Panasonic Corporation

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.

Masayuki Ozaki

Yuichi Suzuki

Kyosuke Osuka

Taizo Aoki

Masato Yamasaki

Wataru Okamoto

Masataka Nabeshima

A digital camera includes a CCD image sensor that produces a plurality of sets of image data by continuously capturing a subject, a controller that sets the priority for executing image processing on at least one of the plurality of sets of image data, and an image processor that subjects a plurality of sets of image data to image processing on the basis of the priority for executing image processing.

Imaging device for performing processing of image data on the basis of priority

An imaging device is provided that is configured to perform continuous shooting and includes an imaging unit, a memory, an imaging control unit and a grouping determination unit. The imaging unit is configured to capture an image of a subject. The memory is configured to store continuous shooting control information indicating a value of a control parameter related to continuous shooting. The imaging control unit is configured to cause the imaging unit to perform continuous shooting in accordance with the stored continuous shooting control information. The grouping determination unit is configured to determine, based on the stored continuous shooting control information, whether a series of image information are to be grouped together. The series of image information is obtained in one continuous shooting.

Imaging device

An imaging device of the present invention includes a normal operation period and a focusing operation period and includes: a CCD () able to perform thinning processing on image signals of an imaging subject; an AFE () that converts the image signals into image data; a signal processing unit () that converts the image data into display data; an LCD () that displays an image based on the display data; and a thinning control unit () that that changes a read frame rate and thinning rate of the CCD (). The thinning control unit () performs control so that in the focusing operation period, image signals are read from the CCD () at a higher read frame rate than in the normal operation period, and so that in the focusing operation period and a frame immediately before the focusing operation period, image signals are read from the CCD () using a larger thinning rate than in the normal operation period. This structure enables providing an imaging device that can perform through-the-lens display in all areas of all frames in the focusing operation period.

An imaging device of the present invention includes a normal operation period and a focusing operation period; a CCD () able to mix image signals of a plurality of pixels and read the mixed image signals; an AFE () that converts the image signals to image data; a signal processing unit () that converts the image data to display data; an LCD () that displays the display data; and a pixel mixing control unit () that changes a read frame rate and pixel mixing number of the CCD (). The pixel mixing control unit () performs control so that in the focusing operation period, the image signals are read from the CCD () at a higher read frame rate than in the normal operation period, and performs control so that in the focusing operation period, the image signals are read from the CCD () at a larger pixel mixing number than in the normal operation period. This structure enables providing an imaging device in which a high-speed focusing operation can be performed even if an imaging subject is dark.

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Osaka, Japan

Masayuki Ozaki