JP2002252806A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera that is capable of operation intended by a photographer, regardless of photographing environments. SOLUTION: When a palm H of the photographer, who is a subject faces toward an electronic camera 100, the electronic camera 10 recognizes the shape and color of the palm H, thus releasing a shutter or the like without using a remote controller used in the conventional technique, or without having to produce sound, eliminating the need for carrying the remote controller, and hence performing desired photography, regardless of the environment.

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 which operates according to a photographer's intention without touching the photographer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A camera which operates a remote controller using infrared rays to perform a shutter release operation from a remote position is known. However, in such a camera, unless the remote controller is constantly carried, the operation of the camera cannot be performed from a remote position, which is troublesome, and the small remote controller is easily lost, and the operation is limited to the shutter release. There is a problem.

[0003]

On the other hand, a camera which recognizes the voice of the photographer and performs a shutter release operation has been proposed. However, for example, when photographing oneself on a tripod, the photographer needs to speak out loud enough to recognize the camera at a remote position, and the voice is so quiet that it may disturb others. In an environment (for example, a Japanese garden), it may be difficult to take a picture. On the other hand, in a noisy environment, there is a problem that the camera cannot easily recognize the voice of the photographer.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the related art, and has as its object to provide a camera that can perform an operation intended by a photographer regardless of a photographing environment.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera according to a first aspect of the present invention, comprising: a control unit capable of changing control relating to photographing; and at least one of a color and a shape of a specific portion of a subject. A recognition unit that recognizes the identification unit; and the control unit performs a control operation related to the photographing in response to the recognition by the recognition unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera which is capable of changing control relating to photographing, a recognizing means for recognizing a predetermined operation in a subject specifying unit, and a control means for recognizing the recognizing means. Performs a control operation related to the photographing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera capable of changing control relating to photographing, a recognizing means for recognizing a predetermined change in subject brightness, and the control means comprising: A control operation relating to the photographing is performed.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera capable of changing a control relating to photographing, a recognizing means for recognizing the specific part based on at least one of the color and the shape of the specific part of the subject, and the recognizing means. In response to the recognition of the means, the control means performs the control operation related to the photographing, so that, for example, when a photographer who is a subject spreads his hand as a specific part and points toward the camera, the camera is shaped like a palm and colored. By recognizing, it is possible to perform a control operation (release or the like) relating to photographing without using a remote control or emitting a sound as in the related art, thereby relieving the trouble of having the remote control and also irrespective of the environment. Desired photographing can be performed.
It is conceivable that the recognizing means includes an image sensor capable of recognizing at least one of the color and the shape of the specific portion of the subject. In particular, an electronic still camera generally has an image sensor, and is capable of repeatedly converting a subject image into image data even before a shutter release, and thus is suitable for applying the present invention. In addition, it is more preferable that the specifying unit indicates a characteristic unique to the subject such as a palm, an eye, and a mouth of a human body.

Further, if there is a storage means for storing at least one of the color and the shape of the specific portion, only the specific portion which matches the color and the shape stored in the storage means, that is, only a pre-registered subject can be recognized. Is preferable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera which is capable of changing a control relating to photographing, a recognizing means for recognizing a predetermined operation in a subject specifying unit, and a control means for recognizing the recognizing means. Performs the control operation related to the photographing. For example, when a photographer who is a subject performs an operation of expanding from a state in which a hand as a specific unit is held, the camera recognizes the operation, and as in the related art, It is possible to perform a control operation (release or the like) relating to photographing without using a remote control or emitting a sound, thereby relieving the trouble of having a remote control and performing desired photographing regardless of the environment. It is conceivable that the recognizing means includes an image sensor capable of recognizing a predetermined motion of the subject.

Further, it is preferable to have a storage means for storing a predetermined operation in the specifying section, since only the operation stored in the storage means is recognized.

Further, it is preferable that the predetermined operation is that the specific portion is stationary for a predetermined time.

Further, if the predetermined operation is a combination of different forms of the specific portion, for example, a block sign, it is possible to suppress a careless release or the like from being performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera capable of changing control relating to photographing, a recognizing means for recognizing a predetermined change in subject brightness, and in accordance with recognition of the recognizing means, the control means comprises: Since the control operation related to the shooting is performed,
For example, when the photographer who is the subject turns his back to the camera and looks back, the part that was the head becomes the face, so the subject brightness changes, and the camera recognizes the change. As described above, it is possible to perform a control operation (such as a release operation) relating to photographing without using a remote control or emitting a sound, thereby relieving the trouble of having a remote control and performing a desired photographing regardless of the environment. it can. It is conceivable that the recognizing means includes a light receiving element in addition to an image sensor capable of recognizing a predetermined motion of the subject.

The control relating to the photographing is at least one of a release operation, a focusing operation of a photographing optical system, a white balance adjustment, an exposure control, a zooming operation, an image processing, a rotation of the camera, and a movement of the camera. It is preferred that there is.

It is preferable that the control relating to the photographing is performed so that the specific portion of the subject is photographed appropriately. When the specific part is appropriately photographed, control such as performing a focusing operation on the specific part or performing a zooming operation so that the specific part has an appropriate size on a photographing screen can be considered. , But not limited to them.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be applied to a silver halide camera as long as it has an image sensor and a CPU capable of image processing. However, a more preferred embodiment will be described by taking an electronic camera as an example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic camera 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electronic camera 100 according to the present embodiment installed on a tripod 20. In FIG. 1, a CCD 2, which is an image sensor on which an optical image is formed on a light receiving surface by a photographing lens 1, performs so-called photoelectric conversion that outputs an analog signal corresponding to the optical image, and is an A / D converter. Numeral 3 is for converting an analog signal input from the CCD 2 into a digital signal and outputting it. The image data obtained via the A / D conversion circuit 3 is temporarily stored in the image memory 4.

The image data stored in the image memory 4 is subjected to various types of image processing by the MPU 5, and is finally electrically connected to the MPU 5 and stored in a nonvolatile storage device such as a memory card. Is stored in the memory 6. The MPU 5 can receive power from the battery 7 loaded in the electronic camera 100 and output information to the outside using IrDA (infrared communication) or serial communication via the communication device 8. I have. Also, M
The PU 5 receives a release signal from the release button 10 and drives a shutter device (not shown) to perform photographing. Further, the MPU 5 can drive and control an image display device (LCD) 9 such as a liquid crystal monitor to display an image.

Further, the MPU 5 can emit strobe irradiation light from the strobe device 14. Further, the MPU 5 sets one of a normal shooting mode and a subject recognition mode by turning on the mode switch 16. The MPU 5 can perform a focusing operation and a zooming operation of the photographing lens 1 via the driving device 12, and can further drive the motor 14 to rotate the gear 14a. It has become. The gear 14a is connected to a square shaft 14b protruding from the lower surface of the electronic camera 100, as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. If the normal photographing mode is set by operating the mode switch 16, photographing can be performed in response to the full press of the release button 10. On the other hand, if the subject recognition mode is set by operating the mode switch 16,
The electronic camera 100 performs the following operation.

Here, it is assumed that the color and the shape of the palm H of the photographer are registered in advance in the form of data as a subject identification portion, and are stored in the internal memory of the MPU 5. The electronic camera 100 is set so that the square shaft 14b is inserted into the square hole 21a formed in the camera platform 21 of the tripod 20, and when the photographer turns on a power switch (not shown), the CCD 2 can be operated even before the shutter is released. Converts an object image into image data, and the MPU 5 performs image processing on the image data, thereby repeatedly performing object recognition.

Thereafter, when the photographer opens the hand in front of the photographing lens 1 while holding the hand, the CCD 2 converts the image of the palm H into image data, which is processed by the MPU 5 and compared with the registered data. Then, when the two data match, the MPU 5 recognizes that the photographer has spread the palm H. Here, the CCD 2 and the MPU constitute recognition means. With this recognition, the control means MPU5
Performs the following control. (1) The driving device 12 is adjusted so that the palm H is in focus.
To make the photographing lens 1 perform a focusing operation. (2) Obtain a predetermined size of the palm H such that the upper body or the entirety of the subject fits in the shooting screen, and perform a zooming operation to the size. (3) If the registered palm H is the right hand, the palm H is positioned from the center to the left side on the shooting screen,
Alternatively, if the registered palm H is the left hand, the gear 14 a and the angular shaft 14 b are rotated via the motor 14 so that the palm H is positioned rightward from the center on the photographing screen. By rotating, the subject is placed at the center of the shooting screen. (4) Thereafter, a shutter release operation is performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the palm color and shape are stored as a specific part of the subject in consideration of the fact that the palm color is relatively white in various races. It is MP that I spread my palms when shooting
Although U5 can be recognized, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is conceivable to recognize a continuous operation such as moving a hand up and down, shaking left and right, and turning a circle in a specific cycle. Furthermore, if the fingers of the hand can be identified, it is recognized that the operation of extending the index finger and the middle finger only (so-called V-sign) has continued for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), or the operation of bending the spread fingers one by one. The above-described control can be performed by recognizing that the user has finally held the fist.

The specific part of the subject is not limited to the hand but may be the foot or face. For example, the above-described control can be performed by recognizing that the mouth is closed from the open state or by storing the shape of the mouth when uttering “cheese”, and recognizing the shape by the MPU 5. . Further, the electronic camera 10
When the subject whose back is turned to 0 turns back, the position where the hair was located becomes the face, and the MPU 5 changes the subject field luminance. Therefore, the MPU 5 receives the subject via the CCD 2 (in this case, a light receiving element may be used). It is also conceivable that the above-described control is performed by recognizing that has turned back. In particular, based on a face image, it is easy to recognize a specific subject differently from other subjects.For example, if a face image of a leader is stored, the leader raises his face in a group photo of the team. It is also possible to perform a release operation at an instant.

Further, the control performed by the MPU 5 as a result of the recognition is as follows:
Not limited to the above example, trimming, white balance adjustment, and the like can be considered. Sometimes women, for example, want to make the skin color whiter. According to the present embodiment, as a specific part, if a woman's face and a white balance value that can obtain the skin color that the woman looks most beautiful are registered in association with MPU 5, the woman can be registered. When the subject becomes the subject, by automatically applying the registered white balance value in accordance with the recognition of the MPU 5, it is possible to perform shooting in which a desired skin color is obtained.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain an image that is different from the actual subject but more preferable for the photographer. For example, when a specific operation of a subject and a desired image processing are registered in association with the MPU 5, when the subject takes a pose with a finger on a chin, for example, the MPU 5 obtains a photograph based on the recognition. The eyes are enlarged, the nose is raised,
Predetermined image processing such as reducing the size of the mouth and narrowing the chin is automatically performed, whereby an image more preferred by a person who wants to take a picture (here, a subject) can be obtained. On the other hand, if such a subject does not perform a specific operation, the MPU 5 does not recognize the subject as a registered subject, and thus normal shooting is performed.

In addition to the above example, a wheel is provided on a tripod, and the driving force of the motor 14 (FIG. 1) is moved to a position where the subject can be properly fit on the photographing screen according to the recognition of the MPU 5 described above. Moving the electronic camera 100 by giving it to wheels may be considered.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the photographer who is the subject spreads his or her hand and points toward the camera, the camera recognizes the shape and color of the palm so that the remote controller can be used as in the prior art. A control operation (release or the like) relating to photographing can be performed without using or emitting a sound, and the trouble of having a remote controller can be eliminated, and desired photographing can be performed regardless of the environment.

[0030]

According to the present invention, regardless of the shooting environment,
A camera capable of performing an operation intended by a photographer can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electronic camera according to the exemplary embodiment installed on a tripod.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 electronic camera 2 CCD 5 MPU 12 drive device 14 motor 20 tripod

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A control means capable of changing control relating to photographing, and at least one of a color and a shape of a specific portion of a subject.
A camera, wherein: a recognition unit that recognizes the identification unit; and the control unit performs a control operation related to the photographing in accordance with the recognition by the recognition unit. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing at least one of a color and a shape of said specific portion. 3. A control unit capable of changing control relating to photographing; a recognition unit recognizing a predetermined operation of a subject specifying unit; and a control operation relating to the photographing in response to recognition of the recognition unit. A camera. 4. The camera according to claim 3, further comprising storage means for storing a predetermined operation in said specifying unit. 5. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined operation is that the specific portion is stationary for a predetermined time. 6. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined operation is a combination of different forms of the specific unit. 7. A control unit capable of changing control relating to photographing, a recognition unit recognizing a predetermined change in subject brightness, and the control unit performs a control operation relating to the photographing in response to recognition by the recognition unit. A camera characterized in that: 8. The control relating to the photographing includes at least one of a release operation, a focusing operation of a photographing optical system, a white balance adjustment, an exposure control, a zooming operation, an image processing, a rotation of the camera, and a movement of the camera. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: 9. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the control related to the photographing is performed so that the specific part of the subject is appropriately photographed.