JP2002084450A - Exposure controller for camera mounted on electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly adjust exposure even when a camera is used to pick up the image of an operator itself. SOLUTION: An area integration circuit 28 divides a photographed image into a central area and a peripheral area, and integrates a video signal 22 corresponding to each area. When an operator of a notebook personal computer 2 sets a direction of an image pickup section 12 to photograph the operator itself, a control microcomputer 24 multiplies a greater weight with the former and sums two integration results. The control microcomputer 24 uses the result of sum for exposure information, compares an exposure level represented by the information with a reference level, controls an electronic shutter of an image pickup element 46 and a gain of an amplifier circuit 52 to adjust the exposure of a video camera 10 to have a proper level so that the exposure level is in matching with the reference level. On the other hand, when the image pickup section 12 is directed opposite to the operator, the control microcomputer 24 conducts exposure control as usual.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the exposure of an electronic camera mounted on an electronic device such as a portable information terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Notebook type personal computers and PDAs (Personal Digital Assemblies) are known.
Some electronic devices, such as portable information terminals represented by electronic devices, include a video camera so that an operator of the electronic device or another subject can be photographed and displayed on a screen of the electronic device. There is. In this type of electronic device, an imaging unit of a video camera is usually mounted on an upper part of a display unit so as to be swingable in a plane orthogonal to a screen. You can take a picture of yourself or the subject on the opposite side. In addition, an exposure control device for a video camera is provided to detect the brightness of a captured image and to automatically perform appropriate exposure control.

[0003] By the way, in a general photographing state, in outdoor photography, sky and the like enter the upper part of the photographed image to perform backlit photographing, and in indoor photographing, ceiling lighting is inserted in the upper part of the photographed image to perform over-direct light photographing. Often. Therefore, in order to correctly capture the original subject in such a situation, conventionally, one captured image is divided into an upper region and a lower region, and the detection result of the brightness in the lower region is more strongly reflected. In such a case, the exposure control is performed.

[0004]

However, for example, when an operator takes an image of a video camera in a room with the image pickup unit of the video camera facing his / her own direction, a window or lighting in the background is placed above or on the side of the operator. In many cases, backlighting or over-directed light imaging is performed.In this case, the method of detecting the brightness by dividing the captured image into an upper region and a lower region as described above cannot adjust the exposure accurately, and the Is shot dark, resulting in an unclear image.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an exposure apparatus for an electronic device-equipped camera capable of accurately coping with backlight or over-directed light even when capturing an image of an operator himself. It is to provide a control device.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electronic camera having a display unit, which is provided with an electronic camera capable of setting a photographing direction at least in front or behind a screen of the display unit. A control device, based on a video signal generated by the electronic camera, exposure detection means for generating exposure detection information indicating an average magnitude of the video signal for one captured image; and the exposure detection means Exposure adjustment means for adjusting the exposure of the electronic camera based on the exposure detection information generated, and shooting direction detection means for outputting a corresponding direction detection signal when the shooting direction of the electronic camera is behind the screen, The exposure detecting means includes:
The captured image is virtually divided into first and second patterns, and in the division of the first pattern, the captured image is divided into an upper region and a lower region, and the divided image corresponds to the lower region. The first that relatively strongly reflects the size of the video signal
In the second pattern division, the captured image is divided into a central region and a peripheral region,
Generating second exposure detection information that relatively strongly reflects the magnitude of the video signal corresponding to the central area, the exposure adjustment unit is configured to output the direction detection signal when the imaging direction detection unit outputs the direction detection signal. Adjusting the exposure of the electronic camera based on the first exposure detection information, and when the photographing direction detection unit does not output the direction detection signal, the electronic camera is controlled based on the second exposure detection information. It is characterized by adjusting the exposure.

In the present invention, the exposure detecting means virtually divides one photographed image into first and second patterns, and in the first pattern division, divides the photographed image into an upper region and a lower region. Dividing, generating first exposure detection information that relatively strongly reflects the size of the video signal corresponding to the lower region,
In the division of the second pattern, the captured image is divided into a central region and a peripheral region, and second exposure detection information that relatively strongly reflects the magnitude of the video signal corresponding to the central region is generated. Then, the exposure adjusting means adjusts the exposure of the electronic camera based on the first exposure detection information when the photographing direction detecting means outputs the detection signal, and when the photographing direction detecting means does not output the detection signal. The exposure of the electronic camera is adjusted based on the second exposure detection information. Therefore, when the operator of the electronic device takes a picture of himself or herself, a window or lighting enters the top or side of the subject, and even if a bright subject enters the bottom of the photographing area, it becomes backlit or over-directed, Since the exposure is adjusted based on the second exposure detection information that relatively strongly reflects the central region of the captured image, it is possible to clearly capture the operator with an appropriate exposure.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the vicinity of a video camera in a notebook personal computer incorporating an example of an exposure control device for an electronic device mounted camera according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a notebook personal computer in which the exposure control device of the electronic device-mounted camera according to the embodiment is incorporated, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line AA ′ in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the captured image is divided by the first pattern, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the captured image is divided by the second pattern.

The notebook personal computer 2 (electronic device) shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a main body 6 having a keyboard section 4 formed on an upper surface thereof, and a display section 8, which are swingable with each other. Are linked. The imaging unit 12 of the video camera 10 as an electronic camera is connected to the display unit 8
It is attached to the center of the frame at the top of the screen 14. The imaging unit 12 has both ends supported by hinges 16 and the screen 1
It is swingable in a plane that extends perpendicularly to and perpendicular to 4,
Therefore, the photographing direction can be set in front of the screen 14 (direction in which the operator is photographed) or behind the screen 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, a direction detecting switch 18 (photographing direction detecting means) is provided near one hinge 16 to swing the image pickup section 12 to change the photographing direction on the screen 14. When the vehicle is turned substantially rearward, the direction detection switch 18 is operated to output a predetermined direction detection signal. More specifically, in the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (1), when the imaging direction of the imaging unit 12 swings about 60 degrees or more from the front of the screen 14 toward the back, the direction detection switch 18 outputs the direction detection signal. Therefore, the direction detection switch 18 does not output a direction detection signal in the swing range of θf (60 degrees) shown in FIG. 3 but outputs a direction detection signal in the range of θb.

As shown in FIG. 1, an exposure control device 20 according to an embodiment incorporated in a notebook personal computer 2 includes an image pickup section 1 as a main component.
2. Direction detection switch 18, area integration circuit 28, and control microcomputer 24 (control microcomputer 24)
It is comprised including. The control microcomputer 24 functions as the weighting and adding means 26 according to the present invention. As an example, the weighting and adding means 26 and the area integrating circuit 28
Constitutes an exposure detection unit according to the present invention, and the exposure detection unit generates exposure detection information indicating an average magnitude of the video signal 22 for one captured image based on the video signal 22 generated by the electronic camera. I do.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the exposure detecting means converts one photographed image 30 into first and second images.
Are virtually divided by the patterns 32 and. Then, in the division of the first pattern 32, the captured image 30 is divided into an upper region 36 and a lower region 38, and a first image that relatively strongly reflects the magnitude of the video signal 22 corresponding to the lower region 38 is obtained.
In the division of the second pattern 34, the captured image 30 is divided into a central area 40 and a peripheral area 42, and the magnitude of the video signal 22 corresponding to the central area 40 is relatively determined. The second exposure detection information that strongly reflects is generated.

More specifically, the area integration circuit 28 constituting the exposure detecting means is provided for each area divided by the first and second patterns 32 and 34 as described above.
The corresponding video signal 22 is integrated, and a signal representing the result is output to the control microcomputer 24. And weighting and adding means 2
6 multiplies the integration result for each region output from the region integration circuit 28 by the weight for each region and adds the result to the first and second regions.
To generate exposure detection information.

The exposure control device 20 includes, for example, an exposure adjusting means including a control microcomputer 24 and an electronic shutter and an amplifying circuit of the image pickup section 12, which will be described later. The exposure of the electronic camera is adjusted based on the exposure detection information generated by the adding means 26. More specifically, the exposure adjusting means adjusts the exposure of the electronic camera based on the first exposure detection information when the direction detection switch 18 outputs the direction detection signal, and the direction detection switch 18 outputs the direction detection signal. If not, the exposure of the electronic camera is adjusted based on the second exposure detection information.

The image pickup section 12 of the video camera 10 includes a lens 44 and an image pickup device 46 using a CCD. The image pickup device 46 has an electronic shutter function, and the electronic shutter is controlled by a control signal from the control microcomputer 24 to take an image. The exposure of the section 12, that is, the video camera 10, can be adjusted. A signal from the imaging element 46 of the imaging unit 12 is input to a signal processing circuit 48, and is converted into a digital video signal 22 through a noise removal circuit 50, an amplification circuit 52, and an A / D conversion circuit 54 included in the signal processing circuit 48. Is output. The video signal 22 is input to the area integration circuit 28 and input to a camera signal processing circuit 56, where the control microcomputer 2
Under the control of 4, the video signal 22 is subjected to processing such as inverting the image vertically and horizontally.

The amplifying circuit 52 is a variable gain amplifying circuit, and its gain is adjusted by a control signal from the control microcomputer 24. Then, by adjusting the gain of the amplifier circuit 52, the amplitude of the video signal 22 changes and the captured image 3
Since the brightness of 0 changes, the video camera 10
Can be adjusted. Timing control circuit 2
Reference numeral 9 denotes a timing signal such as a vertical synchronizing signal or a horizontal synchronizing signal, which is transmitted to the imaging unit 12, the signal processing circuit 48,
8, and the camera signal processing circuit 56,
Each unit operates based on this timing signal. In particular, the area integration circuit 28 specifies each area described above based on each synchronization signal, and integrates the corresponding video signal.

Next, the operation of the exposure control device 20 for a camera equipped with an electronic device configured as described above will be described. When the operator of the notebook personal computer 2 swings the imaging unit 12 to photograph an object other than the user and sets the photographing direction to the range of θb shown in FIG. A direction detection signal is output to the control microcomputer 24. In this state, a signal generated by imaging the subject by the imaging unit 12 is processed by the signal processing circuit 48 and input to the area integration circuit 28 and the camera signal processing circuit 56 as the video signal 22. In this case, since the direction detection switch 18 outputs the direction detection signal, the control microcomputer 24 instructs the camera signal processing circuit 56 to perform processing, whereby the camera signal processing circuit 56
The image signal 22 is subjected to a process of inverting the image vertically and horizontally. As a result, the image displayed by the video signal output from the camera signal processing circuit 56 is prevented from being inverted due to the image pickup unit 12 being turned upside down due to the swing, and becomes an image in the correct direction.

On the other hand, the area integration circuit 28 virtually divides one photographed image 30 into first and second patterns 32 and 34 as shown in FIGS. Then, the first
The video signal 22 corresponding to each of the upper region 36 and the lower region 38 in the division of the pattern 32 is integrated,
Also, the central region 40 in the division of the second pattern 34
And video signals 22 corresponding to each of the peripheral areas 42
Is integrated. Note that, for example, 1 /
The vertical scanning is performed in a cycle of about 30 seconds, and the video signal 22 corresponding to one captured image 30 is also generated in this cycle.
2, the video signal 22 for each area is integrated.

The control microcomputer 24 receives these integration results and operates as weighting and adding means 26. At this time, in this case, since the direction detection switch 18 outputs the direction detection signal, the integration result of the video signal 22 corresponding to the upper region 36 and the lower region 38 correspond to the conventional case, as in the conventional case. Using the integration result of the video signal 22, the former is multiplied by a relatively small weight, and the latter is multiplied by a relatively large weight, and the two are added to generate first exposure information.

Thereafter, the control microcomputer 24 compares the exposure level represented by the first exposure information with the reference level, and controls the electronic shutter and the amplification so that the exposure level represented by the first exposure information matches the reference level. The gain of the circuit 52 is controlled to adjust the exposure of the video camera 10 to an appropriate level.

Next, when the operator of the notebook personal computer 2 swings the image pickup unit 12 to take a picture of himself and sets the photographing direction to the range of θf shown in FIG. 18 does not operate and does not output the direction detection signal. Therefore, the control microcomputer 24 does not instruct the camera signal processing circuit 56 to perform processing, and the camera signal processing circuit 56 outputs the video signal 22 from the processing circuit as it is.

On the other hand, the area integration circuit 28 operates in the same manner as described above, and outputs the integration result of the video signal 22 for each area. Then, the control microcomputer 24 receives these integration results and operates as weighting and adding means 26.
However, in this case, since the direction detection switch 18 does not output the direction detection signal, the integration result of the video signal 22 corresponding to the central area 40 and the integration result of the video signal 22 corresponding to the peripheral area 42 Is used, the former is multiplied by a relatively large weight, and the latter is multiplied by a relatively small weight, and the two are added to generate second exposure information. Thereafter, the control microcomputer 24 compares the exposure level represented by the second exposure information with the reference level, and controls the electronic shutter and amplification circuit 52 so that the exposure level represented by the second exposure information matches the reference level. By controlling the gain, the exposure of the video camera 10 is adjusted to an appropriate level.

In the present embodiment, when the operator himself is photographed in this manner, the integration result of the video signal 22 corresponding to the central region 40 is multiplied by a relatively large weight as described above. The second exposure information more strongly reflects the brightness at the center of the image. Therefore, even if a window or illumination enters the side of the operator, or a bright subject enters the lower part of the shooting area, and the area is backlit or over-directed in these areas, the second exposure detection described above is performed. Since the exposure is adjusted based on the information, the operator can be clearly photographed with an appropriate exposure. A notebook personal computer equipped with such a video camera is used for a personal computer video conference, for example. However, by providing the exposure control device 20 according to the present embodiment, an optimal exposure can be performed regardless of the shooting environment. This makes it possible to obtain clear images, which makes it more suitable for personal computer video conferencing and the like.

The image may be divided into a central region 40 and a peripheral region 42 as shown in FIG. 5 or a central region 58, an upper region 60, and a lower region as shown in FIG. It is also possible to divide the image into five regions of the region 62, the side region 64, and the side region 66. In this case, the weight is set in more detail for each region, and the exposure control is more effectively performed. It can be planned to be performed.
In addition, in such a division, even when a general subject other than the operator is photographed, the same division pattern can be used by changing the weight for each area. A digital still camera other than a video camera may be used as the electronic camera. In such a case, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an electronic camera controlled by the exposure control device according to the second embodiment, FIG. 8 is a front view thereof, and FIG. 9 is a side view thereof. In these drawings, the same elements as those in FIGS. 2 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The difference between the second embodiment and the above embodiment is that
A point is that a video camera as an electronic camera is detachable from a notebook personal computer. Therefore, the following description will focus on this point. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the video camera 72 includes a camera body 74, a camera head 76 attached to an upper portion of the camera body 74, a hook 78, and the like.

The hook 78 is connected to a side surface 80 of the camera body 74.
The arm portion 82 has a base portion side slidably supported by a support portion 86 of the camera body 74 and is inserted into the camera body 74. The camera is biased toward the inside of the camera body 74 by a spring (not shown) provided in the camera body 74. The distal end side of the arm portion 82 is bent downward, and a pressing portion 84 is attached to the distal end of the arm portion 82.

The camera head 76 has a fixing part 75 fixed to the camera body 74 and a hinge 88 by the fixing part 75.
And a swinging portion 90 supported so as to be able to swing through.
The swing unit 90 is capable of swinging around a virtual straight line parallel to the direction in which the two arm units 82 are arranged. In the present embodiment, the maximum swing angle is about 210 degrees. I have. An image pickup device using a CCD is incorporated in the swing unit 90, the lens 44 is disposed in front of the image pickup device, and a focus ring unit 92 for adjusting the focus is provided.

On the other hand, in the fixed portion 75 of the camera head 76, the direction detecting switch 18 is provided in the vicinity of the hinge 88 to swing the swing portion 90 of the camera head 76.
When the photographing direction is directed substantially toward the rear of the screen 14, the direction detection switch 18 operates to output a predetermined direction detection signal. In the present embodiment, the swing range of the swing unit 90 is, as shown in FIG.
The range is approximately 105 degrees before and after the common center line C of the four. More specifically, the direction detection switch 18 is activated when the swing angle of the swing unit 90 is within the range of θb (from the front side, that is, from 30 degrees on the arm unit 82 side to 105 degrees on the rear side), and the direction detection switch 18 is actuated. Outputs a detection signal,
When the swing angle of the swing unit 90 is in the range of θf (from 30 degrees to 105 degrees on the front side), no direction detection signal is output.

A circuit board (not shown) is mounted on the camera body 74.
The signal processing circuit 48, the area integration circuit 28, the control microcomputer 24, the camera signal processing circuit 56, and the timing control circuit 29 shown in FIG. A corresponding circuit has been implemented. Note that the functions and operations of these circuits have already been described in detail, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

When the video camera 72 is attached to a personal computer, in order to increase the distance between the pressing portion 84 of the hook 78 and the camera body 74, the pressing portion 84 and the like are pinched by a finger and the arm portion 82 of the hook 78 is connected to the camera. Body 7
4 and the finger is released with the arm 82 straddling the frame 94 at the upper edge of the screen of the personal computer. Accordingly, since the arm portion 82 is urged as described above, as shown in FIGS.
The frame portion 94 of the screen 14 is sandwiched between the camera body 74 and the pressing portion 84, and the video camera 72 is fixed to the upper portion of the screen 14.

A photographing result of the video camera 72 is obtained from the above-mentioned camera signal processing circuit as an example of a USB (Universal).
al Serial Bus) and sent to a personal computer through a cable 96 and displayed on the screen 14 as appropriate. At this time, the operator sets the swing angle of the swing unit 90 to the above θ
b, the direction detection switch 18
Since FIG. 7 outputs the direction detection signal, the captured image is converted to the first pattern 32 as in the case of the above embodiment.
Exposure information is generated by dividing the exposure information (FIG. 4), and based on the exposure information, the electronic shutter and the amplification circuit of the image sensor are controlled, and the exposure of the video camera 72 is adjusted to an optimal level.

On the other hand, when the operator sets the swing angle of the swing unit 90 in the range of θf, the direction detection switch 1
8 does not output the direction detection signal, the exposure information is generated by dividing the photographed image by the second pattern 34 (FIG. 5) in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the imaging information is generated based on the exposure information. The electronic shutter of the element and the amplifier circuit are controlled, and the exposure of the video camera 72 is adjusted to an optimal level. Therefore, even when the video camera 72 detachable from the personal computer is used, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

As a detachable electronic camera, a digital still camera may be used in addition to a video camera. In such a case, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention. In the second embodiment, the video camera 72 and the personal computer are
Although the connection is made by the SB cable, it is of course possible to use another form of interface.

When a detachable electronic camera is used as in the second embodiment, the electronic camera can be used without being attached to an electronic device. Then, the method of installing the electronic camera is arbitrary. Therefore, even if the swing angle of the swing unit 90 is in the range of θf, the subject may not be the operator of the electronic device, and even if the swing angle of the swing unit 90 is in the range of θb, The subject may be the operator. for that reason,
Supplying a control signal corresponding to the direction detection signal to the electronic camera based on an operation of the operator from the electronic device, and switching between the first and second patterns as a divided pattern of a captured image; It is also useful to adopt a configuration that can perform the following. Accordingly, when the electronic camera is not mounted on the electronic device, the operator can switch the division pattern to be used, so that the exposure control can be appropriately performed.

[0035]

When the photographed image 30 is divided into a central region 40 and a peripheral region 42 as shown in FIG. 5, the central region 40 is rectangular in order to reduce the scale of the region integration circuit, and the height thereof is 30 mm. If the height is set to, for example, about 1/2 and the width is set to, for example, about 1/3 of the width of the photographed image 30, favorable exposure control can be performed when photographing the operator. Also, regarding the weight, for example, when the whole is set to 100,
Good results can be obtained by setting, for example, 90 for the integration result of the video signal 22 in the central region 40 and 10 for the integration result in the peripheral region 42, for example.

When the photographed image 30 is divided into an upper region 36 and a lower region 38 as shown in FIG.
If the area 6 is, for example, about an upper quarter area of the photographed image 30, good exposure control can be performed when photographing a general subject. As for the weight, for example,
In the case of 00, good results can be obtained by setting the integration result of the video signal 22 in the upper region 36 to, for example, 10 and the integration result of the lower region 38 to, for example, 90.

Further, as shown in FIG.
In the case where 0 is divided into five regions, the central region 58 is rectangular, and its height is, for example, about 1/2 of the height of the photographed image 30, and its width is, for example, about 1/3 of the width of the photographed image 30. , The upper area 60 and the lower area 62 together
If the height is set to, for example, about 1/4, favorable exposure control can be performed when photographing the operator. In addition, regarding the weight, for example, when the entirety is set to 100, when photographing the operator, each of the center region 58, the upper region 60, the lower region 62, the side region 64, and the side region 66 is For example, 60, 5, 5, 15, 15, etc., and when photographing other than the operator, for example, 25,
Good results can be obtained by setting 5, 20, 25, 25, and the like.

[0038]

As described above, in the present invention, the exposure detecting means virtually divides one photographed image into first and second patterns, and in the first pattern division, The first pattern is divided into an upper region and a lower region, and first exposure detection information that relatively strongly reflects the magnitude of the video signal corresponding to the lower region is generated. The second exposure detection information is divided into an area and a peripheral area, and second exposure detection information that relatively strongly reflects the magnitude of the video signal corresponding to the central area is generated. Then, the exposure adjusting means adjusts the exposure of the electronic camera based on the first exposure detection information when the photographing direction detecting means outputs the detection signal, and when the photographing direction detecting means does not output the detection signal. The exposure of the electronic camera is adjusted based on the second exposure detection information.

Therefore, when the operator of the electronic device takes a picture of himself / herself, a window or lighting enters the upper part or side part of the person, and a bright subject enters the lower part of the photographing area.
Even in the case of backlight or over-directed light, the exposure is adjusted based on the second exposure detection information that relatively strongly reflects the central region of the captured image, so that the operator can clearly shoot with an appropriate exposure. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the vicinity of a video camera in a notebook personal computer in which an example of an exposure control device for an electronic device mounted camera according to the present invention is incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a notebook personal computer in which the exposure control device of the electronic device mounted camera according to the embodiment is incorporated.

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where a captured image is divided by a first pattern.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where a captured image is divided by a second pattern.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where a captured image is divided by another pattern.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an electronic camera controlled by an exposure control device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an electronic camera controlled by an exposure control device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing an electronic camera controlled by the exposure control device according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 notebook personal computer (electronic device), 4 keyboard part, 6 body, 8 display part, 10 video camera, 12 imaging part, 14
Screen, 16 Hinge, 18 Direction detection switch, 2
0 exposure control device, 22 video signal, 24 control microcomputer (control microcomputer), 26 weighting and adding means, 28 area integration circuit, 29 timing control circuit, 30 photographing Image, 32... First pattern, 34... Second pattern, 36.
8 Lower area, 40 Central area, 42 Peripheral area, 44 Lens, 46 Image sensor, 48 Signal processing circuit, 50 Noise removal circuit, 52 Amplifier circuit, 54 ... A / D conversion circuit, 56, camera signal processing circuit, 58, central area, 60, upper area, 62,
Lower region, 64... Side region, 66... Side region, 72
… Video camera, 74… Camera body, 76… Camera head, 78… Hook, 82… Arm, 84…
Pressing portion, 88: hinge, 90: swinging portion.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for controlling an exposure of an electronic camera that is provided in an electronic device having a display unit and that can set a shooting direction at least in front of or behind a screen of the display unit, wherein an image generated by the electronic camera is provided. Exposure detection means for generating, based on the signal, exposure detection information representing an average size of the video signal for one captured image; and exposure of the electronic camera based on the exposure detection information generated by the exposure detection means. Exposure adjustment means for adjusting the direction of the electronic camera, and imaging direction detection means for outputting a direction detection signal corresponding to when the imaging direction of the electronic camera is behind the screen, wherein the exposure detection means And the second
In the first pattern division, the captured image is divided into an upper region and a lower region, and the magnitude of the video signal corresponding to the lower region is relatively strong. Generating first exposure detection information to be reflected, and in dividing the second pattern, dividing the captured image into a central region and a peripheral region, and resolving the magnitude of the video signal corresponding to the central region. Generating second exposure detection information that strongly reflects the position of the electronic camera based on the first exposure detection information when the photographing direction detection unit outputs the direction detection signal. Adjusting the exposure, and adjusting the exposure of the electronic camera based on the second exposure detection information when the photographing direction detection unit does not output the direction detection signal. Exposure Control device. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposure detecting means includes: an area integrating circuit for integrating the video signal corresponding to each of the areas divided by the first and second patterns; 2. Exposure control for a camera equipped with an electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising weighting and adding means for obtaining a result obtained by multiplying an integration result by a weight for each region and using the result as the first and second exposure detection information. apparatus. 3. The exposure control apparatus for an electronic device-equipped camera according to claim 1, wherein the upper region in the division of the first pattern is a region that is approximately one fourth of an upper portion of the photographed image. 4. The central area in the division of the second pattern is substantially rectangular, and has a height of about の of a height of the photographed image and a width of about ３ of a width of the photographed image. 2. An exposure control device for an electronic device-equipped camera according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The exposure control device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera includes a solid-state image sensor as an image sensor. 6. The solid-state imaging device is a CCD or a CMO.
6. The exposure control device for a camera with an electronic device according to claim 5, further comprising an S sensor. 7. The exposure control device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera is a video camera or a digital still camera. 8. The exposure control device according to claim 5, wherein said exposure adjusting means controls an electronic shutter of said electronic camera to adjust exposure. 9. A variable gain amplifying circuit to which the video signal generated by the electronic camera is input, wherein the exposure adjusting means controls exposure by controlling a gain of the variable gain amplifying circuit. An exposure control device for an electronic device mounted camera according to claim 1. 10. The exposure control device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera is built in the electronic device. 11. The exposure control device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera is detachable from the electronic device. 12. The exposure control device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a portable information terminal. 13. The exposure control device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a personal computer or a PDA.