JP2007049572A - Photographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic device which mitigates dazzling by the irradiation with an auxiliary light to obtain higher safety. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 100 that selectively photographs animations and still pictures is provided with a light emitter 160 that radiates a light toward the object to be photographed by operating LEDs 160a to 168a, a distance measuring device 110, 120 for measuring the object distance to the object, and light emission control units 110, 120 that allows the light emitter 160 to radiate the light for both animation photographing and still picture photographing. When an animation is photographed; the light emission control units 110, 120 restrict the luminance of the light radiated by the light emitter 160 to a lower value than the luminance of the light used in still picture photographing, under the condition that the object distance measured by the distance measuring sections 110, 120 is smaller than a predetermined distance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus.

  With the advent of white light emitting diodes, it is possible to generate photographing auxiliary light of the photographing device with light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LED has a lower drive voltage than the xenon tube that has been used for auxiliary lighting until now, and it is easy to emit light continuously for a long time, such as when shooting movies or adjusting focus. The movement to install LEDs instead of xenon tubes in devices has become active.

The LED has a maximum allowable current for the purpose of avoiding breakage due to heat generation, but here, focusing on the fact that the amount of heat generated is small with instantaneous light emission such as shooting auxiliary light at the time of still image shooting, A technique is known in which a current exceeding the maximum allowable current is supplied by light emission at the time of still image shooting, and the LED is made to exhibit a capability exceeding the rating (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-307771 A

  In recent years, the maximum allowable current of LEDs has increased with the progress of LED manufacturing technology, and it has become possible to irradiate light with sufficiently high brightness as auxiliary light even with current below the maximum allowable current that can be continuously flowed. Yes.

  However, when a person is photographed with the photographing apparatus, if the light having such a high brightness is irradiated toward the person, a dazzling intensity is felt. This problem is particularly noticeable with auxiliary light from LEDs that can easily emit light for a long time. In addition, since it is expected that the luminance that can be irradiated by the LED will further increase in the future, it is required to further improve the safety so as not to affect the eyes of the person receiving the irradiation.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus that can reduce glare due to irradiation of auxiliary light and further improve safety.

The first photographing device of the photographing device of the present invention that achieves the above object is a photographing device that selectively photographs moving images and still images,
A light emitting unit that includes an LED and emits light toward the subject by emitting the LED;
A distance measuring unit for measuring the subject distance to the subject;
A light emission control unit that irradiates light to the light emitting unit both during movie shooting and still image shooting,
The light emission control unit, when shooting a moving image, sets the luminance of light emitted to the light emitting unit during shooting a still image on the condition that the subject distance measured by the distance measuring unit is smaller than a predetermined distance. It is characterized in that it is limited to a luminance lower than the luminance of the light to be irradiated.

  According to the first image capturing apparatus of the present invention, the luminance of light emitted when shooting a moving image and the subject distance is smaller than a predetermined distance is limited to be lower than the luminance of light irradiated during still image shooting. Therefore, the glare that is felt when the subject is a person can be alleviated, and when the subject distance is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, sufficient light intensity is given even to a distant subject by unrestricted high brightness light Can be taken. Moreover, even if the brightness | luminance of the light which can be light-emitted by LED increases, the influence with respect to the eyes of the person who receives irradiation can be reduced and safety can be improved. According to the first photographing apparatus of the present invention, even if the light luminance is limited to be low, the subject distance is small, so that a proper exposure can be obtained. When the subject distance is large, light with unlimited luminance can be obtained. Irradiation can provide proper exposure.

In addition, a second imaging device of the imaging device of the present invention that achieves the above object includes an imaging device, and forms a subject image on the imaging device to generate an image signal, thereby generating a moving image and a still image. A photographing device for selectively photographing
A light emitting unit that includes an LED and emits light toward the subject by emitting the LED;
A face recognition unit that recognizes a face position by performing image processing on the image signal;
A light emission control unit that irradiates light to the light emission unit both during movie shooting and still image shooting,
The light emission control unit is configured such that the luminance of light emitted to the light emitting unit during movie shooting is set to the luminance of light emitted to the light emitting unit during still image shooting on the condition that the face position is recognized by the face recognition unit. It is characterized in that it is limited to a lower luminance.

  According to the second photographing apparatus of the present invention, the luminance of the light emitted when capturing a moving image and when the face position is recognized is limited to be lower than the luminance of the light irradiated when photographing a still image. The glare can be reduced when shooting a person. Moreover, even if the brightness | luminance of the light which can be light-emitted by LED increases, the influence with respect to the eyes of the person who receives irradiation can be reduced and safety can be improved.

In addition, a third imaging device of the imaging device of the present invention that achieves the above object includes an imaging device, forms a subject image on the imaging device, generates an image signal, and subjects the subject before shooting. An imaging device that adjusts the focus with respect to
A light emitting unit that includes an LED and emits light toward the subject by emitting the LED;
A light emission control unit that irradiates light to the light emitting unit both at the time of shooting and at the time of focus adjustment;
The light emission control unit restricts the luminance of light emitted to the light emitting unit during focus adjustment to a luminance lower than the luminance of light emitted to the light emitting unit during photographing.

  Auxiliary light for focus adjustment is different from shooting auxiliary light at the time of still image shooting, because it is continuously irradiated for the period of focus adjustment by driving the lens. Makes you feel the glare of strength. According to the third photographing apparatus of the present invention, the luminance of light irradiated at the time of focus adjustment is limited to be lower than the luminance of light irradiated at the time of photographing, so that glare can be reduced when photographing a person. it can. Moreover, even if the brightness | luminance of the light which can be light-emitted by LED increases, the influence with respect to the eyes of the person who receives light irradiation can be reduced, and safety can be improved.

Here, the third imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a face recognition unit that recognizes a face position by performing image processing on the image signal,
The light emission control unit determines the brightness of the light emitted to the light emitting unit during focus adjustment based on the brightness of the light emitted to the light emitting unit during the photographing on condition that the face position is recognized by the face recognition unit. However, it is preferable to limit the luminance to a low level.

  By recognizing the face position, it is determined whether or not light is irradiated to the person. When the person is irradiated, the brightness is limited to reduce glare and reduce the effect on the human eye. In other cases, it is possible to easily adjust the focus by irradiating light with high brightness without limitation.

Further, in the third imaging device of the present invention, the light emitting unit irradiates light controlled independently toward each of a plurality of irradiation areas in which the imaging angle of view is divided in two dimensions. ,
The light emission control unit is configured to display the luminance of the irradiation light on the irradiation region corresponding to the face position recognized by the face recognition unit among the plurality of irradiation regions at the time of focus adjustment. It is preferable to irradiate the light limited to the luminance lower than the luminance of the irradiation light to the irradiation region except for.

  When shooting a person, the brightness of the area corresponding to the face position is reduced to reduce glare, and the safety of the person's eyes is increased. Can be used to facilitate focus adjustment.

In addition, a fourth imaging device of the imaging device of the present invention that achieves the above object includes an imaging device, forms a subject image on the imaging device and generates an image signal, and also subjects the subject prior to shooting. An imaging device that adjusts the focus with respect to
A light emitting unit that includes an LED and emits light toward the subject by emitting the LED;
A shooting mode selection unit for selecting an arbitrary shooting mode from a plurality of shooting modes including a person shooting mode for setting shooting conditions of the shooting device to a state suitable for shooting a person;
A light emission control unit that irradiates light to the light emitting unit both at the time of shooting and at the time of focus adjustment;
The light emission control unit adjusts the brightness of the light emitted to the light emitting unit during focus adjustment on the condition that the person photographing mode is selected by the mode selection unit. It is characterized by being limited to be lower than the luminance.

  Auxiliary light for focus adjustment is different from shooting auxiliary light at the time of still image shooting, because it is continuously irradiated for the period of focus adjustment by driving the lens. Makes you feel the glare of strength. According to the fourth photographing apparatus of the present invention, when the human photographing mode is selected, the luminance of light irradiated at the time of focus adjustment is limited to be lower than the luminance of light irradiated at the time of photographing. Can be relaxed. Moreover, even if the brightness | luminance of the light which can be light-emitted by LED increases, the influence with respect to the eyes of the person who receives light irradiation can be reduced, and safety can be improved.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the glare caused by the irradiation of the auxiliary light and realize a photographing apparatus with higher safety.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[First Embodiment]
1 and 2 are diagrams showing a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram seen from the upper front side, and FIG. 2 is a diagram seen from the upper rear side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment, an image of a subject is guided to a CCD solid-state imaging device provided inside the digital camera 100 through a photographing lens built in the lens barrel 170. In the digital camera 100, an image signal representing a through image or a captured image is generated by a CCD solid-state imaging device described later, and TTL distance measurement and TTL metering are performed by a main CPU described later based on the image signal. Distance and subject brightness are also detected. In TTL distance measurement, distance measurement, that is, subject distance measurement is performed for each of a plurality of distance measurement areas in which the shooting angle of view is divided two-dimensionally. In TTL metering, the shooting angle of view is also divided in two dimensions. Photometry is performed for each of the plurality of photometric areas.

  A finder 105 and a light emitting unit 160 are disposed above the lens barrel 170 of the digital camera 100 shown in FIG. The light emitting unit 160 includes nine LEDs 160a to 168a, and emits auxiliary light toward the subject by emitting light from these LEDs 160a to 168a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, operation switches 101 are provided on the back and top surfaces of the digital camera 100 to allow the user to perform various operations when using the digital camera 100.

  In the operation switch group 101, there are a cross key 101b, a menu / OK key 101c, a cancel key 101d, a shooting mode lever 101e, etc. in addition to a power / shooting / playback switch 101a for operating the digital camera 100. Switching between the playback mode and the shooting mode is performed by the power / shooting / playback switching switch 101a. When the power / shooting / playback switching switch 101a is switched to the shooting side, a through image is displayed. When the release button 102 is pressed while viewing the through image, the subject is shot. Reproduction display is performed on the LCD panel 150.

  The release button 102 has two operation modes, half-press and full-press. When the shutter button 102 is half-pressed, both TTL metering and TTL distance measurement are performed, and an aperture having an opening corresponding to the photometric value is provided. After the focus lens is set on the optical axis and at a position corresponding to the distance measurement result in the focus area, an electronic shutter is set on the image sensor in response to the full-press operation, exposure is performed, and shooting is performed. .

  The digital camera 100 is equipped with a plurality of shooting modes for setting conditions corresponding to various shooting scenes. Any shooting mode can be selected by operating a shooting mode lever 101e as a shooting mode selection unit by the user. Is selected. Among these shooting modes, there are a moving image shooting mode for shooting a moving image and a still image shooting mode for shooting a still image. Accordingly, the digital camera 100 can selectively capture a moving image and a still image. Specific still image shooting modes include a portrait mode, a slow sync mode, and other modes as a person shooting mode suitable for shooting a person in addition to an auto mode that can be applied to general shooting in general. For example, in the portrait mode, a low aperture value is adopted so that the background is blurred and the person is emphasized, and in the slow sync mode, a long shutter time is adopted while emitting the photographing auxiliary light, so that the person and the background can be photographed with good balance.

  The digital camera 100 also has various AF modes such as an area selection AF mode and an auto area AF mode. For example, in the AF mode selection state, when the area selection AF mode of the AF mode is selected by the user's operation of the menu / OK key 101c, the division assist that divides the shooting angle of view into a plurality as shown in FIG. A line 1500 is displayed on the LCD panel 150 together with a through image. If any one of the divided areas 1501 in this state is selected by the user's operation of the cross key 101b, the selected area is set as a focus detection area, that is, an AF area. The

  FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of a signal processing unit provided in the digital camera 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The configuration of the signal processing unit in the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the digital camera 100, all processes are controlled by the main CPU 110, and operation signals from the operation switch group 101 of the operation unit shown in FIG. The main CPU 110 has an EEPROM 110a, and a program necessary for operating as the digital camera 100 is written in the EEPROM 110a. In the digital camera 100 having such a configuration, when the power / shooting / playback changeover switch 101a is switched and the signal processing unit is turned on, the CPU 110 operates the entire digital camera 100 in accordance with the program procedure in the EEPROM 110a. Is centrally controlled.

  The flow of the image signal will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the power / photographing / reproducing switch 101a (see FIG. 1) is switched to the photographing side or the reproducing side, the main CPU 110 detects that the power / photographing / reproducing switch 101a has been switched, and the main CPU 110, photometry / Electric power is supplied to each block such as the distance measurement CPU 120. When the power / photographing / playback switch 101a (see FIG. 1) is switched to the photographing side, first, the subject image formed on the CCD solid-state image sensor 112 is thinned out at predetermined intervals and output. Then, a subject image based on the output image signal is displayed on the LCD panel 150 of the image display LCD 15. A timing signal is supplied from a clock generator (hereinafter referred to as CG) 1121 to the CCD solid-state imaging device 112, and image signals are thinned out at predetermined intervals by the timing signal and output. The CG 1121 outputs a timing signal based on an instruction from the CPU 110, and the timing signal is sent to the A / D unit 113 and the white balance adjustment / γ processing unit 114 in the subsequent stage in addition to the CCD solid-state imaging device 112. Have been supplied. Therefore, the CCD solid-state imaging device 112, the A / D unit 113, and the white balance / γ processing unit 114 perform processing of image signals in order in synchronization with the timing signals.

  As described above, after the processing is performed in order by the A / D unit 113 and the white balance γ processing unit 114 in synchronization with the timing signal output from the CG 1121 according to the instruction of the CPU 110, the white balance processing unit to the YC processing unit. An image signal is supplied through the bus. In supplying an image signal through this bus, if the image signal sequentially processed and output by the white balance γ processing unit is directly transferred to the YC processing unit through the bus, the white balance γ processing unit 114 and the YC Since there may be a difference between the processing timings of the processing unit 116 and the processing unit 116, a buffer memory 115 is provided in the subsequent stage so that the supply timing to the YC processing unit 116 can be adjusted. From the buffer memory 115, the image signal stored at the old time is supplied to the YC processing unit 116 first. The image signal supplied to the YC processing unit 116 is converted from an RGB signal to a YC signal, and then the converted YC signal is supplied to the image display LCD 15 side via the bus 121. The image display LCD 15 has a YC → RGB conversion unit 151 for converting a YC signal into an RGB signal, and the YC → RGB conversion unit 151 converts the YC signal into an RGB signal again. It is supplied to the image display LCD 15 via the driver 152. Based on the supplied RGB signals, the subject image is displayed on the LCD panel 150 of the image display LCD 15. The CCD solid-state imaging device 112, the A / D unit 113, and the white balance γ processing unit 114 operate in synchronization with the timing signal output from the CG 1121 described above, and are generated by the CCD solid-state imaging device 112 at predetermined intervals. Since the image signal is being processed, the subject in the direction in which the photographing lens is directed is always displayed as the subject image on the LCD panel 150 of the image display LCD 15. When the release button 102 is pressed at a shutter chance while visually recognizing the displayed subject image, the image is formed on the CCD solid-state imaging device 112 after a predetermined time from the pressing timing of the release button 102 as a starting point. All image signals are output as RGB signals. The RGB signal is converted into a YC signal by the YC processing unit 116, and the YC signal is further compressed by the compression / decompression unit 117, and the compressed image signal is recorded in the memory card 119. The compression / decompression unit 117 compresses still images using a compression method based on the JPEG standard, and records image signals as files on the memory card 119. The moving image is compressed based on the motion JPEG method compliant with the JPEG standard. Compression information, shooting information, and the like are written in the header portion of the recorded file. When the power / shooting / playback switching switch 101a of the digital camera 100 is switched to the playback side, the header of the file is first read from the memory card 119. After being read and the compressed image signal in the file is decompressed based on the compression information in the header and restored based on the image signal, a subject image based on the image signal is displayed on the LCD panel 150.

  In addition to the main CPU 110, the digital camera 100 of this embodiment is provided with a photometry / ranging CPU 120 for performing focus adjustment and exposure adjustment. The photometry / ranging CPU 120 positions the focus lens 1110. Control and aperture control are performed.

  In the case of focus adjustment, that is, focus adjustment, for example, when the center single-point fixed mode is designated in the AF mode, the center area is selected as a focus detection area, that is, an AF area, and the selected measurement area is selected. The focus lens 1110 is driven according to the distance measurement result in the distance area. When the auto area AF mode is designated, the subject contrast is detected for each of the plurality of distance measurement areas divided by the auxiliary division line 1500 shown in FIG. 2, and the area with the largest subject contrast is focused. The focus area is an AF area, and the focus lens is driven to a position corresponding to the distance measurement result in the AF area. When the above-described AF area selection mode is designated, distance measurement is performed in the AF area selected according to the operation, and the focus lens 1110 is driven to a position corresponding to the distance measurement result to focus. Adapted.

  When adjusting the exposure, the photometry results of the AF area (region) and the photometry results of other regions are transmitted from the main CPU 110 to the photometry / ranging CPU 120, and the photometry / ranging CPU 120 calculates, for example, average luminance. The brightness given to the imaging surface of the CCD solid-state image sensor 112 is adjusted by adjusting the aperture value, that is, the size of the aperture of the aperture 1112 according to the calculated brightness.

  Further, the main CPU 110 transmits an instruction to the photometry / ranging CPU 120 to irradiate the light emitting unit 160 with auxiliary light. The auxiliary light includes photographing auxiliary light that is emitted both during still image photographing and moving image photographing, and AF auxiliary light that is emitted during focus adjustment. The brightness of the irradiated auxiliary light is controlled by the main CPU 110. Specifically, when the main CPU 110 transmits an instruction to the photometry / ranging CPU 120, the photometry / ranging CPU 120 controls each of the LEDs 160a to 168a by controlling the LED light emission control unit 16a of the light emitting unit 160 according to the instruction. The amount of current to be supplied and the supply start or stop timing are controlled to control the light emission luminance of the LEDs 160a to 168a. Note that a photographing auxiliary light (flash) light emission timing control unit 140 is provided to match the irradiation timing of the photographing auxiliary light with the processing timing of the image frame. Note that, in the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, causing the light emitting unit 160 to emit light with the maximum luminance that can be emitted is called full light emission.

  FIG. 4 shows a correspondence relationship between the array of nine LEDs 160a to 168a included in the light emitting unit 160 and the array of nine irradiation areas 1601a to 1681a corresponding to the respective LEDs. Each of the LEDs 160a to 168a emits independently controlled auxiliary light toward the corresponding irradiation region among the plurality of irradiation regions 1601a to 1681a in which the imaging angle of view is divided two-dimensionally. Accordingly, the main CPU 110 can distribute the luminance of light to some of the irradiation areas 1601a to 1681a differently from the light to other irradiation areas.

  Here, the main process in the program described in the EERPOM 110a shown in FIG. 3 will be described, and then the details of the exposure / recording process in the main process will be described.

  First, main processing performed by the main CPU 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of main processing performed by the main CPU 110 when shooting is performed.

  First, when the release button 102 is half-pressed in step S401, the main CPU 110 performs AE processing, that is, TTL photometry, and transmits the result to the photometry / ranging CPU 120, and according to the result, the main CPU 110 sets the aperture 112 to the photometry / ranging CPU 120. Adjust the opening.

  In the next step S402, the main CPU 110 performs an AF process, that is, a process for adjusting the focus on the subject prior to shooting. Since the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment has various AF modes such as the center single point fixed AF mode, the selection area AF mode, and the auto area AF mode, the brightness of each area is determined by the AF processing in step S402. Sampling to obtain the subject contrast for each area and detecting the best in-focus in each area, detecting the in-focus only for the selected area, or detecting the in-focus only in the center area can do.

  Here, in performing the AF process, in any AF mode, the photometry / ranging CPU 120 is instructed to move the focus lens, and the predetermined lens area is moved while the focus lens is being moved. The subject distance is measured by detecting the focal point by sampling the subject contrast, and the subject distance is notified to the metering / ranging CPU 120, and the metering / ranging CPU 120 is focused according to the AF information. The lens 1110 is moved to the in-focus position. Also, in this AF process, if it is determined in the previous AE process that irradiation of AF auxiliary light is necessary, a command is transmitted to the photometry / ranging CPU 120 to irradiate the light emitting unit 160 with AF auxiliary light. Let

  When the timing for fully pressing the release button 102 is detected in the next step S403, the main CPU 110 performs exposure / recording processing. Specifically, the CCD 112 starts exposure and outputs an image signal, and the A / D unit 113, the white balance γ processing unit 114, the buffer memory 115, the YC processing unit 116, and the compression / decompression unit 117 process the image signal. Then, the I / F 118 is made to perform recording on the memory card 119 as a medium. In the case of still image shooting, exposure / recording processing is performed on an image signal for one screen. In the case of moving image shooting, the processing is repeated for image signals on successive screens until a preset time has elapsed or until it is detected that the release button 102 has been fully pressed again. When it is necessary to emit photographing auxiliary light, the light emitting unit 160 is irradiated with photographing auxiliary light during exposure.

  After the process of step S403, the process of the flow is terminated.

  Here, in the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, the luminance of light that is emitted when shooting a moving image and the subject distance is smaller than a predetermined distance is limited to be lower than the luminance of the light that is emitted when shooting a still image. Therefore, the details of the exposure / recording process in step S403 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the exposure / recording process in step S403.

  First, in step S4031, the main CPU 110 determines the shooting mode from the state of the shooting mode lever 101e. If it is determined that the still image shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S4035. If it is determined that the moving image shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S4033.

  In step S4033, the subject distance measured in the AF process in step S402 is compared with a specified value L as a predetermined distance value. For example, in the IEC 60825-1 which is an international standard, the specified value L is a minimum distance recommended for the luminance when the light emitting unit 160 is fully lit. In this step, the subject distance exceeds the specified value L, that is, the illuminance at the subject distance is lower than the standard of the international standard even when the light emitting unit 160 is fully lit, and the glare felt by people at this subject distance is suppressed. If it is determined that the subject distance is less than the specified value L, that is, if the light emitting unit 160 is fully lit, the illuminance at the subject distance is higher than the standard of the international standard. If it is determined that the dazzle felt by the person at the subject distance is not suppressed, the process proceeds to step S4034.

  Step S4034 is executed when shooting a moving image and the subject distance is smaller than the specified value L. At the time of moving image shooting, since the auxiliary shooting light is continuously applied for a longer time than at the time of still image shooting, it is easy to feel more intense glare. In this step, the luminance of the light applied to the light emitting unit 160 is set to a luminance limited to be lower than the luminance of the light with full light emission. Specifically, for example, in the international standard IEC 60825-1, the maximum luminance recommended for the measured subject distance is set. After the setting, the process proceeds to step S4036.

  In step S4035, the luminance of light irradiated on the light emitting unit 160 is set to the luminance of light with full light emission, and the process proceeds to step S4036.

  In step S4036, the light emitting unit 160 is irradiated with the luminance set in step S4034 or step S4035. Specifically, information on the set brightness is transmitted to the photometry / ranging CPU 120, and the LED light emission control unit 16a is controlled to cause the LEDs 160a to 168a to supply a current corresponding to the set brightness. Thereby, the EDs 160a to 168a emit light, and the AF auxiliary light is emitted from the light emitting unit 160.

  In the next step S4037, the CCD 112 starts exposure and outputs an image signal to the A / D unit 113. The A / D unit 113 converts the analog image signal into a digital image signal and performs white balance. The image signal that is supplied to the γ processing unit 114 and has the white balance γ processing unit 114 perform image processing and image processing is output to the buffer memory 115. Further, the image signal output to the buffer memory 115 is supplied to the YC processing unit 116 at a timing, and the YC processing unit 116 performs image processing, the compression / decompression unit 117 compresses the image, and the I / F 118 Recording is performed on the memory card 119 as a medium. In the case of still image shooting, exposure / recording processing is performed on an image signal for one screen. In the case of moving image shooting, image signal processing is continuously performed until a preset time has elapsed or until it is detected that the release button 102 has been fully pressed again. After this step, the process proceeds to step S4038.

  In step S4038, a light emission stop process is performed. Specifically, the supply of current to the LEDs 160a to 168a is stopped by transmitting a light emission stop command to the photometry / ranging CPU 120 and controlling the LED light emission control unit 16a. Thereby, the irradiation of the AF auxiliary light from the light emitting unit 160 is stopped. Thereafter, the exposure / recording process is terminated.

  The auxiliary light during movie shooting is continuously emitted for a longer time than the auxiliary light used during still image shooting, so when illuminated toward a person, the illuminated person feels more intense glare. Let Here, the glare is stronger as the illuminance of light is higher, and the illuminance of light is higher as the distance from the light emitting unit to the subject is smaller. In the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, the luminance of light emitted from the light emitting unit 160 when shooting a moving image and the subject distance is smaller than the specified value L is the luminance of light with full emission emitted when shooting a still image. Therefore, the illuminance at the subject is limited, and the glare felt by the person when the subject is a person can be reduced.

  Here, the first embodiment corresponds to an embodiment of the first photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  Further, when the AF processing in step S402 shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the main CPU 110 shown in FIG. 3, the combination of the hardware such as the main CPU 110 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120 and the processing in step S402 is the present invention. This corresponds to an embodiment of the distance measuring unit referred to in the first imaging device.

  Further, when the processing from step S4031 to step S4038 shown in FIG. 6 is executed by the main CPU 110 shown in FIG. 3, the hardware such as the main CPU 110 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120 and the processing from step S4031 to step S4038. This combination corresponds to an embodiment of the light emission control unit referred to in the first photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the specified value L and the limited luminance as a reference for comparing the subject distance are determined based on the international standard IEC 60825-1, but the present invention is not limited to this and reduces glare. As long as it is a standard for doing so, it may be determined based on other standards and specifications.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the luminance of full light emission has been described as the luminance without limitation, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the luminance without limitation is a luminance that is relatively higher than the limited luminance. Other luminances may be used as long as they are present.

  In the present embodiment, the digital camera 100 including the CCD solid-state imaging device 112 has been described as an example of a photographing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is, for example, a mobile phone incorporating a photographing function. It may be a camera of a type in which a photographic film is loaded.

  Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated that the light emission part 160 was equipped with nine LED160a-168a, this invention is not limited to this, The LED with which a light emission part is provided may be any number, for example, 1 It may be individual.

[Second Embodiment]
7, 8, 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration block diagram of a signal processing unit provided in the digital camera of the second embodiment. The digital camera of this embodiment is different from the digital camera of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in that it includes a face recognition unit 1105 that detects a face position by image processing. Here, the face recognition unit 1105 reads an image signal from the buffer memory 115 via the bus 121 and recognizes a face and a face position included in the subject image by performing image processing on the image signal. . In addition, the face recognition unit 1105 supplies information on the recognized face position to the main CPU 110.

  FIG. 8 shows a plurality of ranging areas 15011, 15012, 15013, 15014, 15015, 15016, 15017, 15018, in which the shooting angle of view of the digital camera of the present embodiment is divided into 3 × 3. 15019 is shown. FIG. 8 shows a state where the face position is recognized in the distance measurement area 15015 of the plurality of distance measurement areas 15011 to 15019 as an example. The face recognition unit 1105 supplies the main CPU 110 with information on the face position corresponding to the distance measurement area 15015.

  Other configurations and appearances of the signal processing unit of the digital camera of the present embodiment are the same as those of the digital camera of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 1 and FIG. Description is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a main process of the photographing process performed by the main CPU 110 of the digital camera of this embodiment.

  The main CPU 110 of the digital camera of this embodiment first performs face recognition processing in step S1400. Specifically, the face recognition unit 1105 is made to recognize the face position by image processing of the image signal. When the face recognition unit 1105 recognizes the face position, the face position information is read out. Subsequently, the AE process in step S401, the AF process in step S402, and the exposure / recording process in step S1403 are executed. Here, the processing of step S401 and step S402 performed by the main CPU 110 of the present embodiment is the same as the main processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the exposure / recording process in step S1403 performed by the main CPU 110 of the digital camera of this embodiment.

  First, in step S4031, the main CPU 110 determines the shooting mode from the state of the shooting mode lever 101e. If it is determined that the still image shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S4035. If it is determined that the moving image shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S14032.

  In step S14032, the face recognition process result in the face recognition process in step S1400 is determined. If it is determined that the face position is not recognized by the face recognition unit 1105, the process proceeds to step S 4035, and the light emitting unit 160 is irradiated with photographing auxiliary light with full emission luminance. On the other hand, if it is determined that the face has been recognized, the process proceeds to step S4034, and the photographing auxiliary light is irradiated with a luminance lower than the luminance in the full light emission.

  The processes in steps S4034 and S4035 and subsequent steps are the same as the exposure / recording process of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  When the auxiliary light at the time of moving image shooting is irradiated toward a person, it is easy for the irradiated person to feel intense glare. However, according to the digital camera of this embodiment, at the time of moving image shooting and the face Since the brightness of the light emitted when the position is recognized is limited to be lower than the brightness of the full emission light emitted during still image shooting, it is possible to reduce glare when shooting a person. On the other hand, when a subject other than a person is photographed, the face position is not recognized, so that a sufficiently small amount of photographing auxiliary light can be irradiated to a farther subject by full light emission. In this way, the luminance of the photographing auxiliary light can be appropriately made to correspond to whether or not a person is photographed. Moreover, even if the brightness | luminance of the light which can be light-emitted by LED increases, the influence with respect to the eyes of the person who receives irradiation can be reduced.

  Here, the second embodiment corresponds to an embodiment of the third photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  Further, when the face recognition process in step S1400 shown in FIG. 9 is executed by the main CPU 110 shown in FIG. 3, the combination of the hardware such as the main CPU 110 and the face recognition unit 1105 and the process in step S1400 is the present invention. This corresponds to one embodiment of the face recognition unit referred to in the second imaging device.

  Further, when the processing from step S4031 to step S4038 shown in FIG. 10 and the processing of step S14032 are executed by the main CPU 110 shown in FIG. 3, the hardware such as the main CPU 110 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120 and the steps from step S4031. The combination of the processing up to S4038 and step S14032 corresponds to an embodiment of the light emission control unit referred to in the second photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, a digital camera has been described as an example of a photographing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a mobile phone incorporating a photographing function.

[Modification]
Note that the present invention can be realized by a combination of the embodiments described above and the embodiments described below. However, as an example of the combination, a modification in which the elements of the first embodiment are combined with the second embodiment. explain.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the exposure / recording process performed by the main CPU 110 of the digital camera of this modification. The appearance of the digital camera of this modification, the configuration of the signal processing unit, and the main process of the photographing process are the same as those in the second embodiment, and will be omitted.

  In this modification, the main CPU 110 first determines the shooting mode from the state of the shooting mode lever 101e in step S4031. If it is determined that the still image shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S4035. If it is determined that the moving image shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S14032.

  In step S24032, the face recognition process result in the face recognition process is determined. If the face recognition unit 1105 determines that the face has not been recognized, the process proceeds to step S4035, and the light emitting unit emits the imaging assist light with the full emission luminance. On the other hand, if it is determined that the face has been recognized, the process proceeds to step S24033.

  In step S24033, the subject distance measured in the AF process is compared with a predetermined value L, which is a predetermined value. If it is determined that the subject distance exceeds the predetermined value L, the process proceeds to step S4035, where the subject distance is If it is determined that the value is smaller than the specified value L, the process proceeds to step S4034 and the photographing auxiliary light is irradiated with a luminance lower than the full light emission luminance. Steps S4034 and S4035 and subsequent steps are the same as the exposure / recording process of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  According to the digital camera of this modification, the effects of both the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment]
12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the main process of the photographing process performed by the main CPU 110 of the digital camera of the third embodiment, and FIG. 13 shows the details of the AF process of step S3402 performed by the main CPU 110 of the digital camera of the present embodiment. It is a flowchart. Note that the main process of the shooting process with the digital camera of this embodiment is the same as that of the digital camera of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9 except for the AF process in step S3402. The configuration of the signal processing unit is the same as that of the digital camera of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, and the external appearance is the same as that of the digital camera of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. The description will be omitted.

  With reference to FIG. 13, step S3402AF processing, that is, focus adjustment processing will be described.

  In step S34021, the main CPU 110 of the digital camera according to the present embodiment first transmits an instruction to the photometry / ranging CPU 120 to move the focus lens 1110 to the initial position. The initial position of the focus lens 1110 is, for example, a position where the photographing lens is focused at infinity.

  In the next step S34022, it is determined from the result of the AE process in step S401 shown in FIG. 12 whether or not AF auxiliary light needs to be emitted. Specifically, if it is necessary to emit photographing auxiliary light as a result of TTL photometry in the AE process in step S401, it is determined that AF auxiliary light also needs to be emitted. If it is determined that the subject is sufficiently bright and it is not necessary to emit AF auxiliary light, the process proceeds to step S34026 to prevent the AF auxiliary light from being emitted. When it is determined that AF auxiliary light needs to be emitted, the process proceeds to step S34023, and the face recognition process result in the face recognition process of step S1400 is determined. If it is determined by the face recognition unit 1105 that the face position has not been recognized, the process proceeds to step S34025, where AF assist is performed with the light emission unit 160 at the full light emission brightness in the same manner as the shooting assistance light for still image shooting. Irradiate light. On the other hand, if it is determined that the face has been recognized, the process proceeds to step S34024, and the AF auxiliary light is emitted with a luminance lower than the full emission luminance. In this way, on the condition that the face position is recognized, the AF auxiliary light is irradiated with a luminance limited to a luminance lower than the luminance of the photographing auxiliary light.

  In the next step S34026, the focus lens 1110 is driven, and the subject contrast peak is detected by sampling the subject contrast while moving from the initial position. The focus lens 1110 is fixed at this position, assuming that the subject is in focus at the position where the peak is detected. The focus lens 1110 is driven by transmitting an instruction to the photometry / ranging CPU 120. Thereafter, in step S34027, an instruction is transmitted to the photometry / ranging CPU 120 to stop the irradiation of the AF auxiliary light, and the flow process is ended.

  Auxiliary light for focus adjustment is different from shooting auxiliary light at the time of still image shooting, because it is continuously irradiated for the period of focus adjustment by driving the lens. Makes you feel the glare of strength. According to the digital camera of the present embodiment, the brightness of the AF auxiliary light emitted during focus adjustment is limited to be lower than the brightness of the full light emitted during photographing, so that the glare is reduced when photographing a person. can do. Moreover, even if the brightness | luminance of the light which can be light-emitted by LED increases, the influence with respect to the eyes of the person who receives light irradiation can be reduced. Also, by recognizing the position of the face, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not to shoot a person. When shooting a person, the glare is alleviated. Thus, it is possible to facilitate the focus adjustment.

  Here, the third embodiment corresponds to an embodiment of the third photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  Further, when the processing from step S34022 to step S34025 shown in FIG. 13 and the processing of step S403 shown in FIG. 13 are executed by the main CPU 110 shown in FIG. A combination of the processing from step S34022 to step S34025 and the processing of step S403 corresponds to an embodiment of the light emission control unit referred to in the third photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  Further, when the face recognition process in step S1400 shown in FIG. 12 is executed by the main CPU 110 shown in FIG. 3, the combination of the hardware such as the main CPU 110 and the face recognition unit 1105 and the process in step S1400 is the present invention. This corresponds to an embodiment of the face recognition unit referred to in the third imaging device.

  Further, when the processing of step S34021 and step S34026 shown in FIG. 13 is executed by the main CPU 110 shown in FIG. 3, the combination of hardware such as the main CPU 110 and photometry / ranging CPU 120 and the processing of steps S34021 and S34026. Realizes the function of the focus adjustment unit.

  In this embodiment, the face recognition result is determined. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and face recognition and face recognition result determination are not performed when the configuration is simplified. That's good.

  In the present embodiment, a digital camera has been described as an example of a photographing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a mobile phone incorporating a photographing function, for example.

[Fourth Embodiment]
14 and 15 are diagrams illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of AF processing performed by the main CPU 110 of the digital camera of the fourth embodiment. The digital camera of this embodiment differs from the AF process of step S44024 and the process of S44025 in the AF process shown in FIG. 14 as compared to the AF process of the digital camera of the third embodiment shown in FIG. Since the processing and the configuration are the same, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

  FIG. 15 shows nine ranging areas 15011, 15012, 15013, 15014, 15015, 15016, and 15017 as 3 × 3 two-dimensionally divided areas within the shooting angle of view in the digital camera of this embodiment. , 15018, 15019 are shown. Here, each of the nine distance measurement areas 15011 to 15019 is associated with each of the nine irradiation areas 1601a to 1681a shown in FIG. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the face position is recognized in the distance measurement area 15016 among the plurality of distance measurement areas 15011 to 15019. In this case, the face recognition unit 1105 supplies information on the face position corresponding to the distance measurement area 15016 to the main CPU 110.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 14, in step S <b> 44024 which is executed assuming that the face position is recognized, for example, in the case of the face position shown in FIG. 15, the main CPU 110 performs other irradiation areas 1601 a excluding the irradiation area corresponding to the face position. , 1611a, 1621a, 1641a, 1651a, 1661a, 1671a, 1681a (see FIG. 4) are irradiated with AF auxiliary light at a luminance corresponding to the luminance when full light emission is performed, and the irradiation region 1631a corresponding to the face position is irradiated. On the other hand, the AF auxiliary light is irradiated at a luminance limited to a luminance lower than the luminance in the case of full light emission. Specifically, the LED 163a that emits light toward the irradiation area 1631a corresponding to the distance measurement area 15016 including the face position recognized by the face recognition unit 1105 emits light with a luminance lower than that at the time of full light emission. .

  According to the digital camera of the present embodiment, when photographing a person, the brightness of the AF auxiliary light to the irradiation area 1631a corresponding to the face position is suppressed to reduce glare, and at the same time, the other irradiation areas 1601a to 1621a and The LEDs 1641a to 1681a can be irradiated with light having unlimited brightness to facilitate focus adjustment.

  Here, the fourth embodiment corresponds to an embodiment of the third photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  Further, when the face recognition process in step S1400 shown in FIG. 9 is executed by the main CPU 110 shown in FIG. 3, the combination of the hardware such as the main CPU 110 and the face recognition unit 1105 and the process in step S1400 is the present invention. This corresponds to one embodiment of the face recognition unit referred to in the second imaging device.

  Further, when the processing of steps S34022, S34023, S44024, and S44025 shown in FIG. 14 is executed by the main CPU 110 shown in FIG. 3, the hardware such as the main CPU 110 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120, and steps S34022, S34023, S44024, and The combination with the process of S44025 corresponds to an embodiment of the light emission control unit referred to in the third photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the nine irradiation areas correspond to the nine distance measurement areas. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the recognized face position is set to any one of the irradiation areas. Any corresponding one is acceptable. For example, the irradiation area and the distance measurement area may not correspond uniquely.

  In the present embodiment, a digital camera has been described as an example of a photographing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a mobile phone incorporating a photographing function, for example.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of AF processing performed by the main CPU 110 of the digital camera of the fifth embodiment. In the digital camera of the present embodiment, among the AF processes shown in FIG. 16, the process in step S54023 is different from the AF process of the digital camera of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 13, and other processes and configurations are the same. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  In step S54023 of FIG. 16, the main CPU 110 determines the shooting mode. Specifically, it is determined whether the portrait mode or the slow sync mode as the person shooting mode is selected by the shooting mode lever 101e in the operation switch group 101. Here, when the portrait mode or the slow sync mode is selected, it is estimated that the subject is a person and the process proceeds to step S34024, and the AF auxiliary light is emitted with a luminance lower than the full emission luminance. . When a mode other than the portrait mode or the slow sync mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S34025, and the light emitting unit irradiates the AF auxiliary light with the brightness of full light emission.

  According to the digital camera of the present embodiment, when the human photographing mode is selected, the luminance of light irradiated at the time of focus adjustment is limited to be lower than the luminance of light irradiated at the time of photographing. Can be relaxed.

  Here, when the processing of steps S34022 to S34025 and S54023 shown in FIG. 16 is executed by the main CPU 110 shown in FIG. 3, the hardware such as the main CPU 110 and the photometry / ranging CPU 120 and the processing of steps S34022 to S34025 and S54023. Is equivalent to an embodiment of the light emission control unit referred to in the fourth photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, a digital camera has been described as an example of a photographing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a mobile phone incorporating a photographing function.

It is the figure which looked at the digital camera which is 1st Embodiment of this invention from the front diagonally upward. It is the figure which looked at the digital camera which is 1st Embodiment of this invention from the back diagonally upward. FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a signal processing unit provided in the digital camera 100 of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of each arrangement | sequence of nine LED160a-168a with which the light emission part 160 is provided, and each arrangement | sequence of irradiation area | region 1601a-1681a corresponding to each LED. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the main process which main CPU110 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the exposure and recording process of step S403. It is a block diagram of the configuration of a signal processing unit provided in the digital camera of the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the several ranging area by which the inside of the imaging | photography field angle was divided | segmented two-dimensionally. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of the imaging | photography process which main CPU110 of the digital camera of 2nd Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the exposure and recording process of step S1403 which main CPU110 of the digital camera of 2nd Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the exposure and the recording process which main CPU110 of the digital camera of the modification of 2nd Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of the imaging | photography process which main CPU110 of the digital camera of 3rd Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of AF process of step S3402 which main CPU110 of the digital camera of 3rd Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of AF process which main CPU110 of the digital camera of 4th Embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows nine ranging areas into which the imaging | photography angle of view in the digital camera of 4th Embodiment was divided | segmented two-dimensionally 3x3. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of AF process which main CPU110 of the digital camera of 5th Embodiment performs.

Explanation of symbols

100 Digital camera 101e Shooting mode lever (shooting mode selector)
110 Main CPU
120 Metering / ranging CPU
160 Light emitting unit 160a to 168a LED
1105 Face recognition unit 15011-15018 Distance measurement area 1601a-1681a Irradiation area

Claims (6)

A photographing device for selectively photographing moving images and still images,
A light emitting unit that includes an LED and emits light toward the subject by emitting the LED;
A distance measuring unit for measuring the subject distance to the subject;
A light emission control unit for irradiating light to the light emitting unit both during movie shooting and still image shooting,
The light emission control unit is configured to capture the luminance of light emitted to the light emitting unit during moving image shooting on the condition that a subject distance measured by the distance measuring unit is smaller than a predetermined distance when shooting a still image. An imaging device characterized in that it is limited to a luminance lower than the luminance of the light to be irradiated on. An imaging device that includes an imaging device and selectively captures a moving image and a still image by forming a subject image on the imaging device and generating an image signal,
A light emitting unit that includes an LED and emits light toward the subject by emitting the LED;
A face recognition unit for recognizing a face position by performing image processing on the image signal;
A light emission control unit that irradiates light to the light emission unit both during movie shooting and still image shooting,
The light emission control unit is configured such that the luminance of light emitted to the light emitting unit during moving image shooting is the luminance of light emitted to the light emitting unit during still image shooting on the condition that the face position is recognized by the face recognition unit. An imaging device characterized by being limited to a lower luminance. An imaging device including an imaging device, forming an image of a subject on the imaging device to generate an image signal, and performing focus adjustment on the subject prior to shooting,
A light emitting unit that includes an LED and emits light toward the subject by emitting the LED;
A light emission control unit for irradiating light to the light emitting unit both at the time of shooting and at the time of focus adjustment;
The light emission control unit restricts the luminance of light emitted to the light emitting unit during focus adjustment to a luminance lower than the luminance of light emitted to the light emitting unit during photographing. A face recognition unit for recognizing a face position by performing image processing on the image signal;
The light emission control unit, based on the brightness of light emitted to the light emitting unit during the photographing, on the condition that the face position is recognized by the face recognizing unit when adjusting the focus, 4. The photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the brightness is limited to a low luminance. The light emitting unit irradiates light that is independently controlled toward each of a plurality of irradiation regions that are two-dimensionally divided within a shooting angle of view,
The light emission control unit controls the light emission unit to adjust the luminance of the irradiation light to the irradiation region corresponding to the face position recognized by the face recognition unit among the plurality of irradiation regions during focus adjustment. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the imaging device is configured to irradiate light limited to a luminance lower than the luminance of the irradiation light to the irradiation region except the irradiation region. An imaging device including an imaging device, forming an image of a subject on the imaging device to generate an image signal, and performing focus adjustment on the subject prior to shooting,
A light emitting unit that includes an LED and emits light toward the subject by emitting the LED;
A shooting mode selection unit for selecting an arbitrary shooting mode from a plurality of shooting modes including a person shooting mode suitable for shooting a person as shooting conditions of the shooting device;
A light emission control unit for irradiating light to the light emitting unit both at the time of shooting and at the time of focus adjustment;
The light emission control unit adjusts the brightness of the light emitted to the light emitting unit during focus adjustment on the condition that the person photographing mode is selected by the mode selection unit. An imaging apparatus characterized by being limited to be lower than luminance.

Images