JP4622748B2 - Electronic camera, output control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides output control for only images taken when a portable electronic camera such as a digital camera is handed over to another person to request shooting or when an electronic camera is lent, that is, an image shot by a specific person. The present invention relates to an electronic camera having a possible playback mode, an output control method, and a program.

  The user of an electronic camera often passes the electronic camera to another person to take a picture in order to take a picture of himself / herself as a subject. At this time, the photographed image may be reproduced to check the photographing condition, but the image reproduction is performed by the photographed client or the user confirming the photographing condition beside the photographed client. If the photographed image has a problem such as out-of-focus or imbalance in image layout, the person to be photographed is requested to re-photograph. Here, in order to find the requested photographed image, a thumbnail image is searched, or when an image is reproduced, an image other than the photographed image requested for reproduction is reproduced, which may cause inconvenience. Further, when the user lends the camera to another person, there is a possibility that the content of the stored image is reproduced and viewed or deleted accidentally.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a user rents a camera to another person, there is one provided with a function called a secret function so that the contents of a stored image can not be reproduced and viewed or accidentally deleted. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this patent document, a memory card (or built-in memory) for storing a plurality of image data and whether or not a predetermined key operation is performed at the key input unit 27 are determined. Discloses an image reproduction apparatus that collectively prohibits reproduction of image data already stored on the display unit.
JP 2005-12418 A

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, reproduction of images that have already been stored in a batch by a predetermined operation (secret mode setting operation) can be prohibited, so that when the user lends the camera to another person, the secret mode setting is performed. If you do so, the camera borrower will be able to play back only the images shot after the secret mode setting operation, and there is no fear that you can see each image stored before the secret mode setting operation, but request a shooting There is a problem that it is troublesome because the secret mode must be set before the secret mode is set and the secret mode must be canceled after that.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object electronic camera a particular person with only enabling easy output control playback mode image shot, output control method, and a program to provide And

In order to solve the above-described problem, in the invention described in claim 1, a photographing unit that photographs a subject image to generate image data, a recording unit that records the image data generated by the photographing unit, and the recording External output means for transferring image data recorded in the means to an external device ; setting means for setting one of the plurality of shooting modes including the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode; , A first recording control means for recording the first image data generated by the photographing means when the first photographing mode is set by the setting means, and a second recording means by the setting means. Second recording control means for causing the recording means to record the second image data generated by the photographing means when the photographing mode is set, and the second photographing by the setting means. When the reproduction mode for reproducing the image data recorded in over mode is set, the output control means for transferring only said second image data among the image data recorded in the recording means to the external device And provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided display means for displaying image data recorded in the recording means and recording in the recording means when the second photographing mode is set by the setting means. First display control means for causing the display means to display only the second image data of the image data being displayed.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the setting unit repeatedly sets the second shooting mode, and the second recording control unit sets a new second shooting mode by the setting unit. Only the image data generated by the photographing means is recorded in the recording means as the latest second image data, and the first display control means uses the setting means to create a second new photographing mode. Is set, only the latest second image data among the image data recorded in the recording means is displayed on the display means.

In the invention according to claim 4 , every time new second image data is generated by the photographing unit when the first photographing mode or the second photographing mode is set, Storage control means for storing specific information for specifying new second image data in a predetermined storage area, and stored in the storage area every time the second photographing mode is set by the setting means. Erasing means for erasing the specific information, and the storage control means, each time new image data is generated by the photographing means even after the specific information is erased by the erasing means, Specific information for specifying the new image data is stored in a predetermined storage area, and the first display control means records the recording when the second photographing mode is set by the setting means. Among the image data recorded in the stage, it was only the image data specified by the specific information stored in the storage area which is displayed on the display means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided display means for displaying image data recorded in the recording means, operation means for giving an instruction to an electronic camera in response to a user operation, and the first A selection unit that selects one of a plurality of shooting modes including a shooting mode and the second shooting mode; and when the second shooting mode is selected by the selection unit , the display unit includes Second display control means for displaying a specific operation procedure of the operation means, and the setting means is configured to display the second display only when the operation means is operated according to the specific operation procedure. The shooting mode was set.

The invention according to claim 6 further includes a canceling unit that cancels the second photographing mode set by the setting unit only when the operation unit is operated according to the specific operation procedure. It was supposed to be.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the image recording means for capturing an image of a subject and generating image data, the recording means for recording the image data generated by the image capturing means, and the recording means are recorded. An image data output control method for an electronic camera, comprising: an external output means for transferring image data to an external device; and one of a plurality of shooting modes including the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode. A setting step for setting the shooting mode, and a first recording control for causing the recording unit to record the first image data generated by the shooting unit when the first shooting mode is set in the setting step And the second image data generated by the photographing means when the second photographing mode is set in the setting step and the recording means. A second recording control step of recording, when the reproduction mode for reproducing the image data recorded in the second imaging mode in the setting step is set, among the image data recorded in the recording means and the method includes an output system Goss step of transferring only the second image data to the external device.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, an image capturing unit that captures a subject image and generates image data, a recording unit that records image data generated by the image capturing unit, and the recording unit are recorded. A setting unit configured to set one shooting mode among a plurality of shooting modes including the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode; and a computer comprising: an external output unit that transfers image data to an external device ; First recording control means for recording the first image data generated by the photographing means in the recording means when the first photographing mode is set by the setting means, and the second photographing mode by the setting means. Is set, the second recording control means for recording the second image data generated by the imaging means on the recording means, and the second imaging mode by the setting means. When the reproduction mode for reproducing the image data recorded in the mode is set, the output control means for transferring only said second image data to the external device of the image data recorded in the recording means, As a program to function as.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the image taken by the user from being utilized by being output to the result to an external device others.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a digital camera which is an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a front view, FIG. 1 (b) is a rear view, and FIG. It is a top view.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the digital camera 100 includes a strobe light emitting unit 1 and an imaging lens 2 on the front side. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the back of the digital camera 100 has a mode dial 3, a liquid crystal monitor screen 4, a cursor key 5, a SET key 6, a zoom button 7 (W button 7-1, T button 7- 2) A key 10 or the like that functions as a reproduction key or a menu key is provided. As shown in FIG. 1 (c), a shutter key 8 and a power button 9 are provided on the upper surface, and although not shown, a side portion is connected to an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) or a modem and a USB cable. A USB terminal connection unit is provided for use in this case. The key 10 is used as a reproduction key in the first embodiment, and is used as a menu key in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the electronic circuit configuration of the digital camera shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the digital camera 100 is focused by moving the zoom lens 11-1 and the focus lens 12-2 for moving the zoom lens 12-1 and performing the optical zoom operation in the photographing mode which is the basic mode. An AF driving unit 11-2 that performs the operation, a lens optical system 12 that constitutes the imaging lens 2 including the zoom lens 12-1 and the focus lens 12-2, a CCD 13 that is an imaging device, a timing generator (TG) 14, and a vertical Driver 15, sample hold circuit (S / H) 16, A / D converter 17, color process circuit 18, DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller 19, DRAM interface (I / F) 20, DRAM 21, control unit 22, VRAM Controller 23, VRAM 24, digital video encoder 25, display unit 26, JPEG times 27, storage memory 28, a key input unit 30, and a flash emission control unit 31.

  In the monitoring state in the photographing mode, the zoom driving unit 11-1 drives a zoom lens driving motor (not shown) to move the zoom lens 12-1 when there is an optical zoom instruction. The AF drive unit 11-2 drives a focus lens drive motor (not shown) to move the focus lens 12-2. A CCD 13 which is an image pickup device disposed behind the photographing optical axis of the optical system 12 constituting the image pickup lens 2 is scanned and driven by a timing generator (TG) 14 and a vertical driver 15 and is imaged at regular intervals. A photoelectric conversion output corresponding to the image is output for one screen.

  The CCD 13 is a solid-state imaging device that captures a two-dimensional image of a subject, and typically captures an image of several tens of frames per second. The imaging element is not limited to a CCD, and may be a solid-state imaging device such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

  The photoelectric conversion output is appropriately gain-adjusted for each primary color component of RGB in the state of an analog value signal, sampled and held by a sample hold circuit (S / H) 16, and digital data by an A / D converter 17. Color process processing including image interpolation processing and γ correction processing is performed in the color processing circuit 18 to generate a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cb and Cr, and the DMA (Direct Memory Access). ) Is output to the controller 19.

  The DMA controller 19 uses the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cb and Cr output from the color process circuit 18 by using the composite synchronization signal, the memory write enable signal, and the clock signal from the color process circuit 18 as well as a DRAM interface. DMA transfer is performed via the (I / F) 20 to the DRAM 21 used as a buffer memory.

  The control unit 22 controls the overall control operation of the digital camera 100, and is executed by the CPU or MPU (hereinafter referred to as CPU) and the CPU including shooting operation and image reproduction control in the other person mode as will be described later. A program storage memory such as a flash memory storing an operation program and a RAM used as a work memory. After the DMA transfer of the luminance and color difference signals to the DRAM 21, the luminance and color difference signals are transferred to the DRAM interface 20 Are read from the DRAM 21 through the VRAM 24 and written into the VRAM 24 through the VRAM controller 23.

  The control unit 22 also extracts a processing program and menu data corresponding to each mode stored in a program storage memory such as a flash memory in response to the status signal from the key input unit 30, and Execution control of other functions, for example, zoom operation within the zoom lens movement range (hereinafter referred to as zoom area) corresponding to the set shooting mode, digital zoom processing by digital zoom instruction, through display, automatic focusing, shooting , Execution control of recording and reproduction / display of recorded images, etc., display control of a function selection menu at the time of selecting a function, display control of a setting screen, and the like.

  The digital video encoder 25 periodically reads the luminance and color difference signals from the VRAM 24 via the VRAM controller 23, generates a video signal based on these data, and outputs the video signal to the display unit 26.

  As described above, the display unit 26 functions as a monitor display unit (electronic finder) in the shooting mode. By performing display based on the video signal from the digital video encoder 25, the display unit 26 receives from the VRAM controller 23 at that time. An image based on the stored image information is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor screen 4 in real time.

  In response to the focus instruction, the control unit 22 immediately stops the path from the CCD 13 to the DRAM 21 after the DMA transfer of the luminance and chrominance signals for one screen captured from the CCD 13 to the DRAM 21 at that time, and performs recording. Transition to saved state.

In this stored recording state, the control unit 22 transmits the luminance and color difference signals for one frame written in the DRAM 21 through the DRAM interface 20 to each of Y, Cb, and Cr components of 8 pixels × 8 pixels horizontally. Are read out in units called basic blocks and written into a JPEG (Joint Photograph Cording Experts Group) circuit 27. The JPEG circuit 27 uses ADCT (Adaptive Discrete Cosine Transform), a Huffman code which is an entropy coding system. Data compression is performed by processing such as conversion.
The obtained code data is read out from the JPEG circuit 27 as a data file of one image and recorded in a storage memory 28 that is detachably mounted as a recording medium of the digital camera 100. In addition, the control unit 22 activates the path from the CCD 13 to the DRAM 21 again with the compression processing of the luminance and color difference signals for one frame and the completion of the writing of all the compressed data into the memory card 28 or the built-in memory 29.

  In the playback mode, which is the basic mode, the control unit 22 selectively reads out the image data recorded in the storage memory 28, and is compressed by a procedure completely opposite to the procedure of data compression in the image shooting mode by the JPEG circuit 27. The expanded image data is decompressed, the decompressed image data is expanded and stored in the VRAM 24 via the VRAM controller 23, and then periodically read out from the VRAM 24 to generate a video signal based on the image data. The display unit 26 reproduces and outputs.

The JPEG circuit 27 supports a plurality of compression ratios, and a mode for storing data corresponding to the compression ratio includes a mode corresponding to a high resolution (generally called high definition, fine, normal, etc.) with a low compression ratio. There is a low-resolution (commonly called economy) mode with a high compression rate.
It also supports high to low pixel counts. For example, QXGA (Quad eXtended Graphics Array (2048 × 1536)), UXGA (Ultra eXtended Graphics Array (1600 × 1200)), SXGA + (SXGA Plus (1400 × 1050)), SXGA (Super eXtended Graphics Array (1280 × 1024)) )), XGA (eXtended Graphics Array (1024 × 786)), SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array (800 × 600)), VGA (Video Graphics Array (640 × 480)), QVGA (Quarter VGA (320 × 240)) , Etc., there is a recording pixel size.

  The storage memory 28 includes a recording medium such as a built-in memory (flash memory), a hard disk, or a removable memory card, and stores and records image data, photographing information, and the like.

  The key input unit 30 includes the mode dial 3, the cursor key 5, the SET key 6, the zoom button 7, the shutter key 8, the power button 9, the key 10, and the like described above. Is sent out.

  The mode dial 3 can select and set the other person mode of the invention according to the first embodiment in addition to the shooting mode and the playback mode. The user can operate the mode dial 3 to select a shooting mode such as (still image) normal shooting mode, macro shooting mode, continuous shooting mode, rapid shooting mode,..., Movie shooting mode,. When the playback mode is selected, the captured image can be played back. In the first embodiment, when the other person mode (first shooting mode) is selected and set, it is possible to shoot in the shooting mode set as the other person mode, and shooting is performed in that shooting mode (the shooting mode set as the other person mode). Only the image can be played back.

  The cursor key 5 is a key operated when pointing (designating) a menu or icon displayed on the liquid crystal monitor screen 4 with the cursor when setting a mode or selecting a menu. Can be moved to. The SET key 6 is a confirmation key that is pressed when the item displayed by the cursor key 5 is selected or set or confirmed. In the second embodiment, the cursor key 5 is used as the other person mode setting key (see steps T2 to T6 in FIG. 4).

  The zoom button 7 is used for a zoom operation. In the case of optical zoom, the zoom lens (variable focal length lens) 12-1 corresponds to the operation of the zoom button 7 (W button 7-1 or T button 7-2). It is moved to the wide side or the tele side, the zoom value is determined according to the operation of the zoom lever 7, the angle of view actually changes following the change of the zoom value, and the LCD monitor screen 4 has a wide (wide angle) An image or a tele (telephoto) image is displayed. In the case of digital zoom, the zoom value is determined in response to the operation of the zoom buttons 7-1 and 7-2, but the actual angle of view does not change, and the LCD monitor screen 4 has an image of a size corresponding to the zoom value. Is cropped and displayed.

  The shutter key 8 performs a release operation at the time of shooting, has a stroke of two steps, and performs auto focus (AF) and automatic exposure (AE) by the first step operation (half-pressed state). And a shooting instruction signal for performing a shooting process in the second-stage operation (fully pressed state). The shutter key 8 may be configured to be lit or blinking, and may be configured to be lit or blinking in red or green using a light emitting diode or the like.

  The key 10 functions as a reproduction key in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, it functions as a reproduction key when operated when the other person mode is set. When the key 10 is pressed while the other person mode is selected / set, only the image shot in the other person mode is reproduced and displayed. In the second embodiment, the key functions as a menu key. When the key 10 is pressed, a function that can be selected at that time is displayed as a menu, and the user can select a menu displayed by a cursor operation or the like.

  The strobe light emission control unit 31 controls the light emission timing of the strobe light emission unit 1 under the charge control for the strobe light emission unit and the control of the control unit 22.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation at the time of shooting of the digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment. This flowchart is for explaining a program for causing the digital camera 100 to realize the reproduction function in the other person mode of the present invention. It is.
The processing shown below is basically explained by an example in which the control unit 22 executes in accordance with a program stored in advance in a program memory such as a flash memory, but it is not necessary to store all functions in the program memory. Alternatively, a part or all of them may be received via a network. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to FIGS.

  Since the user operates the power button 9 to turn on the main power of the digital camera 100 and operates the mode dial 3 to select a desired shooting mode (step S1), the control unit 22 receives a signal from the key input unit 30. If the selected mode is the stranger mode, the process proceeds to step S3. If any other mode is selected, the selected mode process is executed (step S2).

  When the photographing mode selected in step S2 is the other person mode, the control unit 22 secures an other person photographed image number storage area (not shown) in the RAM, clears the area (step S3), and sets the other person mode. Control of the photographing operation by the specified photographing mode (control of photographing and compression of photographed image data and recording processing of the compressed data (image file) to the storage memory 28) is performed (step S4), and the storage memory 28 is also controlled. The image number of the recorded image file is stored (additionally stored) in the other person image number storage area provided in the RAM (step S5).

  The photographer in the other person mode (for example, the person to be photographed who has requested to take a picture) presses the key 10 (playback key) when he / she wants to reproduce and view the picture taken in the other person mode. The signal from the input unit 30 is examined. If the key 10 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S7, and if not, the process returns to step S4 in order to capture the next image in the other person mode (step S6).

  The control unit 22 sequentially reads out the image numbers stored in the other-person photographed image number storage area provided in the RAM (step S7), and searches for the image file recorded in the storage file 28 using the read image number as a search key. Then, the image data (compressed image data) of the image file with the matching image number is read (step S8), decompressed by the JPEG circuit 27 to reproduce the image data, and developed into the VRAM 24 via the VRAM controller 23. The reproduced image is displayed on the display unit 26 (step S9).

  The control unit 22 examines the signal from the key input unit 30, and if there is an instruction to display the next reproduction image (for example, the right cursor (>) operation of the cursor key 5), the process proceeds to step S11, and the previous reproduction image is displayed. When there is a display instruction (for example, the left cursor (<) operation of the cursor key 5), the process proceeds to step S13. When the other person mode end operation is performed, the photographing in the other person mode is terminated, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4. Return (step S10).

  The control unit 22 checks whether or not reading of the image numbers stored in the other-person photographed image number storage area provided in the RAM has been completed, and if not all of the image numbers have been read, reads the next image number. Returning to step S7 (step S11), when all the image numbers have been read, a message to that effect, for example, “The photographed image in the other person mode is over” is displayed and the photographing in the other person mode is terminated. (Step S12).

  The control unit 22 reads the previous image number out of the image numbers stored in the other-person photographed image number storage area provided in the RAM, and returns to step S7 (step S13).

  When the other person mode is selected by the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 above, shooting is performed in the shooting mode set for the other person mode, and at the same time, only the image number shot in the other person mode is saved and played back during playback. When the key is pressed, the recorded image is searched using only the image number saved in the shooting in the other person mode as a key, so that only the image shot in the other person mode can be reproduced and displayed. Accordingly, when the user requests another person (photographer) to take a picture, if the digital camera 100 is set to the other person mode before the digital camera 100 is handed to the photographee, the picture is requested. When a client requesting a photographer confirms a photographed image or when a user confirms the photographer next to the person who requested the photographer, an image photographed by the user or an image photographed in the other person mode up to the last time is displayed to the subject photographer. Without being seen, it is possible to replay and display only images taken in the other person's mode by the person to be photographed this time to check the photographing condition. Furthermore, since the image can be reproduced simply by pressing the reproduction key, the operation can be easily performed for a photographed client who is not familiar with the operation of the digital camera 100.

  When the other person mode is selected in step S2, a step for prohibiting selection of the playback mode may be provided at the subsequent stage so that the mode dial 3 cannot select the playback mode. In this way, a client who is unfamiliar with the operation of the digital camera 100 accidentally operates the mode dial 3 to select a playback mode when shooting in the other person mode, or plays back in an attempt to check the shot image. It does not occur that the user selects the mode and reproduces and sees the image taken by the user.

  Further, when the other person mode is selected in the above step S2, the selection of the playback mode is prohibited so that the playback mode cannot be selected with the mode dial 3 at the subsequent stage, and a step in which the key 10 can be used as a playback key is provided. May be. In this way, in a mode other than the stranger mode, the key 10 can have another function, and the number of keys does not need to be increased. Further, without providing the key 10, when the other person mode is selected, the other key may have a function as a reproduction key.

  Further, the image number of the image photographed in the other person mode this time in step S3 of FIG. 3 is stored in the volatile memory (RAM), but the image number is stored in a predetermined memory of the nonvolatile memory such as the storage memory 28. It may be recorded in the storage area and read in step S7 of FIG.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, when the other person mode is selected, it is possible to shoot in the shooting mode set as the other person mode, and it is possible to reproduce only the image shot in that shooting mode (the shooting mode set as the other person mode). However, after selecting / setting the other person mode, it is also possible to select and shoot a desired image out of a plurality of image capture modes, and to reproduce only images captured in the image capture mode.

4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an outline of the operation according to the second embodiment of the digital camera in the shooting mode, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the other person shooting operation part, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the reproduction operation of the other person shooting image. . These flowcharts are for explaining a program for causing the digital camera 100 to realize the reproduction function in the other person photographing mode of the present invention.
The processing shown below is basically explained by an example in which the control unit 22 executes in accordance with a program stored in advance in a program memory such as a flash memory, but it is not necessary to store all functions in the program memory. Alternatively, a part or all of them may be received via a network. Hereinafter, description will be made based on FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 to 9. The key 10 functions as a menu key in this embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, when the user operates the power button 9 to turn on the main power of the digital camera 100 and then presses the key 10, the control unit 22 displays a shooting mode selection menu as shown in FIG. If it is not pressed, the process proceeds to step T2 (step T0), prompting the user to choose between photographing by the user (person mode) or photographing by another person borrowing the camera (other mode), and the user selects either by cursor operation. Therefore, the control unit 22 examines the signal from the key input unit 30, and proceeds to step T2 if the principal mode is selected, and proceeds to step T5 if the other person mode is selected (step T1).

  The control unit 22 checks the other person mode setting information storage area 282 (see FIG. 6) of the storage memory 28 to check whether or not the other person mode is set. If the other person mode is set, the process proceeds to step T3. If the mode is not set, the process proceeds to step T7 as the user mode (step T2).

  When the other person mode is set, the other person mode cancel screen 80 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed to prompt the user to select whether or not to cancel the other person mode. When the user cancels the other person mode, the other person mode is canceled. Since the operation for canceling the other person mode is performed by the method specified on the screen 80 (step T3), the control unit 22 checks the signal from the key input unit 30 and performs the operation for canceling the other person mode (the cursor operation in the example of FIG. 9). ) Is performed, the other person mode setting information storage area 282 is cleared with an invalid value (null) (or the maximum value “FFFFFFFF” is substituted) to cancel the other person mode and the process proceeds to step T7. If the other person mode is selected not to be released, the process proceeds to step T7 as it is (step T4).

  When the other person mode is selected, the control unit 22 displays the other person mode setting screen 70 as shown in FIG. 8 and prompts the user to perform an operation for setting the other person mode. 5), an operation for setting the other person mode is performed (step T5). Therefore, the control unit 22 examines the signal from the key input unit 30 and determines the other person mode setting value (in the example of FIG. 8, the count value of the right cursor operation and the left cursor operation → determined by pressing the SET key 6). The other person mode is set by saving (recording) in the other person mode setting information saving area 282 as the saving memory 28, and the process proceeds to step T7 (step T6).

  Next, the control unit 22 displays a message (not shown) for prompting the selection of the mode on the display unit 26 to prompt the selection of the mode, and the user operates the mode dial 3 to select a desired mode. The unit 22 examines the signal from the key input unit 30. If the shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step T8. If the playback mode is selected, the process proceeds to step T13 in FIG. Is turned off), the process is terminated (step T7).

  When the other person mode is set in step T6, the control unit 22 secures an other person photographed image number storage area (not shown) in the RAM, clears the area (step T8), and is selected in step T7. In addition to controlling the shooting operation in accordance with the desired shooting mode (control of shooting and compression of shot image data and recording processing of compressed data (image file) to the storage memory 28, etc.) (step T9), another person in the storage memory 28 It is checked whether or not the other person mode is set in the mode setting information storage area 282. If the other person mode is not set (that is, the other person mode setting information storage area 282 is cleared with an invalid value (null) (or the maximum value ' If FFFFFFFF 'is assigned), the process proceeds to step T12 (step T10), and the other person mode is set. Proceeds to T12 stores the image number of the image file containing the image number of the image file recorded in the storage memory 28 in the storage memory 28 to the others image number storage area provided in the RAM (additional memory) (step T11).

  The control unit 22 examines the signal from the key input unit 30, and returns to step T7 if the photographing end operation is performed, and returns to step T9 otherwise (step T12).

  In FIG. 5, when the playback mode is selected in step T7 of FIG. 4, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the other person mode is set in the other person mode setting information storage area 282 of the storage memory 28 (that is, the other person mode). Whether or not information is set is checked. If the other person mode is set, the process proceeds to step T14. If not set, the process proceeds to step T21 (step T13).

  The control unit 22 sequentially reads out the image numbers stored in the other-person photographed image number storage area provided in the RAM (step T14), and searches for the image file recorded in the storage file 28 using the read image number as a search key. Then, the image data (compressed image data) of the image file with the matching image number is read (step T15), decompressed by the JPEG circuit 27 to reproduce the image data, and developed into the VRAM 24 via the VRAM controller 23. Then, the reproduced image is displayed on the display unit 26 (step T16).

  Next, the control unit 22 examines the signal from the key input unit 30, and if there is an instruction to display the next reproduction image (for example, the right cursor (>) operation of the cursor key 5), the process proceeds to step T18, and the previous one If there is an instruction to display the reproduced image (for example, the left cursor (<) operation of the cursor key 5), the process proceeds to step T20, and if the reproduction end operation is performed, the process returns to step T7 in FIG. 4 (step T17).

  The control unit 22 checks whether or not all of the image numbers stored in the other-person mode captured image number storage area provided in the RAM have been read. If not, the next image number is read. Returning to T14 (step T18), when all the image numbers have been read, a message indicating that there are no more captured images in the other person mode, for example, “There are no more captured images in the other person mode” is displayed on the display unit 26. Then, the process returns to step T7 in FIG. 4 (step T19).

  The control unit 22 reads the previous image number among the image numbers stored in the other-person mode captured image number storage area provided in the RAM, and returns to step T15 (step T20).

  When the stranger mode is set, the desired image is reproduced and displayed by a well-known reproduction image selection / reproduction method (step T21), and the reproduction process of step T20 is repeated until a reproduction end operation is performed. When there is a reproduction end operation, the process returns to step T7 in FIG. 4 (step T22).

  Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the designated image can be erased from the storage memory 28 or transferred to an external device in the other person mode, but the designated image can be erased in the other person mode. Or an image that can be transferred is only an image (image file) having an image number that matches the image number stored in the other-person mode captured image number storage area provided in the RAM. That is, in the other person mode, only the image captured in the current other person mode can be displayed, deleted, or transferred, but it is not the display, deletion, or transfer of the image captured by the user or the image captured in the other person mode until the previous time.

  Since the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 above is synonymous with the setting of the other person mode, as shown in FIG. 8, the number of left and right cursor operations is saved, so that only the user who has set the other person mode can cancel the other person mode. If the user sets the other person mode and then lends the digital camera 100 to another person, the other person (camera borrower) requested to shoot this time is the same as in the normal case (meaning that the person is not in the other person mode). A desired shooting mode can be selected and desired shooting can be performed by using various functions provided in the digital camera 100. During playback, the playback mode is selected and an image is played back and displayed as in the normal case. You can play, display, delete, or transfer images to an external device, but only images you have taken. Since images that have been shot / recorded by the user or images that have been shot in the other person's mode by other people cannot be played back, displayed, deleted, or transferred to an external device, An image taken by a person in the stranger mode is not seen, deleted or used by a borrower of the current camera.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment of recording area allocation in the storage memory. In the illustrated example, the storage memory 28 is recorded in association with the image numbers of image data (image files) recorded in the storage memory. It consists of an image management area 280 in which addresses and shooting information are recorded, an image recording area 281 in which image data is recorded, and a stranger mode setting information storage area 282.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the shooting mode selection screen. The shooting mode selection screen 60 is displayed when the key 10 is pressed, and the user selects the shooting mode selection screen 60 when the person himself takes a picture. One of the “person mode” menu and the “other mode” menu that is selected when requesting photographing or lending a camera can be selected. Menu selection can be performed by a cursor operation.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the other person mode setting screen, which is a screen displayed when “other person mode” is selected on the shooting mode selection screen 60 of FIG. The stranger mode can be set by operating the cursor key 5 to the left and right. In addition, in step T5 of FIG. 4 and the other person mode setting screen 70 in FIG. 8, the number of operations of the left and right keys of the cursor key 5 is set as the other person mode setting information. You may make it set as mode setting information, and you may make it set the operation order of the up / down / left / right key of the cursor key 5 as others mode setting information. The other person mode setting method is not limited to the cursor operation.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the other person mode cancellation screen. When the other person mode is not selected on the shooting mode selection screen 60 of FIG. 7 (in the case of the person mode, that is, when the person tries to use), This screen is displayed when the other person mode is already set, and the user sets the other person mode setting information set on the other person mode setting screen 70, that is, the number of operations of the left key and the right key of the cursor key 5. By operating the left key and the right key of the cursor key 5 on the other person mode release screen 80 as many times as the same number, the other person mode can be released, and photographing and image reproduction in the own person mode can be performed. When the user turns on the power supply 9 when returning the camera or trying to use the other person mode set when the digital camera 100 is lent, the other person mode cancel screen 80 is displayed without pressing the key 10. Therefore, the other person mode can be canceled and shooting can be performed in the person mode.

  As mentioned above, although several Example of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to said each Example, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible. For example, the term electronic camera can be applied not only to digital cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones, but also to information devices and video cameras having an imaging unit.

  As mentioned above, although several Example of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to said each Example, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the digital camera as one Example of the electronic camera which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows one Example of the electronic circuit structure of the digital camera shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of an operation according to the first embodiment of the digital camera in a shooting mode. It is a flowchart which shows an other person imaging | photography operation | movement part among the operation | movement outline | summary concerning Embodiment 2 of the digital camera in imaging | photography mode. The outline of the operation according to the second embodiment of the digital camera in the photographing mode is a flowchart showing the reproduction operation of the other person's photographed image. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment of recording area allocation in the storage memory. It is a figure which shows one Example of an imaging | photography aspect selection screen. It is a figure which shows one Example of a stranger mode setting screen. It is a figure which shows one Example of a stranger mode cancellation | release screen.

Explanation of symbols

3 Mode dial (mode selection means, image playback instruction means)
5 Cursor keys (shooting mode setting means)
10 key (image playback instruction means)
22 Control unit (first photographing control means, photographing control means, image reproduction means)
26 Display unit 27 JPEG circuit (image reproduction means)
60 shooting mode selection screen (shooting mode setting means)
70 Other mode setting screen (shooting mode setting means)
100 Digital camera (electronic camera)
282 Image identification information storage area (image identification information storage means)

Claims (8)

Photographing means for photographing a subject image and generating image data;
Recording means for recording image data generated by the photographing means;
External output means for transferring image data recorded in the recording means to an external device ;
Setting means for setting one of the plurality of shooting modes including the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode;
First recording control means for causing the recording means to record the first image data generated by the photographing means when the first photographing mode is set by the setting means;
Second recording control means for causing the recording means to record the second image data generated by the photographing means when the second photographing mode is set by the setting means;
When the reproduction mode for reproducing the image data recorded in the second photographing mode is set by the setting means, only the second image data among the image data recorded in the recording means is the external An electronic camera comprising output control means for transferring to an apparatus . Display means for displaying the image data recorded in the recording means;
First display control means for causing the display means to display only the second image data among the image data recorded in the recording means when the second photographing mode is set by the setting means; ,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising: The setting means includes
Set the second shooting mode repeatedly,
The second recording control means includes:
When the second photographing mode is newly set by the setting unit, the latest image data generated by the photographing unit is recorded in the recording unit,
The first display control means includes
When the second shooting mode is newly set by the setting unit, only the latest second image data among the image data recorded in the recording unit is displayed on the display unit. Item 2. The electronic camera of item 2 . A specification that specifies the new second image data each time new second image data is generated by the photographing unit when the first photographing mode or the second photographing mode is set. Storage control means for storing information in a predetermined storage area;
Erasing means for erasing the specific information stored in the storage area each time the second photographing mode is set by the setting means,
The storage control means
Even after the specific information is erased by the erasing unit, every time new image data is generated by the photographing unit, specific information for identifying the new image data is stored in a predetermined storage area,
The first display control means includes
When the second photographing mode is set by the setting unit, only the image data specified by the specific information stored in the storage area among the image data recorded in the recording unit is displayed. The electronic camera according to claim 2 , which is displayed on a means. Display means for displaying the image data recorded in the recording means;
Operation means for giving instructions to the electronic camera in response to a user operation;
Selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of shooting modes including the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode ;
A second display control unit that causes the display unit to display a specific operation procedure of the operation unit when the second imaging mode is selected by the selection unit ;
The setting means includes
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the second photographing mode is set only when an operation according to the specific operation procedure is performed on the operation means. The electronic camera according to claim 5 , further comprising a canceling unit that cancels the second photographing mode set by the setting unit only when the operation unit is operated according to the specific operation procedure. Image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject and generating image data, recording means for recording image data generated by the image capturing means, and external output means for transferring image data recorded in the recording means to an external device An output control method of image data in an electronic camera comprising:
A setting step for setting one shooting mode among a plurality of shooting modes including a first shooting mode and a second shooting mode;
A first recording control step for causing the recording means to record the first image data generated by the photographing means when the first photographing mode is set in the setting step;
A second recording control step for causing the recording means to record the second image data generated by the photographing means when the second photographing mode is set in the setting step;
When the reproduction mode for reproducing the image data recorded in the second shooting mode is set in the setting step, only the second image data among the image data recorded in the recording means is the external output control method and an output system Goss step of transferring devices. Image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject and generating image data, recording means for recording image data generated by the image capturing means, and external output means for transferring image data recorded in the recording means to an external device A computer comprising:
Setting means for setting one of the plurality of shooting modes including the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode;
First recording control means for causing the recording means to record the first image data generated by the photographing means when the first photographing mode is set by the setting means;
Second recording control means for causing the recording means to record the second image data generated by the photographing means when the second photographing mode is set by the setting means;
When the reproduction mode for reproducing the image data recorded in the second photographing mode is set by the setting means, only the second image data among the image data recorded in the recording means is the external Output control means for transferring to the device,
Program to function as.

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