JP5379449B2 - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that displays a confirmation reproduction image after moving image shooting by an imaging apparatus on a display apparatus, and a control method thereof.

  In recent years, many image pickup apparatuses that use an image pickup device such as a CCD, such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, and record a photographed image as electronic data have been put on the market. This digital camera eliminates the need for a photosensitive film that has been used as a conventional recording medium, and instead records the electronic data on a data recording medium such as a semiconductor memory card or a hard disk device. Unlike the film, these data storage media can be written and erased any number of times, which is very convenient because the cost for the consumables can be reduced.

  Usually, a digital camera is equipped with a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying a photographed image and a detachable mass storage device. This liquid crystal display device uses a dot matrix liquid crystal, and can display a high-definition image.

  Using a digital camera equipped with these two devices, a liquid crystal display device and a mass storage device, not only eliminates the need for a conventional film, but also displays the photographed image on the liquid crystal display device and immediately on the spot. I can confirm. Therefore, image data that cannot be satisfied can be erased on the spot, or re-photographed as necessary, even in the field of photography. Compared with silver salt photography using film, the efficiency of photography is improved. It can be said that it has increased dramatically. Due to such convenience and technological innovations such as increasing the number of pixels in the image sensor, the range of use of digital cameras has been expanded, and in recent years there have been an increasing number of digital cameras that can be interchanged with lenses such as single-lens reflex cameras. . Furthermore, some of the above-described digital cameras can shoot moving images. When shooting a moving image, the captured moving image can be displayed on a liquid crystal display device immediately after shooting.

In Patent Document 1, in order to easily grasp the content of a captured moving image in a short time with a video camera or the like having a liquid crystal display device, a display method for displaying a digest of the captured moving image and a capturing for creating the digest It describes how to select and extract a movie. With this technology, a digest reflecting the user's intention to shoot can be confirmed, and by displaying the digest immediately after shooting, the user can easily check the shooting content of the shot moving image in a shorter time.
JP-A-06-165209

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 selects or extracts a moving image to be used in a digest from an operation history of an operation member operated at the time of shooting a moving image. For this reason, although it is easy to grasp the contents of a moving image, confirmation of a captured image such as composition or focusing is not performed preferentially.

  In particular, in the case of a digital single-lens reflex camera, there are many scenes in which the depth of field is shallower than that of a video camera depending on the setting.

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving such problems of the prior art.

This onset bright features in the image pickup apparatus the video is configured to be photographed is to provide an imaging apparatus and a control method For easy confirmation of the in-focus position after moving image shooting.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the following arrangement. That is,
Imaging means;
Storage means;
Recording means for recording the moving image data obtained by the imaging means on a recording medium;
Depending on the depth of field of the subject image during moving image shooting is changed, and creates image data for confirmation from part of the moving image data in the previous SL shooting, the storage means the image data for the confirmation Control means for storing
After capturing of the moving image data is stopped, the read image data of the confirmation of the plurality of screens stored in the storage means, and means for displaying a moving picture,
When the capacity for storing the newly created image data for confirmation in the storage means is insufficient, the control means includes an object field in the image data for confirmation stored in the storage means. The image data having the deepest depth is deleted, and the newly created image data for confirmation is stored in the storage means .

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the following steps. That is,
An imaging apparatus control method for controlling an imaging apparatus having an imaging means, a storage means, and a recording means for recording moving image data obtained by the imaging means on a recording medium,
Depending on the depth of field of the subject image during moving image shooting is changed, and creates image data for confirmation from part of the moving image data in the previous SL shooting, the storage means the image data for the confirmation A control process stored in
After capturing of the moving image data is stopped, the read image data of the confirmation of the plurality of screens stored in the storage means, and a step of displaying a moving image,
In the control step, when a capacity for storing the newly created image data for confirmation in the storage unit is insufficient, an object field is included in the image data for confirmation stored in the storage unit The image data having the deepest depth is deleted, and the newly created image data for confirmation is stored in the storage means .

According to the present invention, in the confirmation playback display after video recording, since an image depth of field is changed and To display so the user becomes easy to check the focus during movie recording.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. .

  1 and 2 are views showing the appearance of a digital single-lens reflex camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a perspective view seen from the front side of the camera, showing a state in which the taking lens unit is removed, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the back side of the camera.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a camera body, which is provided with a grip portion 1a that protrudes forward so that a user can easily hold the camera stably during photographing. The mount unit 2 fixes a detachable photographic lens unit (not shown) to the camera body. The mount contact 21 has a function of transmitting a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like between the camera body 1 and the photographing lens unit and supplying power to the photographing lens unit. Further, the mount contact 21 may be configured to be capable of optical communication, voice communication, etc. as well as electrical communication. The microphone 24 has a function of recording sound when taking a moving image using the digital single lens reflex camera.

  The lens lock release button 4 releases the lock that maintains the state where the photographic lens unit is attached, and enables the photographic lens unit to be removable. The mirror box 5 is disposed in the camera body 1, and the imaging light flux that has passed through the imaging lens is guided here. A quick return mirror 6 is disposed inside the mirror box 5. This quick return mirror 6 is held at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the photographing optical axis to guide the photographing light flux in the direction of the pentaprism 22 (FIG. 3) and in the direction of the image sensor 33 (FIG. 3). In order to guide, it can be in a state of being held at a position retracted from the photographing light flux.

  A shutter button 7 as a start switch for starting shooting, a main operation dial 8 for setting a shutter speed and a lens aperture value according to an operation mode at the time of shooting, and a shooting system A top operation mode setting button 10 is arranged. Some of the operation results of these operation members are displayed on the LCD display panel 9. The shutter button 7 is configured such that SW1 (7a in FIG. 3) is turned on in the first stroke and SW2 (7b in FIG. 3) is turned on in the second stroke. The upper surface operation mode setting button 10 is used to set whether the continuous shooting or only one frame shooting is performed when the shutter button 7 is pressed once, the self shooting mode setting, and the like. The setting status is displayed on the panel 9. The contents displayed on the LCD display panel 9 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  A flash unit 11 that pops up with respect to the camera body, a shoe groove 12 for attaching a flash, and a flash contact 13 are provided at the upper center of the camera, and a shooting mode setting dial 14 is disposed from the upper right of the camera. . Further, an openable / closable external terminal cover 15 is provided on the side surface opposite to the grip portion 1a. Inside the external terminal cover 15 opened, a video signal output jack 16 and a USB output are provided as external interfaces. A connector 17 is accommodated.

  In FIG. 2, a finder eyepiece window 18 is provided on the back side of the camera, and a color liquid crystal monitor 19 capable of displaying an image is provided near the center of the back side. The sub operation dial 20 arranged beside the color liquid crystal monitor 19 plays a supplementary role of the function of the main operation dial 8, and for example, in the AE mode of the camera, the exposure correction amount for the appropriate exposure value calculated by the automatic exposure device. Used to set Alternatively, in the manual mode in which each of the shutter speed and the lens aperture value is set according to the user's intention, the shutter speed is set with the main operation dial 8 and the lens aperture value is set with the sub operation dial 20. The The sub operation dial 20 is also used to select display of a captured image displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19. The speaker 25 has a function of producing sound when playing back a moving image shot by a camera. Reference numeral 43 denotes a main switch for starting or stopping the operation of the camera. The cleaning instruction operation member 44 is a switch for operating the cleaning mode, and is for instructing an operation of sieving dust adhering to the low-pass filter.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment. In addition, the part which is common in the above-mentioned drawing is shown with the same symbol.

  Reference numeral 100 denotes a microcomputer central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as MPU) built in the camera body. The MPU 100 controls the operation of the camera, and executes various processes and instructions for each element. Reference numeral 100a denotes an EEPROM built in the MPU 100, which stores time information of the time measuring circuit 109 and other information in a nonvolatile manner. The ROM 100b stores programs executed by the MPU 100 and various data. The RAM 100c provides a work area for temporarily storing various data during the control operation by the MPU 100. The MPU 100 is connected to a mirror drive circuit 101, a focus detection circuit 102, a shutter drive circuit 103, a video signal processing circuit 104, a switch sense circuit 105, and a photometry circuit 106. A liquid crystal driving circuit 107, a battery check circuit 108, a time measuring circuit 109, a power supply circuit 110, and a piezoelectric element driving circuit 111 are also connected. These circuits operate under the control of the MPU 100.

  The MPU 100 communicates with the lens control circuit 201 disposed in the photographing lens unit via the mount contact 21. The mount contact 21 also has a function of transmitting a signal to the MPU 100 when the photographing lens unit is connected. Thereby, the lens control circuit 201 can communicate with the MPU 100 and drive the photographing lens 200 and the diaphragm 204 in the photographing lens unit via the AF driving circuit 202 and the diaphragm driving circuit 203. Become. In the present embodiment, the photographic lens 200 is shown as a single photographic lens for the sake of convenience, but in actuality, it is composed of a large number of lens groups. The AF driving circuit 202 includes, for example, a stepping motor, and adjusts the imaging light flux to be focused on the image sensor 33 by changing the focus lens position in the imaging lens 200 under the control of the lens control circuit 201. The aperture driving circuit 203 is configured by, for example, an auto iris or the like, and is configured to change the aperture 204 by the lens control circuit 201 to obtain an optical aperture value.

  The main mirror 6 guides the photographic light beam passing through the photographic lens 200 to the pentaprism 22 and transmits part of the light to the sub mirror 30. The sub mirror 30 guides the transmitted photographic light beam to the focus detection sensor unit 31. The mirror drive circuit 101 is for driving the main mirror 6 to a position where the subject image can be observed through the finder eyepiece window 18 and a position where the subject mirror is retracted from the photographing light flux. At the same time, the sub mirror 30 is driven to a position for guiding the imaging light flux to the focus detection sensor unit 31 and a position for retracting from the imaging light flux. Specifically, for example, a DC motor and a gear train are provided.

  The focus detection sensor unit 31 is composed of a field lens, a reflection mirror, a secondary imaging lens, a diaphragm, a line sensor composed of a plurality of CCDs, and the like arranged in the vicinity of the imaging surface. To detect. The signal output from the focus detection sensor unit 31 is supplied to the focus detection circuit 102, converted into a subject image signal, and then transmitted to the MPU 100. The MPU 100 performs a focus detection calculation by the phase difference detection method based on the subject image signal. Then, the defocus amount and the defocus direction are obtained, and based on this, the focus lens in the photographing lens 200 is driven to the in-focus position via the lens control circuit 201 and the AF drive circuit 202. The pentaprism 22 is an optical member that converts and reflects the photographing light beam reflected by the main mirror 6 into an erect image. The user can observe the subject image from the viewfinder eyepiece window 18 through the viewfinder optical system. The pentaprism 22 also guides a part of the photographing light flux to the photometric sensor 23. The photometric circuit 106 obtains the output of the photometric sensor 23, converts it into a luminance signal for each area on the observation surface, and outputs it to the MPU 100. Thereby, the MPU 100 calculates an exposure value from the luminance signal.

  The mechanical focal plane shutter 32 blocks the photographing light beam when the user observes the subject image through the viewfinder eyepiece window 18. Further, at the time of imaging, a desired exposure time is obtained according to the time difference between travel of a front blade group and a rear blade group (not shown) according to a release signal. The focal plane shutter 32 is controlled by the shutter drive circuit 103 that has received a command from the MPU 100.

  The imaging device 33 uses a CMOS that is an imaging device, and there are various types of imaging devices such as a CCD type, a CMOS type, and a CID type, and any type of imaging device may be adopted. A clamp / CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit 34 performs basic analog processing before A / D conversion and can also change the clamp level. The AGC (automatic gain adjustment device) 35 performs basic analog processing before A / D conversion and can change the AGC basic level. The A / D converter 36 converts the analog image signal of the image sensor 33 into a digital image signal. The optical low-pass filter 410 is formed by laminating and laminating a plurality of birefringent plates and phase plates made of quartz, and further laminating an infrared cut filter. The laminated piezoelectric element 430 is configured to be vibrated by the piezoelectric element drive circuit 111 that has received a command from the MPU 100 and transmit the vibration to the optical low-pass filter 410. Reference numeral 400 denotes an image pickup unit unitized with the optical low-pass filter 410, the piezoelectric element 430, the image pickup element 33, and other components described later, and a detailed configuration will be described later.

  The video signal processing circuit 104 performs overall image processing by hardware such as gamma / knee processing, filter processing, and information composition processing for monitor display on a digitized image signal (image data). The image data for monitor display output from the video signal processing circuit 104 is displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 via the color liquid crystal drive circuit 112. The video signal processing circuit 104 can also store image data in the buffer memory 45 through the memory controller 38 in accordance with an instruction from the MPU 100. Further, the video signal processing circuit 104 has a function of performing image data compression processing such as JPEG. When continuous shooting is performed, such as continuous shooting, image data can be temporarily stored in the buffer memory 45 and unprocessed image data can be sequentially read out through the memory controller 38. Thus, the video signal processing circuit 104 can sequentially perform image processing and compression processing regardless of the speed of the image data input from the A / D converter 36. The memory controller 38 stores image data input from the external interface 40 (corresponding to the video signal output jack 16 and the USB output connector 17 in FIG. 1) in the memory 39. Also, the image data stored in the memory 39 can be output from the external interface 40. The memory 39 is a flash memory that can be attached to and detached from the camera body.

  The switch sense circuit 105 transmits an input signal to the MPU 100 according to the operation state of each switch. 7a is a switch SW1 that is turned on by the first stroke of the release button 7. 7b is a switch SW2 which is turned on by the second stroke of the release button 7. When the switch SW2 is turned on, an instruction to start photographing is transmitted to the MPU 100. The switch sense circuit 105 is connected to the main operation dial 8, the sub operation dial 20, the shooting mode setting dial 14, the main switch 43, and the cleaning instruction operation member 44.

  The liquid crystal driving circuit 107 drives the LCD display panel 9 and the in-finder liquid crystal display device 41 in accordance with instructions from the MPU 100. The battery check circuit 108 performs a battery check for a predetermined time according to a signal from the MPU 100 and sends the detection output to the MPU 100. The power supply unit 42 supplies necessary power to each element of the camera. The time measuring circuit 109 can measure the time and date until the main switch 43 is turned off and then turned on, and can transmit the measurement result to the MPU 100 according to a command from the MPU 100.

[Embodiment 1]
The imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a buffer memory 45 and a memory 39 for accumulating image signals, and stores timing when the depth of field of a subject image changes by a predetermined amount when shooting a moving image ( Timing memory). Based on the stored timing, the image signal continuously output from the image sensor 33 is stored in the memory as a moving image for a predetermined time (rec review storage means). After shooting the moving image, the image signal stored in the memory is read out and displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 as a REC review image. This will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for creating a reproduction display (hereinafter referred to as “REC review”) for confirming a captured moving image after the moving image is captured by the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 100 b and is executed under the control of the MPU 100. This processing is started when the main switch 43 of the camera 100 is turned on and the moving image shooting mode is set by the main operation dial 8 and the sub operation dial 20.

  First, in step S101, recording of a captured moving image is started. When the moving image shooting mode is thus entered, the quick return mirror 6 is mirrored up, the shutter 32 is opened, and an optical image is formed on the image sensor 33. In this moving image shooting mode, an analog signal output from the image sensor 33 at a predetermined frame rate is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 36, and a predetermined pixel interpolation process and color conversion process are performed by the video signal processing circuit 104. And written to the buffer memory 45. The image data thus written in the buffer memory 45 is read again, converted into image data for display by the video signal processing circuit 104, and displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 via the color liquid crystal driving circuit 112. As a result, the color liquid crystal monitor 19 enters a live view display state (electronic viewfinder operation).

  The recording of the moving image in step S101 is performed by writing the image data written in the buffer memory 45 as moving image data into the memory 39 via the memory controller 38. When recording of moving image data is started, the audio signal processing circuit 113 encodes the audio data input from the microphone 24, and the encoded audio data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 45. Since the moving image encoded data and the audio encoded data temporarily stored in this manner increase with time, they are formed into a predetermined file format and written to the memory 39 via the MPU 100 as needed.

  Thus, when recording of a moving image is started in step S101, the process proceeds to step S102, and processing for recording image data for REC review separately from the captured image is executed. The image data for REC review is created by the same method as the image data for live view display described above. Specifically, the image data written in the buffer memory 45 at the time of moving image shooting is read again, converted into image data for display by the video signal processing circuit 104, and recorded as a REC review image candidate in the buffer memory 45. In this step S102, image data for a predetermined time is recorded as an image candidate (moving image) for REC review at every predetermined time interval. In this case, if the amount of recorded image data of the REC review image candidate exceeds the capacity of the buffer memory 45, the image data is erased from the earliest recorded image data.

  While image data is recorded at predetermined time intervals in step S102, a change in the aperture value of the photographing lens 200 is detected in step S103. The aperture value may be changed by the user himself / herself through a predetermined operation, or the camera itself may automatically change the aperture value in response to a change in the amount of light. Detected. The change of the aperture value is performed based on a driving result in which the aperture driving circuit 203 receives the signal from the MPU 100 via the lens control circuit 201 and drives the aperture 204. Therefore, the MPU 100 itself determines whether or not the aperture value has changed. If it is detected in step S103 that the aperture value has changed, the process proceeds to step S104, and the amount of change in the aperture value is determined. The determination of the change amount of the aperture value is performed by the MPU 100 as in the determination of whether or not the aperture value has changed in step S103. Here, it is determined whether or not the change amount of the aperture value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value X. The predetermined value X is recorded in advance in the EEPROM 100a, but may be configured so that the user can arbitrarily change it.

  If it is determined in step S104 that the aperture value has changed by a predetermined value X or more, the process proceeds to step S105. If the determination is “NO” in steps S103 and S104, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S105, the timing (A) when the aperture value changes by a predetermined value X or more is recorded. This timing is recorded in association with the captured moving image, and is used for image data for later REC review. This timing recording is performed by the MPU 100.

  Thus, when the aperture change timing is recorded in step S105, the process proceeds to step S106, and the capacity of the REC review area of the buffer memory 45 in which the REC review image is recorded is checked. This is to determine whether or not the remaining capacity of the REC review area in which the REC review image is recorded is a capacity capable of storing the next REC review image data. This capacity detection is performed by the MPU 100 reading the buffer memory 45 via the video signal processing circuit 104. If it is determined in step S106 that the capacity of the REC review area is sufficiently large, the process proceeds to step S107, and image data at a timing when the aperture value changes is recorded in the REC review area. Here, recording in the REC review area is performed by the MPU 100 and the video signal processing circuit 104. In addition to the recording of the image data, the in-focus position data at the timing when the aperture changes and the aperture value data after the aperture change are also recorded in association with the image data. The recording of the image data at the timing when the aperture changes may be configured not only to record the image data only at the moment when the aperture changes, but also to record image data for a predetermined time before and after the aperture changes.

  In this way, when the image data at the timing when the aperture is changed is stored in the REC review area in step S107, the process proceeds to step S108, and it is detected whether or not the moving image shooting is ended. The end of the moving image shooting may be completed by the user when a predetermined operation is performed by the user and the end of the moving image shooting is selected or the camera itself ends the moving image shooting due to factors such as a decrease in the remaining battery level. When the end of moving image shooting is detected in step S108, the moving image shooting mode ends. If the end of shooting is not detected in step S108, the process returns to step S102 and the above-described processing is performed.

  If it is detected in step S106 that the free space in the REC review area of the buffer memory 45 is not sufficient, the process proceeds to step S121, and a part of the image data already recorded in the REC review area is deleted. Details of the selection method and priority of the image data to be deleted will be described later.

  Note that the image data of the REC review created by the above-described processing is read out from the buffer memory 45 immediately after the photographing is finished, and the color liquid crystal monitor via the MPU 100, the video signal processing circuit 104, and the color liquid crystal driving circuit 112. 19 is displayed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the user can easily confirm the focus of a scene whose depth of field has become shallow due to a change in aperture after the end of moving image shooting.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. The imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a buffer memory 45 and a memory 39 for accumulating image signals. When shooting a moving image, a specific timing (when the depth of field of the subject image is a predetermined amount or less) Changes in focus position, subject movement) are detected and stored (timing storage). Based on the stored timing, the image signal continuously output from the image sensor 33 is stored in the memory as a moving image for a predetermined time (rec review storage means). After shooting the moving image, the image signal stored in the memory is read out and displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 as a REC review image. This will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a REC review display creation method by the digital camera according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Note that the configuration of the digital camera according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the digital camera according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. This processing is started when the main switch 43 of the camera 100 is turned on and the main operation dial 8 and the sub operation dial 20 enter a predetermined moving image shooting mode.

  First, in step S201, moving image recording is started. When the moving image shooting mode is entered, the quick return mirror 6 is raised, the shutter 32 is opened, and an optical image is formed on the image sensor 33. In the moving image shooting mode, an analog signal output from the image sensor 33 at a predetermined frame rate is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 36, and a predetermined pixel interpolation process and a color conversion process are performed by the video signal processing circuit 104. To the buffer memory 45. The image data written in the buffer memory 45 is read again, converted into image data for display by the video signal processing circuit 104, and displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 through the color liquid crystal driving circuit 112. As a result, the color liquid crystal monitor 19 enters a live view display state (electronic viewfinder operation).

  In the recording of the moving image data in step S201, the image data written in the buffer memory 45 is recorded as moving image data in the memory 39 via the memory controller 38. When recording of moving image data is started, the audio signal processing circuit 113 encodes audio data input from the microphone 24, and the encoded audio data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 45. Since the temporarily stored moving image encoded data and audio encoded data increase with time, they are formed into a predetermined file format and written to the memory 39 via the MPU 100 as needed.

  When recording of moving image data is started in step S201, it is determined whether or not the aperture value of the taking lens 200 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value as shown in step S202. The aperture value may be set to a predetermined value or less by a predetermined operation by the user himself / herself or the camera itself may automatically set the aperture value to a predetermined value or less in order to cope with the shortage of light quantity. However, both are detected in step S202. The detection of the aperture value is performed by the MPU 100. If it is determined in step S202 that the aperture value of the photographing lens 200 is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S203, and the image data for REC review is recorded separately from the photographed image. The image data for REC review is created in the same manner as the image data for live view display described above. Specifically, the image data written in the buffer memory 45 at the time of moving image shooting is read again, converted into image data for display by the video signal processing circuit 104, and recorded as a REC review image in the buffer memory 45. In step S203, as in step S102 of FIG. 4, image data is recorded for a predetermined time every predetermined time interval of shooting time, and is recorded so that it can be used as a moving image for later REC review. On the other hand, if the aperture value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value Y in step S202, the process proceeds to step S103 in FIG.

  While image data is being recorded at a predetermined time interval in step S203, a change in the in-focus position is detected in step S204. This is configured to detect the refocusing timing when the in-focus position of the subject is changed by a predetermined operation of the user. If it is determined in step S204 that the in-focus position has not changed, the process proceeds to step S208. If it is determined that the in-focus position has changed, the process proceeds to step S205, and the timing when the in-focus position changes is recorded. To do. The recording of this timing is recorded in association with the captured moving image, and is used for image data for later REC review. This timing recording is performed by the MPU 100.

  When the change timing of the in-focus position is recorded in step S205, the process proceeds to step S206, and the free space in the REC review area of the buffer memory 45 is detected. This is to confirm whether or not the REC review area is full before recording the image data at the timing when the in-focus position is changed as a REC review image. This capacity detection is performed by the MPU 100 reading the buffer memory 45 via the video signal processing circuit 104. If it is detected in step S206 that the capacity of the REC review area is sufficiently large, the process proceeds to step S207, and the image data at the timing when the in-focus position is changed is recorded in the REC review area. Recording of the REC review image in the REC review area is performed by the MPU 100 and the video signal processing circuit 104. In addition to the recording of the image data, in association with the image data, the data of the in-focus position where the in-focus position is changed from where and the data of the aperture value when the in-focus position is changed are also recorded.

  The recording of the image data at the timing when the in-focus position is changed is configured not only to record the image data only at the moment when the in-focus position is changed, but also to record image data for a predetermined time before and after the in-focus position is changed. May be.

  In step S207, when the image data at the timing when the aperture is changed is recorded in the REC review area, the process proceeds to step S208 to detect whether or not the main subject has moved. The movement detection of the subject is performed using a known moving object prediction technology and subject detection technology. When the main subject moves, the subject is tracked by a known moving object prediction technique, and refocusing is performed. If it is detected in step S208 that the main subject has moved, the process proceeds to step S209, and the timing when the main subject has moved is recorded. The recording of this timing is recorded in association with the captured moving image, and is used for image data for later REC review. This timing recording is performed by the MPU 100.

  When the timing when the main subject moves is recorded in step S209, the process proceeds to step S210, and free space detection in the REC review area is performed. This is for confirming whether or not the REC review area is full before recording image data at the timing when the in-focus position is changed as a REC review image. If it is detected in step S210 that the capacity of the REC review area is sufficiently large, the process proceeds to step S211 to record image data at a timing when the main subject moves in the REC review area. Recording in the REC review area is performed by the MPU 100 and the video signal processing circuit 104. In addition to the recording of the image data, in association with the image data, the data of the in-focus position at the timing when the subject moves and the data of the aperture value when the subject moves are also recorded. The recording of the image data at the timing when the subject moves may be configured not only to record the image data only at the moment when the subject moves, but also to record image data for a predetermined time before and after the subject moves.

  In this way, when the image data at the timing when the subject moves is recorded in the REC review area in step S211, the process proceeds to step S212, and it is determined whether or not the moving image shooting is ended. The end of the moving image shooting may be completed by the user when a predetermined operation is performed by the user and the end of the moving image shooting is selected, or the camera itself may end the moving image shooting due to factors such as a decrease in the remaining battery level. In step S212, when the end of moving image shooting is detected, the moving image shooting mode ends.

  Further, when it is detected in step S202 that the aperture value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S103 shown in the flowchart of FIG. If no change in focus position is detected in step S204, the process proceeds to step S208, and the above-described processing is performed. If it is detected in step S206 that the free space in the REC review area is not sufficient, the process proceeds to step S221, and a part of the image data already recorded in the REC review area is deleted. Details of the selection method and priority of image data to be deleted will be described later. If it is determined in step S208 that no movement of the main subject has been detected, the process proceeds to step S212 and the above-described processing is performed. If it is detected in step S210 that the free space in the REC review area is not sufficient, the process proceeds to step S222, and a part of the image data already recorded in the REC review area is deleted. Details of the selection method priority of the image data to be deleted will be described later.

  Note that the image data of the REC review created in this flowchart is read out from the REC review area and the buffer memory 45 immediately after the photographing is completed. Then, the image is displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 via the MPU 100, the video signal processing circuit 104, and the color liquid crystal driving circuit 112.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the user can easily check the focus before and after the change of the focus position and before and after the movement of the subject in a scene with a shallow depth of field.

  FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are file configuration diagrams illustrating a recording method for a REC review image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The file indicated by “A” is the image data recorded for a predetermined time at the aperture change timing in step S107 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the predetermined time at the timing when the in-focus position is changed in step S207 of the flowchart in FIG. The image data recorded during the period is shown. Furthermore, the image data recorded for a predetermined time at the timing when the subject moves in step S211 of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is shown. Hereinafter, the file “A” is referred to as “rec review image”. Here, numbers are assigned in the order recorded.

  FIG. 6 (A) shows a process for recording the next REC review image in the REC review area that is full of REC review images. When the REC review area is filled with REC review images, the oldest REC review image data is deleted and the latest REC review image data is recorded.

  FIG. 6B shows processing when recording the REC review image data 601 at the aperture change timing in the REC review area filled with the REC review image data. Here, in each REC review image data, information on the aperture value at the time of shooting is also recorded.

  As described above, when the REC review area is filled with REC review image data, the REC review image data 602 captured at the aperture side with the smallest aperture value among the recorded REC review image data. Is deleted. Then, new REC review image data 601 is recorded. At this time, if the aperture value of the REC review image data to be written is on the side of the smallest aperture value compared to the REC review image data already recorded, the writing of the REC review image data is stopped.

  FIGS. 7A to 7F are views showing a method for displaying a REC review image in the present embodiment.

  As described above in the explanation of the flowchart, the REC review image data is also recorded with the in-focus position data associated therewith. When the REC review is displayed, the in-focus position is also displayed to facilitate confirmation of the in-focus position.

  FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are diagrams for explaining the display method when the aperture value changes, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  Through the front and rear before the aperture position changes, the in-focus position is displayed as a rectangular mark so that the position where the in-focus position is adjusted can be identified.

  FIG. 7C and FIG. 7D are diagrams for explaining a display method when the in-focus position is changed, which is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Before and after the change of the in-focus position, the in-focus position is displayed as a rectangular mark, and from where to where the in-focus position is moved can be identified.

  FIGS. 7E and 7F are diagrams for explaining the display method when the main subject moves, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Before and after the main subject moves, the in-focus position is displayed as a rectangular mark so that the in-focus position can be identified.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or may be applied to an apparatus constituted by one device.

  In the present invention, a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program. Can also be achieved. In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, the form does not need to be a program.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the claims of the present invention include the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention. In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  Various recording media for supplying the program can be used. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD- R).

  As another program supply method, the program can be supplied by connecting to a home page on the Internet using a browser of a client computer and downloading the program from the home page to a recording medium such as a hard disk. In this case, the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function may be downloaded. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.

  Further, the program of the present invention may be encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users. In that case, a user who has cleared a predetermined condition is allowed to download key information to be decrypted from a homepage via the Internet, and using the key information, the encrypted program can be executed on a computer in a format that can be executed. To be installed.

  Further, the present invention can be realized in a form other than the form in which the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. For example, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, the program read from the recording medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. In this case, thereafter, based on the instructions of the program, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. .

It is the perspective view seen from the front side of the digital single-lens reflex camera concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view seen from the back side of the digital single-lens reflex camera concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main electrical structures of the digital single-lens reflex camera which concerns on this embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for creating a reproduction display for confirming a captured moving image after the moving image is captured by the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the REC review display creation method by the digital camera which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a file block diagram explaining the recording method of the REC review image which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the display method of the REC review in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

24 Microphone 25 Speaker 32 Focal plane shutter 33 Image sensor 34 Clamp / CDS circuit 35 AGC
36 A / D converter 38 Memory controller 39 Memory 42 Power supply unit 43 Main switch 44 Cleaning instruction operation member 45 Buffer memory

Claims (8)

Imaging means;
Storage means;
Recording means for recording the moving image data obtained by the imaging means on a recording medium;
Depending on the depth of field of the subject image during moving image shooting is changed, and creates image data for confirmation from part of the moving image data in the previous SL shooting, the storage means the image data for the confirmation Control means for storing
After capturing of the moving image data is stopped, the read image data of the confirmation of the plurality of screens stored in the storage means, and means for displaying a moving picture,
When the capacity for storing the newly created image data for confirmation in the storage means is insufficient, the control means includes an object field in the image data for confirmation stored in the storage means. An image pickup apparatus , wherein the image data having the deepest depth is deleted, and the newly created image data for confirmation is stored in the storage means . When the depth of field of the newly created confirmation image data is deepest compared to the confirmation image data stored in the storage means, the control means creates the newly created confirmation. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data for use is not stored in the storage unit. The control means is configured to select a portion of the confirmation image data stored in the storage means based on an aperture value of the imaging means at the time of photographing the confirmation image data stored in the storage means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data having the deepest depth of field is selected and deleted. Wherein said control means includes a feature to create when the aperture value of the image pickup means during dynamic image photographing has changed more than a predetermined amount, the image data for the confirmation from the portion of the video data in the previous SL shooting The imaging device according to claim 1 . An imaging apparatus control method for controlling an imaging apparatus having an imaging means, a storage means, and a recording means for recording moving image data obtained by the imaging means on a recording medium,
Depending on the depth of field of the subject image during moving image shooting is changed, and creates image data for confirmation from part of the moving image data in the previous SL shooting, the storage means the image data for the confirmation A control process stored in
After capturing of the moving image data is stopped, the read image data of the confirmation of the plurality of screens stored in the storage means, and a step of displaying a moving image,
In the control step, when a capacity for storing the newly created image data for confirmation in the storage unit is insufficient, an object field is included in the image data for confirmation stored in the storage unit An image pickup apparatus control method comprising: deleting image data having the deepest depth and storing the newly created image data for confirmation in the storage unit . In the control step, when the depth of field of the newly created image data for confirmation is deepest compared to the image data for confirmation stored in the storage unit, the newly created confirmation 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein image data for use is not stored in the storage means. The control step includes the step of: out of the confirmation image data stored in the storage means based on the aperture value of the imaging means at the time of photographing the confirmation image data stored in the storage means. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein image data having the deepest depth of field is selected and deleted. Wherein the control step includes a feature to create when the aperture value of the image pickup means during dynamic image photographing has changed more than a predetermined amount, the image data for the confirmation from the portion of the video data in the previous SL shooting The control method of the imaging device according to claim 5 .

Images