JP2014053706A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure privacy on the face of a person.SOLUTION: An imager 18 outputs raw image data representing a scene captured on an image pick-up surface. The raw image data thus outputted is processed by a pre-processing circuit 22 and a post-processing circuit 28, and converted into image data of YUV form. A CPU 38 stores the image data of YUV form thus converted on a recording medium 42, in response to arrival at a preset storage time. The CPU 38 also searches a partial image representing the face of a person from the image data converted by the post-processing circuit 28, and delays storage processing of image data in response to search of the partial image.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly to an electronic camera having a function of searching for a characteristic object from an imaging scene.

  An example of this type of camera is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to this background art, when the release button is pressed with “landscape” selected as the scene position, a process of detecting a human face from the shooting range is executed.

  When a face is detected, the first shooting is performed according to a scene setting parameter appropriate for shooting a scene with a person, and the second shooting is performed according to a scene setting parameter appropriate for shooting a scene without a person. . On the other hand, if no face is detected, a single shooting is performed in accordance with scene setting parameters suitable for shooting a landscape without a person.

JP 2009-33386 A

  However, in the background art, photographing is performed at least once regardless of whether or not a face is detected. For this reason, there is a problem in terms of ensuring the privacy of a person who appears unexpectedly in the shooting range.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that can ensure privacy for a characteristic object.

  An electronic camera according to the present invention (10: reference numeral corresponding to the embodiment; the same applies hereinafter) includes an imaging unit (18) for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on an imaging plane, and an electronic image output from the imaging unit. Saving means for saving in response to the arrival of the saving time (S49 to S51), searching means for searching a partial image representing a feature object from an electronic image output from the imaging means (S63), and responding to detection by the searching means Delay means (S65 to S67, S45) for delaying the processing of the storage means.

  Preferably, the imaging means repeatedly outputs an electronic image, the search means repeatedly searches for a partial image, and the delay means delays the processing of the storage means every time the search result of the search means indicates detection.

  Preferably, a change means (S47) for changing the zoom magnification in relation to the processing of the delay means is further provided.

  Preferably, there is further provided setting means (S31) for setting the time so that the storage time arrives at the specified period, and the delay time by the delay means is shorter than the time corresponding to the specified period.

  Preferably, the feature object includes a human face.

  An imaging control program according to the present invention provides an electronic image output from an imaging unit to a processor (38) of an electronic camera (10) including an imaging unit (18) that outputs an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging plane. A storage step (S49 to S51) for storing in response to the arrival of the storage time, a search step (S63) for searching a partial image representing a feature object from an electronic image output from the imaging means, and a response to detection of the search step This is an imaging control program for executing delay steps (S65 to S67, S45) for delaying the processing of the storage step.

  An imaging control method according to the present invention is an imaging control method executed by an electronic camera (10) including an imaging means (18) that outputs an electronic image representing a scene captured on an imaging surface, and is output from the imaging means. A storage step (S49 to S51) for storing the electronic image in response to the arrival of the storage time, a search step (S63) for searching the partial image representing the feature object from the electronic image output from the imaging means, and a search step A delay step (S65 to S67, S45) for delaying the processing of the storage step in response to the detection is provided.

  An external control program according to the present invention includes an imaging means (18) for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on an imaging surface, and a processor (38) for executing processing according to an internal control program stored in a memory (46). A storage step (S49 to S51) for storing an electronic image output from the imaging means in response to arrival of a storage time, a partial image representing a characteristic object, which is an external control program supplied to the electronic camera (10) provided Search step (S63) for searching the electronic image output from the imaging means, and a delay step (S65 to S67, S45) for delaying the processing of the storage step in response to detection of the search step in cooperation with the internal control program And an external control program for causing the processor to execute the program.

  An electronic camera (10) according to the present invention includes an image pickup means (18) for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on an image pickup surface, an input means (48) for acquiring an external control program, and an external control acquired by the input means. An electronic camera (10) comprising a processor (38) that executes processing according to a program and an internal control program stored in a memory (46), wherein the external control program stores the electronic image output from the imaging means at a storage time A storage step (S49 to S51) for storing in response to the arrival of a search, a search step (S63) for searching a partial image representing a feature object from an electronic image output from the imaging means, and a storage in response to detection of the search step This corresponds to a program that executes the delay steps (S65 to S67, S45) for delaying the processing of the steps in cooperation with the internal control program.

  The electronic image output from the imaging unit is stored in response to the arrival of the storage time. If a feature object exists in the imaging scene when the storage time arrives, the storage process is delayed. This ensures privacy for the feature object. Thus, the imaging performance is improved.

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

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of this invention. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the allocation state of the evaluation area in an imaging surface. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a face detection circuit applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; FIG. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the scene caught under normal imaging mode. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of a structure of the register referred under interval imaging mode. (A) is an illustrative view showing an example of a scene captured under the interval imaging mode, and (B) is an illustrative view showing another example of a scene captured under the interval imaging mode. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing still another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the other Example of this invention.

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

  Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic camera of the present invention is basically configured as follows. The imaging unit 1 outputs an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging surface. The storage unit 2 stores the electronic image output from the imaging unit 1 in response to the arrival of the storage time. The search unit 3 searches for a partial image representing the characteristic object from the electronic image output from the imaging unit 1. The delay unit 4 delays the processing of the storage unit 2 in response to the detection of the search unit 3.

The electronic image output from the imaging unit 1 is stored in response to the arrival of the storage time. However, if a feature object exists in the imaging scene when the storage time arrives, the storage process is delayed. This ensures privacy for the feature object. Thus, the imaging performance is improved.
[Example]

  Referring to FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 of this embodiment includes a zoom lens 12, a focus lens 14, and an aperture unit 16 that are respectively driven by drivers 20a to 20c. The optical image that has passed through these members is irradiated onto the imaging surface of the imager 18 and subjected to photoelectric conversion. Thereby, a charge corresponding to the optical image is generated.

  When the normal imaging mode is selected by the mode key 44 md provided on the key input device 44, the CPU 38 repeats the exposure operation and the charge readout operation to the driver 20 d in order to execute the moving image capturing process under the normal imaging task. Command. In response to a vertical synchronization signal Vsync generated every 1/30 seconds from an SG (Signal Generator) (not shown), the driver 20d exposes the imaging surface and reads out the charges generated on the imaging surface in a raster scanning manner. From the imager 18, raw image data based on the read electric charges is output at a frame rate of 30 fps.

  The preprocessing circuit 22 performs processing such as digital clamping, pixel defect correction, and gain control on the raw image data output from the imager 18. The raw image data subjected to these processes is written into the raw image area 26 a of the SDRAM 26 through the memory control circuit 24.

  The post-processing circuit 28 reads the raw image data stored in the raw image area 26a through the memory control circuit 24, and performs color separation processing, white balance adjustment processing, and YUV conversion processing on the read raw image data. The YUV format image data generated thereby is written into the YUV image area 26 b of the SDRAM 26 by the memory control circuit 24.

  The LCD driver 30 repeatedly reads out the image data stored in the YUV image area 26b through the memory control circuit 24, and drives the LCD monitor 32 based on the read image data. As a result, a real-time moving image (through image) representing the scene captured on the imaging surface is displayed on the monitor screen.

  When a zoom button 44zm provided on the key input device 44 is operated, the CPU 38 moves the zoom lens 12 in the optical axis direction through the driver 20a. As a result, the magnification of the through image changes.

  Referring to FIG. 3, an evaluation area EVA is assigned to the imaging surface. The evaluation area EVA is divided into 32 in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and an evaluation area EVA is formed by 1024 divided areas. In addition to the above-described processing, the preprocessing circuit 22 shown in FIG. 2 executes simple Y conversion processing that simply converts raw image data into Y data.

  The AE / AF evaluation circuit 34 integrates Y data belonging to the evaluation area EVA among the Y data generated by the preprocessing circuit 22 every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. Accordingly, 1024 integral values, that is, 1024 AE evaluation values are output from the AE / AF evaluation circuit 34 in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync.

  The AE / AF evaluation circuit 34 also integrates the high-frequency component of Y data belonging to the evaluation area EVA among the Y data generated by the preprocessing circuit 22 every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. As a result, 1024 integral values, that is, 1024 AF evaluation values are output from the AE / AF evaluation circuit 34 in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync.

  When the shutter button 44 sh provided on the key input device 44 is in a non-operating state, the CPU 38 outputs a part of the AE evaluation values belonging to the reference area fixedly set on the imaging surface from the AE / AF evaluation circuit 34. The extracted 1024 AE evaluation values are extracted, and simple AE processing is executed based on the extracted AE evaluation values. The aperture amount and the exposure time that define the appropriate EV value calculated in this way are set in the drivers 20c and 20d. Thereby, the exposure amount is adjusted so that the brightness of the image belonging to the reference area shows an appropriate value.

  Further, the CPU 38 repeatedly executes a face search process for searching for a human face under a face detection task in parallel with the normal imaging task. In the face search process, a search request is issued to the face detection circuit 36 every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated ten times, for example.

  The face detection circuit 36 is configured as shown in FIG. The controller 36a assigns a rectangular collation frame to the YUV image area 26b, and reads out part of the image data belonging to the collation frame through the memory control circuit 24. The read image data is given to the verification circuit 36c via the SRAM 36b.

  The collation circuit 36c collates the image data given from the SRAM 36b with each of the plurality of face images stored in the dictionary 36d. When image data matching any one of the face images is detected, the matching circuit 36c registers the current position and size of the matching frame in the register 36e.

  The collation frame moves by a predetermined amount in a raster scanning manner from the head position (upper left position) to the end position (lower right position) of the YUV image area 26b. The size of the verification frame is updated every time the verification frame reaches the end position. When the predetermined number of raster scans are completed, a search end notification is returned from the verification circuit 36c to the CPU 38.

  In response to the search end notification returned from the face detection circuit 36, the CPU 38 determines whether a human face image has been detected. If there is a registration in the register 36e, the CPU 38 sets a flag FLGface to “1” to indicate that a face image has been detected. On the other hand, if there is no registration in the register 36e, the CPU 38 sets the flag FLGface to “0” in order to express that the face image has not been detected.

  Returning to the normal imaging task, when the shutter button 44sh is half-pressed, the CPU 38 sets the reference area with reference to the state of the flag FLGface and the description of the register 36e. If the flag FLGface indicates “0”, it is considered that the face image has not been searched, and a reference area is set at the center of the imaging surface. On the other hand, if the flag FLGface indicates “1”, it is considered that the face image has been detected, and a reference area having a size corresponding to the size described in the register 36e is described in the register 36e. It is arranged at a position corresponding to the position.

  Therefore, when the shutter button 44sh is half-pressed in a state where the scene shown in FIG. 5 is captured, the reference area has a size that covers the boy's face image and is arranged at the position of the boy's face image.

  When the setting of the reference area is completed, the CPU 38 executes a strict AE process that refers to a part of the AE evaluation values belonging to the reference area, and calculates an optimal EV value. The aperture amount and the exposure time that define the calculated optimum EV value are also set in the drivers 20c and 20d, and thereby the exposure amount is adjusted so that the brightness of the image belonging to the reference area shows the optimum value.

  The CPU 38 also executes a strict AF process with reference to some AF evaluation values belonging to the reference area. The focus lens 14 is moved in the optical axis direction by the driver 20b in order to search for a focal point, and is arranged at the focal point discovered by this. As a result, the focus is adjusted so that the sharpness of the image belonging to the reference area is improved.

  Therefore, for the scene shown in FIG. 5, the exposure amount is adjusted so that the brightness of the boy's face image shows the optimum value, and the focus is adjusted so that the sharpness of the boy's face image is improved.

  When the shutter button 44sh is fully pressed, the CPU 38 executes a still image capturing process. As a result, one frame of image data representing the scene at the time when the shutter button 44sh is fully pressed is saved from the YUV image area 26b to the still image area 26c. Subsequently, the CPU 38 creates a new image file on the recording medium 42 and instructs the memory I / F 40 to save the image data saved in the still image area 26c. The memory I / F 40 reads one frame of image data stored in the still image area 26c through the memory control circuit 24, and stores the read image data in a newly created image file.

  When the interval imaging mode is selected by the mode key 44md, the CPU 38 validates the imaging interval setting (= save period and save frame number) under the interval imaging task. The storage cycle and the number of storage frames are described in the register 38r shown in FIG. The CPU 38 also creates a new image file on the recording medium 42.

  The interval shooting mode is selected when the digital camera 10 is put on the chest of a user taking a walk and shooting is automatically performed every other minute.

  When the storage cycle arrives, the CPU 38 executes a moving image capturing process similar to that described above, and thereby executes a strict AE process and an AF process based on the raw image data output from the imager 18. At this time, the reference area is fixedly assigned to the center of the imaging surface.

  The strict AE process is executed with reference to some AE evaluation values belonging to the reference area among the 1024 AE evaluation values created based on the raw image data, and the AF process is also created based on the raw image data. This is executed based on some AF evaluation values belonging to the reference area among the 1024 AF evaluation values.

  As a result, the exposure amount is adjusted so that the brightness of the partial image belonging to the reference area shows the optimum value, and the arrangement of the focus lens 14 is adjusted so that the sharpness of the partial image belonging to the reference area is improved.

  The face detection task described above is executed in parallel with the moving image capturing process even when the interval imaging mode is selected. The face detection circuit 36 is activated every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated 10 times, and each of a plurality of face images in which image data in a collation frame moving in a raster scanning manner on the YUV image area 26b is stored in the dictionary 36d. Is matched. When image data matching any of the face images is detected, the current position and size of the matching frame are registered in the register 36e as the position and size of the face image. The flag FLGface is set to “0” corresponding to the non-detection of the face image, and is set to “1” corresponding to the detection of the face image.

  When the flag FLGface thus adjusted indicates “1”, the CPU 38 considers that a human face exists in the imaging scene and moves the zoom lens 12 by a predetermined amount in the optical axis direction. When the face part of the person is removed from the imaging scene by changing the zoom magnification or moving the person himself, the flag FLGface is updated from “1” to “0”.

  Therefore, if the captured scene captured at the time when the storage cycle arrives is the scene shown in FIG. 7A, the flag FLGface indicates “1”, and the zoom magnification is changed. When the imaging scene changes to the scene shown in FIG. 7B by changing the zoom magnification or moving the person, the flag FLGface is updated from “1” to “0”.

  The CPU 38 executes the still image capturing process in response to the update of the flag FLGface from “1” to “0”. That is, the execution timing of the still image capturing process is delayed until the flag FLGface is updated from “1” to “0”. In the still image area 26c, one frame of image data representing a scene at the time when the flag FLGface is updated from “1” to “0” is saved. A face image of a person does not appear in the saved image data, and the privacy of an unknown person, that is, a person who has not accepted photographing, is ensured.

  Thereafter, the CPU 38 instructs the memory I / F 40 to save the image data saved in the still image area 26c. The memory I / F 40 reads one frame of image data stored in the still image area 26c through the memory control circuit 24, and stores the read image data in an image file created when the interval imaging task is activated. The moving image capturing process is stopped when the storing process is completed, and the face detection task is also stopped accordingly.

  The above-described processing from when the moving image capturing processing is started to when it is stopped is repeatedly executed every time the storage cycle comes. The interval imaging task is ended when the number of frames of the image data stored in the image file reaches the target value.

  The CPU 38 executes in parallel a plurality of tasks including a normal imaging task shown in FIG. 8, an interval imaging task shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, and a face detection task shown in FIG. Note that control programs corresponding to these tasks are stored in the flash memory 46.

  Referring to FIG. 8, a moving image capturing process is executed in step S1, and a face detection task is activated in step S3. As a result of the processing in step S1, raw image data representing a scene captured on the imaging surface is repeatedly output from the image sensor 18, and a through image based on the output raw image data is displayed on the LCD monitor 32. Further, the face detection task activated in step S3 searches for a human face image from the image data stored in the YUV image area 26b.

  In step S5, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 44sh has been half-pressed. If the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S7, and simple AE processing is executed based on the AE evaluation value belonging to the reference area fixedly assigned to the center of the imaging surface. As a result, the exposure amount is adjusted so that the brightness of the central portion of the through image shows an appropriate value.

  In step S9, it is determined whether or not the zoom button 44zm is in the operating state. If the determination result is NO, the process returns to step S5 as it is. If the determination result is YES, the zoom lens 12 is moved in the optical axis direction in step S11. After the movement, the process returns to step S5. As a result of the processing in step S11, the magnification of the through image changes.

  When the determination result of step S5 is updated from NO to YES, the process proceeds to step S13, and the reference area is set by referring to the state of the flag FLGface and the description of the register 36e. If the flag FLGface indicates “0”, that is, if no face image is detected, the reference area is set at the center of the imaging surface. On the other hand, if the flag FLGface indicates “1”, that is, if a face image is detected, the reference area is adjusted to a size corresponding to the size described in the register 36e and described in the register 36e. It is arranged at a position corresponding to the position.

  In step S15, the strict AE process and the AF process are executed based on the AE evaluation value and the AF evaluation value belonging to the reference area thus set. As a result of the strict AE process, the exposure amount is adjusted so that the brightness of the partial image belonging to the reference area shows the optimum value. Further, as a result of the strict AF process, the arrangement of the focus lens 14 is adjusted so that the sharpness of the partial image belonging to the reference area is improved.

  In step S17, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 44sh is fully pressed. In step S19, it is determined whether or not the operation of the shutter button 44sh is released. If the determination result of step S19 is YES, it will return to step S5 as it is, and if the determination result of step S17 is YES, it will return to step S5 through the process of steps S21-S25.

  In step S21, a still image capturing process is executed. As a result, one frame of image data representing the scene at the time when the shutter button 44sh is fully pressed is saved from the YUV image area 26b to the still image area 26c. In step S23, a new image file is created on the recording medium 42. In step S25, the memory I / F 40 is instructed to save the image data saved in the still image area 26c. The memory I / F 40 reads one frame of image data stored in the still image area 26c through the memory control circuit 24, and stores the read image data in the image file created in step S23.

  Referring to FIG. 9, in step S31, the imaging interval setting (= storage cycle and number of storage frames) is validated, and in step S33, a new image file is created on the recording medium. In step S35, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the storage cycle has come. If the determination result is updated from NO to YES, the moving image capturing process is executed in step S37, and the face detection task is started in step S39.

  As a result of the processing in step S37, raw image data representing a scene captured on the imaging surface is repeatedly output from the image sensor 18, and a through image based on the output raw image data is displayed on the LCD monitor 32. Further, the face detection task activated in step S39 searches for a human face image from the image data stored in the YUV image area 26b.

  In step S41, strict AE processing is executed, and in step S43, AF processing is executed. At this time, the reference area is fixedly assigned to the center of the imaging surface. The strict AE process is executed based on the AE evaluation value belonging to the reference area, and as a result, the exposure amount is adjusted so that the brightness of the partial image belonging to the reference area shows the optimum value. The AF process is also executed based on the AF evaluation value belonging to the reference area. As a result, the arrangement of the focus lens 14 is adjusted so that the sharpness of the partial image belonging to the reference area is improved.

  In step S45, it is determined whether or not the flag FLGface indicates “0”. If the determination result is NO, it is considered that the face image has been detected, and the zoom lens 12 is moved by a predetermined amount in the optical axis direction in step S47. The processing after step S49 is delayed as the zoom lens 12 moves. When the movement is completed, the process returns to step S45, and the state of the flag FLGface is determined again. If the face part of the person moves out of the imaging scene due to the change of the zoom magnification or the movement of the person itself, the face image is not detected and the flag FLGface is updated from “1” to “0”. At this time, the process proceeds from step S45 to step S49.

  In step S49, a still image capturing process is executed. As a result, one frame of image data representing the scene at the time when the flag FLGface is updated from “1” to “0” is saved from the YUV image area 26b to the still image area 26c.

  In step S51, the memory I / F 40 is instructed to save the image data saved in the still image area 26c. The memory I / F 40 reads one frame of image data stored in the still image area 26c through the memory control circuit 24, and saves the read image data in the image file created in step S33.

  When the process of step S53 is completed, the face detection task is stopped in step S53, and the moving image capturing process is stopped in step S55. In step S57, it is determined whether or not the number of stored frames has reached a target value. If the determination result is NO, the process returns to step S35, and if the determination result is YES, the interval imaging task is ended.

  Referring to FIG. 11, in step S61, it is determined whether or not the vertical synchronization signal Vsync has been generated N times (N: for example, 10). When the determination result is updated from NO to YES, the process proceeds to step S63, and a search request is issued to the face detection circuit 36 for face search processing.

  The face detection circuit 36 moves the collation frame on the YUV image area 26b by a predetermined amount in a raster scanning manner after initialization of the register 36e. The face detection circuit 36 also collates a part of the image data belonging to the collation frame with a plurality of face images stored in the dictionary 36d. When image data matching any one of the face images is detected, the face detection circuit 36 considers that the face image has been detected, and registers the current position and size of the collation frame in the register 36e. The search end notification is returned from the face detection circuit 36 to the CPU 38 when a predetermined number of raster scans have been completed.

  When a search end notification is returned from the face detection circuit 36, it is determined in step S65 whether or not a face image has been detected. If registration exists in the register 36f, it is considered that a face image has been detected, and the flag FLGface is set to "1" in step S67. On the other hand, if there is no registration in the register 36e, it is considered that the face image has not been detected, and the flag FLGface is set to “0” in step S69. When the process of step S67 or S69 is completed, the process returns to step S61.

  As can be understood from the above description, the imager 18 outputs raw image data representing a scene captured on the imaging surface. The output raw image data is converted into YUV format image data through the processing of the pre-processing circuit 22 and the post-processing circuit 28. The CPU 38 stores the thus-converted image data in the YUV format in the recording medium 42 in response to arrival of a preset storage time (S49 to S51). The CPU 38 also searches for the partial image representing the human face (characteristic object) from the image data converted by the post-processing circuit 28 (S63), and delays the image data storage process in response to the detection of the partial image. (S65 ~ S67, S45).

  The image data representing the captured scene captured by the imager 18 is stored in response to the arrival of the storage time. If the person's face exists in the captured scene when the storage time arrives, the storage process is delayed. The As a result, privacy regarding the face of the person is ensured.

  In this embodiment, the face of a person is searched, but the search target may be an animal face or an object other than a face. In this embodiment, the exposure amount and focus are assumed as imaging conditions to be adjusted. However, white balance may be added thereto.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the zoom magnification is always changed when a human face is detected from the imaged scene. However, there is a possibility that the face of a person appearing in the imaging scene may be removed from the imaging scene due to the movement of the digital camera 10 and / or the movement of the person appearing in the imaging scene. Therefore, in order to avoid a situation in which a person's face image appears in the stored image data, it is sufficient to delay at least the timing of the still image capturing process, and changing the zoom magnification is not an essential process.

  In this embodiment, when the normal imaging mode is selected, the moving image capturing process is continuously executed. On the other hand, when the interval imaging mode is selected, the moving image capturing process is performed every time the storage cycle arrives. (Ie, at intermittent timing). However, the moving image capturing process may be continuously executed during a period in which the interval imaging mode is selected. In this case, step S37 shown in FIG. 9 moves between steps S31 and S33, and step S55 moves to the subsequent stage of step S57. As a result, the writing of the image data to the SDRAM 26 is continuously executed as long as the interval imaging mode is selected. Among these, one frame of image data at the time when the determination result of step S45 is determined to be YES is stored in the image file. Saved.

  In this embodiment, the multitask OS and control programs corresponding to a plurality of tasks executed thereby are stored in the flash memory 46 in advance. However, as shown in FIG. 12, a communication I / F 52 is provided in the digital camera 10 and a part of the control program is prepared in the flash memory 46 from the beginning as an internal control program, while another part of the control program is prepared as an external control program. May be acquired from an external server. In this case, the above-described operation is realized by cooperation of the internal control program and the external control program.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing executed by the CPU 38 is divided into a plurality of tasks as described above. However, each task may be further divided into a plurality of small tasks, and a part of the divided plurality of small tasks may be integrated with other tasks. Further, when each task is divided into a plurality of small tasks, all or part of the tasks may be acquired from an external server.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera 18 ... Imager 22 ... Pre-processing circuit 34 ... AE / AF evaluation circuit 36 ... Face detection circuit 38 ... CPU

Claims (9)

Imaging means for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging surface;
Storage means for storing the electronic image output from the imaging means in response to the arrival of the storage time;
An electronic camera comprising: search means for searching a partial image representing a characteristic object from an electronic image output from the imaging means; and delay means for delaying processing of the storage means in response to detection by the search means. The imaging means repeatedly outputs the electronic image,
The search means repeatedly searches the partial image,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the delay unit delays the processing of the storage unit every time the search result of the search unit indicates detection.   The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising changing means for changing a zoom magnification in relation to processing of the delay means. Further comprising setting means for performing time setting so that the storage time arrives at a specified cycle;
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein a delay time by the delay means is shorter than a time corresponding to the specified period.   The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic object includes a human face. In a processor of an electronic camera including an imaging unit that outputs an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging surface,
A storage step of storing the electronic image output from the imaging means in response to the arrival of a storage time;
Imaging control for executing a search step for searching a partial image representing a characteristic object from an electronic image output from the imaging means, and a delay step for delaying the processing of the storage step in response to detection of the search step program. An imaging control method executed by an electronic camera including an imaging unit that outputs an electronic image representing a scene captured on an imaging surface,
A storage step of storing the electronic image output from the imaging means in response to the arrival of a storage time;
An imaging control method, comprising: a search step of searching for a partial image representing a characteristic object from an electronic image output from the imaging means; and a delay step of delaying the processing of the storage step in response to detection of the search step. An external control program supplied to an electronic camera comprising an imaging means for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on an imaging surface, and a processor for executing processing according to an internal control program stored in a memory,
A storage step of storing the electronic image output from the imaging means in response to the arrival of a storage time;
In cooperation with the internal control program, a search step for searching for a partial image representing a characteristic object from the electronic image output from the imaging means, and a delay step for delaying the processing of the storage step in response to detection of the search step An external control program for causing the processor to execute the program. Imaging means for outputting an electronic image representing a scene captured on the imaging surface;
An electronic camera comprising a capturing unit that captures an external control program, and a processor that executes processing according to the external control program captured by the capturing unit and the internal control program stored in a memory,
The external control program is
A storage step of storing the electronic image output from the imaging means in response to the arrival of a storage time;
In cooperation with the internal control program, a search step for searching for a partial image representing a characteristic object from the electronic image output from the imaging means, and a delay step for delaying the processing of the storage step in response to detection of the search step An electronic camera equivalent to a program to be executed.

Images