JP2001183383A - Imaging apparatus and method for calculating velocity of object to be imaged - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus with a velocity measurement function for mobile objects which is made compact and improved in portability by a process of processing picked images and a method for calculating a velocity of objects to be imaged. SOLUTION: A monitor screen is assumed having an actual distance converted on the basis of the body A to be photographed (object to be imaged) as a reference from a distance D from an imaging lens 1a of a digital camera 100 of a wrist watch model to the body to be photographed and an angle of view θof the imaging lens 1a of the digital camera 100. An actual move distance Pr is calculated by setting a ratio of a converted value of the actual distance and a position change distance of an image of the body to be photographed at the monitor screen to be R (Pr=R×2D tan(θ)/2)=2R.D tan(θ/2)). The angle of view θ is known and therefore the move velocity V can be calculated according to V=Pr/t from a move velocity t=(a frame rate (known)/(a frame difference of two images of the body). In other words, the move velocity of the object can be detected by inputting the distance D to the mobile object and imaging the mobile object.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera, and more particularly to an image pickup apparatus capable of measuring a moving speed of a moving image pickup object and a method for calculating the speed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus for calculating the speed of a moving object, an ultrasonic system using the Doppler effect, such as a speed gun, has been mainly used.

[0003]

However, at the present time, it is difficult to reduce the size of the conventional speed calculating device in which the above-described ultrasonic method is the mainstream because of the restriction on the method.
In addition, there is a problem that it cannot be said to be excellent in portability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an image pickup apparatus with a speed measurement function for a moving object and a method of calculating the speed of an object to be picked up, which realizes downsizing and portability improvement of the apparatus by photographing image processing. The purpose is to provide.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, an image pickup apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: an image pickup unit; a first storage unit that stores an angle of view that can be picked up by the image pickup unit; A distance acquisition unit that acquires a distance between the imaging unit and the imaging target; and an imaging timing of at least two images, of the images captured by the imaging unit, in which the imaging target exists at an angle corresponding to the angle of view. , A time calculating means for calculating an imaging time interval of these images from the imaging timing stored in the second storing means, and a second storage means for storing the first and second storage means. Angle of view, distance obtained by the distance obtaining means, and
A speed calculating unit that calculates a moving speed of the imaging target from the imaging time interval calculated by the time calculating unit; and a display unit that displays the moving speed calculated by the speed calculating unit. And

According to a second aspect, in the imaging device according to the first aspect, a third storage unit stores a plurality of images taken by the imaging unit in association with an imaging timing, and the third storage unit. Image extracting means for extracting at least two images including the imaging target from among the plurality of images stored in the image processing apparatus, and the position of the imaging target in at least two images extracted by the image extracting means. Measuring means for measuring a change, wherein the time calculating means, among the imaging timings stored in the third storage means, includes at least two images extracted by the image extracting means, Calculating an imaging time interval, wherein the speed calculation unit calculates the angle of view stored in the first storage unit, the distance acquired by the distance acquisition unit, The imaging time interval calculated by the time calculation means, wherein in consideration of the change in position of the imaging target measured by the measuring means, and calculates the imaging speed.

According to a third aspect, in the imaging apparatus according to the second aspect, the time interval calculating means is configured to determine the number of images of at least two images extracted by the image extracting means or a continuous imaging cycle unique to the apparatus. A timing is obtained, and a moving speed of the imaging target is calculated.

According to a fourth aspect, in the imaging apparatus according to the second aspect, the imaging apparatus further includes an imaging time measuring means for measuring an imaging time of an image captured by the imaging means, and the third storage means is provided by the imaging means. The image capturing time measured by the image capturing time measuring means is further stored in association with the captured image, and the time calculating means is extracted based on the image capturing time corresponding to each image extracted by the image extracting means. And calculating a moving speed between the images.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, a plurality of images including the object to be imaged among images stored in the third storage means are respectively stored. Display control means for reducing and arranging and displaying, and selection instructing means for selecting and instructing a desired image from among a plurality of reduced images arranged and displayed by the display control means; Each image corresponding to at least two selected reduced images is extracted from the third storage means.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the imaging apparatus is mounted on an arm to imitate a suitable shape.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the method for calculating the speed of an imaging target, a distance between the imaging target and the imaging unit is obtained, and at least two images in which the imaging target exists at an angle corresponding to a predetermined angle of view. Then, the imaging time interval of these images is calculated, and the moving speed of the imaging target is calculated from the predetermined angle of view, the acquired distance, and the calculated imaging time interval.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a wristwatch type digital camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera) as an embodiment of an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 (b) shows the appearance viewed from the A direction. Also,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration. FIG.
A display unit (liquid crystal screen) 7 is provided at the top of the main body of the wristwatch type digital camera 100, and the imaging lens 1a and the distance measurement unit (in this example, a well-known An infrared distance sensor 10 is provided, and switches S1 to S5 and a switch shutter key F0 are provided on the other side.

FIG. 2 shows a wristwatch type digital camera 100.
Is a camera module 1, a control unit 2, a system ROM
3, working memory (RAM) 4, storage memory (flash memory) 5, display driver 6, display unit (liquid crystal screen) 7,
Shutter key (F0) 8, key input section (S1 to S5)
9 and a distance measuring unit 10. When the distance is inputted from the key input unit 9, the distance measuring unit 10 may not be provided.

The camera module 1 comprises an image pickup lens, a lens drive unit, an image pickup unit comprising a signal conversion unit composed of CMOS and CCD, and a signal processing unit. At the time of photographing, a subject image is fetched and converted into image data. Data (hereinafter, simply referred to as an image) is stored in the working memory 4 and displayed on the display unit 7 via the control unit 2 and the display driver 6.

When a "thumbnail image display" instruction is issued from the control unit 2 after photographing and before storage and storage (or during image reproduction), a plurality of images stored in the working memory 4 are reduced and displayed. It is displayed on the display unit 7 via the driver 6 (two-dimensional array display or scrollable display). Also,
When there is a continuous shooting instruction (control signal) from the control unit 2 in the “speed measurement mode”, continuous shooting is performed at a predetermined frame rate (imaging timing according to the present invention, which is the number of images captured in one second). I do.

The control section 2 comprises a CPU (not shown), a clock 21, a time correction circuit 22, and an image recognition processing section 23. In the control unit 2, the CPU connects to the above-described modules, circuits, memories, keys, and the like via a bus line, controls the entire wristwatch-type digital camera 100 by a control program stored in the system ROM 3, and controls the shutter. A wristwatch type digital camera is obtained by taking out a shooting / image reproduction processing program, a speed measurement instruction program, a moving speed calculation program, and the like stored in the system ROM 3 corresponding to signals received from the keys 8 and the key input unit 9. The control of execution of each function of 100 is performed. In the “speed measurement mode”, when the shutter key 8 is fully pressed, a control signal is transmitted to the camera module 1 so as to perform continuous shooting at a predetermined frame rate. When an image storage operation is performed, the work memory 4
After performing compression processing on the image stored in the storage memory 5, the image is stored in the storage memory 5. Further, after an image is captured, if there is an instruction from the user before storage in the storage memory 5, a “thumbnail image display” instruction (control signal) can be sent to the camera module 1.

The image recognition processing section 23 determines the presence or absence of a subject image (image pickup target) from an image stored in the work memory 4 under the control of the CPU.

The system ROM 3 stores various programs such as the above-described control program photographing / image reproduction processing program, speed measurement instruction program, moving speed calculation program, and constants (view angle setting value θ, frame rate, frame size, etc.). , Icons, menu data, and the like.

The working memory 4 is composed of a volatile memory such as a RAM (DRAM). In the "speed measurement mode", temporary storage of continuously shot images, reproduction of thumbnail images taken out from the storage memory 5, and temporary storage of reproduced images are performed. Is used as a memory for temporarily storing speed information and the like displayed on the display unit 7 and for temporarily storing intermediate results. In the working memory 4, a continuous shooting (or quick shooting) image storage area for storing the number of images corresponding to the frame rate during continuous shooting and an area for storing a distance between the image and the camera are secured. In addition,
The imaging time information of each image may be secured.

The storage memory 5 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and stores and stores photographed images and photographing time information of each image. Further, the image to be stored and stored and the thumbnail image thereof are stored and stored in association with each other. Also, the distance between the image and the camera is stored.

The display driver 6 converts menu data, icons, images, speed information, and the like sent from the control unit 2 into bitmap images, develops them on an image memory (VRAM), and displays them on the display unit 7.

The key input unit 9 includes switches S1 to S5
When these switches are operated, a status signal is sent to the control unit 2 (CPU). Also, switches S1 to S1
Specific processing specification functions such as “thumbnail image display”, “cursor movement”, “image specification”, “image storage”, and “image reproduction” are assigned to S5 under the “speed measurement mode”. Also, for example, the switch S5
, A menu can be displayed on the display unit 7 each time the switch S5 is pressed. Further, a numerical value (for example, a distance) can be input by a combination of the switches S1 to S3.

The distance measuring section 10 comprises, for example, an infrared distance measuring section, and measures the distance between the subject and the camera. In addition,
The distance between the camera and the plane on which the subject moves and the camera may be input from the key input unit 9 without providing the distance measuring unit 10.

[Method of Measuring the Speed of a Moving Object (Imaging Object)] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of measuring the speed of a moving object within the angle of view of the camera, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a method of calculating the moving time of the object. . Hereinafter, a method of measuring a subject speed based on an image captured by the wristwatch-type digital camera 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the center point A of the angle of view of the imaging lens 1a of the wristwatch type digital camera 100 (= the point at which the straight line from the center of the imaging lens 1a to the subject is orthogonal to the moving plane of the subject) If the distance D to the camera module 1 is known, it is possible to estimate a monitor screen in the wristwatch-type digital camera 100 which is converted from an angle-of-view setting value θ preset in the camera module 1 to an actual distance based on the subject.
For example, assuming a plane of a distance D from the wristwatch-type digital camera 100, the width PP ′ in the angle of view θ is 2D × ta in the actual distance conversion monitor screen of FIG.
n (θ / 2), the vertical D as shown in FIG.
tan (θ / 2): A monitor screen 7 ′ of 2Dtan (θ / 2) is displayed. In FIG. 3A, the symbol Pr is the actual moving distance when the subject 31 moves from the point A (PP '/ 2)) to the point B.

From the actual distance conversion value described above and the distance Pm between the points A and B of the subject image 31 on the monitor screen shown in FIG.
The actual moving distance Pr from the point A to the point B can be calculated by the following equation (1). Pr = R × 2Dtan (θ / 2) = 2R · Dtan (θ / 2) Expression (1) Here, R indicates the ratio of the movement of the subject to the width PP ′ on the monitor screen, that is, the movement distance ratio. .

For example, if the horizontal moving distance Pm between the points A and B of the subject image 31 on the monitor screen of FIG. R, and from the above equation (1), Pr = (1/3) · 2Dtan (θ / 2) = (2/3)
Dtan (θ / 2). Here, the angle of view θ is a value determined at the time of designing the camera module 1 and is stored in the system ROM 3 as a constant (or a program constant of the moving distance calculation program). Therefore, if the distance D is known, the moving distance of the subject can be calculated. Also, if the linear distance between the object moving plane and the camera is sufficiently large, it can be considered that the object moves within the same plane even if the object moves slightly or meanders when moving.

In FIG. 4, (a) shows the subject image 31 ′ taken in the first frame, and (b) shows the tenth frame taken in a position orthogonal to the straight line from the wristwatch-type digital camera 100. , (C) shows the twelfth frame. (D) and (e) are diagrams in which the tenth and twelfth frames are overlapped for convenience of explanation so that the moving distance on the screen can be easily observed.

The moving time t of the subject 31 from the point A to the point B in FIG. 3 corresponds to the tenth frame in which the state of the point A ′ is imaged in FIG. 4 and the state of the point B ′. 1
The difference can be calculated from the following equation (2) from the difference ΔF between the number of frames from the second frame and the frame rate F of the digital camera 100. Moving time t = ΔF / F (2) For example, a camera having a frame rate F of “20” captures images at 20 frames per second. At this time, when the frame difference ΔF between the captured points A ′ and B ′ is two as shown in FIG. 4, t = ΔF / F = 2/20.
= 1/10, that is, as shown in FIG.
The movement time t until 1 moves from the point A in FIG. 3 to the point B (the subject image 31 ′ moves from the point A ′ to the point B ′ in FIG. 4) is 0.1.
It turns out to be seconds.

Therefore, the speed V of the moving object can be calculated by the following equation (3) from the actual moving distance Pr obtained from the equation (1) and the moving time obtained from the above-mentioned frame difference. Moving speed V = Pr / t Expression (3) That is, the angle of view of the camera is θ, the orthogonal distance to the moving path is D, the moving distance ratio in the frame (= in the screen) is R, Assuming that the moving time is t and the desired moving speed is V, the moving speed can be represented by the following equation (4). Moving distance V = {(R × 2 × D × tan (θ / 2)} / t = (2RD / t) tan (θ / 2) Expression (4) That is, a subject (imaging target) The moving speed of the subject can be known by inputting the distance to the subject and continuously photographing the subject with the wristwatch-type digital camera 100.

In the above description, the moving time t of the subject is obtained from the difference ΔF between the number of frames before and after the movement and the frame rate F (see equation (2)). 22 and stored in the working memory in association with each image. When frames to be measured for the moving speed are determined, the imaging times t1 and t2 corresponding to the frames are taken out and the moving time t is calculated. (The travel time can be calculated as t = t2−t1).

[Example of Speed Measurement Operation] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of calculation of a subject speed by specifying a thumbnail image, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the operation of the digital camera in the speed measurement mode. FIG. 6A is a flowchart of an example of speed measurement by continuous shooting, and FIG. 6B is a flowchart of speed measurement by quick shooting.

(Example of Speed Measurement by Continuous Shooting) Step T0: (Display of Message for Determining Camera Position) In FIG. 6A, the control unit 2 (CP
U) displays a message prompting the display unit 7 to determine a camera position that is orthogonal to the movement path of the subject (the path passing through PP ′ in the example of FIG. 3B).

Step T1: (Distance Measurement (Input)) When the wristwatch-type digital camera 100 has the distance measuring unit 10, the user turns the wristwatch-type digital camera 100 so as to be orthogonal to the moving path of the subject. After the point on the moving path (point A on the moving path PP ′ in the example of FIG. 3B) is set at the center of the angle of view, the shutter key 8 is half-pressed. The control unit 2 (CPU) checks a state signal from the key input unit 9 and, when detecting that the shutter key 8 is half-pressed, sends a distance measurement instruction (control signal) to the distance measurement unit 10. The distance measuring unit 10 measures the distance D from the digital camera to the orthogonal point on the moving path and sends the measured value to the control unit 2 (CPU). (Remember). When the wristwatch-type digital camera 100 does not include the distance measuring unit 10 and is configured to input a distance from the key input unit 9, the user can check a point orthogonal to the camera and the moving path of the subject, which are checked in advance. Is input by a combination operation of the switches S1 to S3. The key input unit 9 sends a signal sequence to the control unit 2 (CPU) when the combination operation of the switches S1 to S3 is performed, so that the control unit 2 (CPU) obtains distance data (distance D) from the received signal sequence. Then, it is stored in the working memory 4.

Step T2: (Continuous Shooting Instruction) When the moving subject (or just before the start of the moving) enters the angle of view, the user fully presses the shutter key 8. Control unit 2
The (CPU) checks the state signal from the key input unit 9 and, when detecting full press of the shutter key 8, makes a transition to T3.

Step T3: (Continuous Shooting Release (Continuous Shooting Stop) Judgment) The user releases his / her finger from the shutter key 8 (that is, cancels the full press) when trying to stop the imaging operation of the moving subject. Just need. The control unit 2 (CPU)
The state signal from the key input unit 9 is checked and within one cycle (T
If the full-press release of the shutter key 8 is detected in step 4), the continuous shooting is stopped and the process goes to step T6. If not, the process goes to step T5 to take an image of the next frame. continue). Accordingly, the next imaging operation can be stopped at an arbitrary time (for example, when the subject moves out of the angle of view, or at any time during the movement within the angle of view, or when the subject stops within the angle of view), The number of images corresponding to the frame rate need not be captured (the number of images corresponding to the frame rate may be continuously captured without providing step T3. However, when the moving speed of the subject is high, useless operation is performed). If step T3 is provided, the image can be captured without waste.)

Step T4: (Imaging (temporary storage of image)) The control unit 2 (CPU) converts the image (image within the angle of view) captured by the camera module 1 when the shutter key 8 is fully pressed. The image is sequentially stored as a one-frame image in the continuous-shot image storage area secured in the work memory 4 and is stored in step T3
(When the continuous shot image storage area becomes full, it is sequentially overwritten from the first area). Step T3,
The cycle (imaging cycle) of T4 is “(1 / frame rate) sec / frame”. That is, if the frame rate is 20
Assuming that the number of frames / second, the imaging speed is 0.05 seconds / frame, so the cycle of steps T3 and T4 is 0.05 seconds. If the step T3 is not provided, this step (T
Step 4) is repeated, and when shooting at the frame rate is completed, the process proceeds to step T5. In the above description, the captured one-frame image is sequentially stored in the continuous shooting (rapid shooting) image storage area of the working memory 4.
At the same time, the work memory 4 associates time information obtained via the clock 21 and the time correction circuit 23 with the stored image.
May be stored.

Step T5: (Display of selection menu) The control unit 2 (CPU) means "display moving speed → S1", "thumbnail image → S2", "save image" → S3 ", and" end → S5 ". A menu or icon to be displayed is displayed on the display unit 7 to urge the user to make a selection.

Steps T60 to T63: (Determination of Selection Process) The control unit 2 (CPU) checks the state signal from the key input unit 9, and when the operation of the switch S1 is detected, the process transits to Step T7 (Step T60). When the operation of the switch S2 is detected, the process transits to Step T13 (Step T61).
When the operation of the switch S3 is detected, the process transits to Step T16 (Step T62), and when the operation of the switch S5 is detected, the “moving speed measurement mode” ends (Step T).
63).

Step T7: (Extraction of Frame for Speed Measurement) The control unit 2 (CPU) controls the image recognition processing unit 23, and captures the subject image from the images stored in the continuous image storage area of the work memory 4. And the last frame in which the subject image is captured
And the second frame. At that time,
The center position of the subject image in the first frame (for example, FIG.
The coordinates of the point A ″ in FIG. 4E) and the center position of the subject image in the second frame (the coordinates of the point B ′ in FIG.
To be held. In this case, the frame extraction uses the point that the background is the same because the angle of view is fixed to θ in each frame, and an image different from the background is determined as the subject image by the background processing. This can be performed by specifying the image in which the subject is captured and the frame in which the subject image is finally captured.

In the above example, of the images stored in the continuous image storage area of the working memory 4, the first frame in which the subject image is captured is set as the first frame, and the last frame in which the subject image is captured is set as the first frame. Is extracted as the second frame, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the i-th frame in which the subject image is captured may be set as the first frame, and the i <i + j <n-th frame in which the subject image is captured may be extracted as the second frame. (However, i and j are fixed values, and n is a frame rate). Also, the frame at the moment when the subject image enters the angle of view may be the first frame, and the frame immediately before the subject image exits the angle of view may be the second frame. The number of frames to be extracted is not limited to two (two or more frames may be extracted). Also, the user specifies the frame to be extracted (that is,
i and i + j may be variable values).

Step T8: (Calculation of Travel Time) The control unit 2 (CPU) calculates a difference ΔF between the number of frames of the first frame and the second frame from the frame number of the frame extracted in step T7, According to Expression (2), the position of the subject image in the first frame (for example, FIG.
Of the subject image in the second frame (point B ′ in FIG. 4E) from the point A ″) of the second frame. That is, since the frame rate F is known, the frame difference After calculating ΔF, the moving time t is calculated from t = ΔF / F.
Can be obtained.

When the captured time is stored in association with the captured image at the time of temporarily storing the captured image in step T4, the moving time is not calculated from the difference in the number of frames, and the extracted frame is not calculated. May be obtained from the difference between the imaging times. That is, when the shooting time of the i-th frame is t1 and the shooting time of the (i + j) -th frame is t2, the moving time can be obtained as t = t2-t1.

Step T9: (Calculation of Intra-Frame Movement Distance Ratio) Next, the control unit 2 (CPU) determines the position (coordinate) of the subject image in the first frame held in the work memory 4 in step T7 and the Position (coordinates) of subject image in frame 2
Then, the distance r between them is obtained, and then the intra-frame moving distance ratio R (= the displayed intra-screen moving distance ratio) is calculated. Since the frame size is known, the intra-frame moving distance ratio R is R = r, where W is the width of the frame.
/ W.

Step T10: (Calculation of Moving Speed) The control unit 2 (CPU) reads out the angle of view θ stored in the system ROM 3, and obtains the distance D obtained in step T1 and the moving time obtained in step T8. The moving speed V of the subject is calculated by substituting t and the intra-frame moving distance ratio R obtained in step T9 into the above-described equation (4).

Step T11: (Display of Image and Moving Speed) The controller 2 (CPU) executes the above-described step T7 (or T15).
Is displayed on the display unit 7 via the display driver 6 and the second frame (image) extracted in step T10.
The moving speed of the subject obtained in step is superimposed and displayed. The first frame and the second frame may be superimposed to display the subject images before and after the movement on the same screen, and the movement speed may be superimposed and displayed.

Step T12: (End Confirmation Judgment) The control unit 2 (CPU) checks the status signal from the key input unit 9, and if the operation of the switch S5 is detected, returns to step T5 to display the menu again. . If the switch S5 has not been pressed even after the lapse of the predetermined time, the process ends.

Step T13: (Display of Thumbnail Image) When the operation of the switch S2 is detected in step T61,
The control unit 2 (CPU) sequentially retrieves images stored in the continuous photographing (rapid photographing) image storage area of the working memory 4, performs reduction processing on the images, and generates thumbnail images, and displays the thumbnail images on the display unit 7 via the display driver 6 as shown in FIG. A two-dimensional array is displayed as shown in FIG.

Step T14: (Selection of Thumbnail Image) The control unit 2 (CPU) displays a message prompting "selection of first thumbnail image and second thumbnail image for measuring moving speed". After the user operates the switch S2 to move the cursor to the desired thumbnail image, the user operates the switch S3 to select and specify each image (in the example of FIG. 5A, the second thumbnail image and the 19th image). Th thumbnail image is selected).

Step T15: (corresponding frame (image)
The control unit 2 (CPU) checks the status signal from the key input unit 9 and, upon detecting the operation of the switch S3, stores the frame corresponding to the specified thumbnail image in the continuous image storage area of the working memory 4. Each of the extracted images is extracted (identified) from the existing images, and the extracted images are used as a first frame and a second frame (in the example of FIG. 5B, the second frame corresponding to the second thumbnail image is The 19th frame corresponding to the 19th thumbnail image is referred to as a first frame, and the 19th frame is referred to as a second frame image.) At that time,
The work memory 4 stores the center position of the subject image in the first frame and the center position (coordinates) of the subject in the second frame, and the process proceeds to step T8.

Step T16: (Image Storage Processing) The control unit 2 (CPU) performs compression processing on the image stored in the continuous shooting (quick shooting) image storage area of the working memory 4 and stores the compressed image (compressed data). The data is stored in the memory 5. At the same time, the image stored in the continuous-shot (quick-shot) image storage area is subjected to reduction processing to be a thumbnail image, and stored in the storage memory 5 in association with the image to be stored. Further, the distance D is stored and stored in the storage memory 5 so as to correspond to a series of consecutive image groups that are stored and stored, and the process is terminated. When the image capturing time is stored in association with the image capturing time when the image is temporarily stored in the above step, the stored time information is stored in the storage memory 5 in association with the image to be stored. (Example of Speed Measurement by Quick Shooting) FIG. 6A shows an example in which the speed of a subject moving within the angle of view is measured from the distance D obtained in step T1 and the continuous shot images.
As shown in (b), the speed of the subject moving within the angle of view can be measured from the acquired distance D and the snapshot image. In FIG. 6B, the operation in step T1 and the operation in step T5
Subsequent operations are the same as those in FIG.

Step T2 ': (Instruction for imaging) When the moving subject (or just before the start of the moving) enters the angle of view, the user fully presses the shutter key 8. Control unit 2
The (CPU) checks the state signal from the key input unit 9 and, when detecting full press of the shutter key 8, makes a transition to T3 '. Step T3 ': (Imaging (temporary storage of image)) control unit 2
The (CPU) sequentially takes the image (image within the angle of view) captured by the camera module 1 at the time when the shutter key 8 is fully depressed as a one-frame image in the quick image storage area secured in the work memory 4. Then, the process proceeds to step T4 '(when the measured image storage area is full, it is sequentially overwritten from the first area). At the same time, time information obtained via the clock 21 and the time correction circuit is stored in the working memory 4 in association with the stored image.

Step T4 ': (Judgment of end of quick shooting) When the user ends imaging and wants to see the result of speed measurement, the user presses a specific switch (end switch (for example, S5)). When the control unit 2 (CPU) checks the state signal from the key input unit 9 and detects the operation of the end switch, the process proceeds to step T5.

As a result, the subject is imaged at any two points (three or more points) within the angle of view, and steps T5 to T11
(Or, steps T5, T60 to T63, step T1
The movement speed of the subject can be measured and displayed together with the image by the operations of 3 to 15 and steps T8 to T11). Also, in the present embodiment, even when the speed of the subject is lower than in the case of FIG. 6A, the speed can be measured.

In the example of FIG. 6, steps T5, T5
Although various processes can be selected by providing 60 to T63, steps T5 and T60 to T63 are omitted, and when the shutter key 8 is released in step T3 (in the example of FIG. 6B, quick shooting is performed in step T4 '). When the end switch is pressed), only steps T7 to T12 ("speed display" operation) may be performed, and steps T13 to T15 may be performed.
And only T8 to T12 (“thumbnail image selection” operation and “speed display” operation) may be performed.

Further, the speed can be displayed by reproducing the continuously shot (quick shot) image stored and stored in step T16 in FIG. In this case, the playback image group is stored in the continuous shooting (snapshot) image storage area of the working memory 4, and then the distance D is extracted from the storage memory 5 and stored in the working memory (the thumbnail image and the time information correspond to each other). If they are attached, they are also taken out of the storage memory 5 and stored in the working memory 4 in association with the reproduced image). The moving speed can be displayed.

When three or more thumbnail images are selected in step T13 of FIG. 6, the moving speed between the images and the average moving speed between them are calculated and displayed. Good. As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said Example, It cannot be overemphasized that various deformation | transformation implementation is possible.

[0058]

As described above, according to the imaging apparatus of the first to sixth inventions and the method of calculating the speed of the imaging object of the seventh invention, the distance to the imaging object moving path within the angle of view can be determined. For example, the moving speed of the imaging target (moving subject) can be known only by issuing an imaging instruction without moving the apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to fix the apparatus at a place separated by a predetermined distance from a certain moving path, and to know the speed of the subject moving within the angle of view (eg, measuring the pitching speed). Further, even if the device is not fixed, the speed can be known if the distance to the object to be photographed is known by distance measurement or the like.

According to the imaging apparatus of the second invention, the moving speed of the photographing object at a plurality of positions can be calculated by obtaining the change in position and the moving time between the plurality of images of the photographing object. It is also possible to calculate the acceleration state and the deceleration state of the object to be photographed, such as a change in every other speed.

Further, according to the imaging apparatus of the third invention, a specific image (for example, the center of the angle of view and the last image) among the images including the object to be captured in the captured image is automatically set. Since the speed is measured by obtaining the imaging time from the number of extracted images and taking the number of images, it is not necessary to select an image, and the operation is simplified. Further, the moving speed can be obtained from an image at a position designated in advance.

Further, according to the imaging apparatus of the fourth invention, since the imaging time is stored in association with the imaging image and the moving time can be obtained from the imaging time of the extracted image, the speed of the subject is low. In that case, the speed can be calculated.

Further, according to the imaging apparatus of the fifth invention, a desired image can be selected and designated after imaging, so that the speed in the acceleration state, the speed at the end of acceleration, the speed at the time of deceleration, and the average speed of the whole. Thus, the moving speed in any state can be obtained.

According to the imaging apparatus of the sixth aspect, the imaging apparatus is worn on the arm and imitates a suitable shape, so that the imaging apparatus is excellent in portability, and the user can easily move the imaging object. You can get speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a wristwatch-type digital camera as one embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a portable display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a principle of measuring a moving speed of a subject.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a method of calculating a moving time of a subject.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of calculating a moving speed of a subject by designating a thumbnail image.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the operation of the digital camera in the speed measurement mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 camera module (imaging means) 1a imaging lens (imaging means) 2 controller (CPU) (image extracting means, measuring means, time calculating means, speed calculating means, imaging time measuring means) 3 system ROM (first storage means) 4) Working memory (second storage unit, third storage unit) 6 Display driver (display unit) 7 Display unit (display unit) 9 Key input unit (distance acquisition unit, selection instruction unit) 10 Distance measurement unit (distance) Acquisition unit) 21 Clock (imaging time measuring unit) 22 Time correction circuit (imaging time measuring unit) 23 Image recognition processing unit (image extracting unit) 100 Wristwatch type digital camera (imaging device)

Claims (7)

[Claims] An imaging unit; a first storage unit that stores an angle of view that can be imaged by the imaging unit; a distance acquisition unit that acquires a distance between the imaging unit and an object to be imaged; A second storage unit that stores imaging timings of at least two images in which the imaging target exists at an angle corresponding to the angle of view, of the captured images, and that is stored in the second storage unit. A time calculating unit that calculates an image capturing time interval of these images from the image capturing timing; an angle of view stored in the first storage unit; a distance obtained by the distance obtaining unit; and a time calculated by the time calculating unit. A speed calculating unit that calculates a moving speed of the imaging target from the set imaging time interval; and a display unit that displays the moving speed calculated by the speed calculating unit. Imaging device. 2. A third storage unit for storing a plurality of images taken by the imaging unit in association with an imaging timing, and the imaging target among the plurality of images stored in the third storage unit. Further comprising: image extracting means for extracting at least two images containing: and measuring means for measuring a change in the position of the imaging target in at least two images extracted by the image extracting means, The time calculation means calculates an imaging time interval from imaging timings of at least two images extracted by the image extraction means among imaging timings stored in the third storage means, The angle of view stored in the first storage unit, the distance acquired by the distance acquisition unit, and the imaging time period calculated by the time calculation unit To the taking into account changes in the position of the imaging target measured by the measuring means, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculating the imaging speed. 3. The time interval calculation means obtains the imaging timing from the number of images of at least two images extracted by the image extraction means or a continuous imaging cycle unique to the apparatus, and calculates the moving speed of the imaging target. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein: 4. An image capturing time measuring means for measuring an image capturing time of an image captured by the image capturing means, wherein the third storage means associates the image capturing time with the image captured by the image capturing means. Further storing an imaging time measured by the means, wherein the time calculating means calculates a moving speed between the extracted images based on the imaging time corresponding to each image extracted by the image extracting means, The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein: 5. A display control means for reducing and arranging a plurality of images including the object to be imaged among images stored in the third storage means, and arranging and displaying the images by the display control means. Selection instructing means for selecting and instructing a desired image from the plurality of reduced images thus selected, wherein the extracting means converts each image corresponding to at least two reduced images selected by the selection instructing means into the third image. 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the information is extracted from a storage unit.
The imaging device according to any one of the above. 6. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is mounted on an arm to imitate a suitable shape. 7. Obtaining a distance between an imaging target and an imaging unit, calculating an imaging time interval of these images from at least two images in which the imaging target exists at an angle corresponding to a predetermined angle of view, A speed calculation method, comprising: calculating a moving speed of the imaging target from the predetermined angle of view, the acquired distance, and the calculated imaging time interval.