JP4228479B2 - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method for converting an imaging signal obtained by imaging a subject into image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera or a digital video camera can record an imaging signal obtained by imaging a subject as image data on an external recording medium or reproduce it on a monitor of the main body. The digital still camera is configured to mainly capture still images as image data, and the digital video camera is configured to mainly capture moving images as image data.
[0003]
In addition, some digital still cameras can capture moving images as image data in a short time, and some digital video cameras can capture still images as image data.
Some digital still cameras and video camcorders can change the image size of the captured image. Such digital still cameras and the like perform continuous shooting of still images with different image sizes. I was able to. Here, the image size corresponds to a pixel value.
[0004]
For example, a digital still camera can handle a so-called megapixel image of 1152 × 864 pixels and a so-called VGA (Video Graphics Array) size image of 640 × 480 pixels as different image sizes. For example, a digital still camera captures an image while performing image compression on a memory that provides a work area during continuous shooting.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, conventionally, a digital still camera or the like has a uniform number of continuous shots. That is, the digital still camera or the like has the same number of continuous shots regardless of the megapixel image and the VGA size image.
[0006]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging method capable of changing the number of continuous shots according to the image size to be handled.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-described problem, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention providesImaging means for imaging a subject and outputting image data;An image size specifying means for specifying an image size, an image size switching means for switching image data to a specified image size specified by the image size specifying means, an image data storage means for storing image data, and a specified image size Control means for determining the upper limit of the number of continuous shots and controlling the image data storage means to store a plurality of pieces of image data having a designated image size obtained by continuous shooting.The control means controls to store a plurality of image data in the image data storage means while shifting the storage position by sequentially adding the offset value of the address corresponding to the designated image size from the storage start address of the image data storage means. .
[0008]
The image pickup apparatus having such a configuration is obtained by switching image data to a designated image size designated by the image size designation means, and determining the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the designated image size by the control means, and obtaining it continuously. Control is performed to store a plurality of image data having the designated image size in the image data storage means.
[0009]
Thereby, the imaging apparatus determines the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the designated image size, and stores a plurality of pieces of image data having such an image size obtained by continuous shooting in the image data storage unit.
[0010]
  In addition, in order to solve the above-described problem, the imaging method according to the present invention captures a subject and outputs image data, an image size switching step of switching the image data to a designated designated image size, An image data storage step of determining an upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to a specified image size and storing a plurality of image data having a specified image size obtained by continuous shooting in an image data storage unitIn the image data storage step, a plurality of image data are recorded in the image data storage means while sequentially shifting the offset value of the address corresponding to the designated image size from the storage start address of the image data storage means.
[0011]
In this imaging method, the number of continuous shots is determined according to the designated image size, and a plurality of image data having such an image size obtained by continuous shooting is stored in the image data storage means.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital video camera that captures a subject and obtains image data.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital video camera includes an operation unit 1, a microcomputer 2, an imaging unit 10, an image data processing unit 20, an image output I / F (interface) 3, and an external memory control unit 4.
[0014]
In this digital video camera, the imaging unit 10 constitutes an imaging unit that images a subject and outputs image data, the operation unit 1 constitutes an image size designation unit that designates an image size, and the first switch 31. The VGA (Video Graphics Array) conversion unit 34 constitutes an image size switching unit that switches the image data to the designated image size designated by the operation unit 1, and the first memory 21 stores image data in which the image data is stored. The microcomputer 2 determines the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the designated image size, and stores the plurality of pieces of image data having the designated image size obtained by continuous shooting in the first memory 21. Control means for controlling is configured. Here, the image size corresponds to a pixel value.
[0015]
This digital video camera is configured to record a still image in addition to recording a moving image by imaging a subject with the imaging unit 10. That is, the digital video camera can output a moving image from the image output I / F 3, and can record a moving image on, for example, a DV (Digital Video) tape that is a tape-shaped recording medium in the tape unit. The digital video camera can record a still image on an external recording medium (external memory) attached to the external memory control unit 4. For example, examples of the external recording medium include a removable recording medium such as a floppy disk and a removable semiconductor memory such as a so-called memory stick. Furthermore, the digital video camera has a continuous shooting function in addition to a normal shooting function.
[0016]
The digital video camera mainly functions to record a moving image, but in this embodiment, the operation of the still image recording function that the digital video camera has as a function is mainly described. Therefore, recording and playback of moving images are performed by a moving image recording and playback function of a normal digital video camera unless otherwise specified.
[0017]
The imaging unit 10 includes a lens unit 11 and a camera unit 12. The imaging unit 10 images a subject via the lens unit 11 and outputs image data from the camera unit 12.
[0018]
For example, the camera unit 12 includes a CCD (charge-coupled device) as an imaging device, a digital conversion unit that digitally converts an imaging signal and outputs image data, and a camera control microcomputer as its control means. The digital conversion unit outputs the image pickup signal output from the CCD as image data. Here, the camera control microcomputer controls the operation of each unit of the camera unit 11. The digital conversion unit that digitally converts the image pickup signal from the CCD is not limited to being provided in the image pickup unit 10, and may be provided in the image data processing unit 20 subsequent to the image pickup unit 10. Further, the imaging signal is output as a signal corresponding to a so-called megapixel image (hereinafter referred to as a megapixel image) having 1152 × 864 pixels. The image data output from the imaging unit 10 is input to the image data processing unit 20.
[0019]
The image data processing unit 20 includes a signal processing unit 30, a first memory 21, and a second memory 22. Further, the signal processing unit 30 includes first to third switches 31, 32, 33, a VGA conversion unit 34, a DV (Digital Video) conversion unit 35, and a JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Groupe) conversion unit 36. ing. For example, the signal processing unit 30 is CARILLON.
[0020]
The image data input to the image data processing unit 20 configured as described above is first input to the first and second switches 31 and 32. The image data input to the first switch 31 is mainly processed as image data of a still image, and the image data input to the second switch 32 is recorded on a DV tape or an image display unit as moving image data. To be played.
[0021]
The first switch 31 outputs the image data from the imaging unit 10 to the first memory 21 by selection of the first selected terminal 31a and to the VGA conversion unit 34 by selection of the second selected terminal 31b. Output.
[0022]
The VGA converter 34 to which the image data from the second selected terminal 31b is input converts the image data of 1152 × 864 pixels into an image of VGA size of 640 × 480 pixels (hereinafter referred to as VGA image). The image data that has been VGA converted by the VGA converter 34 is input to the first memory 21. Therefore, the image data input to the first memory 21 as a result is either a VGA image output from the VGA converter 34 or a megapixel image output from the first selected terminal 31a of the first switch 31. become.
[0023]
The first memory 21 is an SDRAM (synchronous DRAM). The storage capacity of the first memory 21 is 64 Mbits. Then, writing and reading of image data to and from the first memory 21 is performed by the microcomputer 2 that controls each component of the image data processing unit 20.
[0024]
In continuous shooting, the microcomputer 2 determines the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the image size of the megapixel image and the VGA image. The microcomputer 2 performs control to store the image data of a plurality of megapixel images or VGA images obtained by continuous shooting in the first memory 21. Here, in the case of the VGA size, the microcomputer 2 controls writing to the first memory 21 of 64 Mbits so as not to overlap up to 16 VGA images. The four megapixel images are controlled to be written to the 64-Mbit first memory 21 so as not to overlap. Therefore, the storage capacity of 64 Mbits of the first memory 21 is determined as a storage capacity capable of storing at least 16 images for VGA images and 4 images for megapixel images.
[0025]
Regarding the writing of the image data in accordance with the image size to the first memory 21, the microcomputer 2 specifically determines the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the storage capacity and the image size of the first memory 21. A plurality of image data obtained by continuous shooting is stored in the first memory 21 while securing a storage area. For example, the microcomputer 2 is a 16-bit microcomputer provided with various peripherals.
[0026]
Specifically, the microcomputer 2 can store the image data of 16 VGA images in the first memory 21 when the VGA size image data is written in the first memory 21. The writing area is divided and a VGA image is written into each of the divided areas. Alternatively, the microcomputer 2 writes the VGA image while shifting the storage position in the first memory 21 by an amount corresponding to the VGA size. More specifically, as shown in FIG._V0To address A_V1, A_V2..., A_V14, A_V15Each address 21 of the first memory 21 is added so that the address offset is added 4M bits at a time so that the 16 VGA images do not overlap.₁, 21₂, ..., 21₁₅, 21₁₆Write to
[0027]
That is, the microcomputer 2 divides the storage capacity of the first memory 21 by the data size of one VGA image to secure a writing area for 16 VGA images, and captures VGA images captured by continuous shooting. The image is written in each divided area.
[0028]
Further, the digital video camera can perform continuous shooting only while the shutter button 1a of the operation unit 1 is pressed, and can obtain an arbitrary number of images. In other words, the microcomputer 2 detects the pressed state of the shutter button 1a, performs imaging by the imaging unit 10 while the shutter button 1a is being pressed, and acquires image data. For example, as described above, when 16 images are acquired as the maximum number of storage capacities of the first memory 21, a user who uses a function capable of continuously shooting an arbitrary number of images as described above, It can be said that the shutter button 1a is kept pressed for a sufficient time.
[0029]
As described above, the digital video camera can obtain an arbitrary number of images by performing the continuous shooting operation only while the shutter button 1a is pressed. Therefore, the digital video camera can perform continuous shooting within the range of 16 frames for the VGA size, and can perform continuous shooting within the range of 4 frames for the megapixel. More specifically, it will be described later.
[0030]
Note that the digital video camera can also have a fixed number continuous shooting function of continuous shooting switching type as a continuous shooting function in the conventional digital video camera. The fixed number continuous shooting function of continuous shooting number switching type is to set a continuously variable number of continuous shots that can be variably set, and to continuously take the set number of sheets by pressing the shutter button 1a once. is there. As a result, the user can set 16 consecutive shots in this function of the digital video camera, so that the user can automatically press the shutter button 1a once to automatically set the 16 consecutive shots as described above. A copy image can be acquired.
[0031]
When the megapixel image data is written in the first memory 21, the microcomputer 2 stores the image data of four megapixel images in the first memory 21, as shown in FIG. Then, the writing area is divided so that a megapixel image can be written into each of the divided areas. Alternatively, the microcomputer 2 writes the megapixel image while shifting the storage position in the first memory 21 by an amount corresponding to the megapixel size. More specifically, as shown in FIG._M0To address A_M1, A_M2, A_M3Each address 21 of the first memory 21 is added so that the address offset is added by 16 Mbits so that the four megapixel images do not overlap.₁, 21₂, 21_Three, 21_FourWrite to
[0032]
That is, the microcomputer 2 divides the storage capacity of the first memory 21 by the data size of one megapixel image and secures a writing area for four megapixel images, and is captured by continuous shooting. The incoming megapixel image is written into each divided area.
[0033]
As described above, the microcomputer 2 stores the image data in the first memory 21 based on the image size, and the information on the image size is determined by the user input through the operation unit 1.
[0034]
The operation unit 1 as a part of a so-called user interface, for example, sets the shutter button 1a, the moving image recording mode and the still image recording mode, and the normal shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode in the still image recording mode. For example, a mode setting button. The operation unit 1 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the operation unit 1 displays various menus on a liquid crystal monitor for image output provided in the digital video camera main body. It is also possible to designate a desired operation by designating with a cursor or a pointer from various displayed menus.
[0035]
Information on the operation of the operation unit 1 by the user is input to the microcomputer 2. The microcomputer 2 controls the writing of image data to the first memory 21 according to the image size selected based on the user operation information.
[0036]
In accordance with the selection information (operation information) selected by the user from the menu M displayed on the liquid crystal monitor as shown in FIG. Know that the image size of the VGA image or megapixel image has been specified. Then, the microcomputer 2 writes a plurality of images captured by continuous shooting in the first memory 21.
[0037]
In this way, the image data is written into the first memory 21 by the microcomputer 2. Then, the image data is read from the first memory 21 and the image is recorded on the external recording medium.
[0038]
The microcomputer 2 reads the image data from the first memory 21 for each storage area where the image data is stored. That is, when the image data is stored as a megapixel image, the microcomputer 2 reads 16M. The offset is added bit by bit and divided into four times. When image data is stored as a VGA image, the offset is added by 4 M bits and divided into 16 times.
[0039]
In the continuous shooting function, image data is not necessarily stored in all areas of the first memory 21, that is, in the case of megapixels, four images are not always stored. In the case of the VGA size, 16 images are not necessarily stored. For example, in the function capable of continuous shooting of an arbitrary number of images as described above, the number of images may be less than 4 in the case of a megapixel image, and may be less than 16 in the case of a VGA image. Sometimes. In such a case, the microcomputer 2 reads the image data only from a predetermined area based on the information on which the image data has been written.
[0040]
A third switch 33 is connected to the output of the first memory 21. The third switch 33 outputs the image data stored in the first memory 21 to the second switch 32 by selecting the first selected terminal 33a, and by selecting the second selected terminal 33b. This is a switch for outputting to the JPEG conversion unit 36.
[0041]
The image data output from the first selected terminal 33a by the selection of the third switch 33 is displayed as a still image on the display device, for example. Specifically, the image data is as follows.
[0042]
As described above, the image data output from the imaging unit 10 is input to the second selected terminal 32 b of the second switch 32, and the second switch 32 is output from the imaging unit 10. The incoming image data is output to the DV converter 35 at the subsequent stage by selecting the second selected terminal 32b, and the image data from the first memory 21 output from the third switch 33 is the first selected. By selecting the selected terminal 32a, the selected terminal 32a is output to the subsequent DV converter 35.
[0043]
The DV converter 35 converts image data in the DV (Digital Video) format. Since the DV converter 35 receives a megapixel image of 1152 × 864 pixels or a VGA image of 640 × 480 pixels, the DV converter 35 converts the image size into, for example, compressed encoded image data of DV size. Perform the conversion process. The image data DV-converted by the DV converter 35 is input to the image output I / F 3.
[0044]
The image output I / F 3 is an interface for outputting input image data to a line output terminal, a DV (Digital Video) output terminal, a display device, or a tape unit.
[0045]
Here, the display device is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor for image output that is integrally provided in the digital video camera, and an image output to the liquid crystal monitor is performed by image data by an output signal from the image output I / F 3. . For example, the display device outputs a still image based on the image data stored in the first memory 21, and a moving image based on the image data directly input from the imaging unit 10 without going through the first memory 21. Output the image.
[0046]
The tape unit is a data recording unit using a DV tape or the like which is a tape-like recording medium, and the digital video camera records an output signal from the image output I / F 3 on the tape-like recording medium. In addition to moving images, a digital video camera can also record still image data on a tape-shaped recording medium. That is, for example, a digital video camera drives a tape-shaped recording medium in a moving image mode, Still images can also be recorded on the recording medium.
[0047]
On the other hand, in the JPEG conversion unit 36 to which the image data stored in the first memory 21 is input from the second selected terminal 33b by the selection of the third switch 33, the external memory control unit 4 applies the image to the recording medium. This is a part for converting image data for recording data, and the input image data is compressed according to the JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) format and output to the second memory 22.
[0048]
In the second memory 22, the image data compressed by the JPEG conversion unit 36 is temporarily stored. Similar to the first memory 21, the second memory 22 is an SDRAM (synchronous DRAM). The storage capacity of the second memory 22 is 16 M bits, which is smaller than the storage capacity of the first memory 21, and is sufficient for storing the compressed image data compressed by the JPEG conversion unit 36. Storage capacity.
[0049]
The external memory control unit 4 is a part for storing image data in an external recording memory, and includes a mounting unit to which the external recording memory is detachably mounted, and an image data writing control unit. Here, for example, when the external recording medium is a memory stick, the mounting unit is configured as a memory stick connector, and the write control unit is configured as a memory stick controller. The external memory control unit 4 having such a configuration writes the compressed image data stored in the second memory 22 by the memory stick controller to the memory stick connected to the memory stick connector.
[0050]
In addition to recording and playing back moving images, the digital video camera configured as described above uses megapixel still image data obtained by imaging by the imaging unit 10 as it is or as VGA size image data. Can be recorded on an external recording medium after JPEG compression. Also, the digital video camera outputs megapixel still image data obtained by imaging by the imaging unit 10 as it is or converted into VGA size image data and output as DV data via the image output I / F3. You can also
[0051]
The digital video camera captures still images one by one (hereinafter referred to as normal shooting), continuously captures four still images (hereinafter referred to as four-continuous shooting), and 16 images. It has a function of continuously capturing still images (hereinafter referred to as 16 continuous shooting). Here, the digital video camera acquires image data as a megapixel image in normal shooting and four continuous shooting, and acquires image data as a VGA image in 16 continuous shooting. The digital video camera outputs the image data as described above and records it on a recording medium.
[0052]
Hereinafter, a series of processing steps of the digital video camera in normal shooting, four-shot shooting, and sixteen-shot shooting will be specifically described.
[0053]
First, a series of processing steps of the digital video camera in normal shooting are as follows.
[0054]
Image data from the imaging unit 10 is input to the signal processing unit 20. The signal processing unit 30 switches the first switch 31 so that the image data from the imaging unit 10 is output to the first memory 21, and writes the image data in the first memory 21.
[0055]
The signal processing unit 30 reads the image data from the first memory 21 during reproduction, and switches the second and third switches 32 and 33 so that the image data is output to the DV conversion unit 35. The DV conversion unit 35 converts the input image data into DV, and outputs the converted image data to a display device or the like via the image output I / F 3.
[0056]
On the other hand, at the time of recording, the signal processing unit 30 reads the image data from the first memory 21 and switches the second and third switches 32 and 33 so that the image data is output to the JPEG conversion unit 36. The input image data is JPEG converted by the conversion unit 36 and stored in the second memory 22. Then, the external memory control unit 4 reads the image data in the second memory 22 and records it on the external recording medium.
[0057]
The above is a series of processing steps of the digital video camera in normal shooting. A series of processing steps of the digital video camera in the four-shot shooting is as follows.
[0058]
Image data from the imaging unit 10 is input to the signal processing unit 20. The signal processing unit 30 switches the first switch 31 so that the image data from the imaging unit 10 is output to the first memory 21. The signal processing unit 30 writes the image data of the megapixel image output from the first switch 31 in a predetermined area of the first memory 21. For example, the signal processing unit 30 adds the offset of the address to be written to the 64-Mbit first memory 21 by 16 Mbits, and writes the four megapixel images in the first memory 21 so as not to overlap.
[0059]
The signal processing unit 30 reads the image data from the first memory 21 during reproduction, and switches the second and third switches 32 and 33 so that the image data is output to the DV conversion unit 35. The DV conversion unit 35 converts the input image data into DV, and outputs the converted image data to a display device or the like via the image output I / F 3.
[0060]
At this time, the reading of the image data of the megapixel image from the first memory 21 is performed for each predetermined area of the first memory 21, that is, the offset is added by 16M bits, and the image data is divided into four times. Do it.
[0061]
On the other hand, at the time of recording, the signal processing unit 30 reads the image data from the first memory 21 and switches the second and third switches 32 and 33 so that the image data is output to the JPEG conversion unit 36. The input image data is JPEG converted by the conversion unit 36 and stored in the second memory 22. Then, the external memory control unit 4 reads the image data in the second memory 22 and records it on the external recording medium.
[0062]
At this time, the image data of the megapixel image is read out from the first memory 21 for each predetermined area in the same manner as during reproduction, that is, an offset is added by 16 Mbits. Then, the image data is divided into four times.
[0063]
The above is a series of processing steps of the digital video camera in quadruple shooting. A series of processing steps of the digital video camera in the 16-shot shooting is as follows.
[0064]
Image data from the imaging unit 10 is input to the signal processing unit 20. The signal processing unit 30 switches the first switch 31 so that the image data from the imaging unit 10 is output to the VGA conversion unit 34. The VGA conversion unit 34 converts the image data from the imaging unit 10 into a VGA size by the VG conversion unit 34, and outputs the VGA image to the first memory 21. The signal processing unit 30 writes the image data of the VGA image output from the VGA conversion unit 34 in a predetermined area of the first memory 21. For example, the signal processing unit 30 adds the offset of the address to be written to the first memory 21 by 4 M bits, and writes the 16 VGA images to the first memory 21 so as not to overlap.
[0065]
The signal processing unit 30 reads the image data from the first memory 21 during reproduction, and switches the second and third switches 32 and 33 so that the image data is output to the DV conversion unit 35. The DV conversion unit 35 converts the input image data into DV, and outputs the converted image data to a display device or the like via the image output I / F 3.
[0066]
At this time, the reading of the image data of the VGA image from the first memory 21 is performed for each predetermined area of the first memory 21, that is, the offset is added by 4M bits, and the image data is divided into 16 times. Do.
[0067]
On the other hand, at the time of recording, the signal processing unit 30 reads the image data from the first memory 21 and switches the second and third switches 32 and 33 so that the image data is output to the JPEG conversion unit 36. The image data input by the conversion unit 36 is JPEG converted and stored in the second memory 22. Then, the external memory control unit 4 reads the image data in the second memory 22 and records it on a recording medium.
[0068]
At this time, similarly to the reproduction, the image data of the VGA image is read from the first memory 21 for each predetermined area of the first memory 21, that is, an offset is added by 4M bits. The image data is divided into 16 times.
[0069]
The above is a series of processing steps of the digital video camera in 16-shot shooting.
[0070]
FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a series of processing from when the key (shutter button 1a) is operated (for example, pressed) in 16-shot shooting until image data is recorded on the external recording medium.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the microcomputer 2 detects half-press of the key in step S1, the microcomputer 2 locks AE (automatic aperture) and AF in step S2.
[0072]
In the subsequent step S3, the microcomputer 2 waits for a full key press. For example, when a remote controller having a key that can only be fully pressed is provided, the microcomputer 2 also waits for a full press of the key of the remote controller.
[0073]
When the full press of the key is detected in step S3, the microcomputer 2 determines in step S4 whether the full press of the key is due to the key operation of the remote controller or the key of the main body. The microcomputer 2 proceeds to step S5 if it is due to the key operation of the remote controller, and proceeds to step S6 if it is due to the key operation of the main body. In step S5, the microcomputer 5 locks AE and AF, and proceeds to step S6. The processing in step S5 is because the remote controller key has only a full-press function, and here, AE and AF are locked. In other words, by providing the remote controller key with a half-press function, the processing in step S5 is not necessary.
[0074]
In step S6, the microcomputer 2 performs the recording process shown in FIG. In the recording process, the microcomputer 2 performs step S111 as shown in FIG.₁, Step S11₂, ..., step S11₁₅, Step S11₁₆As described above, the capture process of writing the image data output from the imaging unit 10 to the first memory 21 via the VGA conversion unit 34 is performed one after another. The microcomputer 2 writes 16 VGA images to the first memory 21, and then performs a compression process such as JPEG compression and writes image data to the external memory in step S12. For example, in this manner, the continuous shooting operation can be said to be a case where 16 sheets are set as the number of continuous shots in the above-described continuous sheet switching type fixed number continuous shooting function.
[0075]
Furthermore, as described above, the digital video camera can perform continuous shooting only while the shutter button 1a is pressed, and can obtain an arbitrary number of images. In this case, the digital video camera performs a continuous shooting operation only while the shutter button 1a is pressed by a recording process as shown in FIG. 7 to obtain an arbitrary number of images.
[0076]
The digital video camera performs a capture process in which the image data output from the imaging unit 10 is written in the first memory 21 via the VGA conversion unit 34 in step S21 until a predetermined condition is satisfied in step S22.
[0077]
Here, the condition in step S22 is a condition such as whether the upper limit value of continuous images has been reached, whether the user has released the button, or the remaining number of images has been reached. Capture process until one is satisfied.
[0078]
For example, the digital video camera can preset the number of continuous shots in the function of continuously shooting an arbitrary number of images in this way, that is, in the case of a VGA image, the number of mega shots is within a range of 16 images. In the case of a pixel image, the number of continuous shots can be set in advance within the range of four. For this reason, in step S22, it is determined whether or not the maximum number of continuous shots has been reached.
[0079]
In addition, the recording capacity of the external recording medium mounted in the external memory control unit 4 may be limited, and further, since the previous data remains in the first memory 21 or the second memory 22, writing It is necessary to limit the image data that can be processed. For this reason, in step S22, the remaining recording capacity of the external memory and the remaining storage capacity of the first and second memories 21 and 22 are monitored, and whether or not the number of records that can be written to them has been reached. That is, it is determined whether or not the remaining number has been reached. Thereby, for example, when the remaining capacity is such that only three images can be recorded in the external memory, when three images are acquired by continuous shooting, even if the shutter button 1a is pressed, the continuous shooting function is used. To stop. The user can know that the scheduled number of images has not been recorded by such a stop operation. For example, by knowing this, the user cannot acquire the image data as image data. Can be reliably recorded as image data in an external recording memory. For example, the microcomputer 2 performs monitoring of the pressing operation of the shutter button 1 a and monitoring of the capacities of the first and second memories 21 and 22 and the external recording medium.
[0080]
When at least one of the above-described conditions is satisfied in step S22, the microcomputer 2 obtains by continuous shooting only from a predetermined area on the basis of the information on which the image data has been written in step S23. The read image data is read out, the read-out image data is subjected to compression processing such as JPEG compression, and written into the external memory.
[0081]
FIG. 8 shows a recording process to a recording medium at the time of four continuous shooting in a conventional digital video camera. As shown in FIG. 7, the conventional digital video camera writes the image data from the imaging unit to the memory by the capture process (step S31), and outputs the image data written to the memory from the memory (step S31). In step S33, the image data output from the memory is compressed. The conventional digital video camera performs this capture processing, memory output, and image compression for only four images obtained by continuous shooting. The conventional digital video camera records the image data in the external memory in step S43 after performing such processing.
[0082]
As can be seen from such processing, as compared with the conventional digital video camera, the digital video camera to which the present invention is applied can capture images one after another without going through a compression process.
[0083]
As described above, the digital video camera can perform normal shooting, four-shot shooting, and sixteen-shot shooting.
[0084]
In this way, the digital video camera can change the number of continuous shots according to the image size to be handled, and in the case of a megapixel image of 1152 × 864 pixels, four continuous shots can be performed, and 640 × In the case of a 480-pixel VGA image, 16 continuous shootings can be performed.
[0085]
Note that the storage capacity and image size of the first memory 21 are not limited to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the number of images to be written to the first memory 21 can be determined according to the storage capacity of the first memory 21 and the image size when writing to the first memory 21.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an image size designating unit that designates an image size, an image size switching unit that switches image data to a designated image size designated by the image size designating unit, and an image data storage unit that stores image data. And a control means for determining the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the designated image size and controlling the image data storage means to store a plurality of pieces of image data having the designated image size obtained by continuous shooting. The image data is switched to the designated image size designated by the image size designation means, and the control means determines the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the designated image size, and a plurality of images having the designated image size obtained by continuous shooting. Data can be controlled to be stored in the image data storage means.
[0087]
Thereby, the imaging apparatus determines the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the designated image size, and stores a plurality of image data having such an image size obtained by continuous shooting in the image data storage unit. Can do. Therefore, the imaging apparatus can change the number of continuous shots according to the image size to be handled.
[0088]
The imaging method according to the present invention includes an imaging step of imaging a subject and outputting image data, an image size switching step of switching the image data to a designated designated image size, and the number of continuous shots according to the designated image size An image data storage step for storing a plurality of pieces of image data having a designated image size obtained by continuous shooting in an image data storage means, and determining the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the designated image size A plurality of pieces of image data having such an image size obtained by continuous shooting can be stored in the image data storage means. Therefore, the number of continuous shots can be changed according to the image size to be handled by the imaging method.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing division of a storage area of a first memory when storing a VGA image.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a division of a storage area of a first memory when a megapixel image is stored.
FIG. 4 is a diagram used for explaining that the microcomputer knows that the VGA size or the megapixel is selected as the image size used for continuous shooting by the operation information of the operation unit.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a series of processing when a key is operated in the digital video camera.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a series of processing steps of recording processing in an external memory of a digital video camera at the time of 16 continuous shooting.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of processing steps when the digital still camera performs a continuous shooting operation according to the operation state of the shutter button and the like.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a recording process step in an external memory during continuous shooting with a conventional digital video camera.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation part, 2 Microcomputer, 10 Image pick-up part, 20 Image data processing part, 21 1st memory, 31 1st switch, 34 VGA conversion part

Claims (8)

Imaging means for imaging a subject and outputting image data;
An image size specifying means for specifying an image size;
Image size switching means for switching the image data to the designated image size designated by the image size designation means;
Image data storage means for storing the image data;
Control means for determining the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the specified image size, and controlling the image data storage means to store a plurality of image data having the specified image size obtained by continuous shooting ,
The control means stores the plurality of image data in the image data storage means while shifting the storage position by sequentially adding the offset value of the address corresponding to the designated image size from the storage start address of the image data storage means. An imaging device that controls to perform . The image data storage means has a certain storage capacity,
The control means determines the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the storage capacity and the designated image size, and stores a plurality of image data obtained by continuous shooting in the image data storage means while shifting the storage position. imaging device Ku claim 1. The image data in the storage means, the image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-compressed image data having the above specified image size Ru stored. Data compression means for compressing the image data stored in the image data storage means and outputting compressed image data;
Compressed image data storage means for temporarily storing the compressed image data;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording medium recording unit that records the compressed image data stored in the compressed image data storage unit on a recording medium that is detachably mounted. An imaging process for imaging a subject and outputting image data;
An image size switching step for switching the image data to a designated designated image size;
Determining the upper limit of the number of continuous shots according to the specified image size, and storing the plurality of image data having the specified image size obtained by continuous shooting in an image data storage unit, and
In the image data storage step, the plurality of image data is stored in the image data storage unit while shifting the storage position by sequentially adding the offset value of the address corresponding to the designated image size from the storage start address of the image data storage unit. Imaging method to record . Using the image data storage means having a certain storage capacity,
In the image data storage step, the upper limit of the number of continuous shots is determined according to the storage capacity and the specified image size, and a plurality of image data obtained by continuous shooting is stored in the image data storage means while shifting the recording position. imaging method according to claim 5, wherein rather have to. In the image data storage step, the image data storage means, the imaging method of claim 5, wherein you store the image data with the specified image size by uncompressed. A compressed image data storage step of compressing the image data stored in the image data storage means and temporarily storing the compressed image data in the compressed image data storage means;
6. An imaging method according to claim 5, further comprising a recording medium recording step of recording the compressed image data stored in the compressed image data storage means on an external recording medium.

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