JP2000199925A - Automatic photographing device and infrared-ray emitting body detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic photographing device capable of surely and automatically photographing only an aimed infrared-ray emitting body. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a camera part 1, having a camera 20 with a stroboscope 21, and a sensor part 3 separated from the part 1 and connected to the part 1 by a cable 7, and detecting far-infrared rays from the infrared ray emission body; the part 3 has a pyroelectric sensor detecting the far infrared ray from the infrared-ray emission body and a sunshine sensor detecting the brightness degree of ambient environment, and the shutter for the camera 20 of the part 1 is released when the far infrared ray from the infrared ray emission body is detected by the pyroelectric sensor, only during the term of the optional ambient environment brightness by the sunshine sensor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic photographing apparatus for detecting an infrared ray from an infrared ray generator (animal, person, or other heating element) and automatically photographing with a camera, and detecting a signal by detecting the infrared ray. The present invention relates to an infrared ray detector for outputting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus for automatically photographing an animal or a person using a sensor includes a camera section having a camera and a sensor section separately connected to the camera section and having a beam sensor. There is. The apparatus using the beam sensor is configured such that the sensor detects an object when the object crosses the beam, and a shutter of a camera of a camera unit is released by a detection signal to capture an image of the detected object.

[0003]

However, when a beam sensor is used, there is no problem if the object that crosses the beam is an infrared ray generator such as an animal or a person to be photographed.
Even if rain, snow, leaves, dust, etc. obstruct the beam, the camera shutter is released, so unnecessary shooting is performed and not only extra film is used, but also especially when shooting with flash at night or in the dark. The battery will be wasted.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic photographing apparatus capable of surely automatically photographing only a target infrared ray generator. .

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic photographing apparatus for detecting an infrared ray from an infrared ray generator and automatically photographing with a camera. A camera unit having a camera, and an infrared generator detector connected to the camera unit for detecting infrared light from the infrared generator, wherein the infrared generator detector detects infrared light from the infrared generator. An infrared sensor that has a signal output unit that receives a detection signal from the infrared sensor and outputs an operation instruction signal to the camera unit,
When an infrared ray from an infrared ray generator is detected by the infrared ray sensor, a photographing operation of the camera of the camera unit is performed in response to the detection.

This device uses an infrared sensor, unlike the conventional device using a beam sensor, and detects infrared rays (including far infrared rays) emitted from animals, people, and other heating elements by the infrared sensor. Then, only when infrared rays are detected, the shutter of the camera of the camera unit is released, and photographing is performed. In other words, when an object with a temperature higher than the ambient temperature that is relatively static and stable enters, or when an object with a temperature lower than the ambient temperature enters, or moves, it is detected by the infrared sensor. Automatic photographing is performed in response to a living thing such as an animal or a person having a temperature higher than the ambient environment temperature or other heating elements. However, by setting the sensitivity so that it does not respond to objects that do not differ from the ambient temperature or objects that do not emit infrared rays, or to respond only to a slight degree of thermal fluctuation, the camera shutter can be unnecessarily used. There is no waste of being cut off, and it is possible to automatically photograph only the target infrared ray generator.

[0007] Further, by providing the sunshine sensor, this device can perform automatic photographing by the camera only during the period of brightness of an arbitrary surrounding environment. For example, it can be set so that shooting is performed only for a desired period, such as day or night, or day and night (all day). By the way, when only an infrared sensor is provided, shooting is performed continuously day and night. However, by providing a sun sensor, automatic shooting can be performed only during a desired minimum illuminance period.

On the other hand, an infrared ray detector according to claim 10 comprises a pyroelectric sensor for detecting infrared rays from the infrared ray generator, a sunshine sensor for detecting the degree of brightness of the surrounding environment, and
A signal output terminal, and only during the period of brightness of an arbitrary ambient environment by the sunshine sensor, when the pyroelectric sensor detects infrared rays from an infrared ray generator, a signal is output from the signal output terminal. It is characterized by having done.

In this infrared ray detector, only the sensor section of the above-described device is independently configured. If this detector is applied to, for example, a general single-lens reflex camera, the same usage as the above-described device can be performed. Instead, it can be applied to various uses by a combination of infrared detection by a pyroelectric sensor and brightness detection by a sunshine sensor.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the entire automatic photographing apparatus according to the embodiment. The automatic photographing apparatus includes a camera unit 1 having a camera with a strobe, and a sensor unit 3 installed separately from the camera unit 1 and detecting infrared rays (particularly, far infrared rays) from an infrared ray generator. 1 and the sensor unit 3 are connected by a cable 7.

The camera unit 1 has a camera (for example, a single-lens reflex camera) 20 disposed in a pipe 10 made of, for example, vinyl chloride as a housing. A transparent window 11 made of acrylic is hermetically sealed at the opening at the tip of the pipe 10. The lid 12 is detachably attached to the rear end opening by, for example, screwing. Of course, the camera unit 1 has a waterproof structure in consideration of being installed outdoors.

A camera 20 in the pipe 10 has a strobe 21
And a lens 22. The lens 22 is covered with an antireflection tube 23. The camera 20 has a fixture 27, and the fixture 27 can slide on a support rail 25 disposed in the pipe 10.
By moving the fixture 27, the position of the camera 20 can be adjusted and fixed in the front-back direction. The opening of the lens 22 is the pipe 1
It is installed to the extent that it comes into contact with the transparent window 11. Further, in the pipe 10, a battery 29 for backing up the strobe 21 of the camera 20 and a silica gel 28 as a moisture proof agent for preventing fogging of the transparent window 11 and the like are arranged. The distal end surface of the strobe 21 is also installed so as to be in contact with the transparent window 11 of the pipe 10.

FIG. 2 (front view) and FIG.
As shown in (side sectional view), a pyroelectric sensor 40 for detecting far infrared rays from an infrared ray generator and a sunshine sensor 41 for detecting the degree of brightness of the surrounding environment are provided in a case 30. . Of course, the case 30 has a waterproof structure like the camera unit 1 because the sensor unit 3 is installed outdoors. The pyroelectric sensor 40 and the sunshine sensor 41 are mounted on a circuit board 47 that is arranged facing the front side of the case 30. In the case 30, a portion facing the pyroelectric sensor 40 is open, and a Fresnel lens 50 for appropriately restricting the detection range of the pyroelectric sensor 40 is attached to this opening, and an acrylic portion is provided in a portion facing the sunshine sensor 41. Window 51 is provided.

Around the Fresnel lens 50 is a pipe mounting portion 52 for detachably mounting a pipe for changing the sensing range of the pyroelectric sensor 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the pipe 60 is mounted on the pipe mounting portion 52. be able to. When the pipe 60 is mounted on the pipe mounting portion 52, the Fresnel lens 50 enters the pipe 60. The pipe 60 guides far-infrared rays to the Fresnel lens 50. By attaching the pipe 60, the sensing range of the pyroelectric sensor 40 is substantially reduced. Therefore, when the original sensing range of the pyroelectric sensor 40 through the Fresnel lens 50 is too wide, the pipe 60 may be used.

The pipe mounting portion 52 and the pipe 60 can be mounted by, for example, forming the pipe mounting portion 52 as a male screw, forming a female screw at the end of the pipe 60, and screwing the both. It is sufficient for the pipe 60 to have a length of 10 cm, and the sensing range can be sufficiently changed by preparing about three different pipes of different lengths. Here, pipe 6
By changing the length of 0, the sensing angle is adjusted. However, by providing a cap with a different hole in the cap as the pipe 60, by replacing this,
Adjustable sensing angle. When the cap is removed, the range is the widest.

On the other hand, a switch 43 and three adjustment knobs 44, 45, 46 as shown in FIG. 4 are mounted on the circuit board 47, and the switch 43 and the adjustment knob 44 are provided.
The case 30 corresponding to .about.46 is opened, and a waterproof cover 55 is detachably attached to this opening. The switch 43 is used here to select whether the automatic photographing is performed only during the day, all day, or only during the night.

The adjustment knob (sensitivity adjuster) 44 is for adjusting the sensitivity of the sunshine sensor 41. As the value becomes MAX, even if the brightness of the surrounding environment is low (even if it is dark), the sunshine sensor 41 is adjusted. The detection operation is performed. Therefore, by adjusting the sensitivity of the sunshine sensor 41 with the adjustment knob 44, it is possible to set such that shooting is stopped or started, for example, in the daytime if the image becomes dark due to cloudy weather or the like.

The adjustment knob (sensitivity adjuster) 45 is for adjusting the sensitivity of the pyroelectric sensor 40. As the value becomes MAX, the pyroelectric sensor 40 responds to a small amount of far infrared rays. Therefore, the pyroelectric sensor 40 is controlled by the adjustment knob 45.
By adjusting the sensitivity of the camera, it is possible to set the criticality as to whether or not to perform photographing according to the target temperature of the infrared ray generator and the ambient temperature.

An adjustment knob (detection interval adjuster) 46 regulates the shutter operation of the camera 20 irrespective of far-infrared detection of the pyroelectric sensor 40.
Set to minutes. The adjustment knob 46 is used, for example, as follows. That is, once the flash 21 of the camera 20 emits light, it is necessary to charge the internal battery before the next flash, and the flash 21 cannot be emitted during charging. For this reason, if the shutter of the camera 20 is released by the detection signal of the pyroelectric sensor 40 even when the charging is not completed at night or in the dark and the charging is not completed, the photograph becomes an underexposed black photograph. In addition to discrimination, the film is wasted.

Therefore, the time required for charging the strobe 21 is measured in advance, and if the adjustment knob 46 is turned over this time, the detection interval that has been set, ie, during the charging time, the pyroelectric sensor 4
Even if 0 outputs a detection signal, the shutter is not released, so that underexposed shooting can be avoided. In most cameras, the charging completion lamp is turned on when charging is completed, so that the charging time can be measured.

Therefore, the detection interval is adjusted by the adjustment knob 46 in accordance with the charging time of the strobe 21. FIG.
In, the detection interval is set to a maximum of 2 minutes, but may be shorter than 2 minutes or longer than 2 minutes (5 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour, etc.), and an appropriate maximum detection interval is set in advance. It should be left. In particular, if the detection interval is set sufficiently long regardless of the charging time, for example, when an animal is photographed at night, it is possible to solve the problem that the same animal is photographed more than necessary.

The switch 43 and the adjustment knob 44
46 can be easily operated if the waterproof cover 55 is removed. On the other hand, a battery case 31 that accommodates a battery as a power source for the operation of the entire apparatus including the detection of sensors 40 and 41 other than the light emission of the strobe 21 of the camera 20 is disposed in the case 30. The rear surface of the case 30 is a cover 30a which can be opened and closed or is detachable so that the battery can be easily inserted and removed. Although the battery to be used is not specified, a lithium type battery is preferable to an alkaline type because the detection and photographing operations can be performed stably over a long period of time.

Further, in this embodiment, a connector 48 for use in inputting, for example, a strobe charge signal or outputting a signal (count number) indicating when the pyroelectric sensor 40 has detected the signal is provided. The connector 48 is attached to the case 30 and connected to the circuit board 47 together with the cable 7 for connecting the camera unit 1. Note that the cable 7 is connected to an electromagnetic release or an autowinder of the camera 20. Although not shown in the drawings, an LED that lights when the pyroelectric sensor 40 detects far infrared rays
Are provided in the case 30.

The thus configured automatic photographing apparatus is installed outdoors. At this time, the camera unit 1 is fixed to, for example, a tripod, and the sensor unit 3 is attached to, for example, a universal clamp head 70 as shown in FIG. Mounted. In this case, a connecting tool 35 is provided on the sensor unit 3, and the connecting tool 35 is screwed into the screw portion 71 of the clamp head 70. The clamp head 70 can be fixed anywhere by holding the clip 72 between suitable fixing objects (for example, a branch or a plate having a thickness of about 50 mm). At this time, the sensor unit 3 is of course positioned so as to face the shooting location of the camera unit 1.

Here, when an animal crosses the direction in which the camera unit 1 faces, for example, if the far-infrared ray emitted from the animal exceeds the sensitivity set by the adjustment knob 45, the pyroelectric sensor 40 detects the far-infrared ray. A shutter operation signal is sent to the camera 20 through the cable 7 based on the detection signal, the shutter of the camera 20 is released, and the detected animal is photographed by the camera 20. In the case of shooting at night or in the dark, the strobe 21 emits light at the time of shooting, but after the strobe 21 emits light, the pyroelectric sensor 40 is kept distant until the detection interval (detection time) set by the adjustment knob 46 elapses. Even if the infrared detection signal is output, the shutter operation signal of the camera 20 is not sent to the camera 20 through the cable 7 and
No shooting by 0 is performed. Of course, in this embodiment, the automatic photographing is performed by the switch 43 only in the daytime, all day, or only at night.

In the above-described embodiment, a single-lens reflex camera is used as the camera of the camera unit 1, but a digital camera can also be used. Further, in the embodiment, the camera 20 with the strobe 21 is shown, but a camera without a strobe can also be applied. Further, the far-infrared ray is detected by the pyroelectric sensor 40, but the infrared ray can be detected similarly.

In addition, when the above device is installed outdoors,
The pipe 10 of the camera unit 1 and the case 30 (including the cover 30a) of the sensor unit 3 may be set to a so-called protective color so that the infrared ray generator (especially an animal or a person) does not notice the presence of the device. . For example, green if the surrounding environment is overgrown, brown if installed on the ground,
When installing in a dark place, use black or camouflage.

Although the camera section 1 has a backup battery 29 for the strobe 21, the strobe 21 may be connected to an external power supply using an AC adapter. Similarly, the sensor unit 3 has a battery case 31 in which batteries for detecting the sensors 40 and 41 are stored. However, the battery case 31 may be connected to an external power supply by an AC adapter. If an external power supply is used, the device can be operated for a long time without worrying about running out of the battery.

Further, as described above, the connector 48
For example, it is used to transmit the detection count number of the pyroelectric sensor 40. It is convenient to connect a data logger or the like as a recorder to the connector 48. Or,
If a display unit is provided at an appropriate position (for example, the front surface) of the case 30 of the sensor unit 3 and the count number is displayed on the display unit, the number of infrared generators that have passed through the shooting location is determined by the displayed count number. Not only can be known, but also whether there is any abnormality in the device can be checked.

Furthermore, if the sensor unit 3 is configured as an independent unit as an infrared ray detector, and this detector is applied to, for example, a general single-lens reflex camera, not only can it be used in the same way as the above-described device, but also The combination of the infrared detection by the pyroelectric sensor 40 and the brightness detection by the sunshine sensor 41 can be applied to various uses.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a sensor section (infrared ray detector) of an automatic photographing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 (a) is a rear view, and FIG. 6) is a side view, and FIG. 6C is a front view. The infrared ray detector 80 of the photographing apparatus of this embodiment has an operation panel 81 on the rear surface.
And a sunshine sensor 82 and a heat sensing sensor lens 83 are provided on the front surface. An output jack 84 for connecting to a camera or the like is provided on the side surface. Since the infrared ray detector 80 is often installed outdoors, the output jack 84 and the like naturally adopt a waterproof treatment and a mechanism. A tripod mounting bottom 85 is provided on the bottom surface.

As shown in FIG. 7, the operation panel 81
A power / mode key 86 for switching the power ON / OFF to switch the mode, a detection key 87 for displaying the number of living body detections, a sensitivity setting key 88 for setting the sensitivity, an ON delay key 89, and OFF continuation. Key 90, ON continuation key 91, repetition number key 92, up key 93,
A down key 94, a clear key 95, and a set key 96 are provided. Further, a display 97 for displaying set values and the like, and display elements 98, 99, and 100 for displaying different seconds / minutes / hours.
And display elements 101, 102 and 103 for displaying day, night, night and day modes.

Here, the sensitivity setting key 88 allows the sensitivity to be switched and set in two stages. ON delay key 8
9 from the infrared sensor to obtain a biological detection signal, a key for setting a delay time until outputting the shutter signal to the outside, T ₁ in FIG. 8 is the ON delay time. O
The FF continuation key 80 is a key for setting a time period during which the shutter signal is inhibited from being turned on even when a detection signal from the sensor is applied after the output of the shutter signal is turned off. ₃ is the OFF duration. O
N continuation key 91 is a key for setting the ON time of the shutter signal, T ₂ in FIG. 8 is the ON time. The repetition number key 92 is a key for setting the number of times the shutter is repeatedly turned ON / OFF at a certain interval by one detection. T ₄ in FIG. 9 corresponds to this interval.

In this embodiment, the automatic photographing apparatus is
By holding down the / MODE key 86 for more than 3 seconds,
The power turns on. LED of display 97 by power ON
Lights up to indicate that the power is on. When the power is turned on, the ON delay time is 0 seconds, the ON time is 1 second, the OFF time is 1 second, the number of repetitions is 1, the sensitivity setting 2 (high sensitivity), and the operation mode is day and night. Initialized. This POWER / MOD
Operate both day and night by short operation of E key 86.
The mode of operating only at night or operating only during the day can be switched and set. After operating keys such as a sensitivity setting key 88, an ON delay key 89, an OFF connection key 90, an ON continuation key 91, and a repetition number key 92, an up key 93 and a down key 94 are pressed, and the numerical value of the display 97 is changed. When the key is changed and the set key 96 is operated with a desired numerical value, the value is set. When the clear key 95 is pressed, each numerical value returns to the minimum value. If no key operation is performed for 5 seconds when setting data, the display is automatically erased. The setting data is changed only when the set key 96 is pressed. The signal OFF time data can be set by changing the units of “second”, “minute”, and “time”. If the POWER / MODE key is pressed while setting the time data, “seconds”
The units of “minute” and “hour” change.

When the number-of-detections key 87 is pressed, the current number of detections is displayed. The display automatically disappears in 5 seconds.
When the clear key 95 is pressed while the number of detections is displayed, the number of detections is cleared to zero. When the infrared sensor detects the living body during the monitoring of the living body, the ON set from the detection signal
At a delay time T _1, and outputs a shutter signal to the camera. By providing the ON delay time, the shutter is released after a short period of time after the detection of the living body, and it is possible to properly obtain the timing of photographing. ON time of the shutter signal is also a T ₂ that is set. Also, O
If FF duration T ₃ is set, the shutter signal to OFF, until the elapse of the OFF duration T _3, the shutter signal is not output even obtain a sensor detection signal. By providing the OFF continuation time, even if a detection signal due to the same movement of the living body is not taken each time, the consumption of the film and the battery can be reduced.

When a living body detection signal is obtained, a shutter signal is output after a delay time. When the number of repetitions is set, the shutter signal is turned on / off.
At the set interval (N in FIG. 9)
= 3). The power is turned off by holding down the POWER / MODE key 86 for 1 second or more while nothing is displayed on the display panel, and thereafter, a countdown display is made on the display 97, and the power is turned off. This facilitates interval shooting.

Next, the overall operation of the automatic photographing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. When the power is off, it is determined whether any key has been pressed (ST1). When a key is pressed, it is determined whether or not the key is a POWER / MODE key (ST2). In the case of the POWER / MODE key, it is determined whether the key has been continuously pressed for 3 seconds or longer (S
T3). If the key is released within 3 seconds, it does nothing, but if it is pressed for more than 3 seconds, the power of the main circuit is turned on,
A display to that effect is made on the display 97, and an initial setting is made (ST4).

In this state, it is determined whether a key has been pressed next (ST5). If the key is ON, POWER / M
It is determined whether or not the key is an ODE key (ST6). For example, power supply O
After N, item keys 87, 88, 89, 90,
If any one of 91, 92, etc. is pressed, the determination in ST6 is NO
The process proceeds to ST11, where it is determined whether or not the item key. If the key is an item key, the item flag KF is set to 1 (ST12), and the current setting value is displayed on the display 97 (ST13). The input of the set value is changed by operating the up key 93 and the down key 94 (ST14).

Subsequently, it is determined whether a key is pressed (S
T15) If no key is pressed, it is determined that there is no change for 5 seconds or more (ST20). Until 5 seconds have elapsed, the process returns to ST11 with the determination NO of ST20, and ST11 to ST15, ST2.
0 is repeated. When 5 seconds or more have elapsed while the display is on, the display is deleted (ST21) and the process returns to ST5. If a key is pressed in ST5, it is determined whether or not the pressed key is a set key (ST16). When the set key is pressed, the displayed numerical value is registered as the set value of the item of the item key pressed before, the display is erased (ST17), and the process returns to ST5.

If the pressed key is not the set key in ST16, it is further determined whether or not the key is a clear key (ST18). If the clear key is pressed, the minimum value of the item is displayed on the display 97 (ST19), and
Return to T14. In ST6, the key pressed is P
If the key is the OWER / MODE key, the determination is YES, and in this case, it is determined whether or not the item flag KF is 1 (ST).
7). If the item flag KF is not set, no data is being input and no display is made, so that the key press is 1
It is determined whether or not it has continued for more than one second (ST8). If not more than one second, it is assumed that the POWER / MODE key has been pressed for mode switching, and the mode is changed from the current mode to the next mode. The process proceeds (for example, from day / night mode to day mode), the display element of the switched mode is turned on (ST9), and the process returns to ST5.

In the monitoring state after the power is turned on, if it is determined in step ST5 that the key is ON or OFF, the process proceeds to ST2.
In step 2, it is determined whether the input is a sensor signal. If there is no sensor signal input in which no living body is detected, this ST22
Wait at. When a living body detection signal is input from the sensor,
ST22 of the determination is YES, to start the T ₁ is the timer ON delay time (ST23). This time-up timer T ₁ (ST24), raises the shutter signal ON time T _2, and outputs (ST25). Further, after the shutter signal is output, it is determined whether OFF continuation is set (ST26). If OFF continuation is not set, then it is determined whether the number of repetitions is set (ST30). The process returns to ST22 and waits for the next sensor signal input.

If it is determined in ST26 that the setting to continue OFF is set,
It reads the setting OFF duration T _3, to start the timer T ₃ (ST27). Until the timer T ₃ is the time is up (ST28), even if the newly sensor signal even input, ignores the sensor signal input (ST2
9). When the timer T ₃ is the time is up, return to ST22, to release the sensor signal input is ignored, to wait for the sensor signal input.

[0043] In the case repetition of setting Yes number of times in the ST30, with to start the timer T ₄ of T ₄ is an interval (ST31), the number of repetitions N 1 decremented (ST32), and further timer T ₄ is the time is up (ST33), it is determined whether or not N is 0 (ST3).
4), if not 0, where outputs a shutter signal (ST35), returns to ST31, the timer T ₄ is again started. When N = 0 in ST34, it means that the shutter signal has been output N times, and the process returns to ST22 to wait for the next sensor signal input.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an automatic photographing apparatus, an infrared generator detector, an automatic power OFF
When a detection signal is output to a camera unit having a function to perform automatic photographing, a signal for prohibiting the automatic power-off function may be provided at a predetermined cycle regardless of the detection signal. Even with a camera having an automatic power-off function, it is possible to take a picture while maintaining a standby state without turning off the power.

[0045]

As described above, according to the automatic photographing apparatus according to the first and third aspects of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Since the infrared ray of the infrared ray is detected by the infrared ray sensor [pyroelectric sensor] and the shutter of the camera is released, it does not react to rain, leaves of trees, etc., and the camera shutter is unnecessarily released. Is eliminated, and only the intended infrared ray generator can be reliably photographed automatically. (2) Since the automatic photographic device according to the second aspect is provided with the sunshine sensor, it is possible to perform automatic photographic operation by the camera only during the period of brightness of an arbitrary surrounding environment. (3) According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, it is possible to adjust the sensing range (angle) of the pyroelectric sensor up and down, left and right, that is, widening or narrowing the shooting range, depending on the size of the cap hole of the cap. (4) According to the configuration of claim 5, it is possible to prevent underexposure shooting without flash emission in shooting at night or in darkness. (5) According to the configuration of claim 6, since the sensitivity of the pyroelectric sensor can be adjusted, it is possible to set the criticality as to whether or not to perform photographing according to the target temperature of the infrared ray generator and the ambient environment temperature. (6) According to the configuration of claim 7, since the sensitivity of the sunshine sensor can be adjusted, it is possible to set, for example, to stop or start photographing even in the daytime if it becomes dark due to cloudy weather or the like. (7) According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to prevent fogging of the camera lens and the like in the camera section.

According to the infrared ray detector of the tenth aspect, the following effects can be obtained. (8) If this detector is applied to, for example, a general single-lens reflex camera, not only can it be used in the same manner as the above-described device, but also from the combination of infrared detection by a pyroelectric sensor and brightness detection by a sunshine sensor. It can be applied to various uses. (9) According to the eleventh aspect, the output signal is output after a predetermined delay time from the detection signal.
Imaging can be performed at an appropriate timing according to the movement of the living body. (10) According to the twelfth aspect, since the output signal is inhibited for a predetermined time after the output signal is output to the camera unit, the shutter is not released each time the living body moves, and the film and the battery are consumed. Can be reduced. (11) According to the thirteenth aspect, an output signal is repeatedly output a predetermined number of times at a predetermined cycle in response to the detection signal, which is convenient for interval shooting. (12) According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined delay time, the predetermined time, the predetermined cycle, the number of repetitions, and the like can be changed, so that appropriate photographing in accordance with the intended subject can be performed. (13) According to the invention of claim 15, even in a camera having an automatic power-off function, a standby state can be maintained without power-off, and automatic photographing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire automatic photographing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a sensor unit of the device.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a sensor unit of the device.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an arrangement of switches and adjustment knobs attached to a circuit board in the sensor unit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view in a state where a pipe is attached to a sensor unit of the device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an appearance of an infrared ray detector of an automatic photographing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a specific diagram of an operation panel of the infrared ray detector of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a waveform time chart for explaining ON delay time, ON continuation, and OFF continuation of the infrared ray detector.

FIG. 9 is a waveform time chart for explaining a repetitive operation of the infrared ray detector.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the automatic photographing apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the automatic image capturing apparatus according to the embodiment, together with FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the automatic image capturing apparatus according to the embodiment, along with FIGS. 10 and 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera part 3 Sensor part 7 Cable 20 Camera 21 Strobe 28 Silica gel (moisture-proof agent) 30 Case 31 Battery case 40 Pyroelectric sensor 41 Sunshine sensor 44 Adjustment knob (sunshine sensor sensitivity adjuster) 45 Adjustment knob (pyroelectric sensor sensitivity) Adjuster) 46 Adjustment knob (Detection interval adjuster) 52 Pipe mounting part 60 Pipe

Claims (15)

[Claims] An apparatus for detecting an infrared ray from an infrared ray generator and automatically photographing with a camera, comprising: a camera section having a camera; and a camera section connected to the camera section for detecting infrared rays from the infrared ray generator. An infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays from the infrared generator, and a signal output for receiving a detection signal from the infrared sensor and outputting an operation instruction signal to the camera unit. An automatic photographing apparatus, comprising: a photographing operation of a camera of the camera section when an infrared ray from an infrared ray generator is detected by the infrared ray sensor. 2. The infrared ray detector according to claim 1, further comprising: a sunshine sensor for detecting a degree of brightness of the surrounding environment, wherein the infrared sensor generates infrared rays only during a period of brightness of the surrounding environment by the sunshine sensor. 2. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an infrared ray from a body is detected, a photographing operation of a camera of the camera unit is performed. 3. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said infrared sensor is a pyroelectric sensor. 4. An automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said infrared ray detector has a cap attaching portion for detachably attaching a cap for changing a sensing range of the pyroelectric sensor. 5. An automatic detector according to claim 3, wherein said infrared ray detector has a detection interval adjuster for regulating a shutter operation of the camera irrespective of infrared detection of the pyroelectric sensor. Shooting equipment. 6. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the infrared ray detector has a sensitivity adjuster for adjusting the sensitivity of the pyroelectric sensor. 7. The infrared detector according to claim 2, further comprising a sensitivity adjuster for adjusting the sensitivity of the sunshine sensor. Automatic photography equipment. 8. The automatic camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera of the camera section has a strobe. Shooting equipment. 9. The camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit has a moisture proofing agent. The automatic photographing device as described. 10. A pyroelectric sensor for detecting infrared rays from an infrared ray generator, a sunshine sensor for detecting the degree of brightness of the surrounding environment, and a signal output terminal. An infrared ray detector for outputting a signal from the signal output terminal when the pyroelectric sensor detects infrared rays from the infrared ray generator during the period. 11. The signal output section receives a detection signal from the infrared sensor and outputs an output signal after a predetermined delay time from the detection signal.
The automatic photographing device as described. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal output section receives the detection signal from said infrared sensor and outputs the output signal to said camera section, and then inhibits the output signal for a predetermined time. Item 6. The automatic photographing device according to Item 1. 13. The signal output section, when receiving a detection signal from the infrared sensor, repeats a predetermined number of times in a predetermined cycle in response to the detection signal, and outputs an output signal to the camera section. The automatic photographing device according to claim 1. 14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined delay time, predetermined time, predetermined cycle and predetermined number of times are provided with setting means capable of changing the setting.
The automatic photographing device as described. 15. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal output section outputs a signal for prohibiting automatic power-off to a camera section having an automatic power-off function at a predetermined cycle.