JP2012029033A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a set of cameras that take images of the same subject with one of the cameras at a long distance.SOLUTION: A camera 1 capable of controlling an external camera processes an image signal output from a shooting part 3 at a predetermined cycle in an image processing part 4, displays a first preview image on a display unit by a display part 7, sends and receives information to and from the external camera by a communication part 8, and remotely controls the external camera. In addition, the camera 1 obtains the second preview image data from the external camera by an image acquisition part 9 through the communication part 8, determines whether the predetermined target subject is included or not in the first preview image and a second preview image, designates the external camera to shoot images if the target subject is included in the first preview image and the second preview image and release operation is detected, and stores the first image data obtained from shooting in a storage unit 6.

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera.

  Conventionally, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for displaying a direction of a specific subject on a display unit during photographing based on position information of an external GPS sensor.

JP 2009-224900 A

  However, in the above invention, it is possible to calculate the positional relationship between the imaging device that captures the subject and the specific subject, but a technique for capturing the same subject according to the positional relationship between the imaging devices located at remote locations. Is not disclosed. For this reason, there is a problem that the same subject cannot be photographed by a photographing device located at a distant place.

  The present invention has been invented in order to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to capture an image of the same subject using an imaging device located at a remote location.

  A camera according to an aspect of the present invention is a camera capable of controlling an external camera, and processes an image signal output from the image capturing unit at a predetermined cycle, which captures a subject and outputs an image signal. A first image processing unit that generates first preview image data, and a second image that generates first still image data by processing an image signal output by the photographing unit at a timing when a release operation is detected. Information is transmitted between the processing unit, a display unit that displays the first preview image data created by the first image processing unit on the display, a storage unit that stores the first still image data, and an external camera. A communication unit that transmits and receives; an external camera operation unit that remotely controls an external camera via the communication unit; an image acquisition unit that acquires second preview image data from the external camera via the communication unit; and a first preview A determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined target object is included in the image data and the second preview image data, and the determination unit determines that the target object is included in the first preview image data and the second preview image data; When it is determined that the camera is included and a release operation is detected by the camera, operation information for instructing photographing is transmitted to the external camera, and the first still image data generated by the second image processing unit is stored. A photographing control unit stored in the unit.

  A camera according to another aspect of the present invention is a camera that is capable of controlling an external camera, and that captures a subject and outputs an image signal, and processes an image signal output from the photographing unit at a predetermined cycle The first image processing unit for generating the first preview image data and the second image processing unit for processing the image signal output by the photographing unit at the timing when the release operation is detected and generating the first still image data Information is transmitted / received between the image processing unit, the display unit that displays the first preview image data created by the first image processing unit on the display, and the external camera, the shooting direction of the external camera, and the external camera A communication unit that receives information regarding the shooting angle of view, an external camera operation unit that remotely controls the external camera via the communication unit, and second preview image data from the external camera via the communication unit Based on the image acquisition unit, the relative position detection unit that detects the relative position of the camera and the external camera, information about the shooting direction of the external camera and the shooting angle of view of the external camera, and the relative position A trimming instruction unit that calculates the trimming position and size by the camera and instructs the external camera to perform trimming is provided. The second preview image data is image data acquired by being instructed by the trimming instruction unit, and the display unit displays the second preview image data on the display.

  According to the present invention, the same subject can be photographed by a camera at a remote location.

It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the camera of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main camera of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the external camera of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the imaging | photography method of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the relative position detection control of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main camera of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the external camera of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the imaging | photography method of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the relative position detection control of 2nd Embodiment.

  A camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of cameras according to the present embodiment. A camera (hereinafter referred to as a main camera) 1 of the present embodiment can control an external camera 2. The main camera 1 is held by a photographer, for example, and the external camera 2 is fixed at a predetermined position by a tripod, for example. In the present embodiment, the subject of interest is a subject that the photographer is particularly paying attention to when photographing.

  The main camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main camera 1.

  The main camera 1 includes a first image sensor (photographing unit) 3, a first image processing unit (first image processing unit, second image processing unit) 4, a first subject recognition unit (determination unit) 5, and A first recording unit (storage unit) 6, a first display unit (display unit) 7, a first communication unit (communication unit) 8, a first image acquisition unit (image acquisition unit) 9, and a first position A detection unit (relative position detection unit) 10, an external camera operation unit 11, and a first imaging control unit (imaging control unit) 12 are provided.

  The first image sensor 3 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to light incident on the light receiving surface via a lens or the like at a predetermined timing. The first image sensor 3 is an image sensor of a format called a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, or other various formats.

  The first image processing unit 4 outputs an image signal after image processing such as color processing and gradation conversion processing is performed on the electrical signal output from the first image sensor 3. The image signal is displayed on the first display unit 7 as a through image (first preview image data), and is stored in the first recording unit 6 as image data (first still image data) when the release button is pressed. The

  The first subject recognition unit 5 analyzes the image signal transmitted from the external camera 2 and determines whether or not the subject of interest is included. The first subject recognition unit 5 performs a matching process for determining whether or not the feature of the subject of interest exists.

  The first display unit 7 displays a through image created based on the image signal output from the first image processing unit 4 on the display. Further, the first display unit 7 can display a through image (second preview image data) of the external camera 2 created based on the image signal transmitted from the external camera 2 on the display. The first display unit 7 can also combine the through image of the main camera 1 and the through image of the external camera 2 and display them on the display. In this case, the first display unit 7 displays, for example, a through image of the main camera 1 on the entire display, and a through image of the external camera 2 is a part of the display displaying the through image of the main camera 1, for example, upper right Is displayed in the area provided.

  The first communication unit 8 includes a first transmission unit (transmission unit) 13 and a first reception unit (reception unit) 14, and is a wireless system such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), for example. The 1st transmission part 13 transmits operation information, such as a positional information request | requirement of external camera 2, imaging | photography request information, to the 2nd receiving part 26 of the external camera 2 mentioned later. The first receiving unit 14 receives position information of the external camera 2 from a second transmission unit 27 of the external camera 2 described later, through image information from the external camera 2, and image data information of an image captured by the external camera 2 (second stillness). Image data information), shooting field angle information of the external camera 2, and the like are received.

  The first image acquisition unit 9 creates through image data from the through image information from the external camera 2 received by the first reception unit 14, and the image data (second image) from the image data information transmitted from the external camera 2. Data). The created through image data is displayed as a through image of the external camera 2 on the first display unit 7. The created image data is stored in the first recording unit 6.

  The first position detection unit 10 includes a first AF sensor (distance detection unit) 15 that detects the distance between the main camera 1 and the subject (first subject distance), and the inclination (first first) of the optical axis of the main camera 1 with respect to geomagnetism. A first geomagnetic sensor (first direction detector) 16 for detecting the camera direction), and a first GPS sensor (GPS receiver) 17 for detecting the position of the main camera 1 from information from the satellite positioning system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first position detection unit 10 detects the distance L1 to the subject of interest and the angle a1 between the optical axis of the main camera 1 and the subject by the first AF sensor 15. Further, the first position detection unit 10 detects the angle a <b> 2 that is the inclination of the optical axis of the main camera 1 with respect to the geomagnetism by the first geomagnetic sensor 16.

  The first position detection unit 10 is connected to the main camera 1 and the outside based on the information on the first AF sensor 15 and the like, and the position information of the external camera 2 detected by the second position detection unit 24 of the external camera 2 described later. A relative position with respect to the camera 2 is calculated. Further, when the relative position between the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 cannot be calculated based on the information such as the first AF sensor 15 described above, the first position detection unit 10 and the external camera described later are used. Based on the information detected by the second second GPS sensor 30, the relative positions of the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 are calculated.

  The external camera operation unit 11 remotely operates the external camera 2 via the first communication unit 8.

  The first imaging control unit 12 is connected to the first imaging device 3, the first position detection unit 10, and the like, and controls the main camera 1. The first imaging control unit 12 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The ROM stores a control program and each data. Each function of the main camera 1 is exhibited by the CPU executing calculations based on the control program stored in the ROM.

  Next, the external camera 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the external camera 2.

  The external camera 2 includes a second image sensor 20, a second image processing unit 21, a second recording unit 22, a second communication unit 23, a second position detection unit 24, and a second imaging control unit 25. Prepare. The external camera 2 is set on the wide angle side.

  Since the second image sensor 20, the second image processing unit 21, and the second recording unit 22 of the external camera 2 are the same as the main camera 1, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The second communication unit 23 includes a second reception unit 26 and a second transmission unit 27, and is a wireless system such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The second receiving unit 26 receives operation information such as a position information request from the main camera 1. The second transmission unit 27 transmits the position information of the external camera 2 detected by the second position detection unit 24, the through image information of the external camera 2, and the like to the first communication unit 8 of the main camera 1.

  The second position detection unit 24 includes a second AF sensor 28, a second geomagnetic sensor 29, and a second GPS sensor 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the second position detection unit 24 detects the distance L2 (second subject distance) to the subject and the angle a3 between the optical axis of the external camera 2 and the subject by the second AF sensor 28. . The second position detection unit 24 detects an angle a4 that is the inclination of the optical axis of the external camera 2 with respect to geomagnetism (second camera direction) by the second geomagnetic sensor 29.

  The second imaging control unit 25 has the same configuration as the first imaging control unit 12 and controls the external camera 2 based on the operation information received by the second reception unit 26.

  In the present embodiment, the main camera 1 detects the relative position between the main camera 1 and the external camera 2. Here, a method of detecting the relative position between the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 without using the first GPS sensor 17 and the second GPS sensor 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The first position detection unit 10 of the main camera 1 detects the distance L1 to the target subject, the angle a1 between the optical axis of the main camera 1 and the target subject, and the angle a2 between the optical axis of the main camera 1 and the geomagnetism.

  The second position detector 24 of the external camera 2 detects the distance L2 to the subject of interest, the angle a3 between the optical axis of the external camera 2 and the subject of interest, and the angle a4 between the optical axis of the external camera 2 and the geomagnetism. To do.

  As a result, the angle b between the main camera 1, the target subject, and the external camera 2 becomes a1 + a2 + a3 + a4. From this angle b, the distance L1 from the target subject to the main camera 1, and the distance L2 from the target subject to the external camera 2 The relative position between the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 can be calculated.

  Next, the photographing method in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S100, relative position detection control between the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 is performed. The relative position detection control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S200, the main camera 1 recognizes the subject of interest. The subject of interest is selected by the photographer from the through images acquired by the main camera 1. Note that the subject of interest may be registered in advance.

  In step S <b> 201, the external camera 2 transmits the through image information acquired by the external camera 2 from the second transmitter 27 to the first receiver 14 of the main camera 1. Further, the main camera 1 receives through image information of the external camera 2 by the first receiving unit 14.

  In step S202, the main camera 1 determines whether or not the subject of interest recognized by the main camera 1 is present in the through image acquired by the external camera 2 (step S202 constitutes a determination unit). If there is a subject of interest in the through image acquired by the external camera 2, the process proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if there is no subject of interest in the through image acquired by the external camera 2, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S <b> 203, the main camera 1 generates a position information request for the external camera 2 by the second AF sensor 28 and the second geomagnetic sensor 29 of the external camera 2.

  In step S <b> 204, the main camera 1 generates a position information request for the external camera 2 by the second GPS sensor 30 of the external camera 2.

  In step S205, the main camera 1 transmits the position information request for the external camera 2 generated in step S203 or step S204 from the first transmission unit 13 to the external camera 2. Further, the external camera 2 receives a position information request for the external camera 2 from the main camera 1 by the second receiver 26.

  In step S <b> 206, the external camera 2 detects position information of the external camera 2 by the second position detection unit 24 based on a request from the main camera 1. The external camera 2 uses the second AF sensor 28 and the second geomagnetic sensor 29 to measure the distance L2 to the subject of interest, the angle a3 between the optical axis of the external camera 2 and the subject of interest, and the angle a4 of the optical axis of the external camera 2 with respect to geomagnetism. Is detected. Alternatively, the external camera 2 acquires position information of the external camera 2 by the second GPS sensor 30.

  In step S <b> 207, the external camera 2 transmits the position information of the external camera 2 from the second transmission unit 27 to the first reception unit 14 of the main camera 1. Further, the main camera 1 receives position information of the external camera 2 by the first receiving unit 14.

  In step S <b> 208, the main camera 1 detects position information of the main camera 1 by the first position detection unit 10. The main camera 1 uses the first AF sensor 15 and the first geomagnetic sensor 16 to determine the distance L1 to the subject of interest, the angle a1 between the optical axis of the main camera 1 and the subject of interest, and the angle a2 of the optical axis of the main camera 1 with respect to geomagnetism. Is detected. Further, the main camera 1 acquires the position information of the main camera 1 by the first GPS sensor 17.

  In step S209, the main camera 1 detects a relative position between the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 based on the position information of the main camera 1 and the position information of the external camera 2 received by the first receiving unit 14. To do. The main camera 1 detects the position of the main camera 1 with the first AF sensor 15 and the first geomagnetic sensor 16, and the external camera 2 detects the position of the external camera 2 with the second AF sensor 28 and the second geomagnetic sensor 29. In this case, the relative positions of the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 are detected based on the position information. However, when at least one of the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 cannot detect the position by the first AF sensor 15 or the like, the relative position is determined based on the position information by the first GPS sensor 17 and the second GPS sensor 30. Detected.

  Returning to FIG. 4, in step S <b> 101, the main camera 1 determines whether or not the subject of interest can be recognized by the main camera 1. If the main camera 1 cannot recognize the subject of interest, the process proceeds to step S102. If the main camera 1 has recognized the subject of interest, the process proceeds to step S103. The case in which the subject of interest cannot be recognized by the main camera 1 is, for example, the case where an obstacle such as a person enters in front of the main camera 1.

  In step S102, the main camera 1 determines whether or not the subject of interest exists in the through image acquired by the external camera 2. If there is no subject of interest in the through image acquired by the external camera 2, the process proceeds to step S104. If there is a subject of interest in the through image acquired by the external camera 2, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S103, since the main camera 1 can recognize the subject of interest, the main camera 1 calculates the position of the subject of interest.

  In step S104, the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 have not recognized the target subject, so the main camera 1 estimates the position of the target subject according to the optical axis direction and zoom magnification of the main camera 1, and the position of the target subject. Calculate

  In step S105, the main camera 1 receives cutout position request information, which is information about the cutout position (trimming position) and size of the through image in the external camera 2, based on the position of the subject of interest calculated in steps S103 and S104. Generate. The size to be cut out may be set in advance, or may be set depending on the distance from the subject of interest.

  In step S106, the main camera 1 determines whether the release button has been pressed by the photographer. If the release button is depressed by the photographer, the process proceeds to step S107. If the release button has not been depressed by the photographer, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S107, the main camera 1 adds shooting request information to the cut-out position request information generated in step S105.

  In step S108, the main camera 1 transmits cut-out position request information from the first transmission unit 13 to the external camera 2 (steps S105 to S108 constitute a trimming instruction unit). Further, the external camera 2 receives the cut-out position request information by the second receiving unit 26. In addition, when the imaging request information is added, the imaging request information is also transmitted / received at the same time.

  In step S109, the external camera 2 determines the cutout position and the cutout size based on the position information of the subject of interest transmitted by the main camera 1.

  In step S110, the external camera 2 determines whether there is a photographing request. If there is no photographing request, the process proceeds to step S111. If there is a photographing request, the process proceeds to step S112.

  In step S <b> 111, the external camera 2 transmits through image information of the cutout position from the second transmission unit 27 to the main camera 1. The main camera 1 receives the through image information by the first receiving unit 14 and displays the through image cut out by the external camera 2 on the first display unit 7 of the main camera 1.

  In step S112, the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 perform shooting. Image data acquired by the main camera 1 is stored in the first recording unit 6. The image data information acquired by the external camera 2 is transmitted from the second transmission unit 27 to the first transmission unit 13 of the main camera 1. The main camera 1 creates image data from the received image data information and stores the image data in the first recording unit 6. The image data acquired by the main camera 1 and the image data acquired by the external camera 2 are stored in association with the first recording unit 6. For example, the two image data have the same numerical value and store only the first alphabetic character with different file names. Also, the two image data may be stored in association with the relative position information of the main camera 1 and the external camera 2.

  Note that the image data acquired by the external camera 2 may be stored in the second recording unit 22 of the external camera 2.

  The effect of 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  When the subject of interest cannot be photographed by the main camera 1, or when the photographer cannot photograph as a desired image, the subject of interest can be photographed by the external camera 2 at a remote location.

  Based on the relative positions of the main camera 1 and the external camera 2, the cut-out position and size of the through image in the external camera 2 are set, and the subject of interest is photographed by the external camera 2, so that the external camera 2 An image can be obtained centering on the subject.

  By displaying the through image obtained by the external camera 2 on the first display unit 7 of the main camera 1, the photographer can check the through image obtained by the external camera 2 on the main camera 1.

  By displaying the through image obtained by the external camera 2 and the through image obtained by the main camera 1 on the first display unit 7 of the main camera 1, the photographer can view the main camera 1 and the external camera 2. The subject of interest can be photographed while comparing the through images obtained by.

  When the photographer confirms the image data by associating the image data obtained by the external camera 2 and the image data obtained by the main camera 1 and storing them in the recording unit, the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 It is possible to check the image data taken in and while easily comparing them.

  By detecting the orientations of the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 with the geomagnetic sensors (the first geomagnetic sensor 16 and the second geomagnetic sensor 29), the orientations of the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 can be accurately detected. The relative position between the camera 1 and the external camera 2 can be accurately detected.

  When the orientation of the main camera 1 or the external camera 2 cannot be detected by the geomagnetic sensor, the relative position between the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 is detected by the GPS sensor (the first GPS sensor 17 and the second GPS sensor 30). Can do.

  When the main camera 1 recognizes the subject of interest, the external camera 2 cuts out based on the subject of interest recognized by the main camera 1, so that the external camera 2 can accurately cut out.

  When the subject of interest cannot be recognized by the main camera 1 and the external camera 2, the subject of interest cannot be accurately recognized because clipping is performed by the external camera 2 based on the zoom magnification of the main camera 1 and the orientation from the main. However, it can be cut out by the external camera 2.

  The relative position between the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 is updated by the above method every short time, and the relative position between the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 even when the main camera 1 moves. However, if the main camera 1 is provided with an acceleration sensor, the movement of the main camera 1 may be detected by the acceleration sensor. Also, a specific object serving as a mark is recognized by the main camera 1 and the external camera 2, and the relative position is calculated. When the main camera 1 moves, the moving distance of the main camera 1 is calculated by the acceleration sensor. Then, the relative position between the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 may be calculated.

  The main camera 1 and the external camera 2 are arranged side by side, for example, and the main camera 1 includes a stereo image creation unit that creates a stereo image based on image data obtained by the main camera 1 and the external camera 2. Also good. Note that a stereo image may be created by the external camera 2.

  In the present embodiment, the distance between the subject of interest and the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 is detected by the AF sensors (the first AF sensor 15 and the second AF sensor 28), and the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 are detected using the detected values. The relative position is detected, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an object having a known height may be recognized by the camera, and the distance to the subject of interest may be measured based on the known height and the tilt of the camera measured by the acceleration sensor. Note that the height of the object can be obtained by acquiring the captured object data wirelessly or the like.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main camera of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the external camera of this embodiment.

  The second embodiment will be described with respect to differences from the first embodiment. The same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted here.

  The first subject recognition unit 41 of the main camera 40 analyzes the image signal output from the first image processing unit 4 and determines whether there is a subject of interest. A plurality of target subjects are registered in advance, and the first subject recognition unit 41 recognizes a subject that matches the registered target subject as the target subject.

  The external camera 42 includes a second subject recognition unit 43. The second subject recognition unit 43 analyzes the image signal output from the second image processing unit 21 and determines whether or not the subject of interest exists. Note that the target subject detected by the second subject recognition unit 43 may be set by the external camera 42, and information on the target subject set by the main camera 40 is transmitted from the first communication unit 8 of the main camera 40. The information may be set by receiving the information by the second communication unit 23 of the external camera 42.

  Next, the photographing method in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S300, relative position detection control between the main camera 40 and the external camera 42 is performed. The relative position detection control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S400, the main camera 40 and the external camera 42 search for a target subject from each through image.

  In step S <b> 401, the external camera 42 transmits the recognition information of the subject of interest from the second transmission unit 27 to the first reception unit 14 of the main camera 40. Further, the main camera 40 receives the recognition information of the subject of interest from the external camera 42 by the first receiving unit 14.

  In step S <b> 402, the main camera 40 determines whether or not the target subject has been recognized by the main camera 40 and the external camera 42 based on the search result and the received recognition information of the target subject by the external camera 42. When the main camera 40 and the external camera 42 can recognize the subject of interest, the process proceeds to step S403. On the other hand, if either the main camera 40 or the external camera 42 fails to recognize the subject of interest, the process proceeds to step S404.

  Since Steps S403 to S409 are the same control as Steps S203 to S209 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  Returning to FIG. 8, in step S <b> 301, it is determined whether or not the subject of interest is recognized by the main camera 40. If the target subject is not recognized by the main camera 40, the process proceeds to step S302. If the target subject is recognized by the main camera 40, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S <b> 302, the main camera 40 determines whether or not the subject of interest is recognized by the external camera 42. If the target subject is not recognized by the external camera 42, the process proceeds to step S304. If the target subject is recognized by the external camera 42, the process proceeds to step S306.

  Since the control from step S303 to step S308 is the same as the control from step S103 to step S108 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  In step S309, the external camera 42 determines whether or not the subject of interest is recognized by the second subject recognition unit 43. If the subject of interest is recognized, the process proceeds to step S310. If the subject of interest has not been recognized, the process proceeds to step S311.

  In step S <b> 310, the external camera 42 recognizes the subject of interest by the second subject recognition unit 43, and therefore determines a cut-out position centered on the subject of interest.

  Note that when the subject of interest is recognized by the main camera 40 and the position information of the subject of interest is generated, the position of the cutout may be determined by giving priority to the position information of the subject of interest transmitted by the main camera 40. good. Furthermore, when the position information of the subject of interest is generated by the main camera 40, a flag may be set and a determination may be made according to the flag.

  In step S311, the external camera 42 determines the cutout position and cutout size based on the position information of the subject of interest transmitted by the main camera 40.

  In step S312, the external camera 42 determines whether there is a photographing request. If there is no photographing request, the process proceeds to step S313. If there is a photographing request, the process proceeds to step S314.

  Since step S313 and step S314 are the same control as step S111 and step S112 of 1st Embodiment, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The effect of 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  The subject of interest is stored in advance in the main camera 40 and the external camera 42, and the subject of interest is accurately detected by determining whether the subject of interest is included in the through image in the main camera 40 and the through image in the external camera 42. And an image centered on the subject of interest can be obtained.

  Only when the subject of interest is recognized by the main camera 1 and the external camera 2, the relative position using the geomagnetic sensor is detected by detecting the relative position of the main camera 1 and the external camera 2 using the geomagnetic sensor. Position detection can be performed accurately.

  In the present embodiment, the operation of the external camera by the main camera has been described. However, the main camera may be operated by the external camera. In this case, the main camera performs shooting based on the operation information, creates image data (third image data), stores the image data in the first storage unit, or transmits the image data to the external camera. The main camera can also transmit position information. Thus, the main camera can also be used as an external camera. Further, cameras having the same function may be able to mutually demonstrate the functions described above. The subject of interest can be photographed with a remote camera without designing an external camera separately from the main camera.

  Although the above embodiment has been described using one external camera, a plurality of external cameras may be used.

  It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications and improvements that can be made within the scope of the technical idea.

1 Camera 2 External Camera 3 Image Sensor (Imaging Unit)
4 First image processing unit (image processing unit)
5 First subject recognition unit (determination unit)
6 First recording unit (storage unit)
7 1st display part (display part)
8 1st communication part (communication part)
9 First image acquisition unit (image acquisition unit)
10 1st position detection part (relative position detection part)
11 External camera operation unit 12 First imaging control unit (imaging control unit)
13 1st transmission part (transmission part)
14 1st receiving part (receiving part)
15 First AF sensor (distance detector)
16 1st geomagnetic sensor (1st direction detection part)
17 First GPS sensor (GPS receiver)

Claims (15)

A camera capable of controlling an external camera,
A shooting unit for shooting a subject and outputting an image signal;
A first image processing unit that generates first preview image data by processing the image signal output at a predetermined period from the photographing unit;
A second image processing unit that generates a first still image data by processing an image signal output by the photographing unit at a timing when a release operation is detected;
A display unit for displaying the first preview image data created by the first image processing unit on a display;
A storage unit for storing the first still image data;
A communication unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from the external camera;
An external camera operation unit for remotely operating the external camera via the communication unit;
An image acquisition unit that acquires second preview image data from the external camera via the communication unit;
A determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined subject of interest is included in the first preview image data and the second preview image data;
The determination unit determines that the subject of interest is included in the first preview image data and the second preview image data, and when a release operation is detected by the camera, A camera comprising: an imaging control unit that transmits operation information instructing imaging and stores the first still image data generated by the second image processing unit in the storage unit. The communication unit includes a receiving unit that receives the second still image data captured by the external camera,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the photographing control unit stores the first still image data and the second still image data in association with each other in the storage unit. A first direction detection unit for detecting a first camera direction which is a tilt of the camera with respect to geomagnetism;
A distance detection unit that detects a first object distance that is a distance from the camera to the target object;
A relative position detector that calculates a relative position between the camera and the external camera;
The receiving unit receives information of a second camera direction that is an inclination of the external camera with respect to the geomagnetism, and a second subject distance that is a distance from the external camera to the subject of interest,
The relative position detection unit includes the first camera direction, the first subject distance, the second camera direction, the second subject distance, and a subject of interest in the first preview image data. The camera according to claim 2, wherein a relative position between the camera and the external camera is calculated based on the position and the position of the subject of interest in the second preview image data. The camera and the external camera include a GPS receiver that receives a signal from a satellite and detects its own position,
The relative position detection unit is received by the GPS reception unit when the determination unit determines that the target subject is not included in the first preview image data or the second preview image data. The camera according to claim 3, wherein a relative position between the camera and the external camera is calculated based on position information of the camera and position information of the external camera. The communication unit includes a transmission unit that transmits the first preview image data to the external camera,
When receiving operation information instructing shooting from the external camera via the communication unit, the image processing unit generates the first still image data from an image signal shot and output by the shooting unit The camera according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the first still image data. The communication unit includes a transmission unit that transmits information on the first preview image data to the external camera.
When receiving operation information instructing shooting from the external camera via the communication unit, the image processing unit generates the first still image data from an image signal shot and output by the shooting unit The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transmission unit transmits the first still image data to the external camera.   The said transmission part transmits the information of the said 1st camera direction and the information of the said 1st object distance to the said external camera with the information of the said 1st still image data, The said external camera. Camera.   A stereo image generation unit that generates a stereo image based on the first still image data, the second still image data, and a relative position between the camera and the external camera is provided. The camera according to any one of claims 2 to 7. A camera capable of controlling an external camera,
A shooting unit for shooting a subject and outputting an image signal;
A first image processing unit that generates first preview image data by processing the image signal output at a predetermined period from the photographing unit;
A second image processing unit that generates a first still image data by processing an image signal output by the photographing unit at a timing when a release operation is detected;
A display unit for displaying the first preview image data created by the first image processing unit on a display;
A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the external camera, and receives information related to the shooting direction of the external camera and the shooting angle of view of the external camera;
An external camera operation unit for remotely operating the external camera via the communication unit;
An image acquisition unit that acquires second preview image data from the external camera via the communication unit;
A relative position detector for detecting a relative position between the camera and the external camera;
Trimming that calculates the trimming position and size by the external camera based on the information regarding the shooting direction of the external camera and the shooting angle of view of the external camera and the relative position, and that instructs the external camera to perform trimming An instruction unit,
The second preview image data is image data acquired by being instructed by the trimming instruction unit,
The display unit displays the second preview image data on the display.   The camera according to claim 9, wherein the display unit synthesizes the first preview image data and the second preview image data and displays them on the display. A first direction detection unit for detecting a first camera direction which is a tilt of the camera with respect to geomagnetism;
A distance detection unit that detects a first object distance that is a distance from the camera to a predetermined target object;
The shooting direction of the external camera is a second camera direction that is the inclination of the external camera with respect to geomagnetism,
The communication unit receives second subject distance information which is a distance from the external camera to the target subject;
The relative position detection unit includes the first camera direction, the first subject distance, the second camera direction, the second subject distance, and a subject of interest in the first preview image data. The camera according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the relative position is detected based on a position and a position of a subject of interest in the second preview image data.   The relative position detection unit calculates the relative position when the first preview image data and the second preview image data include the same subject of interest. The camera according to claim 11. It has a GPS receiver that receives signals from satellites and detects its position,
The relative position detector, when it is determined that the subject of interest is not included in the first preview image data or the second preview image data, the position information of the camera received by the GPS receiver The camera according to claim 12, wherein a relative position between the camera and the external camera is calculated based on the position information of the external camera and the external camera.   The trimming instruction unit, when the target subject is recognized by the camera, instructs the trimming based on the target subject recognized by the camera. Camera described in one.   The trimming instruction unit, when the target subject cannot be recognized by the camera and the target subject cannot be recognized by the external camera, is based on the first camera direction and the zoom magnification of the camera. The camera according to claim 9, wherein the camera is instructed.

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