JPH11261853A - Image processor and its control method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the power consumption of an image processor and to con firm a photographed image by picking-up an image in a stopped state of a display means, storing the output image signals in a memory means, starting the display means right after the output image signals are stored, and then reproducing and displaying the stored image signals. SOLUTION: A system control circuit 50 controls every part based on the operation mode that is stored in a memory 52. When a shutter switch SW1 is turned on, the focusing-photometry processing is carried out to perform the automatic focusing processing and the automatic exposure processing. When a shutter switch SW2 is turned on, the exposure processing is carried out to write the photographed image data into a memory 30. If a quick review flag is set in a memory 52, the circuit 50 uses a memory control circuit 22 and an image processing circuit 20 after the exposure processing to read the image data written in the memory 30. Then the circuit 50 reproduces a photographed image to display it on an image display part 28 for a fixed time and stops the functions of the part 28, a D/A converter 26, etc., having the large power consumption to prepare for the next photographing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for capturing, recording, and reproducing still images and moving images, a control method thereof,
It relates to a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus such as an electronic camera for recording and reproducing a still image and a moving image using a memory card having a solid-state memory element as a recording medium is already on the market.
Electronic cameras equipped with an electronic finder such as a color liquid crystal panel are also on sale.

According to these electronic cameras, it is possible for the user of the electronic camera to continuously determine the composition by continuously displaying images before shooting, and to reproduce and display the shot images for confirmation. .

[0004] In particular, the function of reproducing a photographed image immediately after photographing is highly convenient and is a useful function for a user of an electronic camera.

[0005]

In such a conventional image processing apparatus such as an electronic camera, when an image is displayed on an electronic finder such as a color liquid crystal panel, the power consumption of the color liquid crystal panel is large. There is a major problem that the operation time and the number of shots of the electronic camera are significantly reduced.

On the other hand, if the electronic viewfinder such as a color liquid crystal panel is turned off and shooting is performed using the optical viewfinder, the power consumption can be reduced and the operating time and the number of shots of the electronic camera can be greatly increased. In that case, there is a problem that it is inconvenient because the shot image cannot be reproduced and displayed immediately after shooting.

The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and an image processing apparatus capable of confirming a photographed image without greatly reducing the operation time of the camera and the number of photographed images, a control method of the image processing apparatus, It is intended to provide a storage medium.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes the following (1) to (6),
As in (13), the control method of the image processing apparatus is configured as in the following (7) to (12), and the storage medium is configured as in the following (14).

(1) An image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing, and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a control unit, and a display unit. The control means stores the output image signal of the imaging means in the memory means in a state where the display means is stopped, immediately thereafter activates the display means, reproduces the image signal stored in the memory means, and An image processing device for displaying on a display means.

(2) An image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a control unit, and a display unit. The control means stores the output image signal of the imaging means in the memory means in a state where the display means is stopped, immediately thereafter activates the display means, reproduces the image signal stored in the memory means, and An image processing apparatus which stops the display unit after displaying the display unit for a predetermined time.

(3) An image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a control unit, a display unit, and a display mode setting. Means, and a playback mode setting means immediately after shooting, wherein the display mode setting means is a state setting for stopping the display means, and the playback mode setting means is a state setting for performing a playback operation immediately after shooting. In the case where the control unit stores the output image signal of the imaging unit in the memory unit in a state where the display unit is stopped, the control unit activates the display unit immediately after that, and outputs the image signal stored in the memory unit. An image processing apparatus for reproducing and displaying the image on the display means.

(4) An image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing, and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a control unit, a display unit, and a display mode setting. Means, immediately after shooting mode setting means, and shooting instruction means, wherein the display mode setting means is in a state setting for stopping the display means, and the immediately after shooting mode setting means performs a shooting immediately after shooting operation. If the state setting is to be performed, the control unit, if the imaging instruction unit is instructing to start imaging, sends the output image signal of the imaging unit to the memory unit with the display unit stopped. A state in which the display means is started immediately after that, the image signal stored in the memory means is reproduced and displayed on the display means, and the photographing instruction means instructs the end of photographing If there were, the image processing apparatus is intended for stopping the display means.

(5) An image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing, and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a recording unit, a control unit, a display unit. , Display mode setting means and immediately after shooting mode setting means, wherein the display mode setting means is in a state setting to stop the display means, and the immediately after shooting mode setting means performs immediately after shooting operation. When the state is set, the control unit stores the output image signal of the imaging unit in the memory unit with the display unit stopped, activates the display unit immediately thereafter, and stores the output image signal in the memory unit. An image processing apparatus which reproduces the image signal thus displayed and displays the image signal on the display means, and transfers the image signal stored in the memory means and records it in the recording means.

(6) An image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing, and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a recording unit, a control unit, a display unit. A display mode setting unit, a reproduction mode setting unit immediately after shooting, and a shooting instruction unit, wherein the display mode setting unit stops the display unit,
And, when the immediately after shooting mode setting means is a state setting for performing a playback operation immediately after shooting, the control means,
If the photographing instruction means is in a state of instructing the start of photographing, the output image signal of the imaging means is stored in a memory means in a state where the display means is stopped, and immediately after that, the display means is activated, A state in which the image signal stored in the memory means is reproduced and displayed on the display means, the image signal stored in the memory means is transferred and recorded in the recording means, and the photographing instruction means instructs the end of photographing If so, the image processing apparatus stops the display means.

(7) A method of controlling an image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein an output image signal of the imaging unit is stored in a memory unit while the display unit is stopped. And a control method of the image processing apparatus for activating the display means immediately after that, reproducing the image signal stored in the memory means, and displaying the reproduced image signal on the display means.

(8) A method of controlling an image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein an output image signal of the imaging unit is stored in a memory unit while the display unit is stopped. And a display method for activating the display means, reproducing the image signal stored in the memory means, displaying the reproduced image signal on the display means for a predetermined time, and then stopping the display means.

(9) A method for controlling an image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein the display mode setting means sets a state in which the display means is stopped, and , When the immediately after shooting mode setting means is set to perform the immediately after shooting playback operation,
In the state where the display means is stopped, the output image signal of the imaging means is stored in the memory means, and immediately thereafter, the display means is started, and the image signal stored in the memory means is reproduced and displayed on the display means. A method for controlling a processing device.

(10) A control method of an image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein a display mode setting means is a state setting for stopping the display means, and If the reproduction mode setting means immediately after shooting is set to perform a reproduction operation immediately after shooting, and if the shooting instruction means is in a state of instructing the start of shooting, the output of the imaging means in a state in which the display means is stopped. The image signal is stored in the memory means, and immediately after that, the display means is activated, the image signal stored in the memory means is reproduced and displayed on the display means, and the photographing instruction means instructs the end of photographing. And controlling the image processing apparatus to stop the display means if the state is the state.

(11) A control method of an image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein the display mode setting means is in a state where the display means is stopped, and When the immediately after shooting mode setting means is set to perform the immediately after shooting operation, when the display means is stopped, the output image signal of the imaging means is stored in the memory means. And controlling the image processing apparatus to reproduce the image signal stored in the memory unit, display the image signal on the display unit, and transfer the image signal stored in the memory unit to record the image signal on the recording unit.

(12) A control method of an image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing, and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein the display mode setting means sets a state in which the display means is stopped, and If the reproduction mode setting means immediately after shooting is set to perform a reproduction operation immediately after shooting, and if the shooting instruction means is in a state of instructing the start of shooting, the output of the imaging means in a state in which the display means is stopped. The image signal is stored in the image signal memory means, and immediately after that, the display means is activated, the image signal stored in the memory means is reproduced and displayed on the display means, and the image signal stored in the memory means is transferred. If the recording is performed on the recording unit and the photographing instruction unit is in a state of instructing the end of the photographing,
A control method of the image processing apparatus for stopping the display unit.

(13) In the image processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), the display means is a liquid crystal display, and the display means is stopped when only the backlight is off. Processing equipment.

(14) A storage medium storing a program for implementing the control method of the image processing apparatus according to any one of (7) to (12).

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to embodiments of an image processing apparatus.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the form of the image processing apparatus, but may also be applied in the form of a storage medium such as a CD-ROM storing a control method of the image processing apparatus and a program for implementing the control method. Can be implemented.

[0025]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an "image processing apparatus" according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an image processing apparatus. Reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens, 12 denotes a shutter having an aperture function, 14 denotes an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electric signal, and 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output of the image sensor 14 into a digital signal.

Reference numeral 18 denotes an image sensor 14, an A / D converter 16,
This is a timing generation circuit that supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on data from the A / D converter 16 or data from the memory control circuit 22. Further, in the image processing circuit 20, predetermined arithmetic processing is performed using the captured image data, and based on the obtained arithmetic result, the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42. TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE
(Automatic exposure) processing and EF (flash pre-emission) processing. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a memory control circuit, which includes an A / D converter 16, a timing generation circuit 18, an image processing circuit 20,
Image display memory 24, D / A converter 26, memory 30,
The compression / decompression circuit 32 is controlled.

The data of the A / D converter 16 is transmitted through the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is transmitted directly through the memory control circuit 22 to the image display memory 24 or the memory. 30 is written.

Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory; 26, a D / A converter; and 28, an image display unit comprising a TFT LCD or the like. The display image data written in the image display memory 24 is a D / A converter 26. Is displayed by the image display unit 28 via the. If image data captured by the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, an electronic finder function can be realized. Further, the image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the image processing apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced. Can be done.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing photographed still images and moving images, which has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. Thus, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

32 is an adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT)
A compression / decompression circuit for compressing / decompressing image data by, for example, reading an image stored in the memory 30 and performing compression or decompression processing, and storing the processed data in the memory 3
Write to 0.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control means for controlling the shutter 12 having an aperture function, which also has a flash dimming function in cooperation with the flash 48.

Reference numeral 42 denotes distance measuring control means for controlling focusing of the photographing lens 10, 44 denotes zoom control means for controlling zooming of the photographing lens 10, and 46 denotes barrier control means for controlling the operation of the protection means 102 which is a barrier. .

Reference numeral 48 denotes a flash, which also has a function of projecting AF auxiliary light and a function of controlling flash light.

The exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42
The system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 on the basis of the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire image processing apparatus 100, and reference numeral 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operating the system control circuit 50.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker for displaying an operation state or a message using characters, images, sounds, or the like in accordance with the execution of the program by the system control circuit 50. One or more are installed at easily visible positions near 100 operation units.
It is composed of a combination of CDs, LEDs, sound elements, and the like. The display unit 54 has a part of its functions installed in the optical finder 104.

Of the display contents of the display unit 54, those displayed on the LCD or the like include a single shot / continuous shooting display, a self-timer display, a compression ratio display, a recording pixel number display,
Recorded number display, remaining number of shots displayable, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, remaining battery display for clock, remaining battery display, error Display, information display by a plurality of digits, display of the attachment / detachment state of the recording media 200 and 210, communication I / F operation display, date / time display and the like.

Of the display contents of the display unit 54, those displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 include a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like. is there.

Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory, for example, an EEPROM or the like.

60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70
Is an operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50, and is constituted by one or a combination of a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, and the like.

Here, these operation means will be specifically described. Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch for turning off the power,
Each function mode such as an automatic shooting mode, a shooting mode, a panoramic shooting mode, a playback mode, a multi-screen playback / erase mode, and a PC connection mode can be switched and set.

Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned on when a shutter button (not shown) is being operated (half-pressed).
An instruction is issued to start operations such as AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing.

Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2 which is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed (fully pressed).
A signal read from the image sensor 12 is converted into an A / D converter 16,
Exposure processing for writing image data to the memory 30 via the memory control circuit 22, development processing using operations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, reading image data from the memory 30, and compressing the image data using the compression / decompression circuit 32 Is performed, and an instruction to start a series of processes of a recording process of writing image data to the recording medium 200 or 210 is issued.

Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch.
ON / OFF of the image display unit 28 can be set. With this function, when photographing using the optical viewfinder 104, the image display unit 2 composed of a TFT LCD or the like is used.
By cutting off the current supply to the power supply 8, power can be saved.

Reference numeral 68 denotes a quick review ON / OFF switch for setting a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data immediately after photographing. In this embodiment, a function for setting the quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off is provided.

Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit including various buttons, a touch panel, and the like. A menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single-shot / continuous-shot / self-timer switching button, and a menu shift + There are a (plus) button, a menu shift-(minus) button, a playback image shift + (plus) button, a playback image-(minus) button, a shooting image quality selection button, an exposure correction button, a date / time setting button, and the like.

Numeral 80 denotes a power supply control means, a battery detection circuit, D
It comprises a C-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, and the like, and detects the presence or absence of a battery, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level, and performs DC based on the detection result and an instruction from the system control circuit 50. Control the DC converter to supply a required voltage to each unit including the recording medium for a required period.

Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, and 86 denotes a power supply means including a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, and an AC adapter.

Reference numerals 90 and 94 denote interfaces with recording media such as memory cards and hard disks, reference numerals 92 and 96 denote connectors for connecting to recording media such as memory cards and hard disks, and reference numeral 98 denotes recording media 200 or 210 to connectors 92 and / or 96. Is a recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit for detecting whether or not the recording medium is attached.

In this embodiment, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium are described as having two systems. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or plural number of systems. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which interfaces and connectors of different standards are provided in combination. The interface and the connector may be configured using a standard such as a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash) card.

Further, the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are connected to a PCMCIA card or CF.
(Compact flash) When using a card conforming to the standard such as a card, a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, an IEEE1394 card, a P128
Transfer of image data and management information attached to image data between other computers and peripheral devices such as printers by connecting various communication cards such as a communication card such as a 4-card, SCSI card, and PHS. Can be done.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a lens 1 of the image processing apparatus 100.
This is a protection unit that is a barrier that covers the imaging unit including “0” to prevent the imaging unit from being stained or damaged.

Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical finder, which enables photographing using only the optical finder without using the electronic finder function of the image display unit 28. The display unit 5 is provided in the optical finder 104.
Some functions of 4, such as focus display, camera shake warning display,
A flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, and the like are provided.

Reference numeral 110 denotes communication means, such as RS232C or US
B, IEEE1394, P1284, and has various communication functions such as SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication.

Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the image processing apparatus 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna for wireless communication.

Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 including a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, an interface 204 with the image processing apparatus 100, and the image processing apparatus 1
00 is provided with a connector 206 for making a connection.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 including a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk, an interface 214 with the image processing apparatus 100, and the image processing apparatus 1
00 and a connector 216 for making connection with the 00.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the image processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment.
The flowchart of the main routine of 00 is shown. The operation of the image processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the power is turned on such as when replacing the battery, the system control circuit 50 initializes flags, control variables, and the like (S10).
1) Initially, the image display on the image display unit 28 is set to the OFF state (S102).

The system control circuit 50 determines the set position of the mode dial 60, and the mode dial 60
If it is set to FF (S103), the display of each display unit is changed to the end state, the barrier of the protection unit 102 is closed to protect the imaging unit, and necessary parameters and settings including flags and control variables are set. Non-volatile memory 56
After performing predetermined termination processing such as shutting off unnecessary power of each unit of the image processing apparatus 100 including the image display unit 28 by the power supply control unit 80 (S105), the process returns to S103.

If the mode dial 60 has been set to the photographing mode (S103), the process proceeds to S106.

If the mode dial 60 has been set to another mode (S103), the system control circuit 5
0 executes a process according to the selected mode (S10
4) When the processing is completed, the process returns to S103.

The system control circuit 50 includes the power control means 8
0, it is determined whether or not the remaining capacity of the power supply 86 composed of a battery or the like or the operating condition has a problem in the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 (S106). After a predetermined warning is displayed by voice (S108), the process returns to S103.

If there is no problem with the power supply 86 (S10
6), the system control circuit 50 controls the recording medium 200 or 2
It is determined whether the operation state of the image processing device 10 has a problem in the operation of the image processing apparatus 100, particularly, the operation of recording and reproducing image data on a recording medium (S107).
After performing a predetermined warning display using an image or a sound using No. 4 (S108), the process returns to S103.

If there is no problem in the operation state of the recording medium 200 or 210 (S107), various setting states of the image processing apparatus 100 are displayed on the display unit 54 using images and sounds (S109). When the image display of the image display unit 28 is ON, the various setting states of the image processing apparatus 100 are displayed by the image display unit 28 using images and sounds.

The system control circuit 50 checks the setting state of the quick review ON / OFF switch 68 (S11).
0), if the quick review is set to ON, the quick review flag is set (S111), and if the quick review is set to OFF, the quick review flag is canceled (S112).

The status of the quick review flag is
It is stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 checks the setting of the image display ON / OFF switch 66 (S11).
3) If the image display is set to ON, an image display flag is set (S114), and the image display unit 28 is set.
Is set to the ON state (S115), and the through display state for sequentially displaying the captured image data is set (S116), and the process proceeds to S119 (see FIG. 3).

In the through display state, the image sensor 1
2. The data sequentially written to the image display memory 24 via the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22 are transferred to the memory control circuit 22, the D / A converter 26
The electronic finder function is realized by sequentially displaying the images through the image display unit 28 via the.

If the image display ON / OFF switch 66 is set to image display OFF (S113), the image display flag is cleared (S117), and the image display of the image display unit 28 is set to OFF. (S118),
Proceed to S119.

When the image display is OFF, the image display unit 28
The photographing is performed using the optical finder 104 without using the electronic finder function. In this case, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the image display unit 28 and the D / A converter 26 that consume a large amount of power.

The state of the image display flag is stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

If the shutter switch SW1 has not been pressed (S119), the flow returns to S103.

If the shutter switch SW1 is pressed (S119), the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S120). Is set, the display state of the image display unit 28 is set to the freeze display state (S121), and the process proceeds to S122.

In the freeze display state, the image sensor 1
2. Rewriting of image data in the image display memory 24 via the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22 is prohibited, and the last written image data is transferred to the memory control circuit 22, D / A By displaying the image on the image display unit 28 via the converter 26, the frozen image is displayed on the electronic finder.

If the image display flag has been cleared (S120), the process proceeds to S122.

The system control circuit 50 performs a distance measuring process to focus the photographing lens 10 on the subject, and performs a photometric process to determine an aperture value and a shutter time (S12).
2). In the photometry processing, the flash setting is also performed if necessary.

The details of the distance measurement / photometry processing S122 are shown in FIG.
Will be described later.

After the distance measurement / photometry processing S122 is completed,
The system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S123). If the image display flag has been set, the display state of the image display unit 28 is skipped. The display state is set (S124), and the process proceeds to S125. Note that S1
The through display state at 24 is the same operation state as the through state at S116 (see FIG. 2).

When the shutter switch SW2 is not pressed (S
125) If the shutter switch SW1 is also released (S126), the process returns to S103.

If the shutter switch SW2 is pressed (S125), the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S127). Is set, the display state of the image display unit 28 is set to the fixed color display state (S128), and the process proceeds to S129.

In the fixed color display state, the image sensor 1
2. Instead of the captured image data written to the image display memory 24 via the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22, the replaced fixed color image data is replaced with the memory control circuit 22, By displaying the image on the image display unit 28 via the D / A converter 26, a fixed color image is displayed on the electronic finder 28.

If the image display flag has been cleared (S127), the flow advances to S129.

The system control circuit 50 controls the imaging device 12,
Exposure processing for writing captured image data to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter via the memory control circuit 22, and Using the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20, the image data written in the memory 30 is read out, and a photographing process including a developing process for performing various processes is executed (S129).

The details of the photographing process S129 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The system control circuit 50 determines the state of the image display flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 (S130), and if the image display flag has been set, performs a quick review display. (S133). In this case, the image display unit 28 is always displayed as an electronic finder even during shooting, and a quick review display immediately after shooting is also performed.

If the image display flag has been released (S130), the state of the quick review flag stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52 is determined (S131), and the quick review flag is set. Then, turn on the image display of the image display unit 28
The state is set (S132), and a quick review display is performed (S133).

In this case, even if the image display of the image display unit 28 is set to OFF, the quick view is performed even if the image display of the image display unit 28 is set to OFF because the electronic viewfinder function is not required for power saving or photographing using the optical viewfinder 104. If the quick review function is set by the review switch, the captured image can be automatically played back on the image display unit 28 immediately after shooting, providing a power-saving and convenient function for checking the captured image. It is possible to do.

The image display flag is released (S130), and
If the quick review flag has also been cleared (S1
31), S134 while the image display unit 28 is OFF
Proceed to. In this case, even after shooting, the image display unit 2
8 has disappeared and no quick review display is performed. This is a usage method in which it is not necessary to confirm a shot image immediately after shooting as in the case where shooting is continued using the optical viewfinder 104, and power saving is emphasized without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. .

The system control circuit 50 reads out the photographed image data written in the memory 30 and performs various image processing using the memory control circuit 22 and the image processing circuit 20 as necessary. After performing the image compression processing according to the mode set by using, the recording processing for writing the image data to the recording medium 200 or 210 is executed (S134).

The details of the recording process S134 will be described later with reference to FIG.

If the shutter switch SW2 is pressed when the recording process S134 is completed (S1
35), the system control circuit 50
The state of the continuous shooting flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 is determined (S136). If the continuous shooting flag is set, the process returns to S129 to perform continuous shooting, and the next shooting is performed. .

If the continuous shooting flag is not set (S
136) until the shutter switch SW2 is released (S
135), repeat the current process.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the operation setting state where the quick review display is performed immediately after shooting,
When the recording process S134 ends, the shutter switch SW
2 was pressed, the shutter switch S
The quick review display on the image display unit 28 can be continued until W2 is released, and the captured image can be carefully checked.

When the recording process S134 is completed, the shutter switch SW2 is released, or after the shutter switch SW2 is continuously pressed and the quick review display is continued to confirm the photographed image, the shutter switch SW2 is released. Is released (S135), the process proceeds to S138 after a predetermined minimum review time has elapsed (S137).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the quick review display on the image display unit 28 is continued for a predetermined period of time, so that the captured image can be surely confirmed, and the image can be unnecessarily long. By continuing the time quick review display, it is possible to prevent the next shooting opportunity from being lost.

The minimum review time may be a fixed value, may be set arbitrarily by the user, or may be arbitrarily set or selected by the user within a predetermined range. , May be set by any method.

If the image display flag has been set (S138), the system control circuit 50 displays the image
Is set to the through display state (S139),
Proceed to S141.

In this case, after the photographed image is confirmed by the quick review display on the image display unit 28, a through display state in which image data photographed for the next photographing is sequentially displayed can be provided.

If the image display flag has been released (S138), the image display of the image display unit 28 is set to the OFF state (S140), and the process proceeds to S141.

In this case, after the captured image is confirmed by the quick review display on the image display unit 28, the function of the image display unit 28 is stopped to save power, and the image display unit 28 and the D The power consumption of the / A converter 26 and the like can be reduced.

If the shutter switch SW1 has been pressed (S141), the system control circuit 50
The process returns to S125 to prepare for the next shooting.

If the shutter switch SW1 has been released (S141), the system control circuit 50
After a series of photographing operations, the process returns to S103.

FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart of the distance measurement / photometry processing in S122 of FIG.

The system control circuit 50 reads out the charge signal from the image sensor 14 and sequentially reads the captured image data into the image processing circuit 20 via the A / D converter 16 (S20).
1). Using the sequentially read image data, the image processing circuit 20 uses the TTL (through-the-lens) method A
Predetermined calculations used for E (auto exposure) processing, EF (flash pre-emission) processing, and AF (auto focus) processing are performed. In each process, a specific portion of the total number of photographed pixels, which is necessary, is extracted by cutting out necessary portions, and is used for calculation. Thereby, TTL
In each of the AE, EF, AWB, and AF processes, optimal calculations can be performed for different modes such as the center-weighted mode, the average mode, and the evaluation mode.

Using the operation result in the image processing circuit 20,
The system control circuit 50 performs AE control using the exposure control means 40 until the exposure (AE) is determined to be appropriate (S202).

Using the measurement data obtained by the AE control,
The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not a flash is necessary (S204), and if necessary, sets a flash flag and charges the flash 48 (S20).
5).

If it is determined that the exposure (AE) is appropriate (S
202), the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

The system control circuit 5 uses the calculation result of the image processing circuit 20 and the measurement data obtained by the AE control.
0 indicates that the AWB control is performed by adjusting the color processing parameters using the image processing circuit 20 until the white balance (AWB) is determined to be appropriate (S206) (S207).

If it is determined that the white balance (AWB) is appropriate (S206), the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52.

Using the measurement data obtained by the AE control and the AWB control, the system control circuit 50 executes the distance measurement control means 42 until it is determined that the distance measurement (AF) is in focus (S208).
Is used to perform AF control (S209).

If it is determined that the focusing (AF) is in focus (S
208), the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50, and the distance measurement / photometry processing routine S122 ends.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of the photographing process in S129 of FIG.

The system control circuit 50 opens the shutter 12 having the aperture function according to the aperture value by the exposure control means 40 in accordance with the photometric data stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52. 10 is exposed (S301, S302).

The flash 48
Is determined (S303), and if necessary, a flash is emitted (S304).

The system control circuit 50 waits for the end of exposure of the image sensor 12 in accordance with the photometric data (S305), closes the shutter 12 (S306), reads out a charge signal from the image sensor 14, reads the charge signal from the A / D converter 16, Processing circuit 2
0, the memory 30 via the memory control circuit 22 or directly from the A / D converter 16 via the memory control circuit 22.
Then, the data of the photographed image is written in (S307).

If frame processing needs to be performed in accordance with the set photographing mode (S308), the system control circuit 50 uses the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20 to store the data in the memory 30. The image data written in is read and the vertical addition processing (S309) is performed.
After the color processing (S310) is sequentially performed, the processed image data is written in the memory 30.

The system control circuit 50 reads out the image data from the memory 30, and transfers the display image data to the image display memory 24 via the memory control circuit 22 (S3).
11).

When a series of processing is completed, the photographing processing routine S129 ends.

FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of the recording process in S134 of FIG.

The system control circuit 50 uses the memory control circuit 22 and, if necessary, the image processing circuit 20 to read out the photographed image data written in the memory 30 and to interpolate the vertical / horizontal pixel ratio of the image sensor to 1: 1. After performing the pixel square processing (S401), the processed image data is written in the memory 30.

Then, the image data written in the memory 30 is read out, and the image compression processing according to the set mode is performed by the compression / decompression circuit 32 (S402).
Interface 90 or 94, connector 92 or 9
6, the compressed image data is written to the recording medium 200 or 210 such as a memory card or a compact flash card (S403).

When writing to the recording medium is completed,
The recording processing routine S134 ends.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to FIG.

In the description of the embodiment, when the image display unit 28 is turned off, all the elements constituting the image display unit 28 are turned off. It is of course no problem to turn off the unit.
Even in this case, it is possible to provide a function of confirming a captured image and saving power. For example, if the image display unit 28
If the LCD consists of D and a backlight,
Even if only the backlight is turned off with N, as in the description of the embodiment, it is possible to provide a function for both confirming a captured image and saving power.

The image display ON / OFF switch 66
The quick review ON / OFF switch 68 has been described as an independent configuration.
The FF switch 66 and the quick review ON / OFF switch 68 are combined into one combined switch, and only the image display ON / the image display ON / the image display ON / quick review is performed.
Of course, there is no problem even if the configuration includes three positions of the FF.

Then, when the instruction to end the quick review display by the image display unit 28 is given, it has been described that the minimum review time for continuing the quick review display for the minimum time is determined, but the minimum review time is not set. Of course, there is no problem. In this case, FIG.
In this case, the flowchart may be such that the processing for judging the elapse of the minimum review time in S137 is removed.

In addition, a configuration is provided in which a dedicated image display unit for performing a through display and a quick review display is provided.
Image display ON / OFF for ON / OFF of those display units
The configuration may be made in accordance with the settings of the switch and the quick review ON / OFF switch. Again,
As in the description of the embodiment, it is possible to provide a function of both confirming a captured image and saving power.

In the above description, when the image display ON / OFF switch is ON, quick review display immediately after photographing is performed regardless of the setting of the quick review ON / OFF switch. In the case of ON, whether or not to perform quick review display may be determined according to the setting of the quick review ON / OFF switch.

Note that the recording media 200 and 210 are PC
Not only memory cards such as MCIA cards and compact flashes, hard disks, but also micro DATs, magneto-optical disks, optical disks such as CD-Rs and CD-WRs,
Of course, there is no problem even if it is constituted by a phase change optical disk such as a DVD.

There is no problem if the recording media 200 and 210 are composite media in which a memory card and a hard disk are integrated. Further, there is no problem if a part of the composite medium is detachable.

In the description of the embodiment, the recording media 200 and 210 are separated from the image processing apparatus 100 and can be arbitrarily connected. Of course, there is no problem even if it is fixed to the device 100.

Further, the recording medium 20 is stored in the image processing apparatus 100.
0 or 210 may be configured to be connectable to a single or a plurality of arbitrary numbers.

The recording medium 2 is stored in the image processing apparatus 100.
The configuration in which the recording mediums 00 and 210 are mounted has been described. However, the recording medium may have any combination of a single recording medium or a plurality of recording media.

[0138]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Without drastically reducing the camera operation time and the number of shots,
You can check the captured image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a main routine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a main routine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of distance measurement / photometry processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of a photographing process;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of a recording process;

[Explanation of symbols]

 28 image display unit 30 memory 50 system control circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/91

Claims (14)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing, and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a control unit, and a display unit. The means stores the output image signal of the imaging means in the memory means in a state where the display means is stopped, immediately after that, activates the display means, reproduces the image signal stored in the memory means, and displays the image signal. An image processing apparatus for displaying on an image processing means. 2. An image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing, and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a control unit, and a display unit. The means stores the output image signal of the imaging means in the memory means in a state where the display means is stopped, immediately after that, activates the display means, reproduces the image signal stored in the memory means, and displays the image signal. An image processing apparatus characterized in that the display means is stopped after displaying on the means for a predetermined time. 3. An image processing apparatus for recording and reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a control unit, a display unit, and a display mode setting unit. And a playback mode setting means immediately after shooting, wherein the display mode setting means is a state setting for stopping the display means, and the playback mode setting means is a state setting for performing a playback operation immediately after shooting. In the case, the control unit stores an output image signal of the imaging unit in a memory unit in a state where the display unit is stopped,
Immediately thereafter, the image processing apparatus starts the display means, reproduces an image signal stored in the memory means, and displays the image signal on the display means. 4. An image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing, and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a control unit, a display unit, and a display mode setting unit. A display mode setting means for stopping the display means, and the immediately after shooting mode setting means performs a immediately after shooting operation. When the state is set, the control unit stores the output image signal of the imaging unit in the memory unit with the display unit stopped if the imaging instruction unit is in the state of instructing the start of imaging. Immediately after that, the display means is started, the image signal stored in the memory means is reproduced and displayed on the display means, and the photographing instruction means instructs the end of photographing. An image processing apparatus for stopping the display means. 5. An image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a recording unit, a control unit, a display unit, A state where the display mode setting means includes a display mode setting means and a playback mode setting means immediately after shooting, wherein the display mode setting means stops the display means, and the playback mode setting means immediately after shooting performs a playback operation immediately after shooting. In the case of setting, the control unit stores the output image signal of the imaging unit in the memory unit with the display unit stopped, activates the display unit immediately after that, stores the output image signal in the memory unit. An image processing apparatus for reproducing an image signal and displaying the image signal on the display means, and transferring the image signal stored in the memory means and recording the image signal in the recording means. 6. An image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, comprising: an imaging unit, a memory unit, a recording unit, a control unit, a display unit, A display mode setting unit, a reproduction mode setting unit immediately after photographing, and a photographing instruction unit, wherein the display mode setting unit is a state setting for stopping the display unit, and the reproduction mode setting unit immediately after photographing is set to a reproduction immediately after photographing. When the state is set to perform the operation, the control unit stores the output image signal of the imaging unit in a state in which the display unit is stopped if the imaging instruction unit is in the state of instructing the start of imaging. And immediately after that, the display means is activated, and the image signal stored in the memory means is reproduced and displayed on the display means, and the image signal stored in the memory means is transferred. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording is performed by the recording means, and the display means is stopped when the photographing instruction means is in a state of instructing the end of the photographing. 7. A control method of an image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein an output image signal of the imaging unit is stored in a memory unit while the display unit is stopped. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising: storing, immediately after, activating the display means, reproducing an image signal stored in the memory means, and displaying the reproduced image signal on the display means. 8. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus for recording and reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein an output image signal of the imaging unit is stored in a memory unit while the display unit is stopped. Storing the image signal, immediately after that, activating the display means, reproducing the image signal stored in the memory means, displaying the image signal on the display means for a predetermined time, and stopping the display means. Control method. 9. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein the display mode setting means is a state setting for stopping the display means, and In the case where the reproduction mode setting unit immediately after photographing is set to perform the reproduction operation immediately after photographing, the output image signal of the imaging unit is stored in the memory unit with the display unit stopped, and the display unit is activated immediately after that. And
A method of controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising: reproducing an image signal stored in said memory means and displaying it on said display means. 10. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing, and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein the display mode setting means is a state setting for stopping the display means, and If the immediately after shooting mode setting means is in a state setting for performing a playback operation immediately after shooting, and if the shooting instruction means is in a state to instruct shooting start,
With the display means stopped, the output image signal of the imaging means is stored in the memory means, and immediately after that, the display means is started, and the image signal stored in the memory means is reproduced to display on the display means. Controlling the image processing apparatus, wherein if the photographing instruction means is in a state of instructing the end of photographing, the display means is stopped. 11. A control method of an image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein a display mode setting means is a state setting for stopping the display means, and When the immediately after shooting mode setting unit is set to perform a playback operation immediately after shooting, the output image signal of the imaging unit is stored in the memory unit while the display unit is stopped. Activating the image signal stored in the memory means, displaying the reproduced image signal on the display means, and transferring the image signal stored in the memory means to record the image signal on the recording means. Method. 12. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus for recording, reproducing, and displaying a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, wherein the display mode setting means sets a state in which the display means is stopped, and If the immediately after shooting mode setting means is in a state setting for performing a playback operation immediately after shooting, and if the shooting instruction means is in a state to instruct shooting start,
Stored in the output image signal memory means of the imaging means in a state where the display means is stopped, immediately after that, the display means is started, and the image signal stored in the memory means is reproduced and displayed on the display means, An image processing apparatus for transferring an image signal stored in the memory unit, recording the image signal on a recording unit, and stopping the display unit when the photographing instruction unit is in a state of instructing the end of photographing. Control method. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means is a liquid crystal display, and said display means is turned off only for a backlight. Image processing apparatus. 14. A storage medium storing a program for realizing the control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 7. Description: