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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera is disclosed which has a first recording medium
for recording captured images and a second recording medium, different
from the first recording medium, for recording images obtained after
editing the captured images. Since the edited images are recorded
on the second recording medium, it is easy to sort out a desired
image.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A digital camera having a plurality of image recording media,
comprising:an imaging part for capturing a subject image;a first
image recording medium;a second image recording medium;an image
processing part capable of performing editing processing on image
data; anda control part for controlling the imaging part to acquire
image data in response to a release operation and recording the
acquired image data on the first recording medium,wherein the control
part reads image data recorded on the first recording medium in
response to an editing processing operation to supply the read image
data to the image processing part, and records the image data edited
by the image processing part on the second recording medium.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1 wherein at least either
of the first and second image recording media is a memory card removable
from the digital camera.
3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the image processing
part can perform, on the image data, at least one of white balance
adjustment processing, color balance adjustment processing, monotone
conversion processing, sepia conversion processing, image size changing
processing, and erase prohibition setting processing.
4. The digital camera according to claim 1 further comprising a
display part capable of displaying image data read from the first
image recording medium and image data edited by the image processing
part.
5. A control method for a digital camera having a plurality of
image recording media, the method comprising capturing a subject
image in response to a release operation;recording captured image
data on a first recording medium;reading image data recorded on
the first recording media in response to an image selection operation;performing
predetermined editing processing on the read image data in response
to an editing operation; andrecording the edited image data on a
second image recording medium different from the first recording
media.
6. The control method according to claim 5, wherein any of white
balance adjustment processing, color balance adjustment processing,
monotone conversion processing, sepia conversion processing, image
size changing processing, and erase prohibition setting processing
is performed in the editing processing.
7. A digital camera having a plurality of image recording media,
comprising:an imaging part for acquiring a subject image as image
data;an image processing part for editing image data;a first image
recording medium for storing the image data acquired by the imaging
part as an original image;a second image recording medium, different
from the first recording medium, for storing the image data edited
by the image processing part.
Digital Camera Patent Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001]This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-033238,
filed on Feb. 10, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002]1. Field of the Invention
[0003]The present invention relates to a digital camera having
a plurality of recording media, and more particularly to a digital
camera having a plurality of recording media and capable of editing
of and protect setting for recorded images.
[0004]2. Description of the Related Art
[0005]It is common practice with a digital camera to store shot
images on recording media (variously referred to as memory cards,
storage media, recording media, etc.). Some of recently commercially
available digital cameras can load two or more recording media at
the same time. There is also a proposal to use plural recording
media concurrently in order to enhance the functionality of a digital
camera.
[0006]For example, an electronic camera is proposed in which image
information is dividedly transferred and recorded in parallel onto
a plurality of recording media during continuous shooting in order
to improve the recording speed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 7-135589). A digital camera is also proposed in which when one
recording medium runs out of storage space during movie shooting,
the movie is continuously recorded onto another recording medium
(Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-80008). Further,
a digital camera is proposed in which shot images are dividedly
recorded on a plurality of recording media during continuous shooting
in order to reduce data transfer time (Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2005-175574).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007]The digital camera of the present invention uses at least
a first recording medium and a second recording medium different
from the first recording medium in such a manner that a captured
image is recorded on the first recording medium, and upon editing,
the image recorded on the first recording medium is read and subjected
to editing processing, and the edited image is recorded on the second
recording medium.
[0008]The term "editing processing" includes, for example,
editing processing for image data (e.g., white balance adjustment,
color balance adjustment, monotone conversion, sepia conversion,
change in image size, etc.) and editing processing for attributes
of image data (e.g., protection attribute adding processing, etc.).
If at least part of these processing is performed, it can be said
that the editing processing is performed.
[0009]An exemplary structure of the digital camera of the present
invention can be expressed as follows: A digital camera having a
plurality of image recording media comprises: an imaging part for
capturing a subject image; a first image recording medium; a second
image recording medium; an image processing part capable of performing
editing processing on image data; and a control part for controlling
the imaging part to acquire image data in response to a release
operation and recording the acquired image data on the first recording
medium, wherein the control part reads image data recorded on the
first recording medium in response to an editing processing operation
to supply the read image data to the image processing part, and
records the image data edited by the image processing part on second
recording medium.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010]These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better
understood with regard to the following description, appended claims,
and accompanying drawings where:
[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the general structure of
a single-lens reflex digital camera in an embodiment to which the
present invention is applied;
[0012]FIG. 2 is an exterior perspective view of the single-lens
reflex digital camera in the embodiment of the present invention
as viewed from its back side;
[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a loading state of a
recording medium A and a recording medium B in the embodiment of
the present invention;
[0014]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing display and operation modes
in the embodiment of the present invention;
[0015]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a shooting operation in the
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a playback operation in the
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an image editing operation
in the embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018]FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing protect processing in the embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019]A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the general structure of
a single-lens reflex digital camera according to an embodiment of
the present invention. The single-lens reflex digital camera according
to the embodiment includes an interchangeable lens 100 and a camera
body 200. In the embodiment, the interchangeable lens 100 and the
camera body 200 are constructed separately and electrically connected
through a communication contact 300, but the interchangeable lens
100 and the camera body 200 can be integrally constructed.
[0021]Inside the interchangeable lens 100, lenses 101 and 102 for
focusing adjustment and focal distance adjustment, and an aperture
103 for adjusting the amount of light passing therethrough are arranged.
The lenses 101, 102 and the aperture 103 are so connected that the
lenses 101, 102 will be driven by a lens drive mechanism 107 and
the aperture 103 will be driven by an aperture drive mechanism 109.
The lens drive mechanism 107 and the aperture drive mechanism 109
are connected to a lens CPU 111, respectively, and the lens CPU
111 is connected to the camera body 200 through the connection contact
300. The lens CPU 111 controls the components inside the interchangeable
lens 100. In other words, the lens CPU 111 controls the lens drive
mechanism 107 to perform focusing and zoom driving and controls
the aperture drive mechanism 109 to control the aperture value.
[0022]A movable mirror 201 is provided inside the camera body 200.
The movable mirror 201 is movable between a position 45 degrees
inclined with respect to the lens optical axis to reflect a subject
image into a finder optical system and a position flipped up to
guide the subject image to an image pickup device (CCD 221 to be
described later). A focusing screen 205 is arranged above the movable
mirror 201 to form the subject image thereon. A pentaprism 207 is
arranged above the focusing screen 205 to flip the subject image
horizontally left to right. An eyepiece lens 209 used for viewing
the subject image is arranged on the exit side of the pentaprism
207 (on the right side in FIG. 1). A photometric sensor 211 is arranged
at the side of the eyepiece lens 209 at a position not to interfere
with viewing of the subject image. The photometric sensor 211 is
composed of multi-zone photometric elements for dividing the subject
image and measuring the brightness of the subject image.
[0023]The central portion of the above-mentioned movable mirror
201 is formed into a half mirror. A sub-mirror 203 is provided on
the backside of the movable mirror 201 to reflect a subject light
beam, which has passed through the half mirror portion, downward
in the camera body 200. This sub-mirror 203 is movable in response
to the movement of the movable mirror 201. In other words, when
the movable mirror 201 is flipped up, the sub-mirror 203 is moved
to a position where it covers the half mirror portion, while when
the movable mirror 201 is at the position for viewing the subject
image, the sub-mirror 203 is at a position where it is perpendicular
to the movable mirror 201 as shown in FIG. 1. This movable mirror
201 is driven by a mirror drive mechanism 219. Further, a distance
measurement circuit 217 including a distance measurement sensor
is arranged below the sub-mirror 203. This distance measurement
circuit 217 measures the amount of defocus of the subject image
imaged through the lenses 101 and 102.
[0024]A focal-plane type shutter 213 for control of exposure time
is arranged behind the movable mirror 201. The driving of this shutter
213 is controlled by a shutter drive mechanism 215. A CCD (Charge
Coupled Devices) 221 as an image pickup device is arranged behind
the shutter 213 to photoelectrically convert the subject image imaged
through the lenses 101 and 102 into an electric signal. In the embodiment,
the CCD is used as the image pickup device, but the present invention
is not limited thereto, and any other two-dimensional image pickup
device such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)
can, of course, be used. The CCD 221 is connected to a CCD drive
circuit 223 in which analog-digital conversion (AD conversion) is
performed. The CCD drive circuit 223 is connected to an image processing
circuit 227 through a CCD interface 225. This image processing circuit
227 performs various image processing, such as color correction,
gamma (.gamma.) correction, contrast correction, white balance adjustment,
color balance adjustment, monotone conversion, sepia conversion,
change in image size, etc.
[0025]The image processing circuit 227 is connected to a data bus
261 inside an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 271.
Further connected to this data bus 261 are a sequence controller
(hereinafter referred to as "body CPU") 229 to be described
later, a compression circuit 231, a flash memory control circuit
233, an SDRAM control circuit 236, an I/O circuit 239, a communication
circuit 241, a recording media control circuit 243, a video signal
output circuit 247, and a switch detection circuit 253.
[0026]The body CPU 229 connected to the data bus 261 controls the
overall flow of this single-lens reflex digital camera. The compression
circuit 231 also connected to the data bus 261 is a circuit for
compressing image data stored in an SDRAM 237 in a JPEG or TIFF
format. The image compression method is not limited to JPEG or TIFF,
and any other compression method can be employed. The flash memory
control circuit 233 connected to the data bus 261 is connected to
a flash memory 235. This flash memory 235 stores a program for controlling
the overall flow of the single-lens reflex camera, and the body
CPU.229 controls the single-lens reflex digital camera according
to the program stored in this flash memory 235. The flash memory
235 is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory. The SDRAM
237 is connected to the data bus 261 through the SDRAM control circuit
236. This SDRAM 237 is a buffer memory for temporary storage of
image data processed by the image processing circuit 227 or image
data compressed by the compression circuit 231.
[0027]The I/O circuit 239 is connected to the photometric sensor
211, the shutter drive circuit 215, the distance measurement circuit
217, and the mirror drive mechanism 219, respectively, to control
input and output of data to and from each circuit such as the body
CPU 229 through the data bus 261. The communication circuit 241
connected to the lens CPU 111 through the communication contact
300 is connected to the data bus 261 to communicate with the body
CPU 229 and the like for exchange of data and control instructions.
The recording media control circuit 243 connected to the data bus
261 is connected to a recording medium A 245 and a recording medium
B 246 to control recording or the like of image data onto the recording
medium A 245 and the recording medium B 246. Each of the recording
medium A 245 and the recording medium B 246 is a rewritable recording
medium such as an xD-Picture Card.TM., a Compact Flash.TM., an SD
Memory Card.TM., or a Memory Stick.TM.. The camera body 200 is designed
to enable the loading of these recording media, and the recording
media are removably loaded into the camera body 200. The camera
body 200 can also be configured to enable connection of a hard disk
as a recording medium through a communication contact. The combination
of the recording medium A 245 and the recording medium B 246 may
be a combination of the same type recording media, or a combination
of different types of recording media. For example, a combination
can be considered, in which a high-capacity Compact Flash is used
as the recording medium A 245 and a compact, easy-to-handle xD-Picture
Card is used as the recording medium B 246.
[0028]The video signal output circuit 247 connected to the data
bus 261 is connected to an LCD monitor 26 through a LCD monitor
drive circuit 249. The video signal output circuit 247 is a circuit
for converting image data, stored in the SDRAM 237, the recording
medium A 245, or the recording medium B 246, into a video signal
for display on the LCD monitor 26. The LCD monitor 26 is arranged
on the backside of the camera body 200 (see FIG. 2 to be described
later), but it is not limited to be arranged on the backside. The
LCD monitor 26 can be placed in any position as long as the photographer
can view it, and be of any type other than the LCD type. Various
switches 255, such as switches for detecting first and second strokes
of a release button 21 (see FIG. 2), a switch for instructing a
playback mode, arrow pad switches for instructing the movement of
a cursor on the screen of the LCD monitor 26, a mode dial switch
for instructing a shooting mode, an OK switch for confirming each
selected mode, a switch for changing recording media, a switch for
an editing button, a switch for a protect setting button, a switch
for an erase button, etc., are connected to the data bus 261 through
the switch detection circuit 253.
[0029]The following describes a single-lens reflex digital camera
to which the present invention is applied with reference to an exterior
perspective view of FIG. 2 in which the single-lens reflex digital
camera is shown as viewed from its back.
[0030]The release button 21, a mode dial 22, a control dial 24,
etc. are arranged on the top face of the camera body 200. The release
button 21 has a first release switch to be turned on when the photographer
presses the button halfway and a second release switch to be turned
on when the photographer fully presses the button. When the first
release switch (hereinafter abbreviated as "1R") is turned
on, the camera performs shooting preparation operations such as
focus detection, focusing of the photographing lens, light metering
to measure the brightness of a subject, etc. Then, when the second
release switch (hereinafter abbreviated as "2R") is turned
on, the camera performs a shooting operation for capturing image
data of a subject image based on the output of the CCD 221.
[0031]The mode dial 22 is an operation member configured to be
movable. When the photographer sets the mode dial 22 to a pictorial
or alphabetic icon provided on the mode dial to indicate a shooting
mode, the shooting mode can be selected from among a full-auto shooting
mode (AUTO), a program shooting mode (P), an aperture priority shooting
mode (A), a shutter priority shooting mode (S), a manual shooting
mode (M), a portrait shooting mode, a landscape shooting mode, a
macro shooting mode, a sport shooting mode, a night scene shooting
mode, etc. Among these modes, the full-auto shooting mode is a mode
for allowing the camera to automatically set the aperture value
and shutter speed for the lens, and if in low light, an electronic
flash (not shown) automatically pops up to enable flash shooting.
This mode is enough for common snapshots. The program shooting mode
is a mode for automatically setting a combination of the aperture
value and the shutter speed for optimum exposure. The aperture priority
shooting mode is a mode for allowing the photographer to set an
aperture value so that the camera will automatically set a shutter
speed for optimum exposure. The shutter priority shooting mode is
a mode for allowing the photographer to set a shutter speed so that
the camera will automatically set an aperture value for optimum
exposure. The manual shooting mode is a mode for allowing the photographer
to set both the aperture value and the shutter speed.
[0032]The portrait shooting mode is a mode suitable for shooting
a portrait-style image of a person. The landscape shooting mode
is a mode suitable for shooting landscapes. The macro shooting mode
is a mode suitable for taking a close-up picture of a subject. The
sport shooting mode is a mode suitable for taking a picture of a
moving subject at sports or the like. The night scene shooting mode
is a mode suitable for shooting both a person as the subject and
the background at night.
[0033]The control dial 24 is an operation member for setting shooting
information such as the shutter speed, the aperture value, an ISO
sensitivity, a compensation value, etc. The photographer can rotate
the control dial to change various setting values.
[0034]Arranged on the backside of the camera body 200 are the LCD
monitor 26, a playback button 27, a menu button 28, an UP arrow
button 30U, a DOWN arrow button 30D, a RIGHT arrow button 30R, a
LEFT arrow button 30L (these arrow buttons 30U, 30D, 30R, and 30L
may be collectively referred to as "arrow pad 30" below),
an OK button 31, a recording media change button 36, an editing
button 37, a protect button 38, and an erase button 39. The LCD
monitor 26 is a display device for displaying a shot subject image(s)
and/or shooting conditions or a menu. The LCD monitor 26 is not
limited to be the LCD type. It can be of any other type monitor
as long as it can display the above-mentioned image(s) and/or shooting
conditions or a menu. The playback button 27 is an operation button
for instructing the display of a recorded subject image on the LCD
monitor 26. The subject image data compressively stored in a compression
format such as JPEG in the SDRAM 237, or on the recording medium
A 245 or the recording medium B 246 as mentioned above is decompressed
and displayed. The playback button 27 is also used to read a recorded
image to be edited or upon protect setting as will be described
later.
[0035]The arrow pad 30 is an operation member for instructing the
movement of the cursor two-dimensionally in X and Y directions on
the LCD monitor 26. It is also used to instruct a frame upon displaying
a corresponding subject image recorded on a recording medium. The
four buttons for UP, DOWN, RIGHT, and LEFT can be replaced with
a switch such as a touch switch capable of detecting a two-dimensionally
operated direction, a swingable switch having a single operation
member capable of being swingably operated, or the like. The OK
button 31 is an operation member for confirming each item selected
using the arrow pad 30 or the control dial. The menu button 28 is
a button for switching to the menu mode. When the photographer operates
the menu button 28 to select a menu mode, a corresponding menu screen
appears on the LCD monitor 26. The menu screen has a hierarchy structure
consisting of a plurality of sub-menu screens so that the photographer
can select each of various items using the arrow pad 30 and confirm
the selected item by operating the OK button 31.
[0036]The recording media change button 36 is an operation button
for changing recording media as a source of image data to be displayed
on the LCD monitor 26. In the embodiment, image data are recorded
on the recording medium A 245 during normal shooting. Then, when
editing processing, such as white balance adjustment, is performed
on original image data, the edited image data is automatically recorded
on the recording medium B 246. The editing button 37 is a button
used upon editing original image data in the manner as mentioned
above.
[0037]The erase button 39 is an operation button for erasing image
data recorded on the recording medium A 245. Any image data that
is being displayed on the LCD monitor 26 can be erased with an operation
of the erase button 39. The protect button 38 is an operation button
for setting protection beforehand for an image the user does not
want to erase in order to prevent accidental erase due to an erroneous
operation of the erase button 39. The user can operate the protect
button 38 again to cancel the protection. The operation of the protect
setting will be described later.
[0038]A recording media compartment cover 40 is attached to one
side of the camera body 200 to freely open/close. As shown in FIG.
3, when this recording media compartment cover 40 is opened, there
are a loading slot 41 for the recording medium A 245 and a loading
slot 42 for the recording medium B 246 provided inside the recording
media compartment. These recording media A 245 and B 246 are adapted
to be removably loaded into the camera body 200.
[0039]The following outlines display and operation modes of the
camera body 200 with reference to FIG. 4.
[0040]Information display M100 appears when a power switch of the
camera body 200 is turned on. In this condition, if the menu button
28 is operated, the camera enters a menu setting operation M110,
and a menu setting display appears on the LCD monitor 26. Under
this condition, various items are selectable using the arrow buttons
30U, 30D, 30L, and 30R, and each selected item is confirmed with
an operation of the OK button 31. After that, the menu setting operation
M110 is completed and the camera returns to the information display
M100. On the menu setting display, each of various modes, such as
an image quality mode, a flash mode, a flash compensation mode,
a timer shooting mode, a sequential/single-frame shooting switching
mode, an autofocus mode (single AF or a continuous AF), etc. can
be set. Further, the camera enters a shooting condition setting
operation M120 such as to set a shooting mode, an ISO sensitivity,
etc. with an operation of the mode dial 22. In this setting operation
M120, each of shooting conditions can be selected with an operation
of the control dial 24, and the selected shooting condition is confirmed
by turning on the OK button 31. After that, the camera returns to
the information display M100.
[0041]Under the state of the information display M100, if the release
button 21 is pressed halfway, the 1R switch is turned on and the
camera enters a shooting operation M130. Then, if the photographer
removes his or her finger from the release button 21 to cancel the
half-press, the camera returns to the information display M100.
In this shooting operation M130, shooting preparation operations
are performed. Then, when the release button 21 is pressed fully,
a signal photoelectrically converted from the subject image is captured
and subjected to image processing. The processed image data is recorded
on the recording medium A 245. On the other hand, under the state
of the information display M100, if the playback button 27 is operated
and turned on, the camera performs a playback operation M140. The
playback operation M140 is to display a recorded image(s) on the
LCD monitor 26 based on image data recorded on the recording medium
A 245 or the recording medium B 246, allowing the photographer to
instruct a shot frame(s) by operating the arrow pad 30.
[0042]Referring next to a flowchart of FIG. 5, the above-mentioned
shooting operation M130 will be described in detail.
[0043]When the release button 21 is pressed halfway, the camera
enters a shooting operation to measure the brightness of a subject
based on the output of the photometric sensor 211 (#21). Based on
the obtained subject brightness, the shutter speed and/or the aperture
value are calculated (#23). The shutter speed and/or the aperture
value are calculated according to the above-mentioned shooting mode.
Then, based on the output of the distance measurement circuit 217,
the amount of defocus of the photographing lenses 101 and 102 is
calculated to drive the lens drive circuit 107 through the lens
CPU 111 based on the amount of defocus, thus performing a focusing
operation.
[0044]After completion of the focusing of the photographing lenses
101 and 102, it is determined whether the release button 21 has
been pressed fully to turn on the second release switch (#27). If
the second release switch is not on-state, it is determined whether
the release button 21 has been pressed halfway to turn on the first
release switch (#29). If it is determined that the first release
switch is on-state, it means that the release button 21 remains
pressed halfway, but not pressed fully yet. Therefore, the camera
enters a waiting state in which steps #27 and #29 are repeated.
Then, in step #29, if the photographer has removed his or her finger
from the release button 21 to turn off the first release switch,
the procedure follows the No branches to return to the initial routine.
[0045]On the other hand, if the release button 21 is pressed fully,
the second release switch is turned on in step #27, so that actual
imaging and recording of image data are performed in steps starting
at step #31. First, the movable mirror 201 is flipped up (#31) to
focus subject light that passed through the photographing lenses
101 and 102 on the CCD 221 to form a subject image. Then, narrowing
of the aperture 103 is started (#33), and imaging by the CCD 221
is started (#35). Concurrently, traveling of a front curtain of
the shutter 213 is started, and after a predetermined period of
time, traveling of a rear curtain is started (#37). After that,
imaging by the CCD 221 is stopped (#39), the CCD drive circuit 223
reads out an image signal, and the image processing circuit 227
performs image processing (#41). The image data after subjected
to this image processing is stored in the SDRAM 237 as a buffer
memory (#43). Then, the aperture 103 is opened to the maximum (#45),
and the movable mirror 201 is flipped down (#47) to let a finder
optical device be in such a state to allow the photographer to view
the subject image.
[0046]After that, it is determined whether the shooting mode is
a sequential shooting mode (#49). If it is determined that the shooting
mode is the sequential shooting mode, it is then determined whether
the release button remains pressed fully (#51). If it is determined
that the release button remains pressed fully, that is, the second
release switch remains on, the procedure returns to step #31 to
repeat shooting. On the other hand, when the photographer removes
his or her finger from the-release button to turn off the second
release switch, the sequential shooting is completed (No in step
#51). If it is determined in step #49 that the shooting mode is
not the sequential shooting mode or when the sequential shooting
mode is completed, the procedure goes to step #53 in which image
data recorded in the buffer memory such as the SDRAM 237 are recorded
on the recording medium A 245 (#53). Then, it is determined whether
the release button remains pressed halfway, that is, whether the
first release switch remains on (#55). If it remains on, the camera
waits until the first release switch is turned off, and once it
is turned off, the procedure returns to a power-on reset routine.
[0047]Referring next to a flowchart of FIG. 6, the above-mentioned
playback operation M140 will be described in detail.
[0048]When the playback button 27 is operated, the camera enters
the playback operation. First, in this playback operation, the recording
medium A 245 is selected (#61). Here, the recording medium A 245
is selected, because during shooting image data are always recorded
on the recording medium A 245 in a subroutine in the shooting operation
in FIG. 5. Then, the latest image data recorded on the selected
recording medium A 245 is read out (#63) to display the latest image
on the LCD monitor 26 based on the read-out latest image data (#65).
Then, the procedure goes to step #67 in which it is determined whether
the UP arrow button 30U is on-state. If it is on-state, that is,
when it has been operated, the procedure goes to step #87 in which
an image corresponding to the fifth frame. subsequent to the frame
of the image data currently being read is read out. After that,
the procedure returns to step #65 to display the image. On the other
hand, if the UP arrow button 30U is not operated, the procedure
goes to step #69 in which it is determined whether the DOWN arrow
button 30D is on-state. If the DOWN arrow button 30D is on-state,
that is, when it has been operated, the procedure goes to step #89
in which an image corresponding to the fifth frame previous to the
frame of the image data currently being read is read out. After
that, the procedure returns to step #65 to display the image. Thus,
in the playback mode, the UP arrow button 30U is assigned as a button
for displaying an image corresponding to the fifth frame subsequent
to the frame of the image currently being displayed, while the DOWN
arrow button 30D is assigned as a button for displaying an image
corresponding to the fifth frame previous to the frame of the image
currently being displayed. The camera determines whether the UP
or DOWN arrow button 30U or 30D has been operated to select whether
to skip five frames of display images.
[0049]Then, in step #71, it is determined whether the RIGHT arrow
button 30R has been operated. If it has been operated, image data
corresponding to the immediately subsequent frame is read out (#91).
If No in step #71, the procedure goes to step #73 in which it is
determined whether the LEFT arrow button 30L has been operated.
If the LEFT arrow button 30L has been operated, image data corresponding
to the immediately preceding frame is read out (#93). After the
corresponding image is read out in step #91 or #93, the procedure
returns to step #65 to display the read image.
[0050]If none of the arrow buttons 30U, 30D, 30R, and 30L has not
been operated, the procedure goes to step #75 in which it is determined
whether the recording media change button 36 for changing recording
media has been operated. In the embodiment, original image data
are recorded on the recording medium A 245, and edited image data
are recorded on the recording medium B 246, dividing the recording
destination into the recording media according to the presence or
absence of editing. As a result of determination, if the recording
media change button 36 has been operated, the procedure goes to
step #95 in which the recording medium is changed to B246. After
that, the procedure returns to step #63 to read the latest image.
[0051]On the other hand, if it is determined in step #75 that the
recording media change button 36 has not been operated, it is then
determined whether the recording medium B 246 is selected. Here,
since the recording medium B 246 is exclusively used for recording
edited images and any editing is not allowed in steps #79 to #83,
the procedure returns to step #67. After that, only the images recorded
on the recording medium B 246 are displayed. On the other hand,
if the recording medium B 246 is not selected, the procedure goes
to step #79 in which it is determined whether the erase button 39
has been operated. If the erase button 39 has been operated, the
procedure goes to step #97 in which it is determined whether image
data is protected, that is, whether protect setting has been done
to prevent accidental erase. As a result of determination, if the
image data is protected, the procedure goes to step #85 without
erasing image data, while if the image data is not protected, the
procedure goes to step #99 to erase the selected image data.
[0052]On the other hand, if it is determined in step #79 that the
erase button 39 has not been operated, the procedure goes to step
#81 in which it is determined whether the protect button 38 has
been operated to prevent accidental erase. If the protect button
38 has been operated, the procedure goes to step #101 to perform
protect processing (the details of which will be described later),
and the procedure shifts to step #85. On the other hand, if the
protect button 38 has not been operated, the procedure goes to step
#83 in which it is determined whether the editing button 37 has
been operated. If it has been operated, the procedure goes to step
#103 to execute an image editing subroutine. In this subroutine,
various editing processing, such as white balance adjustment, color-balance
adjustment, etc., is performed on an original image recorded on
the recording medium A 245, the details of which will be described
later. After completion of the protect processing (#101), the image
editing processing (#103), the editing button determination (#83),
the image erase processing (#99), or the protect determination (#97),
the procedure shifts to step #85 in which it is determined whether
the playback button 27 is on-state. The playback operation is started
when the playback button 27 is operated once and turned on, while
it is completed when the playback button 27 is operated again and
turned on. Therefore, if the determination result in step #85 is
No, the procedure returns to step #67 to continue the playback operation.
On the other hand, if the determination result in step #85 is Yes,
since the playback button 27 has been operated again, the playback
operation is completed and the procedure returns to the initial
routine.
[0053]Referring next to FIG. 7, the above-mentioned "image
editing" in step #103 will be described. When the editing button
37 is operated, an image editing menu screen appears on the LCD
monitor 26. On this menu screen, items such as white balance adjustment,
color balance adjustment, monotone conversion, sepia conversion,
and change in image size are displayed so that the user can operate
the arrow pad 30 to select an editing item and an option to be displayed
below each item as a sub-menu.
[0054]When the camera enters the image editing subroutine, it is
first determined in step #201 whether white balance adjustment is
selected. If the white balance adjustment is selected, the procedure
shifts to step #215 in which any one of Sunlight, Cloud, Shade,
Fluorescent, One-touch white balance, etc. from the sub-menu to
adjust original image depending on the color temperature. After
the selection, the selected white balance adjustment is confirmed
in step #211 using the OK button 31. On the other hand, if the white
balance adjustment is not selected, the procedure goes to step #203
in which it is determined whether color balance adjustment is selected.
If the color balance adjustment is selected, the procedure shifts
to step #217 to perform color balance adjustment on original image
data, and after adjustment, the selected color balance adjustment
value is confirmed in step #211 using the OK button 31.
[0055]On the other hand, if the color balance adjustment is not
selected in step #203, it is then determined whether monotone conversion
is selected. If the monotone conversion is selected, the procedure
goes to step #219 in which original image data is converted into
a black-and-white, that is, grayscale display image, and the monotone
conversion is confirmed in step #211 by operating the OK button
31. On the other hand, if the monotone conversion is not selected,
the procedure goes to step #207 in which it is determined whether
sepia conversion is selected. If the sepia conversion is selected,
the procedure shifts to step #221 in which the sepia conversion
is performed on original image data, and the selected sepia conversion
is confirmed in step #211 using the OK button 31.
[0056]On the other hand, if the sepia conversion is not selected,
the procedure goes to step #209 in which it is determined whether
a change in image size is selected. If the change in image size
is selected, the procedure goes to step #223 to change the image
size. For example, image data is resized from 3200.times.2400 to
640.times.480. Note that the number of pixels can be reduced, but
a change from a larger image data size to smaller is not made in
this example.
[0057]After completion of the above step #203, #209, #215, #217,
#219, or #221, the selected value is confirmed using the OK button
31 and the edited image data is recorded on the recording medium
B 246. On the, other hand, if the selected value is not confirmed
using the OK button 31, the procedure returns to step #201 again
to repeat the above-mentioned steps.
[0058]Thus, in the image editing routine, after editing, such as
white balance adjustment, color balance adjustment, monotone conversion,
sepia conversion, change in image size, etc. is performed on image
data read from the recording medium A 245, the edited image data
is recorded in step #213 on the recording medium B 246. This makes
it possible to automatically divide the recording destination between
the original image data and the edited image data.
[0059]Referring next to FIG. 8, the above-mentioned "protect
processing" in step #101 will be described in detail. In order
to prevent accidental erase, any image the user does not want to
erase accidentally is first read out from the recording medium A
245 and displayed on the LCD monitor 26. In this condition, the
user operates the protect button 38 to protect the image. When the
camera enters a protection processing routine, it is first determined
whether the image is protected (#301). If it is already protected,
the procedure goes to step #303 to cancel the protect setting. Then,
the copy image recorded on the recording medium B 246 is erased
(#305). On the other hand, if the image is not protected, the procedure
goes to step #307 to set protection. Then, the copy image is also
recorded in step #309 on the recording medium B 246.
[0060]In the embodiment, when the protect button 38 is operated,
the accidental erase preventing function is enabled, while when
the protect button 38 is operated again after setting protection,
the accidental erase preventing function is disabled. Since it is
determined in step #301 whether an image is protected or not, the
setting and cancellation of protection using the protect function
can be changed by operating the single button. Further, when protection
is set using the protect function, even if the erase button 39 is
operated to erase image data, the image data is erased after the
presence or absence of protect setting is determined in step #97.
This can prevent accidental erase.
[0061]Further, in the embodiment, not only is protection set, but
also a copy image is recorded on the recording medium B 246. Since
the image to be protected is typically important image, the important
image is also recorded on the recording medium B 246 together with
the edited images. This feature is very convenient for organizing
shot image data. In addition, in the embodiment, when the protect
setting is cancelled, the copy image is also deleted automatically,
saving the user from having to delete the copy image manually.
[0062]In the embodiment, the original of edited image data remains
intact on the recording medium A 245, but the present invention
is not limited thereto. The original image data can be moved or
copied to the recording medium B 246. Alternatively, the camera
can be configured to allow the user to select whether to move or
copy the original image data to the recording medium B 246.
[0063]As described above, according to the embodiment of the present
invention, original images are recorded on the recording medium
A 245, and when editing such as white balance adjustment is performed
on any original image, the edited image is automatically recorded
on the recording medium B 246. In other words, the original image
is recorded on the recording medium A 245 and the edited image is
recorded on the recording medium B 246. It means that no edited
image is recorded on the recording medium A 245. In addition, if
no original image is moved or copied to the recording medium B 246,
the original image data and the edited image data are never mixed
on a single recording medium. This can make it easy for the user
to sort out a desired image. Further, copies of important image
data to be protected are automatically recorded on the recording
medium B 246, so that image data for which protection are not set,
that is, image data of little importance, and important image data
for which protection are set are recorded separately on different
recording media. This can make it easy for the user to sort out
an important image.
[0064]In the embodiment, although both the image data on which
editing such as white balance adjustment was performed and the image
data for which protection is set are recorded on one recording medium
different from the other recording medium for original images, either
of the image data can, of course, be recorded on the recording medium
different from that for original images.
[0065]The embodiment is described in a case where the present invention
is applied to a single-lens reflex type digital camera, but the
present invention is not limited to application to the single-lens
reflex digital camera. For example, the present invention is also
applicable to any other digital camera such as a compact type and
a digital camera equipped in a cellular phone. Further, in the embodiment,
the digital camera is configured to be capable of loading two recording
media A and B, but it can, of course, be configured to be able to
load three or more recording media.
[0066]While there has been shown and described what is considered
to be a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will, of course,
be understood that various modifications and changes in form or
detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of
the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention not be
limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but constructed
to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the
appended claims. |