JPH10271369A - Accessory for digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an accessory, capable of being extensively assembled on a digital camera as being necessary for coping with a special purpose such as consecutive photographing. SOLUTION: At photographing in a consecutive photographing mode, pieces of image data R. G, B obtained with a CCD 56, an analog signal processing part 57 and an A/D converter 58 are stored continuously in a frame memory 72 of an extension unit 40 with the pieces of data not being compressed, the pieces of image data are read in the order of storing, transmitted to a camera side after the completion of the consecutive photographing and recorded in a memory card 52 by performing signal processings such as Y/C data conversion and a compression processing, etc. Consequently, the consecutive photographing is performed, without being restricted by time required for a recording motion. In addition, when a new consecutive photographing is performed before the completion of reading of the image data stored in the frame memory 72, reading operation of the image data is interrupted and fetching of a consecutively photographed image is restarted within a range of free memory capacity of the frame memory 72.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an accessory for a digital camera, and more particularly to an accessory for a digital camera which can be continuously mounted on a digital camera as required to enable continuous shooting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to record and store more image data within a limited storage capacity, a conventional digital camera uses the image data of JP in order to record and save more image data.
Data is compressed according to a format such as EG, and the compressed data is stored in a built-in memory of a camera or a removable memory card. Then, the photographed image is displayed on the screen of the personal computer or the television by connecting the digital camera to the personal computer or the television, or transferring the image data recorded on the memory card to the personal computer. Printing is performed by a printer connected to the personal computer.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional digital camera, since the photographed image data is compressed and recorded on a memory card or the like, it takes a long time to process the data, and continuous photographing is performed. There was a drawback that could not be done. On the other hand, continuous shooting is a special use, and if it is permanently installed in a camera such as a large-capacity buffer memory to enable such a function, there is a problem that the cost of the camera body increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a digital camera accessory that can be extendedly assembled to a digital camera as needed in order to cope with a special use such as continuous shooting. The purpose is to:

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a signal processing means for converting a still image photographed via an imaging means into digital data, and an image outputted from the signal processing means. The digital camera, which is detachably connected via an interface to a digital camera comprising: a data compression means for compressing data in a predetermined format; and a memory for recording compressed image data compressed by the data compression means. An accessory that enables setting of a continuous shooting mode in which continuous shooting is performed at predetermined intervals based on a pressing operation of a release button, wherein the signal processing is performed during continuous shooting in the continuous shooting mode. Uncompressed output from the means and guided through the interface without going through the compression process by the data compression means. A storage unit for storing image data, and sequentially storing image data of a plurality of frames continuously acquired during continuous shooting in the continuous shooting mode in the storage unit, and storing the image data in the storage unit at the end of the continuous shooting. Control means for reading out the image data of each frame in the order of storage and sending out the data to the data compression means via the interface.

According to the present invention, the continuous shooting mode can be set by attaching the accessory to the digital camera. When the release button is pressed in the continuous shooting mode, the digital camera is continuously operated at a predetermined interval. The image is captured and the image is captured. In this case, the image data continuously shot at the time of the continuous shooting is continuously stored in the storage means of the accessory without being compressed, and after the continuous shooting, the image data is read out frame by frame in order of storage and transmitted to the camera. After performing a predetermined type of signal processing such as compression processing, the data is recorded in the memory. Thus, continuous shooting can be performed without being limited by the time required for signal processing (recording operation) for recording.

Further, by providing the special function of continuous shooting as an accessory of the digital camera, there is an advantage that the size and cost of the camera body can be reduced. Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, when the release button is newly pressed and continuous shooting is performed before the reading of the image data stored in the storage unit is completed,
The reading operation of the image data stored in the storage unit is interrupted, and the capture of the continuous shot image is resumed within the remaining capacity of the storage unit.

Thus, even if all the recording operations of the continuous shot images obtained by the previous shooting operation are not completed, if the storage capacity is not stored or the data processing is completed, the continuous shooting operation is performed. There is an advantage that it can be continued immediately. Further, conventionally, image data is mapped in the XY coordinate format in the memory space of the storage means and is managed two-dimensionally. However, according to another aspect of the present invention, image data continuously acquired during continuous shooting is provided. Since the data is handled as continuous data in the memory space of the storage means and written in the memory space in a linear format, the memory area can be used more efficiently as compared with the related art.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a digital camera accessory according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera to which a digital camera accessory according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. At the center of the front of the digital camera 1 is mounted a lens barrel 3 in which a photographing lens 2 is incorporated. Above the photographing lens 2, a flash window 4 and a finder objective window 5 are formed. An AF (auto focus) light emitting window 6 and an AF light receiving window 7 are provided vertically on the right side of the finder window. Reference numeral 8 denotes a flash light control sensor.

The photographing lens 2 comprises a zoom lens, and a zoom lever 2 provided on the back of the digital camera 1.
The focal length can be changed by the driving force of a motor (not shown) driven according to the operation of 0 (see FIG. 2). Although not shown in detail, a moving lens group constituting an objective lens is arranged inside the finder window 5, and the moving lens is driven in conjunction with a change in the focal length of the taking lens 2. A zoom finder is configured.

A light projecting means such as an infrared light emitting diode is provided inside the AF light projecting window 6, and a light receiving means including a light receiving element such as a photodiode is arranged inside the AF light receiving window 7. These light emitting means and light receiving means constitute a distance measuring unit for measuring the distance to the subject. This distance measuring unit (AF unit) obtains the distance to the subject based on, for example, the principle of triangulation, and the result is determined by autofocus (A
F) Used for control.

A release button 9, a mode dial 10, an up / down dial 11, an accessory shoe 12, and a liquid crystal display panel 13 are provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 1. A strobe button 14, an erase button 15, and a macro button 16 are provided side by side. The mode dial 10
The digital camera 1 is provided rotatably in both forward and reverse directions, and the function of the digital camera 1 can be changed depending on the setting position of the dial. For example, “OFF” − “A” for each click stop position of the rotation operation
UTO "-" SETUP "-" P "-" S "-" A "-
The mode is sequentially changed in nine stages of "M"-"PC"-"PLAY". After "PLAY", the mode returns to "OFF" and the dial makes one rotation. In the OFF mode, a mechanism (not shown) for locking the mode dial 10 is provided to prevent an erroneous operation due to an unexpected external force. Reference numeral 17 in the figure denotes an unlock button for unlocking the mode dial 10 when the mode dial is switched from the OFF mode to another mode.

The "OFF" mode is a position set when the digital camera 1 is not used. In this mode, the power of the digital camera 1 is turned off. "AUTO"
Is a mode set when performing automatic photographing. Under this mode, AF and AE (automatic exposure control) function effectively, and the photographer simply presses the release button 9 to perform other special operations. It is possible to shoot without performing.
"SETUP" is a mode for making various settings such as date, time, sensitivity correction, compression mode, etc. In this mode, the up / down dial 11 is checked while checking the display of the liquid crystal display panel for each item to be set. Then, a desired setting input is performed by operating a set button 23 (FIG. 2) described later.

For example, to set the date, the mode dial 10 is set to "SETUP", and the up / down dial 11 is rotated to display the date on the liquid crystal display panel 13. Then, when the set button 23 is pressed, the "year" starts blinking, and the numerical value is changed by rotating the up / down dial 11 while pressing the set button 23,
When the finger is released from the set button 23 at a desired value, “year” is set. Similarly, "month", "day", "hour", "minute"
To match.

"P" is a program AE, "S" is shutter priority, "A" is aperture priority, and "M" is a position for setting a manual exposure shooting mode. For the program selection, shutter speed setting, aperture value setting, and the like in each of these shooting modes, desired input is performed by operating the up / down dial 11 and the set button 23. “PC” is a mode in which the digital camera 1 and a personal computer are connected by a dedicated cable to transmit and receive image data. “PLAY” is a mode set when a captured image is reproduced, and one-frame reproduction and direct reproduction can be performed. Note that an image display means such as a television monitor is required to reproduce the captured image. A television monitor or a liquid crystal monitor is connected to the digital camera 1 by a video cable, or is connected to a personal computer via an extension unit 40 (FIG. 4) described later, so that the digital camera 1 can be displayed on the television monitor or the display of the personal computer. Will be displayed.

The flash button 14 is a button used to set whether or not to use the flash in the photographing mode. The erase button 15 is a button used to instruct the deletion of image data stored in the memory card. is there.
Further, on the liquid crystal display panel 13, the set states of the various switches, the remaining amount of the battery, the use status of the memory, and the like are displayed.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera shown in FIG. A zoom lever 20 is provided on the back of the digital camera 1, and by operating the zoom lever 20 upward or downward, the focal length of the photographing lens 2 is set to the long focal length (tele) or short focal length (wide). Can be changed to An eyepiece 22 of a finder is formed at the upper left corner of the back of the camera so that a field of view substantially equal to the angle of view can be observed from the eyepiece 22.

A set button 23 and an auto / MF (manual focus) button 24 are provided on the left side of the eyepiece section 22 of the finder. The set button 23 is used for the up / down dial 11 as described above.
Used when setting various inputs in combination with. Auto /
When the auto focus is selected by the MF button 24, the subject distance is measured by the above-described distance measuring unit in response to the pressing operation of the release button 9, and the photographing lens 2 is moved to a focus position corresponding to the subject distance. Focusing movement is performed by lens driving means (not shown).

When the MF is selected by the auto / MF button 24, the set button 23 and the up /
The photographic lens 2 is moved in focus by a lens driving unit (not shown) to the subject distance input and set by operating the down dial 11. Also, this auto / MF button 24
Is also used as an execution button when printing a reproduced image.

A memory card cover 25 is provided on the right side of the digital camera 1 in FIG. A memory card loading chamber is formed inside the digital camera 1, and the memory card cover 25 can be opened to insert a memory card into the digital camera 1 or take out the memory card from the digital camera 1. It has become.

A transparent memory card confirmation window 27 is formed in the center of the rear surface of the digital camera 1.
7, it can be confirmed whether or not a memory card is loaded in the digital camera 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bottom surface of the digital camera shown in FIG. An extension terminal 30, a tripod screw hole 32, and a unit mounting hole 34 are provided on the bottom surface of the digital camera 1 for electrical connection with an extension unit 40 described later. The tripod screw hole 32 is also used as a fixing screw hole of the extension unit, and the unit mounting hole 34 has an L-shaped inside so that an L-shaped hook (see FIG. 4) formed on the extension unit side can be engaged. Is formed.

A battery cover 36 is provided on the bottom of the digital camera 1 via a hinge 37 so as to be openable and closable. A battery cover open knob 38 formed on the battery cover 36 is operated to operate the battery cover. By opening 36, the battery can be replaced. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of an extension unit mounted on the bottom surface of the digital camera shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a view from the back side of the extension unit 40 (corresponding to a digital camera accessory).

On the upper surface of the extension unit 40, there are provided a terminal 42 for fitting with the extension terminal 30 of the digital camera 1, a fixing screw 43, and a hook 44 having a substantially L shape. Connect the hook 44 to the unit mounting hole 3 on the digital camera 1 side.
4 and the fixing screw 43 is screwed into the tripod screw hole 32 to attach the extension unit 40 to the bottom of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 and the extension unit 40 are connected to the extension terminals 30 and 42. Electrically connected by The extension terminal 30 and the terminal 42 are, for example, 40-pin connectors.

A 25-pin SCSI terminal (not shown) is provided on the left side of the expansion unit 40 in the figure, and can be directly connected to a personal computer or a digital printer 54 via a SCSI cable (FIG. 5). , FIG. 6).
On the back of the extension unit 40, a slide switch 46 and a dip switch 48 are provided. The slide switch 46 is a three-position slide type switch, and is used for switching between three modes of continuous shooting, off, and SCSI. For example, the center position of the switch is the OFF position,
The left corresponds to the continuous shooting position, and the right corresponds to the SCSI position. When the switch is set to the OFF position, the power save mode is set, and the consumption of the battery mounted on the digital camera 1 is suppressed. That is, the state is substantially the same as the state in which the extension unit 40 is not attached to the digital camera 1.

When the slide switch 46 is set to the left continuous shooting position, a continuous shooting operation, which will be described later, becomes possible, and continuous shooting is performed while the release button 9 is pressed. When the slide switch 46 is set to the right SCSI position, a personal computer or digital printer 54 connected via the SCSI terminal is set.
The transmission and reception of data with becomes effective. That is, the photographed image can be sent to the personal computer, and the photographing operation of the digital camera 1 can be performed on the personal computer side. Further, the photographed image data can be sent directly to the digital printer 54 for printing. Hereinafter, the extension unit 40 and the digital printer 54 can be used without using a device such as a personal computer.
Is directly connected by a SCSI cable to perform printing.

On the other hand, a four-position up / down type dip switch is used, and more detailed setting in the SCSI mode is performed by a combination of the four switches. That is, when the SCSI mode is selected by the slide switch 46, the DIP switch 48 is used to set the PC operation mode to further enable the PC connection, or to enable the direct connection by enabling the printer connection. Mode is set, and the PC
The SCSI ID setting in the operation mode and the paper size setting in the direct print mode are performed. For example,
Switch DSW1 and DSW in order from left to right in the figure.
Assuming that 2, DSW3 and DSW4 are the DIP switches (DSW
4) When is turned on, the PC operation mode is set, and when turned off, the direct print mode is set.

When the dip switch (DSW4) is on and the dip switch (DSW1) is off, an index image is printed. When the dip switch (DSW4) is on and the dip switch (DSW1) is on, one frame is printed. The image print is set. When the dip switch (DSW2) is on, L size (for example, A4 size)
When the dip switch (DSW2) is off, the paper is set to S size (for example, A5 size). The designation of the paper size can be forcibly determined by the paper tray of the connected digital printer.
In this case, the setting of DIP switch (DSW2) becomes invalid.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a system in which the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 and the extension unit shown in FIG. 4 are combined. The digital camera 1 has a video output terminal for sending a captured image in a predetermined signal format such as NTSC.
By connecting to an image display device such as an LCD monitor or the like, a photographed image can be confirmed. Note that a small liquid crystal monitor can be attached to the accessory shoe 12.

A memory card 52 is loaded in the digital camera 1, and data of a captured image is recorded on the memory card 52 in a predetermined format. Recording methods include
For example, a format conforming to the Exif format is adopted,
The image data compressed in the JPEG format and the thumbnail data of 80 × 60 pixels are recorded as a set for each photographed frame. Note that the thumbnail data is 1280 x 1
It is created by thinning out image data of 000 pixels to 1/16.

The compression modes are Fine (with 4bit / pel thumbnail), Normal (with 2bit / pel thumbnail), Basi
c (with 1-bit / prl thumbnail) and Hi (uncompressed) are provided. By operating the up / down dial 11 and the set button 23 under "setup" of the mode dial 10 described in FIG. It can be set selectively. If "uncompressed" is set in the compression mode setting, image data is recorded in TIFF format.

As the memory card 52, a PC card or a smart media (SSFDC) that can be used in a compatible manner with a PC card by using a PC card adapter is used. The memory card 52 is removable from the digital camera 1 and can be inserted into a notebook computer having a PC card slot or a PC card reader.
The image data can be used in various devices. Therefore, image transmission using a telephone line is also easy.

The extension unit 40 mounted on the bottom of the digital camera 1 can be directly connected to the digital printer 54 by a SCSI cable. Bidirectional communication is performed between the digital printer 54 and the extension unit 40, and information about the printer model, paper size, and the like is sent from the connected digital printer 54 to the extension unit 40 side.

On the other hand, the extension unit 40 performs color adjustment of image data and the like according to the model and paper size of the connected digital printer 54,
The print data matching the print mode set in step 8 is sent to the digital printer 54 side. For example, when a mode for printing a thumbnail list (index image) is set, the size and arrangement of each image during printing are optimized according to the model and paper size of the connected digital printer 54, and The print data is sent to the digital printer 54 side. The digital printer 54 receiving the data prints the index image on a predetermined sheet 55.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the digital camera and the extension unit. The digital camera 1 mainly includes a photographing lens 2, a CCD 56, an analog signal processing unit 57, an A / D converter 58, a digital signal processing unit 60, a Y / C data processing unit 61, a memory controller 62, a frame memory 64, a data compression / Decompression processing unit 65, central processing unit (CPU) 66, encoder 6
8, a memory card 52 and the like.

On the other hand, the extension unit 40 mainly includes a memory controller 70, a frame memory 72, and a FIFO.
(First-in first-out) processing unit 73, SCSI controller 74, ROM 75, SRAM 76, CPU 77, S
A CSI connector 78, a mode switch 46 and the like are provided. The digital camera 1 and the extension unit 40 are shown in FIG.
Are connected via the camera / adapter interface 80 corresponding to the extension terminal 30 described in
The digital printer 54 is connected to the SCSI connector 78 via a SCSI cable 82.

Light from the subject is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 56 by the photographing lens 2. The CCD 56 has, for example, a 万 inch 1.3 million pixels. The image light formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 56 is R, G, B
Each sensor having a filter accumulates electric charges for a predetermined time and converts the signals into R, G, and B signals in amounts corresponding to the light intensity. The R, G, and B signals are guided to an analog signal processing unit 57, where gains of the R, G, and B signals are controlled. The R, G, and B signals output from the analog signal processing unit 57 are A / D
After being converted into a digital signal by the converter 58, it is applied to a digital signal processing unit.

The digital signal processing unit 60 includes a white balance adjustment circuit, a γ correction circuit, an RGB synchronizing circuit, and the like. The converted R, G, B data is output to the Y / C data processing unit 61. Y / C data processing unit 61
Generates a luminance signal Y and a chroma signal Cr _{/ b} (hereinafter, referred to as Y / C data) based on the input R, G, and B data, and outputs these to the memory controller 62.

The memory controller 62 controls writing / reading of the Y / C data to / from the frame memory 64 and also controls writing / reading of the Y / C data to / from the memory card 52. Memory card 5 for Y / C data
In the case of recording in Y, the Y / C data output from the Y / C data processing unit 61 is first guided to the data compression / decompression processing unit 65, and the data is compressed in the compression mode set here. Then, the compressed Y / C data is recorded on the memory card 52.

When reproducing the image data recorded on the memory card 52, the data compression / expansion processing section 65 expands the Y / C data called from the memory card 52. Then, the decompressed Y / C
The data is applied to an encoder circuit 68. The encoder circuit 68 generates a color composite video signal of, for example, the NTSC system based on the input Y / C data, and outputs this to a video output terminal via a D / A converter (not shown).

The Y / C data (uncompressed) output from the Y / C data processor 61 and the Y / C data (uncompressed) read from the frame memory 64 by the memory controller 62 are sent to the encoder circuit 68. May be guided. The memory controller 62, the encoder circuit 68
And a D / A converter to which a synchronizing signal of a predetermined cycle is added from a synchronizing signal generating circuit (not shown), thereby synchronizing the respective circuits. Further, the synchronizing signal generation circuit, digital processing unit 60, Y / C data processing unit 61
The memory controller 62 is controlled based on a control signal applied from the CPU 66.

Next, the extension unit 40 will be described. The dot-sequential R, G, and B data output from the A / D converter 58 of the digital camera 1 and the Y / C data read by the memory controller 62 are transmitted to the extension unit 40 via the camera / adapter interface 80.
Of the memory controller 70.

The memory controller 70 controls the R,
It controls the writing / reading of G and B data to / from the frame memory 72 and also controls the writing of Y / C data to the frame memory 7.
2 is controlled for writing / reading. The memory controller 70 is connected to the FIFO processing unit 73 so that data can be extracted from the frame memory 72 in the order in which the data is stored in the frame memory 72.

That is, the FIFO processing unit 73 is interposed between the memory controller 70 and the frame memory 72 to temporarily hold the image data and record the image data in the frame memory 72. Thus, as the image data buffer, F
By using the IFO processing unit 73, the memory controller 70 can randomly refresh and switch the page (horizontal data switching) with respect to the frame memory, use the memory area of the frame memory 72 in a linear format, and reduce the memory capacity. Utilization becomes possible.

With this configuration, the memory controller 70
Handles image data as continuous data in a memory space and writes linearly (see FIG. 8). The usage format of the memory space will be further described later. Frame memory 72
For example, a 16 MB DRAM is used, and the above R, G, B data and Y / C data are recorded. The frame memory 72 is also used as a buffer for processing a captured image.

The ROM 75 stores a control program and a color correction look-up table (LUT) corresponding to the model of each printer. The SRAM 76 has a Y / C
It is used as a work memory for processing image data such as conversion of data into R, G, and B data. The memory controller 70, the ROM 75, the SRAM 76, and the SCSI controller 74
The CPU 77 is connected to a PU 77 and receives a setting signal from a mode switch 85 corresponding to the slide switch 46 or the dip switch 48.

The CPU 77 outputs various control signals based on the setting signal input from the mode switch 85 and the printer information of the digital printer 54 notified via the SCSI controller 74, and outputs the various control signals based on the control signals. Memory controller 70, ROM 75, S
Various data are transmitted and received between the RAM 76 and the SCSI controller 74, and predetermined data processing is executed.

For example, the CPU 77 recognizes the printer model and paper size based on the printer information, calls up a color correction LUT corresponding to the connected digital printer 54 from the ROM 75, and performs color adjustment suitable for the digital printer 54. When the print mode of the index image is set, the index image of each frame is appropriately arranged according to the paper size. These data are sent to the SCSI controller,
The data is set on the SCSI data bus and transmitted to the digital printer 54.

Next, a description will be given of a form of using the memory space of the frame memory in the extension unit. FIG.
Is a conceptual diagram of a conventional memory space use format, and FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a memory space use format adopted in the present embodiment. Conventional memory controllers use X
The mapping is performed in the Y coordinate format, and two-dimensional management is performed on the frame memory 72. That is, high-speed and continuous refresh and page switching are performed in the horizontal / vertical blanking period. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, the image data 90 for each frame is recorded in the memory space for each row, and there is an unused area in the memory space. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the memory cannot be effectively used.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the FIFO
Since the image data is temporarily stored using the processing unit 73, the memory controller 70 can randomly refresh and switch pages (horizontal data switching) to the frame memory 72, and use the memory in a linear format. it can. That is, the memory controller 70 treats image data continuously acquired during continuous shooting as continuous data in a memory space, and does not change the line for each frame as shown in FIG. Following the image data 90, the image data of the next frame is written one-dimensionally. As a result, unnecessary unused areas of the memory are eliminated, and the memory can be used efficiently.

As described above, by using the memory space in a linear format, a continuous shooting operation can be performed with a small-capacity memory. For example, when the number of image data is 1280 × 1000, six continuous shots can be recorded on an 18 Mbyte memory in the conventional recording in the XY format, whereas if the above-described linear format is adopted, a 16 Mbyte memory can be obtained. The continuous shooting operation of 12 images can be performed with the memory capacity.

Next, the operation of the digital camera and the extension unit configured as described above will be described. After confirming that the mode dial 10 of the digital camera 1 is in the “OFF” state, the hook 44 of the extension unit 40 is hooked on the unit mounting hole 34 of the digital camera 1 so that the extension terminals 30 and 42 are correctly connected. The digital camera 1 and the extension unit 40 are connected at the connection position, and the fixing screw 43 is closed and fixed. Further, the extension unit 40 and the digital printer 54 are connected to the SCSI cable 8.
Connect with 2.

Next, the slide switch 46 is operated to set to the SCSI position, and the paper size is designated by the dip switch (DSW2). When the photographed image is printed simultaneously with photographing after the photographing preparation is completed, turn the mode dial 10 of the digital camera 1 to “AUT”.
Match any one of "O", "P", "S", "A", and "M". Then, when the user presses the release button 9 and shoots, the shot image is immediately printed (hereinafter, referred to as “the image”).
(Referred to as a photograph print).

When recalling the images stored in the memory card 52 one by one and printing the reproduced images, the DIP switch (DSW1) of the extension unit 40 is turned on to set one-frame printing, and the DIP switch (DSW1) is set. Use DSW2) to specify the paper size. Then, the mode dial 10 of the digital camera 1 is set to "PLAY", and a frame to be printed is reproduced. When the mode dial 10 is set to “PLAY”, the memory card 52
Is reproduced and displayed on a display device such as the television monitor 50. While checking the reproduced image projected on the television monitor 50, the user operates the up / down dial 11 to select a frame desired to be printed, and presses the auto / MF button 24 to print the reproduced image (hereinafter, one frame). (Referred to as reproduction image print).

When printing a thumbnail list of images taken by the digital camera 1, that is, an index, the dip switch (DSW1) of the extension unit 40 is turned off to set the index print mode, and the dip switch (DSW2) is set. Use to specify the paper size. Then, the mode dial 11 of the digital camera 1 is set to "PLAY", and the first frame to be printed is reproduced. When the first frame is specified by operating the up / down dial 11 and the auto / MF button 24 is pressed, a thumbnail list of frames subsequent to the specified frame is printed (hereinafter, referred to as index print).

FIG. 9 shows the flow of the direct print process. When a print operation is started from a print operation standby state (idle state) (step S10, hereinafter only step numbers are described), for example, when the release button 9 is pressed, a reproduced image is printed (reproduced print).
Or a photograph print (S1).
2). Hereinafter, the case of the photograph print will be described.

In the case of a photograph print, CCD data is taken in from the CCD 56 described with reference to FIG. 6 (S1).
4) The R / G / B signals are converted into Y / C data in the Y / C data processing section 61 (S16). The Y / C data output from the Y / C data processing unit 61 is stored in the frame memory 64 without being compressed (S22). In the flowchart of FIG. 9, the frame memory 64 on the camera side is represented as "frame memory 1", and the frame memory 72 on the extension unit 40 side is represented as "frame memory 2".

Thereafter, the digital camera 1 notifies the extension unit 40 of a signal instructing execution of printing (S24). The extension unit 40 determines whether the print is a reproduction print or a photograph print based on the data input from the digital camera 1 (S26).
4, the Y / C data (uncompressed) is extracted, the Y / C data is converted into R, G, B data (S30), and the R, G, B data is stored in the frame memory 72 (S30).
32).

After storing the R, G, and B data in the frame memory 72 in S32, correction is performed using an LUT corresponding to the connected digital printer 54, and the R, G, and B data are sent to the digital printer 54. Is transferred (S34). Next, the digital printer 54 is notified of the start of printing (S42), and waits for the end of the printing process (S44). When a notification that the printing process has been completed is input from the digital printer 54 side, the process returns to S10.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the photographed image print mode, the data of the photographed image is sent directly to the digital printer 54 without performing the compression / decompression processing. Printing is possible. Further, there is an advantage that a personal computer is not required, and printing can be performed without performing complicated personal computer operations. still,
In this embodiment, the case where the captured image is printed via Y / C conversion has been described, but the R, G, B data output from the A / D converter 58 is directly extended without going through Y / C conversion. It may be sent to the unit 40 side.

Next, the case of one-frame reproduction print will be described. If it is determined in S12 that the print is a reproduction print, the image data (Y / C compressed data) of the designated frame is called from the memory card 52 (S18). Then, the data is decompressed by the compression / decompression processing unit (S20), and the Y / C data (uncompressed) is stored in the frame memory 64.

Thereafter, the digital camera 1 notifies the extension unit 40 of a signal instructing execution of printing (S24). The extension unit 40 determines whether the print is a reproduction print or a photograph print based on a signal input from the digital camera 1 (S26). Is determined (S28). When the single-frame reproduction print mode is set by the dip switch 48 of the extension unit 40, the Y / C data is extracted from the frame memory 64 of the digital camera 1, and the Y / C data is converted into R, G, and B data. Conversion is performed (S30). Subsequent processing is equivalent to the above-described steps S32 to S46.

Next, the case of index printing will be described. In the case of the index print, the steps S10 to S28 in the one-frame reproduction print are the same, and the description is omitted. If it is determined in S28 that the print is an index print, the thumbnail data is called from the memory card 52 of the camera for the currently designated playback frame, and the Y / C data is read as R, G, B.
It is converted into data (S36).

Then, the R, G, and B data of the thumbnail is stored in the frame memory 72 (S38), corrected using an LUT corresponding to the digital printer 54, and then sent to the printer for the R, G, and B data. The data is transferred (S40). The processing from S36 to S40 is repeated for all frames after the designated frame number, and after confirming that the R, G, B data of all thumbnails to be printed have been transferred to the printer, The printer 54 is notified of the start of printing (S4
4). Then, it waits for the end of the print processing (S46),
When a notification that the print processing has been completed is input from the printer side, the processing returns to S10.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the arrangement of each thumbnail in the index print. The extension unit 40 automatically recognizes the model and paper size of the connected digital printer 54, and takes into consideration the total number of pixels and resolution of the digital printer 54 and the paper size, and determines the size of each frame image, the position of the frame, and the frame size. Arrange the frames with appropriate distances.

For example, in a printer model, A5
When a sheet of the size is set, the size of each frame is set to 25.4 × 19.1 (mm) as shown in FIG.
And the distance between adjacent horizontal frames is 2.0 m
m, the vertical interval is 7.9 mm, and a maximum of 35 frames of 7 × 5 are displayed on the entire sheet as shown in FIG. 10B. The arrangement order of the frames in the paper may be determined so that the frame numbers are arranged in the order of smaller frame numbers from the upper left corner in FIG. 8B to the right, or the frame numbers are arranged in the lower direction from the upper right corner in FIG. May be determined so as to be arranged in ascending order. One of several types of array patterns may be selected.

Next, continuous shooting will be described. The point that the digital camera 1 and the extension unit 40 are connected and the fixing screw 43 is closed and fixed is the same as in the case of direct printing. However, connection with the digital printer 54 is not always necessary. Next, the slide switch 46 is operated to set the continuous shooting position. With this setting, the continuous shooting function is enabled, and the setting of the dip switch 48 is ignored.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the continuous shooting process. When the release button 9 is pressed, continuous shooting is started (S50), and shooting is performed (S52). The captured image is subjected to analog signal processing as described with reference to FIG. 6 (S54), A / D converted (S56), and A / D converted.
The dot-sequential R, G, B data output from the converter 58 is guided to the memory controller 70 of the extension unit 40 via the camera / adapter interface 80 (S5).
8). Note that in the flowchart of FIG.
To "Continuous shooting memory controller", frame memory 72
Is represented as “continuous shooting memory”.

Then, the R, G, and B data are stored in the frame memory 72 via the memory controller 70 (S60). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting has been completed (S62). While the release button 9 is kept pressed, shooting is performed at a continuous shooting speed of 4.5 frames / second (however, when the shutter speed is set to 1/60 or more), and the release button 9 is pressed. If the continuous shooting is still in progress, the process returns to S52. That is, during continuous shooting, the captured images are sequentially stored in the frame memory 72 uncompressed as R, G, and B data. The upper limit of the number of frames that can be photographed by one continuous shooting is defined by the capacity of the frame memory 72, and is, for example, 12 frames.
When 12 frames of image data are stored in the frame memory 72, continuous shooting is forcibly terminated.

The finger is released from the release button 9 or 12
When the continuous shooting for the frames is performed and it is confirmed in S62 that the continuous shooting has been completed, the processing of the image data stored in the frame memory 72 is started. That is, the frame memory 72
The image data for one frame is read from the frame memory 72 in the order in which the image data is stored in (S64), and transferred to the digital signal processing unit on the camera side via the memory controller 70. Then, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the digital signal processor 60 and the subsequent Y / C data processor 61 perform predetermined digital signal processing to generate Y / C data (S68). Thereafter, the Y / C data is compressed and recorded on the memory card 52 (S70).

The image data for one frame is stored in the memory card 5
When it is recorded in No. 2, it is confirmed whether or not the continuous shooting has been resumed (S72). If the release button 9 has not been newly pressed, it is confirmed whether or not unprocessed data exists in the frame memory 72 (S74). If unprocessed data exists, the process returns to S64. Then, the image data processing of the next frame is performed.

After the continuous shooting in S62, continuous shooting is not resumed for a certain period of time, and when all the image data stored in the frame memory 72 has been processed, data recording of the continuous shooting ends (S76). On the other hand, even if there is unprocessed data in the frame memory 72, if there is room in the frame memory 72 (the number of unprocessed images on the
In the case of less than two pictures), continuous shooting can be resumed within the free space of the frame memory 72. The processed data is deleted by overwriting.

When the continuous shooting is resumed in S72, the process returns to S52, and a new photographing is performed. The subsequent processing is as described above. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image data is set to R,
The G and B data are continuously stored in the frame memory 72 in an uncompressed state, and after the continuous shooting, the image data is called out in the storage order, converted into Y / C data, subjected to signal processing such as compression, and recorded in the memory card 52. As a result, continuous shooting can be performed without being limited by the time required for signal processing (recording operation). In addition, when there is an empty space in the frame memory 72, there is an advantage that the continuous shooting operation can be resumed and the recording operation can be interrupted and the continuous shooting operation can be continued.

Further, by providing special functions such as direct printing and continuous shooting in the form of an extension unit, that is, as accessories for a digital camera, there is an advantage that the size and cost of the camera body can be reduced. .

[0074]

As described above, according to the accessory for a digital camera according to the present invention, image data continuously shot during continuous shooting is stored in the storage means on the accessory side without being compressed, and 1 after the shooting
The image data is read out frame by frame, sent to the camera side, subjected to signal processing of a predetermined format such as compression processing, and then recorded in the memory, so that continuous shooting is not limited by the time required for the recording operation. It can be performed.

As described above, by providing the special function of continuous shooting as an accessory of a digital camera,
There is an advantage that the size and cost of the camera body can be reduced. If new continuous shooting is performed before the reading of the image data stored in the storage means is completed, the operation of reading the image data stored in the storage means is interrupted, and the remaining storage capacity of the storage means is reduced. The continuous photographing operation is resumed immediately within the range of, so that there is an advantage that the continuous photographing operation can be immediately continued within a range where the storage capacity of the storage means is free.

Further, image data obtained continuously during continuous shooting is handled as continuous data in the memory space of the storage means and written in the memory space in a linear format. Can be used efficiently. Thus, there is an advantage that the continuous shooting operation can be performed with a relatively small-capacity memory.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera to which a digital camera accessory according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of an extension unit.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a system in which the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 and the extension unit shown in FIG. 4 are combined;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the digital camera and the extension unit.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional memory use format.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a memory use format of a frame memory in the extension unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a direct print process.

10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of an arrangement of thumbnails in an index print. FIG. 10A illustrates a size and an interval of each frame, and FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a continuous shooting process;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera 9 ... Release button 10 ... Mode dial 30 ... Extension terminal 34 ... Unit mounting hole 40 ... Extension unit (digital camera accessory) 42 ... Terminal 46 ... Slide switch 48 ... Dip switch 52 ... Memory card 54 ... Digital printer 56 ... CCD (imaging means) 62, 70 ... Memory controller 64, 72 ... Frame memory 77 ... CPU 78 ... SCSI connector 80 ... Camera / adapter interface 82 ... SCSI cable

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/92

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A signal processing means for converting a still image captured via an imaging means into digital data, a data compression means for compressing image data output from the signal processing means in a predetermined format, A memory for recording compressed image data compressed by the data compression means is detachably connected to the digital camera via an interface, and is mounted on the digital camera so as to perform a predetermined operation based on a pressing operation of a release button. An accessory which enables setting of a continuous shooting mode in which continuous shooting is performed at intervals of, output from the signal processing means during continuous shooting in the continuous shooting mode, and passed through compression processing by the data compression means. Storage means for storing uncompressed image data guided through the interface without using the interface, While sequentially storing the image data of a plurality of frames continuously acquired during continuous shooting by the storage unit, the image data of each frame stored in the storage unit is read out in the storage order at the end of the continuous shooting, and the interface is executed. And a control unit for sending the data to the data compression unit via the data compression unit. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when a new continuous photographing is performed before reading of the image data stored in said storage unit is completed, the control unit suspends the reading operation of the image data stored in said storage unit. 2. The digital camera accessory according to claim 1, wherein the capture of the continuous shot images is restarted within a remaining range of the storage capacity of the storage unit. 3. The digital camera accessory according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a memory controller and a FIFO processing unit. 4. The control unit handles uncompressed image data guided through the interface as continuous data in a memory space of the storage unit, and processes a plurality of frame image data acquired during continuous shooting. 4. The digital camera accessory according to claim 1, wherein the data is linearly written in the storage unit.