JP2007060395A - Imaging device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device and its system whose time setting of a clock circuit in a plurality of the imaging units can be easily performed without performing a complex operation for time setting. <P>SOLUTION: In the case of shooting a common photographic subject 4 using a plurality of digital cameras 1, 2 and 3, when having initially performed the shooting by using the digital camera 1 from the digital camera 1; light carrying information on a clock time of its own clock circuit is emitted from a light emitting unit 1C, and then the other cameras 2, 3 receive the clock time signals emitted from the digital camera 1 with light-sensitive sensors 1E to preset the received information on the clock time in each own clock circuit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus including a time measuring unit that measures time information, and more particularly, to an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup system capable of matching time information of a plurality of image pickup apparatuses with extremely simple operations.

  Conventionally, in order to make the time information obtained by the clock circuit of the imaging device more accurate, a setting device for transmitting the time information obtained by receiving the standard time radio signal as an optical signal has been provided and emitted from this setting device. It is considered that the received optical signal is received by a light receiving sensor of the imaging device and converted into time information, and the converted time information is set in a clock circuit of the imaging device (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, while still photographing a subject from multiple viewpoints using a plurality of imaging devices, the image information captured by the plurality of imaging devices is rearranged based on the shooting date and time information (recorded). In order to match the time information of all the image pickup devices, the time information counted by one image pickup device is sent to another image pickup device via the network. It is considered to adjust the time (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, in the case of movie shooting, when shooting the same subject with multiple video cameras, various operations including time code for synchronization from the main video camera to the other video camera as the slave unit It is also conceivable that parameters are transmitted wirelessly and the operation of the slave unit is controlled by the master unit to perform shooting (for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2004-020958 A JP 2004-140797 A JP 2002-325216 A

  When a dedicated setting device such as Patent Document 1 is used for time adjustment, the user has to purchase this dedicated setting device in addition to the imaging device, which is extremely expensive. When trying to shoot the same subject using multiple imaging devices, the time must be set using the dedicated setting device for each imaging device, which is troublesome and cumbersome. There is a fault that becomes.

  In addition, when time is set via a network as in Patent Document 2, it must be an image pickup apparatus having a function for connecting to the network, which is not only expensive but also expensive. An operation for connection is necessary, and it takes time and effort.

  Therefore, as shown in Patent Document 3, it is conceivable to wirelessly transmit time information by using a technique for directly transmitting and receiving data between imaging devices, but the wireless transmission / reception function is also possible. Not only is it necessary, but there is a drawback in that it takes time and effort to perform a complicated operation for setting the time before shooting.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging system that can perform time adjustment of a plurality of imaging apparatuses with an extremely simple configuration.

  Further, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus and an imaging system that can perform time adjustment of a plurality of imaging apparatuses without performing a special operation, and can save time and effort. Objective.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an imaging apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is timed by a time measuring unit that measures time information, an imaging unit that images an external subject, and the time measuring unit during imaging by the imaging unit. And time information output means for outputting the time information to the outside.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the imaging unit further includes a light emitting device that illuminates the subject image during the photographing, and the time information output unit outputs the time information from the light emitting device as a light emission signal. And

  Further, the invention of claim 3 is provided with a light receiving means for receiving a light emission signal of time information from the outside, and a time setting means for setting the time information received by the light receiving means in the time measuring means. And

  Furthermore, the invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the light receiving means is used as a light receiving means for measuring the amount of light of the subject image.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, after the time information is output by the time information output means, or after the time information is received by the light receiving means, the time information output means is used until a predetermined time elapses. The time information is not output or the time information is not set by the time setting means.

  Further, the invention of claim 6 is characterized by comprising a radio wave correcting means for receiving a standard radio wave of time information and setting the time measuring means.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging system in which the time information of the time measuring means of a plurality of imaging devices each provided with a time measuring means for measuring time information and an imaging means for imaging an external subject is timed. In the system, the time information measured by the time measuring means is output to the outside from the image pickup apparatus first picked up by the image pickup means among the image pickup apparatuses, and the remaining image pickup apparatuses perform the image pickup. The time information output from the imaging apparatus performed first is received and set in its own time measuring means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the time information timed by the time measuring means is output to the outside at the time of image pickup by the image pickup means, it is possible to connect with other image pickup apparatuses without performing a special operation. Therefore, time information can be output for time adjustment, and time adjustment can be performed very easily.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the time information is output using the light emitting device that illuminates the subject image at the time of photographing, a dedicated device for outputting the time information is not required, and the cost is reduced. In addition, the device itself can be reduced in size.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to optically receive time information using the light receiving means and set it as the time measuring means. In particular, as in the invention of claim 4, the light quantity of the subject image at the time of photographing can be set. Since the light receiving means for measuring is used, a dedicated device for receiving time information is not required.

  According to the invention of claim 5, once the time is adjusted, the time adjustment operation is not performed until a predetermined time elapses. It is possible to prevent frequent time adjustment for each time.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 6, since the radio wave correcting means for receiving the standard radio wave of the time information and setting the time measuring means is provided, an extremely accurate time can be obtained.

  Further, according to the imaging system of claim 7 of the present invention, the time is adjusted by the output from the imaging device that has first performed the imaging among the plurality of imaging devices. It is possible to provide an imaging system that can be combined.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, although various technically preferable limitations for implementing the present invention are given to the embodiments described below, the scope of the invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the same subject 4 is photographed from different directions using imaging devices (digital cameras) 1, 2 and 3 to which the present invention is applied. is there. Since the digital cameras 1, 2 and 3 have the same configuration, the external appearance of the digital camera 1 will be described below. An optical system 1B such as a lens is provided in front of the case 1A of the digital camera 1, and an LED that operates as a strobe (flash device) for illuminating the subject 4 is provided around the optical system 1B. A light emitting device 1C is provided, and a distance measuring sensor 1D for measuring the distance to the subject 4 and a light receiving sensor 1E for measuring the brightness of the subject 4 are provided.

  Further, a shutter button 1F for taking a still image (still image) is provided on the upper surface of the case 1A. Although not shown, various operation buttons and a display unit described later are provided on the back surface of the case 1A. ing. Although FIG. 1 shows an example using three digital cameras 1, 2, and 3, it is needless to say that the number of digital cameras may be two or four or more.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the digital camera 1. In FIG. 2, the control unit 11 includes a CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, and internally includes various programs for controlling the operation of the entire digital camera 1. The control unit 11 includes a storage unit 13, a communication control unit 14, a clock circuit unit 15, a display unit 16, an imaging unit 17, an input unit (operation button) 18, and a recording medium 19 that are driven via a bus line 12. A medium driving unit 20 is connected.

  The storage unit 13 is an internal memory that is fixedly provided inside the digital camera 1 and cannot be taken out in a normal state. The storage unit 13 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a readable and writable volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory.

  FIG. 3 shows a detailed configuration diagram of the storage unit 13, and the mode value M indicating the basic operation mode of the camera is stored in the basic mode value storage area 13A. The mode value M is a shooting mode in which when the value is 0 (hereinafter referred to as M = 0), an external subject is shot and a still image is recorded on the recording medium 19, and when M = 1. Is a reproduction mode in which still images recorded on the recording medium 19 are reproduced and displayed on the display unit 16, and when M = 2, an erase mode in which the recorded still images are selectively erased.

  Further, when the mode value M is M = 3, this is a transfer mode in which a still image recorded on the storage medium 19 is transferred to an external electronic device such as another digital camera or a printing device. When M = 4, This is an editing mode for editing recorded still images and still images sent from other electronic devices.

  In the shooting mode value storage area 13B of the storage unit 13, a shooting mode indicating whether the digital camera 1 is used for shooting alone or in cooperation with the other digital cameras 2 and 3 in the shooting mode. The value L is set and stored. That is, when L = 0, it is a mode for photographing independently using the digital camera 1 (hereinafter, abbreviated as a single photographing mode), and when L = 1, other modes are used as shown in FIG. A mode for photographing the same subject 4 together with the digital cameras 2 and 3 (hereinafter abbreviated as a collaborative photographing mode) is set.

  The setting flag storage area 13C of the storage unit 13 has a time setting flag value N indicating whether or not time setting or time information is transmitted in the cooperative shooting mode of L = 1, as will be described in detail later. When N = 0, time setting or transmission has not been performed yet, and when N = 1, time setting or transmission has already been performed.

  The timer time storage area 13D of the storage unit 13 stores an elapsed time T (hereinafter referred to as a timer time T) since the start of shooting in the cooperative shooting mode of L = 1. As described above, when the timer time T in the timer time storage area 13D becomes a time selected in advance from a plurality of predetermined times, for example, 60 minutes, 2 hours, 5 hours, 12 hours, etc. The shooting mode ends.

  The shooting condition storage unit 13E of the storage unit 13 stores shooting condition values such as a shutter time, an exposure value, and a white balance value at the time of shooting, and the work area 13F temporarily stores shot image information and various processes. This is a storage area used for storage.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the communication control unit 14 is connected to an external electronic device, for example, another digital camera 2 or 3, a printing apparatus, a personal computer, or the like, and controls transmission / reception of still image information. Note that the connection with the external electronic device may be performed by a cable or a wireless connection such as infrared or wireless.

  The clock circuit unit 15 is composed of a clock circuit that clocks a reference signal and obtains time information such as year, month, day, hour, minute, and second. Time setting or time correction of the time information of the clock circuit unit 15 is performed by an input unit. In addition to the 18 button operations, it is also performed by presetting time information sent from the outside, as will be described later.

  The display unit 16 includes, for example, a color liquid crystal display device, and displays a still image at the time of shooting or reproduction, various setting information, guidance information for various operations, and the like.

  The imaging unit 17 captures an external subject, and FIG. 4 shows a detailed configuration of the imaging unit 17. The aperture amount of the light beam incident through the photographic lens 17A is adjusted by the diaphragm mechanism 17B, and the subject image is formed on the image sensor 17C such as a CCD. For focusing, the photographic lens 17A is moved along the optical axis by the optical system driving unit 17D, and the aperture amount of the aperture mechanism 17B is controlled by the optical system driving unit 17D so as to achieve appropriate exposure.

  That is, at the time of shooting, the sensor unit 17E including the distance measuring sensor 1D and the light receiving sensor 1E shown in FIG. 1 is driven by the sensor driving unit 17F, and the detection values detected by the sensor unit 17E are the sensor driving unit 17F and the bus line 12. Is sent to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 calculates the amount of movement of the photographic lens 17A and the amount of aperture of the aperture mechanism 17B from the sent detection values based on the preset shooting conditions, and a signal based on the calculation result is an optical system drive unit. By being sent to 17D, the optical system driving unit 17D adjusts the movement of the photographing lens 17A and the aperture amount of the aperture mechanism 17B.

  By forming a subject image on the image sensor 17C, charges corresponding to the amount of incident light are accumulated in the image sensor 17C, and the accumulated charges are sequentially read out by a drive pulse signal supplied from the read drive circuit 17G and analog. It is sent to the processing circuit 17H. The analog processing circuit 17H performs various processes such as color separation, gain adjustment, and white balance, and the processed signals are stored in the buffer register 17J as digital still image information via the A / D conversion circuit 17I. The still image information stored in the buffer register 17J is converted into a luminance signal and a color difference signal in the signal processing circuit 17K, and is compressed in accordance with the JPEG standard by the compression / decompression circuit 17L, and then converted into a file as shown in FIG. It is recorded on the recording medium 19 shown.

  The light emitting device 17M is the light emitting device 1C shown in FIG. 1, and is composed of, for example, three LEDs (light emitting diodes) of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), and the light emission control unit 17N controls the light emission. It is what is done. That is, when the control unit 11 detects that the amount of light received by the subject is small at the time of shooting, the control unit 11 outputs a light emission command signal to the light emission control unit 17N. It emits light.

  The light emitting device 17M is configured to perform light emission based on a signal indicating time information obtained by the clock circuit unit 15 in addition to the light emission to the subject described above in response to a command from the control unit 11. The light receiving sensor 1E of the sensor unit 17E is configured to receive an optical signal indicating time information from the outside in addition to measuring the exposure of the subject and send it to the control unit 11, and this point will be described later.

  The input unit 18 in FIG. 2 is a mode switch button 18B that sequentially switches between the shutter button 18A (shutter button 1F shown in FIG. 1) and the mode value M stored in the basic mode value storage area 13A in FIG. A shooting mode switching button 18C for switching the shooting mode value L stored in the shooting mode value storage area 13B for each operation, setting of shooting conditions and initial setting, correction or shooting of time information of the clock circuit unit 15; A plurality of operation buttons 18D, 18E,... For reproducing, erasing, editing, and the like of recorded still images are provided. In addition, a cross key 18G provided with switch operation units on the top, bottom, left, and right for making various selections is also provided.

  The recording medium drive unit 20 is detachable from the recording medium 19, and records various information including image information on the recording medium 19, and reads and reproduces information that has already been recorded. It is a drive circuit. For example, an IC card using a semiconductor circuit is used as the recording medium 19. Various disks such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk may be used as the recording medium 19 instead of the IC card, and the recording medium driving unit 20 is also a drive circuit corresponding to the recording medium 19 used. Just do it.

  FIG. 5 shows an image file configuration of still image information that is captured by the imaging unit 17 and recorded on the recording medium 19. One still image photographed by the image capturing unit 17 is stored in the image information storage unit 21, and a header unit 22 is added to be recorded as one file on the recording medium 19. The header section 22 includes a storage area 22A for time information (shooting date and time) counted by the clock circuit section 15 at the time of shooting, a storage area 22B for storing a number corresponding to the shooting order as a file name, and a time of shooting. A storage area 22C for storing the shooting conditions and a storage area 22D for storing other information are provided.

  The storage medium 19 stores a large number of the files shown in FIG. 5 according to the shooting order, and has a storage area that can also store files sent from other digital cameras 2 and 3 as will be described later. Is.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As described above, the digital cameras 1, 2 and 3 have the same configuration. Therefore, the operations common to the digital cameras 1, 2 and 3 will be described.

  In FIG. 6, the mode value M in the basic mode value storage area 13A of the recording unit 13 is set to the shooting mode in which M = 0, and the shooting mode value L in the shooting mode value storage area 13B is set to the cooperative shooting mode in which L = 1. It is a flowchart at the time of being. As described above, the mode value M is set by operating the basic mode switching button 18B of the input unit 18, and the shooting mode value L is set by operating the shooting mode switching button 18C. When the common subject 4 is photographed by the digital cameras 1, 2, and 3, the cameras are set to the cooperative photographing mode of M = 0 and L = 1 by operating the switching buttons 18B and 18C.

  In addition, the digital cameras 1, 2, and 3 each select and set in advance the time for ending the cooperative shooting mode. That is, as a predetermined time, a plurality of times such as 60 minutes, 2 hours, 5 hours, and 12 hours are prepared, and among these times, a time necessary for cooperative shooting is selected in advance. It is stored in a register (not shown) in the work area 13F.

  Accordingly, in FIG. 6, in the first step S1, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 18A (1F in FIG. 1) has been operated, and if it is determined that the shutter button 18A has been operated (in the case of Yes, Hereinafter, Yes is indicated by Y.) In step S2, photographing / image capturing processing is performed. The shutter button 18A is composed of a two-stage switch, and when the first-stage switch is turned on, distance measurement by the distance measuring sensor 1D and exposure measurement by the light receiving sensor 1E are performed to perform focusing and exposure control. When the stage switch is turned on, the image of the subject is imprinted on the image sensor 17C by, for example, causing the light emitting device 1C to emit light, and an operation of reading out and capturing the imprinted image information from the image sensor 17C is started. However, these are well-known structures, and a detailed flow is omitted.

  In the photographing / image capturing process in step S2, processing is performed until the image information of the subject image captured in the image sensor 17C is stored in the buffer register 17J, and in the next step S3, it is stored in the buffer register 17J. The processed image information is finally compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 17L according to the MPEG standard, and is processed as a file and recorded on the recording medium 9 as shown in FIG.

  In the next step S4, it is determined whether or not the time setting flag value N in the storage unit 13 is N = 0. The time setting flag value N is set to N = 0 when the cooperative shooting mode is set. At this time, since N = 0, the process proceeds to the next step S5, where time data transmission processing is performed. Is called.

  The time data transmission process in step S5 is to emit and output the time information counted by the clock circuit 15 by the light emitting device 1C (17F in FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. As a result, an identification code signal indicating time information is emitted and output, and then a time information signal based on a combination of emission pulses is emitted and output.

  In this case, the time information measured by the clock circuit 15 is output as it is with respect to the time information in units of the year, date, and time, but the second information added to the second information timed by the clock circuit 15 is added to the second information. Is emitted, and the set pulse is emitted at the timing when the second information timed by the clock circuit 15 is +1 second, that is, at the timing when the second information timed by the clock circuit 15 becomes the second information emitted. Output.

  As will be described later, the receiving camera that receives the emitted time information first temporarily stores the received time information in the work area 13F or the like, and when receiving the set pulse, it is temporarily synchronized with the set pulse. The stored time information is preset in the clock circuit 15 to start the time measurement, whereby the time information between the transmitting camera and the receiving camera can be synchronized.

  If the time data is sent out in step S5, the process proceeds to the next step S6, the time setting flag value N is set to N = 1, and the process proceeds to the next step S7. In step S7, after clearing the timer time T in the timer time storage area 13 of the storage unit 13, the timer operation is started and the process returns to step S1.

  When the operation of the shutter button 18A is not detected in step S1 (in the case of No, hereinafter, No is indicated by N), the process proceeds to step S8, and whether or not light is emitted from another camera by the light receiving sensor 1E. Is judged. If there is light emission, the process proceeds to step S9, where it is determined whether or not the time setting flag value N is N = 0. If N = 0, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not the received light is the above-described identification code signal. If it is determined that the received light is the identification code signal, the process proceeds to step S11, and the time information sent following the identification code is displayed in the work area 13F. The time information stored in the work area 13F is preset in the clock circuit 15 in synchronization with the set pulse sent subsequently, and the process proceeds to steps S6 and S7.

  In step S6, the time setting flag value N is set to N = 1 as described above. In the next step S7, the timer time T in the timer time storage area 13 of the storage unit 13 is cleared, and then the timer operation is performed. Start and return to step S1.

  If no light emission is detected in step S8, the process proceeds to step S12, and it is determined whether or not the value of the time setting flag value N is N = 1. When N = 1, the process proceeds to step S13, where it is determined whether or not the timer time T has reached a predetermined value (selected value). In step S14, the value of the shooting mode value L is set to L = 0, and the cooperative shooting mode is terminated.

  If the time setting flag value N is N = 0 in step S12 and if the timer time T has not reached a predetermined value in step S13, the process proceeds to step S15. The process is performed and the process returns to step S1.

  In steps S4 and S10, if the value of the time setting flag value N is not N = 0, the process returns to step S1.

  That is, in the cooperative shooting mode of FIG. 6, when any one of the digital cameras 1, 2, and 3 performs shooting first, the camera (for example, the digital camera 1) performs steps S1 to S3. In step S5, the time information of its own clock circuit 15 is emitted and output for time adjustment of the other digital cameras 2 and 3.

  Once this light emission output operation is performed, the value of the time setting flag value N is set to N = 1 in step S6, and in the next still image shooting and recording, it is determined No in step S4, and in step S5 Since it does not advance, it is executed only once.

  After that, even if light emission from another digital camera 2 or 3 or another camera different from this digital camera 2 or 3 is detected in step S8, the value of the time setting flag value N is set to N = 1. Therefore, the process does not proceed to steps S10 and S11, and the operation of receiving and presetting time information from another camera is not performed.

  On the other hand, in the digital cameras 2 and 3, when the light emission signal of the time information is received from the digital camera 1 before the photographing operation by the shutter button 18A is performed, this is detected in step S8, and from the digital camera 1 in steps S9 to S10. This time information is preset in its own clock circuit 15 so that the time is synchronized with the digital camera 1.

  When this time adjustment is performed, the value of the time setting flag value N is set to N = 1 in step S6. Therefore, even if a still image is captured and recorded by operating the shutter button 18A thereafter, the process returns to step S5. Since the time does not advance, the time information is not emitted and output, and even if the light emission of another camera is detected in step S8, the value of the time setting flag value N is set to N = 1. The process does not proceed to S11, and the operation of receiving and presetting time information from another camera is not performed.

  FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an editing process for editing still images of the digital cameras 1, 2 and 3 photographed as described above. First, in step S21, the mode value M of the digital cameras 1, 2 and 3 is shown. Is set to a transfer mode of M = 3, and a large number of still images taken by the digital cameras 2 and 3 are transferred to any digital camera, for example, the digital camera 1. In the digital camera 1, as shown in step S <b> 21, a large number of still images taken by the digital cameras 2 and 3 are received, and the received still images are temporarily stored in the storage medium 19.

  In the next step S22, after setting the mode value M to the edit mode of M = 4, the still image captured by the digital camera 1 and the received still images of the digital cameras 2 and 3 stored in the storage medium 19 are header sections. Are rearranged in chronological order (in order of time) based on the shooting date and time information stored in.

  In the next step S23, among the rearranged still images, unnecessary ones are left by deleting unnecessary ones. As a result, an electronic album edited in chronological order is created in the storage medium 19.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to perform time adjustment of a plurality of imaging devices only by performing a photographing operation, and it is possible to omit troublesome operations for time adjustment.

  The transmission of time information uses a light emitting device used for photographing, a so-called photographing strobe, so that complicated communication means for transmitting and receiving time information is not required, and an inexpensive digital camera can be provided. is there.

Second Embodiment FIG. 9 shows an imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the imaging apparatus according to this embodiment, the same components as those of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 shown in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  9 is compared with the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 and receives time information based on standard time radio waves and presets the received time information in the clock circuit 15. The difference is that it has a correction function.

  Further, the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to shoot a still image. However, the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 9 has a video camera function capable of shooting and recording a moving image. Different.

  Thus, the antenna 31 receives radio waves (standard radio waves) of standard time information with a time code of 40 kHz or 60 kHz. The received standard radio waves are demodulated by the reception control unit 32 and time information of the clock circuit unit 15 is received. Is supposed to be corrected. This correction is executed, for example, every time a predetermined operation button, for example, the correction button 18F of the input unit 18 is operated. The time correction of the radio timepiece is well known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  With regard to moving image shooting, for example, in the digital camera 1 of FIG. 1, a still image is shot by operating the shutter button 18A. However, in the imaging device of FIG. 9, moving image is generated by the first operation of the shutter button 18A. Shooting is started, moving image shooting is stopped by the second operation, and moving image information shot during that time is filed and stored in the recording medium 19.

  In this case, the header section 22 is configured to store the shooting start time and the shooting end time obtained by the clock circuit section 15.

  Therefore, in the case where the same subject is shot using a plurality of the imaging devices shown in FIG. 9, when shooting is started by operating the shutter button 18A of any of the imaging devices in the cooperative shooting mode, step S4 in FIG. Through the flow shown in S7 to S7, time data is sent out and sent to another imaging device for time adjustment. The first embodiment is configured such that once the time is set, the time setting flag value N is set to N = 1, and the time cannot be set unless the cooperative shooting mode is terminated. It is as shown in.

  Even in such an imaging apparatus having a standard radio wave time correction function, time adjustment of a plurality of imaging apparatuses is performed for the following reason.

  First, even if the function of correcting the time with the standard radio wave is provided, if the time is adjusted only when the operation button 18F is operated as in the second embodiment, an error occurs in the time due to the elapsed time after the time correction. Because it will do.

  In order to prevent this, for example, the time adjustment may be performed frequently, for example, by adjusting the time once an hour. However, in an imaging apparatus using a battery as a power source, the battery life is shortened. Is. In addition, it is conceivable that time correction by standard radio waves is performed in all imaging devices prior to collaborative shooting, but time correction may not be possible where standard radio waves do not reach. Furthermore, since it takes a certain amount of time to receive the standard radio wave and correct the time, there is a possibility of losing the photographing timing.

  From the above points, it is obvious that the configuration of the present invention is effective even if the time correction function using the standard radio wave is provided. Therefore, in such a case, the time of all the imaging devices is set to the same time as the imaging device that seems to be correct by starting shooting from the imaging device that seems to have the most correct time. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the time information is exchanged using the light emitting device and the light receiving sensor used for photographing. However, a special button operation for time adjustment is performed by performing time adjustment during the photographing operation. From the effect of the present invention that it is unnecessary, it is clear that other communication means such as radio or infrared may be used for sending and receiving time information.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera and a video camera has been described. However, other electronic devices including an imaging unit, such as a mobile phone with a camera, a camera, and the like. Of course, the present invention can be applied to any electronic device such as a personal computer with a camera and a PDA with a camera.

It is a figure explaining the imaging | photography state of the to-be-photographed object using the digital camera of this invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the digital camera 1 in FIG. 1. It is a detailed block diagram of the memory | storage part 13 of FIG. It is a block diagram of the imaging part 7 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of an image file stored in the storage medium 19 of FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of photographing by the digital camera 1. It is a time chart which shows the output of time information. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation during editing of the digital camera 1. It is a circuit part lock figure which shows other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 4 Subject 11 Control part 13 Storage part 15 Clock circuit part 16 Display part 17 Imaging part 17E Sensor part 17F Light-emitting device 18 Input part 19 Storage medium

Claims (7)

  Timekeeping means for timing time information, imaging means for imaging an external subject, and time information output means for outputting the time information measured by the timing means at the time of imaging by the imaging means to the outside An imaging device that is characterized.   2. The imaging according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit further includes a light emitting device that illuminates the subject image during the photographing, and the time information output unit outputs the time information as a light emission signal from the light emitting device. apparatus.   3. A light receiving means for receiving a light emission signal of time information from the outside, and a time setting means for setting the time information received by the light receiving means in the time measuring means. The imaging device described in 1.   4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the light receiving unit is used as a light receiving unit for measuring a light amount of the subject image.   After the time information is output by the time information output means, or after the time information is received by the light receiving means, the time information output means by the time information output means or the time setting means until a predetermined time elapses. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time information is not set by the method.   6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a radio wave correcting unit that receives a standard radio wave of time information and sets the time measuring unit. An imaging system for adjusting the time of the time information of the time measuring means of a plurality of imaging devices each including a time measuring means for measuring time information and an imaging means for imaging an external subject,
Among the image pickup devices, the time information measured by the time measuring means is output to the outside from the image pickup device first picked up by the image pickup means, and the remaining image pickup devices are picked up first. An imaging system, wherein the time information output from the imaging apparatus is received and set in its own clocking means.

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