JP2022167186A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

To realize an appropriate voice input in an imaging device loading a silent mode.SOLUTION: An imaging device according to the present invention includes: voice output means; selection means for selecting use of a silent mode for limiting a voice output from the voice output means; voice input means; and control means for controlling the imaging device on the basis of a voice to be input via the voice input means. When the silent mode is selected to be used, the control means controls to increase a voice detection level of the voice input means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of voice input.

In recent years, there have been proposals for imaging devices equipped with a voice input function, such as a technology that recognizes the voice emitted by the subject to assist in shooting, and a voice input function that decodes the voice of the photographer through voice recognition to perform shooting. there is

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200002 proposes a technique of detecting the direction and volume of a person who speaks, adjusting the shooting direction to match the detected direction, and issuing a warning when the detected volume is low.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200002 proposes a technique of recognizing voice input via an earphone microphone, grasping a recording instruction included in the voice, and executing recording.

On the other hand, many general digital cameras have a built-in speaker in the body of the digital camera, and by outputting electronic sounds such as electronic shutter sound, warning sound, and operation sound from the speaker, the digital camera can be perceived by the photographer or people around him/her. It is configured so that the operating status of the The electronic sounds emitted from these digital cameras and the opening and closing sounds of mechanical shutters during shooting may cause inconvenience to the subject artists or people in the surroundings when shooting concerts held in a quiet environment or sports scenes. It may take. Therefore, the shutter during shooting has been changed from a mechanical shutter to an electronic shutter, and a silent mode that does not output any electronic sound, including the electronic shutter sound, from the speaker is installed. be able to.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-034645 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-219243

However, no consideration has been given to the voice input function in the silent mode of the conventional imaging device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to enable more appropriate voice input in an imaging apparatus equipped with a silent mode.

To achieve the above object, the imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus comprising audio output means, selection means for selecting use of a silent mode for limiting audio output from the audio output means, and audio input means. and control means for controlling the imaging device based on the voice input via the voice input means, and when use of the silent mode is selected, the control means controls the voice input means. It is characterized by controlling to raise the voice detection level.

An object of the present invention is to enable more appropriate voice input in an imaging apparatus equipped with a silent mode.

1A and 1B are a configuration diagram and a block diagram of an imaging device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is an external view of an imaging device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the imaging device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of message display displayed on the imaging device according to the first embodiment; FIG.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated in detail using attached drawing.

It should be noted that the embodiment described below is an example of means for realizing the present invention, and may be modified or changed as appropriate according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Moreover, it is also possible to combine each embodiment suitably.

[First embodiment]
<Configuration of digital camera>
An imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 1A is a configuration diagram of an imaging device according to the first embodiment. The photographing optical system 100 includes an aperture 11 , a camera shake correction lens group 12 and a focus lens group 13 and can guide an optical image to the camera body 200 . The camera body 200 includes an image sensor 21 that photoelectrically converts an optical image of the photographing optical system 100 and a mechanical shutter 22 that adjusts the exposure time.

The camera body 200 has a rear liquid crystal 23 in the rear portion and a small liquid crystal 24 and an optical system 25 in the finder portion, and can display an image picked up by the imaging device 21 .

Note that an image sensor having an electronic shutter function does not require a mechanical shutter, and even if the image sensor is equipped with a mechanical shutter, the mechanical shutter remains fully open when the exposure time is adjusted with the electronic shutter. At the time of shooting, the shutter speed, aperture value, and other shooting conditions are set by the autofocus and autoexposure mechanisms by lightly pressing the shutter button (not shown) to the first step, so-called "half-pressing." Furthermore, when the shutter button is fully pressed from halfway to the second step, that is, when the shutter button is fully pressed, the mechanical shutter 22 or the electronic shutter function of the imaging device 21 operates to perform imaging.

The mechanical shutter or electronic shutter described above is exposure means for performing exposure using an imaging device.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the imaging device of the first embodiment. The camera body 200 has an electric circuit 20, and the electric circuit 20 is mounted with a CPU, an image processing circuit, a control circuit, a connection detection circuit, and the like.

The diaphragm 11, camera-shake correction lens group 12, focus lens group 13, and mechanical shutter 22 are controlled by a control circuit via driving means (not shown).

Signals photoelectrically converted by the imaging device 21 can be converted into digital data via an image processing circuit and stored in a recording medium (not shown).

The finder section is provided with an eye sensor 26, which can detect whether or not the photographer is eyeing the finder section.

The audio output unit 27 is a speaker mounted on the main body, and can directly output audio.

A voice input unit 28 is a microphone mounted on the main body, which collects voice and enables control by voice input.

The external audio output connection unit 29 is means for connecting to external audio output means such as earphones, and can output audio via the external audio output means. The connection to the external audio reproduction means may be wired or wireless.

An external audio input connection unit 30 is means for connecting to an external audio input means such as a microphone, and can collect audio.

The external audio input connection unit 30 may be configured to connect external audio input means to the camera body 200 with a physical connector or the like, or may be configured to have a communication unit mounted in the camera body 200 and electrically connected wirelessly.

The connection detection circuit mounted on the electric circuit 20 is connection detection means for detecting connection between the external audio output means such as an earphone and the external audio output connector 29 . The connection detection circuit mounted on the electric circuit 20 is also connection detection means for detecting connection between external audio input means such as an external microphone and the external audio input connector 30 .

A sound detection level setting circuit (not shown) is mounted on the electric circuit 20, and is a circuit for setting a sound detection level in the camera body 200 at which various settings of the camera body 200 described above can be changed. If the audio detection level is set higher, various settings of the camera body 200 can be changed with a softer voice. Conversely, if the audio detection level is set lower, a louder voice is required to change various settings of the camera body 200. Is required.

The CPU is a setting change means for changing settings according to voice input from the voice input means. can be done. Also, the CPU is a processing device that can electrically control the components of the camera body 200 .

Note that control signal lines are omitted in FIG. 1, and only arrows indicate the flow of information between elements.

2A and 2B are external views of the imaging device 10, FIG. 2A being a front view, and FIG. 2B being a rear view.

The imaging apparatus 10 includes a power switch 31, a dial key 32, a shutter button 33, a direct button 34, a selection button 35, and a MENU button 36 as operation units operated by a photographer.

By operating the power switch 31, the photographer switches the power of the imaging device 10 between ON and OFF.

Also, by operating the dial key 32, the direct button 34, the selection button 35, and the MENU button 36, the setting operation of the imaging apparatus 10 such as changing the shooting mode is performed.

Further, by half-pressing the shutter button 33, a focusing instruction is issued, and by fully pressing the shutter button 33, an imaging instruction is issued.

The imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has two shutter modes, and shutter mode selection means for selecting the mode according to the selection of the photographer.

One shutter mode is the mechanical shutter mode. In this mode, the mechanical shutter 22 is controlled by the CPU to adjust the exposure time of the imaging device 21 .

Another shutter mode is the electronic shutter mode. In this mode, the mechanical shutter 22 is controlled by the mechanical shutter control means so as not to block the incoming light to the image pickup device, the CPU controls the start and end of charge accumulation, and adjusts the exposure time of the image pickup device 21. do.

Since no mechanical shutter sound is generated in the electronic shutter mode, a pseudo electronic shutter sound simulating the mechanical shutter sound is generated by the audio reproducing circuit and output from the audio output unit 27 .

The electronic shutter sound may be an electronic sound different from the mechanical shutter sound, and any sound may be used as long as the start and end of exposure can be recognized.

Further, since some photographers do not want to output the electronic shutter sound, ON/OFF of the electronic shutter sound output can be selected by the sound output selection means (not shown) of the CPU. When the electronic shutter sound output setting is set to ON, the electronic shutter sound is output. When the electronic shutter sound output setting is set to OFF, the electronic shutter sound is not output.

Both the mechanical shutter mode and the electronic shutter mode have their merits. For example, advantages of a mechanical shutter include less rolling shutter distortion and less image noise, while advantages of an electronic shutter include a faster shutter speed and less vibration.

Further, the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a silent mode as a shooting mode, and has shooting mode selection means for selecting ON or OFF by the photographer.

The silent mode in this embodiment is a mode that limits the sound output from the imaging device. In the silent mode, in order not to generate the mechanical shutter sound described above, the electronic shutter mode is operated instead of the mechanical shutter mode, and the electronic shutter sound output is not turned on. Such a silent mode is necessary, for example, in shooting scenes such as wild bird shooting that requires silence, and sports shooting in which a sense of tension is heightened.

In this specification, the rear liquid crystal 23 or the small liquid crystal 24 is referred to as display means.

Also, the voice input unit 28 is referred to as a main body microphone.

Also, the external audio input means connected to the external audio input connection section 30 is called an external microphone.

Detecting whether or not the external microphone is connected by the connection detection circuit is called external microphone detection.

The eye sensor 26 is referred to as an eye detection unit, and detection by the eye sensor 26 as to whether or not the photographer is eyeing the finder is referred to as eye detection. The eyepiece sensor 26 may be a sensor using capacitance or a sensor using infrared rays.

<Operation of Imaging Device>
Next, the operation of the imaging device 10 according to this embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of changing the voice detection level of the main body microphone and the external microphone according to the silent mode, external microphone detection, and eye proximity detection. The processing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU of the electric circuit 20 controlling each part of the imaging device according to the input signal and the program.

In step S301, the CPU receives selection of silent mode ON/OFF from the photographer.

In step S302, the CPU determines whether the silent mode is ON or OFF. If the silent mode is OFF, the process proceeds to step S303.

In step S303, the CPU does not change the settings of the audio detection levels of the main body microphone and the external microphone, which will be described later, but maintains the settings and terminates the process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S302 that the silent mode is ON, the process advances to step S304 to determine whether or not external microphone detection and eye contact detection are performed.

First, in step S304, the CPU determines whether "external microphone detection: not present" and "eye proximity detection: present".

If it is determined Yes in step S304, the process proceeds to step S305, and the CPU increases the voice detection level of the main body microphone from when the silent mode is OFF so that the photographer can input voice even in a softer voice through the main body microphone. Control it to be higher.

Then, after completing the process of step S305, the process proceeds to step S306, and the CPU notifies the user that "quiet mode from main body microphone: voice smaller than OFF is recognizable". Here, the user is notified, for example, by displaying a message on the display means. An example of the message displayed on the display means in step S306 will be described later using FIG.

As described above, when "external microphone detection: none" and "eyepiece detection: yes" are present when the silent mode is ON, the intention of the photographer is to input voice in a low voice from the built-in microphone. increase the audio detection level of the built-in microphone.

As a result, when the silent mode is ON, consideration can be given to quietness with respect to the surroundings.

If the determination in step S304 is No, the process advances to step S307 to determine whether "the CPU detects an external microphone: yes" and "detects an eye contact: no".

If the determination in step S307 is YES, the process proceeds to step S308, and the CPU increases the sound detection level of the external microphone from when the silent mode is OFF so that the photographer can input even a softer voice through the external microphone. Control it to be higher.

Then, after completing the process of step S308, the process proceeds to step S309, and the CPU displays on the display means a message to the effect that "quiet mode from external microphone: can be recognized with a smaller voice than when OFF". As a result, the user is notified that "Silent mode from external microphone: Recognition is possible with a smaller voice than when OFF".

An example of the message displayed on the display means in step S309 will be described later using FIG.

As described above, when "external microphone detection: enabled" and "eye detection: disabled" are set when the silent mode is ON, the intention of the photographer is to input voice in a low voice from the external microphone. increase the audio detection level of the external microphone.

As a result, when the silent mode is ON, consideration can be given to quietness with respect to the surroundings.

If the determination in step S307 is No, the process proceeds to step S310, and the CPU determines whether "external microphone detection: present" and "eye proximity detection: present" are present.

If the determination in step S310 is YES, the process proceeds to step S311, and the CPU sets the voice detection level of one of the microphones when the silent mode is OFF so that the photographer can input voice even in a softer voice from the main body or an external microphone. Control to get higher.

In step S311, the CPU determines whether the external microphone or the main body microphone is closer to the mouth of the photographer. Furthermore, the audio detection level of the microphone determined to be close is increased.

Then, after completing the process of step S311, the process proceeds to step S312, and the CPU displays on the display means a message to the effect that "quiet mode from the main body microphone or external microphone: voices smaller than those when OFF can be recognized". As a result, the user is notified that "Silent mode from main unit microphone or external microphone: Recognition is possible with a smaller voice than when OFF".

An example of the message displayed on the display means in step S312 will be described later using FIG.

As described above, when "External microphone detection: Yes" and "Eye detection: Yes" are set when the silent mode is ON, the intention of the photographer is to input voice in a low voice from either the built-in microphone or the external microphone. . Therefore, as in step S311, the voice detection level of the main microphone or the external microphone is increased.

As a result, when the silent mode is ON, consideration can be given to quietness with respect to the surroundings.

If the determination in step S310 is No, the CPU ends the process without changing the audio detection levels of the main microphone and the external microphone as described above.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a message display for informing the photographer of which microphone, the main body microphone or the external microphone, enables low-voice voice recognition.

As described above, in this embodiment, since a message is displayed when the silent mode is ON, the "SILENT" icon 400 indicating that the silent mode is ON is displayed in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c). .

FIG. 4A is an example of a message displayed on the display means in step S306 when it is determined that "external microphone detection: none" and "eye contact detection: none" are determined in step S304 of FIG. Here, an example is shown in which an icon 401 with "Small" written together is displayed on the main body microphone.

FIG. 4B is an example of a message displayed on the display means in step S309 when it is determined that "external microphone detection: yes" and "eye proximity detection: no" are determined in step S307 of FIG. Here, an example is shown in which an icon 402 with "Small" written together with an external microphone is displayed.

In step S312 of FIG. 3, either of FIG. 4(a) or FIG. 4(b) is displayed depending on whether the sound detection level of the main microphone or the external microphone is raised as described above. .

FIG. 4(c) is an example of a message indicating that even a softer voice can be accepted when the volume of voice input exceeds a predetermined threshold when the silent mode is ON.

FIG. 4(c) shows an example of displaying an icon 403 with "more small" in addition to the display shown in FIG. 4(a).

As a result, it is possible to prompt the photographer to speak in a softer voice.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when shooting in silent mode, the audio detection level of the main unit microphone or the external microphone is automatically adjusted according to the connection state of the external microphone and the eyepiece state, thereby allowing the photographer to speak in a lower voice. It is possible to input, and it is possible to reduce nuisance to the surroundings.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist.

The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, the software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads the program code. This is the process to be executed. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

Claims (10)

An imaging device,
audio output means;
selection means for selecting use of a silent mode for limiting audio output from the audio output means;
voice input means;
a control means for controlling an imaging device based on voice input via the voice input means;
with
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when use of the silent mode is selected, the control means controls to increase the sound detection level of the sound input means. finder and
Further comprising detection means for detecting eye contact with the finder,
Even when the use of the silent mode is selected, the control means does not control the sound detection level of the sound input means to be high in a state where the eye contact with the viewfinder is not detected. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: finder and
detection means for detecting eye contact with the viewfinder;
further comprising connection means for connecting to an external audio input device,
When the use of the silent mode is selected, when the device is connected to the external audio input device, and when it is detected that the user's eye is on the viewfinder, the control means: 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to increase a voice detection level of said voice input means. When the use of the silent mode is selected, when the external audio input device is connected, and when the viewfinder is not detected, the control means 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein control is performed so as to increase the audio detection level of said external audio input means. further comprising notification means for notifying the user that, when use of the silent mode is selected, input is accepted even if the sound is softer than when not using the silent mode is selected. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized by: When using the silent mode is selected and when the volume of the voice input to the voice input means exceeds a predetermined threshold, the volume of the input voice exceeds the predetermined threshold. 6. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the user is notified of a warning based on the fact that . audio output means for generating an electronic shutter sound;
audio output selection means for receiving selection of whether or not to output the electronic shutter sound by the audio output means;
further comprising
7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said audio output selection means performs control so as not to output an electronic shutter sound when use of said silent mode is selected. Imaging device. shutter mode selection means for receiving a selection of whether to shoot using a mechanical shutter or an electronic shutter;
further comprising
The shutter mode selection means selects an electronic shutter mode when use of the silent mode is selected.
8. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by: A control method for an imaging device having audio output means and audio input means,
a selection step of selecting use of a silent mode for limiting audio output from the audio output means;
a control step of controlling the imaging device based on the voice input via the voice input means;
has
A control method for an imaging apparatus, wherein, in the control step, when use of the silent mode is selected, control is performed so as to increase a sound detection level of the sound input means. A computer-readable program for causing a computer to function as each means of the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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