JP2004032192A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera which can realize a dynamic picture imaging by means of simple control, without missing a moment for shuttering the camera, without being concerned with the capacity of recording media. <P>SOLUTION: In a dynamic picture imaging process, continuous imaging by a CCD is started (step 100), a continuous automatic focus control, an automatic exposure control and an automatic white balance regulation are started (step 102), the exposure, focusing and the white balance are regulated so that optimum image data can be always acquired. While this is set to automatic focus control, automatic exposure control and automatic white balance regulation remain continued, as they are, each time a shutter switch is pressed (steps 106, 114), the imaging record starting (restarting) (steps 108, 112) and a temporary stop (step 116) are switched. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera having a moving image shooting function for continuously shooting a subject and acquiring image data indicating a moving image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a digital camera (DSC) that photographs a subject with an image sensor such as a CCD, acquires an image showing the photographed subject image as digital data (hereinafter referred to as “image data”), and records it on a recording medium, A display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided to display an image showing a photographed subject image. In such a digital camera, an image signal indicating a subject image obtained by an image pickup device such as a CCD is subjected to predetermined processing, and then temporarily stored in a memory and read out to display a moving image on a display device or record it. Or recorded it on media.
[0003]
Conventionally, a magnetic disk has been used as a recording medium, and since it takes time for the rotation of the magnetic disk to stabilize after the photographer presses the shutter button, image data cannot be recorded on the magnetic disk during that time. I missed a chance. As a technique for solving this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-191768 discloses a technique for providing a video memory for recording image data acquired until the rotation of the magnetic disk is stabilized. However, in the case of a moving image, since the data size of the image data is large, the video memory requires a large capacity, and the provision of the video memory causes an increase in circuit scale and power consumption, which is not realistic.
[0004]
For this reason, in recent years, digital cameras that record data in a flash memory (smart media, compact flash (R), etc.) as a solid type instead of a magnetic disk have been commercialized. Some digital cameras of this type shoot moving images by shooting still images at 10 frames or more per second and compressing them. The maximum shooting time for moving images can be specified in advance or recorded on recording media. The specification is such that the shooting operation ends when the maximum possible data is recorded.
[0005]
By the way, in order to start shooting in a digital camera, first, in order to obtain an optimal image, shooting preparation processing such as AF control for adjusting focus and AE control for adjusting exposure is performed, and once the shooting operation is stopped. It is necessary to prepare for shooting when resuming shooting. Therefore, even if there is a scene that you do not want to shoot during shooting, and you want to pause shooting, do not pause to take a picture without missing a photo opportunity when the next scene you want to shoot. In the meantime, it is required to continue shooting (so-called panning).
[0006]
However, even if only a small number of scenes are really necessary, the amount of data for panning shots will become enormous, and if the maximum shooting time specified above or the maximum recordable capacity of the recording medium is exceeded, Therefore, it is necessary to erase or exchange the storage contents of the recording medium, and as a result, a photo opportunity is missed. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult for the photographer to delete the part of the panning shot because the video data cannot be edited without dedicated application software.
[0007]
For this reason, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-95051 proposes a technique for using a free space of a recording medium like a ring buffer and extracting and storing only necessary portions.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-95051 has a problem that the media control becomes complicated because it is used as a ring buffer.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a digital camera capable of performing moving image shooting without worrying about the capacity of a recording medium and without missing a photo opportunity with simple control. The purpose is to do.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a digital camera having a moving image photographing function for continuously photographing a subject and acquiring image data indicating a moving image, and optimal image data. At least the recording by operating a shooting control unit that controls a moving image shooting operation so that the image data is acquired, and a recording unit that records the image data acquired under the control of the shooting control unit on a recording medium. Operation instruction means for inputting a recording start instruction and a pause instruction by the means, and when the start instruction is input from the operation instruction means, recording by the recording means is started, and from the operation instruction means, the operation instruction means Recording control means for stopping recording by the recording means in a state where control by the photographing control means is continued when a pause instruction is input. It is a symptom.
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, by controlling the moving image shooting operation by the shooting control means, optimal image data is always acquired during the control. For example, if the shooting control means controls the focus, exposure, white balance and the like to be optimized in substantially real time, even if the subject image to be shot changes due to a change in the shooting environment, the shooting control means Regardless of the change in the subject image, it is possible to obtain optimum image data that is photographed with optimum exposure in a focused state and in which white balance is appropriately adjusted.
[0012]
When a recording start instruction is input from the operation instruction means, the optimum image data acquired by the control of the photographing control means is recorded on the recording medium. When a pause instruction is input from the operation instruction means, the recording means Recording is stopped (temporarily stopped), but control by the imaging control means is continued.
[0013]
That is, even during the pause of the shooting and recording, the shooting control unit is controlled to obtain the optimum image data. Therefore, the start instruction is input again from the operation instruction unit, and the recording by the recording unit is started (resumed). ), It is possible to immediately record optimum image data, and it is possible to shoot and record a moving image without missing a photo opportunity without performing panning. Further, since it is only necessary to temporarily stop the recording operation by the recording means, complicated control is not required.
[0014]
By the way, normally, in a digital camera, as described in JP-A-9-95051, a shutter switch that is pressed to input a still image shooting / recording instruction inputs a moving image shooting / recording instruction. Therefore, when shooting and recording a moving image, it is necessary for the photographer to always press the shutter switch, and the operability is poor.
[0015]
For this reason, in the above digital camera, as described in claim 2, the operation instruction means switches and inputs the start instruction and the pause instruction for each operated operation. It is good to. That is, for each operation of the operation instruction means, the start (restart) and pause of shooting recording are switched, and after resuming the shooting recording, the moving image is recorded until the operation instruction means is operated again. Therefore, it is not necessary to continue operating the operation instruction means, and the operability is improved.
[0016]
Further, in the above digital camera, if the operation instruction means is also used as an input of a still image shooting / recording instruction by using a shutter switch, the number of parts can be reduced. is there.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1A, a digital camera 10 to which the present invention is applied is photographed with a strobe 12 that emits light when the subject has a low illuminance at which an appropriate amount of exposure light cannot be obtained during exposure. A finder window 14 into which light showing an image substantially equivalent to the subject image is incident and an optical unit 16 for forming the subject image are provided. Further, on the side of the digital camera 10, a portable recording medium (smart media in the present embodiment) 18 (see FIG. 2 and omitted in FIG. 1) for storing image data obtained by photographing as digital data is provided. An attachable slot 20 is provided.
[0019]
The optical unit 16 is a so-called collapsible optical lens. The optical unit 16 is retracted in the housing 22 of the digital camera 10 main body except during photographing, and can be expanded and contracted in the optical axis direction during photographing. Is expanded and appears outside the housing 22 as shown in FIG. The optical unit 16 includes a photographing lens 40, a focus lens 42, and an aperture / shutter mechanism 44 in the lens barrel 16A (see FIG. 2). The taking lens 40 is composed of one or a plurality of lenses, and may be a single focal length (fixed focus) lens, or a variable focal length such as a zoom lens or a telephoto / wide-angle bifocal switching lens. But you can.
[0020]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 (B), a digital camera 10 is incident from a finder window 14 and a display device (LCD) 24 that displays subject images obtained by shooting, various menus, parameters, and the like. The light is guided through an optical member (not shown), and the viewfinder eyepiece 26 that is taken by the photographer when determining the composition of the subject image to be photographed, and the photographing magnification is increased or decreased, or displayed on the display device 24. And a cross button 28 operated by a photographer when selecting a desired menu item or parameter from the menu screen.
[0021]
Further, on the upper surface of the digital camera 10, a power switch 30 for switching supply / stop of supply of power to each part of the digital camera 10 and an operation instruction input means of the present invention for inputting an instruction for photographing recording A shutter switch (so-called release switch) 32 that is pressed by the photographer and a mode dial 34 that is rotated by the photographer when selecting the shooting mode are provided.
[0022]
Next, the configuration of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0023]
As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 50 disposed behind the optical axis of the optical unit 16 and an output signal indicating a subject image read from the CCD 50 by correlated double sampling ( CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) processing, color separation processing into R, G, and B color signals, and adjustment of the signal level of each color signal, and a digital signal processed by the CDS circuit 52 The optical unit 16 includes an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as an “A / D converter”) 54 that converts the signal into a signal, a timing generator (TG) 56 that generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 50, and the optical unit 16. Zoom to move the photographic lens 40 (expand / contract the lens barrel) Motor driver 58 for driving motors, an AF (Auto Focus) motor for moving the focus lens 42, and an iris shutter motor for driving the aperture / shutter mechanism 44, and the overall operation of the digital camera 10 And a main control unit 60 that manages the above.
[0024]
The main control unit 60 also has an image input control unit 62 for inputting a signal after digital conversion by the A / D converter 54 as image data representing a photographing result (subject image) by the CCD 50, and input image data. An image signal processing circuit 64 for performing predetermined digital signal processing, a VRAM 66 for storing image data to be displayed on the display device 24, and a display device for displaying an image based on the image data stored in the VRAM 66 24, a display control unit 68 for controlling the display of 24, a compression / decompression processing circuit 70 for compressing / decompressing image data, a media control unit 72 for reading / writing various information with respect to the recording medium 18 loaded in the slot 20, An AF detection circuit 74 for detecting an optimum focal position based on the result of photographing by the CCD 50 and a result of photographing by the CCD 50 AE (Auto Exposure) / AWB (Auto White Balance) detection circuit 76 for detecting the optimum exposure and white balance, SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 78 used as a work memory, and information on various programs and parameters Are electrically connected to each other by a bus 84 and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 80 in which is stored in advance and a CPU 82 that reads information from the EEPROM 80 and controls the above-described units. The CPU 66 is connected to the TG 56 and the motor driver 58.
[0025]
Further, the CPU 82 is connected to the cross button 28, the power switch 30, the shutter switch 32, and the mode dial 34 provided in the digital camera 10 as operation means operated by the user, and these operation means by the photographer. You can always know the operation status.
[0026]
The CPU 82 controls the operation of each part of the main control unit 60, the TG 56, and the motor driver 58 in accordance with the operation state of these operation means, and functions as the photographing control means and the recording control means of the present invention. ing.
[0027]
Specifically, when the still image or moving image shooting mode is selected by the mode dial 34, the CPU 82 drives the TG 56 to cause the CCD 50 to shoot a subject image at a predetermined timing.
[0028]
In general, the CCD 50 is provided with a shutter drain via a shutter gate, and the accumulated signal charge can be swept out to the shutter drain by driving the shutter gate with a shutter gate pulse. That is, the CCD 50 has a so-called electronic shutter function that controls the accumulation time (shutter speed) of charges accumulated in each sensor by the shutter gate pulse, and this electronic function is used instead of the shutter function of the aperture / shutter mechanism 44. A shutter function may be used.
[0029]
The analog image signal indicating the subject image output from the CCD 50 is processed by the CDS circuit 52, converted into a digital image signal by the A / D converter 54, and then converted from the image input control unit 62 as image data. Input into the control unit 60. The input image data is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 78 via the bus 84.
[0030]
The main control unit 60 performs focus evaluation calculation in the AF detection circuit 74 and AE calculation and AWB calculation in the AE / AWB detection circuit 76 based on the input image data, and the CPU 82 performs the calculation based on these calculations. Then, the motor driver 58 is controlled to drive the focus lens 42 and driving means for the aperture / shutter mechanism 44 (for example, an AF motor and an iris shutter motor) to move the focus lens 42 to the in-focus position, and to stop the aperture / shutter. The mechanism 44 is set to an appropriate exposure control value (aperture value or shutter speed), and an AWB adjustment value (a digital gain described later) is set.
[0031]
For example, a contrast AF method in which the focus lens 42 is moved so that the high frequency component of the G signal is maximized is employed for the AF control.
[0032]
In the AE control, subject luminance (shooting EV) is obtained based on an integrated value obtained by integrating R, G, and B signals of one frame, and an aperture value and a shutter speed are determined as exposure control values based on the taken EV. The aperture / shutter mechanism 44 is driven by the motor driver 58.
[0033]
For AWB adjustment, the light source type is discriminated using subject luminance (photographing EV) and color information such as R / G and B / G, and a white subject is reproduced in white regardless of the color temperature of the light source. The digital gain for adjusting the white balance is determined.
[0034]
Therefore, in the digital camera 10, only the optical unit 16 (the photographic lens 40) is directed toward the subject, focusing is automatically performed, and optimal exposure adjustment and AWB adjustment are performed.
[0035]
Specifically, when the still image shooting mode is selected by the mode dial 34, that is, during still image shooting and recording, when the shutter switch 32 is “half-pressed”, the above-mentioned photometric operation is repeated a plurality of times to focus. The lens 42 is moved to focus, and an accurate shooting EV is obtained. Based on the shooting EV, an aperture value and a shutter speed as exposure control values at the time of shooting are finally determined, and a digital gain is determined. . Then, after the aperture / shutter mechanism 44 is driven so as to achieve the final determined aperture value when the shutter switch 32 is “fully pressed”, the aperture / shutter mechanism 44 is adjusted so as to achieve the final determined shutter speed. Drive further. Further, the image signal processing circuit 64 performs AWB adjustment processing on the image data obtained at this time using the determined digital gain.
[0036]
Further, when the moving image shooting mode is selected by the mode dial 34, that is, during moving image shooting and recording, this control is always repeated, and appropriate AF control, AE control, and AWB adjustment are performed during the mode selection period. Continued.
[0037]
In addition to the method of controlling AE and AF based on the image signal acquired from the CCD 50, a well-known photometric sensor, a distance measuring sensor including an AF light projecting / receiving sensor, or the like may be used.
[0038]
In the main control unit 60, predetermined digital image processing is performed on the input image data by the image signal processing circuit 64. Specifically, the image signal processing circuit 64 performs AWB adjustment by applying a digital gain corresponding to the light source type, performs gamma processing and sharpness processing, generates predetermined digital image data, and further performs YC conversion processing. , Converted into luminance data Y and chroma data Cr, Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”). The YC signal generated by the image signal processing circuit 64 is written into the VRAM 66.
[0039]
The YC signal stored in the VRAM 66 is supplied to the display control unit 68, converted into a predetermined signal (for example, an NTSC color decoded video signal), and output to the display device 24. As a result, an image showing the subject image photographed by the CCD 50 is displayed on the display device 24.
[0040]
Further, the image data is periodically rewritten by the image signal output from the CCD 50, and a video signal generated from the image data is supplied to the display device 24, whereby the subject image captured by the CCD 50 is a moving image in substantially real time. Or as a continuous image on the display device 24.
[0041]
The display device 24 can be used as an electronic viewfinder, and a photographer can connect a display image (so-called through image) of the display device 24 or an optical viewfinder (light that has entered through the viewfinder window 14 in FIG. 1) with an optical member (not shown). This is realized by guiding to the eye part 26), so that the shooting angle of view can be confirmed. In response to a predetermined recording instruction (photographing instruction) operation such as a pressing operation of the shutter switch 32, capturing of image data for recording is started.
[0042]
In the main control unit 60, when shooting recording is instructed by pressing the shutter switch 32, the YC signal generated by the image signal processing circuit 64 is also stored in the SDRAM 78 under the control of the CPU 82. The YC signal is compressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70 using a predetermined compression method such as JPEG, and then recorded on the recording medium 18 via the media control unit 72. Therefore, the compression / decompression processing circuit 70 and the media control unit 72 function as recording means of the present invention. Note that the compression of the image data is not essential, and when the cancellation of the compression is designated by the photographer's operation, the compression processing by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70 is omitted, and in this case, the media control unit 72 records. Functions as a means.
[0043]
In addition to the smart media, the recording medium 18 can take various forms such as a PC cart, a micro drive, a multimedia card (MMC), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a memory stick. The signal processing means and the interface corresponding to the medium to be used are applied.
[0044]
At the time of image reproduction, the image data to be reproduced stored in the recording medium 18 is read via the media control unit 72 and stored in the SDRAM 78. The image data stored in the SDRAM 78 is decompressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70, written back to the SDRAM 78, accumulated as reproduction image data in the VRAM 66, and stored in the display device 24 via the display control unit 68. Is displayed.
[0045]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0046]
The digital camera 10 of the present embodiment is activated by operating a power switch (not shown). When shooting the subject, the photographer operates the mode dial 34 to select the still image shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode, and checks the shooting angle of view while looking through the through image or viewfinder displayed on the display device 24. When the composition is determined, the shutter switch 32 is pressed. In the case of a still image, the shutter switch 32 is pressed halfway and then fully pressed. In the case of a moving image, the shutter switch 32 is fully pressed. As a result, a subject image is photographed by the CCD 50, digital image data representing the subject image is generated, and stored in the recording medium 18.
[0047]
When displaying an image that has already been shot on the display device 24, the photographer operates the mode dial 34 to switch to the playback mode and designates image data to be played back by operating the cross button 28 or the like. An image based on the image data is displayed.
[0048]
Next, processing executed when the moving image shooting mode is selected will be described in detail. Note that the process executed when the still image shooting mode and the playback mode are selected may be a process generally performed conventionally, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. In the following, an example in which the electronic viewfinder, that is, the display device 24 is used as a finder will be described.
[0049]
In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, when the moving image shooting mode is selected by the mode dial 34, the control routine shown in FIG.
[0050]
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the moving image shooting processing routine is started, the CPU 82 first starts continuous shooting by the CCD 50 in step 100, and in step 102, continuous AF control, AE control, and AWB. Adjustment starts. As a result, image data indicating the subject image photographed by the CCD is continuously input to the main control unit 60, and based on each of the input image data or at every predetermined timing (for example, every predetermined number of frames). The AF detection circuit 74 performs focus evaluation calculation, and the AE / AWB detection circuit 76 performs AE calculation and AWB calculation. Based on these calculations, the focus lens 42 of the optical unit 16 is moved to the in-focus position, the optimum aperture value and shutter speed of the aperture / shutter mechanism 44 are determined, and image data is processed by the image signal processing circuit 64. The digital gain used to adjust the white balance is set to an optimum value.
[0051]
That is, during continuous shooting by the CCD 50, even if the shooting environment changes (for example, changes in the subject brightness due to going backwards, changes in the shooting light source type due to movement of the shooting location from the room to the outdoors, etc.) Even if the subject image to be captured changes due to changes in the subject to be photographed), the focus, exposure, and white balance are adjusted in almost real time in accordance with the change, so optimal exposure control is always performed. The subject image can be photographed under (aperture value and shutter speed) and in a focused state, and the image data indicating the photographed subject image is optimally adjusted by the image signal processing circuit 64 so that it is optimal. Continuous image data is continuously acquired.
[0052]
In the next step 104, the image is continuously photographed by the CCD 50 under optimum exposure control (aperture value and shutter speed) and in a focused state in this way, and a predetermined digital process including AWB adjustment processing is performed by the image signal processing circuit 64. The photographing results (image data) subjected to the image processing are sequentially stored in the VRAM 66. The stored image data is provided from the VRAM 66 to the display control unit 68 and displayed as a moving image on the display device 24 (so-called through image display).
[0053]
The photographer confirms the angle of view for shooting by displaying the moving image on the display device 24, determines the composition, and presses (fully presses) the shutter switch 32 when it is time to start shooting recording.
[0054]
When the shutter switch 32 is fully pressed, the CPU 82 shifts from the next step 106 to step 108 on the assumption that the photographer has instructed the start of shooting and recording, and the image data acquired by continuous shooting by the CCD 50 after the pressing. After being subjected to predetermined digital image processing by the image signal processing circuit 64, it is stored in the VRAM 66 and used for display on the display device 24 (moving image display of recorded images) and also transferred to the compression / decompression processing circuit 70. Compressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70. The image data (compressed image data) compressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70 is stored in the SDRAM 78.
[0055]
After that, until the shutter switch 32 is pressed again (fully pressed), the process returns from step 110 to step 108 via step 114 to repeatedly compress and store the image data. When the data amount of the image data becomes a predetermined maximum data amount and no more compressed image data can be stored (memory full), the process proceeds from step 110 to step 112 and is stored in the SDRAM 78. The compressed image data that has been read is read out and written to the recording medium 18 via the media control unit 72, and the process proceeds to step 114. After writing to the recording medium 18, the compressed image data can be stored in the SDRAM 78 again.
[0056]
In this way, the continuous photographing results photographed by the CCD 50 after the photographing / recording start instruction is sequentially compressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70 and accumulated in the SDRAM 78, and written in the recording medium 18 when the SDRAM 78 becomes full. It will be moved.
[0057]
The photographer performs shooting and recording while confirming the shooting scene by displaying the moving image on the display device 24, and when the scene does not require recording, the shutter switch 32 is pressed (fully pressed).
[0058]
In response to the pressing of the shutter switch 32, the CPU 82 shifts from step 114 to step 116, assuming that the photographer has instructed the suspension of shooting and recording. In step 116, transfer of image data obtained by continuous shooting by the CCD 50 after the pressing and image data after predetermined digital image processing by the image signal processing circuit 64 to the compression / decompression processing circuit 70 is stopped, and image data is compressed and stored. Pause. As a result, photographing recording is temporarily stopped.
[0059]
It should be noted that AF control, AE control, and AWB adjustment are continuously executed even during the pause of shooting and recording, and continuous shooting by the CCD 50 under optimum exposure control (shutter speed and aperture value) and in focus. The image result is subjected to digital image processing including optimal AWB adjustment by the image signal processing circuit 64, and subsequently displayed as a moving image on the display device 24 as a through image.
[0060]
Thereafter, the CPU 82 returns from step 120 to step 106 until the moving image shooting mode is terminated. In other words, the camera waits in this state (AF control, AE control, AWB adjusted through image display) until the shutter switch 32 is pressed or the moving image shooting mode is terminated.
[0061]
Thus, the photographer can confirm the subject image photographed in the optimum state by displaying the moving image on the display device 24 even during the pause of the photographing recording, and when the scene to be recorded again comes to the shutter. Press switch 32 again. In response to this press, the CPU 82 is again instructed to start photographing recording, that is, to cancel the pause, and then proceeds from step 106 to step 108, where image data compression and accumulation are started in the same manner as described above. (Recording resumed).
[0062]
On the other hand, when the photographer wants to end the movie shooting, he / she operates the mode dial 34 to switch the mode selection to the still image shooting mode or the playback mode, or operates the power switch to instruct the power OFF.
[0063]
In response to these operations, the CPU 82 shifts from step 120 to step 122 assuming that the end of the moving image shooting mode is instructed. In step 122, the compressed image data remaining in the SDRAM 78 is recorded on the recording medium 18, and in the next step 124, continuous shooting by the CCD 50, AF control, AE control, AWB adjustment, through image display, etc. Then, the ongoing processing relating to the video shooting is terminated. Thereafter, when the mode selection is switched, processing corresponding to the mode after switching is executed, and when power-off is instructed, the power may be turned off after a predetermined end processing.
[0064]
As described above, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, in the moving image shooting mode, it is possible to switch between shooting recording start (resume) and pause while continuing AF control, AE control, and AWB adjustment. Therefore, it is possible to shoot and record only necessary scenes without using unnecessary recording by panning, and it is possible to shoot moving images without worrying about the capacity of the recording medium. In addition, since AF control, AE control, and AWB adjustment are continued in the same way as during shooting and recording even during pause, the optimal image is immediately obtained when shooting and recording is resumed after temporarily stopping shooting and recording. Data can be acquired, and you never miss a photo opportunity. Furthermore, since it is only necessary to temporarily stop the recording operation, the control is simple.
[0065]
Further, in the present embodiment, each time the shutter switch 32 is pressed, the recording / starting (resumption) and pause of the moving image are switched. It is not necessary to keep pressing 32, and the operability is superior to the conventional one.
[0066]
In the above description, the case where compressed image data is stored in the SDRAM 78 and then recorded on the recording medium 18 has been described as an example. However, the compressed image data may not be stored in the SDRAM 78 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the same steps as those in FIG. 3 are given the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted below.
[0067]
That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 82 starts continuous shooting by the CCD 50 and starts continuous AF control, AE control, and AWB adjustment, and under optimum exposure control (shutter speed and aperture value). In addition, the continuous photographing result photographed by the CCD 50 in a focused state is subjected to predetermined digital image processing by the image signal processing circuit 64, and then displayed as a moving image on the display device 24 (steps 100, 102, 104).
[0068]
When the shutter switch 32 is pressed (fully pressed) and an instruction to start shooting and recording is given by the photographer, the CPU 82 shifts from step 106 to step 130 and is acquired by continuous shooting by the CCD 50 after the pressing. The image data is subjected to predetermined digital image processing by the image signal processing circuit 64, stored in the VRAM 66, used for display on the display device 24 (moving image display of recorded images), and also transferred to the compression / decompression processing circuit 70. Then, the data is compressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70 and written to the recording medium 18 via the media control unit 72.
[0069]
When the photographer presses the shutter switch 32 again (fully presses) to instruct the suspension of shooting and recording, the process proceeds from the next step 114 to step 116 and is acquired by continuous shooting by the CCD 50 after the pressing. Then, the transfer of the image data after the predetermined digital image processing by the image signal processing circuit 64 to the compression / decompression processing circuit 70 is stopped, and the compression and recording of the image data are temporarily stopped.
[0070]
After that, when the shutter switch 32 is pressed again (fully pressed) and an instruction to start (restart) shooting recording is given, the process proceeds from step 120 to step 106 and step 130 to restart shooting and recording. When the end of shooting is instructed, the process proceeds from step 120 to step 124, and the ongoing processing related to moving image shooting may be ended.
[0071]
In the above description, the case where AF control, AE control, and AWB adjustment are started immediately after the moving image shooting mode is selected has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the moving image shooting mode is not limited to this. AF control, AE control, and AWB adjustment may be started when the start of shooting recording is instructed for the first time after the shooting mode is selected.
[0072]
In the above description, the case where the shutter switch 32 generally provided in the digital camera is used as the operation instruction input unit of the present invention in order to instruct to record and record a still image has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a member for inputting a moving image shooting / recording start instruction and a temporary stop instruction may be provided separately from the shutter switch 32. However, in order to reduce the number of parts, it is preferable to use the shutter switch 32 as the operation instruction input means as described above.
[0073]
In the above description, the case of performing AF control, AE control, and AWB adjustment in order to acquire optimal image data as the control content of the imaging control unit of the present invention has been described as an example. The control content to be acquired is determined by the performance of the camera, and the present invention is not limited to this. That is, only one or two of AF control, AE control, and AWB adjustment may be performed.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect that it is possible to realize moving image shooting without worrying about the capacity of the recording medium and without missing a photo opportunity with simple control.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front (A) and back (B) of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a moving image shooting processing routine executed by the CPU when the moving image shooting mode of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention is selected.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a moving image shooting processing routine.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Digital camera
16 Optical unit
18 Recording media
24 display devices
32 Shutter switch
34 Mode dial
40 Photography lens
42 Focus lens
44 Aperture / Shutter Mechanism
50 CCD
58 Motor driver
60 Main control unit
64 Image signal processing circuit
68 Display controller
70 Compression / decompression processing circuit
72 Media control unit
74 AF detection circuit
76 AE / AWB detection circuit
82 CPU
84 Bus

Claims (3)

A digital camera having a video shooting function for continuously shooting a subject and acquiring image data indicating a moving image,
Shooting control means for controlling the moving image shooting operation so that optimum image data is acquired;
Recording means for recording the image data acquired under the control of the photographing control means on a recording medium;
An operation instruction means for inputting at least a recording start instruction and a pause instruction by the recording means by being operated;
When the start instruction is input from the operation instruction means, recording by the recording means is started, and when the pause instruction is input from the operation instruction means, the control by the imaging control means is continued. And recording control means for stopping recording by the recording means;
A digital camera comprising: The operation instruction means switches and inputs the start instruction and the pause instruction for each operated operation.
The digital camera according to claim 1. The operation instruction means is a shutter switch;
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is a digital camera.

Images