JP2007110499A - Compound eye photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a double eye photographing apparatus with reduced power consumption provided with a plurality of imaging sections including a plurality of solid-state imaging elements and a plurality of photographing optical systems for forming object images to the solid-state imaging elements, wherein the photographing optical systems include in each imaging region at least one and same object and each object image formed in each of the solid-state imaging elements is generated into image data. <P>SOLUTION: On the basis of a result of the detection of a particular object in an optional area in an image carried out on the basis of image data obtained by a first photographing section being one of the photographing sections, power application control is applied to at least a second photographing section among the photographing sections except the first photographing section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a plurality of imaging units each having a plurality of solid-state imaging devices and a plurality of imaging optical systems that form subject images on the plurality of solid-state imaging devices, and the plurality of imaging optical systems. Relates to a compound-eye imaging device that generates, in image data, each subject image formed on each of a plurality of solid-state imaging elements so that at least one identical subject is commonly included in each imaging region.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some photographing apparatuses include a compound eye photographing apparatus that includes a plurality of photographing optical systems that form subject images on a plurality of solid-state imaging elements. As such a compound eye type photographing apparatus, for example, a stereoscopic photographing mode in which the same subject is captured by a plurality of photographing optical systems from different directions corresponding to the left and right lines of sight, and subjects adjacent to each other by two photographing optical systems are used. There is known a compound eye type photographing apparatus equipped with a panoramic photographing mode for capturing.

  Used as a compound-eye photographic device to display a plurality of captured images obtained by a plurality of photographing optical systems and a display memory used when displaying a plurality of photographed images obtained by a plurality of photographing optical systems. There has been proposed a compound eye type photographing apparatus provided with a plurality of memory means for sharing a memory for recording (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to such a technique, in the compound eye photographing apparatus, the power consumption of the compound eye photographing apparatus can be reduced by sharing the memory at the time of image display and recording of the photographed image.

  Further, as a compound eye type photographing apparatus, a plurality of buffer memories for temporarily storing a plurality of image data representing a plurality of photographed images obtained by a plurality of photographing optical systems, respectively, and a plurality of read out from each of these buffer memories There has also been proposed a compound-eye imaging device including a combination of image data (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to such a technique, in the compound eye type photographing apparatus, it is possible to improve the memory efficiency by using the memory as a double buffer at the time of image display and recording of the photographed image, which is proposed in Patent Document 1 described above. Similar to the technique, the power consumption of the compound-eye imaging device can be reduced.

Here, some photographing apparatuses include a network camera that photographs a subject and outputs it as a digital moving image to a network. As such a net camera, a camera unit that captures a subject and outputs an image signal as a digital moving image, a compression engine that compresses the image signal from the camera unit, and a network of the compressed image signal as necessary The wireless communication unit that can output to the camera and the moving object is detected based on the image signal from the camera unit. If detected, a CPU for transmitting that fact and the detected image to an external terminal via the wireless communication unit and setting the low power consumption mode to the normal mode when instructed by the terminal, and a battery There has been proposed a net camera including a power supply unit that supplies power to each circuit using the power as a power source (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP-A-11-127374 JP 2000-102037 A JP 2004-140595 A

  According to the techniques proposed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, power consumption of the compound-eye imaging device can be reduced. However, since it is necessary to drive a plurality of photographing optical systems in a compound eye photographing apparatus, the power consumption is generally larger than that of a monocular photographing apparatus, and is proposed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above. Even if the applied technology is applied, it cannot be said that it is solved at a satisfactory level with respect to reduction of power consumption.

  For a monocular imaging device, a technique such as a net camera having a low power consumption mode is proposed in Patent Document 3 described above. However, for a compound eye imaging device, for example, Patent Document 3 proposes this technique. Such a technology has not yet been installed. For this reason, when driving with a primary battery or a secondary battery in a compound-eye imaging apparatus that generally consumes more power than a monocular imaging apparatus, the battery will run out in a short time, making it impossible to shoot for a long time. There is a risk of becoming.

  In view of the circumstances described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a compound eye type photographing apparatus in which power consumption is reduced.

The compound eye type photographing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object is as follows.
Each of the plurality of solid-state imaging devices includes a plurality of imaging units each having a plurality of imaging optical systems that form subject images on each of the plurality of solid-state imaging devices. In a compound-eye imaging device that generates image data of each subject image formed on each of a plurality of solid-state imaging elements so as to include at least one same subject in common,
A target detection unit for detecting a specific target in an arbitrary area in an image represented by the image data based on image data obtained by a first shooting unit that is one of the plurality of shooting units; ,
An energization control unit configured to perform energization control on at least one second imaging unit excluding the first imaging unit among the plurality of imaging units based on a detection result by the target detection unit. And

  Here, the “energization control” referred to in the present invention is, for example, an energization-off control that completely stops the supply of power to the second imaging unit, or of the elements related to the second imaging unit during standby. This refers to standby control that supplies power to the minimum necessary elements.

  The compound-eye imaging device of the present invention is a detection result of detection of a specific target in an arbitrary area in an image based on image data obtained by a first imaging unit that is one of the plurality of imaging units. The at least one second imaging unit excluding the first imaging unit among the plurality of imaging units is subjected to energization control. Therefore, according to the compound eye imaging device of the present invention, when shooting is performed for a specific target in an arbitrary area in the image, the first is responsible for detection of the target when the target is not detected. By performing energization control on at least one second imaging unit excluding the imaging unit, power consumption can be reduced.

  Here, the compound-eye imaging device of the present invention includes a drive frequency control unit that changes the drive frequency of the second imaging unit based on the detection result by the target detection unit, instead of the energization control unit. It is also preferable that

  According to the compound-eye imaging device provided with such a drive frequency control unit instead of the energization control unit, when imaging is performed for a specific target in an arbitrary area in the image, the target is not detected. In this state, power consumption is reduced by changing the drive frequency for at least one second imaging unit excluding the first imaging unit responsible for target detection to reduce the number of imaging frames per unit time. Is planned. Further, it is possible to effectively use the capacity of a recording medium for recording image data.

  Further, the compound-eye imaging device of the present invention includes a recording pixel number control unit that changes the recording pixel number of the second imaging unit based on a detection result by the target detection unit, instead of the energization control unit. A form of providing is also preferable.

  According to the compound eye type photographing apparatus provided with such a recording pixel number control unit instead of the energization control unit, when photographing for a specific target in an arbitrary area in the image, the target is not In the detection state, by changing the number of recorded pixels for at least one second image capturing unit excluding the first image capturing unit responsible for target detection, processing image data with a small number of pixels can reduce power consumption. Reduction is achieved. Further, it is possible to effectively use the capacity of a recording medium for recording image data.

  Moreover, the compound-eye imaging device of the present invention changes the drive frequency of the plurality of imaging units including the first imaging unit based on the detection result by the target detection unit instead of the energization control unit. A form in which a drive frequency control unit is provided is also preferable.

  As described above, according to the compound-eye imaging device including such a drive frequency control unit instead of the energization control unit, when shooting for a specific target in an arbitrary area in an image, In a state where the object is not detected, the drive frequency for the plurality of image capturing units including the first image capturing unit responsible for detecting the object is changed to reduce the number of image capturing frames per unit time. Reduction is achieved. Further, it is possible to effectively use the capacity of a recording medium for recording image data.

  Further, the compound-eye imaging device of the present invention changes the number of recording pixels of the plurality of imaging units including the first imaging unit based on the detection result by the target detection unit instead of the energization control unit. It is also preferable that a recording pixel number control unit is provided.

  According to the compound eye type photographing apparatus provided with such a recording pixel number control unit instead of the energization control unit, when photographing for a specific target in an arbitrary area in the image, the target is not In the detection state, power consumption can be reduced by changing the number of recorded pixels for the plurality of imaging units including the first imaging unit responsible for target detection and processing image data with a small number of pixels. It is done. Further, it is possible to effectively use the capacity of a recording medium for recording image data.

  In the compound eye photographing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the target detection unit detects a person in the image.

  In the compound eye imaging device of the present invention, it is also preferable that the object detection unit detects a face in the image.

  In the compound eye type photographing apparatus of the present invention, it is also a preferred embodiment that the target detection unit detects a moving body in the image.

  Furthermore, in the compound eye type imaging device of the present invention, it is also preferable that the target detection unit detects the temperature of an object in the image.

  As described above, the target detection unit detects the temperature of the person, face, moving body, or object in the image, so that, for example, when photographing a person, power consumption can be reduced in a state where the person is not detected.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a compound eye type photographing apparatus in which power consumption is reduced in a compound eye type photographing apparatus provided with a plurality of photographing optical systems that form subject images on a plurality of solid-state imaging elements.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a twin-lens digital camera 10 according to a first embodiment to which an embodiment of a compound eye photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied, as viewed from the front.

  A twin-lens digital camera 10 shown in FIG. 1 has two solid-state imaging devices (here, charge coupled devices: CCDs) and two photographing optical systems that form subject images on the two CCDs. Each of the two imaging units has an image of each subject image formed on each of the two CCDs so that each of the two imaging optical systems includes at least one identical subject in each imaging region. An imaging device that generates data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the center of the front surface of the two-lens digital camera 10, two photographic optical systems each including a plurality of focus lenses that focus on the subject are incorporated. Photographing lenses 11 and 12 are provided. In addition, CCDs 113 and 123 (see FIG. 2) are provided on the back surfaces of the two photographing lenses 11 and 12 inside the two-lens digital camera 10, respectively. The subject light that has passed through one of the two photographing lenses 11 and 12 is incident on a CCD 113 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the back of the one photographing lens 11 and is an analog signal subject. The subject light that has been converted into a signal and has passed through the other photographing lens 12 with respect to one photographing lens 11 is incident on a CCD 123 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the back surface of the other photographing lens 12 and is an analog signal. It is converted into a subject signal. In addition, a flash light emitting unit 13 that emits light in synchronization with an operation of pressing the shutter release button 14 is provided on the upper part of the front surface of the two-lens digital camera 10. The twin-lens digital camera 10 has a self-timer photographing function, and an LED light-emitting unit 14 that blinks when photographing using the self-timer photographing function is provided at the upper center of the front surface of the twin-lens digital camera 10. Is provided.

  A shutter release button 15 is provided on the upper surface of the two-lens digital camera 10. The shutter release button 15 is composed of two stages of half-press and full-press. This twin-lens digital camera 10 is used for reproducing a still image shooting mode selected when shooting a still image, a moving image shooting mode selected when shooting a movie, and a shot image stored in a recording medium. When a still image shooting mode or a moving image shooting mode is selected, detection of a face in the image by the face recognition function, focus adjustment by the AF function, and exposure adjustment by the AE function are continuously performed. Done.

  When the shutter release button 15 is pressed halfway after the still image shooting mode is selected, the AF lock and AE lock that fix the distance to the face detected by the face recognition function and the brightness of the face at the half-pressed position. Is set. After that, when the shutter release button 15 is half-pressed and the composition is determined and the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed, the shutter is released and a still image of the subject is photographed. A properly adjusted photographed image can be obtained.

  Although detailed description will be given later, when the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed after the still image shooting mode is selected, the face is detected in the image by the face recognition function, the focus is adjusted by the AF function, and the exposure is performed by the AE function. The adjustment is performed continuously, and moving image shooting is performed based on the distance to the face detected by the face recognition function and the brightness of the face.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functions of the twin-lens digital camera 10 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the two-lens digital camera 10 is roughly divided into one of the two photographic lenses 11 and 12 (see FIG. 1) and is incorporated in the photographic lens 11 (see FIG. 1) side. The first photographing unit 110, the second photographing unit 120 built in the other photographing lens 12 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the one photographing lens 11 (see FIG. 1), the first photographing unit 110 and the first photographing unit 110. 2 is provided with a signal processing unit 130 for processing a signal sent from the photographing unit 120.

  The first photographing unit 110 includes a focus lens 111, an IR filter (infrared cut filter) 112, a CCD 113, a camera CPU 114, a TG (timing generator) 115, a mechanical CPU 116, a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit 117, an AGC (auto gain). A control) circuit 118 and an A / D (analog / digital) converter 119 are provided. The first photographing unit 110 corresponds to an example of a first photographing unit referred to in the present invention.

  Similarly to the first photographing unit 110, the second photographing unit 120 includes a focus lens 121, an IR filter 122, a CCD 123, a camera CPU 124, a TG 125, a mechanical CPU 126, a CDS circuit 127, an AGC circuit 128, and an A / D converter. 129 is provided. The second imaging unit 120 corresponds to an example of a second imaging unit according to the present invention.

  The signal processing unit 130 includes a non-volatile memory 131, a RAM 132, a first buffer memory 133a, a second buffer memory 133b, an AF calculation unit 134, an AE calculation unit 135, a specific subject detection unit 136, an image memory 137, an image signal, A processing unit 138, a DSP 139, a compression / decompression unit 140, a display memory 141, a display control unit 142, a D / A converter 143, an operation I / F 144, a power supply control unit 145, a recording media I / F 146, and a communication control unit 147 are provided. These various elements are connected to each other via a bus 148.

  In addition to the first photographing unit 110, the second photographing unit 120, and the signal processing unit 130, the two-lens digital camera 10 includes an image display unit 150 for displaying a through image, a photographed image, and the like. 1, a shutter release button 15 shown in FIG. 1, a power button (not shown), and various setting buttons for performing various settings are collectively displayed. A battery 170 that supplies power to the two-lens digital camera 10 and image data representing a captured image are displayed. A recording medium 180 for recording is also provided. In addition to these, the twin-lens digital camera 10 is provided with a shutter or the like, but is not shown because it is not related to the subject of the present invention.

  When the battery 170 is loaded in the two-lens digital camera 10 and a power switch (not shown) is operated to turn on the power switch, the power is turned on and the two-lens digital camera 10 is driven.

  First, the configuration of the first imaging unit 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the twin-lens digital camera 10, subject light enters from the left side of FIG. 2, passes through the focus lens 111 of the first photographing unit 110, passes through an IR filter 112 that cuts infrared light of the subject light, and then enters the subject light. A subject image based on the image is formed on the CCD 113 and is read as a subject signal which is an analog signal. When outputting the subject signal to the CCD 113, an instruction signal from the camera CPU 114 in accordance with an instruction to output the subject signal to the CCD 113 every predetermined time or when the shutter release button 15 shown in FIG. This is performed by being provided to the CCD 113 via the TG 115. Originally, a plurality of lenses are provided in the photographing optical system, and at least one of the plurality of lenses is largely involved in the focus adjustment, and the relative position of each lens is involved in the focal length. In FIG. 2, a lens related to focus adjustment among the plurality of lenses is schematically shown as a focus lens 111.

  When the two-lens digital camera 10 is driven, an instruction signal from the mechanical CPU 116 in accordance with an instruction to move the focus lens 111 within a predetermined driving range or an in-focus position instruction to move to the in-focus position. As a result, the focus lens 113 is moved, and focus adjustment by the AF function for focusing on the face detected by the face recognition function in the shooting angle of view is continuously performed. Although detailed description will be given later, exposure adjustment by the AE function for performing exposure adjustment on the face detected by the face recognition function in the shooting angle of view is also continuously performed.

  The subject signal imaged and read by the CCD 113 is read by the CDS circuit 117. The CDS circuit 117 adjusts the amplification factor and amplifies the subject signal with the adjusted amplification factor. The subject signal whose amplification factor has been adjusted by the CDS circuit 117 is read to the AGC circuit 118, and the AGC circuit 118 controls the gain to automatically correct the strength of the subject signal level. The subject signal whose subject signal level is automatically corrected by the AGC circuit 118 is read by the A / D converter 119, and the analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 119 and output to the signal processing unit 130. Is done.

  Since the configuration of the second imaging unit 120 is the same as that of the first imaging unit 110 described above, description of the configuration of the second imaging unit 120 is omitted.

  Next, the configuration of the signal processing unit 130 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The non-volatile memory 131 stores various programs for operating the twin-lens digital camera 10.

  In the RAM 132, for example, item information set for each mode by the user is written and stored.

  When the still image shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode is selected, the twin-lens digital camera 10 continuously performs face detection in the image by the face recognition function, focus adjustment by the AF function, and exposure adjustment by the AE function. Therefore, a subject signal is also generated before still image shooting or moving image shooting. Note that the subject signal generated before still image shooting or moving image shooting is temporary data having a lower resolution than the subject signal generated at the time of actual shooting.

  At the time of low-resolution subject signal, still image shooting, or moving image shooting, which is converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 119 via the focus lens 111 of the first shooting unit 110, etc., and generated before still image shooting or moving image shooting The generated subject signal is temporarily stored in the first buffer memory 133a of the signal processing unit 130. The subject signal once stored in the first buffer memory 133a is read out to the specific subject detection unit 136 that performs a calculation for realizing the function of detecting a face in the image. The specific subject detection unit 136 uses the subject signal. A face in the image is detected from the RGB signals. The specific subject detection unit 136 corresponds to an example of the target detection unit according to the present invention.

  The subject signal is read by an AF calculation unit 134 that performs calculation for realizing the AF function. The AF calculation unit 134 detects the contrast of the subject from the RGB signal of the subject signal, and outputs the subject signal. The distance is measured, and focus adjustment is performed by the focus lenses 111 and 121 based on the detection result. In addition, when the face is detected by the specific subject detection unit 136, the AF calculation unit 134 performs focus adjustment on the face.

  Further, the subject signal is also read out by the AE calculation unit 135 that performs a calculation for realizing the AE function, and the AE calculation unit 135 extracts a luminance signal from the RGB signal of the subject signal to obtain the luminance of the subject. Based on the detection result, exposure adjustment is performed so that the amount of subject light given to the CCDs 113 and 123 is appropriate. Note that the AE calculation unit 135 performs exposure adjustment on the face when the specific subject detection unit 136 detects the face.

  In addition, the low-resolution subject signal, the still image shooting, and the moving image that are converted to the digital signal by the A / D converter 129 through the focus lens 121 and the like of the second shooting unit 120 are generated before the still image shooting and the moving image shooting. The subject signal generated at the time of shooting is temporarily stored in the second buffer memory 133b of the signal processing unit 130. The same processing as the processing for the subject signal once stored in the first buffer memory 133a is performed on the subject signal once stored in the second buffer memory 133b.

  The image signal processing unit 138 reads from the image memory 137 a subject signal generated during still image shooting or moving image shooting and written in the image memory 137, and performs RGB level adjustment or gamma adjustment on the subject signal. .

  The DSP 139 reads out a subject signal generated at the time of still image shooting or moving image shooting and written in the image memory 137 from the image memory 137, and performs edge enhancement on the subject signal.

  The compression / decompression unit 140 reads from the image memory 137 a subject signal generated during still image shooting or moving image shooting and written in the image memory 137, and performs compression processing or decompression processing represented by JPEG compression on the subject signal. Apply.

  The display control unit 142 and the D / A converter 143 can display, on the image display unit 150, the subject signal that has been subjected to image processing by the image signal processing unit 138, the DSP 139, and the compression / decompression unit 140 and written to the display memory 141. Convert to data format. The converted subject signal is sent to the image display unit 150, and a captured image representing the subject signal is displayed on the image display unit 150.

  The operation I / F 144 is used to exchange setting information by the operation unit 160.

  The power control unit 145 controls the display of the remaining battery level of the battery 170 loaded in the twin-lens digital camera 10 on the image display unit 150. In addition, when the specific subject detection unit 136 detects a face, the power control unit 145 performs energization on control to supply power to the second photographing unit 120, and the specific subject detection unit 136 detects the face. If not detected, energization-off control for completely stopping the supply of power to the second imaging unit 120 is performed. The power supply control unit 145 corresponds to an example of an energization control unit referred to in the present invention. Here, as examples of energization control according to the present invention, examples of energization on control and energization off control are given. However, the energization control according to the present invention is, for example, an element related to the second imaging unit according to the present invention. Of these, standby control for supplying power to the minimum necessary elements during standby may be used.

  Therefore, according to the two-lens digital camera 10 of the first embodiment, when photographing for the purpose of the face in the image, the first photographing unit 110 responsible for detecting the face is detected when the face is not detected. The power consumption can be reduced by performing energization off control that completely stops the supply of power to the second imaging unit 120 except for the above.

  In addition, the specific subject detection unit 136 detects the face in the image, so that power consumption can be reduced when a person is not detected in photographing a person.

  Here, an example has been given in which the specific subject detection unit 136 detects a face in an image, but the target detection unit referred to in the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a person or a moving object in the image A specific target in an arbitrary area in the image such as a temperature of an object or an object may be detected.

  The recording medium I / F 146 exchanges information and signals for recording and reading out subject signals to and from the recording medium 180.

  The communication control unit 147 controls communication between various elements in the signal processing unit 130.

  The twin-lens digital camera 10 is basically configured as described above.

  Here, the feature of the twin-lens digital camera 10 as one embodiment of the present invention is the operation of energization-off control in the power supply control unit 145, which will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow from the start of the start-up process of the twin-lens digital camera 10 of the first embodiment to the end of moving image shooting.

  The operation described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is started by operating a power button (not shown).

  First, when a power switch (not shown) is operated and the power switch is turned on, the power is turned on and the two-lens digital camera 10 is driven (step S101).

  When the twin-lens digital camera 10 is driven in step S101, the state shifts to a standby state waiting for an operation instruction (step S102), and when a moving image shooting mode to be selected when shooting a moving image is selected (step S103: Yes), A transition is made to a shooting preparation state in which moving image shooting is possible, and face detection in the image by the face recognition function, focus adjustment by the AF function, and exposure adjustment by the AE function are continuously performed. At this stage, power is supplied to the first photographing unit 110, but power supply to the second photographing unit 120 is completely stopped.

  If the still image shooting mode to be selected when shooting a still image is selected after shifting to the standby state in step S102 (step S103: No), the mode is switched to the still image shooting mode (step S104) and stored in the recording medium. When the reproduction mode to be selected when reproducing the captured image is selected (step S103: No), the mode is changed to the reproduction mode (step S104).

  After the moving image shooting mode is selected in Step S103: Yes, the operations in Steps S103 to S104 are possible until the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed (No in Step S105).

  Step S103: After the moving image shooting mode is selected in Yes, moving image shooting is started when the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed, and each of the specific subject detection unit 136, the AF calculation unit 134, and the AE calculation unit 135 operates. Is executed. (Step S105: Yes).

  Step S105: Simultaneously with the start of moving image shooting in Yes, the face in the image represented by the subject signal based on the subject signal acquired in the first buffer memory 133a from the first photographing unit 110 (Step S106) Is detected by the specific subject detection unit 136 (step S107).

  When a face is detected in step S107 (step S108: Yes), the power supply control unit 145 performs energization on control for supplying power to the second imaging unit 120 (step S109).

  If no face is detected in step S107 (step S108: No), the power supply control unit 145 performs energization-off control that completely stops the supply of power to the second imaging unit 120 (step S110). ).

  Hereinafter, while moving image shooting is being performed (step S111: No), the operations of step S106 to step S110 continue to be executed.

  When the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed again while moving image shooting is being performed (step S111: Yes), moving image shooting is ended (step S112).

  Above, description of 1st Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the second embodiment described below, since it has substantially the same device configuration as that described in the first embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment described above is noted, and the same elements are the same. The reference numerals are attached and the description is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the twin-lens digital camera 20 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the twin-lens digital camera 20 is roughly divided into one of the two photographic lenses 11 and 12 (see FIG. 1) and built in one of the photographic lenses 11 (see FIG. 1). The first photographing unit 110, the second photographing unit 120 built in the other photographing lens 12 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the one photographing lens 11 (see FIG. 1), the first photographing unit 110 and the first photographing unit 110. 2 is provided with a signal processing unit 230 for processing a signal sent from the photographing unit 120.

  The signal processing unit 230 includes a nonvolatile memory 131, a RAM 132, a first buffer memory 133a, a second buffer memory 133b, an AF calculation unit 134, an AE calculation unit 135, a specific subject detection unit 136, an image memory 137, and an image signal processing unit. 138, DSP 139, compression / decompression unit 140, display memory 141, display control unit 142, D / A converter 143, operation I / F 144, power supply control unit 245, recording media I / F 146, communication control unit 247, drive frequency control unit 249 These various elements are connected to each other via a bus 148.

  The configuration of the signal processing unit 230 will be described with reference to FIG.

  At the time of low-resolution subject signal, still image shooting, or moving image shooting, which is converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 119 via the focus lens 111 of the first shooting unit 110, etc., and generated before still image shooting or moving image shooting The generated subject signal is temporarily stored in the first buffer memory 133a of the signal processing unit 230. The subject signal once stored in the first buffer memory 133a is read out to the specific subject detection unit 136 that performs a calculation for realizing the function of detecting a face in the image. The specific subject detection unit 136 uses the subject signal. A face in the image is detected from the RGB signals. The specific subject detection unit 136 corresponds to an example of the target detection unit according to the present invention.

  The subject signal is read by an AF calculation unit 134 that performs calculation for realizing the AF function. The AF calculation unit 134 detects the contrast of the subject from the RGB signal of the subject signal, and outputs the subject signal. The distance is measured, and focus adjustment is performed by the focus lenses 111 and 121 based on the detection result. In addition, when the face is detected by the specific subject detection unit 136, the AF calculation unit 134 performs focus adjustment on the face.

  Further, the subject signal is also read out by the AE calculation unit 135 that performs a calculation for realizing the AE function, and the AE calculation unit 135 extracts a luminance signal from the RGB signal of the subject signal to obtain the luminance of the subject. Based on the detection result, exposure adjustment is performed so that the amount of subject light given to the CCDs 113 and 123 is appropriate. Note that the AE calculation unit 135 performs exposure adjustment on the face when the specific subject detection unit 136 detects the face.

  In addition, the low-resolution subject signal, the still image shooting, and the moving image that are converted to the digital signal by the A / D converter 129 through the focus lens 121 and the like of the second shooting unit 120 are generated before the still image shooting and the moving image shooting. The subject signal generated at the time of shooting is temporarily stored in the second buffer memory 133b of the signal processing unit 230. The same processing as the processing for the subject signal once stored in the first buffer memory 133a is performed on the subject signal once stored in the second buffer memory 133b.

  The power control unit 245 controls the display of the remaining battery level of the battery 170 loaded in the twin-lens digital camera 20 on the image display unit 150.

  The communication control unit 247 controls communication between various elements in the signal processing unit 230.

  When the face is detected by the specific subject detection unit 136, the drive frequency control unit 249 increases the drive frequency for the second imaging unit 120, thereby reducing the number of frames taken per unit time for the number of frames for moving image shooting. When the face is not detected by the specific subject detection unit 136, the number of frames taken per unit time is reduced to the number of shooting frames for moving image shooting by lowering the drive frequency for the second shooting unit 120. Control is performed to set the number of frames to be taken less than the number. The drive frequency control unit 249 corresponds to an example of the drive frequency control unit referred to in the present invention.

  Therefore, according to the two-lens digital camera 20 of the second embodiment, when photographing a face in an image for the purpose, the first photographing unit 110 responsible for detecting the face is detected when the face is not detected. Power consumption can be reduced by reducing the drive frequency for the second imaging unit 120 except for and performing control to set the number of frames taken per unit time to be less than the number of frames taken for moving image shooting. . In addition, the capacity of the recording medium 180 in which image data is recorded can be used effectively.

  The twin-lens digital camera 20 is basically configured as described above.

  Here, the feature of the twin-lens digital camera 20 as one embodiment of the present invention lies in the drive frequency control operation in the drive frequency control unit 249, and this operation will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow from the start of the start-up process of the twin-lens digital camera 20 of the second embodiment to the end of moving image shooting.

  The operation described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is started by operating a power button (not shown).

  First, when a power switch (not shown) is operated and a power switch is turned on, the power is turned on and the two-lens digital camera 20 is driven (step S201).

  When the twin-lens digital camera 20 is driven in step S201, the process shifts to a standby state waiting for an operation instruction (step S202). When a moving image shooting mode to be selected when shooting a moving image is selected (step S203: Yes), A transition is made to a shooting preparation state in which moving image shooting is possible, and face detection in the image by the face recognition function, focus adjustment by the AF function, and exposure adjustment by the AE function are continuously performed. At this stage, the number of frames taken per unit time is set to the number of frames for moving image shooting for the first shooting unit 110, but the driving frequency is set for the second shooting unit 120. As a result, the number of frames taken per unit time is set to be smaller than the number of frames taken for moving image shooting.

  If the still image shooting mode to be selected when shooting a still image is selected after shifting to the standby state in step S202 (step S203: No), the mode is switched to the still image shooting mode (step S204) and stored in the recording medium. When a reproduction mode to be selected when reproducing the captured image is selected (step S203: No), the reproduction mode is entered (step S204).

  After the moving image shooting mode is selected in Step S203: Yes, the operation from Step S203 to Step S204 is possible until the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed (No in Step S205).

  Step S203: After the moving image shooting mode is selected in Yes, when the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed, moving image shooting is started, and each operation of the specific subject detection unit 136, the AF calculation unit 134, and the AE calculation unit 135 is started. Is executed. (Step S205: Yes).

  Step S205: Simultaneously with the start of moving image shooting in Yes, the face in the image represented by the subject signal based on the subject signal acquired in the first buffer memory 133a from the first photographing unit 110 (Step S206) Is detected by the specific subject detection unit 136 (step S207).

  When a face is detected in step S207 (step S208: Yes), the drive frequency control unit 249 increases the drive frequency for the second image capturing unit 120, so that the number of frames captured per unit time is set for moving image shooting. Control to set the number of frames to be taken is performed (step S209).

  If no face is detected in step S207 (step S208: No), the drive frequency control unit 249 lowers the drive frequency for the second imaging unit 120, thereby reducing the number of frames taken per unit time. Control is performed to set the number of shooting frames smaller than the number of shooting frames for moving image shooting (step S210).

  Hereinafter, while moving image shooting is being performed (step S211: No), the operations of step S206 to step S210 are continued to be executed.

  When the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed again while moving image shooting is being performed (step S211: Yes), moving image shooting is ended (step S212).

  Above, description of 2nd Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Note that the third embodiment described below has substantially the same device configuration as that described in the first embodiment, and therefore pays attention to the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the same elements are the same. The reference numerals are attached and the description is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the twin-lens digital camera 30 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the interior of the twin-lens digital camera 30 is roughly divided into one of the two photographing lenses 11 and 12 (see FIG. 1) on the side of the photographing lens 11 (see FIG. 1). The first photographing unit 110, the second photographing unit 120 built in the other photographing lens 12 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the one photographing lens 11 (see FIG. 1), the first photographing unit 110 and the first photographing unit 110. 2 is provided with a signal processing unit 330 for processing a signal sent from the photographing unit 120.

  The signal processing unit 330 includes a nonvolatile memory 131, a RAM 132, a first buffer memory 133a, a second buffer memory 133b, an AF calculation unit 134, an AE calculation unit 135, a specific subject detection unit 136, an image memory 137, and an image signal processing unit. 138, DSP 139, compression / decompression unit 140, display memory 141, display control unit 142, D / A converter 143, operation I / F 144, power supply control unit 345, recording media I / F 146, communication control unit 347, recording pixel number control unit 349, and these various elements are connected to each other via a bus 148.

  The configuration of the signal processing unit 330 will be described with reference to FIG.

  At the time of low-resolution subject signal, still image shooting, or moving image shooting, which is converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 119 via the focus lens 111 of the first shooting unit 110, etc., and generated before still image shooting or moving image shooting The generated subject signal is temporarily stored in the first buffer memory 133a of the signal processing unit 330. The subject signal once stored in the first buffer memory 133a is read out to the specific subject detection unit 136 that performs a calculation for realizing the function of detecting a face in the image. The specific subject detection unit 136 uses the subject signal. A face in the image is detected from the RGB signals. The specific subject detection unit 136 corresponds to an example of the target detection unit according to the present invention.

  The subject signal is read by an AF calculation unit 134 that performs calculation for realizing the AF function. The AF calculation unit 134 detects the contrast of the subject from the RGB signal of the subject signal, and outputs the subject signal. The distance is measured, and focus adjustment is performed by the focus lenses 111 and 121 based on the detection result. In addition, when the face is detected by the specific subject detection unit 136, the AF calculation unit 134 performs focus adjustment on the face.

  Further, the subject signal is also read out by the AE calculation unit 135 that performs a calculation for realizing the AE function, and the AE calculation unit 135 extracts a luminance signal from the RGB signal of the subject signal to obtain the luminance of the subject. Based on the detection result, exposure adjustment is performed so that the amount of subject light given to the CCDs 113 and 123 is appropriate. Note that the AE calculation unit 135 performs exposure adjustment on the face when the specific subject detection unit 136 detects the face.

  In addition, the low-resolution subject signal, the still image shooting, and the moving image that are converted to the digital signal by the A / D converter 129 through the focus lens 121 and the like of the second shooting unit 120 are generated before the still image shooting and the moving image shooting. The subject signal generated at the time of shooting is temporarily stored in the second buffer memory 133b of the signal processing unit 330. The same processing as the processing for the subject signal once stored in the first buffer memory 133a is performed on the subject signal once stored in the second buffer memory 133b.

  The power control unit 345 controls the display of the remaining battery level of the battery 170 loaded in the twin-lens digital camera 30 on the image display unit 150.

  The communication control unit 347 controls communication between various elements in the signal processing unit 330.

  When the specific subject detection unit 136 detects a face, the recording pixel number control unit 349 performs control to increase the number of recording pixels for the second photographing unit 120 and the specific subject detection unit 136 does not detect the face. If the number of recorded pixels in the second photographing unit 120 is reduced, control is performed to reduce the number of recorded pixels. The recording pixel number control unit 349 corresponds to an example of the recording pixel number control unit according to the present invention.

  Therefore, according to the twin-lens digital camera 30 of the third embodiment, when photographing for the purpose of the face in the image, the first photographing unit 110 responsible for detecting the face is detected when the face is not detected. By performing control to reduce the number of recorded pixels for the second imaging unit 120 excluding the image data, image data having a small number of pixels is processed, and power consumption can be reduced. In addition, the capacity of the recording medium 180 in which image data is recorded can be used effectively.

  The twin-lens digital camera 30 is basically configured as described above.

  Here, the feature of the twin-lens digital camera 30 as an embodiment of the present invention is the operation of controlling the number of recording pixels in the recording pixel number control unit 349, and this operation will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow from the start of the start-up process of the twin-lens digital camera 30 of the third embodiment to the end of moving image shooting.

  The operation described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is started by operating a power button (not shown).

  First, when a power switch (not shown) is operated and a power switch is turned on, the power is turned on and the two-lens digital camera 30 is driven (step S301).

  When the twin-lens digital camera 30 is driven in step S301, the process shifts to a standby state waiting for an operation instruction (step S302), and when a moving image shooting mode to be selected when shooting a moving image is selected (step S303: Yes), A transition is made to a shooting preparation state in which moving image shooting is possible, and face detection in the image by the face recognition function, focus adjustment by the AF function, and exposure adjustment by the AE function are continuously performed. At this stage, the number of recorded pixels is increased for the first image capturing unit 110, but the number of recorded pixels is decreased for the second image capturing unit 120.

  Further, after the transition to the standby state in step S302, if the still image shooting mode to be selected when shooting a still image is selected (step S303: No), the mode is switched to the still image shooting mode (step S304) and saved in the recording medium. When the reproduction mode to be selected when reproducing the captured image is selected (step S303: No), the mode is changed to the reproduction mode (step S304).

  After the moving image shooting mode is selected in Step S303: Yes, the operations in Steps S303 to S304 are possible until the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed (No in Step S305).

  Step S303: After the moving image shooting mode is selected in Yes, when the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed, moving image shooting is started, and each operation of the specific subject detection unit 136, the AF calculation unit 134, and the AE calculation unit 135 is started. Is executed. (Step S305: Yes).

  Step S305: Simultaneously with the start of moving image shooting in Yes, the face in the image represented by the subject signal based on the subject signal acquired in the first buffer memory 133a from the first photographing unit 110 (Step S306) Is detected by the specific subject detection unit 136 (step S307).

  When a face is detected in step S307 (step S308: Yes), the recording pixel number control unit 349 performs control to increase the recording pixel number for the second photographing unit 120 (step S309).

  If no face is detected in step S307 (step S308: No), the recording pixel number control unit 349 performs control to reduce the recording pixel number for the second photographing unit 120 (step S310).

  Hereinafter, while moving image shooting is being performed (step S311: No), the operations of step S306 to step S310 continue to be executed.

  When the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed again while moving image shooting is being performed (step S311: Yes), moving image shooting is ended (step S312).

  Above, description of 3rd Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished.

  Next, the present invention will be described.

  The fourth embodiment described below has substantially the same device configuration as the device configuration described in the first embodiment, and therefore pays attention to the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the same elements are the same. The reference numerals are attached and the description is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the twin-lens digital camera 40 according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the interior of the twin-lens digital camera 40 is roughly divided into one of the two photographic lenses 11 and 12 (see FIG. 1) and built in one of the photographic lenses 11 (see FIG. 1). The first photographing unit 110, the second photographing unit 120 built in the other photographing lens 12 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the one photographing lens 11 (see FIG. 1), the first photographing unit 110 and the first photographing unit 110. 2 is provided with a signal processing unit 430 for processing a signal sent from the photographing unit 120.

  The signal processing unit 430 includes a nonvolatile memory 131, a RAM 132, a first buffer memory 133a, a second buffer memory 133b, an AF calculation unit 134, an AE calculation unit 135, a specific subject detection unit 136, an image memory 137, and an image signal processing unit. 138, DSP 139, compression / decompression unit 140, display memory 141, display control unit 142, D / A converter 143, operation I / F 144, power supply control unit 445, recording media I / F 146, communication control unit 447, drive frequency control unit 449 These various elements are connected to each other via a bus 148.

  The configuration of the signal processing unit 430 will be described with reference to FIG.

  At the time of low-resolution subject signal, still image shooting, or moving image shooting, which is converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 119 via the focus lens 111 of the first shooting unit 110, etc., and generated before still image shooting or moving image shooting The generated subject signal is temporarily stored in the first buffer memory 133a of the signal processing unit 430. The subject signal once stored in the first buffer memory 133a is read out to the specific subject detection unit 136 that performs a calculation for realizing the function of detecting a face in the image. The specific subject detection unit 136 uses the subject signal. A face in the image is detected from the RGB signals. The specific subject detection unit 136 corresponds to an example of the target detection unit according to the present invention.

  The subject signal is read by an AF calculation unit 134 that performs calculation for realizing the AF function. The AF calculation unit 134 detects the contrast of the subject from the RGB signal of the subject signal, and outputs the subject signal. The distance is measured, and focus adjustment is performed by the focus lenses 111 and 121 based on the detection result. In addition, when the face is detected by the specific subject detection unit 136, the AF calculation unit 134 performs focus adjustment on the face.

  Further, the subject signal is also read out by the AE calculation unit 135 that performs a calculation for realizing the AE function, and the AE calculation unit 135 extracts a luminance signal from the RGB signal of the subject signal to obtain the luminance of the subject. Based on the detection result, exposure adjustment is performed so that the amount of subject light given to the CCDs 113 and 123 is appropriate. Note that the AE calculation unit 135 performs exposure adjustment on the face when the specific subject detection unit 136 detects the face.

  In addition, the low-resolution subject signal, the still image shooting, and the moving image that are converted to the digital signal by the A / D converter 129 through the focus lens 121 and the like of the second shooting unit 120 are generated before the still image shooting and the moving image shooting. The subject signal generated at the time of shooting is temporarily stored in the second buffer memory 133b of the signal processing unit 430. The same processing as the processing for the subject signal once stored in the first buffer memory 133a is performed on the subject signal once stored in the second buffer memory 133b.

  The power control unit 445 controls the display of the remaining battery level of the battery 170 loaded in the two-lens digital camera 40 on the image display unit 150.

  The communication control unit 447 controls communication between various elements in the signal processing unit 430.

  When the specific subject detection unit 136 detects a face, the drive frequency control unit 449 increases the number of frames taken per unit time by increasing the drive frequency for both the first imaging unit 110 and the second imaging unit 120. Is set to the number of shooting frames for moving image shooting, and when the face is not detected by the specific subject detection unit 136, the drive frequency for both the first shooting unit 110 and the second shooting unit 120 is lowered. Thus, control is performed so that the number of frames taken per unit time is set to be smaller than the number of frames taken for moving image shooting. The drive frequency control unit 449 corresponds to an example of the drive frequency control unit referred to in the present invention.

  Therefore, according to the twin-lens digital camera 40 of the fourth embodiment, when photographing a face in an image for the purpose, the first photographing unit 110 responsible for detecting the face is detected when the face is not detected. By lowering the driving frequency for both the first photographing unit 110 and the second photographing unit 120 including the control, the number of photographing frames per unit time is set to be smaller than the number of photographing frames for moving image photographing. Thus, power consumption can be reduced. In addition, the capacity of the recording medium 180 in which image data is recorded can be used effectively.

  The twin-lens digital camera 40 is basically configured as described above.

  Here, the feature of the twin-lens digital camera 40 as one embodiment of the present invention is the operation of the drive frequency control in the drive frequency control unit 449, and this operation will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow from the start of the activation process of the twin-lens digital camera 40 of the fourth embodiment to the end of moving image shooting.

  The operation described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is started by operating a power button (not shown).

  First, when a power switch (not shown) is operated and the power switch is turned on, the power is turned on and the two-lens digital camera 40 is driven (step S401).

  When the twin-lens digital camera 40 is driven in step S401, it shifts to a standby state waiting for an operation instruction (step S402), and when a moving image shooting mode to be selected when shooting a moving image is selected (step S403: Yes), A transition is made to a shooting preparation state in which moving image shooting is possible, and face detection in the image by the face recognition function, focus adjustment by the AF function, and exposure adjustment by the AE function are continuously performed. At this stage, since the drive frequency is lowered for both the first photographing unit 110 and the second photographing unit 120, the number of frames taken per unit time is larger than the number of frames taken for moving image shooting. A small number of frames is set.

  If the still image shooting mode to be selected when shooting a still image is selected after shifting to the standby state in step S402 (step S403: No), the mode is switched to the still image shooting mode (step S404) and stored in the recording medium. When the reproduction mode to be selected when reproducing the captured image is selected (step S403: No), the mode is changed to the reproduction mode (step S404).

  After the moving image shooting mode is selected in Step S403: Yes, the operation from Step S403 to Step S404 is possible until the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed (Step S405: No).

  Step S403: After the moving image shooting mode is selected in Yes, moving image shooting is started when the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed, and each of the specific subject detection unit 136, the AF calculation unit 134, and the AE calculation unit 135 operates. Is executed. (Step S405: Yes).

  Step S405: Simultaneously with the start of moving image shooting in Yes, the face in the image represented by the subject signal based on the subject signal acquired in the first buffer memory 133a from the first photographing unit 110 (Step S406) Is detected by the specific subject detection unit 136 (step S407).

  When a face is detected in step S407 (step S408: Yes), the drive frequency control unit 449 increases the drive frequency for both the first photographing unit 110 and the second photographing unit 120, so that per unit time. Control is performed to set the number of shooting frames to the number of shooting frames for moving image shooting (step S409).

  If no face is detected in step S407 (step S408: No), the drive frequency control unit 449 lowers the drive frequency for both the first photographing unit 110 and the second photographing unit 120. Control is performed to set the number of frames taken per unit time to a number that is smaller than the number of frames taken for moving image shooting (step S410).

  Hereinafter, while moving image shooting is being performed (step S411: No), the operations of step S406 to step S410 continue to be executed.

  When the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed again during moving image shooting (step S411: Yes), moving image shooting is ended (step S412).

  Above, description of 4th Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The fifth embodiment described below has substantially the same device configuration as the device configuration described in the first embodiment, and therefore pays attention to the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the same elements are the same. The reference numerals are attached and the description is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the twin-lens digital camera 50 according to the fifth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the interior of the twin-lens digital camera 50 is roughly divided into one of the two photographic lenses 11 and 12 (see FIG. 1) and built in one of the photographic lenses 11 (see FIG. 1). The first photographing unit 110, the second photographing unit 120 built in the other photographing lens 12 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the one photographing lens 11 (see FIG. 1), the first photographing unit 110 and the first photographing unit 110. 2 is provided with a signal processing unit 530 that processes a signal sent from the imaging unit 120.

  The signal processing unit 530 includes a nonvolatile memory 131, a RAM 132, a first buffer memory 133a, a second buffer memory 133b, an AF calculation unit 134, an AE calculation unit 135, a specific subject detection unit 136, an image memory 137, and an image signal processing unit. 138, DSP 139, compression / decompression unit 140, display memory 141, display control unit 142, D / A converter 143, operation I / F 144, power supply control unit 545, recording media I / F 146, communication control unit 547, recording pixel number control unit 549, and these various elements are connected to each other via a bus 148.

  The configuration of the signal processing unit 530 will be described with reference to FIG.

  At the time of low-resolution subject signal, still image shooting, or moving image shooting, which is converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 119 via the focus lens 111 of the first shooting unit 110, etc., and generated before still image shooting or moving image shooting The generated subject signal is temporarily stored in the first buffer memory 133a of the signal processing unit 530. The subject signal once stored in the first buffer memory 133a is read out to the specific subject detection unit 136 that performs a calculation for realizing the function of detecting a face in the image. The specific subject detection unit 136 uses the subject signal. A face in the image is detected from the RGB signals. The specific subject detection unit 136 corresponds to an example of the target detection unit according to the present invention.

  The subject signal is read by an AF calculation unit 134 that performs calculation for realizing the AF function. The AF calculation unit 134 detects the contrast of the subject from the RGB signal of the subject signal, and outputs the subject signal. The distance is measured, and focus adjustment is performed by the focus lenses 111 and 121 based on the detection result. In addition, when the face is detected by the specific subject detection unit 136, the AF calculation unit 134 performs focus adjustment on the face.

  Further, the subject signal is also read out by the AE calculation unit 135 that performs a calculation for realizing the AE function, and the AE calculation unit 135 extracts a luminance signal from the RGB signal of the subject signal to obtain the luminance of the subject. Based on the detection result, exposure adjustment is performed so that the amount of subject light given to the CCDs 113 and 123 is appropriate. Note that the AE calculation unit 135 performs exposure adjustment on the face when the specific subject detection unit 136 detects the face.

  In addition, the low-resolution subject signal, the still image shooting, and the moving image that are converted to the digital signal by the A / D converter 129 through the focus lens 121 and the like of the second shooting unit 120 are generated before the still image shooting and the moving image shooting. The subject signal generated at the time of shooting is temporarily stored in the second buffer memory 133b of the signal processing unit 530. The same processing as the processing for the subject signal once stored in the first buffer memory 133a is performed on the subject signal once stored in the second buffer memory 133b.

  The power control unit 545 controls the display of the remaining battery level of the battery 170 loaded in the two-lens digital camera 50 on the image display unit 150.

  The communication control unit 547 controls communication between various elements in the signal processing unit 530.

  When the specific subject detection unit 136 detects a face, the recording pixel number control unit 549 performs control to increase the recording pixel number for both the first photographing unit 110 and the second photographing unit 120 to detect the specific subject. When the face is not detected by the unit 136, control is performed to reduce the number of recorded pixels for both the first photographing unit 110 and the second photographing unit 120. The recording pixel number control unit 549 corresponds to an example of the recording pixel number control unit referred to in the present invention.

  Therefore, according to the twin-lens digital camera 50 of the fifth embodiment, when photographing a face in an image for the purpose, the first photographing unit 110 responsible for detecting the face is detected when the face is not detected. By performing control to reduce the number of recorded pixels for both the first photographing unit 110 and the second photographing unit 120 including the image data with a small number of pixels, the power consumption can be reduced. In addition, the capacity of the recording medium 180 in which image data is recorded can be used effectively.

  The twin-lens digital camera 50 is basically configured as described above.

  Here, the feature of the twin-lens digital camera 50 as one embodiment of the present invention is the operation of controlling the number of recording pixels in the recording pixel number control unit 549, which will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow from the start of the activation process of the twin-lens digital camera 50 according to the fifth embodiment to the end of moving image shooting.

  The operation described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is started by operating a power button (not shown).

  First, when a power switch (not shown) is operated and the power switch is turned on, the power is turned on and the two-lens digital camera 50 is driven (step S501).

  When the twin-lens digital camera 50 is driven in step S501, the operation shifts to a standby state waiting for an operation instruction (step S502). When a moving image shooting mode to be selected when shooting a moving image is selected (step S503: Yes), A transition is made to a shooting preparation state in which moving image shooting is possible, and face detection in the image by the face recognition function, focus adjustment by the AF function, and exposure adjustment by the AE function are continuously performed. At this stage, the number of recorded pixels is reduced for both the first photographing unit 110 and the second photographing unit 120.

  Further, after the transition to the standby state in step S502, if the still image shooting mode to be selected when shooting a still image is selected (step S503: No), the mode is switched to the still image shooting mode (step S504) and saved in the recording medium. When the reproduction mode to be selected when reproducing the captured image is selected (step S503: No), the mode is changed to the reproduction mode (step S504).

  After the moving image shooting mode is selected in Step S503: Yes, the operations from Step S503 to Step S504 are possible until the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed (No in Step S505).

  Step S503: After the moving image shooting mode is selected in Yes, when the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed, moving image shooting is started, and each operation of the specific subject detection unit 136, the AF calculation unit 134, and the AE calculation unit 135 is started. Is executed. (Step S505: Yes).

  Step S505: Simultaneously with the start of moving image shooting in Yes, the face in the image represented by the subject signal based on the subject signal acquired in the first buffer memory 133a from the first photographing unit 110 (Step S506) Is detected by the specific subject detection unit 136 (step S507).

  When a face is detected in step S507 (step S508: Yes), the recording pixel number control unit 549 performs control to increase the number of recording pixels for both the first imaging unit 110 and the second imaging unit 120. (Step S509).

  If no face is detected in step S507 (step S508: No), the recording pixel number control unit 549 controls to reduce the number of recording pixels for both the first imaging unit 110 and the second imaging unit 120. Is performed (step S510).

  Hereinafter, while moving image shooting is being performed (step S511: No), the operations of step S506 to step S510 are continued to be executed.

  When the shutter release button 15 is fully pressed again during moving image shooting (step S511: Yes), moving image shooting is ended (step S512).

  Above, description of 5th Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished.

  Next, sixth and seventh embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  Note that, in the sixth embodiment and the seventh embodiment described below, paying attention to the differences from the first embodiment described above, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of a trinocular digital camera 60 according to a sixth embodiment to which an embodiment of a compound eye photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 13 is a compound eye type of the present invention. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the 4 eye type digital camera 70 of a 7th embodiment to which one embodiment of an imaging device was applied from the front.

  The trinocular digital camera 60 shown in FIG. 12 includes three photographing optical systems that form subject images on three CCDs, and these three photographing optical systems include at least one identical subject in each imaging region. Is a photographing device for generating each subject image formed on each of the three CCDs as image data. As shown in FIG. 12, in the central portion of the front surface of the three-lens digital camera 60, there are three photographic optical systems each having a built-in photographic optical system including a plurality of focus lenses that focus on the subject. Photographing lenses 61, 62, and 63 are provided. This trinocular digital camera 60 corresponds to an example of a compound eye type photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  A four-lens digital camera 70 shown in FIG. 13 includes four photographing optical systems that form subject images on four CCDs, and these four photographing optical systems have at least one identical subject in each imaging region. Is a photographing device that generates each subject image formed on each of the four CCDs as image data. As shown in FIG. 13, in the central portion of the front surface of the four-lens digital camera 70, there are four photographic optical systems each including a plurality of focus lenses that are focused on the subject. Photographing lenses 71, 72, 73, and 74 are provided. This four-lens digital camera 70 corresponds to an example of a compound eye type photographing apparatus of the present invention.

  In the first to fifth embodiments described above, two photographing units each having two CCDs and two photographing optical systems that form subject images on the two CCDs are provided. Although an example in which the present invention is applied to a twin-lens digital camera has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the three-lens digital camera shown in the sixth embodiment and the seventh embodiment show. Compound eye photography including a plurality of photographing units each having a plurality of solid-state image sensors such as a four-lens digital camera and a plurality of photographing optical systems that form subject images on the respective solid-state image sensors. Any device may be used.

1 is an external perspective view of a twin-lens digital camera according to a first embodiment to which an embodiment of a compound-eye imaging device of the present invention is applied, as viewed from the front. It is a block diagram which shows the function of the twin-lens type digital camera shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of operation | movement from the start process of the twin-lens type digital camera of 1st Embodiment until video imaging | photography is complete | finished. It is a block diagram which shows the function of the twin-lens digital camera of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of operation | movement from the starting process of the twin-lens type digital camera of 2nd Embodiment until video recording is complete | finished. It is a block diagram which shows the function of the twin-lens digital camera of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of operation | movement from the starting process of the twin-lens type digital camera of 3rd Embodiment until video recording is complete | finished. It is a block diagram which shows the function of the twin-lens type digital camera of 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of operation | movement from the starting process of the twin-lens type digital camera of 4th Embodiment until video recording is complete | finished. It is a block diagram which shows the function of the twin-lens digital camera of 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of operation | movement from the start of the starting process of the twin-lens digital camera of 5th Embodiment until video recording is complete | finished. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the trinocular type digital camera of 6th Embodiment to which one Embodiment of the compound eye type imaging device of this invention was applied from the front. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the 4 eye type digital camera of a 7th embodiment to which one embodiment of the compound eye type photographing device of the present invention was applied from the front.

Explanation of symbols

10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Binocular digital camera 11, 12, 61, 62, 63, 71, 72, 73, 74 Shooting lens 13 Flash emission unit 14 LED emission unit 15 Shutter release button 110 First imaging unit 111, 121 Focus lens 112, 122 IR filter 113, 123 CCD
114,124 Camera CPU
115,125 TG
116,126 Mechanical CPU
117, 127 CDS circuit 118, 128 AGC circuit 119, 129 A / D converter 120 Second imaging unit 130, 230, 330, 430, 530 Signal processing unit 131 Non-volatile memory 132 RAM
133a First buffer memory 133b Second buffer memory 134 AF calculation unit 135 AE calculation unit 136 Specific subject detection unit 137 Image memory 138 Image signal processing unit 139 DSP
140 Compression / Expansion Unit 141 Display Memory 142 Display Control Unit 143 D / A Converter 144 Operation I / F
145, 245, 345, 445, 545 Power control unit 146 Recording media I / F
147, 247, 347, 447, 547 Communication control unit 148 Bus 150 Image display unit 160 Operation unit 170 Battery 180 Recording medium 249, 449 Drive frequency control unit 349, 549 Recording pixel number control unit 60 Trinocular digital camera 70 Four eyes Digital camera

Claims (9)

A plurality of imaging units each having a plurality of solid-state imaging devices and a plurality of imaging optical systems that form subject images on the plurality of solid-state imaging devices, respectively. In a compound eye type photographing apparatus that generates each subject image formed on each of the plurality of solid-state imaging elements as image data so as to include at least one identical subject in common,
A target detection unit that detects a specific target in an arbitrary area in an image represented by the image data based on image data obtained by a first imaging unit that is one of the plurality of imaging units; ,
An energization control unit configured to perform energization control on at least one second imaging unit excluding the first imaging unit among the plurality of imaging units based on a detection result by the target detection unit. A compound-eye imaging device.   The compound eye type according to claim 1, further comprising a drive frequency control unit that changes a drive frequency of the second imaging unit based on a detection result of the target detection unit instead of the energization control unit. Shooting device.   The recording pixel number control unit that changes the number of recording pixels of the second imaging unit based on a detection result by the target detection unit, instead of the energization control unit. Compound eye photography device.   Instead of the energization control unit, a drive frequency control unit that changes the drive frequency of the plurality of imaging units including the first imaging unit based on a detection result by the target detection unit is provided. The compound eye photographing apparatus according to claim 1.   Instead of the energization control unit, a recording pixel number control unit is provided that changes the number of recording pixels of the plurality of imaging units including the first imaging unit based on a detection result by the target detection unit. The compound eye photographing apparatus according to claim 1.   The compound eye photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target detection unit detects a person in the image.   The compound eye photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target detection unit detects a face in the image.   The compound eye photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target detection unit detects a moving body in the image.   The compound eye photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target detection unit detects a temperature of an object in the image.

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