JP2006038991A - Portable equipment, photographing control method, and photographing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide portable equipment capable of avoiding influence exerted on a photographic image by light from a light emitting element, and to provide a photographing control method and a photographing control program. <P>SOLUTION: A through image is displayed on a display part (S1), and an LED indicator is operated to flicker (S2). At such a time, an object is informed that a photographing mode is set at present by making the LED indicator arranged near an imaging lens flicker. Next, whether or not a decision key as a shutter key is operated is decided (S3). When the decision key is operated, the LED indicator is turned off (S4), and whether or not the exposure time of a CCD elapses is decided (S5). The turn-off state of the LED indicator is maintained until the exposure time of the CCD elapses, and image processing (S7) and recording processing (S8) are performed when the exposure time elapses. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable device having an imaging function and including a light emitting element, an imaging control method, and an imaging control program.

Today, so-called camera-equipped mobile phones have emerged (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such camera-equipped mobile phones, there is an increasing number of cases where an LED (light emitting element) for notification of incoming calls is used for flashing notification to the subject that the current shooting mode is in the shooting mode. For this reason, the LED is a surface of the apparatus main body on which the lens is provided, and is disposed in the vicinity of the lens.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-125276

  However, if it is arranged on the surface of the LED device main body as described above, the light from the blinking LED is reflected on the subject when taking a night view mode or macro (close-up) shooting, for example, and the desired image is obtained. In some cases, the subject image cannot be captured and recorded.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides a portable device, a shooting control method, and a shooting control program that can avoid the influence of light from a light emitting element on a shot image. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, an imaging unit, a light emitting element arranged to emit light toward a subject imaged by the imaging unit, Informing means for informing that the light-emitting element is blinking by the blinking of the light-emitting element, and photographing for controlling the imaging means to form an object image during the blinking operation of the light-emitting element during the blinking operation by the informing means. Control means.

  Therefore, when the light emitting element blinks, the user is notified that the shooting mode is set. However, since the subject image is formed on the imaging means while the light emitting element is turned off, the light from the flashing light emitting element is reflected in the subject when taking a night view mode or macro (close-up) shooting. There is no. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user that the camera is in the shooting mode by blinking the light emitting element, and to capture and record a desired subject image while avoiding the influence of the light from the blinking light emitting element.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging control method for an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit and a light emitting unit arranged to emit light toward a subject imaged by the imaging unit. Thus, a notifying step for notifying that the current shooting mode is set by blinking the light emitting unit, and a subject image is formed on the imaging means during the blinking operation of the notifying step and during the extinguishing period of the light emitting unit. And an imaging control step for controlling the imaging. Therefore, by performing the processing according to the described steps, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit; and a light emitting unit arranged to emit light toward a subject imaged by the imaging unit. A notification means for notifying that the computer is currently in the shooting mode by blinking the light emitting element, and a subject image is displayed on the imaging means during the blinking operation of the light emitting element during the extinguishing period of the light emitting element. It is made to function as an imaging control means for controlling to form an image. Therefore, by executing the processing according to the program described by the computer, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to notify the user that the camera is in the shooting mode by blinking the light emitting element, and to form a subject image on the imaging means during the light emitting element extinguishing period. Therefore, when the night view mode or macro (close-up) shooting is performed, the light from the flashing light emitting element is not reflected on the subject. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user that the camera is in the shooting mode by blinking the light emitting element, and to capture and record a desired subject image while avoiding the influence of the light from the blinking light emitting element.

  Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external view (open state: front view and rear view) of a mobile phone 1 common to each embodiment of the present invention, and the mobile phone 1 has a two-fold structure consisting of a lid portion and a main body portion. It is. The antenna 103 is provided on the back surface of the main body and is extendable. The speaker 101 is provided on the front side of the lid and performs audio output. The main display unit 102 is a QVGA color liquid crystal, and is disposed at a substantially central portion on the front surface of the lid.

  On the front of the main body, a camera key 104, a mail key 105, a cursor key 106, an enter key 107, an address key 108, a net connection key 109, a clear key 110, an on-hook key 111 and an off-hook key 112, a numeric key 113, and the like are provided. It has been. Among these keys, a cursor key 106, an enter key 107, an address key 108, and a network connection key 109 are arranged at positions that can be operated with the thumb of the right hand when the mobile phone 1 is held with the right hand.

  The camera key 104 is operated at the time of transition from the incoming standby state to the camera mode and when the imaging unit is activated, and is used for camera-movie switching. The mail key 105 is a key that is operated when the mail mode is shifted and when the mail program is loaded. The cursor key 106 is operated when the cursor is moved. The determination key 107 is operated when various modes are determined, and functions as a shutter key in the camera mode.

The address key 108 is a key operated when displaying the address book data, and the network connection key 109 is an operation key for external network connection. The clear key 110 is a cancel instruction key, and the numeric key 113 is used for character input and dial input, and is configured with keys [0] to [9].
The microphone 114 is provided at the lower part of the main body, and performs voice input during a call.

  In addition, on the back of the lid portion, a recording microphone 115, a sub display unit 116 made of a color liquid crystal, an LED indicator 117 serving as both a notification for incoming calls and a notification for emitting light in the camera mode, an imaging lens 118, and a flash LED 119 is disposed. An informing speaker 120 is disposed on the back surface of the main body. That is, the LED indicator 117 is disposed in the vicinity of the imaging lens 118 on the back surface of the lid, which is the surface on which the imaging lens 118 is provided. The notification speaker 120 notifies an incoming call or the like, and is arranged on the back surface of the main body so that the notification sound can be heard even when the lid is closed to the main body.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone 1. The wireless unit 121 is connected to the antenna 103 and performs communication processing including modulation / demodulation based on the QPSK method and terminal authentication processing based on the CDMA method. The control unit 122 controls the device and performs WWW connection control, and measures the current time based on the communication data processing unit 1221, the system ROM 1222, the audio interface 1223, and a built-in clock (not shown). The time counter 1224 is provided.

  The communication data processing unit 1221 includes a CELP speech decoding / encoding processing circuit, a packet data generation circuit, and a packet data restoration circuit, and performs data processing according to a communication protocol. The system ROM 1222 stores a basic system such as an OS. The audio interface 1223 inputs and outputs audio signals processed by the communication data processing unit 1221. The speaker 101, the microphone 114, and the recording microphone 115 are connected to the audio interface 1223. The input unit includes the camera key 104 to the numeric key 113.

  The address / data bus processing unit 123 controls / manages data input / output timing and the like between the control unit 122 and peripheral circuits (circuits within a broken line frame). The RAM 124 stores various data generated in the device such as address book data and mail data. A program ROM (NOR Flash) 125 stores various application programs and the like, and particularly in this embodiment, a camera application including a program for performing compression coding processing on image data digitized by the DSP 134. Remember. The sound source IC 126 stores and outputs the waveform of the notification sound. The amplifier 127 amplifies the output from the sound source IC 126, and the notification speaker 120 reproduces it.

  The display module system driver 128 drives the main display unit 102, the sub display unit 116, the LED indicator 117, and the flash LED 119.

  A CCD 130 is arranged on the optical axis of the imaging lens 118, and a V driver 132 (vertical driver) drives the CCD 130 based on a timing signal generated by a TG (Timing Generator) 131 that generates a timing signal. Accordingly, an analog imaging signal corresponding to the luminance of the subject image is output by the CCD 130 and sent to the unit circuit 133. The unit circuit 133 receives the CDS that holds the imaging signal output from the CCD 130, the gain adjustment amplifier (AGC) that is an analog amplifier to which the imaging signal is supplied from the CDS, and the imaging signal that has been amplified and adjusted by the gain adjustment amplifier. It comprises an A / D converter (AD) that converts it into image data, and the output signal of the CCD 130 is sampled with the black level matched here and sent to the DSP 134 as a digital signal. The DSP 134 generates image data based on the digital signal from the unit circuit 133. Based on the image data, the display module system driver 128 drives the main display unit 102, whereby the subject image formed on the CCD 130 by the imaging lens 118 is displayed on the main display unit 102.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the memory area of the program ROM 125. The program ROM 125 has a software program storage area 1251 and other storage areas 1252. The software program storage area 1251 stores a camera application that is a feature of this embodiment, and the other storage area 1252 stores other applications.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the memory area of the RAM 124. The RAM 124 includes an address book storage area 1241, a mail data storage area 1242, an image memory 1243, and other work areas 1244. The address book storage area 1241 stores a plurality of names, telephone numbers, mail addresses, etc. as one record. The mail data storage area 1242 stores mail data created using mail software and received mail data. The image memory 1243 stores an image file of a captured image. The other work area 1244 stores various data as work memory.

  Next, the operation of the mobile phone 1 according to the above configuration will be described. In the incoming call waiting state, the mobile phone 1 functions in the same manner as a general mobile phone. When there is an incoming call in this incoming call waiting state, the LED indicator 117 blinks to notify the user of the incoming call. When the user detects a one-touch operation of the camera key 104 in order to use the mobile phone 1 as a camera, the control unit 122 shifts to the camera mode in response to the operation of the camera key 104, and the software program storage area 1251. Is loaded, and the process is executed in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, a through image is displayed on the main display unit 102 (step S1), and the LED indicator 117 is blinked (step S2). That is, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 6, the VD (V driver 132) drives the CCD 130 at 133 ms intervals based on the timing signal generated by the TG 131, and the CCD 130 exposes at 133 ms intervals to capture the subject image and capture the image signal. Is generated. The image signal from the CCD 130 is preprocessed by the unit circuit 133, is color-processed by the DSP 134, is converted and rotated according to the resolution of the main display unit 102, and the display module system driver 128 is the main based on the image data. By driving the display unit 102, the subject image formed on the CCD 130 by the imaging lens 118 is displayed on the LCD (main display unit 102).

  At this time, the LED indicator 117 blinks by repeatedly turning on and off. Accordingly, when the mode is shifted to the camera mode, the LED indicator 117 disposed near the imaging lens 118 on the back surface of the lid portion on which the imaging lens 118 is provided blinks, so that the subject is in the shooting mode. Can be informed.

  Next, in the camera mode, it is determined whether or not the enter key 107 that functions as a shutter key has been operated (step S3). If the enter key 107 is operated, the LED indicator 117 is turned off (step S4), and it is determined whether or not the exposure time of the CCD 130 has elapsed (step S5). The LED indicator 117 is kept off until the exposure time of the CCD 130 elapses. When the exposure time elapses, image processing (step S7) and recording processing (step S8) are executed.

  That is, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 7, when shooting is started by operating the enter key 107, the LED indicator 117 is turned off during the exposure time of the CCD 130 driven by the V driver 132. When the exposure time of the CCD 130 has passed, the LED indicator 117 is turned on. The image signal captured when the CCD 130 is exposed at 133 ms intervals by the image processing (step S7) is preprocessed by the unit circuit 133, and is subjected to color processing, resolution conversion, and rotation processing by the DSP 134. An image file is generated by JPEG compression processing. The image of the image file is displayed as a preview image on the main display unit 102.

  Further, the image file is stored in the image memory 1243 together with the file name by the recording process (step S8). At this time, since the image in the image file stored in the image memory 1243 is an image obtained by exposure of the CCD 130 with the LED indicator 117 turned off, the image of the LED indicator 117 is added to the image of the stored image file. There is no effect of light. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the influence of the light from the LED indicator 117 on the captured image while generating the effect of preventing the voyeurism by the LED indicator 117.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a mobile phone is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is applied to other devices having an imaging function such as a PDA, a digital camera alone, and a portable game machine. Of course you get.

(A) is a front view of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a rear view. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a mobile telephone. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the memory area of program ROM. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the memory area of RAM. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of this Embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows operation before imaging operation. It is a timing chart which shows operation at the time of imaging.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone 102 Main display part 104 Camera key 107 Determination key 117 LED indicator (light emitting element, alerting | reporting means, alerting | reporting part)
118 Imaging lens (imaging means, imaging unit)
121 Radio section 122 Control section (shooting control means)
124 RAM
125 program ROM
128 Display module system driver 130 CCD
131 TG
132 V driver 133 Unit circuit 134 DSP
1243 Image memory 1244 Work area 1251 Software program storage area

Claims (3)

Imaging means;
A light emitting element arranged to emit light toward a subject imaged by the imaging means;
Informing means for informing by flashing the light emitting element that it is currently in the photographing mode;
An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging control unit configured to control the imaging unit to form a subject image during a blinking operation by the notification unit during a light-off period of the light emitting element. An imaging control method for an imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit; and a light emitting unit arranged to emit light toward a subject imaged by the imaging unit,
A notification step for notifying that the current mode is a shooting mode by blinking the light emitting unit;
An imaging control method comprising: an imaging control step for controlling the imaging means to form a subject image during the blinking operation in the notification step and during the extinguishing period of the light emitting unit. A computer included in an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit and a light emitting unit arranged to emit light toward a subject imaged by the imaging unit,
Informing means for informing that the current mode is a shooting mode by blinking the light emitting element;
An imaging control program that functions as an imaging control unit that controls the imaging unit to form a subject image during a blinking operation by the notification unit during a light-off period of the light emitting element.

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