JP6232750B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

  Conventionally, it is configured so that still images can be automatically shot during movie shooting, and among the still images stored in the buffer memory according to the remaining capacity of the buffer memory, evaluation values such as predetermined face information and blur amount A camera that deletes a still image based on the above is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-135209 A

  However, since still images are deleted based on evaluation values such as face information and blur amount, there is a problem that still images that the user desires to capture and store are deleted.

Imaging device according to the invention of claim 1 includes an imaging unit for outputting a signal by imaging an object image, an operation unit is operated to instruct the imaging by the imaging unit, moving image data using the signal A moving image generating unit that generates a first still image data using the signal when a predetermined condition is satisfied while the moving image data is generated by the moving image generating unit , and the operation unit is operated A still image generating unit that generates second still image data using the signal , and a storage unit that stores the first still image data and the second still image data generated by the still image generating unit. And the difference between a time when the second still image data stored in the storage unit is generated and a time when the first still image data is generated is smaller than a predetermined time. Delete the data.

  According to the present invention, when the generation of the second still image data is instructed when the moving image data is imaged, and there is no free space in the storage means, the time when the second still image data is generated is stored. Accordingly, the first still image data can be deleted from the storage means.

It is a block diagram explaining the principal part structure of the digital camera by embodiment of this invention. 6 is a timing chart for explaining switching between an automatic shooting period and an automatic shooting prohibition period during moving image shooting of the digital camera according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of management information. This is management information for explaining a method of determining automatic still image data to be deleted. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the digital camera by embodiment.

-First embodiment-
A digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 includes a photographic lens L1, an image sensor 101, an A / D converter 102, an internal memory 103, a control circuit 104, an image processing unit 105, an image management unit 106, an LCD drive circuit 107, a liquid crystal display 108, and an operation unit. 109 and a memory card interface 110. The photographing lens L1 includes various optical lens groups such as an imaging lens and a focus adjustment lens. In FIG. 1, the photographic lens L1 is represented by a single lens.

  The image sensor 101 is configured by a photoelectric conversion element (pixel) such as a CCD or a CMOS arranged in a matrix on the imaging surface, and various circuits that control driving of the pixel. The image sensor 101 captures a subject image input through the photographing lens L1, and outputs an image signal obtained by capturing the image. Note that the image sensor 101 in the present embodiment will be described as an example having a pixel number of 10 Mpixel. The A / D conversion circuit 102 converts an image signal from the image sensor 101 from an analog signal to a digital signal, and outputs it as image data. The output of the imaging signal by the imaging device 101 and the conversion by the A / D converter 102 are performed in synchronization according to the control of the control circuit 104 described later.

  The internal memory 103 is a volatile recording medium capable of reading and writing data at high speed, such as DRAM and SRAM. The imaging signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 102 is controlled by the control circuit 104 and temporarily stored in the internal memory 103. The internal memory 103 functions as a buffer memory that waits for image data until image processing by an image processing unit 105 to be described later is started when image data is continuously generated at a high speed such as continuous shooting or moving image shooting. At the same time, it also functions as a work memory when performing image processing and compression processing by the image processing unit 105. The internal memory 103 has a moving image storage area for storing moving image data, which will be described later, and a still image storage area for storing still image data.

  The control circuit 104 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and is an arithmetic circuit that controls each component of the digital camera 1 and executes various data processing based on a control program. The control program is stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) in the control circuit 104.

  The control circuit 104 functionally includes a still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a, a still image automatic shooting unit 104b, a memory capacity determination unit 104c, and a deletion instruction unit 104d. The still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a controls the timing at which the still image automatic capturing unit 104b captures a still image during moving image capturing. When the predetermined condition (described later) is satisfied at the timing controlled by the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a, the still image automatic photographing unit 104b causes the image processing unit 104 described later to automatically generate still image data. In the following description, still image data generated in response to an instruction from the still image automatic photographing unit 104b is referred to as “automatic still image data”.

  The memory capacity determination unit 104c detects the remaining capacity of the internal memory 103, and determines whether or not there is a free capacity for storing still image data when shooting a still image during moving image shooting. The deletion instruction unit 104d determines which automatic still image data to be deleted from the automatic still image data stored in the internal memory 103 when the memory capacity determination unit 104c determines that there is no free space, The automatic still image data is deleted from the internal memory 103. Details of the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a, the still image automatic photographing unit 104b, the memory capacity determination unit 104c, and the deletion instruction unit 104d will be described later. In the following description, still image data generated in response to a user's shooting instruction (for example, so-called release operation) is referred to as “manual still image data”.

  The image processing unit 105 performs various types of image processing on the image data output from the A / D converter 102 and then adds additional information and the like to generate an image file. The image processing unit 105 records the generated image file on a recording medium such as a memory card 111 described later. Further, the image processing unit 105 generates display image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 108 described later, based on the image data stored in the internal memory 103 and the image data recorded on the memory card 111. .

  The image processing unit 105 functionally includes a still image processing unit 105a and a moving image processing unit 105b. The still image processing unit 105 a generates still image data and a still image file using the imaging signal output from the imaging element 101, and records them in the memory card 111. The moving image processing unit 105 b generates moving image data and a moving image file using the imaging signal output from the image sensor 101 and records the generated data in the memory card 111. The still image processing unit 105a and the moving image processing unit 105b will be described later.

  The image management unit 106 indicates type information indicating whether the still image data is automatic still image data or manual still image data when a still image is captured during moving image shooting, and the time when the image data of each still image is acquired. Time information is recorded as management information and managed. As will be described later, this management information is referred to when the deletion instruction unit 104d determines automatic still image data to be deleted.

  The LCD drive circuit 107 is a circuit that drives the liquid crystal display 108 based on a command from the control circuit 104. The liquid crystal display 108 displays an image corresponding to the display image data created by the image processing unit 105. The liquid crystal display 108 displays a menu screen for setting various operations of the digital camera 1. Further, the number of manual still image data that can be acquired during moving image shooting is displayed on the liquid crystal display 108. The number of manual still image data that can be acquired can be displayed in the same area as the through image display area on the through image, or shooting information provided separately from the through image display area can be displayed. You may make it display on the area | region to perform. In the present embodiment, the number of manual still image data that can be acquired is displayed by a countdown method in which the number of displayed manual images is reduced each time one piece of manual still image data is generated.

  The operation unit 109 includes various switches provided corresponding to various operation members operated by the user, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the operation member to the control circuit 102. For example, the operation member determines a release button, a menu button for displaying a menu screen on the liquid crystal display 108, a cross key operated when selecting and operating various settings, and a setting selected by the cross key. And a mode switching button for switching the operation of the digital camera 1 between the shooting mode and the playback mode. The operation unit 109 can set a still image shooting mode and a moving image shooting mode as the imaging mode. In the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, even when a movie is being shot in the movie shooting mode, a still image can be shot at the timing when the user operates the release button. It is configured.

  The memory card interface 110 is an interface to which the memory card 111 can be attached and detached. The memory card interface 110 is an interface circuit that writes an image file to the memory card 111 or reads an image file recorded on the memory card 111 based on the control of the control circuit 104. The memory card 111 is a semiconductor memory card such as a compact flash (registered trademark) or an SD card.

The operation of the digital camera 1 in the present embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the case where the moving image shooting mode is set by the user's operation of the operation unit 109 will be mainly described.
When the release button is operated by the user and an operation signal indicating the start of moving image shooting is output from the operation unit 109, the control circuit 104 controls the image sensor 101 and the A / D converter 102 to perform a predetermined operation. Image data obtained by continuously capturing a subject image at a frame rate of, for example, 30 frames per second is sequentially output. The sequentially output image data is sequentially stored in the moving image storage area of the internal memory 103, and is sequentially converted into a frame image by the moving image processing unit 105b of the image processing unit 105.

  The moving image processing unit 105b downsizes the image data converted into a frame image so as to have a predetermined number of pixels (for example, 2 Mpixel for one frame), and stores it again as moving image data in the moving image storage area of the internal memory 103. To do. When a predetermined number of pieces of moving image data are generated, the moving image processing unit 105b performs processing such as intra-frame encoding and inter-frame encoding, and records them in the memory card 111 as, for example, an MPEG format moving image file.

  The image processing unit 105 generates display image data by further downsizing the number of pixels of the image data converted into a frame image, and the moving image corresponding to the display image data is displayed on the liquid crystal display 108 via the LCD driving circuit 107. Is displayed. As a result, the user can observe the subject image during moving image shooting with the liquid crystal display 108.

  When the moving image data generation process is performed as described above, the control circuit 104 alternately switches between a period during which automatic still image data can be generated and a period during which automatic still image data generation is prohibited. To control the timing. In the following description, a period during which automatic still image data can be generated is referred to as an automatic shooting period, and a period during which automatic still image data generation is prohibited is referred to as an automatic shooting prohibition period. In the automatic shooting period, still image data is generated as automatic still image data when the image data output from the image sensor 101 and generated by the A / D converter 102 satisfies a predetermined condition. In the automatic shooting prohibition period, still image data is generated as automatic still image data even when the image data satisfies a predetermined condition (described in detail in “still image acquisition condition” described later) as described above. The still image data is generated as manual still image data only when the release button is operated by the user. However, even during the automatic shooting period, when the user operates the release button, still image data is generated as manual still image data. Details will be described below.

  FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the timing for switching between the automatic shooting period and the automatic shooting prohibition period. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the user instructs to start moving image shooting at time t0, the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a sets an automatic shooting period T1 and sets a timer (not shown). Start up and start time measurement. When a predetermined time of 5 seconds elapses from the start of time measurement, the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a switches from the automatic shooting period T1 to the automatic shooting prohibition period T2 and sets the new time by resetting the timer. Measurement is started (time t1).

  When a predetermined time of 10 seconds elapses after starting time measurement at time t1, the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a switches from the automatic shooting prohibition period T2 to the automatic shooting period T1 and sets the timer, and resets the timer. Time measurement is newly started (time t2). Thereafter, the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a repeatedly performs the above-described processing until the user performs an operation to end moving image shooting. Note that the predetermined times of 5 seconds and 10 seconds are examples, and the present invention is not limited to this example. Further, the predetermined time may be configured to be settable from a menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 108 by the user.

  2B and 2C are timing charts showing processing performed by the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a when a user performs a still image shooting operation during the automatic shooting period T1. In FIG. 2B, the moving image shooting is started at time t0, and the user has performed a still image shooting operation at time t10 (t0 <t10 <t1) after the automatic shooting period T1 is set. Is shown. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a switches from the automatic shooting period T1 to the automatic shooting prohibition period T2 at time t10 when the user performs a still image shooting operation. And reset the timer to start a new time measurement.

  When a predetermined time of 10 seconds elapses from time t10, the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a switches from the automatic shooting prohibition period T2 to the automatic shooting period T1, and resets the timer to newly start time measurement (time t11). ). Thereafter, as in the case described with reference to FIG. 2A, the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a switches between the automatic shooting period T1 and the automatic shooting prohibition period T2 each time a predetermined time elapses. However, if the user performs a still image shooting operation during the automatic shooting period T1, the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a automatically sets the still image shooting operation at the timing when the user performs the still image shooting operation. Switch to the shooting prohibition period T2. When the user performs a still image shooting operation during the automatic shooting prohibition period T2, the still image automatic acquisition control unit 104a does not switch to the automatic shooting period T1, and the automatic shooting prohibition period T2 is not changed. Continue until a predetermined time of 10 seconds elapses.

  Next, a still image shooting process during moving image shooting in the moving image shooting mode will be described. In the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, an automatic shooting process for generating automatic still image data when a still image acquisition condition which is a predetermined condition is satisfied during moving image shooting, and a still image shooting operation by a user. Manual shooting processing for generating manual still image data. The following description will be divided into automatic photographing processing and manual photographing processing.

-Automatic shooting process-
The still image automatic photographing unit 104b generates a still image acquisition condition (described above “predetermined”) every time frame data is generated by the moving image processing unit 105b during the automatic photographing period T1. It is determined whether or not the “condition” is satisfied. If it is determined that the still image acquisition condition is satisfied, the memory capacity determination unit 104c detects the remaining capacity of the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, and determines whether there is free space for storing automatic still image data. To do. When there is no free space for storing automatic still image data in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, the still image automatic photographing unit 104b does not change the still image acquisition condition even if the frame image satisfies the still image acquisition condition. The image processing unit 105a is not allowed to generate automatic still image data.

  When there is a free capacity for storing automatic still image data in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, the still image automatic photographing unit 104b determines that the still image processing unit 105a satisfies the still image acquisition condition. Automatic still image data is generated from the frame image. In this case, since the still image processing unit 105a does not downsize the number of pixels of the frame image, the number of pixels of the generated automatic still image data is 10 Mpixel as in the case of the frame image. Then, the still image processing unit 105 a stores the generated automatic still image data in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103.

  When still image data is stored in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, the image management unit 106 creates and records management information. FIG. 3 shows an example of management information. As shown in FIG. 3, the image management unit 106 assigns a management ID (management ID 1 in the example of FIG. 3) to the automatic still image data generated as described above and stored in the still image area of the internal memory 103. To do. Then, the image management unit 106 manages type information indicating that the still image data generated by the still image processing unit 105a is automatic still image data, and time information indicating the time when the automatic still image data is generated. It is recorded and managed as management information in association with the ID. The time information indicates the time that has elapsed since the time when moving image shooting was started (time t0 in FIG. 2). In addition, “automatic” in the type information in FIG. 3 represents automatic still image data.

  Examples of the still image acquisition condition described above include a case where there is a change exceeding a predetermined width in the average luminance of continuously output frame images, or a case where a human face is recognized in the output frame image. is there. If there is a change in the average luminance of the frame image that exceeds a predetermined width, it can be considered that the scene where the subject is photographed has changed significantly, and the change in the scene can be used as a still image acquisition condition. When a person's face is recognized in the frame image, the still image automatic photographing unit 104b may determine that the still image acquisition condition is satisfied only when it matches a specific face registered in advance. In addition, when the digital camera 1 includes a microphone that collects external sound, the still image acquisition condition may be a case where sound of a predetermined volume or higher is recognized during moving image shooting. In this case, in particular, only when a specific sound is recognized, the still image automatic photographing unit 104b may determine that the still image acquisition condition is satisfied.

-Manual shooting process-
When a still image shooting operation is performed by the user during moving image shooting and an operation signal is output from the operation unit 109, the memory capacity determination unit 104c detects the remaining capacity of the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, and performs manual operation. It is determined whether or not there is a free capacity for storing still image data. When there is a free capacity for storing manual still image data in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, the control circuit 104 controls the image sensor 101 and the A / D converter 102 to output image data. . The still image processing unit 105a generates manual still image data using the output image data without downsizing the number of pixels. Then, the still image processing unit 105 a stores the generated manual still image data in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103.

  When manual still image data is stored in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, the image management unit 106 creates and records management information shown in FIG. As in the case of automatic still image data, the image management unit 106 assigns a management ID (management ID 2 in the example of FIG. 3) to the manual still image data stored in the still image area of the internal memory 103 and generates the image. Type information indicating that the still image data is manual still image data and time information indicating the time when the manual still image data is generated are recorded and managed as management information in association with the management ID. Note that “manual” in the type information in FIG. 3 represents manual still image data.

  When there is no free space for storing manual still image data in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, the deletion instruction unit 104d refers to the management information, and the automatic still image data stored in the internal memory 103 The automatic still image data to be deleted is determined from the internal memory 103. In the present embodiment, based on the time information of the automatic still image data having the management ID adjacent to the management ID of the manual still image data stored in the internal memory 103, the deletion instruction unit 104d is a deletion target. Determine automatic still image data. In this case, the deletion instruction unit 104d compares the time information of the automatic still image data and the manual still image data whose management IDs are adjacent to each other, and deletes the automatic still image data when the difference is within a predetermined time. decide. That is, the deletion instructing unit 104d determines that automatic still image data generated within a predetermined time before and after the generation of manual still image data is to be deleted. However, when all of the still image data stored in the internal memory 103 is manual still image data, the deletion instruction unit 104d does not determine an object to be deleted, and the control circuit 104 performs a release lock so that the subsequent manual still image data is deleted. The generation of image data is prohibited. If there is no difference between the time information of the automatic still image data and the manual still image data with which the management IDs are adjacent to each other within the predetermined time, the deletion instruction unit 104d stores each of the stored automatic With reference to an evaluation value related to still image data, automatic still image data having the smallest evaluation value is determined as a deletion target. When all the still image data stored in the internal memory 103 is automatic still image data, the deletion instruction unit 104d refers to an evaluation value related to each stored automatic still image data, which will be described later, and performs evaluation. Automatic still image data having a minimum value is determined as a deletion target.

  Hereinafter, a case where automatic still image data is deleted from the internal memory 103 will be specifically described. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the still image storage area of the internal memory 103 has a capacity capable of storing 10 still image data, and a user has performed a still image shooting operation. Assume that 10 still image data have already been stored in the still image storage area at that time. Further, as shown in the management information illustrated in FIG. 4A, it is assumed that automatic still image data and manual still image data are stored. Further, description will be made assuming that the above-mentioned predetermined time is 3 seconds.

  The deletion instruction unit 104d refers to the management ID and type information recorded in the management information, and extracts the management IDs of the automatic still image data and the manual still image data with which the management IDs are adjacent to each other as the comparison target of the time information. . In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the deletion instruction unit 104d has management IDs “1” and “2”, “4” and “5”, “5” and “6”, “6” and “7”, “7” and “8”, “8” and “9”, and “9” and “10” are extracted as comparison targets. The deletion instruction unit 104d compares the time information associated with the extracted management ID to be compared, and calculates a difference. When the management ID is “1” and “2”, the difference in time information is calculated as 25 seconds. Similarly, when the management ID is “4” and “5”, the difference is 18 seconds, when the management ID is “5” and “6”, the difference is 2 seconds, and the management ID is “6” and “7”. Is 28 seconds, the management ID is “7” and “8”, the difference is 20 seconds, the management ID is “8” and “9”, the difference is 10 seconds, and the management ID is “9”. And “10”, the difference is calculated as 2 minutes.

  The deletion instruction unit 104d extracts a combination of management IDs in which the difference in time information calculated as described above is within 3 seconds of a predetermined time. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the management IDs “5” and “6” are extracted by the deletion instruction unit 104d. Then, the deletion instruction unit 104d determines, as a deletion target, automatic still image data corresponding to the management ID “5” whose type information is “automatic” among the extracted management IDs.

  When a plurality of combinations of management IDs for which the calculated difference is within 3 seconds of the predetermined time are extracted, the deletion instruction unit 104d selects the deletion target to be deleted from the combinations of management IDs for which the difference is minimum. What is necessary is just to determine automatic still image data. In addition, when a plurality of combinations of management IDs having the same value and the difference are within 3 seconds of the predetermined time, the deletion instruction unit 104d determines the evaluation value related to each stored automatic still image data. The automatic still image data having the smallest evaluation value may be determined as a deletion target with reference to the reference. Furthermore, even when there is no combination of management IDs whose difference is within 3 seconds of the predetermined time, the deletion instruction unit 104d may determine automatic still image data having the smallest evaluation value as a deletion target.

  As the evaluation values described above, as used in known techniques, evaluation based on a person's face detection state included in automatic still image data, evaluation based on subject blur, evaluation based on camera shake state, focus state There is evaluation based on. When based on the face detection state of a person, the number of evaluation values is determined depending on whether a face is detected, whether the detected face is a pre-registered face, and whether it is a smile. In the case of subject blurring, the number of evaluation values is determined according to the ratio of the main subject to the image and the magnitude of blurring. When based on the camera shake state, the evaluation value is set to be smaller as the camera shake is larger. When based on the in-focus state, the evaluation value is determined based on the blur amount of the main subject. These evaluation values are calculated by the still image processing unit 105a when automatic still image data is generated, and are stored in the internal memory 103 in association with the automatic still image data. The evaluation value may be recorded in the management information in association with the management ID.

  When the automatic still image data to be deleted is determined, the deletion instruction unit 104 d deletes the automatic still image data corresponding to the management ID “5” from the still image storage area of the internal memory 103. The image management unit 106 deletes the type information and time information of the management ID “5” from the management information. The control circuit 104 controls the image sensor 101 and the A / D converter 102 to output image data. The still image processing unit 105a generates manual still image data using the output image data without downsizing the number of pixels. Then, the still image processing unit 105 a stores the generated manual still image data in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103.

  When the manual still image data is stored in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, the image management unit 106 updates the management information shown in FIG. 4A to create new management information shown in FIG. Create and record. With the deletion of the automatic still image data corresponding to the management ID “5” as described above, the image management unit 106 increments the management IDs “6” to “10” in FIG. Management IDs “5” to “9” are assigned. Then, the image management unit 106 assigns a management ID “10” to the manually generated still image data that is newly generated and stored in the still image area of the internal memory 103, and includes type information indicating that it is manual still image data. The time information indicating the generated time is recorded and managed in association with the management ID “10”. In FIG. 4B, the time when the manual still image data with the management ID “10” is generated is illustrated as being 4 minutes 30 seconds.

The control circuit 104 controls the LCD drive circuit 107 during the period in which moving image data is generated in the moving image shooting mode as described above, and sets the number of shootable manual still image data on the liquid crystal display 108. Display. As described above, when the number of still image data that can be stored in the internal memory 103 is 10 (10 frames), if the manual still image data is not stored in the internal memory 103, the liquid crystal display 108 has “10 (10 frames)” is displayed as the number of shootable images. Thereafter, each time manual shooting processing is performed in accordance with the user's shooting operation during the moving image shooting mode and manual still image data is stored in the internal memory 103, the number of shootable images decreases by one on the liquid crystal display 108. Displayed. In other words, every time a single still image is shot by manual operation, a countdown display of the number of sheets in which the content of the number display is changed, such as “10 sheets” → “9 sheets” → “8 sheets” →. Is called. By counting down the number of images, the user can grasp how many more images can be taken by the user's own shooting operation during moving image shooting.
In the present embodiment, when the automatic still image data is stored in the internal memory 103 by the automatic shooting process, the liquid crystal display 108 displays the image without changing the number of images that can be shot. As described above, the automatic still image data shot by the automatic shooting process has a lower advantage of being stored in the internal memory 103 than the manual still image data (for example, the number of sheets stored in the internal memory 103 is 10). If the eleventh image is manually shot at the time of the image, the stored automatic still image data is deleted, and the eleventh manual still image data is stored instead). Therefore, since it is not necessary for the user to be aware of the existence of automatic still image data in the internal memory 103, the countdown display of the number of images accompanying the shooting of the automatic still image data is not performed.

  Further, the control circuit 104 may control the LCD drive circuit 107 to display an icon indicating that the manual photographing process is being performed on the liquid crystal display 108. In this case, when the digital camera 1 is performing manual photographing processing, the control circuit 104 causes the icon of the liquid crystal display 108 to be lit. When the digital camera 1 is performing automatic photographing processing, the control circuit 104 prevents the icon of the liquid crystal display 108 from being turned on. Note that when the automatic photographing process is performed, the control circuit 104 may cause the liquid crystal display 108 to display an icon having a different color, shape, or the like from the case of the manual photographing process.

  While moving image shooting is being performed in the moving image shooting mode, the digital camera 1 repeats the above processing. When an operation signal is output from the operation unit 109 in response to an operation to finish moving image shooting by the user, the moving image processing unit 105 b performs a moving image file termination process, and the still image processing unit 105 a is stored in the internal memory 103. The image data is transferred to the memory card 111 and recorded.

  The operation of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The processing in FIG. 5 is performed by executing a program in the control circuit 104. This program is stored in a memory (not shown), and is activated and executed by the control circuit 104 when moving image shooting is started by the operation of the operation unit 109 of the user.

  In step S1, the moving image processing unit 105b generates moving image data, and the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, it is determined whether to generate still image data. When still image data is generated, that is, when a frame image satisfies a still image acquisition condition, or when an operation signal is input from the operation unit 109 in response to a still image shooting operation by a user, step S2 is determined to be affirmative and step Proceed to S3. When the still image data is not generated, that is, when the frame image does not satisfy the still image acquisition condition, and the user does not perform the still image shooting operation and does not input the operation signal from the operation unit 109, the negative determination is made in step S2, which will be described later. The process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S <b> 3, the memory capacity determination unit 104 c determines whether there is a free capacity in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103. If there is free space in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, an affirmative determination is made in step S3 and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, it is determined whether the still image data to be generated is manual still image data. When manual still image data is generated, that is, when an operation signal is input from the operation unit 109 in response to a still image shooting operation by the user, an affirmative determination is made in step S4 and the process proceeds to step S11 described later. If the still image data to be generated is automatic still image data, that is, if the still image automatic photographing unit 104b determines that the frame image satisfies the still image acquisition condition, a negative determination is made in step S4 and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the still image processing unit 105a generates automatic still image data from the frame image, and the process proceeds to step S13 described later.

  If the memory capacity determination unit 104c determines that there is no free space in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, a negative determination is made in step S3 and the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, as in step S4, it is determined whether the still image data to be generated is manual still image data. If manual still image data is to be generated, an affirmative determination is made in step S6 and the process proceeds to step S7. If automatic still image data is to be generated, a negative determination is made in step S6 and the process proceeds to step S14 described later. In step S7, the deletion instruction unit 104d refers to the management information and determines whether or not automatic still image data is stored in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103. If only manual still image data is stored in the internal memory 103, a negative determination is made in step S7 and the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, a release lock is performed to prohibit the user from taking a still image, and the process proceeds to step S14 described later.

  If automatic still image data is stored in the internal memory 103, an affirmative determination is made in step S7 and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the deletion instruction unit 104d refers to the management information and / or the evaluation value, determines automatic still image data to be deleted, and proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the deletion instruction unit 104d deletes the automatic still image data determined in step S9 from the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, and proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the image sensor 101 and the A / D converter 102 output a frame image, and the still image processing unit 105a generates manual still image data from the frame image, and stores it in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103. The process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the LCD drive circuit 107 is controlled so that the number of shootable images displayed on the liquid crystal display 108 is changed by one, and the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the image management unit 106 is caused to update the management information, and the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, it is determined whether or not the moving image shooting is finished. When ending moving image shooting, that is, when an operation signal is output from the operation unit 109 in response to an operation for ending moving image shooting by the user, an affirmative determination is made in step S14 and the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the still image data stored in the internal memory 103 is transferred to the memory card 111, and the process ends. When the moving image shooting is not ended, that is, when the operation for ending the moving image shooting by the user is not performed and no operation signal is input from the operation unit 109, a negative determination is made in step S14 and the process returns to step S1.

According to the digital camera according to the first embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) When receiving a still image shooting operation by a user and generating manual still image data, if the memory capacity determination unit 104c determines that there is no free space in the internal memory 103, the deletion instruction unit 104d The automatic still image data stored in the internal memory 103 is deleted according to the time when the manual still image data is generated. Accordingly, it is possible to secure the capacity of the still image storage area of the internal memory 103 while preventing the manual still image data corresponding to the still image taken by the user from being deleted from the internal memory 103. In particular, since the automatic still image data is deleted according to the time when the manual still image data is generated, it is possible to prevent the automatic still image data to be left as a record from being deleted.

(2) The image management unit 106 associates the automatic still image data with the time when the automatic still image data is generated, and manages management information that associates the manual still image data with the time when the manual still image data is generated. . The deletion instruction unit 104d is configured to delete the automatic still image data stored in the internal memory 103 based on the time when the manual still image data is generated and the time when the automatic still image data is generated. In particular, the deletion instruction unit 104d refers to the management information, and when the difference between the time when the manual still image data is generated and the time when the automatic still image data is generated is smaller than a predetermined time (3 seconds), The automatic still image data is deleted from the internal memory 103. A still image shot close in time is likely to be a still image with similar composition and subject characteristics, but the user intends by deleting the automatic still image data whose shooting time difference is within a predetermined time. It is possible to prevent recording of still images of similar scenes while preventing deletion of still images. As a result, it is possible to save the user from having to delete a still image of a similar scene after recording in the memory card 111.

(3) If there are a plurality of automatic still image data in which the difference between the time when the manual still image data is generated and the time when the automatic still image data is generated is plural, Among the automatic still image data, the automatic still image data having the lowest evaluation value is deleted from the built-in memory 103. Therefore, even in still images of similar scenes, it is possible to delete a still image with low image quality that is caused by subject blurring, camera shake, or out-of-focus, so that a high-quality still image can be recorded.

(4) The LCD drive circuit 107 causes the liquid crystal display 108 to display the number of manual still image data that can be stored in the internal memory 103. The LCD driving circuit 107 reduces the number of images displayed on the liquid crystal display 108 every time the user instructs the generation of manual still image data. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the number of still images that can be taken, and convenience is improved.

(5) When the memory capacity determining unit 104c determines that there is no free space in the internal memory 103, the control circuit 104 is manually operated by the user when only manual still image data is stored in the internal memory 103. The reception of instructions for generating still image data is prohibited. Therefore, when there is no free space in the internal memory 103, the user does not accept a still image shooting operation, so it is easy to grasp that the number of still images that the user intentionally shot has reached the specified amount. Can do.

-Second Embodiment-
A second embodiment of the digital camera according to the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different points will be mainly described. Points that are not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the method for determining automatic still image data to be deleted by the deletion instruction unit is different from that in the first embodiment.

  When manual shooting processing is performed during moving image shooting and there is no free space for storing manual still image data in the still image storage area of the internal memory 103, the deletion instruction unit 104d performs the first operation. As in the case of the embodiment, referring to management information, automatic still image data to be deleted is determined from the internal memory 103. In the second embodiment, the deletion instruction unit 104d compares the time information of the automatic still image data and the manual still image data whose management IDs are adjacent to each other. If the difference is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the automatic still image data Decide to delete. That is, the deletion instructing unit 104d determines that automatic still image data generated at a predetermined time or more from the generation of manual still image data is to be deleted.

  Hereinafter, determination of automatic still image data to be deleted in the second embodiment will be specifically described. In the following description as well, for convenience of explanation, the still image storage area of the internal memory 103 has a capacity capable of storing 10 still image data, and the user has performed a still image shooting operation. Assume that 10 still image data have already been stored in the still image storage area at that time. Further, as shown in the management information illustrated in FIG. 4A, it is assumed that automatic still image data and manual still image data are stored. Further, the description will be made assuming that the predetermined time is 30 seconds.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the deletion instruction unit 104d has management IDs “1” and “2”, “4” and “5”, “5” and “6”, “6” and “7”, “7” and “8”, “8” and “9”, and “9” and “10” are extracted as comparison targets. The deletion instruction unit 104d compares the time information associated with the extracted management ID to be compared, and calculates a difference. As described above, when the management ID is “1” and “2”, the difference in time information is 25 seconds, when the management ID is “4” and “5”, the difference is 18 seconds, and the management ID is “ The difference is 2 seconds for 5 ”and“ 6 ”, the difference is 28 seconds for management IDs“ 6 ”and“ 7 ”, the difference is 20 seconds for management IDs“ 7 ”and“ 8 ”, When the management ID is “8” and “9”, the difference is calculated as 10 seconds, and when the management ID is “9” and “10”, the difference is calculated as 2 minutes.

  The deletion instruction unit 104d extracts a combination of management IDs in which the difference in time information calculated as described above is 30 seconds or more of a predetermined time. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the management IDs “9” and “10” are extracted by the deletion instruction unit 104d. Then, the deletion instruction unit 104d determines the automatic still image data corresponding to the management ID “9” whose type information is “automatic” among the extracted management IDs as a deletion target.

  When a plurality of combinations of management IDs whose calculated differences are equal to or greater than 30 seconds of the predetermined time are extracted, the deletion instruction unit 104d selects the deletion target to be deleted from the combinations of management IDs with the maximum difference. What is necessary is just to determine automatic still image data. In addition, when a plurality of combinations of management IDs having the same value and the difference is 30 seconds or more are extracted, the deletion instruction unit 104d displays an evaluation value related to each stored automatic still image data. The automatic still image data having the smallest evaluation value may be determined as a deletion target with reference to the reference. Further, even when there is no combination of management IDs whose difference is 30 seconds or more of the predetermined time, the deletion instruction unit 104d may determine automatic still image data having the smallest evaluation value as a deletion target.

According to the digital camera according to the second embodiment described above, the following functions and effects can be obtained in addition to the functions and effects (1) and (3) to (5) obtained by the first embodiment.
The deletion instruction unit 104d is configured to delete the automatic still image data stored in the internal memory 103 based on the time when the manual still image data is generated and the time when the automatic still image data is generated. In particular, the deletion instruction unit 104d receives automatic still image data from the internal memory 103 in which the difference between the time when the manual still image data is generated and the time when the automatic still image data is generated is greater than a predetermined time (30 seconds). Removed. When the user intends to take a still image, it is considered that there is a subject that the user wants to keep as a record within a temporally close range. For this reason, it is considered effective to save automatic still image data shot at a time close in time to the time when manual still image data is generated. In the second embodiment, automatic still image data generated at a time close to the time when manual still image data is generated can be excluded from deletion targets, so that deletion of still images to be recorded can be prevented, It is also possible to prevent the deletion of still images taken by the user.

The following modifications are also within the scope of the present invention, and one or a plurality of modifications can be combined with the above-described embodiment.
(1) Instead of management information, type information and time information may be recorded in an additional information part attached to still image data. In this case, the deletion instruction unit 104d refers to the type information and time information recorded in the additional information unit attached to the still image data stored in the internal memory 103, and determines the automatic still image data to be deleted. You may decide.

(2) When combining the digital cameras 1 of the first and second embodiments, the method for determining automatic still image data to be deleted by the deletion instruction unit 104d of the first embodiment and the second embodiment The deletion instruction unit 104d may determine which method to use from among the methods for determining automatic still image data to be deleted. In this case, the determination method may be selected from a menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 108.

(3) In each of the above-described embodiments, when there are already 10 still image data in the internal memory 103 (10 still image data can be stored in the embodiment), a manual still image by manual shooting operation is present. Explains when the data was generated. That is, a scene where there is no free space in the internal memory 103 is described as the timing for determining the deletion of automatic still image data. However, the timing for determining the deletion of automatic still image data is determined every time manual still image data is generated (that is, every time a manual shooting operation is performed) regardless of the storage status (free space) of the internal memory 103. Automatic still image data to be deleted may be determined. The actual deletion operation of the automatic still image data may be performed subsequent to the timing at which the deletion is determined, or a timing later than that (for example, the timing at which the deletion operation is performed in each of the above embodiments). It may be performed at the same timing, that is, when manual still image shooting is performed in a situation where the internal memory 103 has no free space.

  As long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and other forms conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera, 101 ... Image sensor, 103 ... Internal memory, 104 ... Control circuit,
104b ... Still image automatic photographing unit, 104c ... Memory capacity determination unit, 104d ... Deletion instruction unit,
105 ... an image processing unit, 105a ... a still image processing unit, 105b ... a moving image processing unit,
106 ... Image management unit, 107 ... LCD drive circuit, 108 ... Liquid crystal display,
109 ... operation unit

Claims (8)

An imaging unit that captures a subject image and outputs a signal ;
An operation unit operated to instruct imaging by the imaging unit;
A moving image generating unit that generates moving image data using the signal ;
While the moving image data is generated by the moving image generation unit , the first still image data is generated using the signal when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the signal is used when the operation unit is operated. A still image generating unit for generating second still image data;
A storage unit for storing the first still image data and the second still image data generated by the still image generation unit ;
Delete the first still image data in which the difference between the time when the second still image data stored in the storage unit is generated and the time when the first still image data is generated is smaller than a predetermined time. Imaging device. An imaging unit that captures a subject image and outputs a signal;
An operation unit operated to instruct imaging by the imaging unit;
A moving image generating unit that generates moving image data using the signal;
While the moving image data is generated by the moving image generation unit, the first still image data is generated using the signal when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the signal is used when the operation unit is operated. A still image generating unit for generating second still image data;
A storage unit for storing the first still image data and the second still image data generated by the still image generation unit;
The first still image data having a difference between a time when the second still image data stored in the storage unit is generated and a time when the first still image data is generated is longer than a predetermined time is deleted. Imaging device. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The storage unit stores in association with time wherein the first still image data first still picture data is generated, and a time when the second still image data and the second still image data is generated An imaging device that stores the information in association. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
When there are a plurality of the first still image data in which the difference between the time when the second still image data is generated and the time when the first still image data is generated is the storage unit , An imaging apparatus that deletes first still image data having the lowest image evaluation value from the plurality of first still image data. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A display unit that displays the number of second still image data that can be stored in the storage unit ;
The display device is an imaging device that reduces the number of images displayed on the display unit each time the second still image data is generated . In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The still image generation unit stores only the second still image data in the storage unit, and when there is no free space for storing the second still image data in the storage unit, An imaging device that does not generate data. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The still image generation unit is an imaging apparatus that does not generate the first still image data when there is no free space for storing the first still image data. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The storage device is an imaging device that deletes the first still image data when there is no free space for storing the second still image data.

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