JP5381126B2 - Electronic still camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic still camera having a pre-shooting function.

  2. Description of the Related Art An electronic still camera having a pre-capture shooting function that is an optional function of high-speed continuous shooting is known. This pre-shooting function is a shooting function that records several images taken at high speed immediately before the shutter is pressed together with images taken at high speed after the shutter is pressed in shooting at high speed continuous shooting. is there. As such a technique, the technique of Patent Document 1 is known.

Japanese Patent No. 3114657

By the way, the number of images to be captured in advance is fixed or set in advance before the user takes a picture.
Therefore, in the pre-shooting function of the electronic still camera according to Patent Document 1, when the remaining number of images that can be shot on the storage medium, which is a storage memory, is small, the storage memory becomes full with the pre-shooted image. There was a problem that the number of images stored during continuous shooting of the image was reduced. Thus, when preemptive continuous shooting is performed when the free capacity of the storage medium is reduced, there are cases where images that are originally intended for the user to record at high-speed continuous shooting are hardly recorded.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to perform high-speed continuous shooting that the user originally wants to record even when pre-shooting continuous shooting is performed when the free space of the storage medium is low. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic still camera capable of recording an image.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. An imaging optical system, an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the imaging optical system into a video signal, and the imaging unit obtained from the imaging unit. A recording unit for recording a video signal in a storage medium; a buffer memory unit capable of temporarily storing a plurality of video signals output from the imaging unit; and a release signal for starting a recording operation by the recording unit. A release signal generation unit that generates, a preliminary shooting signal generation unit for starting a video signal storing operation in the buffer memory unit before the release signal is generated, and the imaging unit in response to the generation of the preliminary shooting signal The preliminary image capturing unit that stores the obtained video signal for a plurality of screens in the buffer memory unit, the free space detection unit that detects the free space of the storage medium, and the free space detection unit detect In accordance with the free capacity of the storage medium, it calculates the recordable number is number of screens can be recorded in the storage medium, on the basis of the number of recordable stored in the buffer memory by the preliminary imaging unit Among the video signals, a setting unit for setting the number of screens of the video signal transferred and recorded from the buffer memory unit to the storage medium, and the number of screens of the video signal stored in the buffer memory unit by the preliminary photographing unit , When the number of screens set by the setting unit is less than the number of screens stored in the buffer memory unit by the preliminary shooting unit, the video signals for the number of screens are transferred and recorded in the storage medium, and the preliminary shooting unit stores the video signals. If the number of screens of the video signal stored in the buffer memory unit is greater than or equal to the number of screens set by the setting unit, the preliminary shooting unit performs the buffer memo operation. It is an electronic still camera, comprising the said control unit for the latest image signal of the screen number of which is set by the setting unit to transfer the recording to the storage medium of the screen of the stored video signal in part .

  According to the present invention, the setting unit sets the number of screens of the video signal to be transferred and recorded from the buffer memory unit to the storage medium according to the free space of the storage medium detected by the free space detection unit. As a result, even when pre-taken continuous shooting is performed when the free space of the storage medium is reduced, it is possible to record an image at the time of high-speed continuous shooting that the user originally wants to record.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic still camera by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a memory map of the buffer memory part as an example. It is a 1st flowchart explaining operation | movement of the camera by this embodiment. It is a 2nd flowchart explaining operation | movement of the camera by this embodiment. It is a 1st table | surface which shows the S1 continuous shooting number of sheets and the S2 continuous shooting number as an example. It is a 2nd table | surface which shows the S1 continuous shooting number of sheets and the S2 continuous shooting number as an example. It is a 1st figure which shows the imaging | photography operation | movement of the camera by this embodiment. It is a 2nd figure which shows the imaging operation of the camera by this embodiment. It is a 3rd figure which shows the imaging | photography operation | movement of the camera by this embodiment. It is a 4th figure which shows the imaging | photography operation | movement of the camera by this embodiment. It is a 5th figure which shows the imaging operation of the camera by this embodiment. It is a 6th figure which shows the imaging operation of the camera by this embodiment. It is a 7th figure which shows the imaging | photography operation | movement of the camera by this embodiment. It is an 8th figure which shows the imaging | photography operation | movement of the camera by this embodiment. It is a 9th figure which shows the imaging | photography operation | movement of the camera by this embodiment. It is a 10th figure which shows the imaging operation of the camera by this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the order of the image memorize | stored in the buffer memory part as an example. It is a 3rd table | surface which shows the S1 continuous copying number of sheets and the S2 continuous shooting number as an example.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic still camera 1 (hereinafter referred to as camera 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 1 includes an imaging unit 10, a CPU 15, a buffer memory unit 16, an operation unit 17, an image processing unit 18, a memory unit 19, and an I / F (interface) unit 20. And have.

  The imaging unit 10 includes an optical system 12 having a photographic lens 11, an imaging device 13, and an A / D conversion unit 14. The imaging unit 10 is controlled by the CPU 15 based on the set imaging conditions (for example, aperture value, exposure value, etc.) and is incident. Image information which is a digital signal is generated from light. That is, the optical system 12 controls the amount of light incident from the photographing lens 11 based on the set aperture value, and forms an image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 13.

  The image sensor 13 controls the exposure time of the image sensor 13 based on the set exposure value, and photoelectrically converts the image signal imaged on the light receiving surface. The A / D converter 14 converts the analog image signal output from the image sensor 13 into a digital signal.

  As described above, when the imaging unit 10 receives an imaging instruction from the user via the release button or the like, the imaging unit 10 generates an image signal from the light incident on the imaging lens 11 based on the imaging conditions such as the set aperture value and exposure value. And stored in the buffer memory unit 16 as image information.

  The buffer memory unit 16 is a memory that temporarily stores image information captured by the imaging unit 10. The buffer memory unit 16 is composed of a semiconductor frame memory such as a RAM element in which stored contents can be rewritten, and has a capacity capable of storing about several screens of captured still images.

  The storage medium 2 is detachably provided to the camera 1 body through a memory card insertion hole on the side surface of the camera 1 body. The storage medium 2 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The video signal can be recorded on the storage medium 2 by both direct recording of the output of the A / D conversion unit 14 and transfer recording of reading and recording the signal once stored in the buffer memory unit 16. This storage medium 2 generally has a larger storage content than the buffer memory unit 16.

  The I / F unit 20 is an interface circuit that executes writing of image information to the storage medium 2 and reading of image information from the storage medium 2. The image processing unit 18 performs image conversion processing, image compression processing, and the like on the image information stored in the buffer memory unit 16 as will be described later. The CPU 15 receives a switch input from the user via the operation unit 17 and controls the operation of the camera 1. The configuration of the CPU 15 will be described later.

  The operation unit 17 includes a half-push switch 171 and a release switch 172. The half-press switch 171 and the release switch 172 are switched on and off in conjunction with the pressing operation of a release button provided on the outer surface of the camera 1. When the release button is pressed lightly to about half of the full stroke, the half-press switch 171 is switched from OFF to ON, and when the release button is pressed deeply nearly to the full stroke, the release switch 172 is also switched from OFF to ON. The release switch 172 generates a release signal for starting the photographing operation by the CPU 15.

  In the following description, the half-push switch 171 is referred to as a switch S1, and the release switch 172 is referred to as a switch S2. In addition, continuously storing captured image data in the buffer memory unit 16 while only the switch S1 is being pressed is referred to as “S1 continuous shooting”. The captured image data stored in the above will be hereinafter referred to as “S1 continuous image”. The number of “S1 continuous shot images” will be referred to as “S1 continuous shot number”.

  In addition, when the switch S2 is pressed during acquisition of the prefetch image and then the switch S2 is kept pressed, the continuous storage of the captured image data in the buffer memory unit 16 is referred to as “S2 continuous shooting”. The captured image data continuously stored in the memory unit 16 is hereinafter referred to as “S2 continuous image”. The number of “S2 continuous shot images” will be referred to as “S2 continuous shot number”. In the memory unit 19, S1 continuous shooting number information, which is information indicating the value of the S1 continuous shooting number, is stored in advance in association with the number of shootable images.

  Next, the configuration of the CPU 15 will be described. The CPU 15 includes a preliminary shooting signal generation unit, a preliminary shooting unit, a free space detection unit, a setting unit, and a control unit. The preliminary photographing signal generation unit starts the video signal storing operation in the buffer memory unit 16 before the release signal is generated when the release switch 172 is turned on. The preliminary shooting unit stores the video signal obtained from the imaging unit in the buffer memory unit 16 for a plurality of screens in response to the generation of the preliminary shooting signal when the half-push switch 171 is turned on.

  The free capacity detection unit detects the free capacity of the storage medium 2 via the I / F unit 20. The setting unit sets the number of screens of video signals to be transferred and recorded from the buffer memory unit 16 to the storage medium 2 according to the free space of the storage medium 2 detected by the free space detection unit. The control unit transfers and records the video signal stored in the buffer memory unit 16 by the preliminary photographing unit to the screen storage medium 2 set by the setting unit via the I / F unit 20.

  For example, the setting unit calculates the number of images that can be recorded on the storage medium 2 based on the free capacity of the storage medium 2 detected by the free capacity detection unit. Then, the setting unit sets the number of video signal screens to be transferred and recorded from the buffer memory unit 16 to the storage medium 2 based on the calculated number of images.

  Here, in calculating the number of images that can be recorded in the storage medium 2, the image capacity per image is substantially determined according to the image size and compression rate set in the shooting mode. Therefore, for example, the setting unit divides the value of the free space of the storage medium 2 detected by the free space detection unit by the value of the image capacity per image determined by the image size and the compression rate set by the shooting mode. To calculate.

  Next, a memory map of the buffer memory unit 16 as an example will be described with reference to FIG. The buffer memory unit 16 has a VRAM area, a RAW area, a YCbCr area, and a compressed data area. The VRAM area is used when an image is displayed on the display unit of the camera 1. In the RAW area, the video signal A / D converted by the A / D converter 14 is recorded. In the YCbCr area, an image read from the RAW area is subjected to image conversion processing by the image processing unit 18 and stored. In the compressed data area, the image read from the YCbCr area is subjected to image compression processing by the image processing unit 18 and is recorded for each of the plurality. In the present embodiment, 45 images are recorded in this compressed data area as will be described later. In the present embodiment, the processing in the compressed data area is mainly performed, and hereinafter, the compressed data area will be referred to as the buffer memory unit 16 for explanation.

  Next, the operation of the camera 1 according to the present embodiment, that is, the operation of the CPU 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the buffer memory unit 16 will be described as a buffer.

  First, the remaining capacity is checked (step S101). Next, the number of recordable sheets is calculated based on the remaining capacity checked in step S101 (step S102). For example, the capacity per image is determined in advance based on the image size of the image to be captured and the compression rate when the image is compressed. Therefore, the recordable number of sheets is calculated by dividing the value of the remaining capacity checked in step S101 by the value of the capacity per image when the image is taken. Next, the S1 continuous shooting number is set based on the calculated recordable number (step S103).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the switch S1 is turned on (step S104). If it is determined in step S104 that the switch S1 is not turned on, the process returns to step S104. That is, the process of step S104 is repeated until the switch S1 is turned on.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the switch S1 is turned on, shooting is performed by S1 continuous shooting (step S105). Next, image processing and compression processing are performed on an image captured by S1 continuous shooting (step S106).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the buffer is full (whether or not the buffer capacity is free) (step S107). If it is determined in step S107 that the buffer is full, the buffer position where the oldest image is stored among the images recorded in the buffer is set as the writing position (step S108). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S107 that the buffer is not full, the head position of the empty area of the buffer is set as the write position (step S109).

  Next, the image is stored in the buffer at the writing position set in step S108 or step S109 (step S110).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the switch S1 is turned on (step S111). If it is determined in step S104 that the switch S1 is on, the process returns to step S105. That is, the process from step S105 described above is repeated during the period in which the switch S1 is on. As a result, when there is free space in the buffer, images are sequentially stored in this free space. When there is no free space in the buffer or when there is no free space in the buffer, the oldest images are overwritten in sequence on the captured images. In this way, the latest image captured by continuous shooting is stored in the buffer by the capacity of the buffer.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S111 described above that the switch S1 is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the switch S2 is turned on (step S112). If it is determined in step S112 that the switch S2 is not turned on, the image stored in the buffer is cleared (step S113), and the process returns to step S104.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S112 described above that the switch S2 is on, shooting is performed by S2 continuous shooting (step S120). Next, image processing and compression processing are performed on an image captured by S2 continuous shooting (step S121).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the switch S1 is turned off (step S122). If it is determined in step S122 that the switch S1 is not turned off, it is determined whether or not S2 continuous shooting has been performed by the number obtained by subtracting the S1 continuous shooting number from the buffer number (step S123).

  If it is determined in step S123 that the S2 continuous shooting is not performed by the number obtained by subtracting the S1 continuous shooting number from the buffer number, the process returns to step S120. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S123 that S2 continuous shooting has been performed by the number obtained by subtracting the S1 continuous shooting number from the buffer number, the set number of S1 continuous shooting images and S2 continuous shooting images are stored in the storage medium. Recording is performed (step S124), and the process returns to step S101. In step S124, the set number of S1 continuous shot images are recorded in order from the newest one.

  Next, as an example, the S1 continuous shooting number and the S2 continuous shooting number will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, a case where the number of images that can be continuously shot is 45, that is, the number of images recorded in the buffer memory unit 16 is 45 will be described. For example, S1 continuous shooting number information, which is information indicating the value of the S1 continuous shooting number described here, is stored in advance in the memory unit 19 in association with the number of shootable images.

(A) When the number of images that can be recorded on the storage medium 2 is 45 or more, that is, when the storage medium 2 is in a normal state with sufficient free space, the number of S1 continuous shots is 10 and S2 The number of continuous shots is 35 (= 45-10) which is the remaining number of continuous shots.

(B) When the number of images recordable on the storage medium 2 is 7 or more and 44 or less, that is, when the capacity of the storage medium 2 is small, the number of S1 continuous shots is set to 5 and the number of S2 continuous shots Is the remaining number of sheets that can be shot continuously (the number of sheets that can be stored—six sheets).

(C) When the number of images that can be recorded on the storage medium 2 is 1 or more and 6 or less, that is, when the capacity of the storage medium 2 is very small, the number of S1 continuous shots is set to 5 and S2 continuous Let the number of copies be the remaining number of images that can be shot continuously (the number of images that can be stored-6).

  The S1 continuous shooting number and the S2 continuous shooting number described with reference to FIG. 5 are tables showing the correspondence between the S1 continuous shooting number and the S2 continuous shooting number when the user takes the maximum number of S1 continuous shooting images. . Here, the S1 continuous shot image is taken in a period in which the switch S1 is pressed by the user and the switch S2 is not pressed. Therefore, the number of S1 continuous shots depends on the user's shooting method.

  Next, the maximum number of S1 continuous shots and S2 continuous shots when the user has taken an arbitrary number of S1 continuous shots will be described with reference to FIG.

(A1) When the number of images that can be recorded in the storage medium 2 is 45 or more and the user stores 10 or more S1 continuous shot images, the number of S1 continuous shots is 10 and S2 continuous shooting is performed. The number of sheets is 35. Here, the S1 continuous shot image is overwritten on the S2 continuous shot image except for the latest 10 images. That is, the S1 continuous shot image is set to 10 images immediately before the S2 continuous shot image.

(A2) When the number of images that can be recorded on the storage medium 2 is 45 or more and the user stores N S1 continuous shot images (N is 0 to 9 here), S1 continuous shooting The number of sheets is N, and the number of S2 continuous shots is (45-N). That is, the continuous image is stored up to the upper limit of the capacity of the buffer memory unit 16.

(B1) When the number of images that can be recorded on the storage medium 2 is 7 or more and 44 or less, and the user stores 5 or more S1 continuous shot images, the number of S1 continuous shots is set to 5; The number of S2 continuous shots is the remaining number of continuous shots (storable number minus 5). Here, the S1 continuous shot image is overwritten on the S2 continuous shot image except for the latest five images. That is, the S1 continuous shot image is set to five immediately before the S2 continuous shot image.

(B2) When the number of images that can be recorded in the storage medium 2 is 7 or more and 44 or less, and the user stores N S1 continuous shot images (where N is 0 to 5), The number of S1 continuous shots is N, and the number of S2 continuous shots is the remaining number of sheets that can be continuously shot (storable number-N). That is, S2 continuous shot images are stored until the S1 continuous shot image storage number is subtracted from the upper limit of the storable number.

(C1) When the number of images that can be recorded on the storage medium 2 is 1 or more and 6 or less, the S1 continuous shooting number is set to 0 regardless of the number of S1 continuous shooting images by the user, and the S2 continuous shooting is performed. The number of sheets is the remaining number of sheets that can be shot continuously (number of storable sheets minus 0). That is, only the S2 continuous shot image is stored.

  Next, a specific photographing operation of the camera 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, reference numerals used in the following drawings will be described. First, the frame No. will be described. Inside the camera 1, the imaging element 13 is scanned and photographed every predetermined time. Here, the frame No. is identification information indicating the number of times the image sensor 13 has been scanned. In the following description, the operation of the camera 1 will be described on the assumption that the frame No. continues in order from the frame No01. In addition, in order to identify the images that are captured in order, the images are numbered in the order of the captured images, and are described as image 01, image 02, image 03,. In addition, here, an image taken in the frame No where the switch S2 is pressed halfway is included in the S2 continuous shot image.

<When the number of images that can be saved is 45 or more>
First, a case where the number of storable sheets is 45 or more will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, since the storable number is 45 or more, the maximum number of S1 continuous shot images is 10. In this case, the maximum number of S2 continuous shots is 35 (= 45-10).

  First, referring to FIG. 7, a case will be described in which 10 or more S1 continuous images are acquired and then an S2 continuous image is captured up to the buffer full. For example, a case where the pressing of the switch S1 is started in the period from the middle of the frame No02 to the middle of the frame No51, and the switch S2 is pressed in the period after the frame No85 from the middle of the frame No51 will be described.

  First, in response to the switch S1 being pressed in the middle of the frame No02, an image is shot from the frame No03 as an S1 continuous image. Thereafter, every time the frame number increases, images are sequentially captured as S1 continuous fire images. Then, at frame No. 47, 45 images that are the upper limit of the capacity of the buffer memory unit 16 are taken.

  Since 45 frames that are the upper limit of the capacity of the buffer memory unit 16 are captured in this frame No. 47, in the next frame No. 48, the oldest image among the images recorded in the buffer memory unit 16 is overwritten. For example, in frame No. 48, the image 01 is overwritten with the image 46 and photographed. Thereafter, every time the frame number increases, images are overwritten in order from the oldest image recorded in the buffer memory unit 16.

  Next, in response to the switch S2 being pressed in the middle of the frame No51, an image from the frame No51 is captured as an S2 continuous image. Thereafter, every time the frame number increases, images are taken in order as an S2 continuous image. Then, in frame No. 85, 35 S2 consecutive images, which is the maximum number of S2 consecutive images, are taken.

  The image recorded in the buffer memory unit 16 is stored in the storage medium 2 in response to the completion of the processing in frame No. 85 and shooting of 35 S2 consecutive images, which is the maximum number of S2 consecutive images. In this case, 10 S1 continuous shot images immediately before the switch S2 is pressed and 35 S2 continuous shot images are stored. That is, a total of 45 images including 10 S1 continuous images of frames No. 41 to 50 and 35 S2 continuous images of frames No. 51 to 85 are stored.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a case will be described in which after capturing 10 or more S1 continuous images, the S2 continuous images are not captured until the buffer full. For example, a case where the pressing of the switch S1 is started in the period from the middle of the frame No02 to the middle of the frame No51 and the switch S2 is pressed in the period from the middle of the frame No51 to the middle of the frame No83 will be described.

  The operation in FIG. 8 up to the frame No. 82 where the switch S2 is released to the user is the same as the operation up to the frame No. 82 in FIG. 7, so that the description thereof will be omitted and only the difference in operation will be described. In FIG. 8, the image recorded in the buffer memory unit 16 is stored in the storage medium 2 in response to the user releasing the switch S2 in the middle of the frame No. 83.

  In this case, 10 S1 continuous shot images immediately before the switch S2 is pressed and 33 S2 continuous shot images up to the frame No. 83 from which the switch S2 is released are stored. That is, a total of 43 images including 10 S1 continuous images of frames No. 41 to 50 and 33 S2 continuous images of frames No. 51 to 83 are stored.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a case where nine or less S1 continuous shot images are acquired and then an S2 continuous shot image is captured up to the buffer full will be described. For example, a case where pressing of the switch S1 is started in the period from the middle of the frame No45 to the middle of the frame No51 and the switch S2 is pressed in the period after the frame No90 from the middle of the frame No51 will be described.

  In the case of the operation of FIG. 9, the number of S1 continuous shots is 5 from frame No. 46 to 50, so the maximum number of S2 continuous shots is 40 (= 45-5). Therefore, a total of 45 images including five S1 continuous shot images of frames No. 46 to 50 and 40 S2 continuous shot images of frames No. 51 to 90 are stored.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a case will be described in which after capturing nine or less S1 continuous images, the S2 continuous images are not captured until the buffer full. For example, a case where the pressing of the switch S1 is started in the period from the middle of the frame No45 to the middle of the frame No51 and the switch S2 is pressed in the period from the middle of the frame No51 to the middle of the frame No87 will be described.

  In the operation of FIG. 10, the number of S1 continuous shots is 5 from frame No. 46 to 50, so the maximum number of S2 continuous shots is 40 (= 45-5). However, since the user releases the switch S2 in the middle of the frame No87, the S2 continuous shot images up to the frame No87 are stored. Therefore, a total of 42 images including five S1 continuous shot images of frames No. 46 to 50 and 37 S2 continuous shot images of frames No. 51 to 87 are stored.

<When the number of storable sheets is 7 or more and 44 or less>
Next, the case where the number of storable sheets is 7 or more and 44 or less will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, since the storable number is 7 or more and 44 or less, the maximum number of S1 continuous shots is 5. Here, the case where the number of storable sheets is 40 will be specifically described. In this case, the maximum number of S2 continuous shots is 35 (= 40-5).

  First, a case where five or more S1 continuous shot images are acquired and then an S2 continuous shot image is captured to the buffer full will be described with reference to FIG. For example, a case where the pressing of the switch S1 is started in the period from the middle of the frame No02 to the middle of the frame No51, and the switch S2 is pressed in the period after the frame No85 from the middle of the frame No51 will be described.

  The operation of FIG. 11 is the same as that of the operation of FIG. 7 until 35 S2 consecutive images, which are the maximum number of S2 consecutive images, are captured. Therefore, the operation up to capturing 35 S2 consecutive images, which is the maximum number of S2 consecutive images, is omitted, and only the differences will be described.

  In the operation of FIG. 11, in response to the completion of the processing in frame No. 85 and shooting of 35 S2 continuous images, which is the maximum number of S2 continuous images, the image recorded in the buffer memory unit 16 is stored in the storage medium 2. Save to. In this case, the five S1 continuous shot images immediately before the switch S2 is pressed and the 35 S2 continuous shot images are stored. That is, a total of 40 images including five S1 continuous shot images of frames No. 46 to 50 and 35 S2 continuous shot images of frames No. 51 to 85 are stored. As described above, the number of S1 continuous shot images is 10 in the case of the operation of FIG. 7, whereas the number of S1 continuous shot images is 5 in the case of the operation of FIG. 11.

  7 and 11 described above, the user presses the switch S1 in the middle of the frame No02 and continues to press the switch S2 in the middle of the frame No51, and the user's operation is the same. However, the storable number is 45 or more in FIG. 7, whereas the storable number is as small as 40 in FIG. As described above, when the storable number is smaller than the maximum continuous shooting number, the camera 1 according to the present embodiment performs the shooting by reducing the S1 continuous shooting number from 10 to 5. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even when the storable number is smaller than the maximum number of continuous shots, the user can simply perform shooting by the same operation as when the storable number is equal to or larger than the maximum number of continuous shots, and the user can originally record the high-speed continuous recording. It is possible to record images at the time of shooting.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a case will be described in which after capturing five or more S1 continuous shot images, the S2 continuous shot images are not captured until the buffer is full. For example, a case where the pressing of the switch S1 is started in the period from the middle of the frame No02 to the middle of the frame No51 and the switch S2 is pressed in the period from the middle of the frame No51 to the middle of the frame No82 will be described.

  The operation in FIG. 12 up to the frame No. 82 where the switch S2 is released to the user is the same as the operation up to the frame No. 82 in FIG. 8, so that the description thereof will be omitted and only the difference in operation will be described. In FIG. 12, the image recorded in the buffer memory unit 16 is stored in the storage medium 2 in response to the user releasing the switch S2 in the middle of the frame No83.

  In this case, the five S1 continuous shot images immediately before the switch S2 is pressed and the 33 S2 continuous shot images up to the frame No. 83 from which the switch S2 is released are stored. That is, a total of 38 images including five S1 continuous shot images of frames No. 46 to 50 and 33 S2 continuous shot images of frames No. 51 to 83 are stored. As described above, the number of S1 continuous shot images is 10 in the case of the operation of FIG. 8, whereas the number of S1 continuous shot images is 5 in the case of the operation of FIG. 12.

  8 and 12, the user presses the switch S1 in the middle of the frame No02, presses the switch S2 in the middle of the frame No51, and presses the switch S2 in the middle of the frame No83. It is the same. However, the storable number is 45 or more in FIG. 8, whereas the storable number is as small as 40 in FIG. As described above, when the storable number is smaller than the maximum continuous shooting number, the camera 1 according to the present embodiment performs the shooting by reducing the S1 continuous shooting number from 10 to 5. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even when the storable number is smaller than the maximum number of continuous shots, the user can simply perform shooting by the same operation as when the storable number is equal to or larger than the maximum number of continuous shots, and the user can originally record the high-speed continuous recording. It is possible to record images at the time of shooting.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a case where six or less S1 continuous shot images are acquired and then an S2 continuous shot image is captured up to the buffer full will be described. For example, a case will be described in which the pressing of the switch S1 is started in the period from the middle of the frame No. 46 to the middle of the frame No. 51, and the switch S2 is pressed in the period after the frame No. 86 from the middle of the frame No. 51.

  In the case of the operation shown in FIG. 9, the number of S1 continuous shots is 4 from frame No. 47 to 50, so the maximum number of S2 continuous shots is 36 (= 40−4). For this reason, a total of 40 images including four S1 continuous shot images of frames No. 47 to 50 and 36 S2 continuous shot images of frames No. 51 to 86 are stored.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 14, a case will be described in which, after obtaining six or less S1 continuous shot images, the S2 continuous shot images are not captured until the buffer full. For example, a case where the pressing of the switch S1 is started in the period from the middle of the frame No46 to the middle of the frame No51 and the switch S2 is pressed in the period from the middle of the frame No51 to the middle of the frame No82 will be described.

  In the case of the operation of FIG. 10, the number of S1 continuous shots is 4 from frame No. 47 to 50, so the maximum number of S2 continuous shots is 36 (= 40−4). However, since the user releases the switch S2 in the middle of the frame No82, the S2 continuous shot images up to the frame No82 are stored. Therefore, a total of 26 images including the four S1 continuous shot images of frames No. 47 to 50 and the 32 S2 continuous shot images of frames No. 51 to 82 are stored.

  The camera 1 according to the present embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 shoots by reducing the number of S1 continuous shots to 5 as in the case of FIGS. 11 and 12. Therefore, the camera 1 according to the present embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 can store the number of images that can be stored even when the number of images that can be stored is smaller than the maximum number of continuous shots, as in the case of FIGS. The user can record an image at the time of high-speed continuous shooting that the user originally wants to record, simply by taking the same operation as when there is more than the maximum number of continuous shots.

  11 to 14, the case where the storable number is 40 has been described. However, even when the storable number is 7 or more and 44 or less, the S1 continuous shooting number and the S2 continuous shooting number The operation is the same as in the case of FIGS. 11 to 14 described above.

<When the number of storable sheets is 1 or more and 6 or less>
Next, the case where the number of storable sheets is 1 or more and 6 or less will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, since the storable number is 1 or more and 6 or less, the maximum number of S1 continuous shots is 0. Here, the case where the number of storable sheets is 4 will be specifically described. In this case, the maximum number of S2 continuous shots is 4 (= 4-0).

  First, the case where the S2 continuous shot image is captured up to the buffer full will be described with reference to FIG. For example, a case will be described in which the pressing of the switch S1 is started in the period from the middle of the frame No46 to the middle of the frame No51, and the switch S2 is pressed in the period from the middle of the frame No51 to the frame No85 and thereafter.

  In the operation of FIG. 15, since the maximum number of S1 continuous shots is 0 and the maximum number of S2 continuous shots is 4, four S2 continuous images, which are the maximum number of S2 continuous images, were taken. Accordingly, the four images of frame Nos. 51 to 54 are stored in the storage medium 2 from the buffer memory unit 16.

  Next, the case where the S2 continuous shot image is not shot until the buffer full will be described with reference to FIG. For example, a case where the pressing of the switch S1 is started in the period from the middle of the frame No. 46 to the middle of the frame No. 51 and the switch S2 is pressed in the period from the middle of the frame No. 51 to the middle of the frame No. 53 will be described.

  In the operation of FIG. 16, since the maximum number of S1 continuous shots is 0 and the maximum number of S2 continuous shots is 4, three images up to frame No 53 where the switch S2 is released to the user are buffered. Saving from the memory unit 16 to the storage medium 2.

  As described above, in the case of FIGS. 15 and 16, the number of storable sheets is 4, and the number of storable sheets is small. Even when the number of images that can be stored is small, the camera 1 according to the present embodiment performs shooting by reducing the S1 continuous shooting number to 0. Therefore, the camera 1 according to the present embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 has the storable number even when the storable number is smaller than the maximum continuous number of shots, as in FIGS. 11 to 14. The user can record images at the time of high-speed continuous shooting that the user originally wants to record by simply shooting by the same operation as when the maximum number of continuous shots is exceeded.

  In FIGS. 15 and 16, the case where there are four S1 continuous shot images has been described. However, when the number of storable images is 1 or more and 6 or less, the S1 continuous shot images are not stored. In addition, the operation is the same as in the case of FIG. 15 and FIG.

  Next, the memory configuration of the buffer memory unit 16 as an example will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case where the number of images that can be continuously shot is 45, and 10 or more S1 continuous shot images are stored in the buffer memory unit 16 will be described. Here, the image storage area corresponding to the 45 images stored in the buffer memory unit 16 will be described as the image storage area 01 to the image storage area 45. A case where there are ten S1 continuous shot images will be described.

  For example, the S1 continuous shot images are stored in order from the image storage area 01 in response to the switch S1 being pressed. In the period during which the switch S1 is pressed, the buffer memory unit 16 stores an image in the image storage area 01 after the image storage area 45. That is, the buffer memory unit 16 is a ring buffer.

  Thereafter, for example, in response to the switch S2 being pressed at the stage where the image storage area 41 is stored, S2 continuous shot images are sequentially taken from the image storage area 41. Here, since there are 10 S1 continuous shot images, the 10 S1 continuous shot images from the image storage area 31 to the image storage area 40 are not overwritten, and the image storage area 30 can store S2 continuous shot images. This is the end of the region. Therefore, the maximum number of S2 continuous shot images is 35 in total from the image storage area 41 to the image storage area 30 through the image storage area 45 and the image storage area 1 in order.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, referring to FIG. 18, an example of the S1 continuous shooting number and the S2 continuous shooting number according to the second embodiment will be described. The S1 continuous shooting number and the S2 continuous shooting number according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 change in stages. On the other hand, the S1 continuous shooting number and the S2 continuous shooting number according to the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. 18 continuously change as described later.

  First, as shown in FIG. 18, a case where the number of shootable images is within the range of the first shootable number of sheets from 45 to 28 will be described. In the range of the first number of shootable images, when the number of shootable images is 45, the number of S1 continuous shots is 23, the number of S2 continuous shots is 22, and each time the number of shootable images is reduced, S2 continuous shots are taken. Decrease the number of sheets one by one. Therefore, when the number of shootable images is 28, the number of S1 continuous shots is 23, and the number of S2 continuous shots is 5.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, a case where the number of shootable images is in the range of the second number of shootable images from 27 to 10 will be described. In the range of the second shootable number, every time the shootable number is decreased, the S1 continuous shooting number is decreased by one. Therefore, when the number of shootable images is 27, the number of S1 continuous shots is 22 and the number of S2 continuous shots is 5. When the number of shootable images is 10, the S1 continuous shooting number is 5, and the S2 continuous shooting number is 5.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the case where the number of shootable images is within the range of the third shootable number of images from 10 to 1 will be described. In the range of the third number of shootable images, every time the number of shootable images is decreased, the S1 continuous shooting number and the S2 continuous shooting number are alternately decreased one by one. However, whenever the number of S1 continuous shots is greater than the number of S2 continuous shots or the number of S1 continuous shots and the number of S2 continuous shots are the same, the number of shots that can be taken decreases by one. The number of S1 continuous shots and the number of S2 continuous shots are alternately reduced one by one. Therefore, when the number of shootable images is 9, the S1 continuous shooting number is 5, and the S2 continuous shooting number is 4. When the number of shootable images is 1, the S1 continuous shooting number is 1 and the S2 continuous shooting number is 0.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 18, the range from the first shootable number to the third shootable number, that is, from 45 to one. In the range of all possible values for the number of shootable images, the S1 continuous shooting number is set larger than the S2 continuous shooting number in accordance with the shootable number. Thereby, even when the number of shootable images decreases, it is possible to shoot as many S1 continuous shot images as possible according to the number of shootable images.

  For example, in the range of the first number of shootable images, it is possible to shoot as many S1 continuous shot images as possible by sequentially decreasing the number of S2 continuous shots every time the number of shootable images decreases by one. Further, at least five S2 continuous shot images are taken. Therefore, it is possible to perform shooting with S2 continuous shot images while shooting as many S1 continuous shot images as possible.

  Further, within the range of the second number of shootable images, it is possible to shoot as many S1 continuous shot images as possible by sequentially decreasing the number of S1 continuous shots every time the number of shootable images decreases by one. Even in this case, as in the case of the range of the first shootable number, at least five S2 continuous shot images are shot. Therefore, even in the range of the second number of images that can be captured, it is possible to perform shooting with S2 continuous shot images while shooting as many S1 continuous shot images as possible.

  Further, within the range of the third number of images that can be shot, every time the number of images that can be shot decreases, the S1 continuous shooting number and the S2 continuous shooting number are alternately reduced one by one. However, whenever the number of S1 continuous shots is greater than the number of S2 continuous shots or the number of S1 continuous shots and the number of S2 continuous shots are the same, the number of shots that can be taken decreases by one. The number of S1 continuous shots and the number of S2 continuous shots are alternately reduced one by one. Therefore, in the range of the third number of shootable images, it is possible to shoot with S2 continuous shot images while shooting as many S1 continuous shot images as possible even though the number of shootable images is very small. .

  As described above, in the camera 1 according to the second embodiment, when the setting unit sets the number of screens of the video signal transferred and recorded from the buffer memory unit 16 to the storage medium 2, the storage medium detected by the free space detection unit is detected. In accordance with the free space of 2, the number of shots by pre-shooting is set to be larger than the number of shots by continuous shooting. The same applies to the camera according to the first embodiment. As a result, the camera 1 according to the first and second embodiments captures a larger number of pre-shooting images than the number of continuous shooting images according to the detected free space of the storage medium 2. Even when the remaining amount is low, it is possible to record an image at the time of high-speed continuous shooting that the user originally wants to record.

  It should be noted that at least five S2 continuous shot images are taken in the range of the first shootable number and the second shootable number, and in the range of the second shootable number, the S1 continuous shot image is taken. At least 5 pictures are taken. The number of five images corresponds to a delay time from when a person wants to take a picture until the user presses the release button with his finger and the camera 1 executes the picture. Therefore, by setting the number of S1 continuous shot images to at least five, within the range of the first shootable number and the second shootable number, the user's shooting delay time is reduced, and the high-speed continuous recording originally desired by the user is recorded. There is an effect that an image at the time of shooting can be recorded.

  In the description of the first embodiment, when the number of images that can be recorded on the storage medium 2 is 1 or more and 6 or less in (c1) of FIG. Regardless of the number of sheets, the description has been made assuming that the S1 continuous shooting number is 0, and the S2 continuous shooting number is the remaining number of images that can be continuously shot (storable number-0). However, in this case, the number of S1 continuous shots may be one, and the number of S2 continuous shots may be the remaining number of continuous shots (storable number minus one). As a result, since there is one S1 continuous shooting sheet, it is possible to capture an image slightly before the delay in user shooting. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to record the image at the time of high-speed continuous shooting that the user originally wants to record by reducing the delay time in photographing.

  Further, in the description of FIGS. 7 to 16 described above, the image captured in the frame No where the switch S2 is pressed halfway is included in the S2 continuous shooting image. However, an image taken in the frame No where the switch S2 is pressed halfway may be included in the S1 continuous shot image. In this way, for example, the image 01 taken in frame No. 51 in FIGS. 15 and 16 is the number of S1 continuous shots. Therefore, also in the shooting described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, since there is one S1 continuous shooting, an image slightly before the user's shooting delay can be shot. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to record the image at the time of high-speed continuous shooting that the user originally wants to record by reducing the delay time in photographing.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that the S1 continuous shooting is performed after the release button is half-pressed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, S1 continuous shooting may be performed after the shooting mode is set. Further, S1 continuous shooting may be performed after the face of the subject is detected by the face detection technique. In any case, even when the user does not perform S1 continuous shooting by his / her own operation, S1 continuous shooting is performed before S2 continuous shooting, and therefore a delay time in shooting As a result, it is possible to record an image during high-speed continuous shooting that the user originally wants to record.

  In the above description, the storage medium 2 is described as being detachable from the camera 1, but the storage medium 2 may be provided inside the camera 1.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera, 2 ... Storage medium, 11 ... Imaging lens, 13 ... Imaging element, 14 ... A / D conversion part, 16 ... Buffer memory part, 17 ... Operation part, 171 ... Half press switch, 172 ... Release switch

Claims (4)

Photographic optics,
An imaging unit that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the imaging optical system into a video signal;
A recording unit for recording the video signal obtained from the imaging unit on a storage medium;
A buffer memory unit capable of temporarily storing a plurality of screens of video signals output from the imaging unit;
A release signal generator for generating a release signal for starting a recording operation by the recording unit;
A preliminary photographing signal generator for starting a video signal storing operation in the buffer memory unit before the release signal is generated;
A preliminary photographing unit that stores the video signal obtained from the imaging unit in response to the generation of the preliminary photographing signal in the buffer memory unit for a plurality of screens;
A free space detector for detecting free space in the storage medium;
According to the free space of the storage medium detected by the free space detection unit, the number of recordable sheets, which is the number of screens that can be recorded on the storage medium, is calculated, and based on the recordable number of sheets, the preliminary photographing unit Of the video signals stored in the buffer memory unit, a setting unit for setting the number of screens of the video signal transferred and recorded from the buffer memory unit to the storage medium;
When the number of screens of the video signal stored in the buffer memory unit by the preliminary photographing unit is smaller than the number of screens set by the setting unit, the screen of the video signal stored in the buffer memory unit by the preliminary photographing unit When several video signals are transferred and recorded in the storage medium, and the number of screens of the video signals stored in the buffer memory unit by the preliminary shooting unit is equal to or larger than the number of screens set by the setting unit, the preliminary shooting unit And a control unit that transfers and records the latest video signals for the number of screens set by the setting unit among the screens of the video signals stored in the buffer memory unit to the storage medium. Still camera.   The electronic still camera according to claim 1.
  The buffer memory unit
  When the free space in the buffer memory unit is exhausted, the oldest video signal among the video signals stored in the buffer memory unit is overwritten on the video signal obtained from the imaging unit in order. Still camera.   The electronic still camera according to claim 1 or 2,
  The controller is
  The number obtained by subtracting the number of screens of the video signal transferred and recorded on the storage medium from the recordable number is obtained from the imaging unit after the release signal is generated as the maximum number of screens that can be recorded on the storage medium after the release signal is generated. An electronic still camera, wherein a recorded video signal is recorded on the storage medium. The electronic still camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The setting unit
When setting the number of screens of the video signal transferred and recorded from the buffer memory unit to the storage medium, the number of shots by pre-shooting is continuously shot according to the free space of the recording unit detected by the free space detection unit. An electronic still camera that is set to be larger than the number of shots.

Images