US20120098987A1 - Electronic camera - Google Patents
Electronic camera Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120098987A1 US20120098987A1 US13/086,863 US201113086863A US2012098987A1 US 20120098987 A1 US20120098987 A1 US 20120098987A1 US 201113086863 A US201113086863 A US 201113086863A US 2012098987 A1 US2012098987 A1 US 2012098987A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- image processing
- image data
- image
- output
- control unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/21—Intermediate information storage
- H04N1/2104—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures
- H04N1/2112—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras
- H04N1/2137—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras with temporary storage before final recording, e.g. in a frame buffer
- H04N1/2141—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras with temporary storage before final recording, e.g. in a frame buffer in a multi-frame buffer
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
- H04N23/64—Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
- H04N23/667—Camera operation mode switching, e.g. between still and video, sport and normal or high- and low-resolution modes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2101/00—Still video cameras
Definitions
- the present application relates to an electronic camera that performs image processing on image data obtained by shooting.
- an electronic camera such as a digital camera
- a continuous shooting mode in which a plurality of still images is obtained continuously based on a frame rate set in advance
- a moving image mode in which a moving image is obtained, etc.
- image data is output at regular intervals from an imaging element, and thus, if processing capacity relating to image processing or coding processing for output image data is low, processing time required for the processing increases and as a result, processing on image data not subjected to processing yet is performed even after shooting has been completed.
- a proposition of the present embodiment is to provide an electronic camera capable of preventing electric power from being wasted when a plurality of image processing units is used.
- an electronic camera of the present embodiment is characterized by including an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light, a buffer memory which temporarily stores image data being output from the imaging element, a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element, and a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on a number of the pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory when image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.
- the plurality of the image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of the image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory.
- control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory and a threshold value set in advance.
- control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory exceeds the threshold value.
- an electronic camera of the present embodiment is characterized by including an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light, a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element, and a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of the image processing units to operate based on an output interval of the image data when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.
- the plurality of the image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of the image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the output interval of the image data.
- control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the output interval of the image data and a threshold value set in advance.
- control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the output interval of the image data is less than or equal to the threshold value.
- the output interval of the image data is obtained by measuring a time from a vertical synchronizing signal output at the time of start of imaging to a vertical synchronizing signal to be output next.
- a setting operation unit to be operated when setting the output interval of the image data.
- an electronic camera of the present embodiment is characterized by including an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light, a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element, and a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on an output resolution of the image data output from the imaging element when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.
- the plurality of image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the output resolution of the image data.
- control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the output resolution of the image data and a threshold value set in advance.
- control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the output resolution of the image data exceeds the threshold value.
- control unit stops the image processing unit operated by the control unit when image processing is completed in at least each of the image processing units operated.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a digital camera using the present embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a timing chart at the time of shooting in a continuous shooting mode in a first embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a timing chart at the time of shooting in a continuous shooting mode in a second embodiment.
- FIG. 1 shows an example of a digital camera using the present invention. It is made possible for a digital camera 10 of the present invention to perform movie shooting to obtain a moving image in addition to still image shooting to obtain one still image at the time of operation of a release button 55 , to be described later, continuous shooting to continuously obtain a predetermined number of still images at regular intervals at the time of full-press operation of the release button 55 , to be described later.
- a mode to perform still image shooting is referred to as a still image mode
- a mode to perform continuous shooting as a continuous shooting mode a mode to perform movie shooting as a moving image mode.
- explanation is given on the assumption that an action to obtain an image by the digital camera 10 is referred to as shooting and the internal processing of the digital camera 10 performed at the time of shooting as imaging.
- the digital camera 10 photoelectrically converts object light taken in by an imaging optical system 15 through the use of an imaging element 16 and obtains image data from an electric signal after the photoelectric conversion.
- the imaging optical system 15 includes a lens group including a zoom lens, a focus lens, etc., not shown schematically.
- the zoom lens and focus lens are moved in the direction of an optical axis L by a lens drive mechanism, not shown schematically.
- the imaging element 16 includes, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), etc.
- the drive of the imaging element 16 is controlled by a driver 21 .
- the control of the drive of the imaging element 16 includes the control of accumulation of signal charges and output of accumulated signal charges, in each pixel of the imaging element 16 . Explanation will be given below on the assumption that a signal charge output from the imaging element 16 is referred to as an image signal.
- the driver 21 controls whether to drive all the pixels or part of the pixels of the imaging element 16 .
- an image signal is obtained by driving all the pixels of the imaging element 16 and at the time of non-shooting, an image signal is obtained by selectively using part of the pixels of the imaging element 16 , that is, by so-called thinning control.
- An AFE (Analog Front End) circuit 22 is configured to include an AGC circuit and a CDS circuit, not shown schematically.
- the AFE circuit 22 converts an analog signal into a digital signal by an A/D conversion circuit, not shown schematically, after performing analog processing, such as gain control and noise removal, on an input image signal.
- the digital image signal is output to a DFE circuit 23 .
- the DFE (Digital Front End) circuit 23 performs noise correction processing and defect correction processing on an input image signal.
- the image signal having been subjected to the processing is output to a first image processing circuit 31 and a second image processing circuit 36 , respectively.
- Reference numeral 24 represents a timing generator (TG) and upon receipt of an output of a timing pulse of the TG 24 , the operations of the driver 21 , the AFE circuit 22 , and the DFE circuit 23 are synchronized.
- the first image processing circuit 31 starts to operate when the main power source of the digital camera 10 is turned on and stops its operation when the main power source of the digital camera 10 is turned off.
- the first image processing circuit 31 performs image processing and coding processing on image data stored in a first buffer memory 41 and at the same time, performs decoding processing on decoded data in an image file stored in a storage medium 51 and image processing for image data having been subjected to decoding processing.
- the first image processing circuit 31 has functions of a control unit 32 , an image processing unit 33 , and a coding/decoding unit 34 .
- the control unit 32 supplies electric power from a power source device 57 to the first buffer memory 41 as well as to the image processing unit 33 , the coding/decoding unit 34 . Furthermore, the control unit 32 outputs a clock pulse to the first buffer memory 41 as well as to the image processing unit 33 and the coding/decoding unit 34 . Because of this, the operation of each part of the first image processing circuit 31 and the first buffer memory 41 is controlled by the control unit 32 . Moreover, the control unit 32 outputs an operation signal or an operation stop signal to the second image processing circuit 36 . Because of this, the second image processing circuit 36 is switched between a state where it operates (hereinafter, referred to as an operation state) and a state where its operation is stopped (hereinafter, referred to as a standby state).
- an operation state a state where it operates
- a standby state a state where its operation is stopped
- the image processing unit 33 performs image processing, such as white balance processing, color interpolation processing, gamma processing, and contour enhancement processing, on image data stored in a first storage region 42 .
- image processing such as white balance processing, color interpolation processing, gamma processing, and contour enhancement processing, on image data stored in a first storage region 42 .
- This processing is already known, and thus, its details are omitted here.
- the coding/decoding unit 34 compresses and codes image data having been subjected image processing by the image processing unit 33 .
- the compressed and coded image data is referred to as coded data hereinafter.
- the decoded data is written to a second storage region 43 of the first buffer memory 41 .
- image data obtained in the continuous shooting mode and the moving image mode is input, a plurality of pieces of image data is input, and thus, in these modes, image data and coded data are managed by an output number etc.
- the coding/decoding unit 34 generates image data by decoding coded data read from the storage medium 51 .
- the second image processing circuit 36 switches between the standby state and the operation state upon receipt of the operation signal or the operation stop signal from the first image processing circuit 31 .
- the standby state electric power is supplied only to a control unit 37 , to be described later, and no electric power is supplied to an image processing unit 38 or coding/decoding unit 39 . Because of this, even if image data from the DFE circuit 23 is input, this image data is invalid data that is not written to a second buffer memory 45 .
- electric power is supplied to the image processing unit 38 and the coding/decoding unit 39 in addition to the control unit 37 . In this case, for example, every two pieces of image data to be input is handled as valid image data and written to the second buffer memory 45 . Image data not to be written to the second buffer memory 45 is invalid image data.
- the second image processing circuit 36 includes the control unit 37 , the image processing unit 38 , and the coding/decoding unit 39 .
- the functions of the image processing unit 38 and the coding/decoding unit 39 in the second image processing circuit 36 are the same as the functions of the image processing unit 33 and the coding/decoding unit 34 in the first image processing circuit 31 , respectively, and thus, their details are omitted here.
- the processing capacity of the image processing according to the image processing unit 38 is the same as the processing capacity of the image processing according to the first image processing circuit 31 .
- the control unit 37 controls each part of the second image processing circuit 36 by outputting a clock pulse as well as supplying electric power from the power source device 57 to the image processing unit 38 and the coding/decoding unit 39 . It should be noted that to the control unit 37 , electric power is supplied from the power source device 57 even in the standby state. Because of this, it is made possible to identify an operation signal input from the first image processing circuit 31 even if the second image processing circuit 36 is in the standby state. It should be noted that when the second image processing unit 36 is in the standby state, no electric power is supplied to the image processing unit 38 or the coding/decoding unit 39 , and thus, processing is not performed on each of these parts.
- the control unit 37 processes input image data as invalid data. Moreover, upon receipt of the operation signal from the first image processing circuit 31 , the control unit 37 starts to supply electric power to each part of the second image processing circuit 36 and the second buffer memory 45 and at the same time, outputs a clock pulse to the image processing unit 38 , the coding/decoding unit 39 , and the second buffer memory 45 . Because of this, the operation of each part of the first image processing circuit 31 and the operation of the first buffer memory 41 are controlled by the control unit 32 .
- control unit 37 reads coded data stored in a second storage region 47 of the second buffer memory 45 and outputs it to the first image processing circuit 31 when image processing and coding processing are performed on all the image data stored in the first storage region 46 of the second buffer memory 45 .
- This coded data is stored in the second storage region 43 of the first buffer memory 41 via the first image processing circuit 31 .
- an operation stop signal is input from the first image processing circuit 31 .
- the control unit 37 stops outputting of a clock pulse to the image processing unit 38 , the coding/decoding unit 39 , and the second buffer memory 45 and stops the supply of electric power thereto. Because of this, the operations of the image processing unit 38 , the coding/decoding unit 39 , and the second buffer memory 45 are stopped. That is, the second image processing circuit 36 switches from the operation state to the standby state.
- the first buffer memory 41 includes the first storage region 42 and the second storage region 43 .
- image data output from the DFE circuit 23 is stored.
- coded data generated by the first image processing circuit 31 is stored.
- coded data input to the first image processing circuit 31 via the second image processing circuit 36 is also stored.
- the second buffer memory 45 also includes the first storage region 46 and the second storage region 47 . Data stored in these storage regions is the same as that in the first buffer memory 41 .
- image files include image files in which coded data stored in the first buffer memory 41 described above and additional information, such as information about shooting conditions, shooting date, and the type of the digital camera 10 , etc., are combined.
- An LCD 52 is one form of a display device and displays a through image or an image obtained at the time of shooting. It should be noted that an image obtained at the time of shooting includes, for example, a thumbnail image.
- the thumbnail image is an image generated by performing reduction processing on image data obtained by shooting. Furthermore, in addition to the above, the LCD 52 displays an image for setting used to make settings of the digital camera 10 .
- a CPU 54 totally controls each part of the digital camera 10 by executing a control program, not shown schematically.
- the release button 55 To the CPU 54 , the release button 55 , a setting operation unit 56 , etc., are connected and the CPU 54 controls each part of the digital camera 10 based on the operation request by these operation members and the control program.
- the release button 55 When the release button 55 is operated, after AE processing and AF processing are performed, imaging processing is performed under the exposure condition determined by the AE processing.
- the setting operation unit 56 it is possible to change various settings in the digital camera 10 . At the time of the setting, any of the shooting modes is selected or the reproduction mode is selected, and a frame rate value in the continuous shooting mode or moving image mode is set.
- the power source device 57 supplies electric power to each part of the digital camera 10 . Moreover, when the main power source of the digital camera 10 is turned off, the power source device 57 stops the supply of electric power to each part of the digital camera 10 .
- a frame image in FIG. 2 corresponds to image data shown in FIG. 1 . That is, a frame image 1 corresponds to first image data shown in FIG. 1 and a frame image 2 corresponds to second image data shown in FIG. 1 , respectively.
- the second image processing circuit 36 is in the standby state.
- a release switch (SW) is turned ON and after AE processing and AF processing are performed, shooting is performed under the shooting conditions set by the AE processing.
- the above-described imaging is performed continuously a plurality of times based on the frame rate value set in advance.
- the signal charge photoelectrically converted in the imaging element 16 is output from the imaging element 16 to the AFE circuit 22 as an image signal.
- the image signal input to the AFE circuit 22 is subjected to analog processing, such as gain control and noise removal, and converted into a digital signal. After that, the image signal converted into the digital signal is output to the DFE circuit 23 from the AFE circuit 22 .
- the image signal converted into the digital signal is output to the first image processing circuit 31 and the second image processing circuit 36 , respectively, after having been subjected to noise correction processing and defect correction processing in the DFE circuit 23 . It should be noted that because the second image processing circuit 36 is in the standby state, the image signal input from the DFE circuit 23 to the second image processing circuit 36 is an invalid signal (data).
- the image data input to the first image processing circuit 31 is written to the first storage region 42 of the first buffer memory 41 .
- the number of pieces of image data stored in the first storage region 42 of the first buffer memory 41 is 1.
- the second imaging is performed.
- Image data based on the second imaging is written to the first storage region 42 of the first buffer memory 41 via the first image processing circuit 31 . Because of this, the number of pieces of image data stored in the first storage region 42 of the first buffer memory 41 is 2.
- the control unit 32 checks N, which is the number of pieces of image data stored in the first storage region 42 of the first buffer memory 41 .
- control unit 32 determines that the number of pieces of image data N within the first storage region 42 is equal to or less than the threshold value N 0 , it indicates that image data to be obtained newly is input to the first image processing unit 31 after image processing for the image data has been completed. That is, it is possible to perform the image processing on the image data obtained continuously in the continuous shooting mode only in the first image processing circuit 31 . In this case, the first image processing circuit 31 does not output the operation signal toward the second image processing circuit 36 . As a result of this, the second image processing circuit 36 enters the standby state.
- control unit 32 determines that the number of pieces of image data N exceeds the threshold value N 0 , it indicates that image data to be obtained newly is input to the first image processing circuit 31 before the image processing for the image data is completed. This case indicates that the rate of image processing in the first image processing circuit 31 cannot keep pace with the rate at which the image data is written to the first buffer memory 41 , that is, it is not possible to keep pace only by the image processing in the first image processing circuit 31 . In this case, the control unit 32 outputs the operation signal toward the second image processing circuit 36 .
- the control unit 37 Upon receipt of the operation signal from the first image processing circuit 31 , the control unit 37 switches the standby state of the second image processing circuit 36 to the operation state. It should be noted that “activation” in FIG. 2 represents processing to switch the standby state to the operation state. During the period of this processing time, the control unit 37 supplies electric power to the image processing unit 38 , the coding/decoding unit 39 . At the same time, the control unit 37 supplies electric power to the second buffer memory 45 . Furthermore, the control unit 37 outputs a clock pulse to the image processing unit 38 , the coding/decoding unit 39 , and the second buffer memory 45 . Because of this, the second image processing circuit 36 and the second buffer memory 45 are operated.
- the second image processing circuit 36 when the activation time of the second image processing circuit 36 is shorter than the output interval of image data, the second image processing circuit 36 causes the first storage region 46 of the second buffer memory 45 to store image data obtained by the third imaging.
- the activation time of the second image processing circuit 36 is stored in advance in the first image processing circuit 31 , and thus, when the image data obtained is input to the first image processing circuit 31 after the second image processing circuit 36 is switched to the operation state, the image data is processed as invalid data.
- image data obtained by the fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth shooting is stored in the first buffer memory 41 and image data obtained by the fifth, seventh, and ninth shooting is stored in the second buffer memory 45 . That is, image data obtained by the third and latter shooting is stored alternately.
- image data obtained by the first shooting is described as first image data
- image data obtained by the second shooting is described as second image data
- the coded data corresponding to the image data is represented as first coded data, second coded data, and the like.
- the image processing and coding processing by the first image processing circuit 31 and the second image processing circuit 36 are performed.
- the first image processing circuit 31 when image data obtained by the second shooting is recorded in the first buffer memory 41 , the image processing for the image data obtained by the first shooting is started. Then, when the image processing is completed, the coding processing by the coding/decoding unit 33 is performed and coded data is generated. It should be noted that the coded data is stored in the second storage region 43 of the first buffer memory 41 . Following this, image data from which the coded data is generated is deleted.
- the first storage region 42 of the first buffer memory 41 is required only to have a capacity large enough to store three pieces of image data, and thus, it is made possible to save the capacity of the first buffer memory 41 .
- image data obtained by the fifth shooting is stored in the first storage region 46 of the second buffer memory 45 . That is, afterward, in the step in which image processing in the first image processing circuit 31 is performed, new image data is written to the first storage region 42 of the first buffer memory 41 .
- the first storage region 46 of the second buffer memory 45 up to two pieces of image data are stored, and thus, the first storage region is required only to have a capacity large enough to store two pieces of image data.
- the control unit 32 of the first image processing circuit 31 outputs the operation stop signal to the second image processing circuit 36 .
- the control unit 37 of the second image processing circuit 36 Upon receipt of the operation stop signal from the first image processing circuit 31 , the control unit 37 of the second image processing circuit 36 stops the supply of a clock pulse to the image processing unit 38 , the coding/decoding unit 39 , and the second buffer memory 45 and stops the supply of electric power to the image processing unit 38 , the coding/decoding unit 39 , and the second buffer memory 45 .
- the second image processing circuit 36 remains in the standby state and no electric power is supplied to the image processing unit 38 and the coding/decoding unit 39 of the second image processing circuit 36 , and thus, it is made possible to prevent electric power from being wasted.
- the primary battery or secondary battery is used as a power source device, it is made possible to lengthen the lifetime of these batteries.
- the second image processing circuit 36 is brought into the standby state, and thus, it is possible to reduce the amount of heat generated from the circuit involved in image processing and to suppress the deformation of the interior of the digital camera or the risk of burn. Moreover, because it is possible to keep to a minimum the capacity of the first buffer memory 41 and the first storage region 46 of the first storage region 42 , and thus, it is also possible to reduce the total capacity of the buffer memory.
- a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained below using the drawings. Meanwhile, the second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment in which the basis for determination of control is different, and thus, only parts different from those in the first embodiment are explained. Furthermore, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is explained by using the same symbol.
- the flow of processing in the first image processing circuit 31 and the second image processing circuit 36 when shooting is performed in the continuous shooting mode in the second embodiment is explained using the timing chart in FIG. 3 .
- the timing chart in FIG. 3 a case is explained, where 10 images are shot continuously in the continuous shooting mode at a frame rate value of 8 fps.
- Each frame image in FIG. 3 corresponds to each piece of image data shown in FIG. 1 . That is, the frame image 1 corresponds to the first image data shown in FIG. 1 and the frame image 2 corresponds to the second image data shown in FIG. 1 , respectively.
- the second image processing circuit 36 is in the standby state.
- imaging is performed and image data input to the first image processing circuit 31 is written to the first storage region 42 of the first buffer memory 41 .
- the image signal is one obtained by the first imaging
- the number of pieces of image data stored in the first storage region 42 of the first buffer memory 41 is 1. Triggered by this, the control unit 32 of the first image processing circuit 31 starts to measure time.
- the second imaging is performed.
- Image data based on the second imaging is written to the first storage region 42 of the first buffer memory 41 via the first image processing circuit 31 . Because of this, the number of pieces of image data stored in the first storage region 42 of the first buffer memory 41 is 2.
- the control unit 32 stops measuring of time.
- the control unit 32 calculates an output interval T of the image data by finding the time when measuring of time is stopped, in other words, a time elapsed from when the image signal obtained by the first imaging is input to the first buffer memory 41 to when the image signal obtained by the second imaging is input to the first buffer memory 41 .
- the control unit 32 makes a determination by comparison between the output interval T of the image data and a threshold value T 0 .
- the threshold value T 0 is a processing time required for the image processing of image data in the first image processing circuit 31 .
- the control unit 32 determines that the output interval T of the image data exceeds the threshold value T 0 , this indicates that the image data to be obtained newly is input to the first image processing unit 31 after the image processing for the image data has been completed. That is, it is possible to perform the image processing on the image data obtained continuously in the continuous shooting mode only in the first image processing circuit 31 . In this case, the first image processing circuit 31 does not output the operation signal toward the second image processing circuit 36 . As a result of this, the second image processing circuit 36 enters the standby state.
- the control unit 32 determines that the output interval T is equal to or less than the threshold value T 0 , this indicates that the image data to be obtained newly is input to the first image processing unit 31 before the image processing for the image data is completed.
- This case indicates that the rate of the image processing in the first image processing circuit 31 cannot keep pace with the rate at which image data is written to the first buffer memory 41 , that is, it is not possible to keep pace only by the image processing in the first image processing circuit 31 .
- the control unit 32 outputs the operation signal toward the second image processing circuit 36 .
- the control unit 37 Upon receipt of the operation signal from the first image processing circuit 31 , the control unit 37 switches the standby state of the second image processing circuit 36 to the operation state. It should be noted that “activation” in FIG. 3 represents the processing to switch the standby state to the operation state.
- the control unit 37 supplies electric power to the image processing unit 38 , the coding/decoding unit 39 .
- the control unit 37 supplies electric power to the second buffer memory 45 .
- the control unit 37 outputs a clock pulse to the image processing unit 38 , the coding/decoding unit 39 , and the second buffer memory 45 . Because of this, the second image processing circuit 36 and the second buffer memory 45 are operated. Afterward, the same processing as that in the first embodiment is performed.
- the second image processing circuit 36 when the output interval T of the image data exceeds the threshold value T 0 , that is, when continuous shooting at a low frame rate value is performed or when shooting is performed in the still image mode, the second image processing circuit 36 remains in the standby state and no electric power is supplied to the image processing unit 38 , the coding/decoding unit 39 of the second image processing circuit 36 , and thus, it is made possible to prevent electric power from being wasted.
- the primary battery or the secondary battery is used as a power source device, it is made possible to lengthen the lifetime of these batteries.
- the second image processing circuit 36 is brought into the standby state, and thus, it is possible to reduce the amount of heat generated from the circuit involved in image processing and to suppress the deformation of the interior of the digital camera and the risk of burn. Moreover, it is possible to keep to a minimum the capacity of the first buffer memory 41 and the first storage region 46 of the first storage region 42 , and thus, it is also possible to reduce the total capacity of the buffer memory.
- the output interval of image data is measured and whether or not the measured output interval of image data exceeds the threshold value is determined, but this is not limited and for example, it may also be possible to measure an output interval of a horizontal synchronizing signal in the imaging element. Furthermore, in addition to the above, it may also be possible to compare the frame rate value with the threshold value using the frame rate value in the continuous shooting mode. In this case, it is also possible to operate the second image processing circuit only in a high continuous shooting mode by providing a plurality of continuous shooting modes the frame rate values of which are different, where the continuous shooting mode at a low frame rate value is referred to as a low continuous shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode at a high frame rate value is referred to a high continuous shooting mode. It should be noted that it is possible to set the frame rate value by the operation of the setting operation unit 55 .
- the processing capacity relating to image processing is the same in the first image processing circuit and the second image processing circuit, but this is not limited.
- the image processing circuit having the higher processing capacity relating to image processing is caused to operate at all times and the other image processing circuit is caused to operate based on the output interval of image data.
- the example is taken, where there are two image processing circuits, that is, the first image processing circuit 31 and the second image processing circuit 36 , but this is not limited and it may also be possible to provide three or more image processing devices and to determine the number of image processing circuits caused to operate based on the output interval of image data.
- whether or not to operate the second image processing circuit 36 is determined based on the output interval of image data obtained, but it may also be possible to determine whether or not to operate the second image processing circuit 36 based on the output resolution of image data output from the imaging element 16 or the data capacity of the image data in addition to the output interval of the image data.
- the output resolution when the output resolution of the image data is a high resolution that exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the second image processing circuit 36 is caused to operate.
- the data capacity of image data the data capacity is estimated based on the output resolution of the image data and when the data capacity exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the second image processing circuit 36 is caused to operate.
Abstract
An imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light, a buffer memory which temporarily stores image data being output from the imaging element, a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element, and a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on a number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.
Description
- This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-094317, filed on Apr. 15, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field
- The present application relates to an electronic camera that performs image processing on image data obtained by shooting.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Conventionally, in an electronic camera such as a digital camera, there are provided a continuous shooting mode in which a plurality of still images is obtained continuously based on a frame rate set in advance, a moving image mode in which a moving image is obtained, etc., in addition to a shooting mode in which one still image is obtained. In a digital camera comprising such a continuous shooting mode and a moving image mode, image data is output at regular intervals from an imaging element, and thus, if processing capacity relating to image processing or coding processing for output image data is low, processing time required for the processing increases and as a result, processing on image data not subjected to processing yet is performed even after shooting has been completed. Because of this, it is devised that two image processing units that perform image processing are arranged in parallel and image processing on image data is performed while distributing image data output from the imaging element to the image processing units, respectively (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H5-227519). Because of this, the image processing capacity is improved and the processing time required for image processing is reduced.
- In contrast, a large amount of electric power is consumed in the image processing for obtained image data, and thus, if image processing is performed by using the above-described two image processing units, more electric power is consumed. Furthermore, the provision of two image processing units is effective for image processing at the time of continuous shooting and movie shooting, but at the time of shooting of a still image, image processing can be performed by one of the image processing units and the other image processing unit does not perform any image processing, and thus, electric power is wasted.
- A proposition of the present embodiment is to provide an electronic camera capable of preventing electric power from being wasted when a plurality of image processing units is used.
- In order to solve the above-described problems, an electronic camera of the present embodiment is characterized by including an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light, a buffer memory which temporarily stores image data being output from the imaging element, a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element, and a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on a number of the pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory when image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.
- In addition, it is preferable that the plurality of the image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of the image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory.
- Furthermore, it is preferable that the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory and a threshold value set in advance.
- Moreover, it is preferable that the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory exceeds the threshold value.
- Furthermore, an electronic camera of the present embodiment is characterized by including an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light, a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element, and a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of the image processing units to operate based on an output interval of the image data when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.
- Moreover, it is preferable that the plurality of the image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of the image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the output interval of the image data.
- In addition, it is preferable that the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the output interval of the image data and a threshold value set in advance.
- Furthermore, it is preferable that the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the output interval of the image data is less than or equal to the threshold value.
- Moreover, it is preferable that the output interval of the image data is obtained by measuring a time from a vertical synchronizing signal output at the time of start of imaging to a vertical synchronizing signal to be output next.
- In addition, it is preferable to include a setting operation unit to be operated when setting the output interval of the image data.
- Furthermore, an electronic camera of the present embodiment is characterized by including an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light, a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element, and a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on an output resolution of the image data output from the imaging element when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.
- Moreover, it is preferable that the plurality of image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the output resolution of the image data.
- Furthermore, it is preferable that the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the output resolution of the image data and a threshold value set in advance.
- In addition, it is preferable that the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the output resolution of the image data exceeds the threshold value.
- Furthermore, it is preferable that the control unit stops the image processing unit operated by the control unit when image processing is completed in at least each of the image processing units operated.
-
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a digital camera using the present embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a timing chart at the time of shooting in a continuous shooting mode in a first embodiment. -
FIG. 3 is a timing chart at the time of shooting in a continuous shooting mode in a second embodiment. -
FIG. 1 shows an example of a digital camera using the present invention. It is made possible for adigital camera 10 of the present invention to perform movie shooting to obtain a moving image in addition to still image shooting to obtain one still image at the time of operation of arelease button 55, to be described later, continuous shooting to continuously obtain a predetermined number of still images at regular intervals at the time of full-press operation of therelease button 55, to be described later. Explanation will be given below on the assumption that a mode to perform still image shooting is referred to as a still image mode, a mode to perform continuous shooting as a continuous shooting mode, and a mode to perform movie shooting as a moving image mode. Furthermore, explanation is given on the assumption that an action to obtain an image by thedigital camera 10 is referred to as shooting and the internal processing of thedigital camera 10 performed at the time of shooting as imaging. - As already known, the
digital camera 10 photoelectrically converts object light taken in by an imagingoptical system 15 through the use of animaging element 16 and obtains image data from an electric signal after the photoelectric conversion. The imagingoptical system 15 includes a lens group including a zoom lens, a focus lens, etc., not shown schematically. The zoom lens and focus lens are moved in the direction of an optical axis L by a lens drive mechanism, not shown schematically. - The
imaging element 16 includes, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), etc. The drive of theimaging element 16 is controlled by adriver 21. The control of the drive of theimaging element 16 includes the control of accumulation of signal charges and output of accumulated signal charges, in each pixel of theimaging element 16. Explanation will be given below on the assumption that a signal charge output from theimaging element 16 is referred to as an image signal. Furthermore addition to the above, thedriver 21 controls whether to drive all the pixels or part of the pixels of theimaging element 16. That is, at the time of shooting, an image signal is obtained by driving all the pixels of theimaging element 16 and at the time of non-shooting, an image signal is obtained by selectively using part of the pixels of theimaging element 16, that is, by so-called thinning control. - An AFE (Analog Front End)
circuit 22 is configured to include an AGC circuit and a CDS circuit, not shown schematically. TheAFE circuit 22 converts an analog signal into a digital signal by an A/D conversion circuit, not shown schematically, after performing analog processing, such as gain control and noise removal, on an input image signal. The digital image signal is output to aDFE circuit 23. - The DFE (Digital Front End)
circuit 23 performs noise correction processing and defect correction processing on an input image signal. The image signal having been subjected to the processing is output to a firstimage processing circuit 31 and a secondimage processing circuit 36, respectively. Explanation is given below on the assumption that an image signal to be input to the firstimage processing circuit 31 and the secondimage processing circuit 36, respectively, is referred to as image data.Reference numeral 24 represents a timing generator (TG) and upon receipt of an output of a timing pulse of theTG 24, the operations of thedriver 21, theAFE circuit 22, and theDFE circuit 23 are synchronized. - The first
image processing circuit 31 starts to operate when the main power source of thedigital camera 10 is turned on and stops its operation when the main power source of thedigital camera 10 is turned off. The firstimage processing circuit 31 performs image processing and coding processing on image data stored in afirst buffer memory 41 and at the same time, performs decoding processing on decoded data in an image file stored in astorage medium 51 and image processing for image data having been subjected to decoding processing. The firstimage processing circuit 31 has functions of acontrol unit 32, animage processing unit 33, and a coding/decoding unit 34. - The
control unit 32 supplies electric power from apower source device 57 to thefirst buffer memory 41 as well as to theimage processing unit 33, the coding/decoding unit 34. Furthermore, thecontrol unit 32 outputs a clock pulse to thefirst buffer memory 41 as well as to theimage processing unit 33 and the coding/decoding unit 34. Because of this, the operation of each part of the firstimage processing circuit 31 and thefirst buffer memory 41 is controlled by thecontrol unit 32. Moreover, thecontrol unit 32 outputs an operation signal or an operation stop signal to the secondimage processing circuit 36. Because of this, the secondimage processing circuit 36 is switched between a state where it operates (hereinafter, referred to as an operation state) and a state where its operation is stopped (hereinafter, referred to as a standby state). - The
image processing unit 33 performs image processing, such as white balance processing, color interpolation processing, gamma processing, and contour enhancement processing, on image data stored in afirst storage region 42. This processing is already known, and thus, its details are omitted here. - The coding/
decoding unit 34 compresses and codes image data having been subjected image processing by theimage processing unit 33. The compressed and coded image data is referred to as coded data hereinafter. The decoded data is written to asecond storage region 43 of thefirst buffer memory 41. When image data obtained in the continuous shooting mode and the moving image mode is input, a plurality of pieces of image data is input, and thus, in these modes, image data and coded data are managed by an output number etc. The coding/decoding unit 34 generates image data by decoding coded data read from thestorage medium 51. - The second
image processing circuit 36 switches between the standby state and the operation state upon receipt of the operation signal or the operation stop signal from the firstimage processing circuit 31. For example, in the standby state, electric power is supplied only to acontrol unit 37, to be described later, and no electric power is supplied to animage processing unit 38 or coding/decoding unit 39. Because of this, even if image data from theDFE circuit 23 is input, this image data is invalid data that is not written to asecond buffer memory 45. In contrast, in the operation state, electric power is supplied to theimage processing unit 38 and the coding/decoding unit 39 in addition to thecontrol unit 37. In this case, for example, every two pieces of image data to be input is handled as valid image data and written to thesecond buffer memory 45. Image data not to be written to thesecond buffer memory 45 is invalid image data. - Like the first
image processing circuit 31, the secondimage processing circuit 36 includes thecontrol unit 37, theimage processing unit 38, and the coding/decoding unit 39. The functions of theimage processing unit 38 and the coding/decoding unit 39 in the secondimage processing circuit 36 are the same as the functions of theimage processing unit 33 and the coding/decoding unit 34 in the firstimage processing circuit 31, respectively, and thus, their details are omitted here. The processing capacity of the image processing according to theimage processing unit 38 is the same as the processing capacity of the image processing according to the firstimage processing circuit 31. - The
control unit 37 controls each part of the secondimage processing circuit 36 by outputting a clock pulse as well as supplying electric power from thepower source device 57 to theimage processing unit 38 and the coding/decoding unit 39. It should be noted that to thecontrol unit 37, electric power is supplied from thepower source device 57 even in the standby state. Because of this, it is made possible to identify an operation signal input from the firstimage processing circuit 31 even if the secondimage processing circuit 36 is in the standby state. It should be noted that when the secondimage processing unit 36 is in the standby state, no electric power is supplied to theimage processing unit 38 or the coding/decoding unit 39, and thus, processing is not performed on each of these parts. Furthermore, even if the secondimage processing unit 36 is in the standby state, image data from theDFE circuit 23 is input, but thecontrol unit 37 processes input image data as invalid data. Moreover, upon receipt of the operation signal from the firstimage processing circuit 31, thecontrol unit 37 starts to supply electric power to each part of the secondimage processing circuit 36 and thesecond buffer memory 45 and at the same time, outputs a clock pulse to theimage processing unit 38, the coding/decoding unit 39, and thesecond buffer memory 45. Because of this, the operation of each part of the firstimage processing circuit 31 and the operation of thefirst buffer memory 41 are controlled by thecontrol unit 32. - Furthermore, the
control unit 37 reads coded data stored in asecond storage region 47 of thesecond buffer memory 45 and outputs it to the firstimage processing circuit 31 when image processing and coding processing are performed on all the image data stored in thefirst storage region 46 of thesecond buffer memory 45. This coded data is stored in thesecond storage region 43 of thefirst buffer memory 41 via the firstimage processing circuit 31. When all the coded data stored in thesecond buffer memory 45 is output to the firstimage processing circuit 31, an operation stop signal is input from the firstimage processing circuit 31. Upon receipt of the operation stop signal, thecontrol unit 37 stops outputting of a clock pulse to theimage processing unit 38, the coding/decoding unit 39, and thesecond buffer memory 45 and stops the supply of electric power thereto. Because of this, the operations of theimage processing unit 38, the coding/decoding unit 39, and thesecond buffer memory 45 are stopped. That is, the secondimage processing circuit 36 switches from the operation state to the standby state. - The
first buffer memory 41 includes thefirst storage region 42 and thesecond storage region 43. In thefirst storage region 42, image data output from theDFE circuit 23 is stored. In contrast, in thesecond storage region 43, coded data generated by the firstimage processing circuit 31 is stored. Furthermore, in thesecond storage region 43, coded data input to the firstimage processing circuit 31 via the secondimage processing circuit 36 is also stored. It should be noted that similarly, thesecond buffer memory 45 also includes thefirst storage region 46 and thesecond storage region 47. Data stored in these storage regions is the same as that in thefirst buffer memory 41. - In the
storage medium 51, a still image file and a moving image file are stored. These image files include image files in which coded data stored in thefirst buffer memory 41 described above and additional information, such as information about shooting conditions, shooting date, and the type of thedigital camera 10, etc., are combined. - An
LCD 52 is one form of a display device and displays a through image or an image obtained at the time of shooting. It should be noted that an image obtained at the time of shooting includes, for example, a thumbnail image. The thumbnail image is an image generated by performing reduction processing on image data obtained by shooting. Furthermore, in addition to the above, theLCD 52 displays an image for setting used to make settings of thedigital camera 10. - A
CPU 54 totally controls each part of thedigital camera 10 by executing a control program, not shown schematically. To theCPU 54, therelease button 55, asetting operation unit 56, etc., are connected and theCPU 54 controls each part of thedigital camera 10 based on the operation request by these operation members and the control program. For example, when therelease button 55 is operated, after AE processing and AF processing are performed, imaging processing is performed under the exposure condition determined by the AE processing. Furthermore, when thesetting operation unit 56 is operated, it is possible to change various settings in thedigital camera 10. At the time of the setting, any of the shooting modes is selected or the reproduction mode is selected, and a frame rate value in the continuous shooting mode or moving image mode is set. - When the main power source of the
digital camera 10 is turned on, thepower source device 57 supplies electric power to each part of thedigital camera 10. Moreover, when the main power source of thedigital camera 10 is turned off, thepower source device 57 stops the supply of electric power to each part of thedigital camera 10. - Next, the flow of processing in the first
image processing circuit 31 and the secondimage processing circuit 36 when shooting is performed in the continuous shooting mode in the first embodiment is explained using the timing chart inFIG. 2 . It should be noted that in the timing chart inFIG. 2 , a case is explained, where 10 images are shot continuously in the continuous shooting mode at a frame rate value of 8 fps. Meanwhile, a frame image inFIG. 2 corresponds to image data shown inFIG. 1 . That is, aframe image 1 corresponds to first image data shown inFIG. 1 and aframe image 2 corresponds to second image data shown inFIG. 1 , respectively. Immediately before the timing chart inFIG. 2 is performed, the secondimage processing circuit 36 is in the standby state. - When the
release button 55 is operated, a release switch (SW) is turned ON and after AE processing and AF processing are performed, shooting is performed under the shooting conditions set by the AE processing. It should be noted that because of the shooting in the continuous shooting mode, the above-described imaging is performed continuously a plurality of times based on the frame rate value set in advance. At each time of the imaging performed a plurality of times, the signal charge photoelectrically converted in theimaging element 16 is output from theimaging element 16 to theAFE circuit 22 as an image signal. The image signal input to theAFE circuit 22 is subjected to analog processing, such as gain control and noise removal, and converted into a digital signal. After that, the image signal converted into the digital signal is output to theDFE circuit 23 from theAFE circuit 22. The image signal converted into the digital signal is output to the firstimage processing circuit 31 and the secondimage processing circuit 36, respectively, after having been subjected to noise correction processing and defect correction processing in theDFE circuit 23. It should be noted that because the secondimage processing circuit 36 is in the standby state, the image signal input from theDFE circuit 23 to the secondimage processing circuit 36 is an invalid signal (data). - In contrast, the image data input to the first
image processing circuit 31 is written to thefirst storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41. For example, when the image signal is one obtained by the first imaging, the number of pieces of image data stored in thefirst storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41 is 1. - Then, when 0.125 seconds elapse after the first imaging, the second imaging is performed. Image data based on the second imaging is written to the
first storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41 via the firstimage processing circuit 31. Because of this, the number of pieces of image data stored in thefirst storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41 is 2. - The
control unit 32 checks N, which is the number of pieces of image data stored in thefirst storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41. Thecontrol unit 32 makes a determination by comparison between the number of pieces of image data N within thefirst storage region 42 and a threshold value N0 (in the present embodiment, N0=1). - For example, in the above-described determination by comparison, when the
control unit 32 determines that the number of pieces of image data N within thefirst storage region 42 is equal to or less than the threshold value N0, it indicates that image data to be obtained newly is input to the firstimage processing unit 31 after image processing for the image data has been completed. That is, it is possible to perform the image processing on the image data obtained continuously in the continuous shooting mode only in the firstimage processing circuit 31. In this case, the firstimage processing circuit 31 does not output the operation signal toward the secondimage processing circuit 36. As a result of this, the secondimage processing circuit 36 enters the standby state. - In contrast, when the
control unit 32 determines that the number of pieces of image data N exceeds the threshold value N0, it indicates that image data to be obtained newly is input to the firstimage processing circuit 31 before the image processing for the image data is completed. This case indicates that the rate of image processing in the firstimage processing circuit 31 cannot keep pace with the rate at which the image data is written to thefirst buffer memory 41, that is, it is not possible to keep pace only by the image processing in the firstimage processing circuit 31. In this case, thecontrol unit 32 outputs the operation signal toward the secondimage processing circuit 36. - Upon receipt of the operation signal from the first
image processing circuit 31, thecontrol unit 37 switches the standby state of the secondimage processing circuit 36 to the operation state. It should be noted that “activation” inFIG. 2 represents processing to switch the standby state to the operation state. During the period of this processing time, thecontrol unit 37 supplies electric power to theimage processing unit 38, the coding/decoding unit 39. At the same time, thecontrol unit 37 supplies electric power to thesecond buffer memory 45. Furthermore, thecontrol unit 37 outputs a clock pulse to theimage processing unit 38, the coding/decoding unit 39, and thesecond buffer memory 45. Because of this, the secondimage processing circuit 36 and thesecond buffer memory 45 are operated. - For example, when the activation time of the second
image processing circuit 36 is shorter than the output interval of image data, the secondimage processing circuit 36 causes thefirst storage region 46 of thesecond buffer memory 45 to store image data obtained by the third imaging. In contrast, the activation time of the secondimage processing circuit 36 is stored in advance in the firstimage processing circuit 31, and thus, when the image data obtained is input to the firstimage processing circuit 31 after the secondimage processing circuit 36 is switched to the operation state, the image data is processed as invalid data. - After that, image data obtained by the fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth shooting is stored in the
first buffer memory 41 and image data obtained by the fifth, seventh, and ninth shooting is stored in thesecond buffer memory 45. That is, image data obtained by the third and latter shooting is stored alternately. It should be noted that inFIG. 1 , the image data obtained by the first shooting is described as first image data, image data obtained by the second shooting is described as second image data, and so on. Furthermore, the coded data corresponding to the image data is represented as first coded data, second coded data, and the like. - When the image data is written to any of the
first buffer memory 41 and thesecond buffer memory 45 also, the image processing and coding processing by the firstimage processing circuit 31 and the secondimage processing circuit 36 are performed. For example, in the firstimage processing circuit 31, when image data obtained by the second shooting is recorded in thefirst buffer memory 41, the image processing for the image data obtained by the first shooting is started. Then, when the image processing is completed, the coding processing by the coding/decoding unit 33 is performed and coded data is generated. It should be noted that the coded data is stored in thesecond storage region 43 of thefirst buffer memory 41. Following this, image data from which the coded data is generated is deleted. - Afterward, in the step in which image processing in the first
image processing circuit 31 is performed, new image data is written to thefirst storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41. That is, thefirst storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41 is required only to have a capacity large enough to store three pieces of image data, and thus, it is made possible to save the capacity of thefirst buffer memory 41. Similarly, in the secondimage processing circuit 36, in the step in which image processing for the image data obtained by the third imaging is performed, image data obtained by the fifth shooting is stored in thefirst storage region 46 of thesecond buffer memory 45. That is, afterward, in the step in which image processing in the firstimage processing circuit 31 is performed, new image data is written to thefirst storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41. In thefirst storage region 46 of thesecond buffer memory 45, up to two pieces of image data are stored, and thus, the first storage region is required only to have a capacity large enough to store two pieces of image data. - When image processing for the image data stored in the first storage region of the corresponding buffer memory is performed in the first
image processing circuit 31 and the secondimage processing circuit 36, respectively, image processing and coding processing in, for example, the secondimage processing circuit 36 are completed earlier. When the coding processing is completed in the secondimage processing circuit 36, the secondimage processing circuit 36 reads coded data stored in thesecond storage region 47 of thesecond buffer memory 45 and outputs it to the firstimage processing circuit 31. The firstimage processing circuit 31 writes the input coded data to thesecond storage region 43 of thefirst buffer memory 41. Then, when the image processing and coding processing in the firstimage processing circuit 31, and write of the coded data from the secondimage processing circuit 36 to thesecond storage region 43 of thefirst buffer memory 41 are completed, thecontrol unit 32 of the firstimage processing circuit 31 outputs the operation stop signal to the secondimage processing circuit 36. - Upon receipt of the operation stop signal from the first
image processing circuit 31, thecontrol unit 37 of the secondimage processing circuit 36 stops the supply of a clock pulse to theimage processing unit 38, the coding/decoding unit 39, and thesecond buffer memory 45 and stops the supply of electric power to theimage processing unit 38, the coding/decoding unit 39, and thesecond buffer memory 45. - It should be noted that when the number of pieces of image data N within the
first storage region 42 is equal to or less than the threshold N0, that is, when continuous shooting at a low frame rate is performed or when shooting in the still image mode is performed, the secondimage processing circuit 36 remains in the standby state and no electric power is supplied to theimage processing unit 38 and the coding/decoding unit 39 of the secondimage processing circuit 36, and thus, it is made possible to prevent electric power from being wasted. As described above, when the primary battery or secondary battery is used as a power source device, it is made possible to lengthen the lifetime of these batteries. Furthermore, the secondimage processing circuit 36 is brought into the standby state, and thus, it is possible to reduce the amount of heat generated from the circuit involved in image processing and to suppress the deformation of the interior of the digital camera or the risk of burn. Moreover, because it is possible to keep to a minimum the capacity of thefirst buffer memory 41 and thefirst storage region 46 of thefirst storage region 42, and thus, it is also possible to reduce the total capacity of the buffer memory. - A second embodiment of the present invention will be explained below using the drawings. Meanwhile, the second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment in which the basis for determination of control is different, and thus, only parts different from those in the first embodiment are explained. Furthermore, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is explained by using the same symbol.
- Next, the flow of processing in the first
image processing circuit 31 and the secondimage processing circuit 36 when shooting is performed in the continuous shooting mode in the second embodiment is explained using the timing chart inFIG. 3 . Meanwhile, in the timing chart inFIG. 3 , a case is explained, where 10 images are shot continuously in the continuous shooting mode at a frame rate value of 8 fps. Each frame image inFIG. 3 corresponds to each piece of image data shown inFIG. 1 . That is, theframe image 1 corresponds to the first image data shown inFIG. 1 and theframe image 2 corresponds to the second image data shown inFIG. 1 , respectively. It should be noted that immediately before the timing chart inFIG. 3 is performed, the secondimage processing circuit 36 is in the standby state. - Then, as in the first embodiment, starting from the operation of the
release button 55, imaging is performed and image data input to the firstimage processing circuit 31 is written to thefirst storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41. For example, when the image signal is one obtained by the first imaging, the number of pieces of image data stored in thefirst storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41 is 1. Triggered by this, thecontrol unit 32 of the firstimage processing circuit 31 starts to measure time. - Then, when 0.125 seconds elapse after the first imaging, the second imaging is performed. Image data based on the second imaging is written to the
first storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41 via the firstimage processing circuit 31. Because of this, the number of pieces of image data stored in thefirst storage region 42 of thefirst buffer memory 41 is 2. At the same time, thecontrol unit 32 stops measuring of time. - The
control unit 32 calculates an output interval T of the image data by finding the time when measuring of time is stopped, in other words, a time elapsed from when the image signal obtained by the first imaging is input to thefirst buffer memory 41 to when the image signal obtained by the second imaging is input to thefirst buffer memory 41. Thecontrol unit 32 makes a determination by comparison between the output interval T of the image data and a threshold value T0. It should be noted that the threshold value T0 is a processing time required for the image processing of image data in the firstimage processing circuit 31. - For example, in the above-described determination by comparison, if the
control unit 32 determines that the output interval T of the image data exceeds the threshold value T0, this indicates that the image data to be obtained newly is input to the firstimage processing unit 31 after the image processing for the image data has been completed. That is, it is possible to perform the image processing on the image data obtained continuously in the continuous shooting mode only in the firstimage processing circuit 31. In this case, the firstimage processing circuit 31 does not output the operation signal toward the secondimage processing circuit 36. As a result of this, the secondimage processing circuit 36 enters the standby state. - In contrast, when the
control unit 32 determines that the output interval T is equal to or less than the threshold value T0, this indicates that the image data to be obtained newly is input to the firstimage processing unit 31 before the image processing for the image data is completed. This case indicates that the rate of the image processing in the firstimage processing circuit 31 cannot keep pace with the rate at which image data is written to thefirst buffer memory 41, that is, it is not possible to keep pace only by the image processing in the firstimage processing circuit 31. In this case, thecontrol unit 32 outputs the operation signal toward the secondimage processing circuit 36. - Upon receipt of the operation signal from the first
image processing circuit 31, thecontrol unit 37 switches the standby state of the secondimage processing circuit 36 to the operation state. It should be noted that “activation” inFIG. 3 represents the processing to switch the standby state to the operation state. During the period of this processing time, thecontrol unit 37 supplies electric power to theimage processing unit 38, the coding/decoding unit 39. At the same time, thecontrol unit 37 supplies electric power to thesecond buffer memory 45. Furthermore, thecontrol unit 37 outputs a clock pulse to theimage processing unit 38, the coding/decoding unit 39, and thesecond buffer memory 45. Because of this, the secondimage processing circuit 36 and thesecond buffer memory 45 are operated. Afterward, the same processing as that in the first embodiment is performed. - It should be noted that when the output interval T of the image data exceeds the threshold value T0, that is, when continuous shooting at a low frame rate value is performed or when shooting is performed in the still image mode, the second
image processing circuit 36 remains in the standby state and no electric power is supplied to theimage processing unit 38, the coding/decoding unit 39 of the secondimage processing circuit 36, and thus, it is made possible to prevent electric power from being wasted. As described above, when the primary battery or the secondary battery is used as a power source device, it is made possible to lengthen the lifetime of these batteries. Furthermore, the secondimage processing circuit 36 is brought into the standby state, and thus, it is possible to reduce the amount of heat generated from the circuit involved in image processing and to suppress the deformation of the interior of the digital camera and the risk of burn. Moreover, it is possible to keep to a minimum the capacity of thefirst buffer memory 41 and thefirst storage region 46 of thefirst storage region 42, and thus, it is also possible to reduce the total capacity of the buffer memory. - In the present embodiment, the output interval of image data is measured and whether or not the measured output interval of image data exceeds the threshold value is determined, but this is not limited and for example, it may also be possible to measure an output interval of a horizontal synchronizing signal in the imaging element. Furthermore, in addition to the above, it may also be possible to compare the frame rate value with the threshold value using the frame rate value in the continuous shooting mode. In this case, it is also possible to operate the second image processing circuit only in a high continuous shooting mode by providing a plurality of continuous shooting modes the frame rate values of which are different, where the continuous shooting mode at a low frame rate value is referred to as a low continuous shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode at a high frame rate value is referred to a high continuous shooting mode. It should be noted that it is possible to set the frame rate value by the operation of the
setting operation unit 55. - In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the processing capacity relating to image processing is the same in the first image processing circuit and the second image processing circuit, but this is not limited. For example, when there are two image processing circuits having different image processing capacities, the image processing circuit having the higher processing capacity relating to image processing is caused to operate at all times and the other image processing circuit is caused to operate based on the output interval of image data.
- In the present embodiment, the example is taken, where there are two image processing circuits, that is, the first
image processing circuit 31 and the secondimage processing circuit 36, but this is not limited and it may also be possible to provide three or more image processing devices and to determine the number of image processing circuits caused to operate based on the output interval of image data. - In the present embodiment, whether or not to operate the second
image processing circuit 36 is determined based on the output interval of image data obtained, but it may also be possible to determine whether or not to operate the secondimage processing circuit 36 based on the output resolution of image data output from theimaging element 16 or the data capacity of the image data in addition to the output interval of the image data. For the output resolution, when the output resolution of the image data is a high resolution that exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the secondimage processing circuit 36 is caused to operate. For the data capacity of image data, the data capacity is estimated based on the output resolution of the image data and when the data capacity exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the secondimage processing circuit 36 is caused to operate. - The many features and advantages of the embodiments are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claimed to cover all such features and advantages of the embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope thereof. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the inventive embodiments to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope thereof.
Claims (17)
1. An electronic camera comprising:
an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light;
a buffer memory which temporarily stores image data being output from the imaging element;
a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element; and
a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on a number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.
2. The electronic camera according to claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and
the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory.
3. The electronic camera according to claim 1 , wherein
the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory and a threshold value set in advance.
4. The electronic camera according to claim 3 , wherein
the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory exceeds the threshold value.
5. An electronic camera comprising:
an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light;
a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element; and
a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on an output interval of the image data when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.
6. The electronic camera according to claim 5 , wherein
the plurality of image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and
the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the output interval of the image data.
7. The electronic camera according to claim 5 , wherein
the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the output interval of the image data and a threshold value set in advance.
8. The electronic camera according to claim 7 , wherein
the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the output interval of the image data is less than or equal to the threshold value.
9. The electronic camera according to claim 5 , wherein
the output interval of the image data is obtained by measuring a time from a vertical synchronizing signal output at the time of start of imaging to a vertical synchronizing signal to be output next.
10. The electronic camera according to claim 5 , comprising
a setting operation unit to be operated when setting the output interval of the image data.
11. An electronic camera comprising:
an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light;
a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on mage data output from the imaging element; and
a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on an output resolution of the image data output from the imaging element when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.
12. The electronic camera according to claim 11 , wherein
the plurality of image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and
the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the output resolution of the image data.
13. The electronic camera according to claim 11 , wherein
the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the output resolution of the image data and a threshold value set in advance.
14. The electronic camera according to claim 13 , wherein
the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the output resolution of the image data exceeds the threshold value.
15. The electronic camera according to claim 1 ,
wherein
the control unit stops the image processing unit operated by the control unit when image processing is completed in at least each of the image processing units operated.
16. The electronic camera according to claim 5 ,
wherein
the control unit stops the image processing unit operated by the control unit when image processing is completed in at least each of the image processing units operated.
17. The electronic camera according to claim 11 ,
wherein
the control unit stops the image processing unit operated by the control unit when image processing is completed in at least each of the image processing units operated.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/642,185 US9473701B2 (en) | 2010-04-15 | 2015-03-09 | Electronic camera |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2010094317A JP5088395B2 (en) | 2010-04-15 | 2010-04-15 | Electronic camera |
JP2010-094317 | 2010-04-15 |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/642,185 Continuation US9473701B2 (en) | 2010-04-15 | 2015-03-09 | Electronic camera |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120098987A1 true US20120098987A1 (en) | 2012-04-26 |
Family
ID=44779893
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/086,863 Abandoned US20120098987A1 (en) | 2010-04-15 | 2011-04-14 | Electronic camera |
US14/642,185 Active US9473701B2 (en) | 2010-04-15 | 2015-03-09 | Electronic camera |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/642,185 Active US9473701B2 (en) | 2010-04-15 | 2015-03-09 | Electronic camera |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20120098987A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5088395B2 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140132792A1 (en) * | 2012-11-15 | 2014-05-15 | Panasonic Corporation | Imaging device |
US20160021301A1 (en) * | 2014-07-15 | 2016-01-21 | Yong-Bae Song | Image device and method for operating the same |
US20160127598A1 (en) * | 2014-10-31 | 2016-05-05 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus, and control method and program of image processing apparatus |
US20170070696A1 (en) * | 2015-09-08 | 2017-03-09 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus |
US20180234625A1 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2018-08-16 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus and image capturing apparatus |
US10489710B2 (en) * | 2015-06-25 | 2019-11-26 | Fujitsu Limited | Program generation apparatus and program generation method |
US10643350B1 (en) * | 2019-01-15 | 2020-05-05 | Goldtek Technology Co., Ltd. | Autofocus detecting device |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5956813B2 (en) * | 2012-04-11 | 2016-07-27 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image processing apparatus and control method thereof |
JP6765940B2 (en) * | 2016-11-16 | 2020-10-07 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image processing device and its control method |
CN112740662A (en) | 2018-09-27 | 2021-04-30 | 富士胶片株式会社 | Imaging element, imaging device, image data output method, and program |
JP7370764B2 (en) | 2019-08-22 | 2023-10-30 | キヤノン株式会社 | Imaging device and imaging method |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7015966B1 (en) * | 1999-03-15 | 2006-03-21 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Reducing discontinuities in segmented imaging sensors |
US20070091204A1 (en) * | 2005-10-20 | 2007-04-26 | Sony Corporation | Image converting apparatus, image signal processing apparatus, camera system and image signal processing method |
US20070097242A1 (en) * | 2005-10-27 | 2007-05-03 | Fujifilm Corporation | Solid-state image pickup system with the number of signal readout outputs changeable and a method therefor |
US20090274365A1 (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2009-11-05 | Nikon Corporation | Image processing device and electronic camera |
US20100295966A1 (en) * | 2009-05-19 | 2010-11-25 | John Furlan | Digital video camera with high resolution imaging system |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2871139B2 (en) | 1991-03-19 | 1999-03-17 | オリンパス光学工業株式会社 | Image data encoding device and decoding device |
US5523788A (en) * | 1994-09-27 | 1996-06-04 | Eastman Kodak Company | Image processor with input buffering to multiple digital signal processors |
US7755669B2 (en) | 2003-11-28 | 2010-07-13 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image capture apparatus and image capture method in which an image is processed by a plurality of image processing devices |
JP4039386B2 (en) * | 2004-04-21 | 2008-01-30 | コニカミノルタオプト株式会社 | Imaging sensor and imaging apparatus |
JP4475225B2 (en) * | 2005-09-08 | 2010-06-09 | ソニー株式会社 | Video signal transmission system, imaging device, signal processing device, and video signal transmission method |
JP4301308B2 (en) * | 2007-03-02 | 2009-07-22 | ソニー株式会社 | Imaging apparatus and image processing method |
JP2009010821A (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2009-01-15 | Sony Corp | Imaging device and imaging method, recording medium, and program |
JP5141324B2 (en) * | 2008-03-21 | 2013-02-13 | ソニー株式会社 | Imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus control method, signal processing apparatus, and signal processing method |
JP5247568B2 (en) * | 2009-04-07 | 2013-07-24 | キヤノン株式会社 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD |
JP5045785B2 (en) * | 2010-05-25 | 2012-10-10 | 株式会社ニコン | Imaging device |
-
2010
- 2010-04-15 JP JP2010094317A patent/JP5088395B2/en active Active
-
2011
- 2011-04-14 US US13/086,863 patent/US20120098987A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2015
- 2015-03-09 US US14/642,185 patent/US9473701B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7015966B1 (en) * | 1999-03-15 | 2006-03-21 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Reducing discontinuities in segmented imaging sensors |
US20070091204A1 (en) * | 2005-10-20 | 2007-04-26 | Sony Corporation | Image converting apparatus, image signal processing apparatus, camera system and image signal processing method |
US20070097242A1 (en) * | 2005-10-27 | 2007-05-03 | Fujifilm Corporation | Solid-state image pickup system with the number of signal readout outputs changeable and a method therefor |
US20090274365A1 (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2009-11-05 | Nikon Corporation | Image processing device and electronic camera |
US20100295966A1 (en) * | 2009-05-19 | 2010-11-25 | John Furlan | Digital video camera with high resolution imaging system |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140132792A1 (en) * | 2012-11-15 | 2014-05-15 | Panasonic Corporation | Imaging device |
US9148563B2 (en) * | 2012-11-15 | 2015-09-29 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Imaging device for performing processing of image data on the basis of priority |
US10277807B2 (en) | 2014-07-15 | 2019-04-30 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Image device and method for memory-to-memory image processing |
US9699374B2 (en) * | 2014-07-15 | 2017-07-04 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Image device and method for memory-to-memory image processing |
US20160021301A1 (en) * | 2014-07-15 | 2016-01-21 | Yong-Bae Song | Image device and method for operating the same |
US20160127598A1 (en) * | 2014-10-31 | 2016-05-05 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus, and control method and program of image processing apparatus |
US9591170B2 (en) * | 2014-10-31 | 2017-03-07 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus, and control method and program of image processing apparatus |
US10489710B2 (en) * | 2015-06-25 | 2019-11-26 | Fujitsu Limited | Program generation apparatus and program generation method |
US20170070696A1 (en) * | 2015-09-08 | 2017-03-09 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus |
US9807255B2 (en) * | 2015-09-08 | 2017-10-31 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus |
US20180234625A1 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2018-08-16 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus and image capturing apparatus |
US10412301B2 (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2019-09-10 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus and image capturing apparatus |
US10643350B1 (en) * | 2019-01-15 | 2020-05-05 | Goldtek Technology Co., Ltd. | Autofocus detecting device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP5088395B2 (en) | 2012-12-05 |
US20150181119A1 (en) | 2015-06-25 |
CN102223478A (en) | 2011-10-19 |
US9473701B2 (en) | 2016-10-18 |
JP2011228808A (en) | 2011-11-10 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9473701B2 (en) | Electronic camera | |
US8045035B2 (en) | Imaging apparatus, imaging control method and recording medium readable by computer | |
JP2019201430A (en) | Imaging element and imaging apparatus | |
US8054341B2 (en) | Photographing apparatus for supporting overriding mode and method of controlling same | |
US9609167B2 (en) | Imaging device capable of temporarily storing a plurality of image data, and control method for an imaging device | |
US9838632B2 (en) | Image processing apparatus capable of movie recording, image pickup apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium | |
JP2004260797A (en) | Imaging apparatus, imaging method and recording medium | |
JP4769567B2 (en) | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM | |
US8654229B2 (en) | Photographing apparatus with random trigger operation | |
JP5094665B2 (en) | Imaging apparatus, control method thereof, and program | |
JP2013211715A (en) | Imaging device | |
JP2013211724A (en) | Imaging apparatus | |
US11356603B2 (en) | Image capturing apparatus and control method therefor | |
JP2008124793A (en) | Imaging apparatus, and imaging method | |
JP5810304B2 (en) | Imaging apparatus and information display method in imaging apparatus | |
JP2004242045A (en) | Imaging apparatus and imaging method | |
JP2015070739A (en) | Electronic apparatus, power supply control method and program | |
JP2011061672A (en) | Imaging apparatus and program for the same | |
US9560289B2 (en) | Imaging apparatus and control method for recording device | |
JP4064256B2 (en) | Imaging apparatus and imaging method | |
JP5298935B2 (en) | Electronic apparatus and imaging apparatus | |
JP2004179852A (en) | Digital camera | |
JP2003219275A (en) | Imaging apparatus | |
JP2013201474A (en) | Image pickup device | |
JP6232727B2 (en) | Imaging apparatus and imaging method |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NIKON CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TSUDA, YUTAKA;REEL/FRAME:027520/0319 Effective date: 20111226 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |