JP2000231142A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of preventing the user from executing an undesirable operation, even in the case where operational instructions based on a voice command and operational instructions by a switch operation are given. SOLUTION: The camera is capable of being actuated by the operational instructions based on the voice command and the operational instructions by the control switch, and provided with a voice command recognition unit 25 for outputting an operation signal in accordance with the input of the photographer's voice, the control switch 32 for outputting the operation signal in accordance with the input from the photographer by operating the switch, and a mode setting switch 31 for making selectable at least one of two operation modes, that is, a voice command priority mode and a switch input command priority mode, and in the case one operation mode is set, the interruption of operation signal for a priority processing corresponding to the set mode is permitted so as to execute the operation corresponding to the operation signal under the control of a CPU 17.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera capable of executing a predetermined operation by a voice command issued by a user or an operation switch provided on the camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A voice control camera for controlling a camera by voice has been conventionally proposed, and a specific function of the camera is executed by issuing a voice control command assigned to the function. It has become.

As an example of such technical means, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-56428 discloses a control mechanism for controlling the function of a camera, a voice input means for inputting a voice, and a voice for recognizing the input voice. A recognition unit, and a control unit that controls a function of the camera based on the control content corresponding to the recognition result. When operating the camera, a voice corresponding to a desired operation is input via the voice input unit. In addition, a description is given of a camera control method based on sound, in which the input sound is recognized by the sound recognition means, and the control unit controls the function of the camera based on the control content corresponding to the recognition result.

In such a conventional voice control camera, the camera has a voice recognition function, and the camera function can be freely operated based on the voice of the camera user.

[0005]

However, operating the camera using only voice commands is complicated for a user who has performed switch operations. On the other hand, since the camera can be used by voice commands, even a handicapped person can operate the camera, thereby expanding the camera user base. In addition, it is clear that even a handicapped person would be better if the camera can be used by operating the switch using the remaining hand functions, rather than performing all camera operations using only voice commands. . Therefore, the system should be configured so that even a camera that can be operated by a voice command can be operated by a switch operation. By the way, there is a problem that occurs when such a system is configured.

What is to be done when the user inadvertently or intentionally operates the switch while operating the camera with a voice command. Conversely, there is also a case where a voice command is issued during operation of the camera by a switch operation or intentionally. The conventional voice control camera does not show how to deal with such a case.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a camera that does not execute an operation unintended by a user even when an operation instruction based on a voice command and an operation instruction by a SW operation are performed. It is intended to be.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to a first aspect of the present invention has a command signal output means for recognizing voice and outputting an operation command signal for performing an operation relating to photographing. And at least one operation signal output unit that outputs an operation signal related to a photographing operation by being operated by a photographer; a mode setting unit that sets a mode in which one of the operation command signal and the operation signal is prioritized; It is provided with.

The camera according to a second aspect of the present invention is the camera according to the first aspect, wherein when the operation command signal or the operation signal is input, the operation command is set based on the set mode state. The image processing apparatus further includes a photographing operation control unit that permits interruption of the signal or the operation signal and performs an operation according to the operation command or the operation signal.

Further, in the camera according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first aspect, when the other signal is input during an operation based on one of the operation command signal or the operation signal, the other is used. And a photographing operation control means for invalidating the signal of (1) and continuing the photographing operation based on the one signal.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a photographing lens 10 includes one group, 2
The zoom lens includes three lens groups 11, 12, and 13 including a group and a third group. By changing the position of the second lens group 12, the focal length of the taking lens 10 can be changed. The second group lens group 12 is driven by a zoom motor 14. The rotational movement of the zoom motor 14 is converted by the zoom drive mechanism 15 into movement of the second lens group 12 on the optical axis. The zoom motor 14 is supplied with power from a zoom motor drive circuit 16. Further, the zoom motor drive circuit 16 is controlled by the CPU 17 which is a control means for controlling the entire camera system (including the control of the photographing operation).

By changing the position of the third lens group 13, the object can be focused.
The third group 13 is driven by a focus motor 18. The rotational movement of the focus motor 18 is converted by the focus drive mechanism 19 into movement of the third lens group 13 on the optical axis. The focus motor 18 is supplied with power from a focus drive circuit 20. The focus motor drive circuit 20 is controlled by the CPU 17. Shooting lens 20
An image sensor 21 typified by a CCD or the like is arranged on the focal plane of. The image sensor 21 is controlled by an image processing circuit 22. The image processing circuit 22 captures image data from the image sensor 21 and stores it in the image memory 23 based on a command from the CPU 17. The display circuit 24 is a circuit for displaying image data. The user can confirm the subject image based on the image data displayed by the display circuit 24.

A voice command recognition unit 25, which is a command signal output unit, recognizes a voice command pronounced by a camera user and outputs a command indicating the operation of the camera to the CPU 17. The command is transmitted through communication line 30 to C
Transferred to PU17. Voice command recognition unit 25
Includes an audio memory 26, an audio processing circuit 27, an audio input circuit 28, and a microphone 29. The voice command generated by the user is converted into an electric signal by the microphone 29 and output to the voice input circuit 28. The audio input circuit 28 includes an amplifier and an A / D converter, amplifies an electric signal from the microphone 29, and converts the electric signal into a digital signal using the A / D converter. Audio processing circuit 2
In step 7, the digital signal and the voice information of the user stored in the voice memory 26 are collated. Then, a predetermined command is output to the CPU 17 based on the collation result.

Referring to FIG. 2, the audio processing circuit 27 and the CPU 17
A communication method with the server will be described. The communication line 30 includes four signal lines RQ, EN, DT, and CK. In the signal flow (←), the audio processing circuit 27 outputs a signal and the CP
Indicates that U17 will receive it. The signal flow (→) is CP
U17 outputs a signal, indicating that the audio processing circuit 27 receives the signal.

Communication is performed as follows. The audio processing circuit 27 changes the voltage level of the signal line RQ from high (High) to low (Low), and requests the CPU 17 to permit the command transfer operation. When detecting this change of the signal line RQ, the CPU 17 changes the signal line EN from high (High) to low (Low) to permit the command transfer operation. When detecting this change of the signal line EN, the audio processing circuit 27 outputs a clock signal to the signal line CK, and outputs a command to the signal line DT in synchronization with the clock signal.
When this command is input, the CPU 17 changes the signal line EN from low to high to notify the audio processing circuit 27 that the reception of the command has been completed. The audio processing circuit 27 returns the signal line RQ to high in response to the change of the signal line EN. Table 1 shows correspondence between commands output from the audio processing circuit 27 to the CPU 17 and operations. The command is 8-bit data.

[0017]

[Table 1] A mode setting switch (hereinafter, mode setting SW) 31 as a mode setting means is a switch for setting four operation modes executable by the CPU 17. The four operation modes are a voice learning mode, a normal mode, a voice priority mode, and a switch operation priority mode (hereinafter, SW operation mode).

Here, each operation mode will be briefly described. In the voice learning mode, a voice command uttered by the user when this mode is set and a camera operation are stored in the voice memory 26 in association with each other. That is, the learning mode. The normal mode is an operation command and an operation switch (hereinafter, operation SW) by voice command.
In this case, both of the operation commands by the operation of the operation switch 32 are set to the permitted state or both of the operation commands are not given priority. Is input, the other command is invalidated (prohibited), and the camera operation by the first command input is continued. The voice priority mode is the operation SW3
This is a mode in which, even during an operation based on an operation command by the operation 2, if there is an operation command by a voice command, the operation command is given priority and executed. The SW operation priority mode is a mode in which, even during an operation based on an operation command by a voice command, if there is an operation command by an operation of the operation SW 32, the operation command is executed with priority.

The operation SW32 is operated by the camera user.
Is a switch that is operated when a desired operation is desired to be performed by using, and should be called an operation signal output unit by a user operation. The operation SW 32 includes a shooting start operation button (release SW), a zoom (ZOOM) operation button, a focus operation button, and the like. The user can instruct a desired operation to the camera by a voice command or the operation SW 32. A signal line RQ, which is one of the communication lines 30, is connected to an interrupt terminal INT1 of the CPU 17. Operation SW32
Is output to the CPU 17 through an OR gate 33.
Is connected to the interrupt terminal INT0. An advantage of using the interrupt terminal INT1 is that a command output from the audio processing circuit 27 can be detected even when a predetermined operation is being performed based on the output of the operation switch 32, for example. Similarly, for the interrupt terminal INT0, the output of the operation switch 32 can be detected even when a predetermined operation is being executed based on, for example, a voice command.

Next, based on the flowchart of FIG.
The operation of U17 will be described. In step S100, the state of the mode setting SW 31 is detected. In S101, the mode setting S
The operation mode is determined according to the state of W31. If the operation mode selected by the user is the voice learning mode, the process proceeds from S102 to S103. In S103, a learning operation for associating the operation with the voice command pronounced by the user is executed. In an operation mode other than the voice learning mode, the process shifts from S102 to S104. In S104, when the voice processing circuit 27 detects a voice command, the command is input from the communication line 30. When a command is input, S
The process proceeds from S105 to S120. If there is no command, S105
Then, control goes to S106. In S106, the state of the operation switch 32 is detected. When there is a change in the state of the operation SW 32,
The process moves from S107 to S108. If there is no change in the operation SW 32, the process proceeds from S107 to S104. The CPU 17 executes S104
In S107, the voice command or the operation SW 32
Wait until there is a change. When the process proceeds from S105 to S120, a branch is performed according to the operation mode. When the normal mode is selected by the operation mode designation in S101, the process proceeds to S121, and the operation switch of the interrupt terminal INT0 is operated.
Disables the interrupt function due to. Therefore, even if a change occurs in the operation SW 32 during execution of the operation based on the voice command, the SW interrupt processing (described later) is not executed. S
If the voice priority mode is selected in step 101, the flow shifts to step S122 to prohibit interruption by the operation SW32. S12
Same operation as 1. When the SW operation priority mode is selected in S101, the process proceeds from S120 to S123. S12
At 3, the operation of the interrupt function by the operation SW of the interrupt terminal INT0 is enabled. Therefore, even when the operation is being performed based on the voice command, if a change occurs in the operation SW 32, this change is detected at the terminal INT0, and the SW interrupt processing is executed. The operations in S121 to S123 correspond to (A) in Table 2.

[0021]

[Table 2] When the setting of the interrupt processing according to each operation mode is completed, in S124, the branch operation (Table 1) according to the voice command is performed.
See). If the command data is "1100000
If "0", the flow shifts to S125, where a shooting operation is performed. If the command data is "01000001", the flow shifts to S126, where a zoom-down operation for changing the focal length from tele to wide is performed. If the command data is "01000010", the flow shifts to S127 to perform a zoom-up operation in which the focal length is changed from wide to tele. If the command data is "1100
If "0011", the flow shifts to S128 to adjust the focus of the photographing lens so that the subject on the short distance side is in focus. If the command data is "01000100", S12
The focus shifts to 9 and adjusts the taking lens so that the subject on the infinity side is in focus. The operations of S125 to S129 correspond to Table 1. Upon completion of each operation, the flow shifts to S130. In S130, it is determined whether or not each operation has been completed because an interrupt has occurred. If the interrupt has not occurred, the operation of the CPU 17 ends. However, if an interrupt has occurred, the action being performed is
Indicates that it was forcibly stopped. Then, an operation corresponding to the operation of the operation SW 32 must be executed. So S
The process proceeds from S130 to S112.

In S107, when any one of the operation switches 32 is operated by the user, the flow shifts from S107 to S108. In S108, a branch is made according to the operation mode.
When the normal mode is selected by the operation mode designation in S101, the flow shifts from S108 to S109, and the operation of the interruption function by the voice command of the interruption terminal INT1 is prohibited. Therefore, even if the user inputs a voice command during the operation according to the operation of the operation SW 32, the voice interruption process (described later) is not executed. When the voice priority mode is selected in S101, the process proceeds to S110. In S110, the operation of the interruption function by the voice command of the interruption terminal INT1 is permitted. Therefore, if the user pronounces the voice command even during the operation based on the operation SW 32, the input of the voice command is detected through the terminal INT1, and the voice interrupt process can be executed. SW in S101
If the operation priority mode has been selected, the flow shifts to S111, and interrupts due to voice commands are prohibited. This is the same operation as S109. When the setting of the interrupt processing is completed according to each operation mode, the process proceeds to S112. The operations in S109 to S111 correspond to (B) in Table 2.

In S112, a branch operation is performed according to the input state of the operation switch 32. When the user operates the release SW which is one of the operation SWs 32, the process proceeds to S113. S113 is the same operation as S125. User operates S
When one of the zoom down switches, W32, is operated,
The process moves to S114. In S114, the same operation as in S126 is performed. When the user operates the zoom-up switch, which is one of the operation switches 32, the process proceeds to S115. In S115, the same operation as in S127 is performed. The user sets the operation switch 1
When the focus-up SW is operated, the flow shifts to S116. In S116, the same operation as in S128 is performed. Focus down switch, which is one of the operation switches 32 by the user
Is operated, the flow shifts to S117. In S117, the same operation as in S129 is performed. Upon completion of each operation, the flow shifts to S118. In S118, it is determined whether or not each operation has ended because an interrupt process has occurred. Here, if the interruption by voice has not occurred, the operation of the CPU 17 ends. However, when an interrupt occurs, it indicates that the operation being executed is forcibly stopped. Therefore, it is necessary to execute an operation corresponding to the voice command that caused the voice interrupt. Then S118 to S
Move to 124.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the voice interrupt processing. This processing is executed when the user instructs a desired operation by a voice command during execution of any one of S113 to S117 after permitting the voice interruption in S110. In S200, the voice interruption is prohibited. This is to prevent multiple interrupts from occurring. In S201, a branch is performed according to the operation currently being executed. If the operation of S113 is being executed, the process proceeds to S202. In S202, a process necessary for terminating the photographing operation is performed (the integration is stopped if the integration operation of the image sensor 21 is being performed. If the image data is being captured, the capture is stopped). S114 or S115
If the operation of (1) is being executed, the flow shifts to S203. In S203, the driving of the zoom motor 14 is stopped. S116 or S11
If the operation of 7 is being executed, the flow shifts to S204, and the drive of the focus motor 18 is stopped. When the stop state corresponding to each operation ends, the process proceeds to S205. In S205, the command data output from the audio processing circuit 27 is input. Then, the operation returns to the operation in which the interrupt has occurred. The operation in which the interrupt processing has been executed is forcibly terminated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the SW interrupt processing. This processing is executed when the user instructs a desired operation with the operation SW during execution of any one of S125 to S129 after permitting the SW interrupt in S123. In S300, the SW interrupt is prohibited. This is a process for preventing multiple interrupts. In S301, a branch is made according to the operation currently being executed. If the operation of S125 is being executed, the process proceeds to S302. In S302, processing for stopping the photographing operation is performed. S126 or S127
If the operation of (3) is being executed, the flow shifts to S303. In S303, the driving of the zoom motor 14 is stopped. S128 or S129
If the operation of (1) is being executed, the flow shifts to S304, where the driving of the focus motor 18 is stopped. When the stop processing according to each operation is completed, the process proceeds to S305. In S305, the state of the operation switch 32 is input. Then, the operation returns to the operation in which the interrupt has occurred. The operation in which the interrupt processing has been executed is forcibly terminated. Table 2 shows the relationship between the three operation modes (normal mode, voice priority mode, and SW operation priority mode) and the interrupt processing permitted during the execution of the operation instructed by the user. The operation of the CPU 17 is programmed based on this table.

In the above-described embodiment, the detection of a change in the operation switch 32 or the detection of a communication request signal output by the voice processing circuit 27 during execution of a user's desired operation is realized by using the interrupt function of the CPU 17. did. The use of the interrupt function simplifies the structure of the program. Even if the processing speed of the CPU 17 is slow, there are advantages such as that two operations can be executed in parallel. But,
The same operation is possible without necessarily using the interrupt operation. If there is no problem in the operation speed of the CPU 17, the program may be configured as follows. For example, when it is desired to detect an input of a voice command while the zoom-up SW is operated and the zoom motor 14 is driven, the CPU
17 may poll the signal line RQ of the communication line 30 between operations of periodically outputting a zoom-up control signal to the zoom motor drive circuit 16.

In the embodiment described above, a camera system capable of electronic photographing is assumed, but the present invention is also applicable to a camera system using a silver halide film.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the camera system.
It is possible to apply to an electronic device capable of W operation.

[Supplementary Notes] (1) Command signal output means for recognizing voice and outputting an operation command signal for performing an operation relating to photographing, and outputting an operation signal relating to the photographing operation when operated by a photographer Operating signal output means, and a plurality of modes for setting a first mode and a second mode in which one of the operation command signal and the operation signal is prioritized, or a third mode in which both the operation command signal and the operation signal are not prioritized And a mode setting means.

(2) When the operation command signal or the operation signal is input, interruption of the operation command signal or the operation signal is permitted based on the set mode state, and the operation command or the operation signal is disabled. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a photographing operation control unit for performing an operation according to the operation signal.

(3) When the other signal is input during the operation based on the operation command signal or one of the operation signals, the other signal is invalidated and the photographing operation based on the one signal is continued. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a photographing operation control means for causing the camera to operate.

(4) Command signal output means for recognizing voice and outputting an operation command signal for performing an operation relating to photographing, and an operation signal for outputting an operation signal relating to the photographing operation when operated by a photographer Output means, and a plurality of mode setting means for setting a mode to prioritize one of the command signal and the operation signal, when the operation signal is input during operation based on the command signal A camera, wherein an operation based on the command signal is prioritized, and when the command signal is input during an operation based on the operation signal, an operation based on the operation signal is prioritized.

(5) Command signal output means for recognizing voice and outputting an operation command signal for performing an operation relating to photographing, and operation for outputting an operation signal relating to the photographing operation when operated by the photographer A signal output unit that sets a mode in which the operation based on the command signal is prioritized when the operation signal is input during the operation based on the command signal, and outputs the command signal during the operation based on the operation signal. A mode setting means for setting a mode in which an operation based on the operation signal is prioritized when an input is made.

(6) Command signal output means for recognizing voice and outputting an operation command signal for performing an operation relating to photographing, and an operation for outputting an operation signal relating to a photographing operation when operated by a photographer When receiving the operation signal during the operation based on the command signal, the operation based on the operation signal is invalidated, and the input of the command signal is disabled during the operation based on the operation signal. And control means for invalidating an operation based on the command signal when the camera is in use.

(7) Command signal output means for recognizing voice and outputting an operation command signal, first control means for performing a predetermined operation relating to photographing based on the command signal, and operation by a photographer By doing so, an operation signal output means for outputting an operation signal related to the shooting operation,
A second control unit for performing a predetermined operation related to photographing based on the operation signal; and a first control unit based on the command signal.
When the operation signal is input during the operation of the control means, the operation based on the operation signal is prioritized, and the command signal is input during the operation of the second control means based on the operation signal. And a third control unit for giving priority to an operation based on the operation signal.

Therefore, according to the invention of the supplementary note (1), in a camera capable of performing an operation command based on a voice command and an operation command based on a SW operation, the first and second modes are set such that one of the two commands is prioritized. A second mode setting is provided, and a third mode setting in which both commands are not prioritized can be performed. In the third mode setting, of the operation instruction based on the voice command and the operation instruction based on the SW operation, for example, the operation instruction that is operated earlier is prioritized,
When the operation according to the command is performed, the command is invalidated even if another operation command is issued.

[0036]

As described above, according to the camera of the first aspect of the present invention, the operation command based on the voice command and the S
Even when both of the operation commands based on the W operation are issued, the operation according to the mode set in advance can be executed, and the camera can be prevented from executing an operation not intended by the user.

Further, according to the camera of the present invention, even if both the operation command based on the voice command and the operation command based on the SW operation are issued, only the interruption of the signal corresponding to the mode set in advance is permitted. Therefore, an operation according to the set operation can be performed, and the camera can be prevented from performing an operation not intended by the user.

Further, according to the camera of the third aspect of the present invention, even if both the operation command based on the voice command and the operation command based on the SW operation are issued, for example, the operation command operated earlier is given priority. During the operation, even if another operation command is issued, the command is invalidated, so that the camera can be prevented from executing an operation not intended by the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a voice processing circuit and a CP in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
7 is a timing chart illustrating a communication method with U.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a voice interruption process in the flowchart of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing SW interrupt processing in the flowchart of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Photography lens 14 ... Zoom motor 17 ... CPU (photographing operation control means, control means) 18 ... Focus motor 22 ... Image processing circuit 25 ... Voice command recognition unit (command signal output means) 26 ... Voice memory 27 ... Voice processing circuit 28 voice input circuit 29 microphone 31 mode setting switch (mode setting means) 32 operation switch (operation signal output means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A command signal output means for recognizing a voice and outputting an operation command signal for performing an operation related to photographing, and at least one of an operation signal for outputting an operation signal related to a photographing operation when operated by a photographer. A camera comprising: two operation signal output means; and mode setting means for setting a mode in which one of the operation command signal and the operation signal is prioritized. 2. When the operation command signal or the operation signal is input, interruption of the operation command signal or the operation signal is permitted based on the set mode state, and the operation command or the operation 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a photographing operation control unit for performing an operation according to the signal. 3. When the other signal is input during the operation based on one of the operation command signal or the operation signal, the other signal is invalidated, and the photographing operation based on the one signal is continued. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a photographing operation control unit.