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Description  |
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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The disclosure of the following priority application be herein incorporated
by reference: Japanese Patent Application No. 9-101273, filed Apr. 18,
1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and
in particular, it relates to an information processing apparatus capable
of recording a photographic image of an object as well as sound.
2. Description of the Related Art
Development of smaller semiconductors and the progress of mounting
technologies have contributed to the development of electronic cameras
capable of recording sound in addition to the images of an object. Such
electronic cameras have been available in the marketplace in recent years.
However, because sound comprises time-related information and images
comprise space-related information, when recording sound it becomes
necessary to designate the start of recording and end of recording. For
example, when recording images and sound simultaneously, the recording of
a photo image of an object at the time a release switch is pressed is all
that is required for an image, but the designation of the timing of the
ending of the recording is also required for sound.
Therefore, the simultaneous recording of image and sound becomes possible,
for example, by creating a device in which the recording of sound begins
as soon as the shooting is executed and the recording of sound is ended
when a predetermined operation is executed. However, such a device
presents the problem that the operation to end the recording of sound must
be executed for each shooting to complete the operation.
In order to resolve the problem described above, a device is suggested, for
example, in which the recording of sound is executed only for a
predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) while recording the photo
image of the object when the release switch is pressed, which eliminates
the need to execute an operation to end the recording of the sound.
However, such a device presents the problem that the recording of sound for
longer than 10 seconds (or some other predetermined time) is not possible.
Once shooting begins, the recording of sound is always enabled for 10
seconds, which makes it impossible to execute shooting in an unexpected
situation during the recording of sound, hence a shooting opportunity may
be lost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Considering the problems described above, the present invention makes it
possible for an electronic camera that is capable of recording images and
sound simultaneously to easily change the timing of ending the recording
of sound, without making the operation complicated.
The information processing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of
the invention includes a still image recording means for recording still
images when a first control member is operated, a sound recording means
for recording sound for only a predetermined time after the operation of
the first control member, a detection means for detecting the operation of
a second control member, and a recording time alteration means for
changing the recording time of the sound recording means. If, and
therefore when, the operation of the second control member is detected,
the recording time alteration means changes the recording time as a
function of the operation of the second control member.
According to another aspect of the invention, a recording medium for use in
an information processing apparatus capable of recording images and sound,
is encoded with a control program that causes the information processing
apparatus to record only a still image when a first control member is
operated, record only sound for a predetermined time after the operation
of the first control member, detect the operation of a second control
member, and when the operation of the second control member is detected
within the predetermined time after operation of the first control member,
change the predetermined sound recording time as a function of the
operation of the second control member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings
in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic camera
according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the electronic camera of FIG. 1 with a
cover being closed over the liquid crystal display;
FIG. 4 is a perspective cut-away view showing the inside of the electronic
camera shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;
FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are side views of the camera show in FIG. 2,
illustrating a relationship between the position of a LCD cover, a power
source switch and a LCD switch;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal electrical structure of the
electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing illustrating a thinning process of the pixels
during L mode;
FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing illustrating a thinning process of the pixels
during H mode;
FIG. 9 is an elevational view showing an example of a display screen of the
electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;
FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a process that is executed in an embodiment of
the invention;
FIG. 11 is a representation of an intermediate tone image that is displayed
when step S4 of the flow chart in FIG. 10 is executed;
FIG. 12 is a representation of an intermediate tone image that is displayed
when step S7 of the flow chart in FIG. 10 is executed;
FIG. 13 is a representation of an intermediate tone image that is displayed
when step S10 of the flow chart in FIG. 10 is executed;
FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a process that is executed in another embodiment
of the invention; and
FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a process that is executed in yet another
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of the present invention are described hereafter, with
reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an embodiment of an electronic
camera according to the present invention. The surface of the camera
facing the object is defined as the surface X1 and the surface facing the
user is defined as the surface X2 when the object is photographed. As
shown in FIG. 1, the top edge section of the surface X1 includes a
viewfinder 2, which is used to verify the shooting range of the object, a
shooting lens 3, which takes in the optical image of the object, and a
light emitting unit (strobe) 4, which emits light to illuminate the
object.
On the surface X1, a photometric device 16 measures light during the time
when the operation of a red-eye reduction lamp 15 reduces red eye by
emitting light before causing the strobe 4 to emit light and CCD 20 (a
Charge Coupled Device that is part of the still image recording means) is
prevented from operating with the strobe 4 emitting light. Other
photoelectric conversion devices could be used as alternatives to CCD 20
for converting a light image of an object to electrical signals.
Alternatives could include, for example, CMOS devices and PSDs
(Photo-Sensitive Diodes). A calorimetric device 17 measures color during
the time when operation of CCD 20 is stopped.
As shown in FIG. 2, the top edge section of the surface X2 (a position
opposite from the top section of the surface X1 where the viewfinder 2,
the control lens 3 and the light emitting unit 4 are formed) includes the
viewfinder 2 and a speaker 5 that outputs the sound being recorded in the
electronic camera 1. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 6 and a group of keys
that together make up control keys 7 are positioned on the surface X2
vertically below the viewfinder 2, and the speaker 5. The LCD 6 (display
component) could be any type of flat screen display and could be provided
on the body of electronic camera 1, as shown in FIG. 2, or could be a
separate (i.e., removable) component. As a separate component, the display
component could be a CRT monitor and could be part of a personal computer
or other host apparatus. A touch tablet 6A is arranged on the surface of
the LCD 6. Touch tablet 6A outputs position data corresponding to a
position designated by a touching operation of a pen type pointing device,
which will be explained later.
The touch tablet 6A is made of transparent material such as glass or resin
and the user may be able to view an image displayed on LCD 6, which is
positioned inside the touch tablet 6A through the touch tablet 6A.
The group of keys that together make up control keys 7 are operated in
reproducing and displaying the recording data on the LCD 6. Control keys 7
detect an operation (input) by the user and supply the user's input to a
CPU 39, shown in FIG. 6. The CPU 39 includes detection means, and sound
recording time alteration means to be explained later. The CPU 39 could be
any type of processor including a microprocessor, as is common in
electronic digital still and/or video cameras.
A menu key 7A is operated to display a menu screen on the LCD 6. An
execution key 7B is operated to reproduce the recording information
selected by the user.
A clear key 7C is operated to delete the recorded information. A cancel key
7D is operated to interrupt the reproduction process of the recording
information. A scroll key 7E is operated to scroll the screen vertically
when the recording information is displayed on the LCD 6 as a table.
An LCD cover 14 is mounted to slide freely on the surface X2, and provides
means for protecting the LCD 6 when it is not in use. When moved upward in
the vertical direction, the LCD cover 14 covers the LCD 6 and the touch
tablet 6A as shown in FIG. 3. When the LCD cover 14 is moved downward in
the vertical direction, the LCD 6 and the touch tablet 6A are exposed, and
a power switch 11 (to be explained later) arranged on a side surface Y2 of
camera 1 is switched to the on-position by an arm unit 14A of the LCD
cover 14, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C.
A microphone 8 (sound recording means) to gather sound and an earphone jack
9 (to which an unrepresented earphone is connected) are provided on a top
surface Z of the electronic camera 1.
A release switch 10 is operated in shooting an object, and a continuous
shooting mode switch 13 is operated in switching the continuous shooting
mode during shooting. The release switch 10 and continuous shooting mode
switch 13 are provided on the left side surface (surface Y1). The release
switch 10 and the continuous shooting mode switch 13 are arranged
vertically below the viewfinder 2, the shooting lens 3 and the light
emitting unit 4, and on side surface Y1, as shown in FIG. 1.
A recording switch 12 to be operated when recording sound and a power
switch 11 are provided on the surface Y2 (right surface) opposite the
surface Y1. Like the release switch 10 and the continuous shooting mode
switch 13 described above, the recording switch 12 and the power switch 11
are arranged vertically below the viewfinder 2, the shooting lens 3 and
the light emitting unit 4, which are provided on the top edge section of
the surface X1. The recording switch 12 on surface Y2, and the release
switch 10 on the surface Y1 can be positioned at nearly the same height so
that the user does not feel any difference when the camera is held either
by the right hand or the left hand.
Alternatively, the height of the recording switch 12 and the release switch
10 may be intentionally changed so that the user will not accidentally
press the switch provided on an opposite side surface when the other
switch is pressed. Furthermore, the user's fingers can press against the
opposite side surface to offset the moment created by the pressing of the
other switch.
The continuous shooting mode switch 13 is used when the user decides on
whether to shoot one frame or several frames of the object by pressing the
release switch 10. For example, if the indicator of the continuous
shooting mode switch 13 is pointed to the position printed "S" (in other
words, when the switch is changed to the S mode), and the release switch
10 is pressed, the camera shoots only one frame.
If the indicator of the continuous shooting mode switching switch 13 is
pointed to the position printed "L" (in other words, when the switch is
changed to the L mode), and the release switch 10 is pressed, the camera
shoots eight frames per second as long as the release switch 10 is pressed
(thus, the low speed continuous shooting mode is enabled).
Furthermore, if the indicator of the continuous shooting mode switching
switch 13 is pointed to the position printed "H" (in other words, when the
switch is changed to the H mode), and the release switch 10 is pressed,
the camera shoots 30 frames per second as long as the release switch 10 is
pressed (thus, the high speed continuous shooting mode is enabled).
Next, the internal structure of the electronic camera 1 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal structure
of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The CCD 20 is
provided to the rear (in the direction of surface X2) of the shooting lens
3 and the optical image of the object imaged through the shooting lens 3
is photoelectrically converted to electrical signals by CCD 20.
A display device 26 in the viewfinder 2 is arranged inside a vision screen
of the viewfinder 2 and displays the setting conditions and the like of
the various functions for the user who views the object through the
viewfinder 2.
Four cylindrical batteries (e.g., AA dry cell batteries) 21 are placed side
by side vertically below the LCD 6 and the electrical power stored in the
batteries 21 is supplied to each part. A capacitor 22 is provided below
the LCD 6 and next to the batteries 21 to accumulate an electrical charge,
which is used to cause the light emitting unit 4 to emit light.
Various control circuits are formed on a circuit board 23 to control each
part of the electronic camera 1. A removable memory card 24 is provided
between the circuit board 23, the LCD 6 and the batteries 21 so that
information input into the electronic camera 1 is recorded in a
preassigned area of the memory card 24.
An LCD switch 25 is arranged adjacent to the power source switch 11 and is
a switch that turns on only when its protrusion is pressed. LCD switch 25
is switched to the ON-state along with the power source switch 11 by the
arm unit 14A of the LCD cover 14 when the LCD cover 14 is moved vertically
downward as shown in FIG. 5A.
If the LCD cover 14 moves vertically upward the power source switch 11 is
operated by the user independent of the LCD switch 25. For example, if the
LCD cover 14 is closed and the electronic camera 1 is not being used, the
power source switch 11 and the LCD switch 25 are in the off-mode shown in
FIG. 5B. From this mode, if the user switches the power source switch 11
to the on-mode as shown in FIG. 5C, the power source switch 11 assumes the
on-mode but the LCD switch 25 remains in off-mode. On the other hand, when
the power source switch 11 and the LCD switch 25 are in the off-mode as
shown in FIG. 5B, and if the LCD cover 14 is opened, the power source
switch 11 and the LCD switch 25 assume the on-mode as shown in FIG. 5A.
Then when the LCD cover 14 is closed, only the LCD switch 25 assumes the
off-mode shown in FIG. 5C.
In the present embodiment, the memory card 24 is removable, but a memory on
which information can be recorded may be provided on the circuit board 23.
Information recorded on the memory (memory card 24) may also be output to
an external personal computer and the like through an unrepresented
interface. Alternative types of memory medium that could be used include a
magnetooptical disk, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a ZIP card or other
flash memory cards.
Next, an internal electrical structure of the electronic camera 1 of the
present embodiment is explained with reference to the block diagram of
FIG. 6. The CCD 20 is equipped with a plurality of pixels which
photoelectrically convert the optical image imaged on each pixel into
image signals (electrical signals). A digital signal processor (hereafter
referred to as DSP) 33 (which makes up part of the still image recording
means), supplies a CCD horizontal driving pulse to the CCD 20, as well as
supplying a CCD vertical driving pulse to the CCD 20 by controlling the
CCD driving circuit 34.
An image processing unit 31 (which also makes up part of the still image
recording means) is controlled by the CPU 39, samples the image signals
which are photoelectrically converted by the CCD 20 with predetermined
timing, and amplifies the sampled signals to a predetermined level. An
analog/digital conversion circuit (hereafter the A/D conversion circuit)
32 (which also makes up part of the still image recording means) digitizes
the image signals that are sampled by the image processing unit 31 and
supplies them to the DSP 33.
The DSP 33 controls the buffer memory 36 and the data bus connected to the
memory card 24. DSP 33 temporarily stores the image data that is supplied
from the A/D conversion circuit 32 in the buffer memory 36, then reads the
image data stored in the buffer memory 36, and records the image data on
the memory card 24.
The DSP 33 sends image data to a frame memory 35 for storing the image data
that is supplied by the A/D conversion circuit 32. Image data from frame
memory 35 is displayed on the LCD 6. The DSP 33 also reads the shooting
image data from the memory card 24, decompresses the shooting data, then
stores the decompressed image data in the frame memory 35, and displays
the decompressed image data on the LCD 6.
The DSP 33 operates the CCD 20 repeatedly by adjusting the exposure time
(exposure value) until the exposure level of the CCD 20 reaches an
appropriate level at the time of starting the electronic camera 1. At this
time, the DSP 33 may operate the photometric circuit 51 first, then
compute the initial value of the exposure time of the CCD 20 corresponding
to the light receiving level detected by the photometric device 16. This
enables adjustment of exposure time for the CCD 20 to be achieved in a
short time.
In addition, the DSP 33 executes timing management for data input/output
during recording on the memory card 24 and storing decompressed image data
in the buffer memory 36.
The buffer memory 36 is used to compensate for the difference between the
data input/output speed for the memory card 24 and the processing speed of
the CPU 39 and the DSP 33.
The microphone 8 inputs sound information (gathers sound) and supplies the
sound information to the A/D and D/A conversion circuit 42 (sound
recording means).
The A/D and D/A conversion circuit 42 converts the analog signals to
digital signals, supplies the digital signals to the CPU 39, changes the
sound data supplied by the CPU 39 to analog signals, and outputs the sound
signal that has been changed to analog signals to the speaker 5.
The photometric device 16 measures the amount of light from the object and
its surrounding area and outputs the measurement results to the
photometric circuit 51.
The photometric circuit 51 executes a predetermined process to the analog
signals, which include the measurement results supplied from the
photometric device 16, and then converts the processed analog signals to
digital signals, and outputs the digital signals to the CPU 39.
The color measuring (calorimetric) device 17 measures the color temperature
of the object and its surrounding area and outputs the measurement results
to the calorimetric circuit 52.
The calorimetric circuit 52 executes a predetermined process to the analog
signals, which comprise the color measurement results supplied from the
photometric device 17, and then converts the processed analog signals to
digital signals, and outputs the digital signals to the CPU 39.
A timer 45 has an internal clock circuit and outputs data corresponding to
the current time to the CPU 39.
A stop driving circuit 53 sets the diameter of an aperture stop 54 to a
predetermined value. The stop 54 is arranged between the shooting lens 3
and the CCD 20 and changes the aperture for the light entering from the
shooting lens 3 to the CCD 20.
The CPU 39 stops the operation of the photometric circuit 51 and the
calorimetric circuit 52 when the LCD cover 14 is open. The CPU 39 runs the
operation of the photometric circuit 51 and the calorimetric circuit 52
when the LCD cover 14 is closed, and stops the operation of the CCD 20 (by
electronic shutter operation, for example) until the release switch 10
reaches a half-depressed mode (the state in which a first control is
executed).
The CPU 39 receives the light measurement results of the photometric device
16, and receives the color measurement results of the calorimetric device
17 by controlling the photometric circuit 51 and the colorimetric circuit
52 when the operation of the CCD 20 is stopped.
The CPU 39 computes a white balance adjustment value corresponding to the
color temperature supplied from the colorimetric circuit 52 using a
predetermined table, and supplies the white balance value to the image
processing unit 31.
In other words, when the LCD cover 14 is closed, the LCD 6 is not used as
an electronic viewfinder, hence the operation of the CCD 20 stops. The CCD
20 consumes a large amount of electric power. Therefore, stopping
operation of the CCD 20 as described above enables the power of the
batteries 21 to be conserved.
When the LCD cover 14 is closed, the image processing unit 31 is controlled
so that the image processing unit 31 does not execute various processes
until the release switch 10 is operated (until the release switch 10
reaches a half-depressed state).
When the LCD cover 14 is closed, the stop driving circuit 53 is controlled
so that the stop driving circuit 53 does not execute an operation such as
changing the diameter of the aperture stop 54 until the release switch 10
is operated (until the release switch 10 reaches a half-depressed state).
The CPU 39 controls the light emitting unit (strobe) 4 to emit light, at
the user's discretion, by controlling the strobe driving circuit 37. The
CPU 39 also controls the red eye reduction lamp 15 to emit light, at the
discretion of the user, prior to having the strobe 4 emit light by
controlling the red eye reduction lamp driving circuit 38.
The CPU 39 causes the strobe 4 not to emit light when the LCD cover 14 is
open (in other words, when the LCD is used as an electronic viewfinder).
By doing so, the object may be shot as the image displayed in the
electronic viewfinder.
The CPU 39 records information concerning the date of shooting as header
information for the image data stored in the shooting image recording area
of the memory card 24 according to the date data supplied from the timer
45. (In other words, the date of shooting data is attached to the shooting
image data recorded in the shooting image recording area of the memory
card 24.)
The CPU 39 temporarily records digitized and compressed sound data after
compressing the digitized sound information to the buffer memory 36, and
then records it in a predetermined area (sound recording area) of the
memory card 24. The recording date is also recorded simultaneously in the
sound recording area of the memory card 24 as header information for the
sound data.
The CPU 39 executes an auto focus operation by controlling a lens driving
circuit 30 and by moving the shooting lens 3. The CPU 39 also changes the
aperture diameter of the stop 54, which is arranged between the shooting
lens 3 and the CCD 20, by controlling the stop driving circuit 53.
Additionally, the CPU 39 displays settings and the like for various
operations on the display device 26 inside the viewfinder by controlling
the display circuit 40 inside the viewfinder.
The CPU 39 exchanges predetermined data with a predetermined external
apparatus (unrepresented) through an interface (I/F) 48.
The CPU 39 receives signals from any of the keys that make up the control
keys 7 and processes the signals appropriately.
When a predetermined position on the touch tablet 6A is pressed by a pen 41
(pen type pointing device), which is operated by the user, the CPU 39
reads the X-Y coordinates of the position pressed on the touch tablet 6A
and stores the coordinate data (line drawing information to be explained
later) in the buffer memory 36. The CPU 39 records the line drawing
information that is stored in the buffer memory 36 in the line drawing
information recording area of the memory card 24 together with header
information consisting of the line drawing information input date.
Next, various operations of the electronic camera 1 according to a
preferred embodiment will be explained. To begin with, the operation of
the electronic viewfinder in the LCD 6 of the present apparatus will be
described.
When the user half-depresses the release switch 10, the DSP 33 determines
whether LCD cover 14 is open based on the value of a signal corresponding
to the status of the LCD switch 25, which is supplied from the CPU 39. If
the LCD cover 14 is determined to be closed the operation of the
electronic viewfinder is not executed. In this case, the DSP 33 stops the
process until the release switch 10 is operated.
If the LCD cover 14 is closed, the operation of the electronic viewfinder
is not executed and the CPU 39 stops the operation of the CCD 20, the
image processing unit 31 and the stop driving circuit 53. The CPU 39
causes the photometric circuit 51 and the calorimetric circuit 52 to
operate instead of stopping the CCD 20, and supplies the measurement
results to the image processing unit 31. The image processing unit 31 uses
the values of the measurement results to control the white balance and the
value of brightness.
If the release switch 10 is operated to at least the half-depressed
position with the LCD cover 14 closed, the CPU 39 causes the CCD 20 and
the stop driving circuit 53 to operate.
On the other hand, if the LCD cover 14 is open, the CCD 20 executes an
electronic shutter operation with a predetermined exposure time for each
predetermined time interval. CCD 20 then executes photoelectric conversion
of the photo image of the object, which is gathered by the shooting lens
3, and outputs the resulting image signals to the image processing unit
31.
The image processing unit 31 controls white balance and brightness value,
executes a predetermined process on the image signals, and then outputs
the image signals to the A/D conversion circuit 32. If the CCD 20 is
operating, the image processing unit 31 uses an adjusted value that is
computed based on the output from the CCD 20 by the CPU 39 and that is
used for controlling the white balance and brightness value.
Furthermore, the A/D conversion circuit 32 converts the image signal
(analog signal) into the image data, which is a digital signal, and
outputs the image data to the DSP 33.
The DSP 33 outputs the image data to the frame memory 35 and causes the LCD
6 to display an image corresponding to the image data.
In this manner, the CCD 20 of electronic camera 1 operates the electronic
shutter at a predetermined time interval when the LCD cover 14 is open.
The operation of the electronic viewfinder is executed by converting the
signal output from the CCD 20 into image data during said time interval,
outputting the image data to the frame memory 35 and continuously
displaying the image of the object on the LCD 6.
If the LCD cover 14 is closed as described above, the electronic viewfinder
operation is not executed and the operation of the CCD 20, the image
processing unit 31 and the stop driving circuit 53 are halted to conserve
energy.
Next, shooting of the object using the present apparatus will be described.
First, a case in which the continuous shooting mode switch 13 provided on
the surface Y1 is switched to the S-mode (the mode in which only one frame
is shot) will be explained. To begin with, power is introduced to the
electronic camera 1 by switching the power source switch 11 shown in FIG.
2 to the "ON" position. The shooting process of the object begins when the
release switch 10 provided on the surface Y1 is pressed after verifying
that the object appears through the viewfinder 2.
In this case, if the LCD cover 14 is closed, the CPU 39 resumes the
operation of the CCD 20, the image processing unit 31 and the stop driving
circuit 53 when the release switch 10 reaches a half-depressed status, and
begins the shooting process of the object when the release switch 10
reaches a fully-depressed status (the state in which a second control is
executed).
The photo image of the object being observed through the viewfinder 2 is
gathered by the shooting lens 3 and forms an image on the CCD 20, which
has a plurality of pixels. The photo image that is imaged onto the CCD 20
is photoelectrically converted into an image signal by each pixel, and is
sampled by the image processing unit 31. The image signal that is sampled
by the image processing unit 31 is supplied to the A/D conversion circuit
32 where it is digitized, and is output to the DSP 33.
The DSP 33, after outputting the image temporarily to the buffer memory 36,
reads the image data from the buffer memory 36, compresses the image data
using the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) standard, which is a
combination of a discrete cosine transformation, quantization, and Huffman
encoding, and records the image data in the shooting image recording area
of the memory card 24. At this time, the shooting date data is recorded as
header information of the shooting image data in the shooting image
recording area of the memory card 24.
In this case, if the continuous shooting mode switch 13 is switched to the
S-mode, only one frame is shot and further shooting does not take place
even if the release switch 10 continues to be pressed. If the release
switch 10 continues to be pressed, the image which has been shot is
displayed on the LCD when the LCD cover 14 is open.
Next, a second case is explained in which the continuous shooting mode
switch 13 is switched to the L-mode (a mode in which 8 frames per second
are shot continuously). To begin with, power is introduced to the
electronic camera 1 by switching the power source switch 11 to the "ON"
side. The shooting process of the object begins when the release switch 10
provided on the surface Y1 is pressed.
In this case, if the LCD cover 14 is closed, the CPU 39 resumes the
operation of the CCD 20, the image processing unit 31 and the stop driving
circuit 53 when the release switch 10 reaches a half-depressed status. The
shooting process of the object is begun when the release switch 10 is in
the fully-depressed status.
The photo image of the object being observed through the viewfinder 2 is
gathered by the shooting lens 3 and forms an image on the CCD 20. The
photo image that is imaged onto the CCD 20 is photoelectrically converted
into an image signal by each pixel, and is sampled by the image processing
unit 31 at a rate of 8 times per second. The image processing unit 31
thins out three-fourths of the pixels of image electrical signals of all
of the pixels in the CCD 20.
In other words, the image processing unit 31 divides the pixels in the CCD
20 into areas each composed of 2.times.2 pixels (4 pixels) as shown in
FIG. 7, and samples the image signal of one pixel arranged in a
predetermined location from each area, thinning out the remaining 3
pixels.
For example, during the first sampling (first frame), the pixel located on
the left upper corner of the first area is sampled and other pixels b, c
and d are thinned out. During the second sampling (second frame), the
pixel b located on the right upper corner is sampled and other pixels a, c
and d are thinned out. Likewise, during the third and the fourth sampling,
the pixels c and d respectively located at the left lower corner and the
right lower corner are sampled and the rest are thinned out. Thus, each
pixel is sampled once during four samplings.
The image signals (image signals of one fourth of all the pixels in the CCD
20) that are sampled by the image processing unit 31 are supplied to the
A/D conversion circuit 32 where they are digitized and output to the DSP
33.
The DSP 33, after outputting the image temporarily to the buffer memory 36,
reads the image data from the buffer memory 36, compresses the image data
using the JPEG method, and records the digitized and compressed shooting
image data in the shooting image recording area of the memory card 24. At
this time, the shooting date data is recorded as header information of the
shooting image data in th | | |
