JP2007166539A - Imaging apparatus, imaging method, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record still picture data corresponding to long-second exposure in a still picture timing desired by a user without disturbing a motion picture recording operation regarding long-second exposure shooting during simultaneous motion picture and still picture recording. <P>SOLUTION: A still picture in long-second exposure during motion picture recording is created by composing a plurality of pieces of motion picture recording data. According to the described method, arbitrary motion picture recording data can be composed in accordance with a still picture timing, so that even in long-second exposure, the still picture timing can be matched with a timing of a scene that the user desires to shoot. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device for moving image shooting, and relates to an imaging device, an imaging method, a program, and a storage medium having a function capable of recording a still image even during shooting of a moving image.

  FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a so-called digital video camera, which is a conventionally known imaging apparatus capable of recording still images. In FIG. 7, for example, a digital camera output signal photoelectrically converted by an image pickup unit 21 including an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and an optical system passes through an A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion circuit 22. It is sent to the processing circuit 23.

  In the digital camera signal subjected to signal processing by the digital camera signal processing circuit 23, still image data for a still image is recorded on a still image recording medium 24 constituted by, for example, a semiconductor storage device. On the other hand, after moving image data is processed by the digital video signal processing circuit 25, it is recorded on a moving image recording medium 26 such as a magnetic tape, a semiconductor memory or a recordable DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) disk. Furthermore, the output of the digital video signal processing circuit 25 is output to the display control circuit 27 and displayed on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 28 which is a display device.

  The LCD 28 displays still image data recorded on the still image recording medium 244 and moving image data recorded on the moving image recording medium 26 and also has a function as a viewfinder. Accordingly, display of moving image data captured by the imaging unit 21 before the start of recording, display of moving image data being captured, and stillness for checking an image captured before recording on the recording medium 4 for still images. It is configured to be able to display image data. 7 is provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 29, and various operations are controlled according to application programs stored in the memory 30.

  Recent digital video cameras are capable of capturing still image data while recording moving image data. At this time, the still image data is extracted as still image data from the moving image image data sent to the digital camera signal processing circuit 23 when the still image recording button is pressed. To record.

  Consider the case of field addition readout in which even field and odd field image data of an interlaced television signal output from an image sensor such as a normal CCD is read and added to form still image data. In this case, image processing is generally performed as still image data of one field, and is recorded on the still image recording medium 4 as VGA (Video Graphics Array).

  When moving image data and still image data are recorded simultaneously, there are times when it is desired to provide a relatively long exposure time for capturing still image data, that is, to perform long-second exposure. In this case, in the conventional long-second exposure method, the operation of the CCD of the imaging unit 21 is operated, and there is a problem that the moving image data is interrupted.

As a countermeasure against such a problem, a still image data is synthesized by outputting a frame image composed of even field and odd field image data from moving image data and output. In this way, a technique has been devised for synthesizing and outputting still image data corresponding to long-second exposure without interruption of moving image data.
JP-A-5-276431

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when recording still image data of long exposure, the timing for pressing the still image shooting button comes before the timing of the scene to be shot. For this reason, the conventional problem of long-second exposure photography in which the timing of the still image data to be recorded is missed cannot be solved. Even if there is a scene to be photographed during the exposure time, it cannot be recorded.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, a program, and a storage medium capable of recording still image data with good operability with respect to long-second exposure shooting when simultaneously recording moving image data and still image data. With the goal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an imaging unit, a first recording unit that records moving image data output from the imaging unit on a moving image recording medium, and an exposure time and a still image timing of a still image to be recorded are set. Based on the exposure time and the still image timing set by the exposure time / still image timing setting means and the exposure time / still image timing setting means, it is recorded on the moving image recording medium before the still image timing. Image synthesizing means for reading out and synthesizing continuous moving image data of a plurality of frames and generating one synthesized still image data;
There is provided an imaging apparatus comprising: a second recording unit that records the generated synthesized still image data on a still image recording medium.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, the imaging apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, wherein the moving image data from the imaging unit is sequentially recorded on the moving image recording medium by the first recording unit. The image synthesizing means includes a plurality of frames recorded on the moving image recording medium before the still image timing based on the exposure time and the still image timing set by the exposure time / still image timing setting means. The continuous moving image data of the field is read and combined, and the continuous moving image data of a plurality of frames or fields output from the imaging unit after the still image timing is also combined to combine one piece of the combined still image data. An imaging device to be generated is provided.

  In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a first recording step for recording moving image data output from the imaging means on a moving image recording medium, and an exposure time for setting a still image exposure time and a still image timing to be recorded. A plurality of frames recorded on the moving image recording medium before the still image timing based on the still image timing setting step, the exposure time set by the exposure time / still image timing setting step, and the still image timing. Alternatively, an image synthesizing step of reading out and synthesizing continuous moving image data in a field to generate one piece of the synthesized still image data, and a second recording of the generated synthesized still image data on a still image recording medium. An imaging method comprising a recording step is provided.

  In still another embodiment of the present invention, in the imaging method according to the above embodiment, the moving image data from the imaging unit is sequentially recorded on the moving image recording medium by the first recording step. In the period, the image composition step includes a plurality of frames or fields recorded on the moving image recording medium before the still image timing based on the exposure time and still image timing set by the exposure time / still image timing setting unit. The continuous moving image data is read out and combined, and the continuous moving image data of a plurality of frames or fields output from the imaging unit after the still image timing is combined to generate one piece of the combined still image data. An imaging method is provided.

  In still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program in which each step related to the imaging method in the above embodiment is described as a program code that can be executed by a computer.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium in which a program describing each procedure related to the imaging method in the above embodiment is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention relates to an imaging device, an imaging method, a program, and a storage medium having a function capable of recording a still image even while a previous moving image is being captured.

  In the video camera according to the embodiment of the present invention, after recording once, moving image data is read to create still image data, and therefore any frame before and after the still image timing when the still image shooting button is pressed is synthesized. can do. Therefore, even when generating still image data corresponding to long-second exposure shooting, the still image shooting button can be pressed at the still image timing to be recorded.

  Further, since recording can be performed at the still image timing when the still image shooting button is pressed, still image data corresponding to long-second exposure can be recorded even if the still image shooting button is further pressed during exposure.

  Furthermore, the readout method is switched from addition to non-addition at a timing before the still image timing when the still image shooting button is pressed during shooting of moving image data. As a result, still image data can be generated from non-addition moving image data, so that still image data having a higher vertical resolution than still image data generated by addition reading in the prior art is generated without interruption of moving image data. be able to.

<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a camera output signal photoelectrically converted by an imaging unit 21 including an imaging device such as a CCD and an optical system is sent to a digital camera signal processing circuit 23 via an A / D conversion circuit 22.

  In the digital camera signal subjected to signal processing by the digital camera signal processing circuit 23, still image data for a still image is recorded on a still image recording medium 24 constituted by, for example, a semiconductor storage device. On the other hand, the moving image data is signal-processed by the digital video signal processing circuit 25 and then recorded on a moving image recording medium 26 such as a semiconductor memory or a recordable DVD disk. Further, the output of the digital video signal processing circuit 25 is output to the display control circuit 27 and displayed on the LCD 8 which is a display device.

  The LCD 8 displays still image data recorded on the still image recording medium 4 and moving image data recorded on the moving image recording medium 26 and functions as a viewfinder. Further, a CPU 29 is provided, and various operations are controlled according to application programs stored in the memory 30. These operations are executed in accordance with various operation signals input from the operation circuit 34 operated by the user.

  The above configuration is the same as the configuration of the conventional example shown in FIG. However, the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment further includes a readout circuit 31, a signal synthesis circuit 32, and an exposure time / still image timing setting circuit 33 for reading out the moving image data recorded on the moving image recording medium 26. Yes. In this case, the still image timing includes information indicating the specified frame or field and the exposure time from the frame or field. Further, it also includes information on whether the exposure time to the frame or field, or the exposure time of the frame or field before and after the frame or field is sandwiched.

  The operation of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, as shown in step 101, the imaging device enters the moving image shooting mode by a control signal from the operation circuit 34 generated by operating a mode setting button (not shown) of the imaging device. At this time, the camera output signal photoelectrically converted by the imaging unit 1 is sent to the digital camera signal processing unit 23 via the A / D conversion circuit 22.

  In the moving image shooting mode, as shown in step S102, a signal related to the exposure time and still image timing of the still image data selected by the user is sent to the exposure time / still image timing setting circuit 33 via the operation circuit 34. Set. After setting the exposure time / still image timing, the process proceeds to step S103, and waits for a moving image shooting start button (not shown) to be pressed in step S103. When it is confirmed in step S103 that the moving image shooting start button has been pressed by the user's operation, the imaging apparatus starts shooting moving image data and recording it on the moving image recording medium 26.

  In step S104, it is checked whether or not the end of the moving image shooting has been input by the user's operation. If the moving image shooting is ended, the process returns to step S102, and the exposure time and the still image timing are changed again in step S102. Can do.

  When the still image shooting button is pressed by the user during moving image shooting, it is recognized in step S105. In step S106, the image data recorded on the moving image recording medium 26 is read by the reading circuit 31 while moving image shooting is performed, and a plurality of image data is combined by the combining circuit 32. When the reading / combination processing in step S106 is completed, the state returns to the moving image shooting state in step S104.

  Next, image data composition will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a case in which the exposure time is 2 seconds and the still image timing is ± 1 second, that is, still image data corresponding to long-second exposure by combining image data for 1 second before and after a specific frame or field is generated. An example is shown.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 3, reading of a signal from an image pickup device such as a CCD will be described in the case of field addition reading in an interlace method for a television signal. As is well known, in the interlace method, one field of image data is image data obtained by exposure with an exposure time of 1/60 seconds. Therefore, if 120 field images are combined to create one still image, still image data corresponding to an exposure time of 2 seconds can be generated. If the still image timing is set to ± 1 second, 60 still and subsequent field images are synthesized from the still image timing when the still image shooting button is pressed to generate synthesized still image data.

  In this case, as the moving image recording medium 26, it is necessary to use a storage medium having a function capable of simultaneously executing apparently reading out moving image data while recording moving image data. For example, a semiconductor storage device, a hard disk storage device, or a DVD storage device can be used. If the moving image recording medium 26 records moving image data and cannot read the already recorded moving image data at the same time, the buffer memory using a storage medium that can be executed simultaneously is provided. use. For example, when the exposure of 3 seconds is set as the maximum long-second exposure time, for example, it is possible to use a storage medium having a storage capacity for moving image data corresponding to 3 seconds and capable of simultaneously recording and reading.

  If still image data is generated by the above-described method, even long-exposure shooting can be performed by depressing the still image shooting button at the still image timing to be shot.

  In addition, by changing the number of image data to be combined, the same processing can be performed even if the scanning method or the reading method is different.

<Embodiment 2>
Hereinafter, the operation of an imaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described as a second embodiment with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the second embodiment, the basic configuration can be implemented by an imaging apparatus having basically the same configuration as the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 used in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the memory 30 is set with a still image shooting button pressing number counter, a timing storage register for storing the still image timing, and a still image number counter.

  That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the moving image mode is set in step S201. Then, in step S202, in the moving image shooting mode, as shown in step S202, the exposure time / still image timing signal for the exposure time and still image timing selected by the user is sent via the operation circuit 34, as shown in step S202. The setting is sent to the setting circuit 33. Then, after setting the exposure time / still image timing, the process proceeds to step S203 and waits for a moving image shooting start button (not shown) to be pressed in step S203. When it is confirmed in step S203 that the moving image shooting start button has been pressed by the user's operation, the imaging apparatus starts shooting moving image data and recording it on the moving image recording medium 26.

  In step S204, it is checked whether or not the end of moving image shooting has been input by a user operation. If the moving image shooting is finished, the process returns to step S202, and the exposure time and still image timing can be changed again in step S202.

  When a still image shooting button is pressed by the user during moving image shooting, this is recognized in step S205. In step S206, 1 is added to the count value of the still image shooting button press number counter set in the memory 30 and the still image timing is stored in the timing storage register. The process then proceeds to step S207.

  In step S207, the count value of the still image shooting button pressing number counter set in the memory 30 is compared with the count value of the still image number counter. As a result of the comparison, if the value of the still image shooting button pressing number counter is larger than the value of the still image number counter, the process proceeds to step S208, set in the memory 30, and set in step S206 and stored in the timing storage register. Is read. Then, while performing moving image shooting, the moving image data recorded on the moving image recording medium 26 based on the still image timing read from the timing storage register is read by the reading circuit 31, and a plurality of image data are combined by the combining circuit 32. To generate one piece of composite still image data.

  If the still image shooting button is pressed in step S209 during the reading / compositing process, 1 is added to the step still image shooting button pressing number counter, and the still image timing is stored in the timing storage register.

  When the reading / combination process is completed in step S211, 1 is added to the still image number counter, and the process returns to step S207, where the count value of the still image shooting button pressing number counter set in the memory and the number of still images are returned. The count value of the counter is compared. In step S207, the readout / combination processing is continued until the value of the still image shooting button pressing number counter becomes equal to the value of the still image number counter. In step S207, when the value of the still image shooting button pressing number counter becomes equal to the value of the still image number counter, the process returns to step S204 to return to the normal moving image recording state. According to the above method, even during the exposure processing time, it is possible to create still image data corresponding to long-second exposure by pressing the still image shooting button.

<Embodiment 3>
Hereinafter, the operation of an imaging apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention will be described as Embodiment 3 with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the third embodiment, the basic configuration can be implemented by an imaging apparatus having basically the same configuration as the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 used in the first and second embodiments. Similar to the second embodiment described above, the memory 30 is set with a still image shooting button pressing number counter, a timing storage register for storing the still image timing, and a still image number counter.

  That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the moving image mode is set in step S301. In step S302, in the moving image shooting mode state, as shown in step S302, the exposure time / still image timing of the exposure time and still image timing selected by the user is sent via the operation circuit 34. The setting is sent to the setting circuit 33. Then, after setting the exposure time / still image timing, the process proceeds to step S303 and waits for a moving image shooting start button (not shown) to be pressed in step S303. When it is confirmed in step S303 that the moving image shooting start button has been pressed by the user's operation, the imaging apparatus starts shooting moving image data and recording it on the moving image recording medium 26. When a still image shooting button is pressed by the user during moving image shooting, it is recognized in step S304. In step S305, 1 is added to the count value of the still image shooting button pressing number counter set in the memory 30, and the still image timing is stored in the timing storage register. Then, the process proceeds to step S306. If the completion of recording is confirmed in step S306, the process proceeds to step S307. In step 307, the count value of the still image shooting button pressing number counter set in the memory 30 is compared with the count value of the still image number counter. As a result of the comparison, if the value of the still image shooting button pressing number counter is larger than the value of the still image number counter, the process proceeds to step S308, set in the memory 30, and stored in the timing storage register set in step S305. Read timing. The moving image data recorded on the moving image recording medium 26 is read by the reading circuit 31 based on the still image timing read from the timing storage register, and a plurality of image data are combined by the combining circuit 32. When the reading / combining process is completed, 1 is added to the still image number counter set in the memory, the process returns to step S307, and the same process is repeated.

  In step S307, when the value of the still image shooting button pressing number counter becomes equal to the value of the still image number counter, the process returns to step S302, and then waits for a moving image shooting start button (not shown) to be pressed.

  By using the above-described method, still image data corresponding to long-second exposure at the time of moving image recording is generated even in an imaging device that uses a recording medium that is difficult to randomly access, such as a DV (Digital Video) tape. It becomes possible.

<Embodiment 4>
The operation of the fourth embodiment related to an imaging apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, when moving image data and still image data are simultaneously recorded, still image data is more importantly processed than moving image data.

  The operation explanatory diagram shown in FIG. 6 is an embodiment in which the exposure time is 2 seconds, the still image timing is ± 1 second, and the readout method change timing is set to the time when the still image shooting button is half-pressed. . Further, the change of the reading method in the fourth embodiment is an example of changing from the interlaced addition reading to the progressive non-addition reading.

  When recording is started, first, an image sensor such as a CCD reads a signal by an interlaced addition reading method, and recording starts. When the still image shooting button is pressed halfway during moving image recording, the control signal from the CPU 29 changes the CCD signal readout method from the interlaced addition method to the progressive non-addition method. In the non-addition method of the progressive method, one frame is 1/30 second. Therefore, when the exposure time is 2 seconds and the still image timing is ± 1 second, moving image data of 30 frames before and after the still image timing is required. The exposure amount is the same as in the case of the interlace method.

  Next, when the still image shooting button is fully pressed, the moving image data recorded in the progressive method of 30 frames before and after the still image timing is read from the moving image recording medium 26 and synthesized to generate still image data. To do. After the full-press of the still image capture button, when the 30 frames of moving image data necessary for creating the still image data have been read, the CCD operation mode changes from progressive non-additive reading to interlaced additive reading. Changed to That is, with respect to the moving image data, a signal read out in a progressive manner is recorded after a half-press of the still image shooting button and after a full press of the still image shooting button until a frame necessary for still image creation is read out. In other sections, signals that are read and added by the interlace method are recorded. By using the method as described above, the vertical resolution of still image data is improved without interrupting moving image shooting, and still image data corresponding to long-second exposure can be generated.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. That is, it goes without saying that this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile semiconductor memory card, ROM, or the like can be used. . Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by executing the program code read by the computer.

  However, when the OS (operating system) operating on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Needless to say, is also included.

  Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

It is a schematic block diagram of the imaging device which produces the still image data corresponding to long-second exposure at the time of the moving image recording of Embodiment 1-4 of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an example of an image composition at the time of moving image recording of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional imaging device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up part 4 Recording medium for still images 5 Video signal processing circuit 6 Recording medium for moving images 8 LCD
9 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Reading circuit 11 Composition circuit 12 Exposure time / still image timing setting circuit

Claims (8)

Imaging means;
First recording means for recording moving image data output from the imaging means on a moving image recording medium;
Exposure time / still image timing setting means for setting the exposure time and still image timing of a still image to be recorded;
Based on the exposure time set by the exposure time / still image timing setting means and the still image timing, continuous moving image data of a plurality of frames recorded on the moving image recording medium before the still image timing is obtained. Image synthesizing means for reading and synthesizing and generating one synthesized still image data;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a second recording unit configured to record the generated synthesized still image data on a still image recording medium. In the period in which the moving image data from the imaging unit is sequentially recorded on the moving image recording medium by the first recording unit,
The image synthesizing unit is configured to record a plurality of frames or fields recorded on the moving image recording medium before the still image timing based on the exposure time and the still image timing set by the exposure time / still image timing setting unit. Continuous moving image data is read and combined, and continuous moving image data of a plurality of frames or fields output from the imaging unit after the still image timing is also combined to generate one piece of the combined still image data. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. An imaging instruction means for performing an imaging preparation instruction and an imaging start instruction;
In response to the imaging preparation instruction, the readout method in the imaging unit is changed from an interlace addition method to a progressive non-addition method, and the image synthesis unit generates one piece of the synthesized still image data in response to the imaging start instruction. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:   The composite still image data number recording means for recording the number of the synthesized still image data generated, and the required composite still image data number recording means for recording the required number of the composite still image data. 5. The imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 4. A first recording step of recording moving image data output from the imaging means on a moving image recording medium;
An exposure time / still image timing setting process for setting the exposure time and still image timing of a still image to be recorded;
Based on the exposure time set by the exposure time / still image timing setting step and the still image timing, a continuous moving image of a plurality of frames or fields recorded on the moving image recording medium before the still image timing. An image combining step of reading and combining the data to generate one piece of combined still image data;
And a second recording step of recording the generated composite still image data on a still image recording medium. In the period in which the moving image data from the imaging unit is sequentially recorded on the moving image recording medium by the first recording step,
The image composition step includes a plurality of frames or fields recorded on the moving image recording medium before the still image timing based on the exposure time set by the exposure time / still image timing setting unit and the still image timing. Continuous moving image data is read and combined, and continuous moving image data of a plurality of frames or fields output from the imaging unit after the still image timing is also combined to generate one piece of the combined still image data. The imaging method according to claim 5, wherein:   The program described as the program code which can perform each said process which concerns on the imaging method described in Claim 5 or 6 as a computer.   A storage medium in which a program in which each step according to the imaging method according to claim 7 is described as a program code that can be executed by a computer is stored so as to be readable by the computer.

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