Patent ID: 7136096
Filing Date: 2006-11-14
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image processing apparatus having a function of storing a plurality of sensed still images or moving images in storage means, comprising: an image sensing unit having an image sensing lens which can change an optical system condition while a user takes a plurality of consecutive images using said image sensing unit; a storage unit configured to store the plurality of consecutive images sensed by said image sensing unit by associating them with each other; an optical system condition change instruction unit configured to output a signal for changing the optical system condition of said image sensing lens upon detecting an indication that said image sensing lens is operated by a user; a selecting unit configured to make the user selects whether or not to continue an image sensing operation while the user takes the plurality of consecutive images when said optical system condition change instruction unit outputs the signal to change the optical system condition; a determining unit configured to determine whether a first of the plurality of consecutive images is sensed; and a control unit configured to complete associating operation of the plurality of consecutive images which have been sensed before reception of the instruction for changing the optical system condition of said image sensing lens from said optical system condition change instruction unit when the user selects to finish the image sensing operation based on a result from said selecting unit, and configured to finish associating operation of images sensed after a first one of the plurality of consecutive images to be stored in said storage unit in association with each other is sensed and stored based on a result from said determining unit, and configured to stop changing of the optical system condition when the user selects to continue the image sensing operation based on the result from said selecting unit.