JP4775648B2 - Imaging apparatus, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method, and a program, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus capable of recording a still image during recording of a moving image, and a recording destination of an image for recording a moving image and an image for recording a still image. The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method, and a program that can suppress the memory bandwidth.

Digital still cameras sold in recent years are generally provided with a moving image shooting function in addition to a still image shooting function. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a technique that enables the code amount of a moving image to be recorded to be suppressed.
JP 2000-138940 A

  The compression process that is performed before recording a moving image is a relatively large amount of processing, and the memory used for the compression process is also frequently accessed. When attempting to capture, if the same memory is used, access to the memory for video compression processing and access to the memory for capturing still images must overlap and be secured. Some memory bandwidth will increase.

  For example, when recording a still image with a resolution higher than the resolution of the moving image during recording of the moving image, an image with a higher resolution is used as an image for recording the still image separately from the image for recording the moving image. Must be captured in memory.

  This is the same when recording still images during recording of moving images not only in digital still cameras but also in video cameras equipped with a still image shooting function.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in an imaging apparatus capable of recording a still image during recording of a moving image, a recording destination of an image for recording a moving image and an image for recording a still image. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the memory bandwidth.

An imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention captures an image during recording of a moving image and outputs an image with a predetermined resolution, conversion means for converting the resolution of an image output from the imager, and output from the imager. In addition, the image having the predetermined resolution is recorded as still image recording data, and the image obtained by the resolution conversion by the converting unit is recorded as moving image recording data, and the moving image recording recorded in the memory A compression unit that performs compression processing on the target data using the memory, and compression by the compression unit , which is a process that accompanies access to the memory when a still image recording is instructed during recording of a moving image. processing and a processing for recording the data for the still image recording which is outputted from the imager, before obtained by the resolution conversion by said converting means Of the processes for recording data for video recording, the compression means to interrupt the compression process by, with to perform processing for recording data of the still image recording which is outputted from the imager, the resolution by the converting means and control means for causing the process to record the data of the video recording obtained by the conversion continues.

  The image that is the data for moving image recording may be an image having a lower resolution than the image that is the data for still image recording.

  The control means can interrupt the compression processing by the compression means until the still image recording data is recorded in the memory.

  The control means further transfers the compressed moving image data compressed by the compression means and recorded in the memory by the time when the recording of the still image is instructed to the other recording medium. Can also be interrupted.

  In response to an instruction to record a still image, the control unit records the still image recording data in the memory, and then records the data as data to be compressed in the memory. Until the relationship between the data for moving image recording and the data for moving image recording being subjected to compression processing by the compression means is the same as that before the compression processing is interrupted, at a higher speed than before the interruption. The compression means can compress the moving image recording data.

  The control means can prohibit the recording of the next still image while the compression means is compressing the data for moving image recording at a faster speed than before the interruption.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for compressing a memory, which is a process involving access to a memory when recording of a still image is instructed during recording of a moving image, and for recording a still image output from an imager . and processing for the data recording, among the process of recording data of the video recording obtained by the resolution conversion by converting means, to interrupt the compression process by the compression means, the still image outputted from the imager And a step of continuously performing the process of recording the moving image recording data obtained by the resolution conversion by the converting unit while performing the process of recording the recording data.
A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a process for compressing a memory, which is a process involving access to a memory when recording of a still image is instructed during recording of a moving image, and for recording a still image output from an imager. Of the process for recording data and the process for recording the data for moving image recording obtained by the resolution conversion by the conversion unit, the compression process by the compression unit is interrupted, and the still image recording output from the imager And causing the computer to execute a process including a step of continuously performing the process of recording the moving image recording data obtained by the resolution conversion by the conversion unit.

In one aspect of the present invention, when recording of a still image is instructed during recording of a moving image, compression processing by the compression means, which is processing that accompanies access to the memory , and still image recording data output from the imager Among the processing for recording the image and the processing for recording the moving image recording data obtained by the resolution conversion by the converting means, the compression processing by the compression means is interrupted, and the still image recording data output from the imager Is recorded, and the process of recording the moving image recording data obtained by the resolution conversion by the converting means is continuously performed .

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a bandwidth of a memory that is a recording destination of an image for moving image recording and an image for still image recording.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The imaging device 1 is, for example, a digital video camera, and records a moving image and a still image with a resolution higher than the resolution of the moving image based on the same image captured by the imager even during the recording of the moving image. It has been made so that it can.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 1 includes, for example, an imager 11, a signal processing chip 12, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 13, and a recording medium 14. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 1 is also provided with a lens, a battery, and the like.

  The imager 11 receives light from a subject incident through a lens, performs photoelectric conversion, performs A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion on an analog image signal corresponding to the amount of received light, and then performs digital conversion. The image data of the signal is output to the signal processing chip 12. The imager 11 includes an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and a circuit that performs A / D conversion. A circuit for performing A / D conversion may be provided separately from the imager 11 in the subsequent stage of the imager 11.

  The signal processing chip 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a preprocessing unit 22, a camera signal processing unit 23, a moving image compression processing unit 24, a recording medium I / F 25, an internal bus 26, and a memory controller 27. Various processing is performed on the RAW data, which is output from 11, and the moving image and still image obtained by performing the processing are recorded on the recording medium. A DRAM 13 is used as appropriate for the processing by the signal processing chip 12.

  The recording medium 14 is a detachable recording medium such as a tape, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a memory card, or the like, or a fixed recording medium built in the imaging apparatus 1 such as a hard disk. is there.

  The CPU 21 of the signal processing chip 12 executes a program prepared in advance and controls the preprocessing unit 22, the camera signal processing unit 23, the moving image compression processing unit 24, and the recording media I / F 25.

  The preprocessing unit 22 performs preprocessing on the RAW data supplied from the imager 11 according to control by the CPU 21. For example, noise reduction processing, white balance adjustment processing, gamma correction processing, and the like are performed as preprocessing. The RAW data preprocessed by the preprocessing unit 22 is output to the camera signal processing unit 23 via the internal bus 26 when the data is data used for recording a moving image, and an instruction to record a still image is given. If the data is obtained at the time, the data is output to the memory controller 27 via the internal bus 26 as still image recording data.

  The camera signal processing unit 23 performs camera signal processing on the RAW data supplied from the preprocessing unit 22 via the internal bus 26. For example, a color difference separation matrix process for generating a luminance signal and a color difference signal, a resolution conversion process for converting the resolution into a resolution corresponding to a moving image recording format, and the like are performed as the camera signal process. For example, the resolution of a moving image recorded in the imaging device 1 is lower than the resolution of a still image. The color difference data obtained by the camera signal processing performed by the camera signal processing unit 23 is output to the memory controller 27 via the internal bus 26 as moving image recording data.

  As described above, in the imaging apparatus 1, an image obtained by reducing the resolution of the image captured by the imager 11 is used as data for moving image recording, and the image captured by the imager 11 without reducing the resolution is stationary. Used as image recording data.

  The video compression processing unit 24 performs camera signal processing by the camera signal processing unit 23, reads out the color difference data recorded in the DRAM 13 via the internal bus 26 and the memory controller 27, and uses the read color difference data as an object of MPEG ( It performs compression processing according to formats such as Moving Picture Experts Group) 1, MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264, JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) 2000.

  Compression processing including motion vector detection and wavelet transform is performed using the DRAM 13, and compressed moving image data obtained by the compression processing is recorded in the DRAM 13. Accordingly, while the compression processing is performed by the moving image compression processing unit 24, access to the DRAM 13 is frequently performed by the moving image compression processing unit 24. The compressed moving image data recorded in the DRAM 13 is transferred to the recording medium I / F 25 via the internal bus 26 at a predetermined timing.

  The recording medium I / F 25 records the compressed moving image data supplied via the internal bus 26 on the recording medium 14. For the recording medium I / F 25, for example, in addition to the compressed moving image data supplied during moving image recording, the still image read from the DRAM 13 by the memory controller 27 and subjected to predetermined signal processing. Data is supplied. For example, the CPU 21 performs compression processing such as JPEG on the RAW data recorded in the DRAM 13 as still image recording data.

  The memory controller 27 records data supplied via the internal bus 26 in the DRAM 13, reads data from the DRAM 13 in response to access from each unit connected via the internal bus 26, and outputs the data to each unit.

  In the imaging apparatus 1 having such a configuration, as a process involving access to the DRAM 13, a process of the camera signal processing unit 23 that records color difference data, which is data for moving picture recording, in the DRAM 13 during recording of a moving picture. At least the processing of the moving image compression processing unit 24 that compresses the color difference data is performed. When a still image recording is instructed during recording of a moving image, the still image recording captured by the imager 11 when the instruction is issued Until the RAW data is recorded in the DRAM 13 (until the still image is captured), the compression processing by the moving image compression processing unit 24 is interrupted, and the still image capture and the color difference data are stored in the DRAM 13. Processing of the camera signal processing unit 23 to be recorded is preferentially performed.

  Here, the data flow during movie recording, the data flow when only still image recording is instructed, and the data flow when still image recording is instructed during movie recording are described. To do.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow of data during recording of a moving image. For convenience of explanation, the flow of audio data is omitted.

During recording of the moving, RAW data outputted from the imager 11 is output to the preprocessing section 22 as indicated by the arrow A _1, pre-treatment. RAW data preprocessed is output to the camera signal processing unit 23 via the internal bus 26 as indicated by an arrow A _2, the camera signal processing is performed.

The color difference data obtained by the camera signal processing is output to the DRAM 13 via the internal bus 26 and the memory controller 27 as shown by an arrow A ₃ and recorded as moving image recording data.

When the color difference data is recorded in the DRAM13 is data for a moving image recording, as indicated by the arrow A _4, access to the DRAM13 is performed multiple times by the moving compression processing section 24, compression processing for the color difference data Done. The compressed moving image data obtained by the compression processing by the moving image compression processing unit 24 and recorded in the DRAM 13 is recorded at a predetermined timing via the memory controller 27 and the internal bus 26 as indicated by an arrow A _5. It is transferred to the medium I / F 25 and recorded on the recording medium 14 by the recording medium I / F 25.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data flow when only recording of a still image is instructed.

When the recording of the still image is instructed, the RAW data captured by the imager 11 at that time and output from the imager 11 is output to the preprocessing unit 22 as indicated by the arrow A ₁₁ , and the preprocessing unit 22 After pre-processing, the data is output to the DRAM 13 via the internal bus 26 and the controller 26 and recorded as still image recording data.

  The RAW data recorded in the DRAM 13 is read at a predetermined timing, subjected to compression processing and the like by the CPU 21, transferred to the recording medium I / F 25, and recorded on the recording medium 14 by the recording medium I / F 25. .

  Since reading of the RAW data from the imager 11 is performed in synchronization with a clock having a predetermined frequency, the capture of the still image for recording the RAW data in the DRAM 13 is performed in real time as described above, but is recorded once in the DRAM 13. The processing for compressing the RAW data and recording the still image on the recording medium 14 is processing that does not need to be performed as real-time processing, and is performed at a predetermined timing after capturing the still image.

  Note that the RAW data output from the imager 11 is subjected to preprocessing and camera signal processing, and the obtained color difference data is recorded in the DRAM 13 during the process of recording the moving image every time the RAW data is output from the imager 11. Real-time processing that needs to be performed. On the other hand, the compression process for the color difference data recorded in the DRAM 13 is a process that does not need to be performed as a real-time process.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow of data when recording of a still image is instructed during recording of a moving image.

When recording of a still image is instructed during recording of a moving image, the data flow in the imaging apparatus 1 is switched from that shown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the moving image compression processing performed by the moving image compression processing unit 24 is interrupted. FIG 4, arrows between DRAM13- moving image compression processing unit 24 corresponding to the arrow A ₄ in FIG. 2 are not shown.

The RAW data captured by the imager 11 when the recording of the still image is instructed is pre-processed by the pre-processing unit 22 as indicated by an arrow A ₂₁ , and then the internal bus 26 and the controller 26 are connected. To the DRAM 13 and recorded as still image recording data. Together with the data output from the preprocessing unit 22 is output to the DRAM13 as data for still image recording, is branched, as indicated by arrow A _22, also output to the camera signal processing unit 23 via the internal bus 26 Is done.

For RAW data output to the camera signal processing unit 23 camera signal processing is performed, the color difference data obtained by the camera signal processing is performed, as indicated by an arrow A _23, internal bus 26 The data is output to the DRAM 13 via the memory controller 27 and recorded as moving image recording data. In order to prevent the recording of moving images from being interrupted by capturing a still image, even if the compression processing by the moving image compression processing unit 24 is interrupted, the color difference data obtained from the RAW data output from the imager 11 is recorded in the DRAM 13. It will continue to do.

  For example, a plurality of banks are formed in the DRAM 13, a bank for recording color difference data generated by the camera signal processing unit 23, and compressed video data used by the video compression processing unit 24 for compression processing. Are recorded as different banks. Thereby, even if the compression processing by the moving image compression processing unit 24 is restarted, it is possible to prevent the color difference data before being compressed from being overwritten by the compressed moving image data.

The compressed moving image data obtained by the compression process before the interruption and remaining in the DRAM 13 without being transferred to the recording medium 14 is compared with the data amount even if it is read from the DRAM 13 and transferred to the recording medium 14. Compared to reading / writing uncompressed data, it is not necessary to use the memory bandwidth of the DRAM 13, so as shown by the arrow A ₂₄ , the still image capture represented by the arrow A ₂₁ The color difference data represented by the arrow A ₂₃ is transferred to the recording medium 14 in parallel with the process of recording the color difference data in the DRAM 13.

  When the still image capture is completed, the data flow is as shown in FIG. 2, and the compression processing by the moving image compression processing unit 24 is resumed for the color difference data recorded in the DRAM 13 up to that time.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data flow when the compression processing by the moving image compression processing unit 24 is continued without interruption even when an instruction to record a still image is given during recording of a moving image.

When the compression process is interrupted in response to an instruction to record a still image, the access to the DRAM 13 is only the access represented by arrows A ₂₁ , A ₂₃ , A ₂₄ as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the compression process is not interrupted even when recording of a still image is instructed, access to the DRAM 13 is represented by arrows A ₃₁ , A ₃₃ , A ₃₄ , A _{35 as shown} in FIG. Access is made, and access to the DRAM 13 is performed as much as the moving image compression processing unit 24 performs.

  As described above, when the recording of a still image is instructed during the recording of a moving image, the real-time processing is preferentially performed, and the compression processing that is not necessary to be performed as the real-time processing is interrupted. Can be suppressed. Therefore, even when the recording of a still image is instructed, it is possible to use a memory with a narrow band as the DRAM 13 compared to when the compression process is not interrupted.

  Specifically, the memory bandwidth of 100 MByte / s for recording color difference data as a result of camera signal processing in the DRAM 13, 500 MByte / s for reading / writing data during compression processing, and 400 MByte / s for capturing still images If it is not necessary to consider transferring compressed video data from the DRAM 13 to the recording medium 14, as shown in FIG. 5, even when a still image recording is instructed during video recording, In order to simultaneously perform the compression processing without interrupting the processing, a memory bandwidth of 1000 MByte / s is required as the maximum bandwidth of the DRAM 13, but as shown in FIG. 4, recording of a still image is instructed. By interrupting the compression process accordingly, 100 MByte / s necessary for recording the color difference data in the DRAM 13 and 500 MByte / s necessary for the compression process are combined to 600 MByte / s. Only needs to be secured only to the DRAM 13 minute memory bandwidth required to perform only the recording of the moving image, it is possible to use a narrower band only memory as DRAM 13.

  Also, if the required memory bandwidth is to be secured by increasing the clock frequency that defines the read / write timing with a fixed read / write data amount, the maximum required bandwidth can be suppressed. As a result, it is not necessary to increase the clock frequency, and the power consumption of the entire imaging apparatus 1 can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, for example, by improving the compression processing performance by only 1%, it is possible to capture one still image every 100 frames, that is, one still image in about 4 seconds. There is no. Here, the standard of the compression processing performance that is improved by 1% is the engine performance that takes 100 frames to process 100 frames of video with a fixed time of 1 frame. The only improvement is to have a performance capable of processing the compression processing of a 100-frame moving image in a time of 99 frames.

  As described above, when the compression process is interrupted in response to an instruction to record a still image, the image is taken into the DRAM 13 by the imager 11 until the compression process is resumed, and is generated by the camera signal processing unit 23. Since all the color difference data is recorded, the compression process is performed at a higher speed than before the interruption for a certain period after the restart.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the speed of the compression process. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents the time axis.

  One square indicated by a number on the inside is taken in by the imager 11 and represents one frame image to be processed. The upper frames 1 to 10 in FIG. 6 represent frames subjected to camera signal processing by the camera signal processing unit 23, and the lower frames 1 to 9 are subjected to compression processing by the moving image compression processing unit 24. Represents a frame.

That is, in the example of FIG. 6, the color difference data of frame 1 is recorded in the DRAM 13 by performing camera signal processing, and subsequently, from time t ₁ to time t ₂ when frame 2 is subjected to camera signal processing. In the meantime, compression processing is performed on frame 1 that is one frame before.

Similarly, by performing camera signal processing, the color difference data of frame 2 is recorded in the DRAM 13, and subsequently, one frame from time t ₃ to time t ₄ at which frame 3 is targeted for camera signal processing. Compression processing for the previous frame 2 is performed. Also, color difference data of the frame 3 by the camera signal processing is performed is recorded in the DRAM 13, followed by, between times t ₆ from the time t ₅ the frame 4 is subjected to the camera signal processing, one frame before The compression process for the frame 3 is performed.

  As described above, FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the normal compression process before being interrupted by the still image capture is performed on the frame one frame before the frame that is the target of the camera signal processing. Show.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when recording of a still image is instructed at time t ₇ , which is the same time that frame 5 has been subjected to camera signal processing, the color difference data is recorded in DRAM 13 immediately before that. The compression processing of the frame 4 that has been performed is interrupted. Compression process interruption is continued until capture of a still image is completed, when resumed at time t _8, in the period from time t ₈ of time t _9, the color difference data immediately before the interruption has been recorded in the DRAM13 Compression processing for the frame 4 is performed. Since the camera signal processing for the frame 6 between times t ₉ from the time t ₈ to the compression processing for the frame 4 is being performed is performed, in this example, the capture of a still image Every time it is performed, the compression process is delayed by one frame compared to the normal time.

After resumption, the compression process is performed in normal and compared to fast speed, in the example of FIG. 6, the compression processing for the frame 5 between times t ₁₀ from the time t ₉ is performed, from the time t ₁₀ compression processing for a frame 6 between times t ₁₁ is performed. The compression processing for the frame 7 between times t ₁₂ from the time t ₁₁ is performed. The time between times t ₉ -t ₁₀ , t ₁₀ -t ₁₁ , t ₁₁ -t ₁₂ is shorter than the time between times t ₁ -t ₃ that was taken to compress one frame before the interruption. .

  The compression process for the frame 7 is completed, and the state of the compression process catches up with the normal state where the frame can be performed on the frame one frame before the frame that is the target of the camera signal processing. After that, the compression process is performed again at the same speed as normal.

In the example of FIG. 6, the compression process for the frame 8 one frame before is performed between the time t ₁₃ and the time t ₁₄ when the camera signal processing for the frame 9 is performed, between the time t ₁₅ to the camera signal processing in which the frame 10 and the target is being performed at time t _16, the compression process is performed targeting the preceding frame 9. Taking into account the burden on the imaging apparatus 1 required for the compression process, for example, the capture of the next still image is prohibited until the state of the compression process catches up with the normal state.

  In this way, after restarting, the compression processing is performed at a speed higher than the normal time, so that it is possible to prevent the moving image recording data waiting for the compression processing from being continuously recorded in the DRAM 13. .

  Next, the processing of the CPU 21 that controls the compression processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  This process is performed, for example, during recording of a moving image. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the color difference data generated by the camera signal processing unit 23 is recorded in the DRAM 13 during the recording of the moving image, and the moving image compression is sequentially performed on the color difference data recorded in the DRAM 13. Compression processing is performed by the processing unit 24. The compressed moving image data is transferred to the recording medium I / F 25 and recorded on the recording medium 14 by the recording medium I / F 25.

  In step S <b> 1, the CPU 21 determines whether capture of a still image can be permitted. Here, as described above, when the still image is captured immediately before, the compression processing state has not caught up with the normal state, and the processing is performed at a high speed. Image capture is prohibited, while still image capture is permitted when the compression process is in the normal state.

  If it is determined in step S1 that capture of a still image can be permitted, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S2, and then determines whether or not the user is instructed to capture a still image and has requested capture.

  In step S2, if the CPU 21 determines that there is a capture request, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S3, controls the moving image compression processing unit 24, and stops the compression process.

  In step S <b> 4, the CPU 21 controls the preprocessing unit 22 to output preprocessed RAW data to the DRAM 13 to capture a still image. Further, the CPU 21 enters a state in which the capture of the next still image is prohibited. Thereafter, the process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines in step S1 that the state of the compression process has not caught up with the normal state and thus cannot capture still images, or in step S2, a capture request is made. If it is determined that there is not, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S <b> 5, the CPU 21 controls the moving image compression processing unit 24 to perform compression processing for color difference data recorded in the DRAM 13. For example, after the compression process is resumed and the CPU 21 prohibits the capture of still images, the CPU 21 performs the compression process at a speed faster than normal and does not prohibit the capture of still images. The compression process is performed at the same speed as normal.

  In step S6, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the compression processing state has caught up to the normal state. If it is determined that the compression processing has not caught up, the process proceeds to step S7, and still image capture is prohibited.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines in step S6 that the state of the compression process has caught up with the normal state, the process proceeds to step S8 and permits still image capture.

  After permission / non-permission of still image capture is selected in step S7 or step S8, the process returns to step S1, and the process from step S1 is continued until the recording of the moving image is completed.

  With the above processing, access to the DRAM 13 when capturing a still image during moving image recording can be relaxed, and the maximum memory bandwidth that needs to be secured in the DRAM 13 can be reduced. In addition, the clock frequency can be suppressed and power consumption can be reduced.

  In the above, the case where one still image is captured during moving image recording has been described. However, if the capacity of the DRAM 13 is sufficient, the interval until the still image can be captured can be shortened or captured. The possible number can also be increased. In addition, the interval until a still image can be captured can be shortened also by improving the performance of the compression processing.

  In the above description, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the compressed moving image data obtained by the compression process before the interruption and remaining in the DRAM 13 without being transferred to the recording medium 14 has a data amount. Since it is relatively small, it is assumed that still image capture and color difference data are transferred to the recording medium 14 in parallel with the process of recording the color difference data in the DRAM 13, but this compressed moving image data is transferred to the recording medium 14. Even the capture of the still image may be interrupted. As a result, the memory bandwidth required for the DRAM 13 can be further reduced as compared with the case where compressed video data is transferred to the recording medium 14 even while a still image is being captured.

  In the above description, the case where the imaging device 1 is a digital video camera has been described. However, any device having a moving image shooting function and a still image shooting function has been described above in various devices such as a digital still camera and a mobile phone. Functions can be applied.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software executes various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a program recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a personal computer that executes the above-described series of processing by a program.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 or a storage unit 108. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 appropriately stores programs executed by the CPU 101 and data. These CPU 101, ROM 102, and RAM 103 are connected to each other by a bus 104.

  An input / output interface 105 is also connected to the CPU 101 via the bus 104. Connected to the input / output interface 105 are an input unit 106 made up of a keyboard, mouse, microphone, and the like, and an output unit 107 made up of a display, a speaker, and the like. The CPU 101 executes various processes in response to commands input from the input unit 106. Then, the CPU 101 outputs the processing result to the output unit 107.

  The storage unit 108 connected to the input / output interface 105 includes, for example, a hard disk, and stores programs executed by the CPU 101 and various data. The communication unit 109 communicates with an external device via a network such as the Internet or a local area network.

  The drive 110 connected to the input / output interface 105 drives a removable medium 111 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and drives programs and data recorded there. Get etc. The acquired program and data are transferred to and stored in the storage unit 108 as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a program recording medium that stores a program that is installed in a computer and can be executed by the computer includes a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only). Memory, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magneto-optical disk, a removable medium 111 that is a package medium composed of a semiconductor memory, or the ROM 102 in which a program is temporarily or permanently stored, or a storage unit 108 It is comprised by the hard disk etc. which comprise. The program is stored in the program recording medium using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via a communication unit 109 that is an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. Done.

  In the present specification, the steps for describing a program are not only processes performed in time series in the order described, but also processes that are executed in parallel or individually even if they are not necessarily processed in time series. Is also included.

It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of an imaging device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the flow of the data during recording of a moving image. It is a figure which shows the example of the flow of data when only recording of a still image is instruct | indicated. It is a figure which shows the example of a data flow when recording of a still image is instruct | indicated during recording of a moving image. It is a figure which shows the example of the flow of data when a compression process is continued even when recording of a still image is instruct | indicated during recording of a moving image. It is a figure which shows the example of the speed of a compression process. It is a flowchart explaining the process which controls a compression process. And FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

  1 imaging device, 11 imager, 12 signal processing chip, 13 DRAM, 14 recording medium, 21 CPU, 23 camera signal processing unit, 24 moving image compression processing unit

Claims (8)

An imager that captures and outputs an image of a predetermined resolution during recording of the video;
Conversion means for converting the resolution of the image output from the imager;
A memory for recording recording an image of said predetermined resolution output from the imager as data for still image recording, the image obtained by the resolution conversion by said converting means as the data for the moving image recording,
Compression means for performing compression processing on the moving image recording data recorded in the memory using the memory;
When recording of a still image is instructed during recording of a moving image, the processing is a process involving access to the memory, and the process of recording the still image recording data output from the imager and the compression process by the compression means When, among the process of recording data for the video recording obtained by the resolution conversion by said conversion means, to interrupt the compression process by the compression means, the data of the still image recording which is outputted from said imager An image pickup apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs a process of recording and continuously performs a process of recording the data for moving image recording obtained by resolution conversion by the conversion unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image that is data for moving image recording is an image having a lower resolution than the image that is data for recording the still image. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit interrupts the compression processing by the compression unit until the data for recording a still image is recorded in the memory. The control means further transfers the compressed moving image data compressed by the compression means and recorded in the memory by the time when the recording of the still image is instructed to the other recording medium. The imaging device according to claim 3 . The control means records the still image recording data in the memory in response to an instruction to record a still image, and then records the data as compression processing target data in the memory. Until the relationship between the data for moving image recording and the data for moving image recording being subjected to compression processing by the compression means is the same as that before interrupting the compression processing, the speed is higher than before the interruption. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein a compression unit compresses the data for moving image recording. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit prohibits recording of the next still image while the compression unit is compressing the data for moving image recording at a higher speed than before the interruption. An imager that captures and outputs an image of a predetermined resolution during recording of the video;
Conversion means for converting the resolution of the image output from the imager;
A memory for recording recording an image of said predetermined resolution output from the imager as data for still image recording, the image obtained by the resolution conversion by said converting means as the data for the moving image recording,
Compression means for performing compression processing on the moving image recording data recorded in the memory using the memory;
The control method of an imaging device having,
When recording of a still image is instructed during recording of a moving image, the processing is a process involving access to the memory, and the process of recording the still image recording data output from the imager and the compression process by the compression means When, among the process of recording data for the video recording obtained by the resolution conversion by said conversion means, to interrupt the compression process by the compression means, the data of the still image recording which is outputted from said imager A control method including a step of performing a process of recording and continuously performing a process of recording the moving image recording data obtained by resolution conversion by the conversion unit . An imager that captures and outputs an image of a predetermined resolution during recording of the video;
Conversion means for converting the resolution of the image output from the imager;
A memory for recording recording an image of said predetermined resolution output from the imager as data for still image recording, the image obtained by the resolution conversion by said converting means as the data for the moving image recording,
Compression means for performing compression processing on the moving image recording data recorded in the memory using the memory;
In a program for causing a computer to execute control of an imaging apparatus having :
When recording of a still image is instructed during recording of a moving image, the processing is a process involving access to the memory, and the process of recording the still image recording data output from the imager and the compression process by the compression means When, among the process of recording data for the video recording obtained by the resolution conversion by said conversion means, to interrupt the compression process by the compression means, the data of the still image recording which is outputted from said imager A program including a step of performing a process of recording and continuously performing a process of recording the data for moving image recording obtained by resolution conversion by the conversion unit .

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