JP4574504B2 - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus that can not only record captured image data in a storage medium attached to the imaging apparatus but also transfer the data to an external apparatus and a control method thereof.

  In recent years, “simultaneous photographing transfer” has been proposed as one of the functions of a digital camera (see, for example, Patent Document 1). “Simultaneous image transfer” is a function of recording a captured image on a storage medium such as a memory card and simultaneously (or concurrently) transferring the captured image to an external device such as a personal computer. If this function is used, the captured image can be immediately transferred to the external device.

  Also, “Quick Review” is known as one of the functions of a digital camera (see, for example, Patent Document 2). “Quick review” is a function for displaying a photographed image on a liquid crystal panel immediately after photographing. By using this function, it is possible to immediately confirm the image immediately after shooting.

JP 2000-137796 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-261853

However, neither of Patent Documents 1 and 2 proposes to perform a quick review during the simultaneous shooting and transfer.
In both Patent Documents 1 and 2, a quick review is performed during simultaneous transfer of shooting, and a captured image displayed at that time is not recorded on a storage medium attached to the imaging device or transferred to an external device. There is no suggestion to do so.
Furthermore, when such processing is performed, the captured image recorded in the storage medium already attached to the imaging device, the captured image recorded in the storage medium attached to the imaging device from now on, and already to the external device There is no consideration on how to handle the transferred captured image, the captured image to be transferred to the external device, and the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to enable quick review even during simultaneous photographing transfer. It is another object of the present invention to prevent a captured image being recorded during a quick review from being recorded on a storage medium or transferred to an external device even when a quick review is performed during simultaneous shooting transfer. And

The above-described object is an imaging apparatus, in which captured image data is displayed for a predetermined time immediately after shooting, display means for detecting an input of an instruction to erase the captured image data within the predetermined time, and captured image data A transfer means for transferring the image to the external device, and when the input of the erasure instruction is detected, the photographic image data of the imaging device is erased , and when the input of the erasure instruction is detected, the photographic image data is transferred If the transfer has already been completed, a process for sending an erasure request to the external device for erasing the captured image data is executed, and the photographic image data is transferred when an input of an erasure instruction is detected. if in feed retentivity by the means has a control means to stop the transfer, and processing for displaying predetermined captured image data by the display unit time, processing for transferring the captured image data by the transfer means It is achieved by an imaging apparatus characterized by being performed in parallel to the.

In addition, the above-described object is a method for controlling an imaging apparatus, which includes a display step of displaying captured image data for a predetermined time immediately after shooting, and a detection step of detecting an input of an instruction to delete the captured image data within a predetermined time. The image transfer step of transferring the photographed image data to the external device, and when the input of the erasure instruction is detected, the photographic image data of the imaging device is erased and the input of the erasure instruction is detected in the detection step when, in the case where captured image data has already been completed transfer, which transmits a deletion request for requesting deletion of the photographed image data to an external device to the external device, the input of the erasing instruction is detected in the detection step, if in feeding the captured image data is rolling a control process to stop the transfer, to the display in the display step, a transfer of the image transfer process, characterized in that it is performed in parallel in Also achieved by a control method of the imaging apparatus.

  According to the present invention, quick review can be performed even during simultaneous transfer of shooting. Further, according to the present invention, even when a quick review is performed during simultaneous transfer of shooting, a captured image during the quick review is not recorded in a storage medium, or is not transferred to an external device. Can do.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging system according to the present embodiment includes a digital camera 100 and an external device 200.
The digital camera 100 is an example of an imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. The imaging device according to the present embodiment is not limited to a digital camera, and may be a device that operates as a digital camera. Therefore, the digital camera 100 may be a digital video camera, a portable terminal with a digital camera, or the like.
The external device 200 can be a computer such as a PC (personal computer). In this case, although not shown, the external device 200 includes an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU, a primary storage device such as a RAM, a secondary storage device such as a hard disk, an operation device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device. Have. The external device 200 may be a printer or a device that operates as a printer.

In FIG. 1, 10 is a lens unit, 12 is a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 is an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and 16 is an analog image signal from the image sensor 14 that is digitized and converted into image data A / D converter. Note that a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like can be used for the image sensor 14.
The timing generator 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory controller 22 and the system controller 50.

The image processing unit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the image data from the A / D converter 16 or the image data from the memory control unit 22.
Further, the image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data. Then, based on the obtained calculation result, the system control unit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42, and TTL (through the lens) AF (autofocus), AE (automatic exposure). , EF (flash pre-emission) function is realized.

Further, the image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.
The memory control unit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation unit 18, the image processing unit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression unit 32.

The output data of the A / D converter 16 is sent to the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing unit 20 and the memory control unit 22 or the output data of the A / D converter 16 is directly sent to the memory control unit 22. Is written to.
Display image data written in the image display memory 24 is displayed by an image display unit 28 such as an LCD or an organic EL display via a D / A converter 26. An electronic viewfinder function can be realized by sequentially displaying the captured image data on the image display unit 28.

  The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control unit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the digital camera 100 can be significantly reduced. it can.

The memory 30 is a storage device for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images. Therefore, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, a large amount of image writing can be performed on the memory 30 at high speed.
The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control unit 50.

The compression / decompression unit 32 reads the image data stored in the memory 30, compresses the image data according to a predetermined image compression method, and writes the compressed image data to the memory 30. The compression / decompression unit 32 can also read compressed image data from the memory 30, decompress the image data, and write the decompressed image data into the memory 30. As the predetermined image compression method, an image compression method defined by JPEG, JPEG 2000 or the like may be used, or an image compression method using adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT), wavelet transform, or the like may be used. it can.
The exposure control unit 40 controls the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, and also has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48.

  The distance measurement control unit 42 controls focusing of the lens unit 10, and the zoom control unit 44 controls zooming of the lens unit 10. The barrier control unit 46 controls the operation of the protection unit 102 that is a lens barrier for protecting the lens unit 10.

  The flash 48 functions as an auxiliary light source at the time of photographing and also has a light control function. It also has a function of projecting AF auxiliary light. The flash operation modes that can be set in the present embodiment include auto, constant light emission, red-eye reduction auto, and constant light emission (red-eye reduction). Auto is a mode in which a flash is automatically emitted according to the brightness of the subject. The constant light emission is a mode in which a flash is always emitted to take a picture. The red-eye reduction auto is a mode in which a flash is automatically emitted in accordance with the brightness of the subject and the red-eye reduction lamp is always emitted when the flash is emitted. The constant light emission (red-eye reduction) is a mode in which a red-eye reduction lamp and a strobe are always emitted.

The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method. Based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing unit 20, the system control unit 50 performs the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement. The controller 42 is controlled.
The system control unit 50 is a CPU, for example, and controls the entire digital camera 100 by executing a program stored in the memory 52. The memory 52 stores constants, variables, programs, etc. for operating the system control unit 50.

  The display unit 54 is configured by a combination of output devices such as an LCD, an LED, and a speaker, for example, and outputs an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like in accordance with execution of a program by the system control unit 50. . One or a plurality of display units 54 are installed at a position in the vicinity of the operation unit 70 of the digital camera 100 that is easily visible. A part of the display unit 54 is installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

  The display content of the display unit 54 includes, for example, single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, recording pixel number display, recording number display, remaining image number display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, and exposure. Correction display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, clock battery level display, battery level display, error display, multi-digit number information display, memory card 92 removal status display, communication There are I / F operation display, date / time display, display showing connection state with external computer, focus display, photographing preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, storage medium writing operation display, and the like. A part of this is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104.

  Further, among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed by the LED or the like includes, for example, in-focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, storage medium There are a writing operation display, a macro shooting setting notification display, a secondary battery charge state display, and the like.

  Of the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed by a lamp or the like includes, for example, a self-timer notification lamp. This self-timer notification lamp may be used in common with AF auxiliary light.

The nonvolatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable / recordable memory, and for example, an EEPROM or the like is used.
The quick review erasure control unit 58 selects an erasure process to be executed when an erasure instruction is input during the quick review. Then, based on this selection, the system control unit 50 controls necessary components and realizes an erasing process as described later.

  The mode dial 60, shutter switches 62 and 64, image display ON / OFF switch 66, quick review ON / OFF switch 68, and operation unit 70 constitute operation means for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit 50. . These are composed of a single button or a combination of a plurality of buttons, switches, dials, touch panels, pointing by eye-gaze detection, voice recognition devices, and the like.

Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given.
The mode dial switch 60 is a switch for switching and setting each function mode such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, program shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, PC connection mode, and the like.

  The first shutter switch (SW1) 62 is turned on by a first stroke (for example, half-pressed) of a shutter button (not shown) provided in the digital camera 100, and AF (autofocus) processing and AE (automatic exposure) processing are performed. , AWB (auto white balance) processing, start of EF processing, etc. are instructed.

  The second shutter switch (SW2) 64 is turned on by a second stroke (for example, full press) of a shutter button provided in the digital camera 100, and instructs the start of a series of processes including exposure processing, development processing, and recording processing. . First, in the exposure process, a signal read from the image sensor 14 is written into the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control unit 22, and further, an operation in the image processing unit 20 and the memory control unit 22 is performed. Development processing using is performed. Further, a recording process is performed in which image data is read from the memory 30, compressed by the compression / decompression unit 32, and written to the memory card 92.

  The image display ON / OFF switch 66 is a display ON / OFF setting switch of the image display unit 28. When photographing using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by turning off the display of the image display unit 28 having TFTs, LCDs, etc. and cutting off the current supply.

  The quick review ON / OFF switch 68 sets whether to use a quick review function for automatically reproducing captured image data immediately after shooting. In the present embodiment, it is particularly assumed that the quick review function is turned on / off when the image display unit 28 is turned on.

  The operation unit 70 includes 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 single frame shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu movement + (plus) button, a menu movement. There are a-(minus) button, a playback image move + (plus) button, a playback image-(minus) button, a shooting image quality selection button, an exposure correction button, a date / time setting button, a compression mode switch, and the like.

  The compression mode switch is a switch for selecting a compression rate of JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) compression, or selecting a RAW mode in which a signal from the image sensor is directly digitized and recorded in the memory card 92.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a normal mode and a fine mode are prepared as JPEG compression modes. The user can shoot by selecting the normal mode when importance is attached to the data size of the photographed image and the fine mode when importance is attached to the image quality of the photographed image.

In the JPEG compression mode, the compression / decompression unit 32 reads the image data written in the memory 30, compresses it to the compression rate set by the user, and records it in the memory card 92.
In the RAW mode, the image data is read as it is for each line according to the pixel arrangement of the color filter of the image sensor 14, and the image data written in the memory 30 is read via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control unit 22. Read and record in the memory card 92.

  The power supply control unit 80 includes a battery detection unit, a DC-DC converter, a switch unit that switches a block to be energized, and the like, detects whether or not a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. The DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the system control unit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit including the memory card 92 for a necessary period.

  The power source 86 includes 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, or an AC adapter, and is attached to the digital camera 100 by connectors 82 and 84.

  The card controller 90 exchanges data with the memory card 92. The memory card 92 is a removable storage medium having a nonvolatile memory. As the memory card 92, a compact flash (registered trademark), an SD memory card or the like can be used. The memory card 92 and the card controller 90 are connected by a card I / F (interface) 91. The memory card detection unit 98 detects whether or not the memory card 92 is attached.

  In the present embodiment, the memory card 92 is described as being singular, but may be plural. In that case, the same number of card controllers 90 and card I / Fs 91 as the memory cards 92 are provided. In this case, a combination of card interfaces having different standards may be used. In the present embodiment, the captured image is recorded on the memory card 92, but a nonvolatile storage medium built in the digital camera 100 may be used instead of the memory card 92.

The barrier 102 covers the imaging unit including the lens 10 to prevent the imaging unit from being dirty or damaged.
The optical finder 104 is, for example, a TTL finder, and forms an image of a light beam that has passed through the lens 10 using a prism or a mirror. By using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to take a picture without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. Further, as described above, some functions of the display unit 54 such as an in-focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, etc. are provided in the optical viewfinder 104. Information is displayed.

  The digital camera 100 according to this embodiment includes a communication I / F (interface) 112 that performs bidirectional communication with the external device 200. The communication I / F 112 includes a wired communication interface conforming to USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394, and the like, and a wireless communication interface conforming to IEEE 802.11a / b / g, Bluetooth, IrDA, and the like. Communication with the external device 200 is performed by either a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface.

(Quick review deletion process (1))
Next, a first example of quick review erasure processing at the time of simultaneous shooting transfer that can be performed by the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment will be described. The simultaneous photographing transfer process is a process of transferring photographed image data to the external device 200 that is an external device in parallel to recording the photographed image data on the memory card 92 (or following recording to the memory card 92). is there. Any of the examples of the erasing process described below is realized by the system control unit 50 executing a corresponding control program and controlling necessary components.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a first example of quick review erasure processing at the time of simultaneous photographing transfer that can be performed by the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment.
First, when the digital camera 100 and the external device 200 are in a communicable state, when the shutter button is fully pressed and the second shutter switch 64 is turned on, the respective units operate under the control of the system control unit 50, and the photographing process is performed. (S101). In the photographing process, after reading a signal from the image sensor 14, A / D conversion processing by the A / D conversion unit 16, image processing such as color interpolation processing by the image processing unit 20, and compression encoding processing by the compression / decompression unit 32 are performed. Etc. are included. Further, additional data such as a header is added as necessary, and the image data processed to be recorded as an image file is stored in the memory 30 (S102).

For the image data stored in the memory 30,
Task A: Save to the memory card 92 (S103)
Task B: Start of transfer to external device 200 (S104),
Task C: Quick review (S106),
These three tasks are performed in parallel.

  The task A is executed by the card controller 90 reading out the image data stored in the memory 30 and writing it in the memory card 92. In task B, the communication control unit 110 reads the image data stored in the memory 30, converts it into a data format (for example, a predetermined packet format) based on the communication format of the communication I / F, and starts transmission. The task B ends when the transfer to the external device 200 is completed (S105).

  In task C, first, the image processing unit 20 generates a display image reduced in accordance with the resolution of the image display unit 28 from the image data stored in the memory 30, and writes it to the image display memory through the memory control unit 22. Alternatively, the memory control unit 22 may read out the image data stored in the memory 30 at a predetermined pixel interval and write it in the image display memory 24. With these processes, the quick review image is displayed on the image display unit 28 (S106).

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a quick review screen in the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment. On the quick review screen 1100, a “photo” button 1110 and a “cancel” button 1120 are displayed at the bottom with the photographed image as a background. A SET button 1130 and a cancel button 1140 included in the operation unit 70 are associated with the buttons 1110 and 1120 on the screen. Accordingly, if the SET button 1130 is pressed during the quick review, an erasure instruction is input to the system control unit 50. If a cancel button 1140 is pressed, a quick review stop instruction is input to the system control unit 50.

  The time (display time) for performing the quick review is set in advance, and the system control unit 50 monitors the elapse of the display time in S107 along with the start of the quick review. Further, during the quick review, the system control unit 50 monitors whether or not an image erasing instruction or a quick review process stop instruction is input (S108). In this example, the presence / absence of input of the SET button 1130 and the cancel button 1140 is monitored.

  When the set display time has elapsed without input from the operation unit 70, or when a quick review stop instruction is input before the display time has elapsed, the quick review is terminated. Then, the image display unit 28 is switched to normal display in the shooting mode (for example, live image display for causing the image display unit 28 to function as an electronic viewfinder) (S110).

  On the other hand, when the input of the image erasure instruction is detected within the display time, the image data stored in the task A (S103) is erased from the memory card 92 (S109). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S110, and the quick review is terminated as described above.

When all of the tasks A, B, and C are completed and completed, the area of the memory 30 that stores the image data is released (S111).
As described above, in the first example, in response to the erasure instruction during the quick review, only the image recorded on the memory card 92 is erased, and the transfer is performed as usual.

(Quick review deletion process (2))
Next, a second example of the quick review erasing process at the time of simultaneous photographing transfer that can be performed by the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the steps for performing the same processing as in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only the characteristic part of this example will be described.

In this example, if there is an erasure instruction during quick review,
Task D: Erase image data from the memory card 92 (S109)
Task E: It is determined whether or not the transfer to the external device 200 is completed (S210). If the transfer is in progress, the transfer is stopped (S211).
The following two tasks are performed.
Therefore, in this example, the task B is terminated by either the completion of the transfer to the external device 200 or the transfer stop by the task E (S205).

  Thus, in the second example, in response to the erasure instruction during the quick review, the image data recorded on the memory card 92 is erased, and if the transfer is not completed, the transfer is stopped. Also, the transferred image data is not erased.

(Quick review deletion process (3))
Next, a third example of quick review erasure processing at the time of simultaneous photographing transfer that can be performed by the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are assigned to the steps for performing the same processing as in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the description thereof is omitted, and only the characteristic part of this example will be described.

  In this example, in the second example, the image data in the external device 200 that has been transferred is not deleted in the task E that is executed when there is an erasure instruction during the quick review. The difference is that already-completed image data is deleted.

  Specifically, if it is determined in S210 that the transfer to the external device 200 has been completed, an image erasure request is sent to the external device 200 (S312). Upon receiving the request, the external device 200 deletes the designated image and notifies the camera that the deletion is complete. The task E ends when receiving this notification in S314.

  Note that the erasure request to the external device 200 and the notification of the erasure result can be realized by, for example, the external device 200 and the communication control unit 110 transmitting a delete command and receiving a response in accordance with PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol). .

  As described above, in the third example, in response to the erasure instruction during the quick review, the image data recorded in the memory card 92 and the image data already transferred to the external device 200 are erased, and the transfer must be completed. If this happens, the transfer is canceled.

(Quick review deletion process (4))
Next, a fourth example of quick review erasure processing at the time of simultaneous photographing transfer that can be performed by the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the steps for performing the same processing as in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only the characteristic part of this example will be described.

As is clear from the comparison between FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, in this example, in the second example, the image data stored in the memory card 92 in the task D executed when there is an erasure instruction during the quick review. Erasing is not performed.
Other processes are performed in the same manner as in the second example.

  As described above, in the fourth example, if the transfer is not completed in response to the erasure instruction during the quick review, the transfer is stopped, but the image data recorded in the memory card 92 and the transferred image data are not transferred. Do not erase.

(Quick review deletion process (5))
Next, a fifth example of quick review erasure processing at the time of simultaneous photographing transfer that can be performed by the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, steps for performing the same processing as in FIGS. 2 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only the characteristic part of this example will be described.

As is clear from the comparison between FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, in this example, in the third example, the image data stored in the memory card 92 in the task D executed when there is an erasure instruction during the quick review. Erasing is not performed.
Other processes are performed in the same manner as in the third example.

  As described above, in the fifth example, in response to the erasure instruction during the quick review, the image data recorded in the memory card 92 is not erased, the image data already transferred to the external device 200 is erased, and the transfer is performed. If it has not been completed, the transfer is aborted.

(Quick review deletion process (6))
Next, a sixth example of quick review erasure processing at the time of simultaneous photographing transfer that can be performed by the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the steps for performing the same processing as in FIGS. 2 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted, and only the characteristic part of this example will be described.

  As is clear from the comparison between FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, in this example, the task D and the task E ′ executed when there is an erasure instruction during the quick review in the third example are equal to the specified number of times. It is characterized by repeated execution.

This example is used, for example, to enable a series of photographic image data shot in the continuous shooting mode to be collectively deleted at the time of quick review.
In this case, in the quick review process performed in S106, for example, the image data captured last is displayed. In the shooting process in S101, the number of shots is counted from the time when the shutter button is first fully pressed until the full press is released.

  If an erasure instruction input during quick review is detected in S108, the number of images shot in the continuous shooting mode and identification information (for example, file name) of the shot image data are acquired (S609).

Thereafter, the following tasks D ″ and E ″ are executed in parallel.
Task D ″: The image deletion from the memory card 92 (S109) is repeatedly executed for the number of times equal to the number of images acquired in S609. At each execution, the images to be deleted are sequentially designated based on the identification information acquired in S609. .
Task E ″: Based on the identification information acquired in S609, the image data that has already been transferred to the external device 200 is requested to be deleted (S312 and S314), and the image data that has not been transferred (those that have not started transfer) And the data being transferred) are stopped (S211).

  Here, the image to be quick-reviewed is only the last captured image data out of a series of image data that has been continuously captured. However, a quick review may be performed every predetermined number of images. In this case, if an erasure instruction input is detected during the quick review, all image data taken before or including all images currently displayed, or all image data taken after that are erased at once. Can be configured to.

  As described above, in the shooting process of S101, not only the number of image data shot by continuous shooting is counted, but also the identification information of the image data is recorded in the shooting order. It is possible to specify image data photographed before and after as a starting point. Then, task D ″ and task E ″ may be applied to the image data to be erased.

  Thus, in the sixth example, a plurality of image data to be erased are specified in response to an erase instruction during quick review during continuous shooting. Then, among the image data to be erased, the image data recorded on the memory card 92 and the image data already transferred to the external device 200 are erased, and if there is any data that has not been transferred, the transfer is stopped.

(Quick review deletion process (7))
Next, a seventh example of quick review erasure processing at the time of simultaneous photographing transfer that can be performed by the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the steps for performing the same processing as in FIGS. 2 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only the characteristic part of this example is described.

In this example, the quick review erasing process when the digital camera 100 operates in a shooting mode in which only the transfer to the external device 200 is performed without recording on the memory card 92 is performed in the above-described fourth example ( The process of FIG. 5) is applied.
Except that the task A (S103) does not exist, the process is the same as that in the fourth example, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Quick review deletion process (8))
Next, an eighth example of the quick review erasing process at the time of simultaneous photographing transfer that can be performed by the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the steps for performing the same processing as those in FIGS. 2 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only the characteristic part of this example will be described.

In this example, the quick review erasing process when the digital camera 100 operates in the shooting mode in which only the transfer to the external device 200 is performed without recording to the memory card 92 is performed in the fifth example ( The process of FIG. 6) is applied.
Except that the task A (S103) does not exist, the process is the same as that of the fifth example, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

(Quick review deletion process (9))
Next, a ninth example of quick review erasure processing at the time of simultaneous shooting transfer that can be performed by the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the steps for performing the same processing as in FIGS. 2 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only the characteristic part of this example will be described.

  This example relates to a quick review erasing process when the digital camera 100 operates in a shooting mode in which only recording to the external apparatus 200 is performed without recording on the memory card 92.

  In this example, as in the seventh and eighth examples, there is no task A (S103), and the image data recorded on the memory card 92 is not erased when there is an erase instruction during the quick review. Except for this point, it is equivalent to the sixth example.

  Also in this example, as in the sixth example, here, the image to be quick-reviewed is only the image data taken last in the series of continuously taken image data, or quick review is performed every predetermined number of images. Can be configured. In the latter case, if an erasure instruction input is detected during the quick review, all image data taken before or including the currently displayed image, or all image data taken after that, are batched. And can be configured to be erased.

  As described above, in the ninth example, in the operation mode in which the captured image data is not recorded on the memory card 92 but transferred to the external device 200, an erasure target is determined in response to an erasure instruction during quick review during continuous photographing. A plurality of image data is specified. Then, among the image data to be erased, the image data and the image data that has been transferred to the external device 200 are erased, and if there is data that has not been completely transferred, the transfer is stopped.

The first to ninth examples of quick review processing that can be performed by the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment have been described above. The processing in each example is summarized as follows.
Transferring / not transferring in memory card 92 Transferred
(1) Erase No erase No erase (2) Erase Transfer abort No erase (3) Erase Transfer abort Erase (4) No erase Cancel transfer No erase (5) No erase Cancel transfer (6) Erase Cancel transfer Erase (Multiple images at once)
(7) (Not recorded) Transfer canceled Not erased (8) (Not recorded) Transfer canceled Erased (9) (Not recorded) Transfer canceled Erased (Batch multiple)

In the processes of the first example to the ninth example, which process is to be performed is set by automatic setting or selection by the user according to the operation mode of the digital camera 100 and the setting of simultaneous photographing transfer.
For example,
(A) When recording to the memory card 92 and transfer of the external device 200 are designated and in the single-shot mode, any one of the processing examples (1) to (5) (B) recording to the memory card 92 and When transfer of the external device 200 is designated and the continuous shooting mode is set, the processing example (6)
(C) When recording is not performed on the memory card 92 but only transfer of the external device 200 is specified and the single-shot mode is selected, either (7) or (8) of the processing example (D) is performed on the memory card 92. Is not recorded, only transfer of the external device 200 is designated, and the continuous shooting mode is specified, a processing example (9)

  A plurality of options can be selected and set by the user from, for example, an initial setting menu screen, and the quick review deletion control unit 58 selects a process based on the set value. Also, under the condition that there is one option, the quick review deletion control unit 58 selects a process based on the setting for simultaneous photographing transfer and the operation mode of the camera.

  Further, the implementation of the processing examples (7) to (9) is not limited to the case where recording on the memory card 92 is explicitly prohibited. For example, even when the conditions (A) and (B) are satisfied, recording to the memory card 92 is not possible due to a lack of free space in the memory card 92 or an abnormality in the memory card 92. It can also be configured to be implemented.

Note that the processing examples (1) to (9) described above are examples, and there is no denying the existence of other processing methods even if the condition is one option here.
For example, the method corresponding to the process (1) and the process (2) may be repeated for a plurality of sheets under the condition (B).
Then, according to the processing method selected by the quick review erasure control unit 58, the system control unit 50 controls the processing described above.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, not only the captured image data is recorded in the memory card 92 attached to the digital camera 100 but also the image at the time of quick review in the digital camera 100 that can be transferred to an external device. An erasure instruction can be handled. In addition, by making it possible for the user to select a desired method from various erasing methods, it is possible to realize an operation that meets the user's request, thereby further improving usability.

<Other embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, only the imaging apparatus configured by one device has been described, but an equivalent function may be realized by a system configured by a plurality of devices.
Further, the above-described embodiment can be realized by software by a computer of a system or apparatus (or CPU, MPU, etc.).

  Accordingly, the computer program itself supplied and installed in the computer in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention.

  In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  In this case, a computer program for realizing the functional processing of the present invention by a computer is supplied to the computer by a storage medium or wired / wireless communication. Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a magnetic storage medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape, an optical / magneto-optical storage medium such as an MO, CD, and DVD, and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

  As a program supply method using wired / wireless communication, there is a method of using a server on a computer network. In this case, a data file (program data file) that can be a computer program forming the present invention is stored in the server. The program data file may be an executable format or a source code.

Then, the program data file is supplied by downloading to a client computer that has accessed the server. In this case, the program data file can be divided into a plurality of segment files, and the segment files can be distributed and arranged on different servers.
In other words, the present invention includes a server device that provides a client computer with a program data file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer.

  In addition, a storage medium in which the computer program of the present invention is encrypted and stored is distributed to users, key information for decryption is supplied to users who satisfy predetermined conditions, and installation on a user's computer is possible It is also possible to do. The key information can be supplied by downloading from a homepage via the Internet, for example.

  In addition, a computer program for realizing the functions of the embodiments by a computer may realize the functions of the embodiments by using the functions of an OS already running on the computer.

  Further, at least a part of the computer program constituting the present invention is provided as firmware such as an expansion board attached to the computer, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized using a CPU provided in the expansion board. good.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the imaging system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st example of the quick review deletion process at the time of the simultaneous imaging | photography transfer which can implement the digital camera of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd example of the quick review erasure | elimination process at the time of the simultaneous imaging | photography transfer which can implement the digital camera of embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a third example of quick review erasure processing at the time of simultaneous photographing transfer that can be performed by the digital camera of the embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth example of quick review erasing processing at the time of simultaneous photographing transfer that can be performed by the digital camera of the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 5th example of the quick review erasure | elimination process at the time of the simultaneous imaging | photography transfer which can implement the digital camera of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 6th example of the quick review deletion process at the time of the simultaneous imaging | photography transfer which can implement the digital camera of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 7th example of the quick review erasure | elimination process at the time of the simultaneous imaging | photography transfer which can implement the digital camera of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 8th example of the quick review erasure | elimination process at the time of the simultaneous imaging | photography transfer which can implement the digital camera of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 9th example of the quick review erasure | elimination process at the time of the simultaneous imaging | photography transfer which can implement the digital camera of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the quick review screen in the digital camera of embodiment.

Claims (6)

An imaging device,
Display means for displaying photographed image data for a predetermined time immediately after photographing;
Detecting means for detecting an input of an instruction to delete the photographed image data within the predetermined time;
Transfer means for transferring the captured image data to an external device;
When the input of the deletion instruction is detected, erases the captured image data having the image pickup apparatus, when the input of the deletion instruction has been detected, already completed transferred by the captured image data is the transfer means If the input of the erasure instruction is detected, the photographic image data is stored in the photographic image data. if in feed retentivity by the transfer means has a control means to stop the transfer,
An image pickup apparatus, wherein the process of displaying the photographed image data by the display unit for a predetermined time and the process of transferring the photographed image data by the transfer unit are executed in parallel.   When the photographed image data is a plurality of photographed image data photographed in a photographing mode in which a plurality of photographings are performed in response to a single photographing instruction, the control means stores the plurality of photographed image data. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the erasure request is transmitted so as to be erased.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to execute the erasure request transmission process by the control unit is set based on a user selection.   4. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays an index indicating that an input of an instruction to delete the captured image data within the predetermined time is received together with the captured image data. 5. The imaging device described. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus,
A display step of displaying the captured image data for a predetermined time immediately after shooting;
A detection step of detecting an input of an instruction to delete the photographed image data within the predetermined time;
An image transfer step of transferring the captured image data to an external device;
When the input of the deletion instruction is detected, erases the captured image data having the image pickup apparatus, when the input of the deletion instruction is detected in the detection step, the captured image data has already been completed Transfer If an erasure request for requesting the erasure of the captured image data is transmitted to the external device and the input of the erasure instruction is detected in the detection step, the captured image data is transferred. If it is in transit, it has a control process to cancel the transfer ,
A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, wherein the display in the display step and the transfer in the image transfer step are executed in parallel.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer included in an imaging apparatus to execute the steps of the imaging apparatus control method according to claim 5.

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