JP5294091B2 - Imaging apparatus, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  Some of them have a preview display function that allows a photographer to check the contents of an image photographed by a camera by temporarily displaying the image on the display screen after photographing. However, the preview image displayed after continuous shooting in the continuous shooting mode is only the last image taken, so if you want to check all the images, play them and check from the end of the image There is a need to.

JP-A-11-88761

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, there is a technique for displaying a plurality of images in a preview display by dividing the screen on a preview display screen after continuous shooting, accepting image selection, and storing the images. It has been published. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of images are previewed only when the shooting mode is the continuous shooting mode, and in a normal shooting mode that does not use the continuous shooting function of the camera. When continuous shooting is performed by pressing the shutter button a plurality of times, only the latest captured image is displayed as a preview.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. When continuous shooting without continuous shooting is performed, a plurality of images are displayed on the display screen as previews, so that the shot images can be displayed by the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus that allows the user to easily check, a control method thereof, and a program.

In the present invention , when continuous shooting without continuous shooting is being performed, each time a shot is taken, a newly shot image is displayed together with an already shot image so that the user can easily check the image. An object is to provide an apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

Imaging apparatus of the present invention continues the imaging means for acquiring images by performing the imaging in accordance with an operation instruction received from the User over The, the already displayed photographed image on the display screen obtained by being photographed by said photographing means The first display method of displaying a photographed image newly acquired by photographing performed by the photographing unit on the display screen together with the displayed photographed image, or whenever photographing is performed by the photographing unit, A preview display means for displaying a photographed image acquired by the photographing on a display screen by a second display method, and a first display performed by the photographing means to determine whether continuous photographing without continuous shooting has been performed. the imaging and determining means for determining whether the second image has been captured within a certain time, wherein the preview display means by said judgment means, the first photographing and the second photographing is constant Done in time If it is determined that the display method of the captured image using the first display method, the by shooting by the shooting unit, combined with the captured image already displayed on the photographed the display screen at the first shooting Te, the display on the display screen newly captured image acquired in the second photography, in the determination means, if the previous SL first photographing and the second photographing is determined not been performed within a predetermined time in, the display of the captured image by using the second display method, each time to perform photographing by the imaging means, and displaying the captured image acquired by the shooting on the display screen.

According to the present invention, when continuous shooting without continuous shooting is being performed, each time a shot is taken, a newly shot image is displayed together with the already shot image, and is easily confirmed to the user. It can be made.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 1, the hardware configuration and imaging function of an imaging apparatus that implements the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration and an imaging function of an imaging apparatus that implements the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the photographing apparatus includes a so-called digital camera, a photographing lens 101, an imaging element (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 102, a camera signal processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 103, image processing. Unit 104, system controller 110, buffer memory 111, flash ROM 112, interface circuit (hereinafter referred to as “I / F circuit”) 113, card holder 114, memory card 115, display driver 116, and operation unit 120.

  The lens 101 is a lens or the like, and includes an objective lens, a zoom lens, a focus lens, and the like. The zoom lens and the focus lens are driven in the optical axis direction by a driving mechanism (not shown). The imaging element 102 is configured by a CCD image sensor that forms an image of imaging light incident from the lens 101, converts it into an electrical signal (analog signal), and outputs it.

  The camera signal processing unit (ADC) 103 has a function of performing signal processing such as digital conversion and white balance adjustment on the electric signal received from the image sensor 102 and converting it into a digital signal. The system controller 110 is connected to the image processing unit 104, buffer memory 111, flash ROM 112, I / F circuit 113, display driver 116, sound driver 118, LED driver 128, and operation unit 120.

  The image processing unit 104 includes a preprocessing unit 105, a YC processing unit 106, an electronic zoom processing unit 107, a compression unit 108, and an expansion unit 109, and generates image data from a digital signal output from the camera signal processing unit 103. Have a function of performing various image processing.

  The pre-processing unit 105 has a function of performing white balance processing for adjusting the white balance of an image based on input image data and image gamma correction processing. The white balance process is a process of adjusting the color of an image so as to be close to the actual color, or adjusting the color to an appropriate color that matches a light source (such as a fluorescent lamp or sunlight). The gamma correction process is a process for adjusting the contrast of an image. Note that the pre-processing unit 105 can also perform image processing other than white balance processing and gamma correction processing.

  The YC processor 106 separates an image based on input image data into luminance information “Y”, luminance signal and blue color difference information “Cb”, and luminance signal and red color difference information “Cr”. Have The electronic zoom processing unit 107 has a function of trimming a part of an image (for example, a central part) with a predetermined size and enlarging the trimmed image to the size of the original image by signal processing. The electronic zoom processing unit 107 can, for example, cut out a central 1024 × 768 dot image from a captured 1600 × 1200 dot image and enlarge it to a size of 1600 × 1200 dot while performing data interpolation.

  The compression unit 108 has a function of compressing image data in a compression format such as a JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) method. The decompression unit 109 has a function of decompressing compressed image data. For example, when compressing image data using the JPEG method, first, a discrete cosine transform process is performed (DCT process) that digitizes the ratio of high-frequency components and low-frequency components of image data. Next, a quantization process is performed for expressing the gradation or gradation of the image by a numerical value (quantization bit number). Finally, the image data is compressed by the Huffman encoding process.

  Specifically, the signal character string of the image data is segmented every certain bit, and a shorter code is given to a character string having a high appearance frequency. In the case of a system that records image data without performing compression processing, the compression unit 108 and the expansion unit 109 can be omitted. Further, the image data compression format is not limited to the JPEG format, and the same processing can be performed even in a GIF (Graphical Interchange Format) format.

  The buffer memory 111 temporarily stores image data when image processing is performed by the image processing unit 104. The flash ROM 112 stores various setting information of the photographing apparatus and user authentication information described later. The I / F circuit 113 converts the image data output from the system controller 110 into a data format that can be recorded on the memory card 115. The I / F circuit 113 converts the image data read from the memory card 115 into a data format that can be processed by the system controller 110.

  The card holder 114 includes a mechanism that allows the memory card 115 that is a recording medium to be attached to and detached from the photographing apparatus, and includes an electrical contact that enables data communication with the memory card 115. The card holder 114 has a structure corresponding to the type of recording medium used in the photographing apparatus. The memory card 115 is a card-type recording medium that incorporates a semiconductor storage element such as a flash memory and is detachable from the card holder 114. The memory card 115 can record image data captured by the imaging device.

  The display driver 116 converts the image data output from the system controller 110 into a signal that can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 117. Specifically, the display driver 116 performs processing for converting digital image data output from the system controller 110 into an analog image signal, and then sets the image size to a size suitable for the size of the displayable area of the liquid crystal display 117. Process to convert to.

  The sound driver 118 performs processing for converting the audio data output from the system controller 110 into a signal that can be sounded by the speaker 219. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) LED driver 128 controls the lamp 129 in accordance with a command output from the system controller 110.

  The operation unit 120 includes a power switch 121, a mode dial 122, a shooting button 123, a cursor key 124, a zoom button 125, and a browse (playback) button 126. The operation unit 120 receives an operation input from the user and receives a signal corresponding to the operation content. Is output to the system controller 110. The operation unit 120 includes operation buttons other than the illustrated operation buttons, but a description thereof is omitted.

  A mode dial (select button) 122 is a rotatable dial for switching the mode of the photographing operation. The user can select a plurality of shooting operation modes by operating the mode dial 122. In the embodiment of the present invention, the mode dial is described as a dial type mechanism. However, for example, a slide type button may be used instead of the dial. That is, the mechanism of the mode dial 122 is not limited to the dial, and it is essential to have a mechanism for switching the camera mode.

  The browsing button 126 is a button for switching to a browsing mode (playback mode) for browsing captured image data. When the browse button 126 is pressed, the shooting mode is changed to the browsing mode. Note that the method for switching to the viewing mode is not limited to pressing the viewing button 126, and may be a transition method using a touch panel (not shown) on the liquid crystal display 117 or the like.

  In the browsing mode, the system controller 110 reads setting information and image data from the memory card 115 attached to the card holder 114 via the I / F circuit 113. The setting information includes the number of images recorded on the currently installed memory card 115 and the capacity of the recorded image data. The read image data is, for example, image data or thumbnail data for one image. Note that the image data read from the memory card 115 is compressed in a predetermined compression format as described above.

  The image data read from the memory card 115 is input to the display driver 116 via the I / F circuit 113 and the system controller 110. The display driver 116 displays the input image data on the liquid crystal display 117.

  The cursor key 124 is a key for the user to perform a predetermined instruction or function selection to the photographing apparatus. The user can perform operation inputs such as various setting information and user authentication information with respect to the photographing apparatus using the cursor key 124. The cursor key 124 can display a menu screen on the liquid crystal display 117 or select a predetermined function of the photographing apparatus. Furthermore, the cursor key 124 can display a preview of the image data photographed by the photographing device on the liquid crystal display 117. The preview display is a function of causing the liquid crystal display 117 to display an image captured by the imaging apparatus 100 immediately after that.

  Note that the preview display is not limited to a configuration in which only one image captured on the liquid crystal display 117 is displayed, and a plurality of images including thumbnail images may be displayed. Further, the switching of the preview display is not limited to the pressing of the cursor key 124 but may be configured to be switched using a general method such as pressing of another button. Further, the preview display screen may be configured such that the preview display image can be deleted or edited.

  The lens control unit 127 controls the lens 101 such as zoom, focus, and diaphragm. In addition, the photographing apparatus includes a photographing mode for capturing an image of a subject to obtain image data and a browsing (reproducing) mode for displaying the image data obtained in the photographing mode.

  Note that the sound can be recorded and reproduced in the same manner as the imaging apparatus by using a microphone or a speaker. Further, when recording video (moving image), normal audio recording is also performed at the same time, and video and audio are multiplexed by the compression unit 108 and the expansion unit 109.

  In addition, a photographing operation in the imaging apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user operates the power switch 121 to turn on the imaging apparatus 100. Then, power is supplied to each circuit from a battery (not shown) built in the imaging apparatus 100, and activation processing of the imaging apparatus 100 (operation control for opening the lens barrier, reset processing of the microcomputer, etc.) is performed. The imaging apparatus 100 is configured to turn on the power when the power switch 121 is pressed when the power is turned off, and to automatically enter the shooting mode. Further, when the viewing button is pressed when the power is turned off, the power is turned on and the viewing mode is automatically set.

  When the imaging apparatus 100 shifts to the imaging mode, an optical image enters the imaging apparatus via the lens 101 and forms an image on the imaging element (CCD) 102. The CCD 102 converts an incident optical image into an electric signal and outputs it to a camera signal processing unit (ADC) 103. The ADC 103 converts an input electric signal (analog signal) into a digital signal. A digital signal output from the ADC 103 is input to the image processing unit 104.

  A preprocessing unit 105 in the image processing unit 104 generates image data based on an input digital signal, and performs white balance processing, gamma correction processing, and the like. In the YC processing unit 106 in the image processing unit 104, the image data is separated into the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cr and Cb, and processing for reducing the information amount of the color difference signals Cr and Cb is performed. The information amount reduction processing for the color difference signals Cr and Cb is, for example, “4: 2: 2 downsampling processing” for thinning out color information in the main scanning direction of an image, or “4: 1” for thinning out color information in the vertical and horizontal directions of an image. : 1 downsampling process ". When image processing is performed by the pre-processing unit 105 and the YC processing unit 106, image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 111, and image processing is performed while reading the image data stored in the buffer memory 111 as needed. Is called.

  Image data (uncompressed) output from the image processing unit 104 is input to the system controller 110. The system controller 110 outputs the image data output from the image processing unit 104 to the display driver 116. The display driver 116 converts input image data (digital signal) into an analog image signal, and adjusts the size of the image based on the analog image signal to a size that can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 117.

  The display driver 116 controls the liquid crystal display 117 to display an image. At this time, the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 117 is an image (through image) generated by signal processing continuously performed by the CCD 102, the ADC 103, and the image processing unit 104.

  When the user operates the shooting button 123 at a desired timing while the through image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 117, the system controller 110 outputs a control signal to the image processing unit 104. When a control signal is input to the image processing unit 104, the compression unit 108 stores the image data processed by the preprocessing unit 105 and the YC processing unit 106 in the buffer memory 111 and performs compression processing.

  Specifically, discrete cosine transform processing (DCT processing) that digitizes the ratio of high-frequency components and low-frequency components of image data, and quantization that expresses the gradation and gradation of an image with the number of quantization bits Processing, Huffman coding processing for dividing a signal character string of image data into fixed bits and giving a shorter code to a character string having a high appearance frequency is performed. The compressed image data is displayed on the liquid crystal display 117 via the system controller 110 and the display driver 116. The compressed image data is recorded on the memory card 115 via the card holder 114.

  When the zoom button 125 is operated before the shooting button 123 is operated, the system controller 110 can execute an optical zoom process or an electronic zoom process to enlarge or reduce the size of the image. When the shooting button 123 is operated after the zoom button 125 is operated, the image data of the enlarged or reduced image is recorded in the memory card 115. The above is the description of the hardware configuration and imaging function of the imaging apparatus that implements the present invention shown in FIG.

  Next, an example of a functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the imaging apparatus 100 includes a follow-up preview display control unit 201, a shooting interval storage unit 202, a continuous / non-continuous shooting determination unit 203, a preview display switching unit 204, a display image number setting unit 205, and the like as functional units. Have.

  The follow-up preview display control unit 201 performs display control of follow-up preview display for displaying a plurality of shot images on the display screen of the image pickup apparatus 100 following the shooting when the image pickup apparatus 100 performs continuous shooting. Specifically, it will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6, a display method of the follow-up preview display in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display method of the follow-up preview display in the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 6 includes display screens 610, 620, and 630. The display screen 610 is a screen showing a state in which a captured image 612 that is a first image captured in a state where setting for performing the follow-up preview display is made is displayed.

  A follow-up preview display processing icon 611 in the display screen 610 is an icon indicating that the imaging apparatus 100 is performing the follow-up preview display process. When the tracking preview display process is terminated, the icon is not displayed.

  The imaging apparatus 100 changes the display state from the state of the display screen 610 to the state of the display screen 620 when the second image is captured within a predetermined time in a state where the setting for performing the follow-up preview display is made (the preview display). The means displays a plurality of images acquired by the continuous photographing performed by the photographing means in preview following the photographing).

  The display screen 620 is a captured image 622 that is a second image captured in a state where the setting for performing the follow-up preview display is made, and 621 that is the first captured image (corresponding to the captured image 612 in the display screen 610). It is a screen which shows the state which displayed.

  Similarly, the imaging apparatus 100 changes the display state from the state of the display screen 620 to the state of the display screen 630 when the third image is captured within a predetermined time with the setting for performing the follow-up preview display.

  The display screen 630 is a captured image 633 that is a third image captured in a state where the setting for performing the follow-up preview display is performed, and a captured image 631 that is the first captured image, and a second photographer image. It is a screen showing a state in which a certain captured image 632 (corresponding to the captured images 621 and 622 in the display screen 620) is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the follow-up preview display is a display method in which a captured image follows the shooting and is displayed on the display screen as a preview. The above is the description of the display method of the follow-up preview display in the embodiment of the present invention of FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The shooting interval storage unit stores the shooting interval between the shootings in a temporary storage area such as the buffer memory 111 when shooting a plurality of times in a state where the setting for performing the follow-up preview display is made. The continuous / non-continuous shooting determination unit 203 determines whether shooting performed by the imaging apparatus 100 is continuous shooting or normal shooting that is not continuous shooting. Specifically, when the second shooting is performed within a predetermined time after the first shooting, the shooting is determined to be continuous shooting. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the above-described continuous / non-continuous shooting determination unit determines that the shooting performed by the imaging apparatus 100 is continuous shooting, the preview display switching unit 204 applies the follow-up preview display as a display method, and is normal shooting. When the determination is made, the shooting preview display for displaying one shot image on the display screen is applied as the display method, and the display method is switched according to the shooting method.

  Note that even if the setting of the imaging apparatus 100 is set to perform the follow-up preview display, it is stored in the recording medium after shooting by accepting the pressing of the browse button 126 instead of the preview display displayed immediately after shooting the image. When the captured image is displayed as a preview, the display method is switched to the normal preview display.

  The display image number setting unit 205 is a setting unit that sets a setting number that is the number of captured images to be displayed on one display screen in the follow-up preview display. When the number of images exceeding the set number is taken as continuous shooting, a preview is displayed on the display screen with priority from the latest shot image in order. The above is an example of the functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4, details of an example of a preview display process of a captured image in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, an overview of the flow of preview display processing in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overview of the flow of preview display processing in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In step S301, the imaging apparatus 100 receives an operation instruction from the user, and determines whether the received instruction is a follow-up preview setting (step S302). If the received instruction is not the follow-up preview setting, the process proceeds to step S304.

  If the received instruction is the follow-up preview setting, each item of the follow-up preview is set according to the instruction (step S303). In the follow-up preview setting, whether to display the follow-up preview, the shooting interval that is a condition for displaying the follow-up preview, the setting of the maximum number of images to be displayed on one screen when the follow-up preview is displayed, and the like are set. is there. Details of the follow-up preview setting will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of the configuration of the follow-up preview setting screen displayed on the display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention and the setting contents will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the follow-up preview setting screen displayed on the display screen and the setting contents in the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 includes a follow-up preview setting item designation screen 510, a follow-up preview display setting screen 520, a maximum display number setting screen 530, and a shooting interval setting screen 540. Hereinafter, the configuration and setting contents of each screen shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the follow-up preview setting item designation screen 510 includes a follow-up preview display setting item 511, a shooting interval setting item 512, a maximum display number setting item 513, a selection cursor 514, and the like. Each item is specified by pressing the cursor key 124, and the imaging apparatus 100 shifts the display screen to a screen corresponding to each item by receiving the pressing of the determination button. The selection cursor 514 is displayed on the display screen in conjunction with the operation received by the cursor key 124 so that the user can visually recognize the item being selected.

  The follow-up preview display setting item 511 receives a setting for whether or not to display the follow-up preview on the display screen when the imaging apparatus 100 performs continuous shooting, and is used to shift the display screen to the follow-up preview display setting item 511. Term.

  The shooting interval setting item 512 is for shifting the display screen to the shooting interval setting screen 540 that is a screen for accepting the time setting of the shooting interval, which is a reference for determining whether or not the shooting performed by the imaging apparatus 100 is continuous shooting. It is a term of. Details will be described later in the description of the shooting interval setting screen 540.

  The maximum display number setting item 513 is a item for shifting the display screen to the maximum display number setting screen 530, which is a screen for setting the maximum number of photographed images to be displayed as a follow-up preview on the display screen.

  The follow-up preview display setting screen 520 includes a follow-up preview display setting receiving unit 521 and the like. The follow-up preview display setting accepting unit 521 is a setting accepting unit that accepts an operation instruction as to whether or not to perform a follow-up preview display of a captured image when the imaging apparatus 100 has taken an image.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration for accepting an operation instruction for determining whether or not to perform the follow-up preview display from the follow-up preview display setting screen 520 is used. This is not a limitation.

  For example, the operation unit 120 such as the mode dial 122 may be provided with an operation unit such as a follow-up preview display mode to receive an operation instruction indicating whether to perform the follow-up preview display.

  The shooting interval setting screen 540 is a screen for setting a shooting time interval that serves as a reference for determining whether or not the shooting performed by the imaging apparatus 100 is continuous shooting. The shooting interval setting screen 540 includes a follow shooting interval setting unit 541 and the like.

  The follow-up shooting interval setting unit 541 is a setting unit that sets a shooting time interval that serves as a reference for determining whether shooting performed by the imaging apparatus 100 is continuous shooting. Specifically, if the imaging device 100 performs the next shooting within the time set in the follow-up shooting interval setting unit 541 after shooting, the imaging device 100 determines that the shooting is continuous shooting, and displays it. Display a follow-up preview of the captured image on the screen.

  As a specific setting method, a selection of a preset shooting interval is received by receiving a press of the cursor key 124 in a state where the selection cursor 514 is aligned with the follow-up shooting interval setting unit 541. The shooting interval is not necessarily set to a limited time, and the shooting interval can be set to unlimited.

The maximum display number setting screen 530 includes a maximum display number setting operation receiving unit 531 and the like. The maximum display number setting operation accepting unit 531 accepts the setting of the maximum number of captured images displayed on one screen of the display screen by accepting pressing of the cursor key 124 or the like. (That is, a divided region number designating unit that designates the maximum number of regions that can be divided when the preview display unit divides the region of the display screen and displays the preview of the image acquired by the photographing unit).
The above is an example of the configuration of the follow-up preview setting screen displayed on the display screen in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  The setting values set on each screen shown in FIG. 5 are set in the follow-up preview setting data table 800 shown in FIG. 8 and stored in the flash ROM 112 or the like as a storage device.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 8, an example of the configuration of the data table storing the setting of the follow-up preview display will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a data table that stores settings for follow-up preview display.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the follow-up preview setting data table 800 includes a follow-up preview setting 801, a shooting interval 802, a maximum display number 803, and the like. In the follow-up preview setting 801, information indicating whether or not follow-up preview display after image shooting is performed is set according to the instruction received by the follow-up preview display setting receiving unit 521 in FIG. Here, a value of 1 is set when the follow-up preview display is performed, and a value of 2 is set when the follow-up preview is not performed.

  The shooting interval 802 is a shooting condition that is a condition for performing a follow-up preview display when a value of 1 is set in the follow-up preview setting 801 based on an instruction received by the follow-up shooting interval setting unit 541 in FIG. A time interval value, which is an interval, is set. Here, the value of 1 to 10 is set in the term of the follow-up preview setting 801 as the unit of seconds, and when 11 is set, no time limit is set (no limit on the shooting interval time).

  Next, the maximum display number 803 will be described. In the maximum display number 803, a numerical value indicating the maximum number of photographed images to be displayed on one display screen when the imaging apparatus 100 performs the follow-up preview display is set. Specifically, a numerical value is set according to the operation instruction received by the maximum display number setting operation reception unit 531 of FIG.

  Explaining based on each setting value set in the follow-up preview setting data table 800 in FIG. 8, when 1 is set in the follow-up preview setting 801, the shooting interval from the shooting to the next shooting is set. If it is within 3 seconds, up to nine captured images are displayed as a follow-up preview on the display screen. The above is an example of the configuration of the data table in FIG. 8 that stores the setting of the follow-up preview display.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In step S304, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether the accepted operation instruction is shooting. If the received operation instruction is not shooting (NO in step S304), the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the received operation instruction is a preview display of a captured image stored in the memory card 115 or the like that is a recording medium. (Step S305).

  If the received operation instruction is not a preview display (NO in step S305), the process is terminated. If the received operation instruction is a preview display, the captured image is displayed in a normal preview display (step S306). .

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S304 that the received operation instruction is a shooting instruction, the imaging apparatus 100 performs shooting according to the setting set in the follow-up preview setting (step S307).

  The image capturing apparatus 100 determines whether or not the preview display setting is set to follow-up preview display when previewing a captured image acquired by performing shooting (step S308). If it is determined that the preview display setting is not set to follow-up preview display, the imaging apparatus 100 moves the process to step S306, and displays the captured image as a captured-time preview display for previewing a single captured image for a certain period of time. Is displayed.

  If it is determined that the tracking preview display is set, the captured image is displayed on the display screen with the tracking preview display (step S309). Details of the display process of the follow-up preview display will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the details of the display process of the follow-up preview display in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of display processing of the follow-up preview display in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The imaging apparatus 100 displays the captured image in a shooting preview display (step S401), and determines whether additional shooting has been performed (step S402). If it is determined that the additional shooting is not performed, the imaging apparatus 100 proceeds to step S409.

On the other hand, if it is determined that additional shooting has been performed (YES in step S402), the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether the value set for the shooting interval 802 in FIG. 8 indicates that the shooting interval time is unlimited ( step S403). ). If the setting value indicates that the shooting interval time is unlimited, the imaging apparatus 100 proceeds to step S405. If the setting value indicates that the shooting interval time is unlimited, the use shooting is performed in step S307 of FIG. It is determined whether or not the shooting was performed within the time set in the shooting interval 802 in FIG. 8 from the shooting performed in (step S404).

  If it is determined that the additional shooting has not been performed within the time set in the shooting interval 802, the follow-up preview display process is terminated. If it is determined that the additional shooting has been performed within the time, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S405, when the imaging apparatus 100 displays a follow-up preview of an image that has been additionally shot, whether or not the number of captured images that are targets of the follow-up preview display exceeds the value of the maximum display number 803 in FIG. Determine whether.

  If the number of photographed images does not exceed the value of the maximum display number 803, the photographed image of the additional photographing is displayed as a follow-up preview on the display screen (step S406). If it exceeds, the follow-up preview is displayed with priority from the latest captured image in order (step S407).

  Refer to FIG. 7 for the display state of the captured image (the display state of the display screen in step S407) when the number of captured images exceeds the value of the maximum display number 803 when the setting for performing the follow-up preview display is made. Will be described later.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 7, the following preview display processing when the maximum number of displayed images of one screen in the embodiment of the present invention is exceeded will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing details of the follow-up preview display process when the maximum number of displayed images of one screen is exceeded in the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 7 includes a display screen 700, a first photographed image 701, a latest photographed image 702, and the like. 7 shows the state of the display screen of the imaging device display 100 when the value set for the maximum display number 803 is 9 and the image taken with the setting for performing the follow-up preview display reaches the 10th image. Is shown.

  The first photographed image 701 is a first photographed image photographed with the setting for performing the follow-up preview display. The latest photographed image 702 is the tenth photographed image photographed with the setting for performing the follow-up preview display.

  As shown in the display screen 700, when the follow-up preview display is performed, the latest captured image 702 that is the latest captured image is the ninth image that is the last of the nine images displayed on the display screen 700. Displayed at the image position. Before the most recently captured image 702 is displayed on the display screen 700, the first captured image 701 displayed at the position of the first image among the nine images displayed on the display screen is the most recently captured image. By shooting 702, the image is erased from the display screen 700. (That is, when the plurality of images acquired by the continuous shooting exceeds the number of areas specified by the divided area number specifying unit, the preview display unit gives priority to the most recent captured image acquired by the continuous shooting in order, A preview is displayed on the display screen by the number specified by the number-of-divided areas designating means). The above is the description of the follow-up preview display processing in the case where the maximum number of displayed images of one screen in the embodiment of the present invention is exceeded in FIG.

  Next, the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not an instruction to end follow-up preview display has been received (step S408). The term “end instruction” used herein means, for example, accepting an operation instruction not to perform follow-up preview display in the follow-up preview display setting accepting unit 521 in FIG. If it is determined that the end instruction has been received, the follow-up preview display process is ended. If it is determined that the end instruction has not been received, the imaging apparatus 100 shifts the processing to step S409 and determines whether or not the time set in the shooting interval 802 has elapsed.

  If it is determined that the time set in the shooting interval 802 has elapsed, the follow-up preview display process is terminated. If it is determined that the time has not exceeded, the imaging apparatus 100 shifts the processing to step S402. The above is the description of the details of the display processing of the follow-up preview display in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when continuous shooting without continuous shooting is performed, a plurality of images are preview-displayed on the display screen so that the user can easily check the shot images. An imaging apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program can be provided.
Specifically, the imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus including a display unit that displays a preview of a captured image, and an imaging unit that acquires an image by performing imaging according to an operation instruction received from a user ( Step S307), preview display means for displaying the photographed image on a display screen for displaying the photographed image obtained by photographing performed by the photographing means (Step S306, Step S309), and the photographing means The first display (step S307) and the second shooting (step S402) performed in step S402 include determination means for determining whether or not the continuous shooting was performed within a predetermined time (step S404), and the preview display means Is determined by the determination means that the first shooting and the second shooting performed by the shooting means are performed within a predetermined time. In the case (YES in step S304), the display screen is divided into a plurality of areas, and each of the divided areas is acquired by the first captured image and the second captured image which are images acquired by the first capture. Second captured images that are images are respectively displayed (steps S306 and S307), and further, the determination unit determines that the first shooting and the second shooting performed by the shooting unit have not been performed within a predetermined time. If it is determined (NO in step S304), the first photographed image and the second photographed image are previewed on the display screen for a certain period of time after each photographing (step S401). Features.

  As mentioned above, although the said embodiment was explained in full detail, this invention can take the embodiment as a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, for example. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  As described above, the program in the present invention is a program that can be executed by a computer as an imaging apparatus in accordance with the processing in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, and the recording medium of the present invention uses the processing method in FIGS. 3 to 4. A program executable by the imaging apparatus is stored. Note that the program in the present invention may be a separate independent program for each processing method of each apparatus in FIGS.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading. In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the imaging apparatus, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer is actually executed based on the instructions of the program. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing a part or all of the process and the process is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

  In addition, each process realized by the above-described software can be realized as firmware or hardware configuration, and each process can be realized as each means. The technical scope of the present invention is realized by such firmware or hardware configuration. Is also included.

101 Optical system (lens)
102 Image sensor (CCD)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 103 Camera signal processing part 110 System controller 117 Display 120 Operation part 201 Tracking preview display control part 202 Shooting interval memory | storage part 203 Continuous / non-continuous shooting continuation determination part 204 Preview display switching part 205 Display image number setting part

Claims (6)

And imaging means for acquiring images by performing the imaging in accordance with an operation instruction received from the User chromatography The,
Following the captured image displayed on the display screen acquired by being captured by the capturing means, a captured image newly acquired by capturing performed by the capturing means is displayed together with the displayed captured image. A first display method for displaying on the screen, or a preview display unit for displaying a captured image acquired by the shooting on a display screen every time shooting is performed by the shooting unit;
Order to determine whether the continuous shooting without using the continuous shooting, a determination unit configured to determine whether the first imaging and the second imaging performed by the imaging means has been performed within a certain time,
With
When the determination unit determines that the first shooting and the second shooting are performed within a predetermined time, the preview display unit uses the first display method as a captured image display method. Each time the image is taken by the means, the photographed image newly acquired in the second photographing is displayed on the display screen together with the photographed image displayed on the display screen photographed in the first photographing. in unit, if the previous SL first photographing and the second photographing is determined not been performed within a predetermined time, the display of the captured image by using the second display method, photographed by said photographing means each time performing the imaging apparatus and displaying the captured image acquired by the shooting on the display screen. The preview display means uses the first display method when the photographed image newly acquired by the second photographing is displayed together with the photographed image displayed on the display screen. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information indicating that continuous shooting is being performed is displayed on a display screen. A split area number designating unit for designating a maximum number of separable areas when the preview display unit divides the area of the display screen and displays an image acquired by the photographing unit as a preview;
The preview display means prioritizes in order from the latest captured image acquired by the continuous shooting when the plurality of images acquired by the continuous shooting exceeds the number of areas specified by the divided area number specifying means. Te, wherein the specified number of the divided area number designating means, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that to preview displayed on the display screen. When the determination unit determines that shooting of the captured image is continuous shooting that does not use continuous shooting, the display screen is divided into a plurality of areas, and the division is performed until the predetermined time elapses. Setting accepting means for accepting settings for starting display of the first photographed image and the second photographed image in each region;
Photographic image display instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to display the photographic image on a display screen;
  With
  The preview display unit displays the captured image on a display screen according to a setting different from the setting received by the setting reception unit when the instruction is received by the captured image display instruction reception unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Shooting means, an imaging step of acquiring images by performing the imaging in accordance with an operation instruction received from the User chromatography The,
Following the captured image displayed on the display screen acquired by the preview display means being captured in the capturing step, the captured image newly acquired by the capturing performed in the capturing step is displayed as the displayed captured image. Display method for displaying on the display screen together with the first display method or preview display step for displaying by the second display method for displaying the photographed image acquired by the photographing on the display screen every time photographing is performed in the photographing step. When,
Determining means, in order to determine whether the continuous shooting without using the continuous shooting determination determines whether the first photographing and the second photographing performed by the imaging process is performed within a certain time Process,
Including
In the preview display step, when it is determined in the determination step that the first shooting and the second shooting are performed within a predetermined time, the display method of the shot image is used as the shooting method. by shooting by step, together with the captured image of the already displayed captured the display screen at the first shooting, the display and the newly acquired display screen captured image in the second shooting, the determination in step, if the previous SL first photographing and the second photographing is determined not been performed within a predetermined time, the display of the captured image by using the second display method, photographed by said photographing step A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, characterized in that a captured image obtained by the imaging is displayed on a display screen each time the operation is performed . The imaging device,
And imaging means for acquiring images by performing the imaging in accordance with an operation instruction received from the User chromatography The,
Following the captured image displayed on the display screen acquired by being captured by the capturing means, a captured image newly acquired by capturing performed by the capturing means is displayed together with the displayed captured image. A first display method for displaying on the screen, or a preview display unit for displaying a captured image acquired by the shooting on a display screen every time shooting is performed by the shooting unit;
Order to determine whether the continuous shooting without using the continuous shooting, to function as a determining means for determining whether the first imaging and the second imaging performed by the imaging means has been performed within a certain time ,
When the determination unit determines that the first shooting and the second shooting are performed within a predetermined time, the preview display unit uses the first display method as a captured image display method. Each time the image is taken by the means, the photographed image newly acquired in the second photographing is displayed on the display screen together with the photographed image displayed on the display screen photographed in the first photographing. in unit, if the previous SL first photographing and the second photographing is determined not been performed within a predetermined time, the display of the captured image by using the second display method, photographed by said photographing means A program for an imaging apparatus, characterized in that a captured image acquired by the imaging is displayed on a display screen each time the operation is performed .

Images