded by the recording step. A transfer control method comprising: an assigning step to assign to a scene image; and a transfer step for transferring the object scene image recorded on the recording medium to an external device in an order based on the first identification information assigned by the assigning step.

Images