Imaging device and control method for imaging device

Abstract

An imaging device of the present invention comprises an imaging section, including an image sensor for imaging a subject, for generating image data based on output signals of the image sensor; a control section for casing repeated operation of the imaging section in accordance with a single release operation; an adding processing section for sequentially adding image data repeatedly output from the imaging section and generating added mage data; an image display section for displaying the added image data; and a setting section for setting a repeat period for the imaging section and instructing to the control section. Also, an imaging device of the present invention, comprises an imaging section for repeatedly forming an image of a subject at a set period, while performing a bulb exposure operation, and outputting image data; an adding processing section for performing adding processing of the image data and previously output image data; an added image storage section for respectively independently storing a plurality of added images that have been added by the adding processing section, and a display section for displaying, in a list, the plurality of added images that have been stored in the added image storage section after completion of the bulb exposure operation.

1 . An imaging device, comprising:
 an imaging section, including an image sensor for imaging a subject, for generating image data based on output signals of the image sensor;   a control section for causing repeated operation of the imaging section in response to a single release operation;   an adding processing section for sequentially adding image data repeatedly output from the imaging section and generating added mage data;   an image display section for displaying the added image data; and   a setting section for setting a repeat period for the imaging section and instructing to the control section.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the setting section sets a repeat period for the imaging section to within a predetermined range in response to a manual operation.   
     
     
         3 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the setting section changes the repeat period for the imaging section according to a brightness level of the added image data.   
     
     
         4 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the setting section controls an upper limit value of the repeat period for the imaging section according to a dark current characteristic of the image sensor.   
     
     
         5 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the setting section changes the repeat period for the imaging section according to a set shutter speed.   
     
     
         6 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the control section repeatedly operates the imaging section in response to a first operation of a release button, and stops an imaging operation of the imaging section in response to a second operation of the release button.   
     
     
         7 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the image processing section comprises a temporary storage section for independently storing image data sequentially output from the imaging section, and an addition processing section for reading out and adding image data stored in the temporary storage section.   
     
     
         8 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 for a specified period from commencement of a bulb exposure, notification information indicating that the bulb exposure is being executed is displayed on the image display section instead of the added image.   
     
     
         9 . The imaging device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the specified period is a period until a brightness level of the added image reaches a predetermined level.   
     
     
         10 . The imaging device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the specified period is a period until an elapsed time from commencement of the bulb exposure reaches a predetermined value.   
     
     
         11 . The imaging device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 after elapse of the specified period, the added image is displayed, and at the same time notification information indicating that the bulb exposure is being executed is displayed superimposed on part of the added image.   
     
     
         12 . The imaging device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the notification information is further display of elapsed time from commencement of the bulb exposure.   
     
     
         13 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a display illumination section for illuminating a display screen of the image display section, in association with update of image display on the image display section, for only a predetermined time.   
     
     
         14 . The imaging device of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the display illumination section continuously carries out the illumination in the event that a cycle time for image display on the image display section is less than a predetermined time.   
     
     
         15 . The imaging device of  claim 13 , wherein:
 an update operation member is provided for instructing update of the display section, and if the update operation member is operated update of the image display is carried out, and illumination of the image display section is carried out.   
     
     
         16 . The imaging device of  claim 13 , wherein:
 a cycle time setting operation member for setting a cycle time for image display is provided, and the cycle time is changed if the cycle time setting operation member is operated during execution of the bulb exposure.   
     
     
         17 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sound generating section for emitting sound for a predetermined time, in association with update of image display on the image display section.   
     
     
         18 . The imaging device of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the sound generating carries out emission of the sound for the predetermined time in the event that a cycle time for image display on the image display section is a predetermined value or greater.   
     
     
         19 . An imaging device, comprising:
 an imaging section for repeatedly forming a subject image at a set period during a bulb exposure operation, and outputting image data;   an adding processing section for adding the mage data and image data previously output;   an added image storage section for respectively independently storing a plurality of added images added by the adding processing section; and   a display section for, after completion of the bulb exposure, displaying a plurality of added mages stored in the added image storage section in the form of a list.   
     
     
         20 . The imaging device of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a selection section for selecting any one added image from a plurality of added images displayed on the display section; and   an image storage section for storing the added image that has been selected by the selection section.   
     
     
         21 . The imaging device of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the selection section includes an operation member capable of being manually operated, and a display section for displaying, in a list, thumbnail images corresponding to a plurality of added images data stored in the added image storage section, and if a single thumbnail image is selected by operation of the operation member, a corresponding one of the plurality of added images stored in the added image storage section is selected.   
     
     
         22 . A control method for an imaging device for exposing a subject, in response to a first release operation, comprising:
 repeatedly imaging a subject;   generating image data based on the imaged subject;   sequentially adding image data; and   repeatedly displaying added image data.   
     
     
         23 . A control method for an imaging device for exposing a subject, in response to a first release operation, comprising:
 repeatedly imaging a subject;   generating image data based on the imaged subject;   sequentially adding image data;   successively storing added image data; and   after exposure, displaying stored image data in a list.   
     
     
         24 . A computer readable storage medium storing a program for controlling an imaging device for exposing a subject in response to a first release operation, comprising:
 repeatedly imaging a subject;   generating image data based on the imaged subject;   sequentially adding image data; and   repeatedly displaying added image data.   
     
     
         25 . A computer readable storage medium storing a program for controlling an imaging device for exposing a subject in response to a first release operation, comprising:
 repeatedly imaging a subject;   generating image data based on the imaged subject;   sequentially adding image data;   successively storing added image data; and   after exposure, displaying stored image data in a list.