JP5794657B2 - Imaging control apparatus and imaging control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing control apparatus and a photographing control method, and more particularly to a photographing control apparatus and a photographing control method having a multiple composite photographing function having a cancel function of multiple composite photographing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some imaging devices such as digital cameras use a number managed by a camera as a file name when recording a captured image in a file. Some of the cameras can switch the management method of numbers used for file names.

  One is a method of managing according to the number stored in the camera (hereinafter referred to as a serial number method). Each time a captured image file is generated, the number stored in the camera is incremented by one. To do. The number stored in the camera is normally the file number assigned to the file when the last image was taken, but can be modified as long as the number is based on the file number assigned to the file when the image was last taken. With this serial number method, the serial number is assigned even if the recording destination is changed to another folder or to another recording medium. There are advantages that are easy to understand.

  The other is a method of managing according to the number used on the recording medium (hereinafter referred to as auto-reset method), and is the largest file recorded on the recording medium (or folder) to be used. In this method, the number next to the number is used as the number of the captured image file. In the case of the auto-reset method, when the recording location such as another folder or another recording medium is changed, the number of the image file taken is the number next to the maximum file number used at that location. In the auto reset method, duplicate numbers in the recording medium (or folder) are avoided, and it is difficult to reach the upper limit value of the file number defined in the DCF standard compared to the serial number method. However, duplication of file numbers occurs between different recording media.

  On the other hand, some imaging devices such as cameras have a multiple composite photographing function. In the multiple composition shooting, there is also a camera having a function of canceling an image that has failed during the multiple composition shooting, while combining a plurality of image data obtained by shooting multiple times. In addition, a technique for recording not only a multiplex composite image but also a material image on a recording medium is disclosed in the multiplex composite shooting.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses control in which a camera having a multiple exposure function records an image file obtained by synthesizing image data captured a plurality of times and an image serving as a material for each shooting as an image file on a recording medium. .

JP 2006-352229 A

However, there is a problem that the file number does not become a sequential number when a failed image is canceled in the middle of the multiple composition shooting that is set to the serial number method and records the material image. The user is more easily managed when the material image and the composite image that have undergone multiple composite shooting are serial numbers.
In the present invention, in view of the above-described problems, the material image file and the multiple composite file number are automatically serialized even if the intermediate image is set in the serial number system and the failed image is canceled in the middle. The purpose is to be.

An imaging control apparatus according to the present invention is generated by an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and generates image data, a normal imaging mode that sequentially stores image data generated by the imaging unit in a recording medium, and the imaging unit. A plurality of image data in order, and a plurality of image data storage means for combining the plurality of image data and storing them in a recording medium, and storing the image data in the recording medium by the image data storage means Undo and file name generation means for applying a file number to the image data to be in the multiple composite shooting mode, delete the image data stored in said image data storage means, a multi-polymer formed using the image data has been deleted and a canceling means for, the file name generation unit, the file number given to the last captured image file When憶to keep serial number scheme to create a single summed file number the number that is the stored in the next shooting is set, if the is changed from the normal mode to the multiple combined image capturing mode The file name generation means is changed to an auto-reset method in which the number next to the largest file number among the files recorded on the recording medium is the number of the captured image file. When returning to the normal photographing mode, the serial number system is restored.

According to the present invention, the file number is automatically assigned even in the case of canceling a material image in the middle of multiple composite shooting that is set to a serial number system and records a material image. Can be easily.
In addition, according to another feature of the present invention, even when a failed image is canceled in the middle of multiple composition shooting, the material image file and the multiple composition file number can be automatically serialized.

It is a block diagram explaining the example of a structure of this invention. 3 is a flowchart of multiple composite shooting control according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a folder / file structure. It is a camera folder / file number control flowchart at the time of starting. It is a flowchart of the multiple composite imaging | photography control in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the multiple composite imaging | photography control in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image of the preview screen after the multiple composite imaging | photography of this invention.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an imaging control apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a digital camera body for photographing a subject. The digital camera of the present embodiment includes a normal shooting mode in which generated image data is stored in order on a recording medium, and a multiple composite shooting mode in which a plurality of image data generated by an imaging unit is combined and stored in a recording medium. Save the image data with. A power source 110 supplies power to each circuit in the digital camera body 100.

  A card slot 120 and a memory card (detachable recording medium) 121 can be inserted. With the memory card 121 inserted in the card slot 120, the memory card 121 is electrically connected to the card input / output unit 119. In this embodiment, the memory card 121 is employed as a recording medium. However, other recording media such as a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk, and other solid-state memories may be used.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes a focusing lens that adjusts the focus by moving back and forth in the optical axis direction. Reference numeral 103 denotes an aperture for adjusting the amount of light to the image sensor. The focusing lens 101 and the diaphragm 103 constitute an imaging optical system and are controlled by the CPU 109.

  The image sensor 104 is an element having a photoelectric conversion function configured by a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. The image sensor 104 photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the imaging optical system including the focusing lenses 101 to 103 and outputs an image signal. The preprocessing circuit 105 includes a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit, an AGC (auto gain control) circuit, and the like, and removes noise from the output image signal of the image sensor 104 and controls the gain. The image sensor 104 has an electronic shutter function and can adjust the exposure time. Further, instead of the electronic shutter function, it may be configured to have a mechanical shutter and adjust the exposure time.

  The A / D converter 106 converts the analog image signal output from the preprocessing circuit 105 into a digital image signal. The image signal processing device 107 performs known image signal processing such as shading correction on the digital image signal by a camera. In other words, the image signal processing device 107 corrects the non-linearity of the image density caused by the characteristics of the image sensor 104 and the image color bias caused by the light source. The frame memory 108 functions as a buffer memory that temporarily stores image signals generated by the image sensor 104 to the image signal processing device 107.

  Although the image data stored in the frame memory 108 has been subjected to correction processing or the like, it can be considered that the charge energy accumulated in each pixel of the image sensor 104 is directly converted into digital data. Hereinafter, the image data stored in the frame memory 108 is referred to as RAW data. A parameter relating to the image quality of the RAW data image is referred to as an imaging parameter. Here, the imaging parameters include Av, Tv, and ISO, which are set values of the diaphragm 103.

  A portion including the image sensor 104 to the frame memory 108 is a photoelectric conversion system that converts an optical image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system into a digital image signal or image data.

  The CPU 109 that controls the whole includes a power source 110, a nonvolatile memory 111, a development processing unit 112, a RAM memory 113, a display control device 114, a main switch 116, a first release switch 117, a second release switch 118, and operation buttons 140 to 140. 142. Further, a development parameter change button 143, an Av change dial 144, a Tv change dial 145, an ISO change dial 146, and a card input / output unit 119 are connected. The CPU 109 transmits a clock signal for controlling the image signal reading of the image sensor 104 and controls the operation timing of the image sensor 104 to the frame memory 108.

  The nonvolatile memory 111 is composed of an EEPROM or the like, and does not lose recorded data even when the power supply 110 is turned off. The non-volatile memory 111 stores initial camera setting values that are set in the camera when the power source 110 is turned on.

  The development processing unit 112 performs image processing on the RAW data on the frame memory 108 read by the CPU 109 based on the development parameter setting. Each image data that has undergone image processing is stored in the RAM memory 113. Development parameters are parameters related to the image quality of digital image data. Parameters related to white balance, color interpolation, color correction, γ conversion, edge enhancement, resolution, recording method, and compression rate of digital image data are all equivalent to development parameters. To do.

  As a recording method, a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format and a RAW format can be selected. In the JPEG format, irreversible compression processing by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) is performed on RAW data to reduce the file size capacity. Increasing the compression rate can reduce the file size capacity, but the image quality deteriorates.

  On the other hand, the RAW format performs lossless compression (reversible compression) on RAW data to reduce the file size capacity. Since the RAW format is lossless compression, the file size capacity can be reduced without missing image information, but it cannot be as small as the JPEG format. The development processing unit can also change the raw data to an image format for display by performing arbitrary adjustment processing (re-development). Therefore, in the RAW format, development parameters at the time of photographing can be added and used as parameters at the time of redevelopment. Hereinafter, processing for adjusting (changing) the image quality of digital image data using one or more development parameters is referred to as development processing.

  The RAM memory 113 temporarily stores data when the CPU 109 performs various processes in addition to the image data of the development processing result. The display control device 114 drives and controls the TFT 115 composed of a liquid crystal display element. Image data arranged in the RAM memory 113 in a display image format is output to each display device.

  When the user turns on the main switch 116, the CPU 109 executes a predetermined program. When the main switch 116 is turned off, a predetermined program is executed and the camera is set to the standby mode. The first release switch 117 is turned on by the first stroke (half-pressed state) of the release button, and the second release switch 118 is turned on by the second stroke (full-pressed state) of the release button.

  The CPU 109 also performs control according to the pressing of the left selection button 140, the right selection button 141, and the setting button 142 and the operating state of the digital camera. For example, if the operation state of the digital camera is the playback state, the previous image data is displayed with the left selection button 140 and the next image data is displayed with the right selection button 141.

  Development parameters can be checked and set with a graphical user interface by menu operation. Also, ON / OFF of the multiple composite shooting function can be confirmed and set with a graphical user interface by a menu operation.

  The card input / output unit 119 can transmit commands to the memory card 121 inserted into the card slot 120, and can transmit / receive various data to / from the memory card 121. Further, the card input / output unit 119 can detect insertion / removal of a memory card, and stores a memory card insertion / removal history (hereinafter, insertion / removal history) in the nonvolatile memory 111. The memory card 121 has a function of recording or storing a compressed image signal, and includes a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

  The CPU 109 controls the card input / output unit 119 according to the file format of the JEIDA DCF standard and the Exif standard and records the image data on which the image processing on the RAM memory 113 has been performed on the memory card 121 inserted into the card slot 120. To do. The DCF standard is (Design rule for Camera File system). The Exif standard is (Exchangeable Image File Format).

  The Exif standard file can record the camera information at the time of image capturing with a digital camera in the same file as the image data in the tag format. Exif camera information includes, for example, an aperture value (AV) tag, a shutter speed (TV) tag, and a brightness value (BrightnessValue, hereinafter referred to as Bv) tag as camera information relating to brightness at the time of shooting. Further, the aperture value (Av), the shutter speed (Tv), and the luminance value (Bv) are described in terms of APEX (Additive System of Photographic Exposure) units. In addition, there is a manufacturer note tag, and each digital camera manufacturer can add unique image information.

  The CPU 109 determines the file path and file name of the recording destination according to the DCF standard, and records the image file on the RAM memory 113 on the memory card 121 inserted into the card slot 120 by controlling the card input / output unit 119. In the DCF standard, there is a “DCIM” folder at the root. Below the “DCIM” folder, there is a folder named by “three-digit number (hereinafter, folder number) +5 characters”, and can be composed of 900 folders from 100 to 999.

  In FIG. 3, the folder is composed of five folders “100XXXXX”, “102XXXXX”, “345XXXXX”, “346XXXXX”, and “451XXXXX”. Below the folder of “Folder number + 5 characters”, there is an image file named “4 characters + 4 digits (hereinafter referred to as file number) .Extension”, which consists of 9999 files from 0001 to 9999. Can do.

  The setting value of the file number setting (serial number method / auto reset method) is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 111 as a camera setting value. Also, the folder number (hereinafter referred to as camera folder number) and the file number (hereinafter referred to as camera file number) in which the images are finally stored in order are also recorded in the nonvolatile memory 111 as camera setting values. The file name is determined by incrementing the file number by 1 for each shooting. For example, when four characters for a file name are “IMG_” and the camera file number is 0010, when JPEG shooting is performed, the camera file number is 0011 and the file name is “IMG_0011.JPG”.

  In the case of the serial number method, the recording medium may be replaced with a recording medium having a larger number than the camera file number stored in the nonvolatile memory 111 in the camera. In such a case, the camera updates the camera file number stored in the nonvolatile memory 111 with the maximum file number recorded on the recording medium at the time of activation. Therefore, the file number is created by adding (incrementing) the camera file number saved before the exchange, and it is prevented from overlapping with the file number of the image recorded on the recording medium after the exchange. ing.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, a flowchart illustrating the operation of determining the camera folder number and the camera file number when the camera is activated will be described.
When the process is started in S400 of FIG. 4, next, in S401, it is determined from the insertion / extraction history whether the recording medium has been inserted or removed. If the recording medium is inserted / removed, the process proceeds to S402, and if not, the process proceeds to S407 and the process is terminated.

  In S402, the camera folder number is set to the maximum folder number in the DCF standard existing on the recording medium, and the process proceeds to S403. In S403, the maximum file number in the DCF standard existing in the folder corresponding to the camera folder number is stored in the RAM memory 113, and the process proceeds to S404. In S404, if the file number setting is auto-reset, the process proceeds to S406, and if it is a serial number system, the process proceeds to S405.

  In S405, if the maximum file number is larger than the camera file number, the process proceeds to S406, and if not, the process proceeds to S407 and the process is terminated. In S406, the camera file number stored in the nonvolatile memory 111 is updated with the maximum file number stored in the RAM memory 113, and the process proceeds to S407 and the process is terminated.

  With the above operation, for example, when the recording medium is replaced with a reformatted recording medium and the file number setting is a serial number system, the camera file number is inherited. When the file number setting is auto reset, the camera file number becomes 0000 and is reset. Also, the processing from S403 to S406 (hereinafter, camera file number update operation) updates the camera file number even when it is not started. For example, when there is a change in the maximum file number in the folder corresponding to the camera folder number, such as when a folder is changed or when a file is deleted, the camera file number is updated.

  When the second release switch 118 is turned on, the CPU 109 starts shooting with the imaging parameters at that time. Then, the RAW data on the frame memory 108 is developed by the development processing unit 112 using the development parameters for saving, placed in the RAM memory 113, an Exif standard file is generated, and then passed through the card input / output unit 119. Save to the memory card 121.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, a flowchart illustrating a multiple composite shooting operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the following explanation will be made assuming that the file number setting is a serial number method, the maximum file number of the folder corresponding to the camera folder number is 0001, and the camera file number is 0010.

  When the multiple shooting process is started in S200, the file number setting (serial number system) is stored in the RAM memory 113 in S201, and the process proceeds to S202. In S202, the file number setting is set to auto reset, and the process proceeds to S203.

  In S203, it is determined whether or not the second release switch 118 is on. If it is on, the process proceeds to S204, and if it is off, the process proceeds to S207. In S <b> 204, material image data (described later) is copied to the RAM memory 113 if it is the first effective multiple composite shooting. Hereinafter, an image that has been multiplexed and synthesized in the image data area of the copy destination is constructed, and hence this is referred to as multiplexed synthesized image data.

  If effective multiple composite shooting is performed for the second time or later, image combination processing is performed using the multiple composite image data in the RAM memory 113 and the material image data obtained each time shooting is performed in S204. Then, the multiple composite image data is updated, and the multiple composite image data is recorded in the RAM memory 113 again. Here, the effective number of times of multiple composite shooting is the number of times obtained by subtracting the number of cancellations from the number of shooting after the start of multiple composite shooting.

  In step S205, the multiple composite image combined in step S204 is previewed on the display control device 114. When effective multiple composite shooting is performed only once, the composite image data equivalent to the first material image data is previewed on the display controller 114. If effective multiple composite shooting has been performed twice or more, the display control device 114 displays a preview of the multiple composite image generated in S204 using the multiple composite data and the most recent effective material data.

  In step S206, a file (hereinafter referred to as a material image file) is also generated for each image before composition processing, which is a material for multiple composition processing, and recorded on a recording medium in the same manner as in normal photographing. Then, it progresses to S203. Note that the image data of the material image file (hereinafter referred to as material image data) stored in the RAM memory 113 is retained for use in the multiple composition processing in the subsequent process. In the present embodiment, the file number of the material image file generated at the beginning of the multiple composite shooting is 0011.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S203 that the second release switch 118 is not on, a button display image 715 indicating an instruction to end multiple composite shooting and a button display image 715 indicating a cancel instruction are displayed in S207 (FIG. 7 (a)). Next, the process proceeds to S208, where it is determined whether or not multiple shooting is to be ended. However, if no effective multiple composite shooting has been performed at the stage of S207, the process proceeds to S213 without performing the display of FIG.

  If the user confirms the preview display and determines that the multiple composite shooting is to be terminated, in S207, the multiple composite shooting is instructed using the graphical user interface of FIG. In S208, this multi-composite shooting end instruction is received, and the process proceeds to step S209.

  In S209, in the case where the effective multiple composite shooting has been performed only once, the process proceeds to S211 without newly generating a multiple composite image. If effective multiple composite shooting has been performed twice or more, the process proceeds to S210, where image composite processing is performed using the multiple composite image data and the material image data, and the multiple composite image data is updated. After that, a file based on the multiple composite image data (hereinafter referred to as multiple composite image file) is generated and recorded on the recording medium, and the process proceeds to S211. The file number of the multiple composite image file recorded in S210 is assigned a file name generation process in which a number subsequent to the file number assigned to the material image data is assigned based on the camera file number stored in the nonvolatile memory 111. Is done. In the file name generation process, the file number is determined by the serial number method when operating in the normal shooting mode. When changing to the multiple composite shooting mode, the file number is determined by the auto reset method. Further, when returning from the multiple composite shooting mode to the normal shooting mode, the file number is determined by returning to the serial number system.

  In S211, the file number setting (in this case, the serial number method) stored in S201 is set as the file number setting, and the process proceeds to S212 to complete the multiple composite shooting.

  On the other hand, if the multiple composite shooting end instruction is not received in S208, the process proceeds to S213, and it is determined whether a cancel instruction is received through the graphical user interface. When the user determines that the preview display content is unsuccessful in the display of FIG. 7A and performs cancel processing, in S213, the cancel instruction is received from the graphical user interface, and the process proceeds to S214. If no cancel instruction is received, the process proceeds to S203.

  In S214, the latest material image data is deleted from the RAM memory 113, and the material image file is deleted from the recording medium, and the process proceeds to S203. Here, if the first shooting is not canceled but canceled after the second shooting, the material image file with the file number 0012 is deleted.

  Further, the camera file number update operation is performed by deleting the material image file. Here, since the file number setting is the auto-reset method, the camera file number becomes 0011 which is the maximum file number. Therefore, when the image is taken again, the material image file with the file number 0012 is recorded, so that even if cancelled, the file number cannot be lost.

  When the cancel process is performed in S214, as shown in FIG. 7B, the button indicating the cancel instruction is not displayed on the graphical user interface, and the button display image 716 indicating the end of multiplexing is displayed. Therefore, in the determination of S213, the process always proceeds to S203. In addition, as the content of the preview when the cancel instruction button is not displayed, the multiple composite image data used before photographing the canceled image is used.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when shooting is performed four times and the first and third shootings are canceled, files with the file numbers 0011 and 0012 are recorded as material image files. In addition, a file with the file number 0013 is recorded as a multiple composite image file.

  Conventionally, files with the file numbers 0012 and 0014 are recorded as material image files, and the file with the file number 0015 is recorded as a multiple composite image file, resulting in missing numbers. As a result of the first embodiment, the user can easily manage the material image file and the multiple composite image file for multiple composite shooting because they are serial numbers.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the file number setting is the serial number method, the maximum file number of the camera folder number is 0001, and the camera file number is 0010. In this case, when the multiple composite shooting is started, the file number of the material image file corresponding to the first shooting is 0002. Since the user sets the serial number method as the file number setting, the user does not assume the change of the file number in such a case, which causes confusion. In the second embodiment of the present invention, in order to solve this problem, the following processing is performed. That is, the file number of the first image in the multiple composite shooting mode is determined by the serial number method. Then, after determining the number of times of shooting and determining that the effective multiple composite shooting in the multiple composite shooting mode is the second time, the file number is determined by the auto reset method.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, a flowchart illustrating a multiple composite shooting operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the following explanation will be made assuming that the file number setting is a serial number method, the maximum file number of the folder corresponding to the camera folder number is 0001, and the camera file number is 0010.

  When the process is started in S500 of FIG. 5, it is next determined in S501 whether or not the second release switch 118 is on. If it is on, the process proceeds to S502, and if it is off, the process proceeds to S508. In S502, it is determined whether or not this is the second effective multi-synthesis shooting. If it is the second time, the process proceeds to S503, and if it is not the second time, the process proceeds to S505. In S503, the file number setting (serial number system) is stored in the RAM memory 113, and the process proceeds to S504. In S504, the file number setting is set to auto reset, and the process proceeds to S505.

  In S505, multiple composition processing is performed to update multiple composite image data. In the present embodiment, the material image data is copied to the RAM memory 113 in the first effective multi-synthesis shooting. If effective multiple composite shooting is performed for the second time or later, image composite processing is performed using the multiple composite image data and the material image data, and the multiple composite image data is updated. Here, the effective number of times of multiple composite shooting is the number of times obtained by subtracting the number of cancellations from the number of shooting after the start of multiple composite shooting.

In S506, when the combining process is performed in S505, a multiple composite image is previewed on the display control device 114. If the effective multiple composite shooting has been performed only once, the multiple composite image data equivalent to the first material image data is displayed on the display controller 114 as a preview. If effective multiple composite shooting has been performed twice or more, a multiple composite image obtained by combining multiple composite data and effective latest material data is displayed on the display controller 114 as a preview.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to S507.

  In step S507, a material image file is generated for each image before the composition process, which is a material for the multiple composition process, and is recorded on a recording medium in the same manner as the normal photographing. Thereafter, the process proceeds to 501. Note that the material image data in the RAM memory 113 is retained for use in the subsequent multi-synthesis processing. In the present embodiment, the file number of the material image file generated at the beginning of the multiple composite shooting is 0011.

  If the second release switch 118 is off in S501, the process proceeds to S508. In step S508, a button display indicating an instruction to end multiple composite shooting and a button display image 715 indicating a cancel instruction are displayed (FIG. 7A). If the user confirms the preview display and determines that the multiple composite shooting is to be ended, in S509, the end of the multiple composite shooting is instructed using the graphical user interface of FIG. In S509, upon receiving the instruction to end the multiple composite shooting, the process proceeds to S510.

  In S510, it is determined whether or not effective multiple composite shooting has been performed only once. If it has been performed only once, the process proceeds to S512 without newly generating a multiple composite image. If an effective multiple composite image has been performed more than once, the process proceeds to S511, where image composite processing is performed with the multiple composite image data and material data, the multiple composite image is updated, and then a multiple composite image file is generated. The data is recorded on the recording medium, and then the process proceeds to S512.

  In S512, the file number setting (here, the serial number method) stored in S503 is set as the file number, the process proceeds to S513, and the multiple composition process is terminated. In S512, if the process does not go through S503, the process proceeds to S513 with the file number setting being the serial number method, and the multiple composition process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S509 that no multiple composite shooting end instruction has been received, it is determined in S514 whether a cancel instruction has been received through the graphical user interface. When the user determines that the preview display content is unsuccessful in the display of FIG. 7A and performs cancel processing, in S514, the cancel instruction is accepted by the graphical user interface, and the process proceeds to S515. If no cancel instruction is received, the process proceeds to S501.

In S515, the latest material image data is deleted from the RAM memory 113, and the material image file is deleted from the recording medium, and the process proceeds to S501. When cancel processing is performed in S515, a button indicating a cancel instruction is not displayed on the graphical user interface in S508 (FIG. 7B). Therefore, in S514, the process always proceeds to S501. In addition, the content of the preview when the cancel instruction button is not displayed is
The multiple composite image data used before photographing the canceled image is used.

  In the second embodiment described above, when multiple composite shooting is started under the following conditions, the file number of the material image file corresponding to the first shooting is 0011 (0002 in the first embodiment). .

  In the second embodiment described above, in addition to the advantage that the material image file and the multiple composite image file for multiple composite shooting are serial numbers, it is possible to avoid operations that are not assumed by the user.

(Third embodiment)
In the second embodiment, when the multiple composite shooting is started with the file number setting as the serial number method and the camera file number as 0010, when the material image corresponding to the first shooting is canceled, the next shooting file number is 0012. turn into. That is, if the file number is advanced even though the file is canceled, a finite file number is consumed, which is disadvantageous for the user. The third embodiment of the present invention solves this problem.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a flowchart illustrating a multiple composite shooting operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the following explanation will be made assuming that the file number setting is the serial number method, the maximum file number of the folder corresponding to the camera folder number is 0001, and the camera file number is 0010.

  In the present embodiment, a process (S6011) is added between S200 and S201 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment. Further, since only the process (S6111) is added between S214 and S203, in FIG. 6, the same step numbers as those in the flowchart of FIG. I will explain it.

  When the process is started in S200 of FIG. 6, the process proceeds to S6011. In step S6011, a camera file number storage process is performed in which the camera file number is stored in the recording medium as the lower limit camera file number. Specifically, the camera file number 0010 is stored in the RAM memory 113 and saved. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S201. Hereinafter, the camera file number stored in S6011 is referred to as a lower limit camera file number. The processing from S201 to S214 is the same as the corresponding processing from S201 to S213 in the first embodiment.

  In S214, the latest material image data is deleted from the RAM memory 113, and the material image file is deleted from the recording medium, and the process advances to S6111. Here, the camera file number update operation is performed by being deleted. Furthermore, when the first shooting is canceled, the camera file number is 0001 because the file number setting is auto-reset in S202.

  When cancel processing is performed in S214, a button indicating a cancel instruction is not displayed on the graphical user interface in S207. Therefore, in S213, the process always proceeds to S203.

  In S6111, the lower limit camera file number stored in the RAM memory 113 in S6011 is compared with the camera file number. If the camera file number is smaller than the lower limit camera file number, camera number correction processing is performed to correct the camera file number to the lower limit camera file number. Here, the camera file number is corrected from 0001 to 0010. Following S6111, the process of S203 is performed.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, when multiple composite shooting is started under the following conditions, the file number of the material image file when further shooting is performed after canceling the first shooting is 0011 (first In the second embodiment, it is 0012). Thereby, useless consumption of file numbers can be prevented.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (computer program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various computer-readable storage media. Then, the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera body, 101 Focusing lens, 102 Zooming lens, 103 Aperture, 104 Image sensor, 105 Preprocessing circuit, 106 A / D converter, 107 Image signal processing device, 108 Frame memory, 109 CPU, 110 Power supply, 111 Non-volatile Memory, 112 Development processing unit, 113 RAM memory, 114 Display control device, 115 TFT, 116 Main switch, 117 First release switch, 118 Second release switch, 119 Card input / output unit, 120 card slot, 121 Memory card, 140 Left selection button, 141 Right selection button, 142 Setting button, 143 Development parameter change button, 144 Av change dial, 145 Tv change dial, 146 ISO change dial

Claims (9)

Imaging means for imaging a subject and generating image data;
A normal shooting mode in which the image data generated by the imaging unit is stored in order on a recording medium, and a plurality of image data generated by the imaging unit are stored in order, and the plurality of image data are combined and recorded. Image data storage means having a multiple composite shooting mode stored in a medium;
File name generation means for assigning a file number to the image data stored in the recording medium by the image data storage means;
In the multiple composite shooting mode, and cancellation means for deleting the image data stored in said image data storage means, cancel multiple polymerization forming using the image data has been deleted,
Have
A serial number method is set in which the file name generation unit stores a file number assigned to the last image file taken and creates a file number by adding one to the stored number at the next shooting . When the mode is changed from the normal shooting mode to the multiple composite shooting mode, the file name generation unit shot the next number of the largest file number among the files recorded on the recording medium. An imaging control apparatus that is changed to an auto-reset system that uses an image file number and returns to the serial number system when returning from the multiple composite imaging mode to the normal imaging mode. Imaging means for imaging a subject and generating image data;
A normal shooting mode in which the image data generated by the imaging unit is stored in order on a recording medium, and a plurality of image data generated by the imaging unit are stored in order, and the plurality of image data are combined and recorded. Image data storage means having a multiple composite shooting mode stored in a medium;
File name generation means for assigning a file number to the image data stored in the recording medium by the image data storage means;
In the multiple composite shooting mode, the image data stored in the image data storage unit is deleted, canceling unit for canceling the multiple composite using the deleted image data ,
Photographing number judging means for judging the number of effective multiple composite photographing in the multiple composite photographing mode,
The file name generation means determines the file number of the first image in the multiple composite shooting mode by a serial number method, and the number-of-shoots determination means performs 2 effective multiple composite shooting in the multiple composite shooting mode. An imaging control apparatus characterized by determining a file number by an auto-reset method after determining that the time is after the first time. Imaging means for imaging a subject and generating image data;
A normal shooting mode in which the image data generated by the imaging unit is stored in order on a recording medium, and a plurality of image data generated by the imaging unit are stored in order, and the plurality of image data are combined and recorded. Image data storage means having a multiple composite shooting mode stored in a medium;
When operating in the normal shooting mode, the file number is determined by the serial number method, and when changing to the multiple composite shooting mode, the file number is determined by the auto reset method, and the normal shooting mode is changed from the multiple composite shooting mode. said back to serial mode, the file name generation means for applying a file number to the image data stored in the recording medium by the image data storing means when you return to,
In the multiple composite shooting mode, the image data stored in the image data storage unit is deleted, canceling unit for canceling the multiple composite using the deleted image data ,
Camera file number storage means for storing the camera file number given by the file name generation means in a recording medium as a lower limit camera file number;
The lower limit camera file number stored in the recording medium by the camera file number storage means is compared with the camera file number. If the camera file number is smaller than the lower limit camera file number, the camera file number is set to the lower limit camera file number. And a camera number correcting means for correcting the number. An imaging step of imaging a subject and generating image data;
A normal shooting mode in which the image data generated in the imaging process is stored in order on a recording medium, and a plurality of image data generated in the imaging process are stored in order, and the plurality of image data are combined and recorded. An image data storage step having a multiple composite shooting mode to be stored in a medium;
A file name generation step of assigning a file number to the image data stored in the recording medium in the image data storage step;
In the multiple composition shooting mode, the image data stored in the image data storage step is deleted, a cancellation step of canceling the multiple composition using the deleted image data ,
Have
A serial number method is set in which the file name generation step stores the file number assigned to the last image file taken and creates a file number by adding one to the stored number at the time of the next shooting . When the normal shooting mode is changed to the multiple composite shooting mode, the file name generation step shots the number next to the largest file number among the files recorded on the recording medium. The photographing control method is changed to the auto-reset method in which the image file number is used, and returns to the serial number method when returning from the multiple composite photographing mode to the normal photographing mode. An imaging step of imaging a subject and generating image data;
A normal shooting mode in which the image data generated in the imaging process is stored in order on a recording medium, and a plurality of image data generated in the imaging process are stored in order, and the plurality of image data are combined and recorded. An image data storage step having a multiple composite shooting mode to be stored in a medium;
A file name generation step of assigning a file number to the image data stored in the recording medium in the image data storage step;
In the multiple composition shooting mode, the image data stored in the image data storage step is deleted, a cancellation step of canceling the multiple composition using the deleted image data ,
A number-of-shoots determination step for determining the number of effective multiple composite shots in the multiple composite shooting mode,
In the file name generation step, the file number of the first image in the multiple composite shooting mode is determined by a serial number method, and the number of shooting determination step performs effective multiple composite shooting in the multiple composite shooting mode. An imaging control method, comprising: determining a file number by an auto-reset method after determining that it is the second time or later. An imaging step of imaging a subject and generating image data;
A normal shooting mode in which the image data generated in the imaging process is stored in order on a recording medium, and a plurality of image data generated in the imaging process are stored in order, and the plurality of image data are combined and recorded. An image data storage step having a multiple composite shooting mode to be stored in a medium;
When operating in the normal shooting mode, the file number is determined by the serial number method, and when changing to the multiple composite shooting mode, the file number is determined by the auto reset method, and the normal shooting mode is changed from the multiple composite shooting mode. said back to serial mode, the file name generation step of providing the file number in the image data stored in the recording medium in the image data storage step when you return to,
In the multiple composition shooting mode, the image data stored in the image data storage step is deleted, a cancellation step of canceling the multiple composition using the deleted image data ,
A camera file number storing step of storing the camera file number assigned in the file name generation step as a lower limit camera file number in a recording medium;
In the camera file number storage step, the lower limit camera file number stored in the recording medium is compared with the camera file number. If the camera file number is smaller than the lower limit camera file number, the camera file number is set to the lower limit camera file number. And a camera number correcting step for correcting the number. An imaging step of imaging a subject and generating image data;
A normal shooting mode in which the image data generated in the imaging process is stored in order on a recording medium, and a plurality of image data generated in the imaging process are stored in order, and the plurality of image data are combined and recorded. An image data storage step having a multiple composite shooting mode to be stored in a medium;
A file name generation step of assigning a file number to the image data stored in the recording medium in the image data storage step;
In the multiple composition shooting mode, the image data stored in the image data storage step is deleted, a cancellation step of canceling the multiple composition using the deleted image data ,
A program for causing a computer to execute
A serial number method is set in which the file name generation step stores the file number assigned to the last image file taken and creates a file number by adding one to the stored number at the time of the next shooting . When the normal shooting mode is changed to the multiple composite shooting mode, the file name generation step shots the number next to the largest file number among the files recorded on the recording medium. The program is changed to an auto-reset method that uses an image file number, and controls the computer to return to the serial number method when returning from the multiple composite shooting mode to the normal shooting mode. An imaging step of imaging a subject and generating image data;
A normal shooting mode in which the image data generated in the imaging process is stored in order on a recording medium, and a plurality of image data generated in the imaging process are stored in order, and the plurality of image data are combined and recorded. An image data storage step having a multiple composite shooting mode to be stored in a medium;
A file name generation step of assigning a file number to the image data stored in the recording medium in the image data storage step;
In the multiple composition shooting mode, the image data stored in the image data storage step is deleted, a cancellation step of canceling the multiple composition using the deleted image data ,
A program that causes a computer to execute a shooting number determination step of determining the number of times of effective multiple composite shooting in the multiple composite shooting mode,
In the file name generation step, the file number of the first image in the multiple composite shooting mode is determined by a serial number method, and the number of shooting determination step performs effective multiple composite shooting in the multiple composite shooting mode. A program for controlling a computer to determine a file number by an auto-reset method after determining that it is the second time or later. An imaging step of imaging a subject and generating image data;
A normal shooting mode in which the image data generated in the imaging process is stored in order on a recording medium, and a plurality of image data generated in the imaging process are stored in order, and the plurality of image data are combined and recorded. An image data storage step having a multiple composite shooting mode to be stored in a medium;
When operating in the normal shooting mode, the file number is determined by the serial number method, and when changing to the multiple composite shooting mode, the file number is determined by the auto reset method, and the normal shooting mode is changed from the multiple composite shooting mode. said back to serial mode, the file name generation step of providing the file number in the image data stored in the recording medium in the image data storage step when you return to,
In the multiple composition shooting mode, the image data stored in the image data storage step is deleted, a cancellation step of canceling the multiple composition using the deleted image data ,
A camera file number storing step of storing the camera file number assigned in the file name generation step as a lower limit camera file number in a recording medium;
In the camera file number storage step, the lower limit camera file number stored in the recording medium is compared with the camera file number. If the camera file number is smaller than the lower limit camera file number, the camera file number is set to the lower limit camera file number. A program for causing a computer to execute a camera number correction step of correcting a number.

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