JP6270712B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera.

  A general digital camera can shoot in a plurality of shooting modes (single shooting mode, continuous shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, etc.). In this type of digital camera, the shooting mode cannot be switched during the shooting process in any shooting mode. After the shooting process is completed, the menu screen is called to select a predetermined mode. The photographing mode can be changed by performing an operation or performing a dial key operation.

  In Patent Document 1 below, the state of the release operation member is monitored after the start of the shooting operation (shooting process) by the operation of the release operation member until the end of the shooting operation, and according to the change in the state of the release operation member. A method for performing continuous shooting is disclosed.

JP 2003-228104 A

  After instructing the start of shooting in a certain shooting mode, the photographer may feel that it was better to take a shot in another shooting mode. For example, after instructing shooting of a single still image by pressing the shutter button, particularly when the subject moves at high speed, there may be regret that shooting should be performed in the continuous shooting mode. With conventional digital cameras, after the still image shooting and recording process is completed, the shooting mode is reset to the continuous shooting mode using the mode selection operation or dial key operation on the menu screen. It is necessary to start continuous shooting after determining again. This also increases the risk of missing important scenes. Note that in the conventional method in which switching from still image shooting (single shooting) to continuous shooting is performed according to the operation state of a single release operation member as shown in Patent Document 1, the photographer is stationary. Even if the user wants to take an image, continuous shooting may be performed (so-called erroneous operation frequently occurs), which is not practical.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an imaging apparatus that contributes to an improvement in convenience related to a shooting mode change.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus that performs imaging in a target imaging mode that is one of a plurality of imaging modes including a first imaging mode and a second imaging mode, and issues an instruction to start shooting in the first imaging mode. A first input unit that receives an input; a second input unit that is different from the first input unit; and the imaging process in the first imaging mode is started in response to the start instruction input to the first input unit, Shooting control for switching the target shooting mode from the first shooting mode to the second shooting mode when a predetermined instruction is input to the second input unit during the shooting process of the first shooting mode. And a section.

  Thereby, it is possible to switch to the second shooting mode without waiting for the end of the shooting process in the first shooting mode, and it is expected that the convenience of the user regarding the shooting mode change is improved. It is also expected to avoid loss of shooting opportunities in the desired shooting mode. In addition, since the switching instruction is made using the second input unit provided separately from the first input unit, occurrence of an erroneous operation is also avoided.

  Specifically, for example, the imaging apparatus further includes a recording medium, and in the first shooting mode, one still image is shot and image data of the one shot image is recorded on the recording medium. In the second shooting mode, a plurality of still images may be shot and image data based on the plurality of still images may be recorded on the recording medium.

  Accordingly, during the shooting process in the first shooting mode for shooting a single still image, the second shooting mode for shooting a plurality of still images can be activated as necessary. As a result, after starting the shooting process in the first shooting mode, it is possible to perform shooting in the second shooting mode, which is the desired shooting mode, without waiting for the end of the shooting process in the first shooting mode.

  Further, for example, the imaging apparatus may further include a recording medium, and the imaging process in the first imaging mode may include a recording process for recording image data of a captured image in the first imaging mode on the recording medium.

  Further, specifically, for example, the imaging apparatus further includes a display unit having a touch panel, and a mode switching icon is displayed on the display unit as the second input unit during the shooting process of the first shooting mode. When the mode switching icon is pressed, the shooting control unit may switch the target shooting mode from the first shooting mode to the second shooting mode.

  In addition, for example, an imaging unit that outputs an image signal of a subject including an image signal of a target image to the imaging device, a buffer memory that can temporarily hold original data based on the output of the imaging unit, a recording medium, A main control unit that has the shooting control unit and performs the shooting process of the target image may be further provided. The target image photographing process includes: a capturing process for capturing original data of the target image based on an output of the imaging unit into the buffer memory; and a recording data generating process for generating recording data from the original data of the target image; Recording processing for recording a file including the recording data on the recording medium. Here, for example, the shooting process in the first shooting mode is a shooting process of a first target image, and in the second shooting mode, shooting processes of a plurality of second target images are continuously executed. For example, when the predetermined instruction is input to the second input unit during the period during which the shooting process of the first target image is being performed, the main control unit, after the capturing process of the first target image, In addition, before completion of the first target image photographing process, a part of the second target image photographing process including the second target image capturing process may be interrupted.

  As a result, the shutter time lag for the second target image can be shortened.

  More specifically, for example, when the predetermined instruction is input to the second input unit during execution of an intermediate process including a recording data generation process for the first target image, the main control unit After interrupting the intermediate processing of the first target image and executing part of the shooting processing of each second target image including the capturing processing of each second target image, the intermediate processing of the first target image is resumed, Thereafter, the recording process of the first target image may be executed and the remaining part of the shooting process of each second target image may be executed.

  Alternatively, more specifically, for example, when the predetermined instruction is input to the second input unit during the execution of the recording process of the first target image, the main control unit performs the recording process of the first target image. Is interrupted and a part of the shooting process of each second target image including the capture process of each second target image is executed, then the recording process of the first target image is resumed, and then each second target image The rest of the shooting process may be executed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is possible to provide the imaging device which contributes to the convenience improvement regarding imaging | photography mode change.

1 is a schematic overall block diagram of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an internal block diagram of the imaging part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the flow of the signal and data in single imaging | photography mode. (A) is a figure which shows a mode that a mode switching icon is displayed on a display part, (b) is a figure which shows a mode that a mode switching button is provided in an operation part. It is an image figure of switching from single shooting mode to continuous shooting mode. It is a figure which shows the flow of the signal and data in continuous shooting imaging | photography mode. It is a figure which shows the flow of the signal and data in HDR imaging | photography mode. It is a figure which shows the flow of the signal and data in panoramic photography mode. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the mode of the conversion of the data format in an imaging device. (A) is an internal block diagram of a RAW buffer, (b) is a figure which shows the input-output data of a RAW block. It is a figure which shows the content of the imaging | photography process of a target image. (A)-(d) is a figure which shows the mode of conversion of the data format in an imaging device, (e) is a figure which shows the relationship between a target image, a preview image, and a thumbnail. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the storage data of a RAW file and a JPEG file. It is a figure which shows the order of 10 processes which form imaging | photography process. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the imaging | photography process of a 1st imaging | photography mode, and the imaging | photography process of a 2nd imaging | photography mode. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the imaging | photography process of a 1st imaging | photography mode, and the imaging | photography process of a 2nd imaging | photography mode. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the relationship between the imaging | photography process of 1st imaging | photography mode, and the imaging | photography process of 2nd imaging | photography mode.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings to be referred to, the same part is denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant description regarding the same part is omitted in principle. In this specification, for simplification of description, a symbol or reference that refers to information, signal, physical quantity, state quantity, member, or the like is written to indicate information, signal, physical quantity, state quantity or Names of members and the like may be omitted or abbreviated.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic overall block diagram of an imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The imaging device 1 is a digital video camera that can capture and record still images and moving images. However, the imaging apparatus 1 may be a digital still camera that can capture and record only still images. The imaging device 1 includes each part referred to by reference numerals 11 to 19.

  FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the imaging unit 11. The imaging unit 11 includes an optical system 35, a diaphragm 32, an imaging device (solid-state imaging device) 33 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, and the optical system 35 and the diaphragm 32. And a driver 34 for drive control. The optical system 35 is formed of a plurality of lenses including a zoom lens 30 for adjusting the angle of view of the imaging unit 11 and a focus lens 31 for focusing. The zoom lens 30 and the focus lens 31 are movable in the optical axis direction. Based on the control signal from the main control unit 13, the positions of the zoom lens 30 and the focus lens 31 in the optical system 35 and the opening of the diaphragm 32 (that is, the diaphragm value) are controlled. The image sensor 33 is formed by arranging a plurality of light receiving pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions. Each light receiving pixel of the image sensor 33 photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject incident through the optical system 35 and the diaphragm 32, and an electrical signal obtained by the photoelectric conversion is used as an image signal of the subject as an AFE 12 (Analog Front End). ). In the following description, a photographed image refers to an image obtained by photographing using the imaging unit 11 (that is, an image based on an output image signal of the imaging unit 11), and photographing refers to photographing using the imaging unit 11. Point to.

  The AFE 12 amplifies the analog signal output from the imaging unit 11 (imaging device 33), converts the amplified analog signal into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the main control unit 13. The amplification degree of signal amplification in the AFE 12 is controlled by the main control unit 13.

  The main control unit 13 includes a signal processing unit 21 that performs predetermined signal processing, an imaging control unit 22 that performs control related to imaging, and a recording control unit 23 that performs control related to recording of the recording medium 16. Overall control of the operation. The internal memory 14 is formed by SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and temporarily stores various data generated in the imaging device 1. The display unit 15 is a display device having a display screen such as a liquid crystal display panel, and displays a captured image, an image recorded on the recording medium 16, and the like under the control of the main control unit 13. The display unit 15 is provided with a touch panel 15a, and the user can give various instructions to the imaging apparatus 1 by touching the display screen of the display unit 15 with an operating tool (such as a finger or a touch pen). However, the touch panel 15a can be omitted. The recording medium 16 is a non-volatile memory such as a card-like semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, and records image data of a captured image and the like under the control of the recording control unit 23. The operation unit 17 includes a shutter button 17a that receives a still image shooting instruction, a recording button 17b that receives a moving image shooting start instruction or a shooting end instruction, and the like, and receives various operations from the user. The buttons 17a and 17b can be formed by push button switches or the like. However, the buttons 17a and 17b can be formed as buttons on the touch panel 15a.

  The microphone unit 18 converts the peripheral sound of the imaging device 1 into an acoustic signal that is an electrical signal and outputs the acoustic signal. The obtained acoustic signal can be recorded on the recording medium 16 under the control of the main control unit 13. The speaker unit 19 includes one or more speakers, and outputs an arbitrary acoustic signal such as an acoustic signal recorded on the recording medium 16 as sound.

  The imaging apparatus 1 can shoot a subject in any of a plurality of shooting modes. A shooting mode actually used for shooting a subject is called a target shooting mode. In response to a predetermined operation on the touch panel 15a or the operation unit 17, the imaging control unit 22 can select and set the target imaging mode from the plurality of imaging modes. The plurality of shooting modes include at least a single shooting mode for shooting and recording one still image and a moving image shooting mode for shooting and recording a moving image. When the user presses the recording button 17b, the moving image shooting mode is set to the target shooting mode, and moving image data based on the output image signal of the shooting unit 11 is recorded on the recording medium 16.

  When the shutter button 17a is depressed by the user, the single shooting mode is set to the target shooting mode. As shown in FIG. 3, in the single shooting mode (that is, when the single shooting mode is set to the target shooting mode), one still image 310 output from the imaging unit 11 after the shutter button 17a is pressed. The image signal 312 is input to the signal processing unit 21 via the AFE 12, and the signal processing unit 21 performs predetermined still image signal processing on the input image signal 312 to thereby generate image data of the still image 310. 314 is generated. The still image signal processing includes, for example, noise reduction processing, edge enhancement processing, demosaicing processing, color correction processing, and signal compression processing. The recording control unit 23 records the image data 314 on the recording medium 16.

  Thus, the shutter button 17a functions as a first input unit that receives an input of a shooting start instruction in the single shooting mode. In this embodiment, the start instruction corresponds to a pressing operation of the shutter button 17a. After the operation of pressing the shutter button 17 a is recognized by the main control unit 13, shooting processing in the single shooting mode is executed in the imaging device 1. The shooting process in the single shooting mode includes an image signal 312 acquisition process by the imaging unit 11, a still image signal process for obtaining the image data 314 from the image signal 312, and a recording for recording the image data 314 in the recording medium 16. Processing. However, it is possible to consider that the recording process for recording the image data 314 on the recording medium 16 is not included in the shooting process in the single shooting mode.

  When a predetermined mode switching instruction is input to the second input unit (the second input unit will be described later) in the imaging apparatus 1 during the execution of the shooting process in the first shooting mode, the shooting control unit 22 The target shooting mode is switched from the first shooting mode to the second shooting mode without waiting for the end of the shooting process in the first shooting mode, and the second shooting is performed in cooperation with the imaging unit 11, the signal processing unit 21, and the recording control unit 23. Mode shooting processing can be executed. The first shooting mode is, for example, a single shooting mode. The first and second shooting modes are different shooting modes included in the plurality of shooting modes.

  The second input unit that receives the input of the mode switching instruction is an input unit provided in the imaging apparatus 1 that is different from the first input unit. The second input unit can be formed by a part of the touch panel 15a.

  For example, during the execution of the shooting process in the first shooting mode, the mode switching icon 320 is displayed on the display unit 15 (see FIG. 4A), and the user moves the mode switching icon 320 to the operating body (finger or touch pen). Or the like, the mode switching instruction may be input to the second input unit (that is, when the mode switching icon 320 is pressed by the operating body, the shooting control unit 22 sets the target shooting mode to the first shooting mode. The mode may be switched to the second shooting mode). In this case, it can be considered that the mode switching icon 320 corresponds to the second input unit. When the shutter button 17a is provided on the touch panel 15a, the mode switching icon 320 on the touch panel 15a is different from the shutter button 17a on the touch panel 15a (that is, the position of the mode switching icon 320 and the position of the shutter button 17a on the touch panel 15a). Are different from each other). The operation of pressing an arbitrary icon or part on the display unit 15 and the touch panel 15a includes an operation of continuously pressing the icon or part with the operating tool, and further includes an operation of hitting the icon or part with the operating tool. In consideration of suppression of camera shake, it is more preferable that the mode switching instruction is given by the former operation than the mode switching instruction is given by the latter operation (tapping operation).

  Alternatively, for example, a mode switching instruction may be input to the second input unit by pressing (striking) an arbitrary part on the display unit 15 a plurality of times (for example, twice) with an operating body. In this case, it can be considered that the portion on the display unit 15 that is continuously pressed a plurality of times corresponds to the second input unit.

  A touch detection unit (not shown) provided on the touch panel 15a detects the presence or absence of contact between the operating tool and the display screen of the display unit 15 (ie, the touch panel 15a). To detect. The imaging control unit 22 can recognize whether or not a mode switching instruction is input to the second input unit based on the detection result of the touch detection unit.

  The second input unit may be formed by a part of the operation unit 17. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the operation unit 17 may be provided with a mode switching button 17c composed of a push button switch or the like in addition to the shutter button 17a and the recording button 17b. A mode switching instruction may be input to the second input unit by pressing down. In this case, it can be considered that the mode switching button 17c corresponds to the second input unit.

  In addition to the configuration described above, the second input unit may be formed by any other configuration. For example, the second input unit may be formed by a so-called voice switch. In this case, when the user blows a predetermined word into the microphone unit 18, a mode switching instruction is input to the second input unit. That is, when any acoustic signal is input to the microphone unit 18, a voice recognition unit (not shown) in the main control unit 13 identifies whether the input acoustic signal represents a predetermined word, and the input acoustic signal May represent a predetermined word, the imaging control unit 22 may recognize that a mode switching instruction has been input to the second input unit. In this case, it can be considered that the second input unit is formed by the microphone unit 18 and the voice recognition unit.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments focusing on the above switching will be described. Unless otherwise specified, the recording described below refers to recording on the recording medium 16.

<< First Example >>
A first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment and the second and third embodiments described later, the single shooting mode is set to the target shooting mode in response to the pressing operation of the shutter button 17a, and the image data 314 of the still image 310 is acquired and recorded. Accordingly, it is assumed that a mode switching instruction is input to the second input unit during the period when the shooting process in the single shooting mode is being executed. In the first embodiment, the first shooting mode is a single shooting mode, and the second shooting mode is a continuous shooting mode.

  FIG. 5 is a switching image diagram of the target shooting mode according to the first embodiment. After shooting processing in the single shooting mode is started by pressing the shutter button 17a, for example, when the mode switching icon 320 is pressed during the execution period of the shooting processing, the target shooting mode is switched to the continuous shooting mode. Thus, the shooting process in the continuous shooting mode is performed. In FIG. 5, an icon 322 displayed on the display unit 15 after switching the target shooting mode to the continuous shooting mode is an icon indicating that the target shooting mode is the continuous shooting mode.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the continuous shooting mode (that is, when the continuous shooting mode is set to the target shooting mode), N _A still images 340 [1] to 340 [340] output from the imaging unit 11. N _A ] image signals 342 [1] to 342 [N _A ] are sequentially input to the signal processing unit 21 via the AFE 12, and the signal processing unit 21 inputs the input image signals 342 [1] to 342 [N]. by executing a predetermined signal processing SP _a for each of _a], still images 340 [1] to 340 [image data 344 [1 N _a]] ~344 generates a [N _a]. Therefore, the photographing process of the continuous shooting mode includes an image signal _{342 [1] ~342 [N A} ] acquisition processing and signal processing SP _A, and further, the recording image data _{344 [1] ~344 [N A} ] Processing may be included. The signal processing SP _A may be the same as the above-described still image signal processing, but may differ from the still image signal processing in several points (see the fifth embodiment described later).

N _A is an integer of 2 or more. Still image _{340 [1] ~340 [N A} ] is a N _A single still image is continuously captured by the imaging unit 11. The value of N _A may be determined in advance. Alternatively, depending on the input state of the mode switching instruction to the second input unit, the imaging control unit 22, it may be the value of N _A is variably set. That is, for example, while the mode switching icon 320 or the mode switching button 17c described above is pressed, as the continuous shooting still images using the imaging unit 11 is continued, by dynamically changing the value of N _A Also good.

When the target shooting mode is switched to the continuous shooting mode during the execution period of the shooting process in the single shooting mode, the shooting control unit 22 converts the still image 310 in the single shooting mode into the still images 340 [1] to 340. It may be included in one of [N _A ], and the remaining (N _A −1) still images may be continuously captured by the imaging unit 11 after the still image 310. That is, when the target shooting mode is switched to the continuous shooting mode during the execution period of the shooting process in the single shooting mode, the shooting control unit 22 causes the still image 310 to be obtained in the shooting process in the single shooting mode. Is regarded as a still image 340 [1], and the process of acquiring, generating and recording the image signal 312 and the image data 314 as the image signal 342 [1] and the image data 344 [1] is continued. , still image 340 [2] to 340 image signals 342 [2] _{[N a] ~342 [N a} ] and image data 344 [2] ～344 acquires [N _a], be made to generate and record good. As is clear from the above description, the execution subject of image signal acquisition and image data generation is the imaging unit 11 and the signal processing unit 21, and the execution subject of image data recording is the recording control unit 23 and the recording unit. This is the medium 16 (the same applies to other embodiments described later).

Alternatively, when the target shooting mode is switched to the continuous shooting mode during the execution period of the shooting process in the single shooting mode, the shooting control unit 22 interrupts the shooting process in the single shooting mode, and the still image 340 [ 1] ~340 [N _a] may be made continuous shooting again to the imaging unit 11. In this case, all of the still images 340 [1] to 340 [N _A ] are images taken after the still image 310.

The continuous shooting mode assumed in the first embodiment may be a so-called bracket shooting mode. Here, it is considered that the bracket shooting mode is a kind of continuous shooting mode. When continuous shooting mode is the bracket shooting mode, the imaging control unit 22 controls, for example, and the imaging unit 11 as imaging condition of the still image _{340 [1] ~340 [N A} ] are different from each other. More specifically, for example, when continuous shooting mode is the bracket shooting mode, the imaging control unit 22, as the focused state of the still image _{340 [1] ~340 [N A} ] are different from each other, the driver 34 still image 340 [1] to 340 positions may be allowed to differ from each other in the focusing lens 31 at the time of shooting of [N _a] through. Alternatively, for example, when continuous shooting mode is the bracket shooting mode, the imaging control unit 22, the still image _{340 [1] ~340 [N A} ] may be from one another by different exposure conditions at the time of shooting. The exposure conditions for a still image include the exposure time of the still image (the length of time during which the image sensor 33 is exposed to obtain the image signal of the still image), the aperture value at the time of shooting the still image, In addition, ISO sensitivity (sensitivity defined by International Organization for Standardization) at the time of capturing the still image is included.

<< Second Example >>
A second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the first shooting mode is the single shooting mode, and the second shooting mode is the HDR shooting mode.

As shown in FIG. 7, the HDR photographing mode (i.e., when the HDR shooting mode is set to the target imaging mode), the still image 360 [1] of the N _B Like outputted from the imaging unit 11 to 360 [N _B ] Image signals 362 [1] to 362 [N _B ] are sequentially input to the signal processing unit 21 via the AFE 12, and the signal processing unit 21 inputs the input image signals 362 [1] to 362 [N _B ]. By executing predetermined signal processing SP _B on the image data, image data of an HDR (High Dynamic Range) image 370 that is one still image is generated. Therefore, the shooting process in the HDR shooting mode includes an acquisition process of the image signals 362 [1] to 362 [N _B ] and a signal process SP _B , and can further include a process of recording the image data of the HDR image 370. N _B is a predetermined integer of 2 or more. Still images 360 [1] to 360 [N _B ] are continuously shot by the imaging unit 11. The signal processing SP _B includes, for example, HDR signal processing in addition to noise reduction processing, edge enhancement processing, demosaicing processing, color correction processing, and signal compression processing equivalent to the signal processing SP _A.

In HDR signal processing, HDR images 370 having a wider dynamic range than the respective dynamic ranges of the still images 360 [1] to 360 [N _B ] by combining the still images 360 [1] to 360 [N _B ]. Is generated. For this reason, the bit length of the signal which each pixel of the HDR image 370 has is longer than that of the still image 360 [i] (i is an integer). In order to enable the generation of the HDR image 370, the imaging control unit 22 varies the exposure conditions during imaging of the still images 360 [1] to 360 [N _B ]. The HDR image 370 corresponds to an image obtained by expanding the dynamic range of the still image 360 [i]. Known dynamic range expansion processing suitable for dynamic range expansion (for example, processing described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-109176, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-136113, or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-93679) is used as HDR signal processing. Is available.

When the target shooting mode is switched to the HDR shooting mode during the execution period of the shooting process in the single shooting mode, the shooting control unit 22 converts the still image 310 in the single shooting mode into the still images 360 [1] to 360 [ N _B ] and the remaining (N _B −1) still images may be continuously captured by the imaging unit 11 after the still image 310. That is, when the target shooting mode is switched to the HDR shooting mode during the execution period of the shooting process in the single shooting mode, the shooting control unit 22 displays the still image 310 to be obtained in the shooting process in the single shooting mode. The image signal 312 is acquired as the image signal 362 [1] on the assumption that the image is the still image 360 [1], and the image signal 362 [2] of the still images 360 [2] to 360 [N _B ] is acquired following the acquisition. ˜362 [N _B ] may be acquired and the image data of the HDR image 370 may be generated and recorded.

Alternatively, when the target shooting mode is switched to the HDR shooting mode during the execution period of the shooting process in the single shooting mode, the shooting control unit 22 interrupts the shooting process in the single shooting mode, and the still image 360 [1 ] To 360 [N _B ] may be caused to be continuously shot by the imaging unit 11. In this case, all of the still images 360 [1] to 360 [N _B ] are images that are taken after the still image 310.

In the second embodiment, the second shooting mode may be the 3D shooting mode. In this case, the “HDR shooting mode” and the “HDR image” in the above description in the second embodiment are set to “3D shooting mode”. "And" three-dimensional image ". However, when the second shooting mode is the 3D shooting mode, the signal processing SP _B described above includes 3D signal processing instead of HDR signal processing, and the still images 360 [1] to 360 [N _B ] are mutually connected. may is N _B still images obtained by photographing the same subject from different viewpoints. The viewpoint here refers to the position of the imaging unit 11 (strictly, for example, the center of the imaging element 33).

In the 3D signal processing, the signal processing unit 21 is a cubic representing the three-dimensional shape of the common subject based on the image signals 362 [1] to 362 [N _B ] of the still images 360 [1] to 360 [N _B ]. A three-dimensional image including the original data is generated. In the 3D shooting mode, the generation and recording of a three-dimensional image may be performed. Alternatively, in the 3D shooting mode, the acquisition and recording of the image signals 362 [1] to 362 [N _B ] are performed. Then, a three-dimensional image may be generated from the image signals 362 [1] to 362 [N _B ] at an arbitrary timing.

<< Third Example >>
A third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the first shooting mode is a single shooting mode and the second shooting mode is a panoramic shooting mode.

As shown in FIG. 8, in panoramic mode (i.e., when the panoramic mode is set to the target imaging mode), N _C still images 380 output from the imaging unit 11 [1] ~380 [N _C ] Image signals 382 [1] to 382 [N _C ] are sequentially input to the signal processing unit 21 via the AFE 12, and the signal processing unit 21 inputs the input image signals 382 [1] to 382 [N _C ]. By executing predetermined signal processing SP _C on the image data, image data of a panoramic image 390 that is one still image is generated. Therefore, the shooting processing in the panoramic shooting mode includes the acquisition processing of the image signals 382 [1] to 382 [N _C ] and the signal processing SP _C , and can further include processing of recording the image data of the panoramic image 390. N _C is an integer of 2 or more. The signal processing SP _C includes, for example, panorama synthesis processing in addition to noise reduction processing, edge enhancement processing, demosaicing processing, color correction processing, and signal compression processing equivalent to the signal processing SP _A.

In the panorama synthesizing process, a panoramic image 390 having a wider angle of view than each of the still images 380 [1] to 380 [N _C ] is synthesized by synthesizing the still images 380 [1] to 380 [N _C ]. Generate. Such composition is generally called image mosaicing, and a known image mosaicing method can be used for panorama composition processing. In order to enable the generation of the panoramic image 390, the still images 380 [1] to 380 [N _C ] are taken images with different shooting areas. For example, during a period in which still images 380 [1] to 380 [N _C ] are sequentially captured by the imaging unit 11, the imaging as the user is performed so that the imaging area of the imaging unit 11 changes along the horizontal direction. The person may perform a pan operation on the imaging device 1. The still images 380 [1] to 380 [N _C ] may be taken sequentially at a predetermined time interval, or may be taken at a timing specified by the user via the operation unit 17 or the touch panel 15a. The value of N _C may be determined in advance, or the value of N _C may be variably set by the imaging control unit 22 in accordance with a user operation input to the operation unit 17 or the touch panel 15a.

When the target shooting mode is switched to the panoramic shooting mode during the execution period of the shooting processing in the single shooting mode, the shooting control unit 22 converts the still image 310 in the single shooting mode to the still images 380 [1] to 380 [ N _C ] may be included, and the remaining (N _C −1) still images may be captured by the imaging unit 11 following the still image 310. That is, when the target shooting mode is switched to the panorama shooting mode during the execution period of the shooting process in the single shooting mode, the shooting control unit 22 displays the still image 310 to be obtained in the shooting process in the single shooting mode. The image signal 312 is acquired as the image signal 382 [1] on the assumption that the image is the still image 380 [1], and the image signal 382 [2] of the still images 380 [2] to 380 [N _C ] is acquired following the acquisition. ˜382 [N _C ] may be acquired and image data of the panoramic image 390 may be generated and recorded.

Alternatively, when the target shooting mode is switched to the panoramic shooting mode during the execution period of the shooting process in the single shooting mode, the shooting control unit 22 interrupts the shooting process in the single shooting mode, and the still image 380 [1]. ] To 380 [N _C ] may be caused to be imaged again by the imaging unit 11. In this case, all of the still images 380 [1] to 380 [N _C ] are images that are taken after the still image 310.

<< 4th Example >>
A fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment to be described later can be implemented in combination with the first to third embodiments described above. When the target shooting mode is switched from the first shooting mode to the second shooting mode in response to the input of the mode switching instruction, the imaging device 1 may notify the user that the switching has been executed. This notification may be any notification that appeals to the human senses. For example, when the target shooting mode is switched from the first shooting mode to the second shooting mode, video or audio indicating that the switching has been executed may be output to the display unit 15 or the speaker unit 19, or imaging may be performed. A light emitting element (not shown) provided in the device 1 may emit light. The display of the icon 322 (see FIG. 5) described above is a kind of notification.

<< 5th Example >>
A fifth embodiment will be described. When the target shooting mode is switched from the first shooting mode to the second shooting mode in response to the input of the mode switching instruction, the main control unit 13 (for example, the shooting control unit 22) sets various settings related to shooting and recording. You may make it change automatically to the thing for 2 imaging | photography modes. Various settings relating to shooting and recording include strobe light emission, noise reduction method, image size of input image and output image of signal processing unit 21, white balance, exposure, focus, and image file recorded on the recording medium 16. Includes storage folder settings.

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to switch to the second shooting mode using the second input unit without waiting for the shooting process of the first shooting mode to end, and the convenience for the user regarding the shooting mode change is improved. For example, during the shooting process in the first shooting mode for shooting a single still image, the second shooting mode for shooting a plurality of still images can be activated as necessary. As a result, after the start of the shooting process in the first shooting mode, if continuous shooting or the like is desired without waiting for the end of the shooting process in the first shooting mode, shooting in the second shooting mode can be immediately executed. It becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to avoid missing important scenes. In addition, since the switching instruction is made using the second input unit provided separately from the first input unit, occurrence of an erroneous operation is also avoided.

<< Sixth Example >>
A sixth embodiment will be described. As long as there is no contradiction, each of the above descriptions can be applied to the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, assuming that the first shooting mode is the single shooting mode and the second shooting mode is the continuous shooting mode, the target shooting mode is switched from the first shooting mode to the second shooting mode. The detailed processing procedure at the time of being performed will be described. Prior to detailed description of the processing procedure, some related technical matters will be described.

  The signal processing unit 21 performs predetermined pre-stage signal processing (for example, correlated double sampling, automatic gain adjustment, and A / D conversion) on the output signal of the image sensor 33, so that the original format that is RAW data in a predetermined format RAW data is obtained. Further, the signal processing unit 21 can execute the following RAW-RAW conversion, YUV conversion, and compression processing on the image data based on the output of the image sensor 33 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). . In RAW-RAW conversion, RAW data in the original format is converted into RAW data in the DNG (Digital Negative) format through predetermined signal processing. The signal processing in the RAW-RAW conversion includes a process of reducing noise of the raw RAW data using a median filter. Here, it is assumed that RAW data in DNG format is obtained from RAW data in original format by RAW-RAW conversion, but the format of RAW data obtained by RAW-RAW conversion is not limited to DNG format. In the YUV conversion, RAW data in the original format or DNG format is converted into YUV data (image data composed of a luminance signal Y and color difference signals U and V) that is image data in the YUV format. Although the compression method is arbitrary, it is assumed here that a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) compression method is adopted as a compression method for still images. Therefore, in the compression process, the YUV data of the still image is compressed according to the JPEG compression method, and JPEG data that is the compressed YUV data is generated. The original format or DNG format RAW data, YUV data, and JPEG data for a certain image are all types of image data of the image.

  The pressing operation of the shutter button 17a corresponds to a still image shooting instruction. The input of the mode switching instruction to the second input unit includes an instruction to switch the target shooting mode and an instruction to continuously shoot a plurality of still images. A still image acquired by the imaging unit 11 in response to a pressing operation of the shutter button 17a or a mode switching instruction input to the second input unit is particularly referred to as a target image. The output image signal of the imaging unit 11 includes the image signal of the target image.

The internal memory 14 in FIG. 1 is provided with a RAW buffer (buffer memory) 20 in FIG. The RAW buffer 20 can simultaneously hold m pieces of RAW data of the target image. Here, it is assumed that m = 7 for the sake of concrete description. However, the integer m may be any number as long as it is 2 or more. Corresponding to m = 7, as shown in FIG. 10A, the RAW buffer 20 is provided with a total of seven RAW blocks 20 [1] to 20 [7]. Each of the RAW blocks 20 [1] to 20 [7] can hold raw data or DNG format RAW data for one target image. That is, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the original format and DNG format RAW data for any one target image TI are represented by data D _RAW and D _RAW ′, respectively, block 20 [i] the data D _RAW capture, hold by RAW capture process to be described later, after the RAW-RAW conversion is performed on the data D _RAW is instead of the data D _RAW it by the data obtained D _RAW ' (I is an integer). The YUV data and JPEG data are held in an intermediate buffer (not shown) in the internal memory 14 that is different from the RAW buffer 20.

  With reference to FIG. 11, the photographing process of the target image TI will be described. The photographing process of the target image TI executed by the main control unit 13 includes processes PR1 to PR10. A RAW file and a JPEG file of the target image TI are recorded on the recording medium 16 through the processes PR1 to PR10. The main control unit 13 realizes the processes PR1 to PR10 in cooperation with other parts in the imaging device 1.

  The process PR1 includes an AE process and an AF process. In the AE process, the brightness of the subject image TI is measured by measuring the brightness of the subject with a photometry circuit (not shown) in the main control unit 13 and adjusting the exposure at the time of shooting the target image TI according to the measurement result. To optimize. The measurement of the brightness of the subject is realized using an output signal of the image sensor 33 or using a brightness measurement sensor (not shown). The exposure adjustment includes adjustment of the opening of the diaphragm 32 (ie, aperture value), adjustment of the exposure time of the image sensor 33, and adjustment of sensitivity. The sensitivity is, for example, ISO (International Organization for Standardization) sensitivity. Actually, the degree of amplification of signal amplification performed on the output signal of the image sensor 33 is controlled by controlling the sensitivity. In the AF process, focus adjustment is performed when the target image TI is captured. More specifically, in AF processing (focus adjustment), the position of the focus lens 31 for forming an image of the subject on the image sensor 33 is obtained as the focus lens position, and the focus lens 31 is set to the focus lens position. Deploy. The focusing lens position is obtained using an output signal of the image sensor 33 or using a focus adjustment sensor (not shown) different from the image sensor 33. In the following, it is assumed that the process PR1 is mainly included in the target image shooting process, but the entire process PR1 or the AE process or the AF process may be omitted from any target image shooting process.

The process PR2 is a RAW capturing process for capturing the raw RAW data D _RAW for the target image TI from the image sensor 33 into the RAW buffer 20. The fetched data D _RAW is held in any of the blocks 20 [1] to 20 [7].

Processing PR3 consists processing PR3 _A and PR3 _B. In the preview image generation process as the process PR3 _A, as shown in FIG. 12A, the YUV conversion for preview image generation is performed on the RAW data D _RAW of the target image TI, so that the YUV data D of the preview image is generated. Generate _PRV . An image TI _PRV in FIG. _12E is an example of a preview image. In the preview image display process as the process PR3 _B , the preview image TI _PRV is displayed on the display unit 15 for a certain period by giving the YUV data D _PRV to the display unit 15. The preview can also be called postview. Note that the process PR3 can be omitted from the photographing process of each target image.

Processing PR4 is present image for RAW-RAW conversion for converting the data D _RAW data D _RAW 'of the target image TI (see Figure 10 (b)).

Process PR5 are RAW file thumbnail generation process consists of the process PR5 _A and PR5 _B. In the YUV conversion for thumbnails as the process PR5 _A, as shown in FIG. 12B, by executing YUV conversion including resolution conversion on the RAW data (D _RAW or D _RAW ') of the target image TI, Thumbnail data D _TMBA is generated. In thumbnail compression processing as the processing PR5 _B generates compressed thumbnail data D _TMBB by compressing the thumbnail data D _TMBA.

The process PR6 is a RAW file write process for writing (that is, recording) a RAW file into the recording medium 16. As shown in FIG. 13A, the RAW file for the target image TI includes RAW data D _RAW 'and compressed thumbnail data D _TMBB for the target image TI, and additional information such as the shooting date and time of the target image TI. Is included.

In the process PR7, as shown in FIG. 12C, YUV data D _YUV is generated by executing YUV conversion for main image on the RAW data (D _RAW or D _RAW ′) of the target image TI.

Processing PR8 is present-picture compression process for compressing the YUV data D _YUV, by the process PR8, compressed data D _JPEG JPEG format is compressed YUV data D _YUV are generated.

Processing PR9 is a JPEG file for thumbnail generation process consists of processing PR9 _A and PR9 _B. In the YUV conversion for thumbnail as the process PR9 _A, as shown in FIG. 12D, by performing YUV conversion including resolution conversion on the RAW data (D _RAW or D _RAW ') of the target image TI, Thumbnail data D _TMBC is generated. In the thumbnail compression process as the process PR9 _B , the thumbnail data D _TMBC is compressed to generate compressed thumbnail data D _TMBD .

Process PR10 is a JPEG file writing process for writing (that is, recording) a JPEG file to the recording medium 16. As shown in FIG. 13B, the JPEG file for the target image TI includes compressed data D _JPEG and compressed thumbnail data D _TMBD for the target image TI, and additional information such as the shooting date and time of the target image TI. Contains.

As shown in FIG. 12E, the preview image TI _PRV is a still image substantially equivalent to the target image TI based on the target image TI, and has the number of pixels corresponding to the display resolution of the display unit 15. The thumbnail TI _TMB represented by the data D _TMBA , D _TMBB , D _TMBC or D _TMBD corresponds to a reduced image of the target image TI represented by the data D _RAW , D _RAW ′, D _YUV or D _JPEG .

FIG. 14 shows the execution order of the processes PR1 to PR10 for one target image TI. The shutter button 17a formed as a mechanical push button switch is in a reference state, a half-pressed state, or a fully-pressed state. In the process of pressing the shutter button 17a, when the state of the button 17a changes from the reference state to the half-pressed state, the process PR1 is performed. When the state is changed, the process PR2 is performed, and then the process PR3 is performed. Thereafter, processes PR4 to PR10 are performed. As long as the first execution order condition that “the process PR6 is executed after the processes PR4 and PR5, the process PR8 is executed after the process PR7, and the process PR10 is executed after the processes PR8 and PR9” is satisfied. The execution order of the processes PR4 to PR10 is arbitrary. However, the second execution order condition that “the process PR5 _B is executed after the process PR5 _A and the process PR9 _B is executed after the process PR9 _{A in} the process PR9” is naturally satisfied (FIG. 12). (See (b) and (d)).

The photographing process of the target image TI is considered to include a display process as the process PR3, a recording data generation process including the processes PR4, PR5, and PR7 to PR9, and a recording process including the processes PR6 and PR10. be able to. In the display processing, display data is generated from the original data of the target image (see FIG. 12A), and the display data is displayed on the display unit 15. In this embodiment, the original data and display data are data D _RAW and D _PRV , respectively (see FIG. 12A). In the recording data generation process, recording data is generated from the original data of the target image. The recording data includes data D _RAW 'and D _{TMBB in the RAW} file and data D _JPEG and D _TMBD in the JPEG file. In the recording process, a file including recording data, that is, a RAW file and a JPEG file are recorded on the recording medium 16. The recording data generation process is realized by the signal processing unit 21, and the recording process is realized by the recording control unit 23. The display process is realized by the main control unit 13 (for example, a display control unit (not shown) provided in the main control unit 13).

In the first shooting mode, one target image TI _A is shot and recorded. Therefore, the photographing process of the first imaging mode corresponds to the imaging process of one target image TI _A. On the other hand, in the shooting process in the second shooting mode, p target images TI _B are continuously shot and recorded. Therefore, the shooting process in the second shooting mode corresponds to the shooting process of the p target images TI _B , and the shooting process of the p target images TI _B is continuously executed in the second shooting mode. Here, p is an integer of 2 or more. The value of p may be determined in advance. Alternatively, the imaging control unit 22 may variably set the value of p in accordance with the input status of the mode switching instruction to the second input unit. That is, for example, while the mode switching icon 320 or the mode switching button 17c is pressed, the value of p is dynamically changed so that the continuous shooting of the target image TI _B using the imaging unit 11 is continued. May be.

With reference to FIG. 15, an operation when a predetermined mode switching instruction is input to the second input unit during the execution period of the imaging process in the first imaging mode (that is, the imaging process of the target image TI _A ) will be described. . First, at timing 401, it is assumed that the pressing operation of the shutter button 17a is input to the operation unit 17 and the state of the button 17a is changed from the reference state to the fully pressed state through the half-pressed state. Then, the main control unit 13 starts the photographing process of the target image TI _A starting from the timing 401 (specifically, the process PR1 is started when the state of the button 17a is half-pressed). Thereafter, it is assumed that a predetermined mode switching instruction is input to the second input unit at a timing 402 during the execution of the photographing process of the target image TI _A. Here, for the sake of concrete description, the target image is displayed during the period in which the second input unit is formed by the mode switching icon 320 (see FIG. 4A) and the icon 320 is pressed by the operating tool. Assume that the imaging device 1 is formed so that continuous shooting of TI _B is continued. In the example of FIG. 15, it is assumed that the icon 320 is continuously pressed by the operating tool from timing 402 to timing 403 after timing 402.

Under such an assumption, the main control unit 13 executes the process PR _A1 between the timings 401 and 402, executes the process PR _B1 between the timings 402 and 403, and then executes the process PR _A2 , Thereafter, the process PR _B2 is executed.

The processes PR _A1 and PR _A2 are a part and the remaining part of the photographing process of the target image TI _A , respectively. The process PR _B1 is a part of the shooting process of each target image TI _B , and the process PR _B2 is the remaining part of the shooting process of each target image TI _B. Accordingly, the entire shooting process of the target image TI _A is formed by the processes PR _A1 and PR _A2, and the entire shooting process of each target image TI _B is formed by the processes PR _B1 and PR _B2 .

The process PR _A1 includes processes PR1 and PR2 for at least the target image TI _A. Depending on the timing 402, the processes PR3 to PR10 for the target image TI _A are allocated to the processes PR _A1 and PR _A2 . The process PR _B1 includes processes PR1 and PR2 for each target image TI _B. However, the process PR1 for one or more target images TI _B can be omitted from the process PR _B1 . In the following, it is assumed that the process PR1 for the first target image TI _B is included in the process PR _B1 , while the process PR1 for the second to pth target images TI _{B is} omitted from the process PR _B1 .

Specifically, for example (see FIG. 11 and FIG. 14), the main control unit 13 performs processing PR3 and processing PR4, processing PR5 and processing PR5 between processing PR3 and processing PR4, PR5, PR7, or PR9 in the photographing processing of the target image TI _A. Checkpoints are provided between the process PR7 and the process PR8, between the process PR4 or PR5 and the process PR6, and between the process PR8 or PR9 and the process PR10, and during the execution of the process PR6 and Checkpoints are also provided during execution of the process PR10, and it is confirmed whether or not the icon 320 is pressed by the operating tool at each checkpoint. In addition, the first and second execution order satisfies as far as the processing _{PR4, PR5 A, PR5 B,} PR6, PR7, PR8, PR9 A, PR9 of _B and PR10, between any two of the processing Checkpoints can be provided.

When it is detected that the icon 320 is pressed by the operating tool at the check point corresponding to the timing 402, the main control unit 13 at this time performs the photographing process of the target image TI _A up to the process PR _A1. And the process PR1 for the first target image TI _B is executed as part of the process PR _B1 (see FIG. 16). Thereafter, the main control unit 13 sequentially executes a process PR2 (RAW capturing process) for the first to p-th target images TI _B as a part of the process PR _B1 (see FIG. 16). When the operating tool leaves the icon 320 at timing 403, the main control unit 13 ends the process PR2 of the target image TI _B and ends the process PR _B1 . When the process PR _B1 is finished, the main control unit 13 resumes the photographing process of the target image TI _A (that is, executes the process PR _A2 ), and then performs the process PR _B2 .

Since m = 7 (see FIG. 10A), when p is 6 or less, the RAW data of the target image TI _A is held in the RAW block 20 [1] and at the same time p target images TI _B RAW data can be held in the RAW blocks 20 [2] to 20 [p + 1], and as a result, operations shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are possible. When p is 7, the RAW data capturing process for the seventh target image TI _B is on standby until any RAW block is released. The same applies when p is 8 or more. When a RAW file and a JPEG file based on the RAW data held in the RAW block 20 [i] are recorded on the recording medium 16, the RAW block 20 [i] is released and can accept new RAW data (i Is an integer).

Among the processing PR3~ processing PR10 for the target image TI _B, although either to include up to which process the processing PR _B1 is optional, for example, until the process PR3 is included in the processing PR _B1, processing PR4~PR10 processing PR _Included in _B2 . At this time, in the process PR _B1 , the process PR2 for the (i + 1) -th target image TI _B and the process PR3 for the i-th target image TI _B may be executed in parallel for the purpose of shortening the shooting interval. In the example of FIG. 15, the process PR _B2 is started after the process PR _A2 is completed. However, as shown in FIG. 17A, a part of the process PR _{A2 and} a part of the process PR _B2 can be executed simultaneously. . Further, as shown in FIG. 17 (b), between the other part of some processing PR _A2 processing PR _A2, part of the processing PR _B2 may be executed.

As will be understood from the above description, the following can be said. That is, for example (see also FIG. 14), for example, when a predetermined mode switching instruction is input to the second input unit during execution of the intermediate process including the display process and the recording data generation process for the target image TI _A , the main control unit 13, after executing the processing PR _B1 interrupts the intermediate processing of the target image TI _a, resumes intermediate processing of the target image TI _a, after completion of the intermediate processing, recording processing of the target image TI _a And the process PR _B2 can be executed. Note that the display processing can be omitted from the intermediate processing. The intermediate process does not include a recording process. Or, for example (see also FIG. 14), when a predetermined mode switching instruction is input to the second input unit during the execution of the recording process for the target image TI _A , the main control unit 13 sets the target image TI _A After the recording process is interrupted and the process PR _B1 is executed, the recording process of the target image TI _A is resumed, and the process PR _B2 can be executed after the recording process is completed or in parallel with the execution of the recording process. .

After starting the shooting process of the target image TI _A, when the switching to the continuous shooting imaging mode is instructed during execution of the intermediate processing or recording processing of the target image TI _A, waiting for the completion of the imaging process of the target image TI _A Then, a method for starting the photographing process of each target image TI _B is examined. However, in this method, the shutter time lag until the start of capturing the target image TI _B becomes long. On the other hand, the main control unit 13 of the present embodiment is instructed to switch to the continuous shooting mode during the execution period of the shooting process (intermediate process or recording process) of the target image TI _A (that is, the second input). when a predetermined mode switching instruction is input to the section), to interrupt execution of the part of the imaging process of each target image TI _B including processing PR2 of each target image TI _B. Thereby, the shutter time lag can be shortened.

  Note that the “interruption” of the process in response to the input of the mode switching instruction not only immediately interrupts the process at the same time as the input of the mode switching instruction but also after some time after the input of the mode switching instruction. It includes that the process is interrupted.

By the way, the main controller 13 uses any one of a plurality of recording modes including the first to third recording modes as the selected recording mode, and records a recording target file corresponding to the selected recording mode on the recording medium 16. The main control unit 13 can set the selected recording mode in accordance with the recording mode selection operation input to the operation unit 17. The recording target files in the first recording mode are RAW and JPEG files, and each of the above explanations assumes that the selected recording mode is the first recording mode. The recording target file in the second recording mode is a JPEG file and does not include a RAW file, and the recording target file in the third recording mode is a RAW file and does not include a JPEG file. Therefore, when the selected recording mode is the second recording mode, the processes PR4 to PR6 are omitted from the photographing process of each target image TI, and naturally, the data D _RAW 'and D _TMBB are omitted from the recording data. The RAW file is not recorded on the recording medium 16 (see FIGS. 11, 13A, and 14). When the selected recording mode is the third recording mode, the processes PR7 to PR10 are omitted from the photographing process of each target image TI, and naturally, the data D _JPEG and D _TMBD are omitted from the recording data and the JPEG file is It is not recorded on the recording medium 16 (see FIGS. 11, 13B, and 14).

<< Deformation, etc. >>
The embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims. The above embodiment is merely an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and the meaning of the term of the present invention or each constituent element is not limited to that described in the above embodiment. The specific numerical values shown in the above description are merely examples, and as a matter of course, they can be changed to various numerical values. As annotations applicable to the above-described embodiment, notes 1 to 4 are described below. The contents described in each comment can be arbitrarily combined as long as there is no contradiction.

[Note 1]
The second imaging mode that is activated in response to the input of the mode switching instruction is not limited to those described in the above embodiments. For example, the second photographing mode may be an electronic blur correction mode using a long / short exposure image. In the electronic blur correction mode using a long and short exposure image, a short exposure image with a relatively short exposure time and a long exposure image with a relatively long exposure time are continuously photographed by the imaging unit 11, and are converted into a short exposure image and a long exposure image. Based on this, a shake correction image with reduced blur is generated. The image data of the shake correction image can be recorded on the recording medium 16.

[Note 2]
In the above description, it is assumed that the first shooting mode is the single shooting mode. However, as long as the first and second shooting modes are different from each other, the first and second shooting modes are the above-described plurality of shooting modes. Any shooting mode included in the shooting mode may be used. For example, instead of the second shooting mode, the first shooting mode may be a continuous shooting mode, an HDR shooting mode, or a panoramic shooting mode.

[Note 3]
The imaging device 1 may be mounted on an arbitrary device (a mobile phone or an information terminal device).

[Note 4]
The imaging apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 can be configured by hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Of the functions realized by the imaging apparatus 1, any specific function may be described as a program. Specifically, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) may be provided in the main control unit 13 and the CPU may execute a program stored in a flash memory (not shown) to realize the specific function. . In the configuration of FIG. 1, for example, all or part of the signal processing unit 21, the imaging control unit 22, and the recording control unit 23 can be configured using software, and the other parts are configured using hardware. can do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 11 Imaging part 13 Main control part 16 Recording medium 17a Shutter button 17c Mode switching button 20 RAW buffer 22 Imaging control part 320 Mode switching icon

Claims (7)

Shooting in the target shooting mode, which is one of a plurality of shooting modes including the first and second shooting modes,
A recording medium and a display unit having a touch panel;
In the imaging device,
A first input unit that receives an input of a shooting start instruction in the first shooting mode;
A second input unit different from the first input unit;
After the shooting process of the first shooting mode is started in response to the start instruction input to the first input unit,
A mode switching icon that is not displayed before the first input unit receives an input of a shooting start instruction in the first shooting mode is displayed as the second input unit,
A shooting control unit that switches the target shooting mode from the first shooting mode to the second shooting mode when the mode switching icon is pressed during the shooting process of the first shooting mode. ,
In the first shooting mode, one still image is shot and the image data of the one shot image is recorded on the recording medium,
In the second shooting mode, an image pickup apparatus, wherein a plurality of still images are shot and image data based on the plurality of still images is recorded on the recording medium. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging process in the first imaging mode includes a recording process for recording image data of a captured image in the first imaging mode on the recording medium. In the second shooting mode, one still image is generated by executing predetermined signal processing on the plurality of still images shot in the second shooting mode, and the one shot is generated. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data of a still image is recorded on the recording medium. When the mode switching icon is pressed and the target shooting mode is switched from the first shooting mode to the second shooting mode, a second icon indicating the second shooting mode is displayed on the display unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is displayed. An imaging unit that outputs an image signal of a subject including an image signal of a target image, a buffer memory that can temporarily hold original data based on the output of the imaging unit, a recording medium, and the imaging control unit A main control unit that performs a photographing process of the target image,
Capture processing of the target image is a capturing process for capturing original data of the target image based on the output of the imaging unit into the buffer memory;
Display processing for generating display data from the original data of the target image;
Recording data generation processing for generating recording data from the original data of the target image;
A recording process for recording the file containing the recording data on the recording medium, and
The shooting process in the first shooting mode is a shooting process of a first target image,
In the second shooting mode, shooting processing of a plurality of second target images is continuously executed,
A first timing between the display process and the recording data generation process during a period during which the first target image is captured; a plurality of data processes included in the recording data generation process At each of the second timing and the third timing between the recording data generation process and the recording process
The main control unit checks whether or not the mode switching icon has been pressed and detects that it has been pressed, and the main control unit captures the first target image after the capturing process of the first target image. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part of a shooting process of each second target image including a process of capturing each second target image is interrupted before the completion of the process. When the mode switching icon is pressed during execution of intermediate processing including recording data generation processing for the first target image, the main control unit interrupts the intermediate processing of the first target image, After executing a part of the shooting process of each second target image including the capture process of the second target image, the intermediate process of the first target image is resumed, and then the recording process of the first target image is executed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the remaining part of the imaging process of each second target image is executed. When the mode switching icon is pressed during the execution of the recording process of the first target image, the main control unit interrupts the recording process of the first target image and performs the capturing process of each second target image. The first target image recording process is resumed after executing a part of the shooting process of each second target image, and the rest of the shooting process of each second target image is executed thereafter. The imaging device according to claim 5 or 6.

Images