JP2004328083A - Imaging unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging unit capable of surely capturing an object to be imaged even when the ground angle of an imaging apparatus main body is changed. <P>SOLUTION: In the imaging apparatus 1 wherein an imaging section 100 and a main body section 200 are relatively turnably coupled to each other, the imaging section 100 includes an inclination sensor 107. When an inclination angle setting button 205 is depressed, the ground angle A (setting angle) and the focal distance of the imaging section 100 are read from the output of the inclination sensor 107 (steps S1, S3) and a threshold value is set (step S5). When a release button 204 is half-depressed, the ground angle (angle A+B) of the imaging section 100 is read (step S11), and when a difference (angle B) from the setting angle is the threshold value or over, a motor 211 is driven to turn the imaging section 100 with respect to the main body section 200 by the angle B so that the ground angle of the imaging section 100 is equal to the set angle (steps S15, 17). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device having a function of adjusting a ground angle when an image is captured by the imaging device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A unit having an imaging lens is known which is rotatably connected to an imaging apparatus main body. This imaging device can capture an image by fixing a unit having an imaging lens at an arbitrary angle with respect to the imaging device main body (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2000-69350
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When capturing an image of a subject in front of a crowd using a conventional imaging device, a unit having an imaging lens is rotated so that the optical axis of the imaging lens is tilted below horizontal with respect to the imaging device main body. The image capturing apparatus is imaged by holding the image capturing apparatus over the head with both hands or one hand. However, in the conventional imaging device, if the angle of the imaging device main body held by the photographer changes with respect to the ground, the angle of the imaging lens optical axis with respect to the ground also changes, and the subject to be imaged may be out of the imaging range. .
[0005]
The present invention provides an imaging apparatus that can reliably capture a subject to be imaged even when the angle of the imaging apparatus body relative to the ground changes.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus includes a first unit and a second unit that are relatively rotatably connected, and the first unit includes an imaging lens. Angle detection means for detecting the angle of the optical axis with respect to the ground, setting means for setting the ground angle detected by the angle detection means as an initial value, and the ground value detected by the initial value set by the setting means and the angle detection means. A difference calculating means for calculating a difference from the angle, and a rotation angle of the first unit with respect to the second unit based on the difference calculated by the difference calculating means such that the ground angle of the first unit returns to the initial value. And angle changing means for changing the angle.
(2) The image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes an angle detection unit that detects an angle of the imaging lens optical axis with respect to the ground, a setting unit that sets the angle of ground detected by the angle detection unit as an initial value, and a setting unit that sets the angle. Difference calculating means for calculating a difference between the obtained initial value and the ground angle detected by the angle detecting means, and when the difference calculated by the difference calculating means exceeds a predetermined range, the difference exceeds the predetermined range. And a notifying means for notifying the user of the fact.
(3) In this imaging device, it is preferable that the angle detecting means is a ground angle sensor.
(4) An image pickup apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an image pickup apparatus having a first unit and a second unit which are relatively rotatably connected, and wherein the first unit includes an image pickup lens. Means for calculating a change amount of the angle of the optical axis of the imaging lens with respect to the ground based on the taken image and the reference image; and a first unit based on the change amount calculated by the calculation unit. Angle changing means for changing the rotation angle of the first unit with respect to the second unit so that the ground angle of the unit becomes the ground angle when the reference image is captured.
(5) The image pickup apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention includes an angle detection unit that detects an angle of the imaging lens with respect to the optical axis, a setting unit that sets the angle of the ground detected by the angle detection unit as an initial value, and a setting unit that sets the angle. Difference calculating means for calculating a difference between the obtained initial value and the ground angle detected at the time of imaging by the angle detecting means, and an image obtained when the shot image is shot with the initial value based on the difference calculated by the difference calculating means. And image processing means for performing image processing so as to be substantially equal to.
(6) In this imaging apparatus, the image processing means may perform predetermined trimming around the main subject of the captured image and perform electronic zoom processing around the main subject.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
--- First Embodiment ---
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 1A and 1B are external views of the imaging device when it is stored and when it is carried. FIG. 1A is a plan view, and FIG. 2A and 2B show the appearance of the imaging device during normal imaging, wherein FIG. 2A is a front view, FIG. 2B is a plan view, and FIG. 2C is a rear view. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the internal configuration of the imaging device 1 is viewed from the front. The imaging device 1 is an electronic camera, and records a still image captured by an imaging device as imaging data. The imaging device 1 includes an imaging unit 100 and a main unit 200, and includes a connection unit 300 that connects the imaging unit 100 and the main unit 200 so as to be relatively rotatable.
[0008]
The imaging unit 100 includes, inside an imaging unit cover 101, a lens barrel 102 including an imaging lens for condensing light from a subject to an imaging device (not shown), a strobe light emitting unit 103 that emits flash light to the subject, A flash substrate 104 for controlling light emission of the flash light emitting unit 103 is provided. A strobe substrate 104 includes a capacitor 105 for storing power to be supplied to the strobe light emitting unit 103, a dimming sensor 106 for controlling light emission of the strobe light emitting unit 103, and a tilt sensor 107 for detecting an angle of the imaging unit 100 with respect to the ground. Are provided.
[0009]
The main body 200 includes a power switch 203, a release button 204, a tilt angle setting button 205, a display panel 206 for displaying various setting states of the imaging apparatus 1, and a lens barrel 102 on a surface of the main body cover 201. And a liquid crystal monitor 207 for displaying the captured subject. Inside the main body 200, a main board 202 on which a control circuit for controlling each imaging operation is mounted, a recording medium 208 for recording a captured image, and a battery 209 are provided. Further, inside the main body 200, a motor 211 and a reduction gear 210 for driving the imaging unit 100 to rotate with respect to the main body 200 are provided as described later.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting portion 300 has a structure in which one flanged sleeve is rotatably inserted into the other flanged sleeve. An imaging side flanged sleeve 301 provided on the imaging unit 100 side has a flange portion 301a, a sleeve portion 301b, and a claw portion 301c in which an end of the sleeve portion 301b is formed in a claw shape. The main body side flanged sleeve 302 provided on the main body 200 side has a flange portion 302a and a sleeve portion 302b. The respective flange portions 301a and 302a are connected to the imaging unit cover 101 and the main unit cover 201. The sleeve portion 301b is rotatably fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 302b. A flexible printed board 220 that electrically connects the lens barrel 102 and the strobe board 104 of the imaging unit 100 to the main board 202 of the main body 200 penetrates the sleeve part 301b.
[0011]
A gear 303 is fitted into an end of the sleeve 301b penetrating through the inside of the sleeve 302b. The axial movement of the gear 303 is restricted by the end face of the flange portion 302a and the claw portion 301c. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the hole 303a of the gear 303 and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 301b are in contact with each other by a moderate frictional force. The gear 303 meshes with the motor 210 via the reduction gear 210. The rotation of the motor 210 is reduced by the reduction gear 210 and transmitted to the gear 303. When the gear 303 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 210, the sleeve 301b is also rotated, and the imaging unit 100 is rotated with respect to the main body 200 together with the flange 301a. When the photographer applies a force to rotate the imaging unit 100 with respect to the main unit 200 while the motor 210 is stopped, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the hole 303a of the gear 303 and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 301b is increased. , And the imaging unit 100 rotates with respect to the main body 200.
[0012]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the imaging device 1. The microcomputer 250 includes peripheral components such as a memory 250a and an AD converter, and performs various calculations and controls of the imaging apparatus 1. To the microcomputer 250, a main switch 203, a half-press switch 251, a full-press switch 252, a zoom-up switch 253, a zoom-down switch 254, and an inclination-angle setting switch 255 are connected. The microcomputer 250 includes a distance measuring device 256, a photometric device 257, a lens driving device 258, a CCD 120, an LCD monitor driver 259, a display panel driver 260, a motor driver 261, and an electronic buzzer 212. Connected.
[0013]
The half-press switch 251 and the full-press switch 252 are turned on when the release button 204 is half-pressed and fully pressed, respectively. The zoom up switch 253 and the zoom down switch 254 are turned on in conjunction with an up operation and a down operation of a zoom button (not shown), respectively. The tilt angle setting switch 255 is turned on in conjunction with a pressing operation of the tilt angle setting button 205.
[0014]
The distance measuring device 256 measures the shooting distance to the subject, and the photometric device 257 measures the luminance of the subject. The lens driving device 258 performs zooming driving and focusing driving of the imaging lens 2 and zooming driving of an optical finder (not shown). The CCD 120 is an image sensor, and sends a signal of a subject captured by the CCD 120 to the microcomputer 250. The liquid crystal monitor driver 259 drives the liquid crystal monitor 207, and the display panel driver 260 drives the display panel 206.
The motor driver 261 drives the motor 211 to rotate the imaging unit 100 with respect to the main unit 200. The electronic buzzer 212 emits a warning sound or the like according to the state of the imaging device 1.
[0015]
In the imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, when the inclination angle setting button 205 is pressed in a state where the imaging unit 100 is at an angle with respect to the ground, the ground angle of the imaging unit 100 together with the main body unit 200 is thereafter changed. Even if it changes, the imaging unit 100 is rotated with respect to the main body 200 so as to cancel the change in the ground angle. Hereinafter, this operation will be described in detail.
[0016]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a program for performing an operation of correcting the ground angle of the imaging unit 100. When the tilt angle setting button 205 is operated with the power of the imaging apparatus 1 turned on, the microcomputer 250 executes a program for performing the processing shown in FIG. When the tilt angle setting button 205 is operated again, this program is stopped. In step S1, the current ground angle of the imaging unit 100 is read from the output of the tilt sensor 107 as an initial value, and the process proceeds to step S3. Hereinafter, the ground angle read in step S1 is referred to as a set angle. In step S3, the current focal length is read, and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, a threshold value of the inclination angle corresponding to the focal length read in step S3 is set, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the release button 204 has been half-pressed. When step S7 is affirmatively determined, the process proceeds to step S9, and it is determined whether or not the current focal length is different from the focal length read in step S3. When step S9 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S11. If a negative determination is made in step S7 or step S9, the process returns to step S3.
[0017]
In step S11, the current ground angle of the imaging unit 100 is read from the output of the tilt sensor 107, and the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, it is determined whether or not the difference between the set angle and the ground angle of the imaging unit 100 read in step S11 is equal to or greater than the threshold value set in step S5. If the determination in step S13 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S15, and based on the difference between the ground angles obtained in step S13, driving of the motor 211 is started so that the ground angle of the imaging unit 100 becomes the set angle, and the process proceeds to step S17. move on. In step S17, the process waits for the completion of driving of the motor 211 driven in step S15. If the standby at step S17 is completed or step S13 is negatively determined, the process proceeds to step S19, in which a drive completion sound of the imaging unit 100 is output from the electronic buzzer 212, and the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the process waits until the release button 204 is fully pressed. If step S21 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S23 to capture an image.
[0018]
In the imaging device 1 according to the first embodiment described above, an image can be captured while keeping the ground angle of the imaging unit 100 constant as follows. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 1 as viewed from the side. The main body unit 200 is vertical, and the imaging unit 100 is tilted so as to capture a slightly downward image while being rotated counterclockwise by an angle A from horizontal. When the entire imaging device 1 rotates counterclockwise from this state by the angle B, the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 8 is obtained. A two-dot chain line in FIG. 8 indicates a state before the rotation of the imaging device 1, that is, a state in FIG. At this time, the imaging unit 100 is rotated counterclockwise by an angle A + B from horizontal, and the main body unit 200 is rotated counterclockwise by an angle B from vertical.
[0019]
When the tilt angle setting button 205 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 7, the ground angle A of the imaging unit 100, that is, the set angle is read from the output of the tilt sensor 107 (step S1), and the focal length is read (step S1). S3). Only when the difference between the set angle and the ground angle A + B of the imaging unit 100 immediately before imaging shown in FIG. 8 (hereinafter, referred to as a pre-modification angle) is equal to or greater than a certain value, the ground angle of the imaging unit 100 at the time of imaging is corrected. Therefore, a threshold value is set (step S5).
[0020]
Comparing the case where the image is captured at the set angle and the case where the image is captured at the pre-modification angle, when the focal length is short (wide angle of view), the change in the image to be captured is slight even if the angle of the imaging unit 100 with respect to the ground is slightly shifted. . However, when the focal length is long (narrow angle of view), the image to be captured changes greatly even if the angle of the imaging unit 100 with respect to the ground is slight. Therefore, the setting of the threshold value takes into account the focal length. That is, as the focal length is shorter (wider angle of view), the threshold value is increased, and a slight shift of the image pickup unit 100 with respect to the ground is allowed. On the other hand, as the focal length is longer (narrower angle of view), the threshold value is set smaller so that the deviation of the imaging unit 100 with respect to the ground angle is positively corrected. The setting of the threshold value may be set to any value from a predetermined large or small threshold value or three or more threshold values according to the focal length, or may be set continuously according to the focal length. Alternatively, it may be changed.
[0021]
In the state shown in FIG. 8, when the release button 204 is pressed halfway, the pre-modification angle (angle A + B) of the imaging unit 100 is determined based on the output of the inclination angle sensor 107 provided in the imaging unit 100. When the reading (step S11) and the difference from the set angle (angle B) is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the imaging unit 100 is rotated clockwise with respect to the main body 200 by the angle B (steps S15 and S17). As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the main body 200 is rotated counterclockwise by an angle B from the vertical, but the imaging unit 100 has the same ground angle A as in FIG. Then, after the rotation of the imaging unit 100 with respect to the main body unit 200 is stopped, a drive completion sound of the imaging unit 100 is output from the electronic buzzer 212 (step S19), and imaging is possible (step S21). Here, if the release button 204 is fully pressed, an image is captured (step S23).
[0022]
The imaging device 1 according to the first embodiment described above has the following operational effects.
(1) When the tilt angle setting button 205 is pressed, the ground angle of the imaging unit 100 is read. Then, when the angle of the ground of the imaging unit 100 changes during imaging, the imaging unit 100 is rotated with respect to the main body 200 by the motor 211 so as to cancel the change of the ground angle. . Accordingly, the subject to be imaged does not deviate from the imaging range even in a situation where the ground angle of the imaging device 1 is likely to change, such as when the imaging device 1 is held over the head of the photographer and the front is photographed. Image to be captured.
(2) The threshold value for determining whether to correct the ground angle is set according to the focal length. As a result, the correction of the ground angle of the imaging unit 100 can be minimized, so that a time lag at the time of imaging can be reduced and a chance of taking a photo is rarely missed. Further, the operation frequency of the motor 211 can be suppressed to extend the life of the battery.
[0023]
――― Second embodiment ―――
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the differences will be mainly described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the imaging device 2 as viewed obliquely from the front. The imaging device 2 is a single-lens reflex camera in which an interchangeable lens 400 is attached to a camera body 500. Therefore, in the imaging device 2, unlike the imaging device 1 of the first embodiment, the interchangeable lens 400 is fixed to the camera body 500, and the optical axis of the interchangeable lens 400 does not rotate with respect to the camera body 500.
[0024]
The camera body 500 includes a pop-up strobe light emitting unit 103, a power switch 203, a release button 204, a tilt angle setting button 205, a display panel 206 for displaying various setting states of the imaging device 2, and an imaging device 2. And a setting dial 501 for making various settings. A liquid crystal monitor (not shown) for displaying a subject captured by the interchangeable lens 400 is provided on the back of the camera body 500. Inside the camera body 500, a tilt sensor 107, a main board (not shown) on which a control circuit for controlling each imaging operation is mounted, a recording medium (not shown) for recording a captured image, and a recording medium (not shown) Battery.
[0025]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the imaging device 2. The imaging device 2 differs from the configuration of the imaging device 1 shown in FIG. 5 in that the motor driver 261 is not provided.
[0026]
In the imaging device 2 according to the second embodiment, when the inclination angle setting button 205 is pressed in a state where the imaging device 2 is at an angle with respect to the ground, and then the ground angle of the imaging device 2 is changed, the electronic buzzer 212 Emits an alarm sound. Hereinafter, this operation will be described in detail.
[0027]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a program that performs an operation of emitting an alarm sound from the electronic buzzer 212 when the angle of the imaging device 2 to the ground changes. When the tilt angle setting button 205 is operated while the power of the imaging apparatus 2 is turned on, the microcomputer 250 executes a program for performing the processing shown in FIG. When the tilt angle setting button 205 is operated again, this program is stopped. Steps S1 to S13 are the same as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0028]
In step S13, it is determined whether or not the difference between the ground angle of the imaging device 2 read in step S1 and the ground angle of the imaging device 2 read in step S11 is equal to or larger than the threshold value set in step S5. When step S13 is affirmatively determined, the process proceeds to step S31, a warning sound indicating that the ground angle of the imaging device 2 is not appropriate is output from the electronic buzzer 212, and the process returns to step S13. If a negative determination is made in step S <b> 13, the process proceeds to step S <b> 19, and the electronic buzzer 212 emits a notification sound indicating that the ground angle of the imaging device 2 is appropriate. The operations after step S21 are the same as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0029]
In the imaging device 2 of the second embodiment described above, the ground angle of the imaging device 2 when the tilt angle setting button 205 is pressed is read (step S1), and the focal length is read (step S3). Then, similarly to the first embodiment, the threshold is determined (step S5). When the release button 204 is pressed halfway down, the ground angle of the imaging device 2 is read again based on the output of the tilt angle sensor 107 (step S11). Then, an alarm sound is emitted from the electronic buzzer 212 (S31). If the difference between the ground angle of the imaging device 2 and the set angle is less than the threshold value, a notification sound indicating that the ground angle of the imaging device 2 is appropriate is output (step S19), and imaging is possible (step S21). It becomes. Here, if the release button 204 is fully pressed, an image is captured (step S23).
[0030]
The imaging device 2 according to the second embodiment has the following operation and effect in addition to the operation and effect of the first embodiment.
When the tilt angle setting button 205 is pressed, the ground angle of the imaging device 2 is read, and an alarm sound is generated when the ground angle of the imaging device 2 changes during imaging. Thus, even when the image capturing apparatus 2 is held above the photographer's head and an image is taken in front of the photographer, the photographer can be notified that the subject to be imaged is out of the image capturing range even in a situation where the ground angle of the image capturing apparatus 2 is likely to change. Therefore, the photographer can capture a desired image by adjusting the angle of the imaging device 2.
[0031]
――― Third embodiment ―――
A third embodiment using the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and differences will be mainly described. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the imaging device 3 as viewed obliquely from the front, and FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the imaging device 3. The imaging device 3 differs from the configuration of the imaging device 2 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11 in that the inclination sensor 107 is not provided.
[0032]
In the imaging device 3 according to the third embodiment, when the inclination angle setting button 205 is pressed while the imaging device 3 is at an angle with respect to the ground, the main subject is set as a reference subject. Then, even when the ground angle of the imaging device 3 changes at the time of imaging, image data captured by image processing is subjected to trimming and enlargement processing to generate a new image in which the reference subject is located substantially at the center. Hereinafter, this operation will be described in detail.
[0033]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a program for imaging a subject by the imaging device 3 and generating a new image in which a reference subject is located substantially at the center. When the tilt angle setting button 205 is operated while the power of the imaging device 3 is turned on, the microcomputer 250 executes a program for performing the processing shown in FIG. When the tilt angle setting button 205 is operated again, this program is stopped. In step S51, a main subject when the tilt angle setting button 205 is operated, for example, a subject located substantially at the center of the imaging range is set as a target subject. The target subject is set by specifying the outline by a known image recognition method.
[0034]
In step S53, the process waits until the release button 204 is half-pressed. When step S53 is affirmatively determined, the process proceeds to step S55, and it is determined whether or not the target subject set in step S51 is within the imaging range. This is because if a part of the target subject goes out of the imaging range, the part is not included in a newly generated image by trimming described later because there is no imaging data. In addition, if the entire target subject is out of the imaging range, the trimming reference position is not determined and trimming cannot be performed.
[0035]
If step S55 is negatively determined, the process proceeds to step S57, in which a warning sound indicating that the target subject is out of the imaging range of the imaging device 3 is output from the electronic buzzer 212, and the process returns to step S55. When step S55 is affirmatively determined, the process proceeds to step S59, in which a notification sound indicating that the target subject exists within the imaging range of the imaging device 3 is output from the electronic buzzer 212, and the process proceeds to step S61. In step S61, the process waits until the release button 204 is fully pressed. If an affirmative determination is made in step S61, the process proceeds to step S63, and an image is taken. In step S65, the image data captured in step S63 is trimmed so that the target subject is located substantially at the center of the image, and the flow advances to step S67. In step S67, the image reduced in size by trimming in step S65 is enlarged to have the same size as the original image.
[0036]
The imaging device 3 according to the third embodiment described above captures an image of a subject as follows, and generates a new image in which the reference subject is located substantially at the center. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a process of generating a new image in which the reference subject is located substantially at the center based on the image captured by the imaging device 3. FIG. 16A is a diagram illustrating a range in which an image can be captured in a state where the imaging apparatus 3 is directed to the subject such that the subject 602 to be captured is located substantially at the center of the imaging range 601. When the tilt angle setting button 205 is pressed in this state, the subject 602 is set as a target subject (Step S51). FIG. 16B illustrates an image captured in a state where the imaging device 3 has been rotated slightly downward from this state. The image pickup range 603 actually picked up is shifted downward from the image pickup range 601 at the ground angle at which the image pickup is initially desired, and the target subject 602 is picked up in a state where it is located above the image pickup range 603.
[0037]
The image pickup data shown in FIG. 16B is trimmed as follows, and is processed so that the target subject 602 is located substantially at the center of the image (step S65). First, the double oblique line portion 603b is trimmed from the imaging data so that the target subject 602 is located substantially at the center in the vertical direction of the processed image 603a in the imaging range 603 actually captured. Then, the hatched portion 603c is trimmed such that the target subject 602 is substantially at the center in the left-right direction of the processed image 603a and the aspect ratio of the processed image 603a is equal to the aspect ratio of the imaging range before the processing. .
[0038]
The image 603a trimmed and reduced in size in this way is subjected to enlargement processing so that the image size becomes the same as the image data before processing (step S67).
[0039]
The imaging device 3 according to the third embodiment has the following operational effects.
(1) When the tilt angle setting button 205 is pressed, a subject substantially at the center of the imaging range is set as a target subject, and even if the angle of the imaging device 3 with respect to the ground is shifted, the imaging data is processed and the target subject is processed. It is located at the approximate center of the image. Accordingly, even when the image pickup device 3 is held over the head of the photographer and the image is taken in front, the subject to be imaged can be picked up so that the subject to be picked up is located substantially at the center of the image even in a situation where the ground angle of the image pickup device 3 is likely to change. Therefore, an image desired by the photographer can be captured. Further, since it is not necessary to mount a tilt sensor, the imaging device 3 can be made compact.
(2) The main subject is set as the target subject by a known image recognition method. As a result, it is possible to track the movement or the shape change of the target subject itself, so that even a moving subject such as a person can capture an image desired by the photographer.
[0040]
――― Modification ―――
Although the imaging devices 2 of the first and second embodiments described above are electronic cameras, they may be silver halide cameras. Further, although the imaging devices 1 to 3 of the above-described embodiments are imaging devices that capture still images, they may be imaging devices that can capture moving images.
[0041]
In the first and second embodiments described above, the inclination sensor is used to detect a change in the ground angle. However, the change in the ground angle may be calculated by image processing. In this case, the change amount of the ground angle can be uniquely obtained based on the movement amount and the focal length of the image of the subject input to the image sensor. As shown in FIG. 17A, when the subject 701 is at the angular position of the imaging device CA located at the center of the imaging range (hereinafter, referred to as a pre-movement angular position), the subject 701 has turned counterclockwise by an angle ΔC from this state. The angular position of the imaging device CA (hereinafter, referred to as a post-movement angular position) is compared. FIG. 17B shows an image 704 that can be taken at the pre-movement angle position, and FIG. 17C shows an image 705 that can be taken at the post-movement angle position. 702 indicates the imaging range of the imaging device CA at the pre-movement angular position, and 703 indicates the imaging range of the imaging device CA at the post-movement angular position. L is the distance from the imaging device CA to the subject 701. hf indicates the height of the imaging range at a position away from the imaging device CA by the distance L. Δhf indicates the amount of movement of the imaging range in the height direction at a position separated by the distance L from the imaging device CA, as compared with the pre-movement angular position and the post-movement angular position. hp indicates the height of the images 704 and 705, and Δhp indicates the difference in the height of the imaging position of the subject 701 when the image 704 and the image 705 are compared. Here, the following relationship holds for C, △ C, hf, △ hf, hp, and △ hp.
(Equation 1)
ΔC / C = Δhf / hf = Δhp / hp (1)
Δhp / hp indicating how much the subject 701 has moved in the image is obtained from the images 704 and 705, and the angle of view C is known. ΔC is required. That is, the change amount of the ground angle can be uniquely obtained based on the movement amount of the image of the subject and the focal length.
[0042]
The imaging apparatus can be configured so as to rotate the imaging unit 100 that can rotate in a direction to cancel the change in the ground angle obtained in this way, or to output a warning of the change in the ground angle. Thus, similarly to the third embodiment, it is not necessary to mount an inclination sensor, so that the imaging apparatus can be made compact. Further, even a moving subject can capture an image desired by the photographer. Conversely, an inclination sensor may be provided in the imaging device 3 according to the third embodiment, and the above-described trimming and enlargement processing may be performed based on the amount of change in the ground angle detected by the inclination sensor. Thus, the subject can be easily imaged even in a situation in which the angle of the imaging device to the ground is likely to change.
[0043]
In the third embodiment, the case where the ground angle of the imaging device changes has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied even when the horizontal angle of the imaging device is changed by the above method. Further, in the third embodiment and this modification, when the tilt angle setting button 205 is pressed, the angle of view may be set to the wide angle side. For example, the configuration may be such that when the tilt angle setting button 205 is pressed, the angle of view moves to the wide angle side by a certain angle, or the angle of view may be set to the wide end. Further, the smaller the original angle of view is, the larger the ratio of moving to the wide angle side may be. In addition, this makes it possible to reduce the influence of a change in the angle of the imaging device on an image to be captured and to make it difficult for a desired subject to fall out of the imaging range.
[0044]
The above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined with each other.
[0045]
In the above description, the first unit corresponds to the imaging unit 100, the second unit corresponds to the main unit 200, the notification unit corresponds to the electronic buzzer 212, and the storage unit corresponds to the memory 250a. The angle detecting means is realized by the tilt sensor 107 or the microcomputer 250 and a program executed by the microcomputer 250. The setting unit, the difference calculating unit, the calculating unit, and the image processing unit are realized by the microcomputer 250 and a program executed by the microcomputer 250. The angle changing unit includes a motor 211 and a reduction gear 210. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the device configuration in the above-described embodiment at all, as long as the characteristic functions of the present invention are not impaired.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
(1) The image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured such that the ground angle of the first unit is based on a difference between an initial value of the ground angle detected by the angle detecting means and a ground angle detected by the angle detecting means. The rotation angle of the first unit with respect to the second unit is changed so as to return to the initial value. With this, the subject to be imaged does not deviate from the imaging range even in a situation where the ground angle of the imaging device is likely to change, such as when the imaging device is held above the head of the photographer and the image is captured in front of the photographer. Can be imaged.
(2) In the image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the difference between the initial value of the ground angle detected by the angle detecting means and the ground angle detected by the angle detecting means exceeds a predetermined range, the difference is determined by a predetermined value. It was configured to notify that the range was exceeded. This allows the photographer to be notified that the subject to be imaged is out of the imaging range even in a situation where the ground angle of the imaging device is likely to change, such as when holding the imaging device over the head of the photographer and photographing ahead, The photographer can capture a desired image by adjusting the angle of the imaging device.
(3) The imaging apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention calculates the amount of change in the angle of the optical axis of the imaging lens with respect to the ground based on the captured image and the reference image, and captures the reference image with the ground angle of the first unit. The rotation angle of the first unit with respect to the second unit is changed so that the ground angle at the time of the rotation is obtained. This eliminates the need to mount a tilt sensor, so that the imaging device can be made compact.
(4) The imaging apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the invention is configured to perform image processing such that a captured image is substantially equal to an image captured at a ground angle set as an initial value. Thus, even if the target subject itself moves or changes its shape, it can be tracked, so that even a moving subject such as a person can capture an image desired by the photographer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1A and 1B are external views of an imaging device 1 according to a first embodiment when the imaging device 1 is stored and when it is carried, wherein FIG. 1A is a plan view and FIG.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show the appearance of the imaging apparatus 1 during normal imaging, in which FIG. 2A is a front view, FIG. 2B is a plan view, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the imaging device 1 as viewed from the front.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a connecting portion 300.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the imaging apparatus 1.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a program that performs an operation of correcting an angle to the ground of the imaging unit 100;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 1 as viewed from the side.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 1 as viewed from the side.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the imaging device 1 as viewed from the side.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an imaging device 2 according to a second embodiment as viewed obliquely from the front.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device 2.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a program for performing an operation of emitting an alarm sound from the electronic buzzer 212 when the angle of the imaging device 2 to the ground changes.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an imaging device 3 according to a third embodiment as viewed obliquely from the front.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device 3.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a program for imaging a subject by the imaging device 3 and generating a new image in which a reference subject is located at substantially the center.
16A and 16B are diagrams illustrating a process of generating a new image in which a reference subject is located substantially at the center based on an image captured by the imaging device 3, and FIG. 16A illustrates a state in which the reference subject is set. , Shows a range in which images can be taken, (b) shows what is actually taken, (c) is a diagram for explaining trimming of the taken data, and (d) is a diagram showing a finally processed image. is there.
17A and 17B are diagrams illustrating a relationship between an imaging range of an imaging device CA and a subject 701 according to a modified example of each embodiment. FIG. 17A illustrates a state where the imaging device CA and the subject 701 are viewed from a side. , (B) shows an image that can be taken at the pre-movement angular position, and (c) shows an image that can be taken at the post-movement angular position.
[Explanation of symbols]
1-3 imaging device 100 imaging unit
107 tilt sensor 200 main body
204 Release button 205 Inclination angle setting button
210 Reduction gear 211 Motor
212 Electronic buzzer 250 Microcomputer
250a memory 300 connection
400 Interchangeable lens 500 Camera body

Claims (6)

An imaging apparatus having a first unit and a second unit that are relatively rotatably connected, and an imaging lens provided in the first unit.
Angle detection means for detecting a ground angle of the optical axis of the imaging lens,
Setting means for setting the ground angle detected by the angle detecting means as an initial value,
A difference calculation unit that calculates a difference between the initial value set by the setting unit and a ground angle detected by the angle detection unit,
Angle changing means for changing a rotation angle of the first unit with respect to the second unit based on the difference calculated by the difference calculating means so that a ground angle of the first unit returns to the initial value. An imaging device comprising: Angle detection means for detecting the angle of the imaging lens optical axis with respect to the ground,
Setting means for setting the ground angle detected by the angle detecting means as an initial value,
A difference calculation unit that calculates a difference between the initial value set by the setting unit and a ground angle detected by the angle detection unit,
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a notifying unit that notifies that the difference exceeds a predetermined range when the difference calculated by the difference calculation unit exceeds a predetermined range. In the imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
The image pickup apparatus, wherein the angle detecting means is a ground angle sensor. An imaging apparatus having a first unit and a second unit that are relatively rotatably connected, and an imaging lens provided in the first unit.
Storage means for storing a reference image;
Calculating means for calculating the amount of change in the ground angle of the optical axis of the imaging lens based on the captured image and the reference image;
Rotation of the first unit with respect to the second unit based on the amount of change calculated by the calculation unit such that the ground angle of the first unit becomes the ground angle when the reference image is captured. An imaging apparatus comprising: an angle changing unit that changes an angle. Angle detection means for detecting the angle of the imaging lens optical axis with respect to the ground,
Setting means for setting the ground angle detected by the angle detecting means as an initial value,
Difference calculation means for calculating a difference between the initial value set by the setting means and the ground angle detected by the angle detection means during imaging,
An image pickup apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs image processing based on the difference calculated by the difference calculation unit so that a shot image is substantially equal to an image obtained by shooting with the initial value. The imaging device according to claim 5,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing means performs predetermined trimming around the main subject of the photographed image and performs electronic zoom processing around the main subject.

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