JP4785309B2 - Image recording apparatus, image recording method, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relating image recording apparatus, images recording method, a computer readable storage medium and computer program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When shooting with auto bracket using an electronic still camera, you can shoot the set number of shots while changing the shooting conditions like a silver salt camera, and a method specific to an electronic still camera. Actual shooting is performed only once, and image processing including the shooting conditions in the bracket shooting mode is performed internally based on one reference image data and shooting conditions of the bracket shooting mode. Some of them produce images of the shooting results.
[0003]
In addition, in an electronic still camera that has no temporary storage area before image processing, if image processing takes time, the number of continuous shots cannot be earned, so image processing is not performed when set to continuous shooting mode. The image data is stored in the storage area. For example, data is directly stored in a storage area such as a buffer or a hard disk, and the stored data is read out again after continuous shooting and sent to the image processing unit to perform image processing. An electronic still camera that saves data in a storage area has also been proposed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In an electronic camera having a temporary storage area such as a buffer (hereinafter referred to as a pre-buffer) in front of the image processing unit, a plurality of images are actually photographed one by one according to the photographing conditions in the auto bracket photographing mode like a silver halide photograph In some cases, it is necessary to secure a temporary storage area before shooting.
[0005]
In addition, as a configuration unique to an electronic still camera, when image data taken once is used as a base and internal image processing is performed based on auto bracket shooting conditions from the image data, image data for image processing is converted into image data. In order to send it to the processing unit, it is necessary to duplicate the basic image data and shooting information for the number of brackets shot.
[0006]
In any case, in the case of the conventional electronic camera, it is necessary to secure the storage area of the front buffer. Therefore, in normal shooting, shooting can be performed if there is a place where shooting data for one image can be stored. However, in auto bracket shooting, a plurality of storage areas must be secured. There was a problem that the printing speed slowed down.
[0007]
Furthermore, in order to obtain the result of auto bracket shooting, the image data copied to the previous buffer is not processed by the image processing unit, and the result is obtained. There is also a method of obtaining an image of the result of auto bracket shooting from the above. In that case, it is necessary to secure the storage capacity of the buffer.
[0008]
Securing an area for temporarily storing image data and shooting information in the front buffer means that, for example, 12 sheets of image data can be secured in the front buffer, and auto bracket shooting is performed with shooting conditions as a standard ± Suppose you want to shoot three photos with different conditions for one stage. In terms of the system, in this case, it is necessary to confirm the area before photographing, and even if all of them are free, only four times of auto bracket photographing can be performed.
[0009]
Even with an electronic still camera that uses the image data for one time in the previous buffer, internally creates an auto bracket shooting result by image processing, and temporarily stores the created result in the later buffer, it will eventually be There is a problem that the number of images that can be shot is limited by the size of the storage area of the buffer.
[0010]
Next, in the continuous shooting mode, in an electronic still camera in which image data is sent to a storage area after the image processing unit without image processing, the image data is sent again to the image processing unit after image capturing and image processing is performed again. So there was a possibility of missing a photo opportunity.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent the continuous shooting speed and the number of continuous shootings from being reduced when auto bracket shooting is performed in the continuous shooting mode.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image recording apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and outputs RAW data, a pre-buffer that stores RAW data output by the imaging unit, and RAW data that is read from the pre-buffer based on photographing information. Image processing means for image processing and outputting image data, and image data after image processing by the image processing means or RAW data before image processing by the image processing means depending on the shooting mode. System control means for controlling recording in a storage medium, and when shooting is performed in auto bracket shooting mode, the system control means performs the image processing for one auto bracket shooting. One set of shooting information including the raw data before shooting and shooting conditions when the shooting operation is performed is stored in the storage medium. Characterized in that the Gosuru.
[0014]
The image recording method of the present invention includes an image processing unit that performs image processing on the RAW data output by the imaging unit imaging a subject and outputs the image data, and performs image processing by the image processing unit according to a shooting mode. An image recording method of an image recording apparatus for recording image data after being processed, or RAW data before being subjected to image processing by the image processing means, on a storage medium, when shooting is performed in auto bracket shooting mode Controls to save in the storage medium one set of shooting information including the RAW data before the image processing and shooting conditions when the shooting operation is performed for each auto bracket shooting. It is characterized by.
[0015]
A computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by recording a program for causing a computer to execute the image recording method .
[0016]
A computer program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute the image recording method.
[0017]
Since the present invention has the above technical means, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the front buffer is limited by the number of auto bracket shooting during auto bracket shooting, and it is possible to increase the number of continuous shooting. In addition, the storage capacity of the previous buffer can be taken as long as the RAW data (data generated by shooting performed by the imaging unit (raw data)) size and its shooting information is set, and set in the auto bracket shooting mode It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that shooting cannot be performed until a free space for the number of shots is secured.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of an image recording apparatus, an electronic still camera, an image recording method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an image pickup unit, which includes all modules related to photographing such as a lens, a diaphragm, and a CCD. Reference numeral 11 denotes a pre-buffer in a temporary storage area that stores the photographed RAW image data and the photographing information in association with each other.
[0020]
An image processing unit 12 performs image processing based on the RAW image data stored in the previous buffer 11 and its shooting information. Reference numeral 13 denotes a post-buffer in a temporary storage area for storing image data processed and unprocessed by the image processing unit 12 and shooting information thereof.
[0021]
Reference numeral 14 denotes an interface between the rear buffer 13 and a final storage medium 17 such as a hard disk.
Reference numeral 15 denotes an intermediate buffer in a temporary storage area for storing image data and shooting information for displaying the result of shooting by auto bracket shooting on a TFT display unit 18 to be described later.
[0022]
A memory control unit 16 controls the temporary storage area. Reference numeral 17 denotes a final storage medium such as a hard disk. A TFT display unit 18 displays image data. A system control unit 19 controls the entire system. Reference numeral 20 denotes a shooting mode setting unit having a function capable of changing and updating system settings such as a shooting mode and shooting conditions.
Reference numeral 21 denotes a photographing operation unit for performing a release operation.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a basic processing procedure in the auto bracket shooting mode of the present embodiment.
When the operation is started and the auto bracket shooting mode is set by the shooting mode setting unit 20 (step S101), the system control unit 19 uses the shooting information attached to the image data to the image processing unit 12, It sets so that it may not process an image with respect to the image image | photographed as auto bracket photography (step S102).
[0024]
When the photographing operation is performed by the photographing operation unit 21 (step S103), the photographed image data is stored in the front buffer 11, and the photographing information at that time is also stored in the front buffer 11 as one piece of photographing data. (Step S104).
[0025]
The image data and shooting information stored in the previous buffer 11 are sent to the image processing unit 12. If the image data is image data obtained by auto bracket shooting from the content of the shooting information, the image data and shooting information are sent to the rear buffer 13 as they are without processing the image data (step S105).
[0026]
The image data sent from the image processing unit 12 and the photographing information thereof are accumulated in the rear buffer 13 (step S106), and stored in the final storage medium 17 such as a hard disk at a certain timing (step S107).
[0027]
Here, consider a system in which the number of shots in the bracket shooting mode is set to three. When shooting in continuous shooting mode, if you need 3 storage areas for one auto bracket shooting as in the conventional method, auto bracket shooting should be performed only 1/3 times. I can't.
[0028]
On the other hand, since the image recording apparatus of the present embodiment stores only basic image data and shooting information for one auto bracket shooting, auto bracket shooting is performed for the maximum number of images that can be continuously shot in the front buffer 11. Is possible.
[0029]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure related to setting of the image confirmation function after photographing in the auto bracket photographing mode of the present embodiment.
[0030]
First, when the auto bracket shooting mode is set by the shooting mode setting unit 20 (step S101), it is next determined whether or not there is a request for image confirmation after shooting (step S201). As a result of this determination, if there is a request for image confirmation, the image data taken and the photographing information thereof are stored in the front buffer 11 through the release (step S103) (step S104).
[0031]
On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S201 is that there is no request for image confirmation after shooting, the process is the same as in the flowchart of FIG. 2 (steps S105 to S107).
[0032]
When the auto bracket shooting mode and the image confirmation function after shooting are set by the shooting mode setting unit 20, the system control unit 19 makes the following request to the image processing unit 12.
That is, when the image processing unit 12 determines that the image data is captured in the auto bracket shooting mode from the shooting information, the image processing unit 12 determines the auto bracket shooting conditions and other information based on the attached shooting information. The imaging conditions are changed, and image data that is the result of auto bracket imaging is created (step S202).
[0033]
Next, it is determined whether or not each image data is stored in the intermediate buffer (step S203). As a result of this determination, the image data generated by the image processing unit 12 and the shooting information thereof are accumulated in the intermediate buffer 15 (step S204), and the RAW data in the front buffer 11 and the accompanying shooting information are stored in the back buffer. 13 (step S106).
[0034]
Next, it is determined whether or not shooting has been completed (step S205). If the end operation is not performed as a result of the determination, the process returns to the release (step S103) standby state.
[0035]
If it is determined that the process is completed, it is next determined whether or not there is a request for image confirmation after shooting (step S206). If the result of this determination is that there is a request for image confirmation after shooting, the system control unit 19 outputs the image data from the intermediate buffer 15 to the TFT display unit 18 for display (step S207). If the result of determination in step S206 is that there is no request for image confirmation after shooting, the processing ends.
[0036]
Further, when the image data of the rear buffer 13 and the shooting information thereof are recorded in the final storage medium 17 such as a hard disk at a certain timing and the next shooting starts, the image data of the intermediate buffer 15 and the shooting information associated therewith are deleted. Used for the next shooting data.
[0037]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart regarding the image display after the photographing is once ended in the present embodiment.
[0038]
First, the auto bracket shooting mode is set by the shooting mode setting unit 20 (step S101). Next, it is determined whether there is a request for image confirmation after shooting (step S201). If the result of this determination is that there is no request, the auto bracket shooting operation has been completed, so the image data and shooting information are stored in the rear buffer 13 after the image processing unit 12 or the final storage medium 17 such as a hard disk (step). S301). On the other hand, if there is a request for image confirmation as a result of the determination in step S201, the process proceeds to step S103 in FIG.
[0039]
Thereafter, when there is a request for image confirmation (step S302), the system returns the image data and its shooting information from the final storage medium 17, which is the final storage medium, to the rear buffer 13 (step S303).
The image data and shooting information stored as auto bracket shooting is sent again to the image processing unit 12, and the image processing unit 12 performs image processing according to a change in accordance with shooting conditions regarding auto bracket shooting in the shooting information (step). S202).
[0040]
Next, the image data processed by the image processing unit 12 and the shooting information are output to the intermediate buffer 15 (step S304).
Next, the system control unit 19 displays the image data output to the intermediate buffer 15 and the contents of the shooting information on the TFT display unit 18 (step S207).
[0041]
(Another embodiment of the present invention)
The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device.
[0042]
Further, in order to operate various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, a transmission medium such as the Internet is transmitted from a storage medium to an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in the system. The program implemented by operating the various devices according to the program stored in the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is supplied via the software program code for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments Are included in the scope of the present invention.
[0043]
In this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code are stored. This storage medium constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0044]
Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions described in the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other operating system in which the program code is running on the computer. Such program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions described in the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with application software or the like.
[0045]
Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code The present invention also includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when shooting in the auto bracket shooting mode, images shot in the auto bracket shooting mode are not used except when checking images on a display unit such as a TFT in the system. The image data that was actually shot and its shooting information are recorded in each storage area in the system, so the bracket that has been set when shooting in auto bracket shooting mode in continuous shooting mode. It can be avoided that it takes time to secure a temporary storage area depending on the number of shots, and the actual number of shots is not limited by the storage area and the number of bracket shots. As a result, it is possible to shoot only the storage area, and it is possible to avoid dropping the number of continuous shots.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation during auto bracket shooting.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure when used in combination with a mode for confirming an image after shooting;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of an operation procedure for displaying an image after completion of photographing;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Imaging unit 11 Front buffer (temporary storage area)
12 Image processing unit 13 Rear buffer (temporary storage area)
14 I / F (Hard disk and other storage media interface)
15 Intermediate buffer (temporary storage area)
16 Memory control unit 17 Final storage medium (hard disk)
18 TFT display unit 19 System control unit 20 Shooting mode setting unit 21 Shooting operation unit

Claims (7)

An imaging unit for imaging a subject and outputting RAW data;
A pre-buffer for storing RAW data output by the imaging unit;
Image processing means for performing image processing on RAW data read from the previous buffer based on shooting information and outputting image data;
System control means for controlling the recording of the image data after the image processing by the image processing means or the RAW data before the image processing by the image processing means in a storage medium according to the shooting mode;
Have
When shooting is performed in the auto bracket shooting mode, the system control unit performs the RAW data before the image processing and shooting conditions when the shooting operation is performed for one auto bracket shooting. An image recording apparatus that controls to store in the storage medium one set of shooting information including   When an image confirmation request is set after the recording to the storage medium is completed, the system control unit reads the RAW data from the storage medium, and the image processing unit reads the RAW data based on the read RAW data. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is controlled to display an image on a display unit.   When an intermediate buffer for temporarily storing image data after image processing by the image processing means is provided, and there is an image confirmation request before recording to the storage medium is completed in the auto bracket shooting mode, The system control means controls the image processing means to perform image processing of the RAW data and store it in the intermediate buffer, read the processed image data from the intermediate buffer, and display it on the display means. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   4. The system control unit according to claim 3, wherein the image-processed image data is stored in the intermediate buffer, and the unprocessed RAW data and shooting information are recorded in the storage medium. The image recording apparatus described. The image processing unit has an image processing unit that performs image processing on the RAW data output by imaging the subject and outputs the image data, and depending on the shooting mode, the image data after the image processing by the image processing unit, or An image recording method of an image recording apparatus for recording RAW data before image processing by the image processing means on a storage medium,
When shooting is performed in the auto bracket shooting mode, one shooting information including RAW data before the image processing and shooting conditions when the shooting operation is performed is performed for each auto bracket shooting. An image recording method comprising: controlling a set to be stored in the storage medium.   A computer-readable storage medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the image recording method according to claim 5.   A computer program for causing a computer to execute the image recording method according to claim 5.

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