Imaging apparatus, method for controlling imaging apparatus, and program

Abstract

To enable reduction of power consumption in a photographing standby state, and enable display of a recorded image during photographing.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus has: imaging means; a first integrated circuit that generates image data to be displayed on a display on the basis of image data acquired from the imaging means; a second integrated circuit that records the image data acquired from the imaging means through the first integrated circuit in a recording medium, and generates image data to be displayed on the display and corresponding to the image data to be recorded; power supply control means that controls power supply; switching means that outputs the image data to the display; and control means that, in a photographing standby state, performs control to restrict power supply to the second integrated circuit and output the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the display. The control means performs control to cancel the restriction of the power supply to the second integrated circuit according to an instruction to record moving images in the photographing standby state, and output the image data generated by the second integrated circuit to the display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, a control method for an imaging device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an imaging device has been proposed that processes image data acquired by an imaging circuit using two LSIs, one for the front engine and one for the back engine (Patent Document 1). In a shooting standby state, the imaging device normally displays an image captured by the imaging sensor as a live view image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-197608 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The imaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1 needs to operate both the front engine and the rear engine while displaying a live view image. Therefore, power is required to drive both engines even while displaying a live view image. The present invention aims to reduce power consumption in a shooting standby state and to enable the display of recorded images during shooting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An imaging device according to the present invention includes an imaging means, a first integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means and generates image data to be displayed on a display unit based on the image data acquired from the imaging means, a second integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means via the first integrated circuit, records the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit on a recording medium, and generates image data to be displayed on the display unit corresponding to the image data recorded on the recording medium based on the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit, a power supply control means that controls the supply of power to the second integrated circuit, a switching means that outputs the image data generated by the first integrated circuit or the image data generated by the second integrated circuit to the display unit, and a power supply control means that limits the supply of power to the second integrated circuit in a shooting standby state, and The present invention is characterized in that it has a control means that controls the switching means to output image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the display unit, and the control means, in response to an instruction to record a moving image in the shooting standby state, releases the restriction on the supply of power to the second integrated circuit by the power supply control means, and controls the switching means to switch the image data to be output to the display unit from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit, and when the control means switches the image data to be output to the display unit from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit, it controls the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to be output to the display unit until the processing for switching in the switching means is completed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption in a shooting standby state, and to display a recorded image during shooting. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a digital camera. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a switching process of a display signal output engine. [Figure 3] 10 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a switching process of a display signal output engine. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of processing when a digital camera records a moving image. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first video output process. [Figure 6] 10 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a first video output process. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of output processing of a display image. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second video output process. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of processing by a digital camera according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of processing by a digital camera according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of processing by a digital camera according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a digital camera 100 as an example of an imaging device according to this embodiment. In Fig. 1, a lens unit 140 is detachably attached to the digital camera 100 and has a photographing lens 141. The photographing lens 141 is usually composed of multiple lenses, but for simplicity's sake, it is shown here as only one lens. A barrier 142 covers the imaging system including the photographing lens 141 of the digital camera 100, thereby preventing the imaging system including the photographing lens 141, shutter 101, and imaging unit 102 from getting dirty or damaged.

[0010] The shutter 101 is a shutter with an aperture function. The imaging unit 102 has an imaging element that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the imaging element into a digital signal and outputs image data. The imaging element is, for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. The imaging unit 102 may have an imaging surface phase difference sensor that outputs defocus amount information to the system control unit 122. The imaging unit 102 is capable of outputting video data at 120 frames per second, with one frame having 4K pixels (3840 pixels horizontally × 2160 pixels vertically), for example.

[0011] The front engine 120 is configured as one semiconductor integrated circuit chip (IC chip). The front engine 120 has one or more processors or circuits. The front engine 120 has an image processing unit 121 that processes image data acquired from the imaging unit 102, a system control unit 122 that controls the entire digital camera 100, and a display device control unit 125. The front engine 120 is an example of a first integrated circuit.

[0012] The front engine 120 processes the image data acquired from the imaging unit 102 in the image processing unit 121, and displays a live view image on the display unit 113. Here, live view (live view function) is a function that enables the user to check the target (subject) to be photographed, the angle of view, the shooting conditions, etc., on the image displayed on the display unit 113. The live view image is an image displayed on the display unit 113 in the live view function. When the live view function is enabled, the imaging unit 102 continuously acquires image data for multiple frames, and outputs moving image data consisting of these multiple frames as image data for the live view image.

[0013] The image processing unit 121 performs predetermined pixel interpolation, resizing such as reduction, and color conversion processing on image data acquired from the imaging unit 102. The image processing unit 121 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the acquired image data, and the system control unit 122 performs exposure control, distance measurement control, and the like based on the obtained arithmetic results. This allows TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (autoexposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing to be performed. The image processing unit 121 may also perform predetermined arithmetic processing using the acquired image data, and TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic results. The data that has undergone image processing by the image processing unit 121 is written to, for example, a memory 127.

[0014] The memory 127 is a memory for the front engine 120 that is used for various processes in the front engine 120. For example, the memory 127 is used to store image data before and after processing when the image processing unit 121 processes the image data. The memory 127 is, for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM). It is also possible to store a portion of the image data before and after processing in a portion of the system memory 126.

[0015] The image data that has been image-processed by the image processing unit 121 can be output to the display unit 113 using the display control unit 124, the display device control unit 125, and the display signal switching unit 112. The display control unit 124 controls the startup and shutdown of the display unit 113 and issues image data output control instructions to the display device control unit 125. The display device control unit 125 has a circuit for outputting a display signal to the display unit 113, and can use this circuit to display a live view image on the display unit 113 via the display signal switching unit 112. Display signal communication between the display device control unit 125, the display signal switching unit 112, and the display unit 113 is performed using a high-speed serial I / F such as MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface), for example.

[0016] The display signal switching unit 112 is connected to the display device control unit 125 of the front engine 120 and the display device control unit 135 of the main engine 130. The display signal switching unit 112 switches the output path (transmission path) of the display signal so that either the display signal generated by the front engine 120 or the display signal generated by the main engine 130 is output to the display unit 113. The display unit 113 includes an electronic viewfinder, and the image processing unit 121 generates display image data according to the type of the display unit 113. The display unit 113 may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0017] The system control unit 122 controls the entire digital camera 100. The system control unit 122 has a processor or CPU. The processor or CPU of the system control unit 122 controls the imaging device 100 by executing programs stored in a system memory 126. The system memory 126 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores programs and parameters used by the system control unit 122 to control the overall operation of the digital camera 100. The system memory 126 stores, for example, programs for executing processes realized by various flowcharts described later in this embodiment. The system memory 126 may be, for example, a flash memory.

[0018] Furthermore, the front engine 120 controls the startup of the main engine 130 in accordance with the operation mode of the digital camera 100. The front engine 120 is a semiconductor integrated circuit that is different from at least the main engine 130, which will be described later.

[0019] The main engine 130 is configured as a single semiconductor integrated circuit chip (IC chip) separate from the front engine 120. The main engine 130 has one or more processors or circuits. The main engine 130 has an image processing unit 131 that processes image data acquired by the front engine 120 from the imaging unit 102, a system control unit 132 that controls each functional unit of the main engine 130, and a display device control unit 135. The main engine 130 is an example of a second integrated circuit.

[0020] The main engine 130 receives image data acquired by the front engine 120 from the imaging unit 102 and processes the data in the image processing unit 131. Here, the image processing performed by the image processing unit 131 has higher development processing performance than the image processing performed by the image processing unit 121. Therefore, the image processing unit 131 generates image data with a higher resolution and frame rate than the image data generated by the image processing unit 121. Furthermore, the power consumption of the image processing unit 131 is greater than the power consumption of the image processing unit 121 of the front engine 120.

[0021] The system control unit 132 of the main engine 130 has a processor and a CPU. The processor and CPU of the system control unit 132 execute programs stored in the system memory 136 to control the functions of each unit of the main engine 130 and realize these functions. The system control unit 132 has a recording and playback control unit 133 that stores image data processed by the image processing unit 131 on the recording medium 114. The recording and playback control unit 133 can also read image data from the recording medium 114 and output it to the image processing unit 131.

[0022] Image data processed by the image processing unit 131 can be output to the display unit 113 via the display control unit 134, the display device control unit 135, and the display signal switching unit 112. Like the image processing unit 121, the image processing unit 131 generates display image data according to the type of the display unit 113. Display signal communication between the display device control unit 135, the display signal switching unit 112, and the display unit 113 is performed using a high-speed serial I / F such as MIPI. Furthermore, when an external output function is enabled in the digital camera 100, the image data processed by the image processing unit 131 is output from the display device control unit 135 to the external device 115. The external device 115 includes, for example, a device that complies with the HDMI (registered trademark) standard. The external device 115 can be connected to the digital camera via a connection unit (not shown).

[0023] The system memory 136 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores programs and parameters used by the system control unit 132 of the main engine 130 to control each functional unit of the main engine 130. The system memory 136 may be, for example, a flash memory.

[0024] The memory 137 is a memory for the main engine 130 that is used for various processes in the main engine 130. For example, the memory 137 is a storage medium that stores image data before and after processing when the image processing unit 131 processes the image data. The memory 137 is, for example, a DRAM, an MRAM, or the like.

[0025] The power supply control unit 110 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching between blocks that supply power, and the like. The power supply control unit 110 detects the state of the power switch 109, whether the power supply 111 is attached, the type of power supply 111, and the remaining power (remaining battery power) of the power supply 111. The power supply control unit 110 also controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection results and instructions from the system control unit 122 to supply necessary power for the necessary period to each unit, including the front engine 120 and the main engine 130. The power supply control unit 110 also supplies power to the recording medium 114 and the lens unit 140 under the control of the system control unit 122. When the digital camera 100 is in a shooting standby state, the power supply control unit 110 limits the power supplied to the main engine 130. Here, the shooting standby state refers to a state in which a live view image is displayed on the display unit 113 based on image data acquired by the imaging unit 102, and image data is not recorded on the recording medium 114, and image data stored on the recording medium 114 is not played back.

[0026] The power supply 111 is used as the power source for the digital camera 100. The power supply 111 is composed of a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li-ion battery, an AC adapter, or the like. The power supply 111 is detachable from the digital camera 100. The recording medium 114 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording captured images, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

[0027] The shutter button 107 is an operating member for issuing an instruction to capture a still image. The shutter button 107 has a first shutter switch and a second shutter switch. The first shutter switch is turned on (ON) when the shutter button 107 provided on the digital camera 100 is pressed halfway (a shooting preparation instruction) and generates a first shutter switch (SW1) signal. In response to receiving the first shutter switch (SW1) signal, the system control unit 122 executes shooting preparation operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (pre-flash) processing. In other words, the first shutter switch (SW1) signal is a shooting preparation instruction. The first shutter switch is turned on (ON) when the shutter button 107 is pressed fully (a shooting instruction) and generates a second shutter switch (SW2) signal. In response to the second shutter switch (SW2) signal, the system control unit 122 starts a series of still image capturing and recording processing operations, from reading out a signal from the imaging unit 102 to writing the captured image to the recording medium 114 as an image file.

[0028] The moving image recording button 108 is an operating member for issuing an instruction to capture a moving image. When the moving image recording button 108 is pressed, the system control unit 122 starts a series of shooting and recording operations related to shooting a moving image, from reading out a signal from the imaging unit 102 to writing the captured image to the recording medium 114 as an image file. When the moving image recording button 108 is pressed again during the moving image shooting and recording operations, the system control unit 122 stops the moving image shooting and recording operations. The power button 109 is a button that the user uses to instruct the digital camera 100 to power on and off.

[0029] The operation unit 103 is one or more operation members for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit 122. The operation unit 103 includes a mode changeover switch 104, a menu button 105, a play button 106, and the like.

[0030] The mode selector switch 104 switches the operating mode of the system control unit 122 between a still image capture mode, a video capture mode, etc. Modes included in the still image capture mode include an auto capture mode, an auto scene determination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and a program AE mode (P mode). There are also various scene modes and custom modes that provide capture settings for specific capture scenes. The mode selector switch 104 allows the user to directly switch to one of these modes. Alternatively, the user may first switch to a list screen of capture modes using the mode selector switch 104, then select one of the displayed modes and switch using other operating members. Similarly, the video capture mode may also include multiple modes. The capture modes include a state in which a live view process is executed, which displays a live view image for capture preparation, such as checking the state and angle of view of the subject to be captured, and a state in which a capture / record process is executed, which captures an image of the subject and records the resulting image data on the recording medium 114.

[0031] The menu button 105 is an operation button for displaying a menu screen. When the menu button 105 is pressed, a menu screen that allows various settings to be made is displayed on the display unit 113, and the user can intuitively make various settings using the menu screen and operation members such as a cross key included in the operation unit 103. The image displayed on the display unit 113 is a single image in which multiple layers are superimposed, but the on-screen display layer on which the menu screen is drawn is located above the layer of display image data generated by image processing. The on-screen display image of the menu screen is generated by the system control unit 122 of the front engine 120. The user can also use the menu screen to set the screen size (number of pixels) and frame rate of the video data to be recorded. For example, if the user sets 4K and 60 fps, video data with 4K pixels per frame is shot and recorded at 60 frames per second.

[0032] The playback button 106 is an operation button for switching between a shooting mode and a playback mode, and pressing the playback button 106 during shooting mode switches to playback mode. In playback mode, images recorded on a recording medium 114 can be displayed on a display unit 113.

[0033] The operation of digital camera 100, including the control of front engine 120 and main engine 130 in each operating state, will be described below. When the user operates power button 109 to turn on the power of digital camera 100, system control unit 122 sets digital camera 100 to a shooting standby state. Then, in the shooting standby state, a live view image is displayed on display unit 113.

[0034] (During live view display while waiting to shoot) In a standby state for shooting, the digital camera 100 uses the front engine 120 to display a live view image on the display unit 113. In a standby state for shooting, the main engine 130 is not used to display the live view image. Therefore, the power supply to the main engine 130 is limited or stopped. In addition, the display signal switching unit 112 is set to output image data input from the front engine 120 by a startup process of the digital camera 100 or the like to the display unit 113. Hereinafter, the image data for display output to the display unit 113 will also be referred to as a display signal.

[0035] In a standby state, the system control unit 122 controls the imaging unit 102 to capture video data with a predetermined number of pixels and frame rate. Here, the system control unit 122 controls the imaging unit 102 to capture video data with 2K (1920 horizontal pixels × 1080 horizontal pixels) per frame at 30 fps. Furthermore, by reducing the number of pixels and frame rate of the video captured in a standby state compared to the number of pixels and frame rate of the video recorded during video recording, it is possible to reduce power consumption in a standby state. The front engine 120 processes image data acquired from the imaging unit 102 in the image processing unit 121. The image data processed by the image processing unit 121 is output to the display unit 113 using the display control unit 124, display device control unit 125, and display signal switching unit 112, and a live view image based on the image data from the front engine 120 is displayed.

[0036] (When shooting and recording video) The following describes video shooting and recording. When the user operates the video recording button 108 in a shooting standby state and issues an instruction to start video shooting, the video shooting and recording process begins. Based on the instruction to start video shooting, the system control unit 122 of the front engine 120 starts a series of video shooting and recording process operations related to video shooting, from reading signals from the imaging unit 102 to writing captured images to the recording medium 114 as image files. In response to the instruction to start video recording, the system control unit 122 controls the imaging unit 102 to shoot video with the number of pixels and frame rate set by the user. In response to receiving the instruction to start video shooting, the system control unit 122 also lifts restrictions on power supply to the main engine 130 or controls the power supply control unit 110 to start power supply, thereby starting the main engine 130. When video shooting begins, the system control unit 122 receives image data for each frame from the imaging unit 102 and outputs it to the main engine 130. The main engine 130 receives image data output from the front engine 120, processes the data in the image processing unit 131, and records the processed image data on the recording medium 114. When video shooting begins, the system control unit 122 outputs the image data from the imaging unit 102 to the main engine 130 without performing the above-mentioned processing for display.

[0037] Furthermore, the image data processed by the image processing unit 131 is output to the display unit 113 using the display control unit 134, the display device control unit 135, and the display signal switching unit 112, and a live view image based on the image data from the main engine 130 is displayed. This makes it possible to check on the display unit 113 high-quality (high resolution, high frame rate) image data generated by the image processing unit 131 and corresponding to the image data to be recorded on the recording medium 114. When shooting and recording a moving image, a switching instruction is issued from the display device control unit 125 of the front engine 120 to the display signal switching unit 112 to switch the engine (display signal output engine) that outputs image data to the display unit 113. Here, a switching instruction is output to the display signal switching unit 112 to switch the display signal output engine from the front engine 120 to the main engine 130. In response to this display signal output engine switching instruction, the display signal switching unit 112 switches the display signal output path so that the display signal input from the main engine 130 is output to the display unit 113.

[0038] In this way, after video shooting and recording has started, if the user operates the video recording button 108 again to issue an instruction to end video shooting, the video shooting and recording process is stopped. When the instruction to end video shooting is received, the system control unit 122 controls the power supply control unit 110 to limit or stop the power supply to the main engine 130, thereby stopping the main engine 130. The system control unit 122 starts processing image data for live view images by the image processing unit 121. At the same time, the system control unit 122 controls the display device control unit 125 to output a switching instruction to the display signal switching unit 112 to switch the display signal output engine from the main engine 130 to the front engine 120. In response to this display signal output engine switching instruction, the display signal switching unit 112 switches the display signal output path so that the display signal input from the front engine 120 is output to the display unit 113. In this way, the video shooting and recording process ends, and the camera returns to the shooting standby state.

[0039] (When taking and recording still images) The following describes the operation when capturing and recording still images. When the shutter button 107 for capturing and recording still images is operated and half-pressed during standby for capturing images, a first shutter switch (SW1) signal (a capture preparation instruction) is input to the system control unit 122 of the front engine 120. In response to receiving the first shutter switch (SW1) signal, the system control unit 122 either lifts the restriction on the power supply to the main engine 130 or controls the power supply control unit 110 to start the supply of power, thereby starting the main engine 130.

[0040] Thereafter, when the shutter button 107 is operated and fully pressed, a second shutter switch (SW2) signal (still image capture instruction) is input to the system control unit 122 of the front engine 120. In response to receiving the second shutter switch (SW2) signal, the system control unit 122 starts a series of shooting and recording process operations related to still image capture, from reading out a signal from the imaging unit 102 to writing the captured image as an image file to the recording medium 114. When the SW2 signal is input, the system control unit 122 receives one frame of image data from the imaging unit 102 in response to the instruction of the SW2 signal, and outputs it to the main engine 130. The main engine 130 receives the image data from the front engine 120, processes it in an image processing unit 131, and records the processed image data on the recording medium 114.

[0041] Furthermore, in the shooting and recording process of still images, image data processed by image processing unit 131 is output to display unit 113 using display control unit 134, display device control unit 135, and display signal switching unit 112, and an image based on the image data is displayed as a preview image. System control unit 122 controls display device control unit 125 to output a display signal output engine switching instruction to display signal switching unit 112 so as to switch from image data from front engine 120 to image data from main engine 130. In response to this display signal output engine switching instruction, the display signal output path in display signal switching unit 112 is switched so that the display signal input from main engine 130 is output to display unit 113.

[0042] After displaying the preview image for a predetermined time, the digital camera 100 stops displaying the preview image and transitions to a shooting standby state. After displaying the preview image for a predetermined time, the system control unit 122 starts processing image data for a live view image by the image processing unit 121. At the same time, the system control unit 122 controls the display device control unit 125 to output an instruction to the display signal switching unit 112 to switch from image data from the main engine 130 to image data from the front engine 120. In response to this instruction to switch the display signal output engine, the display signal switching unit 112 switches the display signal output path so that the display signal input from the front engine 120 is output to the display unit 113. The system control unit 122 also controls the power supply control unit 110 to limit or stop the power supply to the main engine 130, thereby stopping the operation of the main engine 130. In this way, the still image shooting and recording process ends, and the digital camera transitions to a shooting standby state.

[0043] (When playing back images from a recording medium) The following describes image playback from a recording medium. When the user operates the playback button 106 while the digital camera 100 is in a standby state and receives an image playback instruction, the digital camera 100 starts playback processing of an image recorded on the recording medium 114. Upon receiving the image playback instruction, the system control unit 122 either lifts the restriction on power supply to the main engine 130 or controls the power supply control unit 110 to start supplying power, thereby starting the main engine 130. The recording and playback control unit 133 reads image data from the recording medium 114 and outputs it to the image processing unit 131, which then processes the image. The image data processed by the image processing unit 131 is output to the display unit 113 using the display control unit 134, display device control unit 135, and display signal switching unit 112, and an image based on the image data is displayed. When playing back a recorded image, the system control unit 122 controls the display device control unit 125 and outputs an instruction to the display signal switching unit 112 to switch from image data from the front engine 120 to image data from the main engine 130. In response to this display signal output engine switching instruction, the display signal output path in display signal switching unit 112 is switched so that the display signal input from main engine 130 is output to display unit 113. When a still image is played back, image data of the still image played back from recording medium 114 is output to and displayed on display unit 113. When a moving image is played back, image data of the moving image played back from recording medium 114 is output to and displayed on display unit 113. Then, when the user gives an instruction to stop playing the moving image, playing of the moving image is stopped, and the image data of the screen that was displayed at the time of the instruction to stop playing is repeatedly displayed on display unit 113.

[0044] As described above, when the user operates SW1 to instruct a switch from playback mode to shooting mode while playback of still images or videos is stopped, the system control unit 122 performs the following operation. The system control unit 122 controls the power supply control unit 110 to limit or stop the power supply to the main engine 130, thereby stopping the main engine 130. The system control unit 122 also controls the display device control unit 125 to output an instruction to the display signal switching unit 112 to switch from image data from the main engine 130 to image data from the front engine 120. In response to this instruction to switch the display signal output engine, the display signal switching unit 112 switches the display signal output path so that the display signal input from the front engine 120 is output to the display unit 113. In this way, playback processing of the recorded image ends, and the system transitions to a shooting standby state.

[0045] In this way, when shooting and recording moving images or when playing back images from a recording medium, the display signal switching unit 112 switches the display signal output engine from the front engine 120 to the main engine 130. Switching the display signal output engine to the main engine 130 makes it possible to display an image based on image data processed by the image processing unit 131 on the display unit 113. This switching process takes a certain amount of time (details will be described later), which can cause a problem in that the display on the display unit 113 unintentionally becomes an unstable state (black screen) during this time. Below, we will explain why it takes a certain amount of time for the display signal output engine switching process by the display signal switching unit 112 and how to solve the problem of the display becoming unstable, along with a series of processes from a moving image recording start instruction to video output to the display unit 113, using moving image recording as an example.

[0046] First, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the reason why it takes a certain amount of time for the display signal switching unit 112 to switch the display signal output engine from the front engine 120 to the main engine 130 at the start of video recording will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display signal output engine switching process. Figure 3 is a timing chart showing an example of the display signal output engine switching process.

[0047] The output path switching register for switching the display signal output engine is an immediate reflection register, and since switching the output path during the vertical active period of the video signal will cause distortion in the output image, it is necessary to set the register during the vertical blanking period. Setting the output path switching register at the beginning of the vertical blanking period ensures that the register can be set during the vertical blanking period, so the following processing shown in Figures 2 and 3 is executed.

[0048] In the display signal output engine switching process, in S201, the system control unit 122 (display control unit 124) performs vertical blanking start interrupt setting. In the vertical blanking start interrupt setting, the display device control unit 125 is set so that an internal interrupt is generated from the display device control unit at the beginning of a vertical blanking period. At the same time, the process of setting the output path switching register in S205 is set as an interrupt handler corresponding to the internal interrupt. This interrupt setting is reflected in the display device control unit 125 at the timing when the next vertical synchronization interrupt occurs, so the system waits for the vertical synchronization interrupt to occur.

[0049] In S202, a vertical synchronization interrupt is confirmed, and if a vertical synchronization interrupt occurs (YES in S202), in S203 the vertical blanking start interrupt setting is reflected in the display device control unit 125. Then, the process waits until the next vertical blanking period. In S204, confirmation is made of an internal interrupt from the display device control unit 125. When the beginning of the next vertical blanking period is reached, an internal interrupt is generated from the display device control unit 125 according to the settings. If an internal interrupt is generated from the display device control unit 125 (YES in S204), the process proceeds to S205.

[0050] In S205, the process of setting the output path switching register set as an interrupt handler is executed, and it becomes possible to complete the setting of the output path switching register during the vertical blanking period. After the register setting in S205 is completed, in S206 the display signal output engine is switched from the front engine 120 to the main engine 130, and the display signal output path switching is completed.

[0051] As described above, the display signal output engine switching process involves waiting for a vertical synchronization interrupt in S202 and waiting for an internal interrupt in S204. As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 3, the display signal output engine switching process involves waiting for a vertical synchronization interrupt WT1 from when interrupt setting 301 is performed at time T31 until the vertical synchronization interrupt occurs at time T32. Furthermore, an internal interrupt wait WT2 occurs from when the vertical synchronization interrupt occurs at time T32 until the beginning of the next vertical blanking interval is reached at time T33, when an internal interrupt is generated, and then setting 303 of the output path switching register is performed. Because of these waiting times for the vertical synchronization interrupt and the internal interrupt, the display of the display unit 113 becomes unstable during this switching process, causing a problem in that the user sees a black screen. A solution to this problem will be described below in conjunction with a series of processes related to the output of image data to the display unit 113 during video recording in the digital camera 100.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the process of outputting image data to the display unit 113 when the digital camera 100 is recording a moving image. In S401, the digital camera 100 performs a first video output process, an example of which is shown in Fig. 5. This first video output process is a process of outputting image data to the display unit 113 at the start of moving image recording. In S402, the digital camera 100 performs a second video output process, an example of which is shown in Fig. 7. This second video output process is a process of outputting image data to the display unit 113 during video recording. In S403, the digital camera 100 performs a moving image recording end process, which ends the moving image recording operation and switches the display signal output engine from the main engine 130 to the front engine 120.

[0053] The first video output process in S401 of Fig. 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first video output process in S401 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a timing chart illustrating an example of the first video output process in S401 of Fig. 4.

[0054] In the first video output process, when the digital camera 100 is in a live view state (standby state for shooting) and the user presses the video recording button 108, the system control unit 122 receives an instruction to start recording a video image in S501.

[0055] In S502, a start instruction is issued to the main engine 130 and system start-up processing is performed. As described above, the system control unit 122, which has received the instruction to start recording a moving image in S501, either removes the restriction on the supply of power to the main engine 130 or controls the power supply control unit 110 to start the supply of power to the main engine 130. As a result, a start instruction to the main engine 130 and system start-up processing are performed, and both the front engine 120 and the main engine 130 are started up.

[0056] When the processing in S502 is completed, the main engine 130 starts generating display image data in the subsequent S505, and the image data output from the imaging unit 102 is passed to the main engine 130 via the front engine 120. When the image data output from the imaging unit 102 is passed to the main engine 130 via the front engine 120, the image data is no longer supplied to the image processing unit 121 of the front engine 120. Therefore, in S503, the system control unit 122 stops the display image data generation processing (image processing) in the image processing unit 121 of the front engine 120 before performing the processing in S505. Furthermore, in S504, the system control unit 122 stores the display image data of the frame last generated immediately before the image processing unit 121 stopped the display image data generation processing in a display memory managed by the display control unit 124. This display memory is included in the memory 127.

[0057] In S505, the system control unit 122 controls the image processing unit 121 of the front engine 120 to issue an instruction to start image data generation processing to the image processing unit 131 of the main engine 130 so that display image data is generated by the main engine 130. As a result, the display image data generation processing by the main engine 130 is started, and the image data generated by the imaging unit 102 is processed by the image processing unit 131.

[0058] When the generation of the display image data is completed in S505, in S506 the system control unit 132 outputs the generated display image data to the display signal switching unit 112 via the display control unit 134 and the display device control unit 135. However, at this point in time, the display signal switching unit 112 is set to output the display image data from the image processing unit 121 of the front engine 120 to the display unit 113, and therefore the display image data of the main engine 130 is not output to the display unit 113.

[0059] Furthermore, upon completion of the processing in S505, in S507 the system control unit 132 controls the display control unit 134 of the main engine 130 to issue a notification to the display control unit 124 of the front engine 120 that display image data generation in the main engine has been completed. In response to this notification, in S508 the display control unit 124 of the system control unit 122 controls the display device control unit 125 to output a main engine display switching instruction to the display signal switching unit 112. This executes the display signal output engine switching process shown in FIG. 2. Note that the processing in S509 takes a certain amount of time as described above. However, because the generation and output of display image data in the front engine 120 has already stopped, the display on the display unit 113 will be in an indefinite state (black screen) until the processing in S509 is completed. Therefore, in S510, the system control unit 122 controls the display unit 113 to repeatedly display one frame of image data (final display image data) that was generated immediately before generation of display image data for the front engine 120 was stopped and that was held in S504. The detailed processing in S510 will be described later together with the processing in S504.

[0060] When the display signal output engine switching process in S509 is completed, the display signal switching unit 112 enters a state in which it outputs display image data from the main engine 130 to the display unit 113. Therefore, in S511, the display image data from the main engine 130 that has not been output until now is displayed on the display unit 113.

[0061] Here, the processing in S504 and S510 described above will be explained. To explain this, first, the processing up to displaying the display image data generated by the image processing unit 121 on the display unit 113 in an operation such as live view display in which the display signal output engine is not switched will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0062] In S701, the image processing unit 121 performs image processing on the image data acquired from the imaging unit 102 to generate display image data. In S702, the image processing unit 121 writes the display image data into a display memory managed by the display control unit 124. At the same time, the image processing unit 121 also transmits to the display control unit 124 the start address of the memory into which the display image data has been written. In S703, the display control unit 124 holds the address information transmitted in S702.

[0063] In S704, the display control unit 124 issues an instruction to the display device control unit 125 to output the display image data by specifying the head address held as address information. In S705, the display device control unit 125 reads out the display image data written in the area of ​​the specified address in the memory and outputs it to the display signal switching unit 112, whereby an image based on the display image data is displayed on the display unit 113.

[0064] This series of processes is performed in each display cycle, and the display image data and address information in the display memory are updated in each cycle, thereby updating the display on the display unit 113.

[0065] Regarding the processing of S504, when the display signal output engine is switched from the front engine 120 to the main engine 130 by the display signal switching unit 112, the processing of S503 stops the processing of S701 in Fig. 7. Therefore, the updating of the display image data and address information in the display memory (processing of S702), which has been performed every cycle up until now, stops, and the display image data and address information written in the final frame are not overwritten. Therefore, the display image data and address information of the final frame that were generated and stored in memory 127 immediately before the image processing unit 121 stopped generating the image data for display can be retained as is.

[0066] 7. In addition, in the process of S510, the display control unit 124 specifies the top address of the memory in which the display image data of the final frame is written to the display device control unit 125, and performs the process of S704 in Fig. 7. This makes it possible to repeatedly display the final display image data of the front engine 120 on the display unit 113. This concludes the description of the processes in S504 and S510.

[0067] The second video output process in S402 of Fig. 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second video output process in S402 of Fig. 4. In the second video output process that starts after the first video output process ends, in S801, a display image data generation process is executed in the main engine 130. In addition, in S802, the system control unit 132 outputs the generated display image data to the display signal switching unit 112 via the display control unit 134 and the display device control unit 135, and an image based on the display image data is displayed on the display unit 113.

[0068] In S803, the system control unit 122 determines whether or not an instruction to end video recording has been received. If the system control unit 122 determines that an instruction to end video recording has not been received (NO in S803), the process returns to S801, and the second video output process continues. On the other hand, if the system control unit 122 determines that an instruction to end video recording has been received (YES in S803), the second video output process ends, and the video recording end process in S403 of FIG. 4 is executed.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the display signal switching unit 112 is located outside the front engine 120 and the main engine 130 , but the display signal switching unit 112 may be located inside the front engine 120 .

[0070] According to the first embodiment, in a standby state, the digital camera 100 limits the power supply to the main engine 130 and outputs image data generated by the front engine 120 to the display unit 113 to display a live view image. This reduces power consumption while displaying a live view image in a standby state. This enables the digital camera 100 to reduce power consumption in a standby state. Furthermore, when recording moving images, the restriction on the power supply to the main engine 130 is lifted to perform startup processing of the main engine 130. Then, image data obtained by image processing in the main engine 130 is displayed as a live view image on the display unit 113 via the display signal switching unit 112. This makes it possible to display images being recorded during shooting. Furthermore, when the display signal output engine is switched from the front engine 120 to the main engine 130, the display image data last generated by the image processing unit 121 of the front engine 120 is held and displayed on the display unit 113 during the display signal output engine switching process. This makes it possible to check the moving image data being recorded at high resolution and high frame rate on the display unit 113 without the user being shown an unstable display state that occurs during the switching process.

[0071] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the processing when the display signal output engine is switched from the front engine 120 to the main engine 130 by the display signal switching unit 112 has been described using an example of the start of video recording. For the same reason, when the display signal output engine is switched from the main engine 130 to the front engine 120, a period in which the display on the display unit 113 is in an indeterminate state (black screen) occurs during the switching of the display signal output engine. As described above, when shooting and recording of still images or videos are completed, the system transitions to a shooting standby state. At this time, the display signal output engine is switched from the main engine 130 to the front engine 120. Furthermore, after playback of still images or videos is stopped, if an instruction to switch to shooting mode is given by operating SW1 or the like, the system transitions to a shooting standby state. At this time, the display signal output engine is also switched from the main engine 130 to the front engine 120. In this way, even when the display signal output engine is switched from the main engine 130 to the front engine 120, it is possible to prevent the user from seeing the indeterminate state (black screen) using a method similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0072] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing performed by the digital camera 100 in the second embodiment. Fig. 9 shows processing performed when, after moving image recording has finished, the camera transitions to a shooting standby state and performs live view display. Fig. 9 also shows processing performed when the display signal output engine is switched from the main engine 130 to the front engine 120 and display image data generated by the front engine 120 is displayed on the display unit 113. The processing shown in Fig. 9 corresponds to, for example, the processing of S403 in Fig. 4.

[0073] The differences from the processing described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 in the first embodiment are the following three points (2-1) to (2-3). (2-1) S501 is a video recording start instruction, while S901 is a video recording end instruction. (2-2) The display image data generation process in S902 to the display image data display process for the front engine in S910 are the reverse of the processes in S503 to S511 for the front engine 120 and the main engine 130, respectively. (2-3) There is no processing in S502, and after the display of the display image data of the front engine on the display unit 113 in S510 is completed, the main engine is terminated in S511. These three differences are explained below.

[0074] First, regarding the first point, S901, when the digital camera 100 is in a moving image recording state, the user presses the moving image recording button 108, and the recording / playback control unit 133 in the system control unit 132 of the main engine 130 receives an instruction to end recording of the moving image. Receipt of this instruction starts the processing in S902.

[0075] Next, with regard to the second point, S902 to S910, S902 corresponds to S503, S903 corresponds to S504, ..., and S910 corresponds to S511, respectively. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the processing performed by the front engine 120 in the first embodiment is performed by the main engine 130, and vice versa. The processing content is the same; only the engine that performs the processing is reversed. Similarly, with regard to the output processing of image data during live view display after video recording has ended (see FIG. 10), the processing branched depending on whether video recording has ended in FIG. 8, but now branches depending on whether live view display has ended, except that the only difference is the reverse of the engine that performs the processing. S1001, S1002, and S1003 shown in FIG. 10 correspond to S801, S802, and S803 in FIG. 8, respectively.

[0076] Finally, regarding the third processing step S911, once the display signal output engine switching processing of S910 is completed and the display image data from the front engine 120 is displayed on the display unit 113, the main engine 130 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, in order to reduce power consumption in the digital camera 100, the system control unit 122 of the front engine 120 controls the power supply control unit 110 to limit the power supply to the main engine 130, thereby stopping the main engine 130.

[0077] According to the second embodiment, when the display signal output engine is switched to the front engine 120, the display image data last generated by the image processing unit 131 of the main engine 130 is held and displayed on the display unit 113 during the display signal output engine switching process. This makes it possible to switch the display on the display unit 113 to live view display without the user seeing an unstable state (black screen) that occurs during the switching process. Note that while FIG. 9 describes a case where the camera transitions to a shooting standby state after video recording ends and displays live view display, a similar switching process can also be performed when the camera transitions to shooting mode and displays live view display after playback of video or still images has stopped. In this case, S901 is replaced with an "instruction to switch to shooting mode" rather than an "instruction to end video recording." The processing from S902 onwards is the same.

[0078] <Third embodiment> In the second embodiment, the process of transitioning to a shooting standby state upon completion of video recording, switching the display signal output engine from the main engine 130 to the front engine 120, and displaying the display image data generated by the front engine 120 on the display unit 113 was described. This is not limited to this example, and the display signal switching unit 112 also performs switching processing when transitioning to a menu screen display after playback of recorded images is completed. However, the menu screen has a feature that, because the on-screen display (OSD) layer on which the menu screen is drawn is displayed on the entire screen, even if the layer of display image data below the OSD layer is in an undefined state, the user does not see this undefined state. Taking this feature into consideration, by modifying part of the process described in the second embodiment, it is possible to display the menu screen on the display unit 113 more quickly. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 11, an example of the process of transitioning to a menu screen display after playback of recorded images is completed will be described.

[0079] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing performed by the digital camera 100 in the third embodiment. Fig. 11 shows the processing performed when transitioning to a menu screen display after playback of a recorded image has ended. As described above, the processing shown in Fig. 11 is performed when the user issues an instruction to display the menu screen after playback of a moving image or still image has stopped.

[0080] The differences from the processing described with reference to FIG. 9 in the second embodiment are the following four points (3-1) to (3-4). (3-1) S901 is an instruction to end video recording, while S1101 is an instruction to display a menu screen after playback of the recorded image is completed. (3-2) In parallel with the processing of S902 to S904, the front engine 120 generates an OSD image in S1104, and notifies the completion of the OSD image generation in S1105. (3-3) Do not perform the process of S906 before the process of S1109 (3-4) OSD image is displayed on S1112

[0081] S1102 corresponds to S902, S1103 corresponds to S903, S1106 corresponds to S904, S1107 corresponds to S906, S1108 corresponds to S905, S1109 corresponds to S907, S1110 corresponds to S508, S1111 corresponds to S509, and S1113 corresponds to S911. The processing contents of S1102, S1103, S1104, S1108 to S1111, and S1112 are the same as those in the second embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted, and the four differences mentioned above will be described below.

[0082] In the first step S1101, when the user operates the menu button 105 to instruct the display of a menu screen while playback of a moving image or still image is stopped, the system control unit 122 receives an instruction to display the menu screen. Here, the reception of the instruction to display the menu screen starts the processing in steps S1102 and S1104.

[0083] Next, the second to fourth points will be explained together with the details of the processing. When an instruction to display a menu screen is received in S1101, the system control unit 122 instructs the system control unit 132 of the main engine 130 to stop generating display image data. The main engine 130 stops generating display image data (S1103), and holds and outputs the display image data of the screen immediately before generation was stopped (S1104). Also, by receiving the instruction in S1101, the system control unit 122 of the front engine 120 starts generating an OSD image (menu image) in S1104, simultaneously with S1102. After generation of the OSD image is completed, an OSD image generation completion notification is sent to the display control unit 124 of the front engine 120 in S1105.

[0084] As described above, since the OSD image is displayed on the entire screen on the menu screen, the display image data generated by image processing unit 121 performing image processing below the OSD image (OSD layer) is not visible to the user even if it is in an undefined state. Therefore, there is no need to wait for notification that generation of display image data has been completed in front engine 120, and the process of S1109 can be executed without waiting for that notification, and the processes of S1106 to S1108 and S1109 to S1111 can be processed in parallel. This reduces the wait time for completion of the processes of S1106 to S1107. When the process of S1110 is completed, the OSD image generated in S1104 is displayed on display unit 113 in S1112.

[0085] When transitioning to menu screen display after playback of recorded images is completed, the menu screen can be displayed on the display unit 113 more quickly than when transitioning to live view display, without showing the user the display indeterminate state that occurs during the switching process of the display signal output engine.

[0086] (Another embodiment of the present invention) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0087] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of specific embodiments for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be carried out in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0088] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, etc. (Configuration 1) An imaging means; a first integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means and generates image data to be displayed on a display unit based on the image data acquired from the imaging means; a second integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means via the first integrated circuit, records the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit on a recording medium, and generates image data to be displayed on the display unit, which corresponds to the image data recorded on the recording medium, based on the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit; power supply control means for controlling the supply of power to the second integrated circuit; a switching means for outputting the image data generated by the first integrated circuit or the image data generated by the second integrated circuit to the display unit; a control unit that controls the power supply control unit to limit the supply of power to the second integrated circuit in a standby state, and the switching unit to output image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the display unit, the control means, in response to an instruction to record a moving image in the shooting standby state, releases the restriction on power supply to the second integrated circuit by the power supply control means, and controls the switching means to switch the image data to be output to the display unit from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit; An imaging device characterized in that, when switching the image data to be output to the display unit from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit, the control means controls the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to be output to the display unit until the processing for switching in the switching means is completed. (Configuration 2) The imaging device described in configuration 1, characterized in that the first integrated circuit stops generating image data of a new frame based on image data acquired from the imaging means in response to the instruction, and the control means controls the display unit to output image data of the last frame before the generation was stopped until the processing for switching in the switching means is completed. (Configuration 3) The imaging device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that when the control means switches the image data to be output to the display unit from image data generated by the second integrated circuit to image data generated by the first integrated circuit, the control means controls the image data generated by the second integrated circuit to be output to the display unit until the processing for switching in the switching means is completed. (Configuration 4) The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the image data generated by the first integrated circuit has at least one of a frame rate and a resolution lower than that of the image data generated by the second integrated circuit. (Configuration 5) the first integrated circuit generates an OSD image in response to a display instruction for a menu screen; The imaging device described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that when a menu screen is displayed in response to the display instruction, the control means completes the processing for switching in the switching means before completing the generation of image data in the first integrated circuit based on image data acquired from the imaging means, and controls the image data of the OSD image generated by the first integrated circuit to be output to the display unit. (Configuration 6) The imaging device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that in response to an instruction to end the shooting of the moving image, the control means limits the supply of power to the second integrated circuit by the power supply control means, and controls the switching means to switch the image data output to the display unit from image data generated by the second integrated circuit to image data generated by the first integrated circuit. (Configuration 7) 7. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the switching means is located outside the first integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit, or inside the first integrated circuit. (Configuration 8) 8. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the control means is included in the first integrated circuit. (Method 1) A control method for an imaging device having an imaging means, a first integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means and generates image data to be displayed on a display unit based on the image data acquired from the imaging means, and a second integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means via the first integrated circuit, records the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit on a recording medium, and generates image data to be displayed on the display unit that corresponds to the image data recorded on the recording medium based on the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit, a power supply control step of controlling the supply of power to the second integrated circuit; a control step of limiting the supply of power to the second integrated circuit in the power supply control step in a shooting standby state, and controlling a switching means that outputs image data generated by the first integrated circuit or image data generated by the second integrated circuit to the display unit to output image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the display unit; In the control step, in response to an instruction to record a moving image in the shooting standby state, the power supply control step releases the restriction on the supply of power to the second integrated circuit, and controls the switching means to switch the image data to be output to the display unit from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit; A control method for an imaging device, characterized in that, in the control step, when the image data to be output to the display unit is switched from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit, control is performed so that the image data generated by the first integrated circuit is output to the display unit until the processing for switching in the switching means is completed. (Program 1) a first integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means and generates image data to be displayed on a display unit based on the image data acquired from the imaging means; and a second integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means via the first integrated circuit, records the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit on a recording medium, and generates image data to be displayed on the display unit that corresponds to the image data recorded on the recording medium based on the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit, a power supply control step of controlling the supply of power to the second integrated circuit; a control step of limiting the supply of power to the second integrated circuit in the power supply control step in a shooting standby state, and controlling a switching means for outputting image data generated by the first integrated circuit or image data generated by the second integrated circuit to the display unit to output image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the display unit; In the control step, in response to an instruction to record a moving image in the shooting standby state, the power supply control step releases the restriction on the supply of power to the second integrated circuit, and controls the switching means to switch the image data to be output to the display unit from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit; A program that performs control so that, when the image data to be output to the display unit is switched from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit in the control step, the image data generated by the first integrated circuit is output to the display unit until the processing for switching in the switching means is completed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 100: Digital camera 102: Imaging unit 103: Operation unit 104: Mode switch 105: Menu button 106: Playback button 107: Shutter button 108: Video recording button 109: Power switch 110: Power supply control unit 111: Power supply 112: Display signal switching unit 113: Display unit 114: Recording medium 115: External device 120: Front engine 130: Main engine 121, 131: Image processing unit 122, 132: System control unit 133: Recording and playback control unit 124, 134: Display control unit 125, 135: Display device control unit 126, 127: System memory 127, 137: Memory

Claims

1. An imaging means; a first integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means and generates image data to be displayed on a display unit based on the image data acquired from the imaging means; a second integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means via the first integrated circuit, records the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit on a recording medium, and generates image data to be displayed on the display unit, which corresponds to the image data recorded on the recording medium, based on the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit; power supply control means for controlling the supply of power to the second integrated circuit; a switching means for outputting the image data generated by the first integrated circuit or the image data generated by the second integrated circuit to the display unit; a control unit that controls the power supply control unit to limit the supply of power to the second integrated circuit in a standby state, and the switching unit to output image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the display unit, the control means, in response to an instruction to record a moving image in the shooting standby state, releases the restriction on power supply to the second integrated circuit by the power supply control means, and controls the switching means to switch the image data to be output to the display unit from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit; An imaging device characterized in that, when switching the image data to be output to the display unit from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit, the control means controls the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to be output to the display unit until the processing for switching in the switching means is completed.

2. The imaging device described in claim 1, characterized in that the first integrated circuit stops generating image data of a new frame based on the image data acquired from the imaging means in response to the instruction, and the control means controls the display unit to output image data of the last frame before the generation was stopped until the processing for switching in the switching means is completed.

3. The imaging device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the control means switches the image data to be output to the display unit from image data generated by the second integrated circuit to image data generated by the first integrated circuit, it controls the image data generated by the second integrated circuit to be output to the display unit until the processing for switching in the switching means is completed.

4. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the image data generated by the first integrated circuit has at least one of a frame rate and a resolution lower than that of the image data generated by the second integrated circuit.

5. the first integrated circuit generates an OSD image in response to a display instruction for a menu screen; The imaging device described in claim 1, characterized in that when a menu screen is displayed in response to the display instruction, the control means completes the processing for switching in the switching means before completing the generation of image data in the first integrated circuit based on the image data acquired from the imaging means, and controls the image data of the OSD image generated by the first integrated circuit to be output to the display unit.

6. The imaging device described in claim 1, characterized in that, in response to an instruction to end the shooting of the moving image, the control means controls the power supply control means to limit the supply of power to the second integrated circuit, and controls the switching means to switch the image data output to the display unit from image data generated by the second integrated circuit to image data generated by the first integrated circuit.

7. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the switching means is located outside the first integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit, or inside the first integrated circuit.

8. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means is included in the first integrated circuit.

9. A control method for an imaging device having an imaging means, a first integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means and generates image data to be displayed on a display unit based on the image data acquired from the imaging means, and a second integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means via the first integrated circuit, records the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit on a recording medium, and generates image data to be displayed on the display unit that corresponds to the image data recorded on the recording medium based on the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit, a power supply control step of controlling the supply of power to the second integrated circuit; a control step of limiting the supply of power to the second integrated circuit in the power supply control step in a shooting standby state, and controlling a switching means that outputs image data generated by the first integrated circuit or image data generated by the second integrated circuit to the display unit to output image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the display unit, In the control step, in response to an instruction to record a moving image in the shooting standby state, the power supply control step releases the restriction on the supply of power to the second integrated circuit, and controls the switching means to switch the image data to be output to the display unit from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit; A control method for an imaging device, characterized in that, in the control process, when the image data to be output to the display unit is switched from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit, control is performed to output the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the display unit until the processing for switching in the switching means is completed.

10. a first integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means and generates image data to be displayed on a display unit based on the image data acquired from the imaging means; and a second integrated circuit that acquires image data from the imaging means via the first integrated circuit, records the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit on a recording medium, and generates image data to be displayed on the display unit that corresponds to the image data recorded on the recording medium based on the image data acquired from the first integrated circuit, a power supply control step of controlling the supply of power to the second integrated circuit; and a control step of limiting the supply of power to the second integrated circuit in the power supply control step in a shooting standby state, and controlling a switching means for outputting image data generated by the first integrated circuit or image data generated by the second integrated circuit to the display unit to output the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the display unit, In the control step, in response to an instruction to record a moving image in the shooting standby state, the power supply control step releases the restriction on the supply of power to the second integrated circuit, and controls the switching means to switch the image data to be output to the display unit from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit; A program that controls the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to be output to the display unit until the processing for switching in the switching means is completed when the image data to be output to the display unit is switched from the image data generated by the first integrated circuit to the image data generated by the second integrated circuit in the control step.

Images