JP6199049B2 - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly to an electronic camera that records an electronic image output from an imaging apparatus in response to a user operation on a recording medium.

  An example of this type of camera is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to this background art, when the first instruction is issued from the release SW, the arithmetic processing circuit executes the AE process and the AF process based on the output of the image sensor, and releases the release following the first instruction. The elapsed time from the SW to the second instruction issued is measured. If the measured elapsed time is short, the arithmetic processing circuit omits one or both of the AE process and the AF process, and uses the result of the AE process and the AF process executed in response to the first instruction. As a result, the release time lag in the rapid shooting can be shortened.

JP 2002-258344 A

  However, in the background art, unless the recording of the image data acquired in response to the first instruction is completed, the second instruction is not accepted, and there is a limit to shortening the release time lag and thus improving the imaging performance. is there.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that can improve imaging performance.

  The electronic camera according to the present invention (10: reference numeral corresponding to the embodiment; the same applies hereinafter) is an adjustment means (S7, S17) that adjusts the imaging condition in response to the first user operation, and the first after the first user operation. 2-Acquisition means (S19, S23) for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means (16) in response to a user operation, and a recording means for recording the electronic image acquired by the acquisition means on the recording medium (44) through a plurality of processes (S61 to S63, S67, S71, S75, S93), due to the processing of the limiting means (S81) that restricts the continuation of the plurality of processes when the first user operation is detected between the plurality of processes, and the processing of the acquisition means Release means (S13, S27, S85) for releasing the restriction of the restriction means when the elimination of the load fluctuation is detected.

  Preferably, the release unit detects completion of the processing of the acquisition unit as cancellation of the load fluctuation.

  Preferably, the first user operation and the second user operation are operations on a common button (28sh), and the release means detects release of the operation on the button as cancellation of the load fluctuation.

  Preferably, there is further provided control means (S11) for permitting / limiting the processing of the acquisition means according to the free capacity of the buffer memory (32c) at the time when the first user operation is detected, and the release means is acquired by the control means. The processing limit of the means is detected as the elimination of the load fluctuation.

  More preferably, output means (S5, S25, S43) for outputting free space information indicating the free space of the buffer memory is further provided.

  Preferably, the first user operation corresponds to a half-press operation of the shutter button (28sh), and the second user operation corresponds to a full-press operation of the shutter button.

  Preferably, the recording means includes an encoding processing means (S63, S67, S71, S75) for performing an encoding process on the electronic image, and a recording processing means for performing a recording process on the encoded image created by the encoding processing means ( S93).

  An imaging control program according to the present invention includes an adjustment step (S7, S17) for adjusting an imaging condition in response to a first user operation, a second step after the first user operation, to the processor (26) of the electronic camera (10). Acquisition steps (S19, S23) for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means (16) in response to a user operation, and recording steps (S61 to S63) for recording the electronic image acquired by the acquisition step on a recording medium through a plurality of processes , S67, S71, S75, S93), a restriction step (S81) that restricts the continuation of the plurality of processes when a first user operation is detected between the plurality of processes, and a load variation caused by the process of the acquisition step This is an imaging control program for executing a release step (S13, S27, S85) for releasing the restriction of the restriction step when the cancellation is detected.

  The imaging control method according to the present invention is an imaging control method executed by the electronic camera (10), and includes an adjustment step (S7, S17) for adjusting imaging conditions in response to a first user operation, and a first user operation. An acquisition step (S19, S23) for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means (16) in response to a subsequent second user operation, and a recording step for recording the electronic image acquired by the acquisition step on a recording medium through a plurality of processes (S61 to S63, S67, S71, S75, S93), due to the processing of the limiting step (S81) that restricts the continuation of multiple processes when the first user operation is detected between multiple processes, and the process of the acquisition step A release step (S13, S27, S85) for releasing the restriction of the restriction step when the cancellation of the load fluctuation is detected.

  An external control program according to the present invention is an external control program supplied to an electronic camera (10) including a processor (26) that executes processing according to an internal control program stored in a memory (46), and is a first user operation. Adjustment steps (S7, S17) for adjusting the imaging conditions in response to the acquisition, and acquisition steps (S19, S23) for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means (16) in response to the second user operation after the first user operation A recording step (S61 to S63, S67, S71, S75, S93) for recording the electronic image acquired in the acquisition step on a recording medium through a plurality of processes, and the first user operation is detected between the plurality of processes. Internal restriction step (S81) that restricts the continuation of multiple processes, and release step (S13, S27, S85) that releases the restriction step restriction when it is detected that the load fluctuation caused by the acquisition step process is resolved Collaboration with control program For execution by the processor Te, an external control program.

  An electronic camera (10) according to the present invention includes a capturing unit (48) that captures an external control program, and a processor that executes processing according to the external control program captured by the capturing unit and the internal control program stored in the memory (46). The external control program responds to the second user operation after the first user operation, an adjustment step (S7, S17) for adjusting the imaging condition in response to the first user operation. Acquisition step (S19, S23) for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means (16), and a recording step (S61 to S63, S67, S71) for recording the electronic image acquired by the acquisition step on a recording medium through a plurality of processes. , S75, S93), a limit step (S81) that limits the continuation of the plurality of processes when the first user operation is detected between the plurality of processes, and the elimination of the load fluctuation caused by the process of the acquisition step is detected. This corresponds to a program that executes the release step (S13, S27, S85) for releasing the restriction of the restriction step in cooperation with the internal control program.

  The imaging condition is adjusted in response to the first user operation. The electronic image is acquired from the imaging unit in response to the second user operation, and is recorded on the recording medium through a plurality of processes. Based on this, when the first user operation is detected between a plurality of processes, the continuation of the plurality of processes is limited. Thereby, the response characteristic with respect to 2nd user operation improves. In addition, the restriction is released when it is detected that the load fluctuation due to the processing of the acquisition unit is eliminated. This avoids a situation in which an electronic image is not recorded. Thus, the imaging performance is improved.

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

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a mapping state of an SDRAM applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the allocation state of the evaluation area in an imaging surface. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of operation of the embodiment in FIG. 2; FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing another example of operation in the embodiment in FIG. 2; FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing another example of the operation in the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing still another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 2 Example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing still another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 2; It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the other Example of this invention.

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

  Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic camera of this embodiment is basically configured as follows. The adjusting unit 1 adjusts the imaging condition in response to the first user operation. The acquisition unit 2 acquires an electronic image from the imaging unit 6 in response to the second user operation after the first user operation. The recording unit 3 records the electronic image acquired by the acquiring unit 2 on the recording medium 7 through a plurality of processes. The restriction unit 4 restricts the continuation of the plurality of processes when the first user operation is detected between the plurality of processes. The canceling unit 5 cancels the limitation of the limiting unit 4 when it is detected that the load fluctuation caused by the processing of the acquisition unit 2 is eliminated.

The imaging condition is adjusted in response to the first user operation. The electronic image is acquired from the imaging unit 6 in response to the second user operation, and is recorded on the recording medium 7 through a plurality of processes. Based on this, when the first user operation is detected between a plurality of processes, the continuation of the plurality of processes is limited. Thereby, the response characteristic with respect to 2nd user operation improves. In addition, the restriction is released when it is detected that the load fluctuation due to the processing of the acquisition unit is eliminated. This avoids a situation in which an electronic image is not recorded. Thus, the imaging performance is improved.
[Example]

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

  The CPU 26 executes a plurality of tasks including a main task, a JPEG file generation task, and a JPEG file write task in parallel under the control of the multitask OS. Note that control programs corresponding to these tasks are stored in the flash memory 46.

  When the power is turned on, the main task first commands the driver 18c, the pre-processing circuit 20 and the post-processing circuit 34 to start moving image capture, and commands the LCD driver 36 to start moving image display. In response to a vertical synchronization signal Vsync periodically generated from an SG (Signal Generator) (not shown), the driver 18c exposes the imaging surface and reads out the charges generated on the imaging surface in a raster scanning manner. From the imager 16, raw image data based on the read charges is periodically output.

  The preprocessing circuit 20 performs processing such as digital clamping, pixel defect correction, and gain control on the raw image data output from the imager 16. The raw image data subjected to these processes is written into the display raw image area 32a (see FIG. 3) of the SDRAM 32 through the memory control circuit 30.

  The post-processing circuit 34 reads the raw image data stored in the display raw image area 32a through the memory control circuit 30, and performs color separation processing, white balance adjustment processing, and YUV conversion processing on the read raw image data. The YUV format image data thus generated is written into the display YUV image area 32b (see FIG. 3) of the SDRAM 32 by the memory control circuit 30.

  The LCD driver 36 repeatedly reads out the image data stored in the display YUV image area 32b through the memory control circuit 30, and drives the LCD monitor 38 based on the read image data. As a result, a real-time moving image (through image) representing the scene captured on the imaging surface is displayed on the monitor screen.

  The recording raw image area 32c shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to an area for storing raw image data representing a scene when the shutter button 28sh provided in the key input device 28 is fully pressed. The main task calculates the number of shootable images based on the free space in the recording raw image area 32c, and sets the calculated number of shootable images in the LCD driver 36. The number of shootable images is displayed in multiple on the LCD monitor 38 by the LCD driver 36.

  Referring to FIG. 4, an evaluation area EVA is assigned to the center of the imaging surface. The evaluation area EVA is divided into 16 in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and 256 divided areas form the evaluation area EVA. In addition to the above-described processing, the preprocessing circuit 20 shown in FIG. 2 executes simple Y conversion processing that simply converts raw image data into Y data.

  The AE evaluation circuit 22 integrates Y data belonging to the evaluation area EVA among the Y data generated by the preprocessing circuit 20 every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. As a result, 256 integral values, that is, 256 AE evaluation values, are output from the AE evaluation circuit 22 in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync. The AF evaluation circuit 24 integrates the high-frequency component of Y data belonging to the evaluation area EVA among the Y data generated by the preprocessing circuit 20 every time the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is generated. As a result, 256 integral values, that is, 256 AF evaluation values, are output from the AF evaluation circuit 24 in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync.

  When the shutter button 28sh is in a non-operating state, the main task executes a simple AE process based on the 256 AE evaluation values output from the AE evaluation circuit 22, and calculates an appropriate EV value. The aperture amount and the exposure time that define the calculated appropriate EV value are set in the drivers 18b and 18c. Thereby, the exposure amount is adjusted so that the brightness of the through image shows an appropriate value.

  When the shutter button 28sh is half-pressed in a state where the free space in the recording raw image area 32c exceeds the reference value, the main task performs strict AE processing based on the 256 AE evaluation values output from the AE evaluation circuit 22. Execute. Thus, the optimum EV value is calculated, and the aperture amount and the exposure time that define the calculated optimum EV value are also set in the drivers 18b and 18c. As a result, the exposure amount is adjusted so that the brightness of the through image shows the optimum value.

  The main task also executes AF processing based on the 256 AF evaluation values output from the AF evaluation circuit 24. The focus lens 12 is moved in the optical axis direction by the driver 18a in order to search for a focal point, and is arranged at the focal point found by this. As a result, the focus is adjusted so that the sharpness of the through image shows the optimum value.

  When the shutter button 28sh is fully pressed, the main task instructs the memory control circuit 30 to execute the RAW capturing process, and decrements the number of shootable images set in the LCD driver 36. The latest one frame of raw image data stored in the display raw image area 32 a is saved in the recording raw image area 32 c by the memory control circuit 30. Further, the number of shootable images displayed on the monitor 38 is decremented by updating the setting of the LCD driver 36.

  Thereafter, the main task issues a synchronization signal SY_P to the JPEG file generation task and the JPEG file write task, and executes buffer release processing. The issuance of the synchronization signal SY_P and the buffer release process are also executed when the shutter button 28sh is half-pressed when the free space of the recording raw image area 32c is equal to or less than the reference value, and the shutter button 28sh is fully pressed. It is also executed when released without being executed.

  In the buffer release process, first, the state of the recording raw image area 32c is determined. If the recording raw image area 32c is completely empty, the main task immediately ends the buffer release process. On the other hand, if unprocessed raw image data remains in the recording raw image area 32c, the main task uses the shooting information mail describing the storage status of the unprocessed raw image data as a JPEG file generation task. And start the JPEG file generation task. If the JPEG file generation task has already been started, these processes are omitted.

  The started JPEG file generation task first refers to the shooting information mail sent from the main task for the raw image data of the oldest frame among the raw image data not yet processed stored in the raw image area for recording 32c. To identify. Subsequently, the JPEG file generation task gives a corresponding instruction to the post-processing circuit 34 in order to execute the RAW-YUV conversion processing on the specified raw image data.

  The post-processing circuit 34 additionally reads out the raw image data of the designated frame through the memory control circuit 30, and performs color separation processing, white balance adjustment processing, YUV conversion processing, and zoom processing on the read raw image data to perform YUV. Format main image data and thumbnail image data are created, and the created main image data and thumbnail image data are written into the main image area 32d and thumbnail image area 32e (see FIG. 3) through the memory control circuit 30.

  Thereafter, the JPEG file generation task instructs the JPEG encoder 40 to perform JPEG compression of the main image data, and further instructs the JPEG encoder 40 to perform JPEG compression of the thumbnail image data. The JPEG encoder 40 reads the main image data stored in the main image area 32d through the memory control circuit 32d, performs JPEG compression on the read main image data to create compressed main image data, and the generated compression The main image data is returned to the main image area 32d through the memory control circuit 30.

  The JPEG encoder 40 also reads the thumbnail image data stored in the thumbnail image area 32e through the memory control circuit 32d, applies JPEG compression to the read thumbnail image data, and creates compressed thumbnail image data. The compressed thumbnail image data is returned to the thumbnail image area 32e through the memory control circuit 30.

  The JPEG file generation task further instructs the memory control circuit 30 to generate a JPEG file. The memory control circuit 30 generates a JPEG file including the compressed main image data and the compressed thumbnail image data stored in the main image area 32d and the thumbnail image area 32e, and converts the generated JPEG file into the JPEG file area 32f (see FIG. 3). ). When the JPEG file is completed, the JPEG file generation task issues a synchronization signal SY_C to the main task. The JPEG file generation task is terminated after issuing the synchronization signal SY_C.

  The JPEG file generation task also executes a shooting interrupt reception process between the series of processes described above. In this process, first, the operation state of the shutter button 28 sh is determined. If the shutter button 28sh is not half-pressed, the JPEG file generation task immediately ends the shooting interrupt reception process. On the other hand, if the shutter button 28sh is in the half-pressed state, the JPEG file generation task issues an interruption signal to the main task and waits for the main task to issue the synchronization signal SY_P. The photographing interruption reception process is terminated in response to the synchronization signal SY_P issued from the main task.

  When the interruption signal is issued from the JPEG file generation task, the main task ends the buffer release processing at this point. On the other hand, when the synchronization signal SY_C is issued from the JPEG file generation task, the main task decrements the number of shootable images set in the LCD driver 36. As a result, the number of shootable images displayed on the LCD monitor 38 is also decremented.

  Subsequently, the main task transmits a file information mail describing the storage status of the JPEG file in the JPEG file area 32c to the JPEG file writing task, and starts the JPEG file writing task. Note that if the JPEG file writing task has already been started, these processes are omitted.

  The started JPEG file writing task first identifies the oldest JPEG file among unprocessed JPEG files stored in the JPEG file area 32f with reference to the file information mail transmitted from the main task. The JPEG file writing task then instructs the memory control circuit 30 and the memory I / F 42 to transfer file data that forms part of the identified JPEG file. The memory control circuit 30 reads desired file data from the JPEG file area 32f, and the memory I / F 42 writes the read file data to the recording medium 44.

  When the writing of the desired JPEG file to the recording medium 44 is completed by repeating the transfer of the file data, the JPEG file writing task issues a synchronization signal SY_W to the main task. The JPEG file writing task is terminated by issuing the synchronization signal SY_W.

  The JPEG file writing task also executes a shooting interrupt reception process between file data transfers. As described above, first, the operating state of the shutter button 28 sh is determined. If the shutter button 28sh is not in the half-pressed state, the JPEG file writing task immediately ends the shooting interrupt reception process. On the other hand, if the shutter button 28 sh is in the half-pressed state, the JPEG file writing task issues an interruption signal to the main task and waits for the main task to issue the synchronization signal SY_P. The photographing interrupt reception process is terminated in response to the issuance of the synchronization signal SY_P.

  If the interruption signal is issued from the JPEG file writing task, the main task ends the buffer release processing at this point. On the other hand, when the synchronization signal SY_W is issued from the JPEG file writing task, the main task executes different processing depending on the state of the recording raw image area 32c. That is, the main task ends the buffer release process when the recording raw image area 32c is completely empty, while the unprocessed raw image data remains in the recording raw image area 32c. Run the process again.

  When the shutter button 28sh is fully pressed only once, the synchronization signals SY_P, SY_C and SY_W, the shooting information mail and the file information mail are exchanged in the manner shown in FIG.

  First, in response to the full press of the shutter button 28sh, the synchronization signal SY_P is issued from the main task to the JPEG file generation task and the JPEG file writing task. Further, after the synchronization signal SY_P is issued, the photographing information mail is transmitted from the main task to the JPEG file generation task.

  The JPEG file generation task generates a JPEG file based on the shooting information mail, and then issues a synchronization signal SY_C to the main task. The file information mail is transmitted from the main task to the JPEG writing task in response to the synchronization signal SY_C. The JPEG file writing task writes a JPEG file to the recording medium 44 based on the file information mail, and then issues a synchronization signal SY_W to the main task.

  When the shutter button 28sh is half-pressed after the shutter button 28sh is fully pressed, the synchronization signals SY_P, SY_C and SY_W, the shooting information mail and the file information mail are exchanged in the manner shown in FIG. The exchange shown in FIG. 6 is executed when the shutter button 28sh is half-pressed immediately after the transmission of the photographing information mail. The exchange shown in FIG. 7 is executed when the shutter button 28sh is half-pressed immediately after the file information mail is transmitted.

  According to FIG. 6, in response to half-pressing of the shutter button 28sh, an interruption signal is given from the JPEG file generation task to the main task. The buffer release process by the main task is terminated in response to this interruption signal. The main task issues the synchronization signal SY_P when the RAW capturing process in response to the full press of the shutter button 28sh is completed or when the operation of the shutter button 28sh is released without the full press. The process of generating the JPEG file is resumed in response to the synchronization signal SY_P.

  According to FIG. 7, in response to half-pressing of the shutter button 28sh, an interruption signal is given from the JPEG file writing task to the main task. The buffer release process by the main task is terminated in response to this interruption signal. The main task issues the synchronization signal SY_P when the RAW capturing process in response to the full press of the shutter button 28sh is completed or when the operation of the shutter button 28sh is released without the full press. The process of writing the JPEG file is resumed in response to the synchronization signal SY_P.

  The main task is configured as shown in FIGS. 8 to 9, the JPEG file generation task is configured as shown in FIG. 12, and the JPEG file write task is configured as shown in FIG. Note that the subroutines shown in FIGS. 10 to 11 are executed by the main task. The subroutine shown in FIG. 13 is executed by each of the JPEG file generation task and the JPEG file write task.

  Referring to FIG. 8, moving image capture is started in step S1, and moving image display is started in step S3. As a result of the processing in step S1, raw image data representing a scene captured on the imaging surface is output from the imager 16, and corresponding YUV format image data is output from the post-processing circuit. Further, as a result of the processing in step S3, a through image based on the image data output from the post-processing circuit 34 is displayed on the LCD monitor 38.

  In step S5, the number of shootable images is calculated based on the free capacity of the recording raw image area 32c, and the calculated number of shootable images is given to the LCD driver 36. As a result, the number of shootable images is displayed in multiple on the LCD monitor by the LCD driver.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 28sh is half-pressed. As long as the determination result is NO, the simple AE process is repeated in step S9. As a result, the exposure amount is adjusted so that the brightness of the through image shows an appropriate value.

  When the determination result in step S7 is updated from NO to YES, it is determined whether or not the recording raw image area 32c is full (= whether or not the free capacity of the recording raw image area 32c is equal to or less than a reference value). In step S11, the determination is made. If a determination result is YES, it will progress to step S13 and will issue the synchronizing signal SY_P toward a JPEG file generation task and a JPEG file writing task. In step S15, buffer release processing is executed, and then the process returns to step S7.

  If the determination result in step S11 is NO, a strict AE process and an AF process are executed in step S17. As a result, the exposure amount and the focus are adjusted so that the brightness and sharpness of the through image show optimum values.

  In step S19, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 28sh is fully pressed. In step S21, it is determined whether or not the operation of the shutter button 28sh is released. If the determination result of step S21 is YES, it will progress to step S27 as it is. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S19 is YES, a RAW capturing process is executed in a step S23, the shootable number is updated in a step S25, and then the process proceeds to a step S27.

  As a result of the processing in step S23, the latest one frame of raw image data is saved from the display raw image area 32a to the recording raw image area 32c. Further, as a result of the processing in step S25, the number of shootable images displayed on the LCD monitor 38 is decremented.

  In step S27, the synchronization signal SY_P is issued toward the JPEG file generation task and the JPEG file writing task, and in step S29, buffer release processing is executed. When the buffer release process is completed, the process returns to step S7.

  The buffer release process in step S15 or S29 is executed according to the subroutine shown in FIGS. First, it is determined in step S31 whether or not the recording raw image area 32c is released (= whether or not the recording raw image area 32c is completely empty). If the determination result is YES, the process returns to the upper layer routine. If the determination result is NO, it is determined in step S33 whether or not the JPEG file creation task is being activated. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step S39, and if the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S35, a mail describing the storage status of unprocessed raw image data remaining in the recording raw image area 32c is created as a shooting information mail, and the created shooting information mail is sent to the JPEG file generation task. To do. When the transmission is completed, a JPEG file generation task is activated in step S37, and then the process proceeds to step S39.

  In step S39, it is determined whether or not a synchronization signal SY_C is issued from the JPEG file generation task, and in step S41, it is determined whether or not an interruption signal is issued from the JPEG file generation task. If the determination result of step S41 is YES, it will return to the upper hierarchy routine. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S39 is YES, the number of shootable images is updated in step S43. The number of shootable images displayed on the LCD monitor 38 is decremented by the process of step S41.

  When the processing in step S43 is completed, it is determined in step S45 whether or not the JPEG file writing task is being activated. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step S51, and if the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S47. In step S47, a mail describing the storage status of the JPEG file in the JPEG file area 32c is created as a file information mail, and the created file information mail is sent to the JPEG file writing task. When the transmission is completed, a JPEG file writing task is activated in step S49, and then the process proceeds to step S51.

  In step S51, it is determined whether or not the synchronization signal SY_W is issued from the JPEG file writing task, and in step S53, it is determined whether or not an interruption signal is issued from the JPEG file writing task. If the determination result of step S53 is YES, it will return to the upper hierarchy routine, and if the determination result of step S51 is YES, it will return to step S31.

  Referring to FIG. 12, in step S61, the raw image data of the oldest frame among the unprocessed raw image data stored in the recording raw image area 32c is sent to the photographing information mail transmitted in step S35 described above. To identify. In step S63, a corresponding command is given to the post-processing circuit 34 in order to execute RAW-YUV conversion processing on the specified raw image data. The post-processing circuit 34 additionally reads out the raw image data of the designated frame through the memory control circuit 30, converts the read raw image data into YUV format main image data and thumbnail image data, and the converted main image data The image data and thumbnail image data are written into the main image area 32d and the thumbnail image area 32e through the memory control circuit 30.

  In step S65, shooting interruption reception processing is executed, and in step S67, the JPEG encoder 40 is instructed to perform JPEG compression of the main image data. The JPEG encoder 40 reads the main image data stored in the main image area 32d through the memory control circuit 32d, performs JPEG compression on the read main image data to create compressed main image data, and the generated compression The main image data is returned to the main image area 32d through the memory control circuit 30.

  In step S69, shooting interrupt reception processing is executed, and in step S71, the JPEG encoder 40 is instructed to perform JPEG compression of thumbnail image data. The JPEG encoder 40 reads the thumbnail image data stored in the thumbnail image area 32e through the memory control circuit 32d, performs JPEG compression on the read thumbnail image data to create compressed thumbnail image data, and the generated compression The thumbnail image data is returned to the thumbnail image area 32e through the memory control circuit 30.

  In step S73, shooting interruption reception processing is executed, and in step S75, the memory control circuit 30 is instructed to generate a JPEG file. The memory control circuit 30 generates a JPEG file including the compressed main image data and the compressed thumbnail image data stored in the main image area 32d and the thumbnail image area 32e, and writes the generated JPEG file in the JPEG file area 32f. In step S77, the synchronization signal SY_C is issued toward the main task. The JPEG file generation task is terminated after the process of step S77.

  The photographing interruption receiving processes in steps S65, S69 and S73 are executed according to a subroutine shown in FIG. First, it is determined in step S81 whether or not the shutter button 28sh has been half-pressed. If the determination result is NO, the process returns to the upper layer routine, and if the determination result is YES, an interruption signal is issued to the main task in step S83. In step S85, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the synchronization signal SY_P has been issued from the main task. When the determination result is updated from NO to YES, the process returns to the upper hierarchy routine.

  Referring to FIG. 14, in step S91, the oldest JPEG file among the unprocessed JPEG files stored in the JPEG file area 32f is specified with reference to the file information mail transmitted in step S47 described above. . In step S93, the memory control circuit 30 and the memory I / F 42 are instructed to transfer file data that forms part of the specified JPEG file. The memory control circuit 30 reads desired file data from the JPEG file area 32f, and the memory I / F 42 writes the read file data to the recording medium 44.

  In step S95, a photographing interruption reception process according to the subroutine shown in FIG. 13 is executed. In step S97, it is determined whether or not the writing of the JPEG file specified in step S91 is completed. If the determination result is NO, the process returns to step S93, and if the determination result is YES, the synchronization signal SY_W is issued toward the main task in step S99. The JPEG file writing task is terminated after the process of step S99.

  As can be seen from the above description, the CPU 26 executes the main task, the JPEG file generation task, and the JPEG file write task in parallel under the control of the multitask OS. The main task executes strict AE processing and AF processing in response to half-pressing of the shutter button 28sh (S7, S17), and acquires raw image data from the imager 16 in response to full-pressing of the shutter button 28sh (S19). , S23). The JPEG file generation task and the JPEG file writing task create main image data and thumbnail image data in YUV format based on the obtained raw image data, and create an image file containing the created main image data and thumbnail image data. Recording is performed on the recording medium 44 (S61 to S63, S67, S71, S75, S93). The JPEG file generation task and the JPEG file writing task also limit the continuation of the process when half-pressing of the shutter button 28sh is detected between such processes (S81), resulting from the process of acquiring raw image data When the cancellation of the load fluctuation is detected, the restriction is released (S13, S27, S85).

  Imaging conditions such as exposure amount and focus are adjusted in response to half-pressing of the shutter button 28sh. The raw image data is acquired from the imager 16 in response to the full press of the shutter button 28sh, and is recorded on the recording medium 44 as an image file through a plurality of processes. Based on this, if half-pressing of the shutter button 28sh is detected between a plurality of processes, the continuation of the plurality of processes is restricted. As a result, the response characteristic to half-pressing of the shutter button 28 sh is improved. Further, the restriction is released when the cancellation of the load fluctuation caused by the acquisition of the raw image data is detected. This avoids a situation in which the unrecorded state of the acquired raw image data continues. Thus, the imaging performance is improved.

  In this embodiment, the multitask OS and control programs corresponding to a plurality of tasks executed thereby are stored in the flash memory 46 in advance. However, as shown in FIG. 15, a communication I / F 48 is provided in the digital camera 10, and some control programs are prepared as internal control programs in the flash memory 46 from the beginning, while some other control programs are external control programs. May be acquired from an external server. In this case, the above-described operation is realized by cooperation of the internal control program and the external control program.

  In this embodiment, the process executed by the CPU 26 is divided into a plurality of tasks as described above. However, each task may be further divided into a plurality of small tasks, and a part of the divided plurality of small tasks may be integrated with other tasks. Further, when each task is divided into a plurality of small tasks, all or part of the tasks may be acquired from an external server.

10 ... Digital camera 16 ... Imager 26 ... CPU
28 ... Key input device 32 ... SDRAM
38 ... LCD monitor 40 ... JPEG encoder

Claims (6)

Adjusting means for adjusting the imaging condition in response to the first user operation;
An acquisition means for acquiring an electronic image from the imaging means in response to a second user operation after the first user operation;
Recording means for recording the electronic image obtained by the obtaining means on a recording medium through a plurality of processes;
Limiting means for restricting continuation of the plurality of processes when the first user operation is detected between the plurality of processes ;
Release means for releasing the restriction of the restriction means when it is detected that the load fluctuation caused by the processing of the acquisition means is detected ; and
Control means for permitting / restricting the processing of the acquisition means according to the free space of the buffer memory at the time when the first user operation is detected;
It said releasing means you detect the limit of processing of the acquisition means by said control means as elimination of the load change, an electronic camera.   The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the canceling unit detects completion of processing of the acquiring unit as cancellation of the load fluctuation. The first user operation and the second user operation are operations on a common button,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the release means detects release of an operation on the button as cancellation of the load fluctuation. The electronic camera according to claim 1 , further comprising output means for outputting free space information indicating the free space of the buffer memory. The first user operation corresponds to a half-press operation of a shutter button,
The second user operation corresponds to a full depression of the shutter button, an electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Said recording means, encoding means performs encoding processing on the electronic image, and a recording processing unit that performs a recording process to the coded image created by said encoding means, one of the claims 1 to 5 The electronic camera described in Crab.

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