JP4298935B2 - Digital still camera and operation control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to a digital still camera (including a portable information device having a camera function) and an operation control method thereof.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A digital still camera captures a subject and records image data representing the subject image on a recording medium such as a memory card. With the development of networks such as the Internet and the development of personal computers, image data can be transmitted and received. The importance of digital still cameras has increased since image data can be transmitted and received, and digital still cameras have also been developed.
[0003]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a further development of a digital still camera.
[0004]
The digital still camera according to the present invention is an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and outputting image data representing the image of the subject for one frame, and main image data of the image data output from the image pickup means is recorded on a first recording medium. First recording control means for recording on the main image data, related image data related to the main image data recorded on the first recording medium by the first recording control means, and the main image represented by the main image data An output means for outputting at least one of the related information data necessary for reproduction is provided.
[0005]
The present invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the digital still camera. That is, in this method, a subject is imaged, image data representing a subject image for one frame is obtained, main image data of the obtained image data is recorded on a first recording medium, and the first recording medium is recorded. It outputs at least one related data among the related image data related to the recorded main image data and the related information data necessary for reproducing the main image represented by the main image data.
[0006]
According to the present invention, a subject is imaged, and image data representing the subject image is obtained. Of the obtained image data, main image data is recorded on the first recording medium, and at least one related data of the related image data and the related information data is output. In addition to the main image data, related image data and related information data related to the main image data are output, and can be recorded on, for example, a second recording medium different from the first recording medium (second Recording control means).
[0007]
The main image data may be image data itself obtained by imaging. When the main image data is image data obtained by imaging, reduced image data representing a reduced image of the main image (subject image) represented by the main image data can be recorded on the second recording medium. Since the reduced image data is recorded on the second recording medium, it is not necessary to use the first recording medium. By recording the reduced image data, it is possible to prevent the capacity of the first recording medium from being reduced. In addition, the reduced image data is obtained from the second recording medium.
[0008]
The main image data may be thinned image data. In this case, for example, a thinning means for thinning out the image data output from the imaging means at a predetermined thinning rate is further provided. The first recording control means will record the image data thinned out by the thinning means as main image data on the first recording medium. Further, the second recording control means will record the remaining image data of the image data thinned out from the main image data by the thinning means on the second recording medium.
[0009]
An outline of the subject image can be grasped using the thinned image data recorded on the first recording medium. Since the image data is thinned, the amount of data is reduced. For this reason, an image having a substantially large number of frames can be recorded on the first recording medium. Further, since the remaining image data of the image data obtained by thinning the subject from the main image data is recorded on the second recording medium, the image data recorded on the first recording medium and the second data are recorded. A high-quality subject image can be reproduced from the image data recorded on the recording medium.
[0010]
The main image data may be compressed image data. In this case, the image forming apparatus further includes a compression unit that compresses the image data output from the imaging unit. The first recording control means will record the image data compressed by the compression means on the first recording medium as main image data. The second recording control means will record data necessary for decompressing the image data compressed by the compression means on the second recording medium.
[0011]
Since the data necessary for decompressing the compressed image data is recorded on the second recording medium, the substantial amount of image data that can be recorded on the first recording medium can be increased. Image data representing images of many frames can be recorded on the first recording medium. In addition, since the compressed image data cannot be expanded without both the first recording medium and the second recording medium, the first recording medium and the second recording medium are managed separately. By doing so, the image represented by the image data recorded on the first recording medium can be kept secret.
[0012]
The first recording control unit and the second recording control unit are controlled so that the image data output from the imaging unit is recorded on the first recording medium or the second recording medium in units of a predetermined unit. There may be further provided means.
[0013]
Since the image data cannot be accurately reproduced without both the first recording medium and the second recording medium, the first recording medium and the second recording medium are managed separately. The image represented by the image data recorded on the first recording medium can be kept secret.
[0014]
The first recording medium and the second recording medium may be detachable from the digital still camera. In this case, detection means for detecting that the first recording medium and the second recording medium are loaded in the digital still camera, and the first recording control in response to loading detection by the detection means. Recording the main image data on the first recording medium by the means and recording the related data on the second recording medium by the second recording control means. There will be further provided means for controlling the second recording control means.
[0015]
When the first recording medium and the second recording medium are detachable from the digital still camera, the first recording medium is set in accordance with the setting of the playback mode and the setting of the playback mode by the setting means. The recording medium and the second recording medium are recorded on the first recording medium in response to detection of loading by the detection means and detection means for detecting that the second recording medium is loaded in the digital still camera. You may further provide the reproducing means to reproduce | regenerate main image data.
[0016]
The main image data recorded on the first recording medium cannot be reproduced unless both the first recording medium and the second recording medium are available. The development of secretly managing the main image represented by the main image data becomes possible.
[0017]
When the first recording medium and the second recording medium are detachable from the digital still camera, the erasing mode setting means, and the erasing mode is set by the setting means, and the first recording medium The recording medium and the second recording medium are recorded on the first recording medium in response to detection of loading by the detection means and detection means for detecting that the second recording medium is loaded in the digital still camera. An erasing unit for erasing the main image data may be further provided.
[0018]
The main image data recorded on the first recording medium cannot be reproduced unless both the first recording medium and the second recording medium are available. It becomes possible to prevent the main image data from being erased without permission.
[0019]
When the first recording medium and the second recording medium are detachable from the digital still camera, the first recording medium is set in accordance with the setting of the playback mode and the setting of the playback mode by the setting means. The recording medium and the second recording medium are recorded on the first recording medium in response to detection of loading by the detection means and detection means for detecting that the second recording medium is loaded in the digital still camera. You may further provide the reproduction | regeneration means to reproduce | regenerate the said to-be-photographed image using the main image data and the related data currently recorded on the said 2nd recording medium.
[0020]
For example, when the main image data recorded on the first recording medium is captured image data itself and the image data recorded on the second recording medium is reduced image data, the main image and its Both images of the reduced image are obtained. The main image data recorded on the first recording medium is thinned image data, and the related image data recorded on the second recording medium is a difference image obtained by removing the thinned image data from the captured image data. In the case of data, a high-quality subject image can be reproduced as described above. Further, the main image data recorded on the first recording medium is compressed image data, and the related data recorded on the second recording medium is related information necessary for decompressing the compressed image data. In the case of data, the compressed image data can be decompressed using the related information data. Further, when image data is recorded on the first recording medium or the second recording medium for each predetermined unit, an accurate subject image can be obtained by reading the image data recorded on both media. It can be played.
[0021]
The output unit may be a transmission unit that transmits the related data to a recording apparatus that records the second recording medium. Even if the digital still camera does not have the second recording control means, the related data described above can be recorded on the second recording medium.
[0022]
[Explanation of Examples]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital still camera.
[0023]
The overall operation of the digital still camera is controlled by the main CPU 16. The main CPU 16 has a function of executing various processes such as a thumbnail image generation process and a thinning process, as will be described later.
[0024]
The digital still camera according to this embodiment can be mounted with two memory cards, a main memory card 31 and a sub memory card 32. For this purpose, an interface 14 for the main memory card 31 and an interface 15 for the secondary memory card 32 are provided.
[0025]
The digital still camera is provided with a mode dial 18 for setting modes such as an imaging mode and a playback mode. The mode setting signal of the mode dial 18 is input to the main CPU 16. The digital still camera is provided with an EEPROM 19 in which predetermined data is stored. Data stored in the EEPROM 19 is read by the main CPU 16. Further, a signal indicating that the shutter switch 20 is depressed is also input to the main CPU 16. An operation LCD 17 is also provided for displaying the operation status such as the set mode.
[0026]
The digital still camera is also provided with a photometry / ranging CPU 9 that can communicate with the main CPU 16. The photometry / ranging CPU 9 controls the focus amount of the focus lens 1 and the aperture value of the aperture 2.
[0027]
The digital still camera can shoot with a flash. A strobe light emitting device 11 for strobe photography is provided. Light emission of the strobe light emitting device 11 is controlled by the charge / light emission control circuit 10.
[0028]
Furthermore, a power supply circuit 12 is provided in the digital still camera. The power supply circuit 12 supplies power to each circuit.
[0029]
When the imaging mode is set, the subject image formed by the focus lens 1 is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 3 through the diaphragm 2. Based on the clock pulse output from the clock generator 8, a video signal representing the subject image is output from the CCD 3.
[0030]
The video signal is subjected to white balance adjustment and gamma processing in the white balance / γ processing circuit 4 and input to the analog / digital conversion circuit 5. The video signal is converted into RGB digital image data by the analog / digital conversion circuit 5. The RGB digital image data passes through the buffer memory 6 and is input to the YC processing circuit 7. In the YC processing circuit 7, luminance data Y and color difference data RY and BY are generated. The generated luminance data Y and color difference data RY and BY are returned to RGB image data in the YC / RGB conversion circuit 21. When the RGB image data is given to the driver 22, the subject image is displayed on the image display LCD 23.
[0031]
When the shutter switch 20 is depressed, the luminance data Y and the color difference data RY and BY generated in the YC processing circuit 7 as described above are given to the buffer memory 6 and temporarily stored. The luminance data Y and the color difference data RY and BY are compressed in the compression / expansion circuit 13 as necessary. The compressed luminance data Y and color difference data RY and BY are recorded on the main memory card 31, the sub memory card 32, etc., as will be described later.
[0032]
When the playback mode is set by the mode dial 18, the compressed image data recorded on the main memory card 31 or the like is read. The read compressed image data is expanded in the compression / expansion circuit 13. The decompressed image data is converted into RGB image data by the YC / RGB conversion circuit 21 and given to the driver 22. An image represented by the image data recorded in the main memory card 31 is displayed on the image display LCD 23.
[0033]
Further, a communication interface 24 and an antenna 25 for performing short-range communication or the like may be provided in the digital still camera. As will be described later, image data obtained by imaging can be transmitted to a personal computer other than a digital still camera, and image data transmitted from the personal computer can be received.
[0034]
2A shows the data structure (file structure) of the main memory card 31, and FIG. 2B shows the data structure of the sub memory card 32. As shown in FIG.
[0035]
Both the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 include a management area and a recording area.
[0036]
In the recording area of the main memory card 31, image data obtained by imaging and compressed (referred to as main image data, an image represented by the main image data is referred to as a main image) (image file) is recorded.
[0037]
In the recording area of the sub memory card 32, thumbnail image data representing the thumbnail image of the main image is recorded.
[0038]
For managing the attribute information of each memory card and where the image file recorded in the recording area is recorded in each management area of the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 Correspondence between file management information and main image data recorded on main memory card 31 and thumbnail image data recorded on main memory card 32 (for example, file name of main image data and file of thumbnail image data) File association information for storing a table indicating (name) is stored.
[0039]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when main image data is recorded on the main memory card 31 and thumbnail image data is recorded on the sub memory card 32 as shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and (B). is there.
[0040]
When the imaging mode is set by the mode dial 18 as described above and the shutter switch 20 is pressed (YES in step 41), the subject is imaged as described above, and luminance data Y and color difference data B representing the subject image are captured. -Y and RY (hereinafter simply referred to as image data) are generated and stored in the buffer memory 6 (imaging process, step 42).
[0041]
Image data stored in the buffer memory 6 is read out, and thumbnail image data is generated by the main CPU 16 (step 43).
[0042]
When a plurality of memory cards of the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 are loaded in the digital still camera (YES in step 44), the generated thumbnail image data is stored in the compression / decompression circuit 13. The compressed data is supplied to the secondary memory card 32 via the interface 15. As shown in FIG. 2B, thumbnail image data is recorded in the sub memory card 32 (step 45). Further, the main image data obtained by imaging is compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 13 and given to the main memory card 31 via the interface 14. As shown in FIG. 2A, the main image data is recorded on the main memory card 31 (step 46).
[0043]
Further, file association information is recorded in each of the management areas of the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 (step 47). As a result, the main image and the thumbnail image are associated with each other. Needless to say, an ID for identifying the memory card is also recorded as necessary. Further, the file management information recorded in the management area of the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 is updated (step 48).
[0044]
If only one memory card of the main memory card 31 or the sub memory card 32 is loaded in the digital still camera (NO in step 44), the book is stored in the recording area of the loaded memory card. Image data and thumbnail image data are recorded (step 49). Thereafter, the file management information in the management area of the memory card in which the main image data and thumbnail image data are recorded is updated (step 50).
[0045]
Needless to say, if neither the main memory card 31 nor the sub memory card 32 is loaded in the digital still camera, the main image data and the thumbnail image data cannot be recorded on the memory card.
[0046]
Since it is not necessary to record thumbnail image data in the main memory card 31, main image data can be recorded accordingly. The main image data representing the main image of substantially many frames can be recorded on the main memory card 31. In addition, since the thumbnail image data is recorded in the sub memory card 32, the thumbnail image can be reproduced if necessary.
[0047]
FIGS. 4A and 4B to FIG. 6 show another embodiment.
[0048]
4A shows the data structure of the main memory card 31, and FIG. 4B shows the data structure of the sub memory card 32.
[0049]
Referring to (A), the recording area of main memory card 31 represents an image (low-resolution image) obtained by thinning a subject image obtained by image data obtained by imaging at a predetermined thinning rate. Thinned image data is recorded. In the management area, attribute information, file management information, and file-related information are recorded in the same manner as shown in FIG.
[0050]
Referring to (B), in the recording area of the sub memory card 32, difference image data representing an image (difference image) obtained when a thinned image corresponding to the subject image is subtracted from the subject image is recorded. The By using the difference image data and the thinned image data, it is possible to reproduce a high-resolution subject image obtained by imaging. The attribute information, the file management information, and the file related information are also recorded in the management area of the secondary memory card 32 in the same manner as shown in FIG.
[0051]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording processing procedure of the digital still camera.
[0052]
When the imaging mode is set using the mode dial 18 and the shutter switch 20 is turned on (step 61), photographing processing is performed (step 62), and image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 6. The
[0053]
When image data is read from the buffer memory 6 at a predetermined thinning rate, image data representing a thinned image is obtained (generation of a thinned image, step 63). The image data that has not been read from the buffer memory 6 is the difference data.
[0054]
When both the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 are loaded in the digital still camera (YES in step 64), a predetermined thinning rate is obtained from the buffer memory 6 as described above. The image data (thinned image data) read out by the above operation is recorded in the main memory card 31 (step 65). Further, the difference image data remaining in the buffer memory 6 is read and recorded in the sub memory card 32 (step 66).
[0055]
The association information between the thinned image data and the corresponding difference image data is recorded in the respective management areas of the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 (step 67), and the management information is updated (step 68). The same as described above.
[0056]
When either the main memory card 31 or the sub memory card 32 is loaded in the digital still camera (NO in step 64), the thinned image data and the difference image data are recorded on the loaded memory card. (Step 69). Thereafter, the management information is updated (step 70).
[0057]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the playback processing procedure of the digital still camera. As described above, it is assumed that the thinned image data is recorded on the main memory card 31 and the differential image data is recorded on the sub memory card 32.
[0058]
It is confirmed by the main CPU 16 whether or not a plurality of memory cards of the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 are loaded in the digital still camera (step 71).
[0059]
When a plurality of memory cards are loaded (YES in step 71), the file management information of the main memory card 31 and the file management information of the sub memory card 32 are read (steps 72 and 73), respectively. It is confirmed whether or not file management information is recorded in each of the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 (step 74). Subsequently, it is confirmed whether or not the file management information includes management information of a playback image number for specifying an image frame to be played back (step 75). Further, it is also confirmed whether or not the difference image data corresponding to the reproduction image number designated in the sub memory card 32 is recorded (step 76). It goes without saying that whether or not the thinned image data corresponding to the designated reproduction image number is recorded in the main memory card 31 is also confirmed.
[0060]
If YES in steps 74 to 76, the thinned image data is read from the main memory card 31, and the corresponding difference image data is read from the sub memory card 32. The read thinned image data and difference image data are combined to obtain image data representing the subject image (step 77). The image data obtained by the synthesis is given to the image display LCD 23, whereby a high-quality subject image is displayed. However, an output terminal may be provided in the digital still camera so that a high-quality image is displayed on an external display device.
[0061]
If any one of the steps 74 to 76 is NO, the image cannot be combined, and a message to that effect is displayed on the image display LCD 23 (step 79).
[0062]
In the embodiment described above, the image compositing process is not performed unless the association information and the management information of the designated reproduction image number are recorded in both the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32. Alternatively, when it is recorded in either one of the sub memory cards 32, image composition may be permitted.
[0063]
When a plurality of memory cards are not loaded in the digital still camera (step 71), it is confirmed whether or not the main memory card 31 is loaded (step 80).
[0064]
If the main memory card 31 is loaded (YES in step 80), the thinned image data recorded on the main memory card 31 is read (step 81). The read thinned image data is given to the image display LCD 23, and a thinned image is displayed (step 82). The thinned image is not higher in image quality than the image obtained by the synthesis, but the outline of the image can be confirmed.
[0065]
When only the main memory card 31 is loaded, the thinned image is played back, but when both the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 are not loaded, the thinned image is played back. May also be prohibited.
[0066]
FIGS. 7A and 7B and FIG. 8 show still another embodiment.
[0067]
FIG. 7A shows the data structure of the main memory card 31, and FIG. 7B shows the data structure of the sub memory card 32.
[0068]
Referring to (A), compressed image data is recorded in the recording area of main memory card 31. As described above, attribute information, file management information, and file association information are recorded in the management area.
[0069]
Referring to (B), in the recording area of the sub memory card 32, the quantization table and the Huffman table used when generating the compressed image data recorded on the main memory card 31 are recorded. By using these quantization table and Huffman table, the compressed image data recorded in the main memory card 31 can be expanded. The attribute information, file management information, and file association information are recorded in the management area of the secondary memory card 32 as described above.
[0070]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the recording processing procedure of the digital still camera.
[0071]
When the imaging mode is set using the mode dial 18 and the shutter switch 20 is pressed (YES in step 91), the imaging process is performed as described above (step 92), and image data representing the subject image is obtained. It is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 6. The image data is read from the buffer memory 6 and JPEG (joint photographic experts group) compression is executed in the main CPU 16 using the quantization table and the Huffman table stored in the EEPROM 19 (step 93). The compressed image data is stored again in the buffer memory 6.
[0072]
When a plurality of memory cards of the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 are loaded in the digital still camera (YES in step 94), the quantization table and Huffman used for compressing the image data The table is read from the EEPROM 19 and recorded on the main memory card 32 (step 95). Also, compressed image data is read from the buffer memory 6. The read compressed image data is recorded on the main memory card 31 (step 96). The compressed image data is recorded in the main memory card 31, and the quantization table and the Huffman table are recorded in the sub memory card 32. Therefore, when both the corresponding memory cards are prepared, the decompression process is performed. become able to.
[0073]
The association information is recorded in the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 (step 97), and the management information is updated (step 98) as described above.
[0074]
When a plurality of memory cards are not loaded in the digital still camera (NO in step 94), a JPEG file (quantization table and Huffman table) containing JPEG-compressed image data in the loaded memory card Is recorded (step 99). Thereafter, the management information is updated (step 100). Since the JPEG file is recorded on the memory card, the image data can be expanded if there is a memory card on which the JPEG file is recorded.
[0075]
FIGS. 9A and 9B to FIG. 12 show still another embodiment.
[0076]
Referring to (A), in the recording area of the main memory card 31, the image data stored at the even address when temporarily stored in the buffer memory 6 is compressed and recorded (even address). Compressed image data).
[0077]
Referring to (B), the recording area of the secondary memory card 32 corresponds to the compressed image data recorded on the main memory card, and is stored at odd addresses when temporarily stored in the buffer memory 6. The recorded image data is compressed and recorded (odd address compressed image data).
[0078]
One frame image can be reproduced using the even address compressed image data recorded on the main memory card 31 and the odd address compressed image data recorded on the sub memory card 32. Needless to say, attribute information, file management information, and file association information are recorded in the management areas of the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32, respectively.
[0079]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a recording processing procedure of the digital still camera.
[0080]
When the imaging mode is set by the mode dial 18 and the shutter switch 20 is turned on (YES in step 101), the photographing process is performed as described above (step 102). Image data representing the subject image is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 6.
[0081]
The image data is read from the buffer memory 6 and compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 13 (step 103). The compressed image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 6 again.
[0082]
When a plurality of memory cards of the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 are loaded in the digital still camera (YES in step 104), the compressed image data stored in the even address from the buffer memory 6 Is read and applied to the main memory card 31. Even-numbered address compressed image data is recorded in the main memory card 31 (step 105). Further, the compressed image data stored at the odd address is read from the buffer memory 6 and applied to the sub memory card 32. Odd address compressed image data corresponding to the image data recorded on the main memory card 31 is recorded on the sub memory card 32 (step 106).
[0083]
Information related to the even address compressed image data and the corresponding odd address compressed image data is recorded in the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 (step 107), and the management information is also updated (step 108).
[0084]
If the digital still camera is loaded with either the main memory card 31 or the secondary memory card 32 (NO in step 104), the digital still camera is compressed into the loaded memory card. The recorded image file is recorded (step 109). In this case, it goes without saying that even address compressed image data and odd address compressed image data cannot be divided. Also, the management information is updated (step 110).
[0085]
FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the write timing of even-numbered address compressed image data to the main memory card 31 and the write timing of odd-numbered address compressed image data to the sub memory card 32.
[0086]
The main memory card 31 is given a command to write even-numbered address compressed image data at time t1, and is written until time t2. At time t3, a command for writing the next even-numbered image data is given, and writing is performed until time t4.
[0087]
The secondary memory card 32 is given a command to write image data at odd addresses at time t5 and is written until time t6. At time t7, an instruction to write the next odd-numbered image data is given, and writing is performed until time t8.
[0088]
In the period from time t5 to time t2 and in the period from time t7 to time t4, writing of even-numbered image data and writing of odd-numbered image data can be performed simultaneously. Write time can be shortened. It goes without saying that the even address compressed image data is given to the main memory card 31 during the time t1 to t5 and the time t3 to t7, and the conflict with the odd address compressed image data is prevented.
[0089]
During playback, images cannot be played back unless both the main memory card 31 and the corresponding secondary memory card 32 have memory cards, so the main memory card 31 and the secondary memory card 32 are held by different users. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image from being reproduced without permission.
[0090]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure for erasing image data. In this figure, the same processes as those shown in FIG.
[0091]
As described above, when even-numbered image data is recorded on the main memory card 31 and odd-numbered image data is recorded on the sub-memory card 32, the memory cards 31 and 32 are connected to the digital still card. On the condition that it is loaded in the camera (YES in step 71), it is confirmed whether there is management information about the image to be erased (step 111). If there is management information (YES in step 111), on the condition that there is related information in the secondary memory card 32 (NO in step 76), the image data of the even address of the main memory card 31, the secondary memory card The image data at the odd address of the card 32 is erased (step 112). Thereafter, the management information of the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 is updated (step 113).
[0092]
In the above embodiment, image data is erased on the assumption that the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 have file management information. However, even if there is no file management information, the image data is erased. You may allow it.
[0093]
13 to 15 show still another embodiment.
[0094]
In the embodiment described above, two memory cards, ie, the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32 are used. In this embodiment, one memory card is used as a digital still camera. Even if it is loaded, the above-described processes can be performed. Of course, the digital still camera is not limited to one that can be loaded with two memory cards, but may be one that can only be loaded with one memory card.
[0095]
FIG. 13 shows a digital still camera 120 and a personal computer 121.
[0096]
As described above, the digital still camera 120 is provided with the communication interface 24 and the antenna 25 as indicated by the chain line in FIG. With the communication interface 24 and the antenna 25, the digital still camera 120 and the personal computer 121 can communicate with each other wirelessly. It goes without saying that the personal computer 121 is also provided with an interface for communication, and an antenna (not shown) is connected. Further, the personal computer 121 is connected to the hard disk device 122 instead of the sub memory card 32 as described above. In the embodiment described above, data to be recorded on the secondary memory card 32 is recorded on the hard disk device 122.
[0097]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a recording processing procedure of the digital still camera.
[0098]
When the imaging mode is set by the mode dial 18 and the shutter switch 20 is pressed (YES in step 131), the photographing process is executed as described above (step 132), and the image data representing the subject image is stored in the buffer memory. 6 is temporarily stored. As described above, a thinned image is generated (step 133). The thinned image data representing the generated thinned image is also temporarily stored in the buffer memory 6.
[0099]
The communication mode is set by the mode dial 18 (step 134). If communication with the personal computer 121 is possible (YES in step 135), the thinned image data is read from the buffer memory 6 and applied to the memory card loaded in the digital still camera. Thinned image data is recorded on the memory card (step 136). If the digital still camera 120 is loaded with two memory cards, the main memory card 31 and the sub memory card 32, the data will be recorded on the main memory card 31. However, it may be recorded in the sub memory card 31. Further, when the digital still camera 120 can be loaded with only one memory card, the image data is recorded on the one memory card.
[0100]
Also, the differential image data is read from the buffer memory 6 (the differential image data is also generated as described above when generating the thinned image data) and is provided to the antenna 25 via the communication interface 24. The difference image data is transmitted to the personal computer 121 (step 137).
[0101]
When the difference image data transmitted from the digital still camera 120 is received by the personal computer 121, the difference image data is recorded on the hard disk 122. Corresponding information for specifying the corresponding memory card and its thinned-out image data is recorded in the hard disk 122 in the same manner as in the sub memory card 32 described above (step 138). Also, the management information of the hard disk device 122 is updated (step 139).
[0102]
Needless to say, the association information of the main memory card 31 is recorded (step 138), and the management information is updated (step 139).
[0103]
If communication between the digital still camera 120 and the personal computer 121 is not possible (NO in step 135), the thinned image data and the difference image data are recorded on the memory card loaded in the digital still camera. (Step 140). Management information is also updated (step 141).
[0104]
In the above-described embodiment, the differential image data is recorded on the hard disk device 122 connected to the personal computer 121. However, not only the differential image data but also other data may be recorded on the secondary memory card 32. Needless to say, the data can be recorded on the hard disk device 122.
[0105]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the playback processing procedure of the digital still camera.
[0106]
The digital still camera 120 is set to the communication mode (step 151). If communication with the personal computer 121 is possible (YES in step 152), the management information recorded in the memory card loaded in the digital still camera is read (step 153). Also, the corresponding difference image data is read from the hard disk 122 connected to the personal computer 121 and transmitted to the digital still camera 120 by the personal computer 121. The difference image data transmitted from the personal computer 121 is received by the digital still camera 120 (step 154).
[0107]
There is related information in the memory card loaded in the digital still camera 120 (YES in step 155), there is management information corresponding to the frame number of the image to be reproduced (YES in step 156), and personal If the computer 121 also has management information (YES in step 157), an image composition process is performed from the received difference image data and the thinned image data read from the memory card (step 157). A high-resolution subject image is reproduced (step 159). It goes without saying that management information recorded on the hard disk device 122 is also transmitted from the personal computer 121 to the digital still camera 120.
[0108]
If NO in one of steps 155 to 157, a warning is displayed on the image display LCD 23 (step 160).
[0109]
If the digital still camera 120 cannot communicate with the personal computer 121 (NO in step 152), the thinned image data recorded on the memory card is read (step 161), and is represented by the read thinned image data. The thinned image to be displayed is displayed (step 162).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital still camera.
FIG. 2A shows a data structure of a main memory card, and FIG. 2B shows a data structure of a sub memory card.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a recording processing procedure.
4A shows a data structure of a main memory card, and FIG. 4B shows a data structure of a sub memory card.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording processing procedure.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a reproduction processing procedure.
7A shows a data structure of a main memory card, and FIG. 7B shows a data structure of a sub memory card.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a recording processing procedure.
9A shows the data structure of the main memory card, and FIG. 9B shows the data structure of the sub memory card.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a recording processing procedure.
FIG. 11 is a time chart showing recording timing of image data to the main memory card and the sub memory card.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an erasing process procedure;
FIG. 13 shows a digital still camera and a personal computer.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a recording processing procedure.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a reproduction processing procedure.
[Explanation of symbols]
3 CCD
6 Buffer memory
13 Compression / decompression circuit
14, 15 interface
16 Main CPU
18 Mode dial
19 EEPROM
20 Shutter switch
23 LCD for image display
24 Communication interface
25 Antenna
120 digital still camera
121 Personal computer
122 Hard disk device

Claims (4)

Imaging mode setting means,
Imaging means for imaging a subject in response to pressing of a shutter release button in a state in which the imaging mode is set, and outputting image data representing a subject image for one frame,
Thinning means for thinning out the image data output from the imaging means at a predetermined thinning rate ;
First recording control means for recording the image data thinned out by the thinning means on the first detachable recording medium as thinned image data ;
Second recording control means for recording the remaining image data of the image data thinned by the thinning means as differential image data on a detachable second recording medium different from the first recording medium. ,
Playback mode setting means,
Detecting means for detecting that the first recording medium and the second recording medium are loaded in a digital still camera in response to the setting of the reproduction mode;
When loading of both the first and second recording media is detected by the detection means, the thinned image data recorded on the first recording medium and recorded on the second recording medium Synthetic image reproduction means for synthesizing and reproducing the difference image data, and
A thinned-out image reproducing unit that reproduces an image represented by the thinned-out image data recorded on the first recording medium when the detection unit detects loading of only the first recording medium;
Digital still camera equipped with An error processing means for handling an error when loading of both the first recording medium and the second recording medium is not detected by the detection means and when loading of only the second recording medium is detected; Have
The digital still camera according to claim 1. Setting means of erasing mode,
In response to the above SL erased mode is set, by detecting means, and said detecting means for the first recording medium and the second recording medium is detected to be loaded in a digital still camera An erasing unit for erasing the thinned image data recorded on the first recording medium in response to detection of loading;
The digital still camera according to claim 1, further comprising: Accept imaging mode settings,
The subject is imaged in response to pressing of the shutter release button when the imaging mode is set, and image data representing the subject image for one frame is obtained,
The obtained image data is thinned out at a predetermined thinning rate,
The thinned image data is recorded as thinned image data on a detachable first recording medium,
The remaining image data of the image data thinned image data has been thinned out and recorded in different removable second recording medium and the first recording medium as a difference image data,
Accept playback mode settings,
Detecting that the first recording medium and the second recording medium are loaded in a digital still camera in response to the setting of the playback mode;
When loading of both the first and second recording media is detected, the thinned image data recorded on the first recording medium and the difference image data recorded on the second recording medium are Synthesize and play,
When loading of only the first recording medium is detected, an image represented by the thinned image data recorded on the first recording medium is reproduced.
Operation control method for digital still camera.

Images