JP5976422B2 - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly to an electronic camera that acquires a plurality of images continuously.

  An example of this type of camera is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to this background art, the imaging means continuously captures a plurality of images and acquires a plurality of image data. The control unit selects one image data from the acquired plurality of image data, and records the selected image data and the remaining image data as one image file.

International Publication No. 2008/087914

  However, in the background art, when acquiring a plurality of images having a common angle of view and different qualities, a new shutter operation is required every time the imaging setting is changed. It is also necessary to adjust the angle of view so that it is in common with time. Therefore, an advanced and complicated operation is required and the operability may be lowered.

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

  The electronic camera according to the present invention (10: reference numeral corresponding to the embodiment; the same applies hereinafter) includes K imaging units (16) for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging plane (K: an integer of 3 or more). ) For outputting the menu for guiding the imaging mode (S1), a first selection operation for selecting the desired L imaging modes (L: an integer not less than 2 and not more than K) from the K imaging modes. First receiving means (S3) for receiving the image in relation to the processing of the output means, acquiring means (S39 to S41) for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means in response to an image acquisition instruction after the first selection operation, and first A creation unit (S43) is provided that performs L processes corresponding to the L imaging modes selected by one selection operation on the electronic image acquired by the acquisition unit to generate L processed images.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes issuing means (S51) for issuing an image acquisition instruction corresponding to a specific imaging mode that requires acquisition of a new electronic image among the L imaging modes, and the acquisition means is a setting corresponding to the specific imaging mode. Execute the process.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes second receiving means (S21 to S23) for receiving a second selection operation for selecting any one of a plurality of acquisition modes each defining an order of L processes. The L processes are executed in the order according to the acquisition mode selected by the selection operation.

  More preferably, one of the plurality of acquisition modes corresponds to a mode that prioritizes processing time, and the other one of the plurality of acquisition modes corresponds to a mode that prioritizes the selection order by the first selection operation.

  More preferably, the mode that prioritizes the processing time corresponds to a mode that prioritizes the reduction in the number of executions of the processing of the acquisition means.

  The image generation program according to the present invention provides K (K: an integer greater than or equal to 3) to the processor (26) of the electronic camera (10) including the imaging means (16) for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging plane. ) Output step (S1) for outputting a menu for guiding the imaging mode, and a first selection operation for selecting a desired L imaging modes (L: an integer not less than 2 and not more than K) from K imaging modes. A first receiving step (S3) for receiving the image in association with the processing of the output step, an acquiring step (S39 to S41) for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means in response to an image acquisition instruction after the first selection operation, and For executing the creation step (S43) of performing L processes corresponding to the L imaging modes selected by one selection operation on the electronic image obtained by the obtaining step to create L processed images. , Image generation program Lamb.

  An external control program according to the present invention includes an imaging means (16) for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on an imaging surface, and a processor (26) for executing processing according to an internal control program stored in a memory (44). An output step (S1) for outputting a menu for guiding K (K: an integer of 3 or more) imaging modes, which is an external control program supplied to the electronic camera (10) provided, and desired L (L: A first acceptance step (S3) for accepting a first selection operation for selecting an imaging mode of 2 or more and an integer less than or equal to K from among the K imaging modes in association with the processing of the output step, after the first selection operation An acquisition step (S39 to S41) for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means in response to the image acquisition instruction, and L processes corresponding to the L imaging modes selected by the first selection operation. By For execution by the processor in cooperation with the internal control program creation step (S43) to be performed on the acquired electronic images to create a L-number of processed images, an external control program.

  When a desired L imaging modes are selected by the first selection operation and an image acquisition operation is performed thereafter, an electronic image is acquired from the imaging means, and L processes corresponding to the L imaging modes are acquired. The processed electronic image is applied to create L processed images.

  By selecting the L imaging modes in response to the first selection operation, the degree of freedom of the quality of the processed image is ensured. Further, by creating the L processed images in response to the image acquisition operation, the angle of view and / or the subject shift between the processed images is suppressed. In this way, operability is improved.

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

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of this invention. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of a structure of the table applied to the FIG. 2 Example. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of an imaging | photography mode list screen. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of a structure of the other table applied to the FIG. 2 Example. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of an acquisition order selection screen. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a configuration of a register applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a mapping state of an SDRAM applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the allocation state of the evaluation area in an imaging surface. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing still another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the other Example of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Basic configuration]

  Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic camera of this embodiment is basically configured as follows. The imaging unit 1 outputs an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging surface. The output unit 2 outputs a menu that guides K (K: an integer of 3 or more) imaging modes. The first accepting unit 3 accepts a first selection operation for selecting a desired L (L: integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to K) imaging modes from among the K imaging modes in relation to the processing of the output unit. . The acquisition unit 4 acquires an electronic image from the imaging unit in response to an image acquisition instruction after the first selection operation. The creation unit 5 creates L processed images by applying L processes corresponding to the L imaging modes selected by the first selection operation to the electronic image acquired by the acquisition unit.

  When a desired L imaging modes are selected by the first selection operation and an image acquisition operation is performed thereafter, an electronic image is acquired from the imaging means, and L processes corresponding to the L imaging modes are acquired. The processed electronic image is applied to create L processed images.

By selecting the L imaging modes in response to the first selection operation, the degree of freedom of the quality of the processed image is ensured. Further, by creating the L processed images in response to the image acquisition operation, the angle of view and / or the subject shift between the processed images is suppressed. In this way, operability is improved.
[Example]

  Referring to FIG. 2, when the digital camera 10 of this embodiment is activated, the CPU 26 activates a mode registration task or a multi-imaging task in accordance with the operation of the operator.

  In order to execute these tasks, a shooting mode table TBL1 shown in FIG. 3 is prepared. The shooting mode table TBL <b> 1 is a table for storing shooting mode names and shooting setting values, and is stored in the flash memory 44.

  In the mode registration task, a plurality of shooting modes desired by the operator used when shooting using the digital camera 10 are registered in advance by the operation of the operator. When such a mode registration task is activated, the CPU 26 reads the name of the shooting mode registered in the shooting mode table TBL1, and instructs the LCD driver 36 to display the shooting mode list screen. The LCD driver 36 drives the LCD monitor 38 based on the read name. As a result, the shooting mode list screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the LCD monitor 38.

  On the shooting mode list screen, a list of shooting modes that can be set when shooting with the digital camera 10 is displayed. The operator selects a plurality of shooting modes to be used during shooting from the displayed list of shooting modes through the key input device 28. The name of the selected shooting mode is distinguished from other shooting modes by changing the display color.

  When the end operation is performed through the key input device 28, the CPU 26 registers the selected photographing modes in the selection table TBL2 shown in FIG. 5 in the order of selection. The selection table TBL2 is stored in the flash memory 44.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the digital video camera 10 of this embodiment includes a focus lens 12 and an aperture unit 14 driven by drivers 18a and 18b, respectively. The optical image of the scene that has passed through these members is irradiated onto the imaging surface of the image sensor 16 driven by the driver 18c, and subjected to photoelectric conversion.

  In the multi-imaging task, a plurality of still image files are generated based on a plurality of shooting modes registered in the mode registration task. When such a multi-imaging task is activated, an acquisition order selection screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the LCD monitor 38. In the acquisition order selection screen, the operator selects, through the key input device 28, whether the acquisition of images based on a plurality of shooting modes registered in the mode registration task is executed according to the order of registration or the order of priority of processing time. It is a screen for.

  When the registration order is selected, the CPU 26 reads the registered content of the selection table TBL2 as it is into the register RGST1 shown in FIG.

  When the processing time priority order is selected, the CPU 26 sorts the order of the plurality of shooting modes registered in the selection table TBL2. When the raw image data captured according to any of the imaging modes registered in the selection table TBL2 can be used to generate an image according to another registered imaging mode, the number of times of capturing processing can be reduced. it can. Therefore, the entire processing time is shortened by continuously performing processing according to these photographing modes. The order of shooting modes is sorted so that two or more shooting modes are continuous. In this case, the sorted contents are read to the register RGST1.

  When the reading to the register RGST1 is completed, the CPU 26 instructs the driver 18c to repeat the exposure operation and the charge reading operation in order to execute the moving image capturing process. In response to a vertical synchronization signal Vsync periodically generated from an SG (Signal Generator) (not shown), the driver 18c exposes the imaging surface of the image sensor 16 and rasterizes charges generated on the imaging surface of the image sensor 16. Each is read in the scanning mode. From the image sensor 16, raw image data based on the read charges is periodically output.

  The preprocessing circuit 20 performs processing such as digital clamping, pixel defect correction, and gain control on the raw image data output from the image sensor 16. The raw image data subjected to these processes is written into the raw image area 32a (see FIG. 8) of the SDRAM 32 through the memory control circuit 30.

  The LCD driver 36 repeatedly reads out the raw image data stored in the raw image area 32a, reduces the read-out image data so as to match the resolution of the LCD monitor 38, and the LCD based on the reduced image data. The monitor 38 is driven. As a result, a real-time moving image (through image) representing the scene is displayed on the LCD monitor 38.

  When the shutter button 28sh is operated, under the multi-imaging task, the CPU 26 performs only capture processing and image processing or image processing according to the shooting mode registered in the register RGST1 in the shooting mode registered in the register RGST1. Repeat in order. Further, a recording process is executed every time image processing is completed.

  The capturing process is executed based on the imaging setting values registered in the imaging mode table TBL1. For example, when the shooting mode is “auto shooting”, one frame of raw image data is taken into the still image area 32 b (see FIG. 8) of the SDRAM 32 after execution of the AE process and the AF process. The AE process and the AF process are executed as follows.

  Referring to FIG. 9, an evaluation area EVA is assigned to the center of the imaging surface of image sensor 16. The evaluation area EVA is divided into 16 in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and 256 divided areas form the evaluation area EVA. In addition to the above-described processing, the preprocessing circuit 20 shown in FIG. 2 executes simple RGB conversion processing that simply converts raw image data into RGB data.

  The AE evaluation circuit 22 integrates RGB data belonging to the evaluation area EVA among the RGB data generated by the preprocessing circuit 20 every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. As a result, 256 integral values, that is, 256 AE evaluation values, are output from the AE evaluation circuit 22 in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync.

  The AF evaluation circuit 24 integrates the high-frequency components of the RGB data belonging to the evaluation area EVA among the RGB data generated by the preprocessing circuit 20 every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. As a result, 256 integral values, that is, 256 AF evaluation values, are output from the AF evaluation circuit 24 in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync.

  The CPU 26 executes AE processing based on the output of the AE evaluation circuit 24 under the multi-imaging task, and sets the aperture amount and the exposure time that define the optimum EV value calculated thereby in the drivers 18b and 18c, respectively. As a result, the brightness of the captured image is adjusted strictly. The CPU 26 also executes AF processing based on the output from the AF evaluation circuit 24 under the multi-imaging task, and sets the focus lens 12 to the in-focus point through the driver 18a. This improves the sharpness of the captured image.

  The image processing is executed based on the imaging setting value registered in the imaging mode table TBL1. In the image processing when the shooting mode is “auto shooting”, the post-processing circuit 34 reads the raw image data captured in the still image area 32b and performs standard white balance adjustment processing. The image data that has been subjected to image processing is written in the recording image area 32c (see FIG. 8) of the SDRAM 32 as recording image data.

  The raw image data captured in the still image area 32b after the execution of the AE process and the AF process described above has a shooting mode of, for example, “auto shooting + WB (white balance) cloudy” (see FIG. 3) or “monochrome shooting” (FIG. 3). Reference) can also be used. Therefore, when “auto shooting + WB cloudy sky” or “monochrome shooting” is registered in the register RGST1 after “auto shooting”, the raw image data stored in the still image area 32b is stored without performing a new capturing process. The image processing according to the shooting mode is executed.

  In the image processing when the shooting mode is “auto shooting + cloudy”, the post-processing circuit 34 reads the raw image data captured in the still image area 32b and performs white balance adjustment processing suitable for cloudy weather. Is done. The image data that has been subjected to image processing is written in the recording image area 32c as recording image data.

  In the image processing when the shooting mode is “monochrome shooting”, the post-processing circuit 34 reads the raw image data captured in the still image area 32b and extracts the luminance component. Recording image data is created using the extracted luminance component and written to the recording image area 32c.

  On the other hand, after “auto shooting”, “auto shooting + WB cloudy sky”, or “monochrome shooting” in the register RGST1, “fireworks scene”, “sport scene”, “HDR (High Dynamic Range) shooting”, or “HDR art” Etc. is registered, it is necessary to execute a new import process.

  In the capturing process when the shooting mode is “fireworks scene” (see FIG. 3), one frame of raw image data obtained by long exposure after the focus lens 12 is placed at the pan focus position is a still image area. 32b. After that, image processing suitable for the expression of fireworks is performed on the captured raw image data, and is written in the recording image area 32c as recording image data.

  In the capturing process when the shooting mode is “sport scene” (see FIG. 3), one frame of raw image data obtained by short-time exposure after the image sensor 16 is set to high sensitivity is a still image area 32b. Is taken in. Thereafter, image processing suitable for the expression of a person performing sports is performed on the captured raw image data, and is written in the recording image area 32c as recording image data.

  In the capturing process when the shooting mode is “HDR shooting” (see FIG. 3), three different exposure amounts are set in the aperture unit 14 and the image sensor 16, and 3 corresponding to each of these three exposure amounts. The image data of the frame is taken into the still image area 32b. Thereafter, one frame of composite image data is created based on the fetched three frames of image data, and is written in the recording image area 32c as recording image data.

  When “HDR art” (see FIG. 3) is registered after “HDR shooting” in the register RGST1, three frames of raw image data stored in the still image area 32b are used without performing a new capturing process. Image processing is executed. In this case, the contrast and saturation of the captured three frames of image data are adjusted. One frame of composite image data is created based on the adjusted three frames of image data, and is written in the recording image area 32c as recording image data.

  Each time the above image processing is completed, a recording process is executed. The recording image data stored in the recording image area 32c is recorded in a still image file newly created on the recording medium 42 by a recording process. In this way, a plurality of still image files are generated by operating the shutter button 28sh once.

  The CPU 26 executes a plurality of tasks including a mode registration task shown in FIG. 10 and a multi-imaging task shown in FIGS. 11 to 12 in parallel. Note that control programs corresponding to these tasks are stored in the flash memory 44.

  Referring to FIG. 10, in step S1, the name of the shooting mode registered in the shooting mode table TBL1 is read, and the LCD driver 36 is instructed to display the shooting mode list screen. The LCD driver 36 drives the LCD monitor 38 based on the read name. As a result, the shooting mode list screen is displayed on the LCD monitor 38.

  In step S3, it is determined whether or not a selection operation has been performed through the key input device 28. If the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S7, and if the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the display color of the name of the selected shooting mode is changed, and then the process returns to step S3.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not a selection canceling operation has been performed through the key input device 28. If the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S11. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the display color of the name of the shooting mode to be canceled is restored, and then the process returns to step S3.

  In step S11, it is determined whether or not an end operation has been performed through the key input device 28. If the determination result is NO, the process returns to step S3, whereas if the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the selected shooting modes are registered in the selection table TBL2 in the order of selection. Thereafter, the mode registration task is terminated.

  Referring to FIG. 11, in step S <b> 21, an acquisition order selection screen is displayed on LCD monitor 38. Whether or not a selection operation has been performed through the key input device 28 is repeatedly determined in step S23, and when the determination result is updated from NO to YES, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, it is determined whether or not the registration order has been selected by the selection operation determined in step S23. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step S33 via step S27, and if the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S33 via steps S29 and S31.

  In step S27, the registered contents of the selection table TBL2 are read as they are into the register RGST1, while in step S29, the plurality of shooting modes registered in the selection table TBL2 are sorted in order of priority of processing time. In step S31, the contents after the sorting in step S29 are read into the register RGST1.

  In step S33, the registered number of shooting modes in the selection table TBL2 is set to the maximum value Nmax of the variable N. In step S35, the variable N is set to “1”.

  In step S37, a moving image capturing process is executed. As a result, a through image representing a scene is displayed on the LCD monitor 38. In step S39, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the shutter button 28sh has been operated. If the determination result is updated from NO to YES, the process proceeds to step S41.

  In step S41, a capturing process according to the Nth shooting mode registered in the register RGST1 is executed. As a result, raw image data corresponding to one or more frames is taken into the still image area 32b.

  In step S43, image processing according to the Nth shooting mode registered in the register RGST1 is executed. As a result, one frame of recording image data is written in the recording image area 32c.

  In step S45, a recording process is executed. As a result, the recording image data stored in the recording image area 32 c is recorded in a still image file newly created on the recording medium 42.

  In step S47, the variable N is incremented, and it is determined in step S49 whether or not the variable N exceeds Nmax. If the determination result is YES, the process returns to step S35, while if the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S51.

  In step S51, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to execute again the capturing process according to the Nth shooting mode registered in the register RGST1. If the determination result is NO, the process returns to step S43, while if the determination result is YES, the process returns to step S41.

  As can be seen from the above description, the image sensor 16 outputs a raw image representing a scene captured on the imaging surface. The CPU 26 outputs a menu for guiding K shooting modes (K: an integer equal to or greater than 3), and the desired L shooting modes (L: an integer greater than or equal to 2 and equal to or less than K) are selected from the K shooting modes. The operation to select from is accepted in relation to the menu output. The CPU 26 also acquires a raw image from the image sensor 16 in response to an image acquisition instruction after the selection operation, and has acquired L image processes respectively corresponding to the L imaging modes selected by the selection operation. L recording images are created on the raw image.

  When a desired L shooting modes are selected by a selection operation and then an image acquisition operation is performed, a raw image is acquired from the imaging unit, and L image processes corresponding to the L shooting modes are acquired. This is applied to the raw image to create L recording images.

  By selecting L shooting modes in response to the selection operation, the degree of freedom of the quality of the processed image is ensured. Further, by creating L recording images in response to the image acquisition operation, the angle of view and / or the subject shift between the recording images is suppressed. In this way, operability is improved.

  In this embodiment, the seven types of shooting modes shown in FIG. 3 have been described, but other shooting modes may be used.

  In this embodiment, after the selection operation of the operator after the activation of the multi-imaging task, a sort process for prioritizing the processing time is executed. However, the sort process may be completed in advance. For example, in the mode registration task, the sort processing may be executed after the end operation is performed, and both the registration order and the processing time priority order may be saved.

  In this embodiment, the recording process is executed every time the image process according to the photographing mode is completed. However, the recording process may be executed at another timing. For example, a plurality of image data for recording may be stored in the recording image area, and each recording process may be executed after all of the capturing process and the image process according to the photographing mode are completed.

  In this embodiment, the multitask OS and control programs corresponding to a plurality of tasks executed thereby are stored in the flash memory 44 in advance. However, a communication I / F 60 for connecting to an external server is provided in the digital camera 10 in the manner shown in FIG. 13, and some control programs are prepared in the flash memory 44 from the beginning as internal control programs, while the other part. These control programs may be acquired from an external server as an external control program. In this case, the above-described operation is realized by cooperation of the internal control program and the external control program.

  In this embodiment, the process executed by the CPU 26 is divided into a plurality of tasks including a mode registration task shown in FIG. 10 and a multi-imaging task shown in FIGS. However, these tasks may be further divided into a plurality of small tasks, and some of the divided small tasks may be integrated. Further, when the transfer task is divided into a plurality of small tasks, all or part of the transfer task may be acquired from an external server.

  In this embodiment, the digital camera is used for the description. However, the present invention can also be applied to a tablet computer, a mobile phone terminal, a smartphone, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital video camera 16 ... Image sensor 20 ... Pre-processing circuit 26 ... CPU
32 ... SDRAM
34 ... Post-processing circuit 42 ... Recording medium

Claims (1)

Imaging means for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging surface;
An output means for outputting a menu for guiding K imaging modes (K: an integer of 3 or more);
First accepting means for accepting a first selection operation for selecting a desired L (L: an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to K) imaging mode from among the K imaging modes;
An acquisition means for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means in response to an image acquisition instruction after the first selection operation; and L processes corresponding respectively to the L imaging modes selected by the first selection operation. A creation means for applying L to the electronic image obtained by the obtaining means to create L processed images ;
A second receiving means for receiving a second selection operation for selecting any one of a plurality of acquisition modes each defining the order of the L processes ;
The creating means executes the L processes in the order according to the acquisition mode selected by the second selection operation ,
One of the plurality of acquisition modes corresponds to a processing time priority mode that prioritizes a reduction in the number of execution times of processing of the acquisition means ,
Wherein another one of the plurality of acquisition mode is equivalent to priority mode selection order by the first selection operation, the electronic camera.

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