Imaging apparatus, continuous imaging method, and recording medium for recording a program

Abstract

When a continuous imaging mode is set, a screen is displayed for allowing input of a number of images to shoot and the imaging parameters for each of the images, a determination is made as to whether the number of images to shoot and the imaging parameters for each of the images have been input by the user. When the number of images to shoot and the imaging parameters for each of the images have been input, the input number of images and the imaging parameters are stored, and a direct image display is started. Moreover, when there is an imaging instruction, a continuous imaging process is started in which still imaging is performed continuously based on the stored number of images and the imaging parameters. When the continuous imaging process has been completed, the plurality of still image data, obtained with differing imaging parameters, is recorded.

1 . An imaging apparatus comprising:
 imaging sections for imaging a subject;   continuous shooting control sections for controlling the imaging sections so as to image a plurality of still images at different timings;   a setting section for setting each of the imaging parameters for imaging each of the still images;   a recording section for recording image data; and   a recording control section for controlling the recording by the recording section, of each image data obtained by imaging each still image with different timing, by the imaging sections by control of the continuous shooting control sections; wherein the continuous shooting control sections image multiple still images with different timing based on the respective different imaging parameters set by the setting section.   
   
   
       2 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an input section for inputting imaging parameters from the outside;   wherein the setting section is arranged to set a plurality of setting parameters input by the input section as a plurality of setting parameters for the still imaging.   
   
   
       3 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a parameter recording section for recording a plurality of imaging scenes and a plurality of imaging parameters in correspondence with each other; and   a selection section for selecting multiple imaging scenes;   wherein said setting section reads out from the parameter recording section, imaging parameters corresponding to multiple imaging scenes selected by the selection section and sets the read out imaging parameters as imaging parameters for still imaging.   
   
   
       4 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a parameter recording section for recording a plurality of imaging scenes and a plurality of imaging parameters in correspondence with each other;   an imaging condition detection section for detecting the imaging condition based on image data obtained by imaging of the subject by the imaging sections; and   an automatic selection section for selecting automatically one or more scenes from a plurality of scenes recorded by a parameter recording section based on the imaging condition detected by the imaging condition detection section;   wherein the setting section reads out from the parameter recording section, imaging parameters corresponding to multiple imaging scenes selected by the automatic selection section and sets the read out imaging parameters as imaging parameters for still imaging.   
   
   
       5 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the imaging condition detection section detects as a parameter indicating the imaging condition, at least one of the brightness, hue, and amount of movement of the subject. 
   
   
       6 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein:
 the automatic selection section further comprises a determination section for determining a correlation relationship between the imaging condition detected by the imaging condition detection section and each of the imaging scenes recorded by the parameter recording section; and   the determination section selects multiple imaging scenes from the imaging parameter data based on the correlation relationship.   
   
   
       7 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a display section for displaying an image; and   a direct display control section for controlling the imaging sections to perform video imaging of the subject and for controlling the display section to perform a direct display of an image video image based on video data obtained by the video imaging until the imaging sections perform still imaging a plurality of times under control of the continuous shooting control sections; wherein   the direct display control section controls the imaging sections such that when the automatic selection section has selected an imaging scene, the display section displays the information of the selected imaging scene superimposed on the image video image.   
   
   
       8 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the recording control section records on the recording section, individual image data, obtained by continuous still imaging by means of the continuous shooting control sections, in relation to information for imaging scenes corresponding to the imaging parameters when each of the image data were imaged. 
   
   
       9 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a display section for displaying an image; and   a playback display control section for playing back and displaying on the display section, image data recorded on the recording section;   wherein the playback display control section also displays on the display section, information for imaging scenes along with playing back and displaying image data when information for imaging scenes is recorded in relation with the image data that is played back and displayed.   
   
   
       10 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second recording section for recording data; and   a group recording control section for recording as a single group and on the second recording section, each of the individual imaging parameters for still imaging performed continuously by the continuous shooting control sections.   
   
   
       11 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a reading section for reading out imaging parameters for each group that has been recorded on the second recording section by the group recording section;   wherein the setting section sets as a plurality of imaging parameters for each of the still imaging, a plurality of mutually different imaging parameters within the group read out by the second recording section by the reading section.   
   
   
       12 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a parameter recording section for recording a plurality of imaging scenes and a plurality of imaging parameters in correspondence with each other; and   single-shot control sections for controlling the imaging sections so as to image single still images;   wherein the setting section comprises:   a first setting section for reading out from the imaging recording section a plurality of sets of imaging parameters corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging scenes and for setting the plurality of sets of imaging parameters that have been read out as sets of imaging parameters corresponding to each still image by the continuous imaging control sections; and   a second setting section for reading out from the imaging recording section, a set of imaging parameters corresponding to a single imaging scene and for setting the imaging parameters that have been read out as imaging parameters corresponding to a single still image by the continuous imaging control sections;   the recording control section being arranged to control the recording of image data such that the recording section records each image data obtained by still imaging by means of the imaging sections under control of the continuous shooting control sections;   the continuous shooting control sections image multiple still images based on the plurality of sets of imaging parameters set by the first setting section; and   the single-shot control sections image still images based on the set of imaging parameters set by the second setting section.   
   
   
       13 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a selection control section for allowing the user to select any given imaging scene from the plurality of imaging scenes; wherein the first setting section sets a plurality of sets of imaging parameters corresponding to the respective plurality of imaging scenes selected by the user using the selection control section as a plurality of sets of imaging parameters that are applied during continuous shooting imaging by the continuous shooting control sections.   
   
   
       14 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the setting section includes a constraining section for constraining imaging parameters that can be set based on imaging parameters that have previously been set. 
   
   
       15 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the second setting section sets a set of imaging parameters corresponding to the respective single imaging scenes selected by the user using the selection control section as a set of imaging parameters that is applied during single-shot imaging by the single-shot control sections. 
   
   
       16 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein:
 a plurality of sets of imaging parameters corresponding to the respective plurality of imaging scenes that are divided into a plurality of groups are included in the plurality of imaging parameters that are recorded in the parameter recording section;   further comprising:   a group specifying section for specifying one of the plurality of groups as being subject to use;   the first setting section being arranged to set a plurality of sets of imaging parameters corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging scenes included in one of the groups specified by the group specifying section as the plurality of sets of imaging parameters to be applied during continuous imaging by the continuous shooting control section.   
   
   
       17 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising a group setting section for setting a plurality of scenes corresponding to each of a plurality of imaging parameters applied during continuous shooting by the continuous shooting control sections into a single group. 
   
   
       18 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the group specifying section specifies a group of imaging scenes containing any predetermined imaging scene selected by the user from the plurality of imaging scenes as subject to use. 
   
   
       19 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a generation section for generating new imaging parameters based on a plurality of imaging parameters selected by the user using the selection control section;   wherein the setting section sets the plurality of imaging parameters selected by the user through the selection control section and the new imaging parameters generated by the generation section as the imaging parameters for the still imaging that are controlled by the continuous shooting control sections.   
   
   
       20 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein:
 the selection control section enables the user to select an imaging scene to be a base scene and an imaging scene to be a compositing scene from the plurality of imaging scenes;   the generation section generates new set of imaging parameters based on the set of imaging parameters corresponding to the imaging scene selected as the base scene and the set of imaging parameters corresponding to the imaging scene selected as the compositing scene.   
   
   
       21 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a parameter recording section for recording a plurality of imaging scenes and a plurality of imaging parameters in correspondence with each other;   an acquiring section for acquiring image information included in an image of a subject imaged by the imaging sections and/or scenes specifying information comprising an imaging environment at the time of imaging a subject; and   a search section for searching a plurality of imaging parameters from the plurality of imaging parameters stored in the imaging parameter storing section based on scene specifying information acquired by the acquiring section;   wherein the setting section sets a plurality of sets of imaging parameters detected by the search section as the plurality of sets of imaging parameters that are applied during continuous shooting by the continuous shooting control sections.   
   
   
       22 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising a parameter count control section for controlling the number of sets of imaging parameters detected by the search section to a number set in advance by the user. 
   
   
       23 . The imaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a sample image storing section for storing a plurality of sample images corresponding to the respective plurality of imaging parameters; and
 a sample image display control section for displaying a sample image stored by the sample image storing section on the display section;   wherein the setting section sets imaging parameters corresponding to a sample image selected by the user from any sample images displayed by the sample image display control section as still imaging parameters which are controlled by the continuous shooting control sections.   
   
   
       24 . A continuous imaging method, comprising:
 setting each of a plurality of imaging parameters for still imaging a plurality of times;   performing continuous shooting imaging of multiple still images, with different timing, based on the respective different, set imaging parameters; and   controlling each image data obtained by each still imaging performed with different timings.   
   
   
       25 . A recording medium for recording a program that causes a computer having an imaging apparatus comprising imaging sections for imaging a subject and a recording section for recording image data, to perform the functions of:
 setting a plurality of imaging parameters when the imaging sections images the subject;   controlling continuous shooting imaging such that the imaging sections image multiple still images with different timing based on the respective different imaging parameters set by the setting sections; and   controlling the recording by the recording section, of each image data obtained by imaging each still image with different timing based on the continuous shooting imaging.   
   
   
       26 . An imaging apparatus comprising:
 imaging sections for imaging a subject;   a parameter recording section for recording a plurality of imaging parameters corresponding to a plurality of imaging scenes registered in advance;   single-shot control sections for controlling single-shot imaging based on an imaging parameter corresponding to a single imaging scene recorded in the parameter recording section;   a selection section for selecting a plurality of imaging scenes from the plurality of imaging scenes;   a generation section for generating new imaging parameters based on a plurality of an imaging parameter corresponding respectively to a plurality of imaging scenes selected by the selection section;   continuous shooting control sections for controlling continuous shooting imaging based on the plurality of an imaging parameter generated by the generation section; and   an image recording control section for controlling the recording of a still image obtained by the imaging sections during single-shot imaging by the single-shot control sections and a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging sections during continuous shooting by the continuous shooting control sections.   
   
   
       27 . A continuous imaging method for an imaging apparatus comprising imaging sections for imaging a subject and a parameter recording section for recording a plurality of imaging parameters corresponding to each of a plurality of imaging scenes registered in advance, comprising:
 controlling single-shot imaging based on an imaging parameter corresponding to a single imaging scene stored in the parameter recording section;   selecting a plurality of imaging scenes from the plurality of imaging scenes;   generating new imaging parameters based on a plurality of imaging parameters corresponding respectively to a plurality of selected imaging scenes;   controlling continuous shooting imaging based on the plurality of generated imaging parameters; and   controlling the recording of a still image obtained by the imaging sections during single-shot imaging and a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging sections during continuous shooting imaging.   
   
   
       28 . A recording medium for recording a program that causes a computer having an imaging apparatus comprising imaging sections for imaging a subject, a parameter recording section for recording a plurality of imaging parameters corresponding to each of a plurality of imaging scenes registered in advance, and a selection section for selecting a plurality of imaging scenes from the plurality of imaging scenes, to perform the functions of:
 controlling single-shot imaging based on an imaging parameter corresponding to a single imaging scene stored in the parameter recording section;   generating new imaging parameter based on a plurality of imaging parameters corresponding respectively to a plurality of selected imaging scenes;   controlling continuous shooting imaging based on the plurality of generated imaging parameters; and   controlling the recording of a still image obtained by the imaging sections during single-shot imaging and a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging sections during continuous shooting imaging.   
   
   
       29 . An imaging apparatus, comprising:
 imaging sections for imaging a subject;   a parameter recording section for recording a plurality of combinations of first and second imaging parameter corresponding to an imaging scene;   a selection control section for allowing the user to select any given imaging scene from the plurality of imaging scenes;   single-shot control sections for controlling single-shot imaging based on a first imaging parameter corresponding to an imaging scene selected by a user using the selection control section and which is recorded in the parameter recording section;   continuous shooting control sections for controlling bracketing imaging based on a second imaging parameter corresponding to an imaging scene selected by a user using the selection control section and which is recorded in the parameter recording section; and   an image storing control section for controlling the recording of a still image obtained by the imaging sections during single-shot imaging by the single-shot control sections and a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging sections during bracketing imaging by the continuous shooting control sections.   
   
   
       30 . A continuous shooting method for an imaging apparatus comprising imaging sections for imaging a subject and a parameter recording section for recording a plurality of first and second imaging parameters corresponding to each of a plurality of imaging, comprising:
 enabling a user to select any given imaging scene from the plurality of imaging scenes;   controlling single-shot imaging based on a first imaging parameter corresponding to an imaging scene selected by a user and which is recorded in the parameter recording section;   controlling bracketing imaging based on a second imaging parameter corresponding to an imaging scene selected by a user and which is stored in the parameter recording section;   controlling the recording of a still image obtained by the imaging sections during single-shot imaging and a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging sections during bracketing shooting imaging.   
   
   
       31 . A recording medium for recording a program that causes a computer having an imaging apparatus comprising imaging sections for imaging a subject and a parameter recording section for recording a plurality of first and second imaging parameters corresponding to each of a plurality of imaging, to perform the functions of:
 controlling single-shot imaging based on a first imaging parameter corresponding to an imaging scene selected by a user and stored in the parameter recording section;   controlling bracketing imaging based on a second imaging parameter corresponding to an imaging scene selected by a user and recorded in the parameter recording section;   controlling the recording of a still image obtained by the imaging sections during single-shot imaging and a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging sections during bracketing imaging.