JP2009147647A - Automatic imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic imaging apparatus which does not photograph when a photography is incapable or a state is not appropriate for photography, and photographs images significant for a user only. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic imaging apparatus is provided with: an imaging processing part 130 for automatically performing imaging processing in succession; a determination part 140 for determining which is the case, a photography capable state in which the imaging processing can be performed or a photography incapable state in which the imaging processing cannot be performed; and a control unit 110 for controlling an imaging processing part 130 so that the imaging processing is automatically executed when it is determined by the determination part 140 that it is a photography capable state and controls the imaging processing part 130 so that when it is determined by the determination part 140 that it is a photography incapable state, a non photography state in which the imaging processing is not automatically executed is effected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic imaging apparatus.

  In still image / video shooting with an imaging device such as a camera, the photographer decides the shooting target through a finder, etc., and confirms the shooting status himself and adjusts the framing of the shot image, so that a larger amount of information can be obtained. Usually it is generated. Conventionally, in such an imaging apparatus, a photographer's operation mistake or an external environment is automatically detected, and if the imaging apparatus is not suitable for imaging, the user is notified of that or is in a state suitable for imaging. The technology to perform control is incorporated.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, when it is detected by a sensor that a lens cap of a camera is mounted, the operator is notified of this, the power is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed, or a recording operation is performed. A technique for performing control so as to be prohibited is disclosed. In Patent Document 2, the image data captured through the image sensor and the image data captured and recorded immediately before are compared, and the shutter is automatically captured according to the change between images. An imaging apparatus is disclosed in which an image intended by a photographer is captured without missing a chance.

  On the other hand, there is an automatic imaging apparatus that automatically executes imaging without the user being aware of it, in contrast to a normal imaging apparatus that performs imaging by a user's operation. The automatic imaging device is used in a state of being worn on the user's body with a strap or the like, and is used as a life log camera or the like that records the daily behavior of the user as an image.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-37836 JP 2007-28123 A

  The automatic imaging apparatus has a problem in that photographing is continued without being noticed by the user even in a state unsuitable for photographing because of the characteristic of the apparatus that performs photographing without being conscious of the user. The state unsuitable for photographing here is, for example, a state in which the mounting direction of the automatic image pickup device is inappropriate, a state in which the automatic image pickup device is covered with a jacket or a bag, or a sufficient amount of light is satisfied. It refers to a state where it is placed in a dark place. In addition, there is a problem that shooting is performed before the user is aware of the shooting prohibited area and the shooting prohibited object.

  In such a case, conventionally, it has been necessary for the user himself / herself to determine whether or not shooting is possible from the surrounding situation, and to select whether to stop or resume shooting by operating the imaging apparatus. In addition, if the user does not notice that shooting is not possible, shooting is automatically performed in a state that is not suitable for shooting, and a large number of meaningless images are accumulated, and the storage area cannot be used efficiently. It was in a state.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to prevent shooting when shooting is impossible or when shooting is inappropriate. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved automatic imaging apparatus capable of capturing only an image significant for a user.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, an imaging processing unit that automatically performs imaging processing continuously, and a shooting enabled state in which imaging processing can be performed or imaging processing can be performed. The determination unit that determines which of the impossible imaging states is possible, and the imaging process so that the imaging process is automatically executed when the determination unit determines that the imaging is possible And a control unit that controls the imaging processing unit so as to be in a non-shooting state in which the imaging process is not automatically executed when the determination unit determines that the imaging is not possible. Is provided.

  With this configuration, it is possible to automatically determine that shooting is not possible or inappropriate for shooting, and automatic shooting is not performed in such a state. As a result, it is possible to prevent an image that is meaningless to the user from being captured, and to capture only a significant image.

  The photometric device further includes a photometric unit that measures the amount of light incident on the image sensor, and the determination unit determines whether the photographing is possible or the non-photographable state based on the light amount measured by the photometric unit. May be. This prevents automatic shooting from being performed when the imaging device is in a dark place that does not satisfy a sufficient amount of light, or when the imaging lens is covered with a jacket or the like. .

  In addition, a direction detection unit that detects a direction in which the imaging lens used for the imaging process is opposed to each other is further provided, and the determination unit is in a shooting enabled state or a shooting disabled state based on the direction detected by the direction detection unit. You may make it determine whether there exists. As described above, when the lens surface of the automatic imaging apparatus is not oriented in the correct direction, automatic shooting can be prevented from being performed. For example, when the automatic imaging device is used with the strap suspended from the neck by a user, the automatic imaging device rotates due to the twisting of the strap or the movement of the user, and the lens surface is on the user's body side. It is possible to prevent the shooting from being performed by detecting that it is suitable for the camera.

  The image capturing apparatus further includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating the current position of the automatic imaging device, and the determination unit is configured to be in a shootable state or a non-shootable state based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. You may make it determine which is. As a result, when the automatic imaging device is in a shooting prohibited area or in the vicinity of a shooting prohibited object, the shooting is automatically stopped so that the shooting prohibited area or object is not shot. Can be.

  In addition, a wireless signal receiving unit that receives a wireless signal indicating whether or not shooting is possible is further provided, and the determination unit is in a shooting enabled state or a shooting disabled state based on the wireless signal received by the wireless signal receiving unit. You may make it determine. At this time, the determination unit may determine whether the photographing is possible or the photographing impossible state based on the strength of the wireless signal.

  In addition, the image recognition unit further includes an image recognition unit that determines whether or not the captured image acquired by the imaging processing unit includes a predetermined shape, and the determination unit is configured to be in a shootable state or a shooting based on a determination result of the image recognition unit. It may be determined which of the impossible states. Thereby, it is possible to prevent shooting when the imaging lens is directed toward the shooting prohibited area or the shooting prohibited object.

  In addition, the control unit switches between the shooting state and the non-shooting state when it is determined by the determination unit that the shooting is continuously possible or not possible for a predetermined time or longer. It may be. Thereby, even when the state transition frequently occurs, it is possible to prevent the state control for the imaging apparatus from being frequently performed.

  Moreover, you may make it further provide the notification part for notifying a user of the determination result by a determination part. Accordingly, the user can recognize that it is determined that the photographing is possible / the photographing is not possible, and the imaging apparatus can be kept in a photographing state. Alternatively, the user can determine and operate whether or not to stop shooting at that time.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in an automatic imaging device that automatically performs shooting without user operation, shooting is performed when shooting is not possible or is inappropriate for shooting. In this way, only images that are significant for the user can be taken.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

(About the configuration of the automatic imaging device)
First, the configuration of an automatic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic imaging apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110, a bus 120, an imaging processing unit 130, a determination unit 140, and a storage unit 150.

  In the embodiment described below, it is attached to a user's body by a strap or the like, and an image of a subject can be automatically captured as a still image at a predetermined time interval and recorded as digital data on a recording medium. The case of an automatic imaging apparatus will be described as an example.

  The control unit 100 includes a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a flash memory. The control unit 100 is connected to each unit via the bus 120, and supplies various control signals generated when the CPU executes a program recorded in the ROM to control the entire automatic imaging apparatus 100. .

  The imaging processing unit 130 converts, for example, captured image data obtained by an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) into a predetermined image format according to the control of the control unit 110. Alternatively, a process of storing the converted captured image data in the storage unit 150 is performed.

  The determination unit 140 is connected to the control unit 110, determines whether it is in a shootable state in which shooting can be performed or a non-shootable state in which shooting is not possible, and transmits the determination to the control unit 110. . A method by which the determination unit 140 determines whether the photographing is possible or the photographing impossible state will be described in detail in an embodiment described later. Based on the determination result transmitted from the determination unit 140, the control unit 110 controls the imaging processing unit 130 and the like, and executes or stops the imaging processing by the imaging processing unit 130. As a control method by the control unit 110, for example, when the determination result is a non-shooting state, the imaging processing unit 130 is switched to the non-shooting state so that the imaging process is not performed, and the determination result is a shooting ready state. Then, a method may be used in which control is performed so that the imaging process is performed by switching to the imaging state again.

  The storage unit 150 includes a flash memory, a hard disk, and the like, and is used for storing various data, for example, captured image data.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 2 is a modification of the automatic imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The modification shown in FIG. 2 is different in that a warning output unit 160 is provided in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. The warning output unit 160 is an embodiment of the notification unit of the present invention, and is used to notify the user of the shootable / unshootable state determined by the determination unit 140 and transmitted to the control unit 110. .

  The warning output unit 160 is controlled by the control unit 110 based on the determination result by the determination unit 140 and outputs a warning. For example, the warning output unit 160 may be configured to output a sound by a buzzer or the like, or may be configured to output a warning message or a graphic on a display such as an LCD. Or you may make it comprise so that light-emitting devices, such as LED and a flash, may light-emit, and you may make it generate a vibration with a vibrator.

  Further, a warning may be output by a different method according to a determination criterion when the determination unit 140 determines that the photographing is possible / non-shootable. The determination criteria by the determination unit 140 will be described in detail later. For example, when it is determined that photographing is not possible due to insufficient light, a warning is output by outputting a sound, and it is determined that photographing is not possible depending on the orientation of the imaging device. In such a case, a warning may be output by a vibrator.

  Further, the control unit 110 may not perform warning output by the warning output unit 160 according to the type of the determination criterion. For example, when it is determined that photographing is not possible due to insufficient light quantity, the control unit 140 does not give a warning by the warning output unit 160, but only performs control (switching to a non-photographing state) on the imaging processing unit 130. May be. On the contrary, the imaging processing unit 130 may not be controlled (that is, the shooting state is continued), and only the warning output by the warning processing unit 160 may be performed.

  In addition, a warning may be issued only when the shooting enabled state shifts to the shooting disabled state, and no warning may be issued when the shooting disabled state shifts to the shooting enabled state.

  The automatic imaging apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention and the modifications thereof have been described above. Hereinafter, an embodiment of a determination method applied to the determination unit 140 of the above-described automatic imaging apparatus will be described.

  In each of the embodiments described below, the warning output unit 160 is not mounted, and an embodiment in which only the shooting state / non-shooting state switching control of the automatic imaging apparatus is performed will be described as an example. Is not limited to such an example. In each of the following embodiments, the warning output unit 160 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be mounted and configured to execute the warning output process based on the determination result of the determination unit. Alternatively, as described above, it may be configured to execute a combination of the shooting state / non-shooting state switching control and the warning output.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of a determination method performed by the determination unit 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the automatic imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a modification of the automatic imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. The automatic imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that a photometric unit 170 is provided in addition to the configuration of the automatic imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  The photometry unit 170 measures the amount of light incident on the image sensor of the automatic imaging apparatus 100 and transmits the measurement value to the determination unit 140 through the control unit 110. A conventionally well-known photometric method can be used as a photometric processing method by the photometric unit 170. The photometry unit 170 may be provided separately from the imaging processing unit 130 including an imaging device as shown in FIG. Alternatively, as in the modification shown in FIG. 4, a photometric unit 131 is included in the imaging processing unit 130, and a value measured at the time of determining the exposure of the imaging process is transmitted to the control unit 110 as a measured value by the photometric unit 131. You may make it do.

  The determination unit 140 according to the present embodiment determines the shootable state / unshootable state by comparing the light amount measured by the photometric unit 170 with a predetermined reference value. For example, the determination unit 140 may determine that the photographing is possible when the measured light amount b is larger than the reference value B, and may determine that the photographing is impossible when the light amount b is less than the reference value B. Further, both the upper limit value and the lower limit value may be provided as the reference value, and it may be determined that the photographing is possible if the light amount B is between the lower limit value and the upper limit value.

  Alternatively, a plurality of reference values may be provided, and the control method by the control unit 110 may be different depending on which stage the measurement value is in. For example, when the light quantity is less than the first reference value, only the warning output by the warning output unit 160 is performed, and when the light quantity is less than the second reference value lower than the first reference value, a warning is issued. Control may be performed such as switching to a non-photographing state by controlling the imaging processing unit 130 while outputting. Or you may make it the warning method by the warning output part 160 differ according to a step.

  The determination unit 140 executes determination processing at predetermined time intervals and notifies the control unit 110 of the determination result. Alternatively, the determination result may be output only when the determination result is different from the previous determination result. The control unit 110 controls the imaging processing unit 130 or the warning output unit 160 by the control method as described above based on the notified determination result.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the flow of processing when the automatic imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment performs control by determining a shootable state / unshootable state will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow for performing control so as to automatically shift to a shooting state when it is determined that shooting is possible, and to a non-shooting state when it is determined that shooting is not possible. According to the example shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S <b> 101, the photometry unit 170 measures the amount of light and transmits the photometry result b to the determination unit 140 through the control unit 110.

  Next, in step S103, the determination unit 140 compares the photometric result b with a predetermined reference value B. Here, when b is larger than the reference value B, the determination unit 140 determines that the photographing is possible (step S103: YES), and transmits the determination result to the control unit 110. On the other hand, when b is equal to or smaller than the reference value B, the determination unit 140 determines that the photographing is impossible (step S103: NO), and transmits the determination result to the control unit 110.

  The control unit 110 controls the imaging processing unit 130 based on the determination result transmitted from the determination unit 140. When the determination unit 140 determines that the photographing is possible, the process proceeds to step S105, and the control unit 110 performs control so that the imaging processing unit 130 transitions to the photographing state. If it is already in the shooting state, no processing is required.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 140 determines that the photographing is impossible, the process proceeds to step S107, and the control unit 110 performs control so that the imaging processing unit 130 transitions to the non-photographing state. In this case as well, as in the shooting state, no processing is required when the shooting state is already set.

  Thereafter, in step S109, it is determined whether or not the photographing is finished. If the photographing is finished, the process is finished. When shooting is continued, the process returns to step S101 and the determination process of whether or not shooting is possible is repeated.

  In this way, by measuring the amount of light incident on the imaging device and controlling the imaging device based on the measurement value, the imaging device is present in a dark place where the sufficient amount of light is not satisfied, or the imaging lens is It is possible to prevent automatic shooting from being performed when the image is covered with a jacket or the like, and to prevent an image that is meaningless to the user from being shot.

(Processing of Modification 1)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow by the automatic imaging apparatus 100 when the warning output unit 160 illustrated in FIG. 2 is provided. In the example of FIG. 6, the determination process by the determination unit 140 (steps S111 to S113) and the process (step S115) when it is determined that the photographing is possible are the same as the example of FIG. Only the case where it is determined as impossible is different. In this example, when it is determined that the photographing is impossible, the imaging processing unit 130 remains in the photographing state, and the warning output unit 160 issues a warning to the user in step S117.

  The example of FIG. 6 is an example of processing when the warning output unit 160 is provided, and as described above, various modifications can be considered for the control method for the warning output unit 160 and the imaging processing unit 130. For example, after the warning output unit 160 outputs a warning, the imaging processing unit 130 may be controlled to switch between the shooting state / non-shooting state. Further, the control method may be changed according to the determination result (shootable state / non-shootable state), or the control method may be changed according to the level of the photometric result as described above.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 7 shows an example of a processing flow that further includes a timer (not shown) for measuring time, and switches between the photographing state / non-photographing state when the state continues for a predetermined time T or longer. is there. In FIG. 7, a flag F represents a determination result by the determination unit 140, where F = 0 indicates a shootable state and F = 1 indicates a non-shootable state.

  First, in step S121, the determination unit 140 sets a flag F to 0 and sets an initial state. Next, in step S123, the timer t for measuring the time during which the state continues is reset, and time measurement is started.

  Next, in step S125, the photometry unit 170 measures the amount of light, and the photometry result b is input to the determination unit 140. In step S127, the determination unit 140 compares the photometric result b with the reference value B and simultaneously checks the value of the flag F. Here, when the photometric result b is smaller than the reference value B and the flag F = 0 (step S127: YES), the state before the determination is the imageable state from the value of the flag F and the photometric result b. Now, it can be seen that shooting is impossible. Accordingly, the determination unit 140 sets the value of the flag F to 1 in step S129, returns to step S123, resets the timer t, and starts time measurement.

  On the other hand, if the photometric result b is greater than or equal to the reference value B and the flag F = 1 in step S131 (step S131: YES), the pre-determination state is a non-shooting state and is now in a shooting ready state. I understand that. Therefore, the determination unit 140 sets the value of the flag F to 0 in step S133, and returns to step S123.

  The above-described steps S127 and S131 correspond to the case where the state changes when the timer t does not reach the specified time T. On the other hand, if none of the cases apply (step S131: NO), it can be determined that the photographing enabled state or the shooting impossible state continues, and therefore the value of the timer t is compared with the specified time T in step S135. . Here, when t does not reach the specified time T (step S135: NO), since the elapsed time after the state change has not yet reached the specified time T, the process returns to step S125 and the determination process is repeated.

  On the other hand, if t is longer than the prescribed time T (step S135: YES), it indicates that either the photographing enabled state or the photographing impossible state has continued beyond the prescribed time T. Accordingly, in step S137, it is determined from the value of the flag F whether the camera is in a shooting enabled state or a shooting disabled state. If the camera is in a shooting enabled state, control is performed so as to transition to the shooting state in step S139. If it is in an impossible state, control is performed so as to transition to the non-photographing state in step S141.

  Next, in step S143, it is determined whether or not to end the shooting. When the shooting is to be ended (step S143: YES), the process is ended. If not finished (step S143: NO), the process returns to step S123.

  As described above, even when the state transition frequently occurs by providing the specified time T and switching the state of the imaging device when the time during which a certain state continues reaches the specified time T, the state for the imaging device It is possible to prevent frequent control.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG. 8, FIG. 9A and 9B, 2nd Embodiment of the determination method by a determination part is described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an automatic imaging apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. The automatic imaging apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is characterized by further including a direction detection unit 260 in addition to the configuration of the automatic imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In the automatic imaging apparatus 200, the components other than the direction detection unit 260 and the determination unit 240 (the control unit 210, the bus 220, the imaging processing unit 230, and the storage unit 250) correspond to the corresponding configuration of the automatic imaging device 100 illustrated in FIG. Since it is the same as an element, in order to avoid duplication description, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the automatic imaging apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is assumed to be used in a state in which a user is hung from a neck with a strap or the like. As shown in FIG. 9A, in the correct mounting state, shooting is performed with the lens surface facing the front. However, it can be assumed that the automatic imaging apparatus 200 rotates due to the movement of the user and the lens surface faces the user's body as shown in FIG. 9B. The automatic imaging apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment aims to prevent an image unintended by the user from being continuously captured automatically by detecting such a state as an uncapable state. Is.

  The direction detection unit 260 provided in the automatic imaging apparatus 200 of the present embodiment can be realized by, for example, mounting an angular velocity sensor or the like that detects rotation at a site where the strap of the automatic imaging apparatus 200 is attached. For example, the direction detection unit 260 may detect the direction in which the lens surface faces by calculating a rotation angle about the vertical axis of the automatic imaging apparatus 200 from the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity sensor. Good. The determination unit 240 can determine whether or not the automatic imaging apparatus 200 is in a direction capable of photographing based on the angular velocity detected by the direction detection unit 260 or the like.

  In addition, the direction detection unit 260 can be realized by the photometry unit used in the first embodiment described above. For example, whether or not the lens surface is oriented in the correct direction by providing photometry means so that photometry can be performed on both sides of the surface opposite to the lens surface side of the automatic imaging apparatus 200 and comparing both photometry results. May be determined.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the flow of processing when the automatic imaging apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment performs control by determining the shootable / unshootable state will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of determination processing performed by the automatic imaging apparatus 200.

  Referring to FIG. 5, first, in step S <b> 201, the direction detection unit 260 detects the direction of the automatic imaging apparatus 200. Next, in step S <b> 203, the determination unit 240 determines whether or not the automatic imaging apparatus 200 is facing a direction that allows photographing based on the direction detected by the direction detection unit 260.

  If it is determined in step S203 that the camera is facing the direction capable of shooting (step S203: YES), in step S205, the control unit 210 controls the imaging processing unit 230 to transition to the shooting state. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S203 that the user is facing a direction in which an image intended by the user cannot be captured (step S203: NO), in step S207, the control unit 210 causes the imaging processing unit 230 to perform non-photographing. Control is performed so as to transition to a state. Hereinafter, the process of step S209 is the same as that of step S109 of the first embodiment.

  In this way, by detecting the direction in which the lens surface of the automatic imaging apparatus is directed, it is possible to prevent shooting when the lens surface is not facing the correct direction. In this embodiment, a warning output unit may be further provided to perform the same processing as the processing flow shown in FIG. Further, a timer may be further provided to perform the same process as the process shown in FIG.

(Third embodiment)
In the determination methods according to the first and second embodiments described above, a state in which an image intended by the user cannot be physically obtained is determined as an imaging impossible state. On the other hand, in the determination methods according to the third to fifth embodiments described below, a state in which the automatic imaging apparatus is in a shooting prohibited area or a shooting prohibited object and cannot be shot cannot be shot. Is determined.

  A third embodiment of the determination method by the determination unit will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an automatic imaging apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the automatic imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the automatic imaging apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment further includes a position information acquisition unit 360, a shooting prohibited area database 370, and a wireless communication unit 380. And

  Note that in the automatic imaging apparatus 300, the components (the control unit 310, the bus 320, the imaging processing unit 330, and the storage unit 350) other than the position information acquisition unit 360, the imaging prohibited area database 370, the wireless communication unit 380, and the determination unit 340 are included. Since it is the same as the corresponding component of the automatic imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, in order to avoid duplication description, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The automatic imaging apparatus 300 according to this embodiment is configured to acquire position information (latitude and longitude, etc.) of the current position of the automatic imaging apparatus 300 from a GPS satellite or the like by a position information acquisition unit 360. Further, the automatic imaging apparatus 300 includes a shooting prohibited area database 370 in which position information related to the shooting prohibited area is stored, and the determination unit 340 automatically captures images from the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 360. It is determined whether or not the apparatus 300 is in a shooting enabled state by determining whether or not the device 300 is currently in the shooting prohibited area.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a shooting prohibited area is defined. For example, when a predetermined area shown on the map of FIG. 12 is defined as a shooting prohibited area, the shooting prohibited area database 370 stores position information (longitude, latitude, etc.) of a position corresponding to the area. ing. The determination unit 340 acquires the position information of the shooting prohibited area and the shooting prohibited object recorded in the shooting prohibited area database 370 and compares it with the position information of the current position. As a result of the comparison, if the automatic imaging apparatus 300 is in the shooting prohibited area or in the vicinity of the shooting prohibited object, the determination unit 340 determines that the shooting is impossible and transmits the determination result to the control unit 310.

  For example, the determination unit 340 may determine that the shooting is impossible when the position information of the current position is included in the shooting prohibited area defined by the shooting prohibited area database 370. Alternatively, it may be determined that the photographing is not possible when the photographing prohibited object existing at a predetermined position is within a predetermined distance range (for example, within a radius of 50 m).

  In addition, the automatic imaging apparatus 300 may further include a wireless communication unit 380 as illustrated in FIG. 11 and may be configured to acquire position information of a shooting prohibited area via a network.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the flow of processing when the automatic imaging apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment performs control by determining a shootable state / unshootable state will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of determination processing performed by the automatic imaging apparatus 300.

  Referring to FIG. 13, first, in step S301, the position information acquisition unit 360 acquires position information of the current position from a GPS satellite or the like. Next, in step S303, the determination unit 340 compares the position information of the shooting prohibited area stored in the shooting prohibited area database 370 with the position information of the current position. In step S305, the current position is prohibited from shooting based on the comparison result. It is determined whether it is out of the area.

  If it is determined in step S305 that it is outside the shooting prohibited area (step S305: YES), in step S307, the control unit 310 performs control so that the imaging processing unit 330 transitions to the shooting state. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S305 that the user is facing a direction in which an image intended by the user cannot be captured (step S305: NO), in step S309, the control unit 310 causes the imaging processing unit 330 to perform non-photographing. Control is performed so as to transition to a state. Hereinafter, step S311 is the same as step S109 of the first embodiment.

  In this way, by determining whether or not the device is in the shooting prohibited area or in the vicinity of the shooting prohibited object from the current position of the automatic imaging device, the shooting is automatically stopped based on the result. It is possible to prevent an area or object that is prohibited from being shot from being shot. As a result, it is possible to perform automatic shooting within the permitted range of shooting without the user being aware of the rules regarding shooting.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an automatic imaging apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment. The automatic imaging apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment is characterized by further including a wireless signal receiving unit 460 in addition to the configuration of the automatic imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  In the automatic imaging apparatus 400, the components (the control unit 410, the bus 420, the imaging processing unit 430, and the storage unit 450) other than the wireless signal reception unit 460 and the determination unit 440 correspond to the automatic imaging apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. Since it is the same as the component which performs, in order to avoid duplication description, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The automatic imaging apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment executes shooting by determining whether or not the imaging apparatus exists in the shooting prohibited area, as with the automatic imaging apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment described above. Control whether or not to cancel. The present embodiment is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the automatic imaging device 400 exists in the photographing prohibited area based on the wireless signal received by the wireless signal receiving unit 460.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an area where a wireless signal received by the wireless signal receiving unit 460 of the automatic imaging apparatus 400 is transmitted. For example, when a predetermined area shown on the map of FIG. 15 is defined as a shooting prohibited area, a wireless signal (shooting prohibited signal) indicating that shooting is prohibited to the automatic imaging device 400 existing in the area. Is called). The automatic imaging apparatus 400 is configured to be able to receive this photographing prohibition signal by the wireless signal receiving unit 460. The determination unit 440 determines whether or not the automatic imaging device 400 is present in the shooting prohibited area or in the vicinity of the shooting prohibited object based on the signal strength of the received shooting prohibited signal.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 16, a flow of processing when the automatic imaging apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment performs control by determining a shootable state / unshootable state will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a flow of determination processing performed by the automatic imaging apparatus 400.

  Referring to FIG. 16, first, in step S401, the wireless signal receiving unit 460 receives a wireless signal. Next, in step S403, the determination unit 440 determines whether or not the wireless signal received by the wireless signal reception unit 460 is a photographing prohibition signal. Here, an example in which a photographing prohibition signal indicating photographing prohibition is received will be described, but conversely, a photographing permission signal indicating that photographing is permitted may be used.

  If the received wireless signal is a photographing prohibition signal in step S403 (step S403: YES), the signal strength is determined in step S405. The determination unit 440 determines that the state where the signal intensity of the photographing prohibition signal is higher than a predetermined reference is a photographing impossible state (step S405: YES). Alternatively, the determination of the signal intensity may not be performed, and it may be determined that the imaging is impossible whenever the imaging prohibition signal is received.

  If the wireless signal is not a photographing prohibition signal in step S403 (step S403: NO), and if the signal strength of the photographing prohibition signal is lower than a predetermined reference in step S405 (step S405: NO), determination unit 440. Is determined to be in a photographing enabled state, and in step S409, the control unit 410 controls the imaging processing unit 430 to transition to the photographing state. On the other hand, if it is determined that the imaging is impossible, in step S407, the control unit 410 performs control so that the imaging processing unit 330 transitions to the non-imaging state. Hereinafter, step S411 is the same as step S109 of the first embodiment.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an automatic imaging apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment. The automatic imaging apparatus 500 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration of the automatic imaging apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, an image recognition unit 560 and an imaging prohibited shape database 570 are further provided.

  In the automatic imaging apparatus 500, the components (the control unit 510, the bus 520, the imaging processing unit 530, and the storage unit 550) other than the image recognition unit 560, the imaging prohibited shape database 570, and the determination unit 540 are the same as those shown in FIG. Since it is the same as the corresponding component of the imaging apparatus 100, in order to avoid duplication description, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The automatic imaging apparatus 500 according to the present embodiment executes or stops shooting by determining whether shooting is prohibited, as in the automatic imaging apparatuses according to the third and fourth embodiments described above. Is to control. In the third and fourth embodiments, whether or not shooting is prohibited is determined based on the area where the imaging device is present. In the present embodiment, the shooting image acquired by the imaging device of the imaging processing unit 530 is used. It is characterized by determining whether or not photography is prohibited.

  The image recognizing unit 560 reads a captured image temporarily stored in a storage area such as the storage unit 550 and scans the captured image for whether or not a captured prohibition shape is included. The shooting prohibited shape database 570 stores images of shooting prohibited shapes in advance. Alternatively, a communication unit for acquiring image data from the outside may be further provided so as to acquire image data of a photographing prohibited shape provided via a network.

  The image recognizing unit 560 determines whether or not a photographed prohibited shape is included in the photographed image by acquiring image data of the photographed prohibited shape from the photographed prohibited shape database 570 and matching the photographed image. The photographing prohibition shape is, for example, a two-dimensional barcode, a figure such as a sign indicating photographing prohibition as shown in FIG. 18, characters such as “photographing prohibition”, or the like. A conventionally well-known image processing technique can be used as a method for detecting a photographing prohibited shape from a photographed image.

  When the image recognition unit 560 detects a photographing prohibited shape from the photographed image, the determination unit 540 determines that the photographing is impossible, and the control unit 510 causes the imaging processing unit 530 to transition to the non-photographing state. Conversely, when a predetermined shape indicating that photographing is permitted is detected from the photographed image, the determination unit 540 may determine that the photographing is possible and shift to the photographing state. Alternatively, control may be performed so that the imaging processing unit 530 transitions to the non-shooting state and then transitions to the shooting state again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 19, the flow of processing when the automatic imaging apparatus 500 according to the present embodiment determines and controls the shootable state / non-shootable state will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of determination processing performed by the automatic imaging apparatus 500.

  Referring to FIG. 16, first, in step S <b> 501, the image recognition unit 560 reads a captured image from the storage unit 550. Next, in step S503, the image recognizing unit 560 acquires image data of the prohibited photography shape from the prohibited photography shape database 570, and scans whether or not the prohibited photography shape is detected from the captured image.

  Next, in step S505, the determination unit 540 determines that the photographing is impossible when a photographing prohibition shape is detected from the photographed image. In step S507, the control unit 510 causes the imaging processing unit 530 to transition to the non-photographing state. To control. On the other hand, when the photographing prohibition shape is not detected from the photographed image, the determination unit 540 determines that the photographing is possible, and in step S509, the control unit 510 performs control so that the imaging processing unit 530 transitions to the photographing state. . Hereinafter, step S511 is the same as step S109 of the first embodiment.

  In this way, it is possible to determine from the captured image obtained by the image sensor whether or not shooting is prohibited. As a result, it is possible to prevent automatic shooting within the shooting prohibited area and automatic shooting of shooting prohibited objects.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this example. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the first to fifth embodiments, the determination unit has been described as determining whether the photographing is possible / impossible using any one of the determination methods described in the embodiments. The present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, two or more of the determination methods described in the first to fifth embodiments may be combined to determine whether the photographing is possible / impossible.

  In addition, when the determination of the shootable / impossible state is performed by two or more determination methods as described above, the reason why the shootable state or the uncapable state is determined may be recorded as a log. For example, when the automatic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is continuously used for a predetermined time, and it is determined that the photographing is not possible and the imaging process is automatically interrupted, the cause of the interruption (insufficient light quantity, photographing prohibition) Area, etc.), the time when the interruption occurred, the time when the interruption continued, etc. may be recorded in the storage unit.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that imaging is not automatically performed or a warning is issued to the user when it is determined that the photographing is impossible, but means other than the above are used. Thus, the user may be able to recognize the non-shooting state. For example, even if it is determined that the photographing is impossible, the imaging process is continued, and a flag indicating that it is determined that the photographing is impossible is added to the image data captured during that period. You may make it store. At that time, the reason for determining that the photographing is impossible may be added and recorded. Thus, when the user browses the image data after the imaging process, it is possible to easily determine the image data captured in a state incapable of capturing, and the image data editing operation can be performed efficiently. Alternatively, the image data stored with the flag added may be automatically deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed or after a predetermined number of images have been accumulated.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an automatic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of the automatic imaging device shown in FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an automatic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of the automatic imaging device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing flow by the automatic imaging device concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing flow by the automatic imaging device concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing flow by the automatic imaging device concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the automatic imaging device concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of mounting | wearing of the automatic imaging device concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of mounting | wearing of the automatic imaging device concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing flow by the automatic imaging device concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the automatic imaging device concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example which defined the imaging | photography prohibition area. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow by the automatic imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the automatic imaging device concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the area where the imaging | photography prohibition signal is transmitted. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing flow by the automatic imaging device concerning 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the automatic imaging device concerning the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a photography prohibition shape. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing flow by the automatic imaging device concerning 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100, 200, 300, 400, 500 Automatic imaging device 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 Control unit 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 Bus 130, 230, 330, 430, 530 Imaging processing unit 140, 240, 340 440, 540 determination unit 150, 250, 350, 450, 550 storage unit 160 warning output unit 170 photometry unit 260 direction detection unit 360 position information acquisition unit 370 radiography prohibition area database 380 wireless communication unit 460 wireless signal reception unit 560 image recognition 570 Shooting Prohibition Shape Database

Claims (9)

An imaging processing unit that automatically and continuously performs imaging processing;
A determination unit that determines whether the photographing enabled state in which imaging processing can be performed or the non-capturing state in which imaging processing cannot be performed;
When the determination unit determines that the photographing is possible, the imaging processing unit is controlled so as to be in a photographing state in which an imaging process is automatically executed, and the photographing unit is in a state incapable of photographing. A control unit that controls the imaging processing unit so as to be in a non-shooting state in which the imaging process is not automatically executed,
An automatic imaging apparatus comprising: A photometric unit that measures the amount of light incident on the image sensor;
2. The automatic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the photographing is possible or the photographing impossible state based on a light amount measured by the photometry unit. . A direction detection unit that detects a direction in which the imaging lens used in the imaging process faces;
2. The automatic imaging according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the photographing is possible or the photographing is impossible based on a direction detected by the direction detection unit. apparatus. A position information acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating a current position of the automatic imaging device;
The said determination part determines whether it is the said imaging | photography possible state or the said imaging | photography impossible state based on the positional information acquired by the said positional information acquisition part. Automatic imaging device. A radio signal receiving unit that receives a radio signal indicating whether or not shooting is possible;
The said determination part determines whether it is the said imaging | photography possible state or the said imaging | photography impossible state based on the wireless signal received by the said wireless signal receiving part. Automatic imaging device.   The automatic imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determination unit determines whether the photographing is possible or the photographing impossible state based on the intensity of the wireless signal. An image recognizing unit for determining whether or not a predetermined shape is included in the captured image acquired by the imaging processing unit;
The automatic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the photographing is possible or the photographing is impossible based on a determination result of the image recognition unit.   When it is determined by the determination unit that it is in either the photographing enabled state or the imaging impossible state continuously for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit determines whether the imaging state and the non-imaging state are The automatic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein switching is performed.   The automatic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit for notifying a user of a determination result by the determination unit.

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