JP2005328273A - Imaging apparatus, and control method, program, and storage medium thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To photograph an image so that the color of a main subject and the color of a background are both proper in the case of performing a photographing by using a flushgun. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus which images a subject is equipped with an external color temperature detector 20 which detects color temperature of external light in a subject field, the light emitting device 48 which emits light beams of a plurality of colors for lighting a subject and is adjustable in light emission rate of the light beams of the respective colors, and a control unit 50 which controls the light emission ratio of the light beams of the plurality of light beams emitted by the light emitting device based upon the color temperature of the external light detected by the external light color temperature detector. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling a light emitting device in an imaging apparatus that captures a subject image.

  Conventionally, an imaging device such as an electronic camera that records a still image or a moving image using a memory card having a solid-state memory element as a recording medium is already on the market, and an electronic camera including a light emitting device that emits light at the time of shooting is also sold. .

With an electronic camera equipped with this light-emitting device, even when the subject is dark, the light-emitting device emits light to compensate for the lack of exposure, capture with appropriate brightness, and correct white balance. It is a useful function.
JP 2002-330444 A

  In an imaging device such as an electronic camera equipped with such a conventional light emitting device, the entire image can be corrected to an appropriate white balance when the color temperature of the light emitting device is close to the color temperature of the external light. On the other hand, when the color temperature of the light emitting device is different from the color temperature of the external light, the color temperature of the light emitting device and the external light are detected by detecting the ratio of the light of the light emitting device irradiated to the main subject and the light of the external light. The color temperature of light is mixed, the color temperature of light irradiated to the main subject is obtained, and the white balance is corrected. However, at this time, if the light from the light emitting device reaches the background portion, the white balance of the background portion is also appropriate. However, if the light from the light emitting device does not reach the background portion, the white balance of the background portion is correct. Is no longer appropriate, and the background color of the captured image becomes unnatural.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to capture an image in which both the main subject color and the background color are appropriate when shooting is performed using a light emitting device. Is to do so.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus that captures a subject image, and detects an ambient light color temperature detection that detects the color temperature of ambient light in a scene. A light emitting means for emitting light of a plurality of colors to illuminate a subject, the light emitting means capable of adjusting a light emission ratio of each of the lights of the plurality of colors, and detected by the external light color temperature detecting means. Control means for controlling the light emission ratio of each of the light of the plurality of colors emitted by the light emitting means based on the color temperature of the external light.

  Further, in the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the control means brings the color temperature of the external light detected by the external light color temperature detection means close to the color temperature of the light emitted from the light emitting means. The emission ratio of each of the light of the plurality of colors emitted by the light emitting means is controlled.

  Further, in the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the control means controls the total amount of light emitted by the light emitting means according to the light emission ratio of each of the plurality of colors of light emitted by the light emitting means. Features.

  In the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the control means controls the external light color temperature detection means to detect the color temperature of external light immediately before the light emission means emits light. To do.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: a light emitting unit that emits light of a plurality of colors to illuminate a subject, the light emitting unit capable of adjusting a light emission ratio of each of the plurality of colors of light. A method for controlling an imaging device, based on an external light color temperature detection step for detecting a color temperature of external light in an object scene, and a color temperature of external light detected in the external light color temperature detection step, And a control step of controlling a light emission ratio of each of the light of the plurality of colors emitted by the light emitting means.

  In the control method for an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, in the control step, the color temperature of the external light detected in the external light color temperature detection step is made closer to the color temperature of the light emitted from the light emitting means. As described above, the light emission ratio of each of the plurality of colors emitted from the light emitting means is controlled.

  In the image pickup apparatus control method according to the present invention, in the control step, the total amount of light emitted by the light emitting means is controlled in accordance with a light emission ratio of each of the plurality of colors of light emitted by the light emitting means. It is characterized by doing.

  In the image pickup apparatus control method according to the present invention, in the control step, control is performed so as to detect a color temperature of external light immediately before the light emitting means emits light.

  A program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute the above control method.

  A storage medium according to the present invention stores the above-mentioned program so as to be readable by a computer.

  According to the present invention, when shooting is performed using a light emitting device, it is possible to capture an image in which both the main subject color and the background color are appropriate.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an imaging apparatus of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an imaging device. Reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens, 12 denotes a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 denotes an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal.

  A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

  An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22.

  The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed.

  Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

  A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32.

  The data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is directly passed through the memory control circuit 22. It is.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A converter, 28 denotes an image display unit including a TFT LCD, and the image data for display written in the image display memory 24 passes through the D / A converter 26. Displayed by the image display unit 28.

  If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized.

  Further, the image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced. I can do it.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a moving image for a predetermined time.

  Thereby, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed.

  The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 32 denotes a compression / decompression circuit that compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and stores the processed data in the memory 30. Write to.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control unit that controls the shutter 12 having an aperture function, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48.

  Reference numeral 42 denotes a distance measurement control unit that controls focusing of the photographing lens 10, reference numeral 44 denotes a zoom control unit that controls zooming of the photographing lens 10, and reference numeral 46 denotes a barrier control unit that controls the operation of the protective device 102 serving as a barrier.

  A flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method. Based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement. The controller 42 is controlled.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 100, and 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker that displays an operation state or a message using characters, images, sounds, or the like in accordance with execution of a program in the system control circuit 50, and an operation unit of the imaging device 100 A single or a plurality of locations are provided in the vicinity where they can be easily seen, and are configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element.

  In addition, the display unit 54 is partially installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded pixels, number of remaining images that can be captured, shutter Speed display, Aperture value display, Exposure compensation display, Flash display, Red-eye reduction display, Macro shooting display, Buzzer setting display, Clock battery level display, Battery level display, Error display, Multi-digit number information display and recording There are a display state of the media 200 and 210, a communication I / F operation display, a date / time display, and the like.

  Further, among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 denote operation units for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50. A single unit such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, a pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, or the like Consists of multiple combinations.

  Here, a specific description of these operation units will be given.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which can switch and set various function modes such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, and PC connection mode.

  Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned ON during operation of a shutter button (not shown), and performs AF (auto focus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and the like. Instruct to start operation.

  Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and an exposure process for writing a signal read from the image sensor 12 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Development processing using operations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, recording processing for reading image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression circuit 32, and writing the image data to the recording medium 200 or 210. Instructs the start of a series of processing operations.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch that can set ON / OFF of the image display unit 28.

  With this function, when photographing is performed using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to the image display unit including a TFT LCD or the like.

  Reference numeral 68 denotes a quick review ON / OFF switch, which sets a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after photographing. In the present embodiment, in particular, a function for setting a quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off is provided.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit composed of various buttons, a touch panel, and the like. A menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, menu movement + (plus) Button, menu movement- (minus) button, reproduction image movement + (plus) button, reproduction image movement- (minus) button, photographing image quality selection button, exposure correction button, date / time setting button, and the like.

  A power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. In addition, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the system control circuit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, and 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  90 and 94 are interfaces with a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, 92 and 96 are connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, and 98 is a recording medium 200 or 210 attached to the connector 92 and / or 96. It is a recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit that detects whether or not the recording has been performed.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two systems of interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems and any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard.

  The interface and connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like that conforms to a standard.

  In addition, when the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like, a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, IEEE1394. Image data and management information attached to image data are transferred to and from peripheral devices such as other computers and printers by connecting various communication cards such as cards, P1284 cards, SCSI cards, and PHS communication cards. I can meet each other.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a protection device that is a barrier that prevents the imaging unit from being soiled or damaged by covering the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the imaging device 100.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are installed.

  A communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the imaging apparatus 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

  The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 204 with the imaging device 100, and a connector 206 that connects to the imaging device 100.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

  The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface 214 with the imaging device 100, and a connector 216 that connects to the imaging device 100.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of the flash light emitting unit.

  In the present embodiment, LEDs having three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) are used in the light emitting device, and light emission amounts gain α, β, γ are set for each color to emit light. It is possible.

  With reference to FIG. 2 thru | or FIG. 6, operation | movement of the imaging device of one Embodiment is demonstrated.

  2 and 3 are flowcharts showing a main routine of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The operation of the imaging apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Upon power-on such as battery replacement, the system control circuit 50 initializes flags, control variables, and the like (step S101), and initializes the image display of the image display unit 28 to an OFF state (step S102).

  The system control circuit 50 determines the set position of the mode dial 60, and if the mode dial 60 is set to power OFF (step S103), the display of each display unit is changed to the end state, and the protection device 102 Each part of the imaging apparatus 100 including the image display unit 28 by the power source control unit 80 is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 by closing the barrier and protecting the imaging unit, recording necessary parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags and control variables. After performing a predetermined end process such as shutting off unnecessary power (step S105), the process returns to step S103.

  If the mode dial 60 is set to the photographing mode (step S103), the process proceeds to step S106.

  If the mode dial 60 has been set to another mode (step S103), the system control circuit 50 executes processing corresponding to the selected mode (step S104), and returns to step S103 when the processing is completed. .

  The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not there is a problem in the operation of the image capturing apparatus 100 with respect to the remaining capacity or operation status of the power source 86 configured by a battery or the like by the power source control unit 80 (step S106). For example, after a predetermined warning is displayed by image or sound using the display unit 54 (step S108), the process returns to step S103.

  If there is no problem with the power supply 86 (step S106), the system control circuit 50 determines whether the operation state of the recording medium 200 or 210 has a problem with the operation of the imaging apparatus 100, particularly with respect to the recording / reproducing operation of image data on the recording medium. (Step S107), and if there is a problem, a predetermined warning display is performed by an image or sound using the display unit 54 (step S108), and the process returns to step S103.

  If there is no problem in the operation state of the recording medium 200 or 210 (step S107), the display unit 54 is used to display various setting states of the image pickup apparatus 100 using images and sounds (step S109). If the image display of the image display unit 28 is ON, the image display unit 28 is also used to display various setting states of the imaging device 100 using images and sounds.

  The system control circuit 50 sets a through display state in which captured image data is sequentially displayed (step S116), and proceeds to step S119.

  In the through display state, the data sequentially written in the image display memory 24 via the image sensor 12, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22 are converted into the memory control circuit 22 and the D The electronic finder function is realized by sequentially displaying images on the image display unit 28 via the / A converter 26.

  If the image display ON / OFF switch 66 is set to image display OFF (step S113), the image display flag is canceled (step S117), and the image display of the image display unit 28 is set to the OFF state (step S117). Step S118), the process proceeds to Step S119.

  If the shutter switch SW1 has not been pressed (step S119), the process returns to step S103.

  If the shutter switch SW1 has been pressed (step S119), the process proceeds to step S122.

  The system control circuit 50 performs a distance measurement process to focus the photographing lens 10 on the subject, performs a photometry process, and determines an aperture value and a shutter time (step S122). In the photometric process, the flash is set if necessary.

  Details of the distance measurement / photometry processing step S122 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the distance measurement / photometry processing step S122 is completed, the process proceeds to step S125. Note that the through display state in step S124 is the same operating state as the through state in step S116.

  If the shutter switch SW2 is not pressed (step S125) and the shutter switch SW1 is also released (step S126), the process returns to step S103.

  If the shutter switch SW2 is pressed (step S125), the process proceeds to step S129.

  In the fixed color display state, instead of the photographed image data written in the image display memory 24 via the image sensor 12, the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22, the fixed image is replaced. By displaying the color image data by the image display unit 28 via the memory control circuit 22 and the D / A converter 26, a fixed color image is displayed on the electronic viewfinder.

  If the image display flag has been canceled (step S127), the process proceeds to step S129.

  The system control circuit 50 is connected to the memory 30 via the image sensor 12, A / D converter 16, image processing circuit 20, memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter 16 via the memory control circuit 22. An exposure process for writing captured image data, and a shooting process including a development process for reading out the image data written in the memory 30 and performing various processes using the memory control circuit 22 and the image processing circuit 20 as necessary. Execute (Step S129).

  Details of the photographing process step S129 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the photographing process step S129 is completed, the system control circuit 50 proceeds to step S134.

  The system control circuit 50 reads the captured image data written in the memory 30, performs various image processing using the memory control circuit 22 and the image processing circuit 20 as necessary, and uses the compression / decompression circuit 32. After performing an image compression process according to the set mode, a recording process for writing image data to the recording medium 200 or 210 is executed (step S134).

  Details of the recording processing step S134 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the recording process step S134 is completed, the system control circuit 50 finishes a series of photographing operations and returns to step S103.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the distance measurement / photometry processing in step S122 of FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 reads the charge signal from the image sensor 14 and sequentially reads the captured image data into the image processing circuit 20 via the A / D converter 16 (step S201). Using the sequentially read image data, the image processing circuit 20 is a predetermined used for TTL (through-the-lens) AE (automatic exposure) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and AF (autofocus) processing. The operation is performed.

  In each processing here, a specific portion of the total number of photographed pixels is extracted by extracting a necessary portion according to necessity and used for calculation. As a result, in the TTL method AE, EF, AWB, and AF processes, it is possible to perform an optimal calculation for each different mode such as the center-weighted mode, the average mode, and the evaluation mode.

  Using the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs AE control using the exposure control unit 40 (step S203) until it is determined that the exposure (AE) is appropriate (step S202).

  Using the measurement data obtained by the AE control, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the flash is necessary (step S204). If the flash is necessary, the flash flag is set and the flash 48 is charged (step S205). The color temperature of the external light is detected (step S206), and the flash emission ratio for each color is calculated from the external light detection result (step S207). In this calculation method, assuming that the RGB levels as a result of measuring the color of the external light are R1, G1, and B1, first, the light emission ratios α ′, β ′, and γ ′ of the flash colors are obtained.

Average = (R1 + G1 + B1) / 3
α1 ＝ R1 / Average
β1 ＝ G1 / Average
γ1 ＝ B1 / Average
If this is used as it is in the calculation result, there is a risk of an extreme ratio, so clip with the predetermined upper limit value (αupper, βupper, γupper) and lower limit value (αlower, βlower, γlower) so that it falls within the appropriate range. Like that.

In particular,
If α1 <αlower, α1 = αlower.

  If α1> αupper, α1 = αupper.

  If β1 <βlower, β1 = βlower.

  If β1> βupper, β1 = βupper.

  If γ1 <γlower, γ1 = γlower.

  If γ1> γupper, γ1 = γupper.

When the emission ratio is normalized so that the total ratio is 1.00,
Total = (α1 + β1 + γ1)
α '= α1 / Total
β '= β1 / Total
γ '= γ1 / Total
In this way, the light emission ratio of each color is obtained, but if the ratio of each color is changed, the final irradiation luminance will change, so the overall light emission level must also be corrected. First, as a formula for calculating the luminance Y under the light source serving as a reference,
Y = a * R + b * G + c * B
Here, a, b, and c have a luminance composition ratio, but this is an equation that is established under the reference light source, and therefore the luminance composition ratio changes when the light source changes. In order to correct this, it is reflected in the ratio of each color.
Ygain = (a × R + b × G + c × B) / (a × α ′ × R + b × β ′ × G + c × γ ′ × B) α = α ′ × Ygain
β = β '× Ygain
γ = γ '× Ygain
Thus, the emission ratios α, β, and γ for each color are obtained.

  The system control circuit 50 causes the R, G, and B light sources of the flash 48 to emit light at the ratio determined above at the timing of flash emission (step S304 in FIG. 5).

  As a result, the flash flash photography in this embodiment has the same color temperature of the external light and the flash light, and the white balance of the main subject and the background is also the same, so that it is possible to shoot images with favorable color balance in every scene. Become.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4 again, if it is determined that the exposure (AE) is appropriate (step S202), the measurement data and / or the setting parameters are stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 of the system control circuit 50.

  Using the calculation result in the image processing circuit 20 and the measurement data obtained by the AE control, the system control circuit 50 controls the distance measurement control unit 42 until the distance measurement (AF) is determined to be in focus (step S208). AF control is performed using this (step S209).

  If it is determined that the distance measurement (AF) is in focus (step S208), the measurement data and / or setting parameters are stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52, and the distance measurement / photometry processing routine step S122 is ended. .

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the photographing process in step S129 of FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 exposes the image sensor 10 by opening the shutter 12 having an aperture function according to the aperture value by the exposure control unit 40 according to the photometric data stored in the internal memory of the system control circuit 50 or the memory 52. (Step S301, Step S302).

  It is determined whether or not the flash 48 is necessary based on the flash flag (step S303). If necessary, the flash is emitted (step S304).

  The system control circuit 50 waits for the end of exposure of the image sensor 12 according to the photometric data (step S305), closes the shutter 12 (step S306), reads out the charge signal from the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the image processing The captured image data is written into the memory 30 via the circuit 20, the memory control circuit 22, or directly from the A / D converter 16 via the memory control circuit 22 (step S307).

  The white balance processing (S310) is sequentially performed according to the set shooting mode, and then the processed image data is written in the memory 30.

  When the series of processing is finished, the photographing processing routine S129 is finished.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the recording process in step S134 of FIG.

  The system control circuit 50 reads the image data written in the memory 30 using the memory control circuit 22 and performs image compression processing according to the set mode by the compression / decompression circuit 32 (step S402). The compressed image data is written to the recording medium 200 or 210 such as a memory card or a compact flash (registered trademark) card via the interface 90 or 94 and the connector 92 or 96 (step S403).

  When the writing to the recording medium is finished, the recording processing routine S134 is ended.

  In the above description of the embodiment, a light emitting diode is used for the flash, but a plurality of colors may be prepared by applying a color filter to a xenon tube flash conventionally used in a flash device. Further, although the light emitting diode has three colors, it may have more or less colors.

  In the description of the above embodiment, charging is performed before the flash is emitted. However, a light emitting diode or the like can emit light without being charged, so a sequence in which charging is not performed may be used.

  As can be easily understood from the above description, the above-described embodiment is an imaging apparatus that records a captured still image and / or moving image on a recording medium, and includes a control unit, an imaging unit, and a plurality of units. A light emitting means comprising a color and an external light color temperature detecting means, wherein the control means emits the light emitting means comprising a plurality of colors to emit light before the photographing by the external light color temperature detecting means. The temperature is detected, and the light emitting means having a plurality of colors is caused to emit light according to the external light color temperature detection result.

  Secondly, the control means controls the light emission level for each color of the light emitting means composed of a plurality of colors according to the external light color temperature detection result when photographing with the light emitting means composed of a plurality of colors. It is characterized by that.

  Thirdly, when the control unit shoots the light emitting unit composed of a plurality of colors to emit light, the control unit is configured to bring the color temperature of the external light color temperature detection result closer to the light emission color temperature of the light emitting unit composed of a plurality of colors. The light emission level of each color of the light emitting means is controlled.

  Fourthly, the control means controls the light emission ratio for each color of the light emitting means composed of a plurality of colors when shooting with light emitting means composed of a plurality of colors, and the entire light emission according to the ratio for each color. It is characterized by controlling the level.

  Fifthly, the control means detects the external light color temperature by the external light color temperature detection means immediately before the light emission means having a plurality of colors emits light for photographing.

  By the above means, the color temperature of the light emitting device and the color temperature of the external light are not separated from each other, and the white balance of the main subject and the background is the same, so it is possible to always take an image with the appropriate color of the main subject and the background. It becomes.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, an object of each embodiment is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) on which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the procedure described above.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart of the main routine which shows operation | movement of the imaging device of one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart of the main routine which shows operation | movement of the imaging device of one Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart of a distance measurement / photometry routine according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the imaging | photography routine of one Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart of a recording routine according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light emission part of a flash.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Shooting lens 12 Shutter 14 Image pick-up element 16 A / D converter 18 Timing generation circuit 20 Image processing circuit 22 Memory control circuit 24 Image display memory 26 D / A converter 28 Image display part 30 Memory 32 Image compression / decompression circuit 40 Exposure Control unit 42 Distance control unit 44 Zoom control unit 46 Barrier control unit 48 Flash 50 System control circuit 52 Memory 54 Display unit 56 Non-volatile memory 60 Mode dial switch 62 Shutter switch SW1
64 Shutter switch SW2
66 Image display ON / OFF switch 68 Quick review ON / OFF switch 70 Operation unit 80 Power supply control unit 82 Connector 84 Connector 86 Power supply unit 90 Interface 92 Connector 94 Interface 96 Connector 98 Recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit 100 Image processing device 102 Protection device 104 Optical viewfinder 110 Communication unit 112 Connector (or antenna)
200 Recording Medium 202 Recording Unit 204 Interface 206 Connector 210 Recording Medium 212 Recording Unit 214 Interface 216 Connector

Claims (10)

An imaging device that captures a subject image,
An outside light color temperature detecting means for detecting the color temperature of the outside light in the object scene;
A light emitting means for emitting light of a plurality of colors to illuminate a subject, the light emitting means capable of adjusting a light emission ratio of each of the lights of the plurality of colors;
Control means for controlling a light emission ratio of each of the light of the plurality of colors emitted by the light emitting means based on the color temperature of the external light detected by the external light color temperature detecting means;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The control means is configured to cause the color temperature of the external light detected by the external light color temperature detection means to be close to the color temperature of the light emitted from the light emission means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a light emission ratio of each of the lights is controlled.   2. The imaging according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls an entire amount of light emitted by the light emitting unit according to a light emission ratio of each of the light of the plurality of colors emitted by the light emitting unit. apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the color temperature of the external light to be detected by the external light color temperature detection unit immediately before the light emission unit emits light. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus comprising: a light emitting unit that emits light of a plurality of colors to illuminate a subject, the light emitting unit capable of adjusting a light emission ratio of each of the plurality of colors of light;
An outside light color temperature detecting step for detecting the color temperature of the outside light in the object scene;
A control step of controlling the light emission ratio of each of the light of the plurality of colors emitted by the light emitting means based on the color temperature of the external light detected in the external light color temperature detection step;
An image pickup apparatus control method comprising:   In the control step, the color of the plurality of colors emitted by the light emitting unit is made close to the color temperature of the external light detected in the external light color temperature detecting step and the color temperature of the light emitted from the light emitting unit. The method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the light emission ratio of each light is controlled.   6. The imaging according to claim 5, wherein, in the control step, the total amount of light emitted by the light emitting means is controlled in accordance with a light emission ratio of each of the light of the plurality of colors emitted by the light emitting means. Control method of the device.   6. The control method for an imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in the control step, control is performed so as to detect a color temperature of external light immediately before the light emitting means emits light.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 5.   A storage medium storing the program according to claim 9 in a computer-readable manner.

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