JP2008193711A - Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain imaged image data at a timing desired by a user without applying any load to the user. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus comprises: a temporary storage part 240 for temporarily storing a plurality of image data respectively including object of successively temporary imaging; an image analysis selecting part 260 for selecting the imaging data as picture image data on the basis of the motion of the object detected from the object after analysis of a plurality of image data stored in the temporary storage part 240; and a storage part 300 for storage for storing the image data selected from the picture image analyzing and selecting part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and an image processing device. In particular, the present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and an image processing device capable of imaging a moving subject at a timing desired by a user.

  When the subject is playing sports, the user wants to take an image when the subject moves strongly. However, when the subject moves suddenly, the timing of pressing the shutter is likely to deviate from the timing at which imaging is desired. For this reason, when the movement of the subject is intense, the user continuously captures a plurality of images and selects the desired image from the captured plurality of images (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-86395 A

However, conventionally, a user has to select a desired image. Therefore, for example, when there are many images captured in the continuous shooting mode or the moving image mode, the load on the user is large.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and an image processing device that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus for imaging a subject, which is temporally continuous and temporarily stores a plurality of image data each including a subject, and temporary storage. An image that detects a motion of a subject by analyzing a plurality of image data stored in the unit, and selects imaging data that is image data to be saved as imaging data from the plurality of image data based on the detected movement of the subject There is provided an imaging apparatus comprising: an analysis selection unit; and a storage unit for storing image data selected by the image analysis selection unit as imaging data.

In the imaging device of the first aspect, the image analysis selection unit may further detect the speed of movement of the subject and select image data when the movement of the subject is fastest.
In this case, the image analysis selection unit calculates the difference between the two image data as information indicating the motion of the subject in the plurality of image data stored in the temporary storage unit, and among the two pieces of image data indicating the largest difference. At least one of them may be selected as image data to be stored.
Furthermore, in this case, the image analysis selection unit should cut out the subject image from the image data, calculate the difference between the cut out subject images, and store at least one of the two pieces of image data showing the largest difference. You may select as image data.

Further, the image analysis selection unit may further detect the acceleration of the movement of the subject and select the image data when the acceleration of the movement of the subject is the largest.
In this case, the image analysis selection unit calculates a difference between the two image data in each of the plurality of image data stored in the temporary storage unit, calculates a change amount of the difference, and calculates a change amount of the largest difference. At least one of the image data used at the time may be selected as image data to be stored.

The image analysis selection unit may calculate a displacement of the subject with respect to the background image of the subject in the image data, and detect the movement of the subject based on the displacement.
The image analysis selection unit may further detect the speed of movement of the subject in the image and select image data when the movement of the subject is the slowest.
In addition, the imaging apparatus may further include a mounting unit that is attached to the glasses so that the imaging direction is substantially coincident with the eye gaze direction of the wearer of the glasses.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging method for capturing image data including a subject. The image of an optical subject is captured from outside, and the image data is temporally converted based on the image of the optical subject. A plurality of images are generated in succession, and the generated image data are temporarily stored in a memory, and an arithmetic unit analyzes at least a part of the plurality of image data temporarily stored in the memory to operate the subject. , Detecting image data that is image data to be saved from a plurality of image data based on the detection result, and saving the image data selected by the arithmetic device as the imaging data I will provide a.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a temporal storage unit that temporarily stores a plurality of pieces of image data each including a subject, and a storage unit selected from a plurality of pieces of image data stored in the temporary storage unit. An image processing device used in an imaging apparatus having a storage unit for storing image data of the image data, and causing the imaging apparatus to select image data when the subject is moving most as image data for storage Therefore, an image processing device is provided that includes a difference calculation unit that acquires two image data from a temporary storage unit and calculates a difference between the two image data as a motion of a subject.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of an imaging apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The imaging device 200 incorporates a calculation device such as a CPU, and images a subject that moves rapidly, such as a sports player. Here, the imaging apparatus 200 generates a plurality of image data so as to be continuous in time, analyzes the generated plurality of image data using a built-in arithmetic device, and detects the movement of the subject. Then, the image data captured when the subject motion is the fastest or the image data captured when the subject motion acceleration is the largest is stored in a storage recording medium.
The typical timing that a person considers as a photo opportunity is often when the subject moves fast or changes most. Therefore, when the imaging apparatus 200 is used, image data at a timing desired by the user can be obtained.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the imaging apparatus 200. The imaging apparatus 200 includes an operation unit 210, an imaging unit 220, a temporary storage unit 240, an image analysis selection unit 260, a display unit 280, and a storage unit 300 for storage.

  The operation unit 210 receives an input to the imaging apparatus 200 from the user, and outputs an instruction to the imaging unit 220 or the image analysis selection unit 260 based on the input.

  Based on an instruction from the operation unit 210, the imaging unit 220 generates a plurality of image data including a subject so as to be temporally continuous, and outputs the data to the temporary storage unit 240. Specifically, the imaging unit 220 includes an optical system that takes in external light, and a photoelectric conversion element (for example, a CCD) that generates image data based on the external light taken in by the optical system.

  The temporary storage unit 240 includes, for example, a volatile memory, and temporarily stores a plurality of image data captured by the imaging unit 220. The temporary storage unit 240 deletes the oldest image data and stores new image data when the data amount of the plurality of image data is likely to exceed the capacity.

The image analysis selection unit 260 includes a difference calculation unit 262. Then, the difference calculation unit 262 is used to calculate the difference between the plurality of images stored in the temporary storage unit 240 and detect the movement of the subject. Then, the image data captured when the subject motion is the fastest or the image data captured when the subject motion acceleration is the largest is selected as the image data that is to be stored and stored in the display unit 280. To the storage unit 300. Further, the imaging data is output to the storage unit 300 for storage based on an instruction from the operation unit 210.
Since the calculation amount performed by the difference calculation unit 262 is large, the difference calculation unit 262 may be realized as hardware, that is, an image processing device instead of software. The image analysis selection unit 260 itself may be realized as hardware.

The display unit 280 displays the imaging data for the user to confirm.
The storage unit 300 has a removable medium such as a semiconductor memory, and stores and saves imaging data in the removable medium.

  In other words, the imaging apparatus 200 displays the selected imaging data on the display unit 280 to allow the user to confirm. Then, when the user inputs to the operation unit 210 that the selected image is acceptable, the selected image data is stored in the removable medium. Therefore, the possibility that the image capturing apparatus 200 stores image data captured at a timing not desired by the user is low.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation of the imaging apparatus 200 during imaging.

  The imaging unit 220 of the imaging device 200 continuously captures an image of the subject (S20), and stores the generated plurality of image data in the temporary storage unit 240 (S40). When the imaging ends (S60: Yes), the image analysis selection unit 260 analyzes the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 240 and selects image data to be saved (S80).

The image analysis selection unit 260 outputs the selected image data to the display unit 280 to display the image (S100). Here, the user confirms that the selected image data is the intended one.
When the image analysis unit 260 receives an input from the operation unit 210 to save the image data selected by the user (S120: Yes), the selected image data is stored in the storage unit 300 for storage as imaging data. It is stored in removable media (S140).
Further, when the image analysis unit 260 receives an input from the operation unit 210 indicating that the user does not want to save the image data selected by the user (S120: No), the image before or after the image data selected in S80. Data is selected again (S160), and the process returns to S100.

  The image analysis selection unit 260 selects image data captured when the subject motion is the fastest, or image data captured when the subject motion acceleration is the highest. For this reason, when the selected image does not conform to the user's intention, there is a high possibility that the image analysis selection unit 260 has options before and after the image data for the image that the user wants to save. Therefore, according to the imaging apparatus 200, it is possible to efficiently select an image that the user wants to save.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example when S80 of FIG. 3, that is, the image analysis selection unit 260 analyzes and selects image data. This flowchart shows a process for selecting image data when the subject is moving fastest.

The image analysis selection unit 260 first cuts out an image of a subject from each image data (S300). The image of the subject is cut out as follows, for example. That is, the distance distribution from the imaging device 200 in the imaging region is measured in advance. Further, the in-focus portion in the imaging area is stored. Then, an area where the distance is continuously changed from the focused part is recognized as a subject and cut out.
Alternatively, a human body template may be stored in advance, and an image of the subject may be cut out using this template. In this case, the position of the face is first detected by detecting a skin color area in the shape of a face. Then, a body part is detected by using a body template from the detected face position. Then, the part where the color or distance is continuous from the body part is detected as a limb. When a person holds a racket or bat, the racket or bat is also detected. Hands and feet are distinguished based on the distance from the face.

Next, two pieces of image data that are temporally continuous are selected from the plurality of pieces of image data stored in the temporary storage unit 240, and the position of the subject image included in the selected two pieces of image data in the image data Is calculated (S320).
Then, after calculating the difference between the subject images for all the two preceding and following subject images (S340), one of the two subject images used when calculating the difference showing the largest value is obtained. The image data to be included is selected (S360).

  When the movement of the subject is the fastest, the difference between two temporally continuous subject images is the largest. Therefore, the image analysis unit 260 can select the image data when the movement of the subject is the fastest by executing the processing shown in the drawing.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another operation example of S80 of FIG. This flowchart shows a process for selecting image data when the acceleration of the subject is the largest.

  The image analysis selection unit 260 performs the same operation as S300 in FIG. 4 and cuts out the subject image from each image data (S400). Then, the same operation as S320 in FIG. 4 is performed, and the difference in the position of the subject image in the two temporally continuous image data is calculated in the order of the imaging time (S420). That is, after calculating the difference between the positions of the two subject images, the difference between the subject image positioned later in time and the subject image captured next to the subject image is calculated. This process is repeated.

Then, a difference change amount is calculated by calculating a difference between the newly calculated difference and the previously calculated difference (S440). That is, the conversion amount of the difference between the subject images is calculated using the three subject images that are adjacent to each other.
Then, the change amount of the difference between the subject images is calculated for all three subject images before and after each other (S460), and then one of the three subject images used for calculating the largest change amount. Image data including two images is selected (S480).

  When the acceleration of the movement of the subject is the largest, the change amount of the difference calculated from the three temporally continuous subject images is the largest. Therefore, the image analysis selection unit 260 can select the image data when the acceleration of the motion of the subject is the largest by executing the processing shown in this figure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing still another operation example of S80 in FIG.
The image analysis selection unit 260 performs the same operation as in S300 of FIG. 4, and cuts out the subject image from each image data (S600). Here, the image analysis selection unit 260 treats the image remaining after the image of the subject is cut out from the image data as the background image.
Then, the same operation as S320 in FIG. 4 is performed, and the difference between the subject images is calculated in the order of the imaging time (S620). Further, the background image difference is calculated by performing the same process as S320 of FIG. 4 on the background image (S640). Then, the amount of displacement of the subject image relative to the background image is calculated by subtracting the difference of the background image from the difference of the subject image (S660).
Then, after calculating the displacement amount of the subject image with respect to the background image for all the images (S680), one of the two pieces of image data showing the largest displacement amount is selected (S700).

When the imaging apparatus 200 moves due to camera shake or the like, the subject image and the background image move by the same amount in the image data. That is, the difference between the preceding and following subject images and the difference between the preceding and following background images are the same amount.
Here, when the process shown in FIG. 6 is executed, the difference due to the movement of the imaging device 200 is canceled because the difference between the background images is subtracted from the difference between the subject images. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the difference between the subject images resulting from the motion of the subject.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing still another operation example of S80 in FIG. The image analysis selection unit 260 calculates the movement vector of the corners of the two images before and after (S700). Since there is a high possibility that a stationary object appears in the corner of the image, the image analysis selection unit 260 can treat this movement vector as an image shift caused by camera shake. The movement vector is calculated as follows, for example. That is, it is detected where an object in the corner of the previous image is located in the subsequent image, and the difference is used as a movement vector. Here, an average value of the movement vectors at the four corners of the image may be calculated, or a movement vector of an object shown in the corner farthest from the focus center (that is, the subject) may be calculated.

Then, based on the calculated movement vector, one image is moved (S710) to correct camera shake. Then, the difference between the two images after the movement is calculated (720). Since the image difference caused by camera shake is corrected in S710, the difference of the entire image calculated here becomes larger as the amount of movement of the subject increases.
Then, after calculating the difference of all the images in all the two images before and after (S730), one of the two images showing the largest difference is selected as an image to be stored (S740).

  Therefore, when the processing shown in this drawing is executed, the image analysis selection unit 260 can select an image with the largest subject movement without cutting out the subject.

  If the background is substantially the same over the entire image, the processing of S700 and S710 may be omitted. If the background edge can be detected, the movement vector of the edge may be calculated as an image shift due to camera shake in S700.

  FIG. 8 shows an imaging system 400 that is a modification of the imaging apparatus 200. The imaging system 400 includes an imaging device 410 and an image processing device 420. The imaging device 410 is assembled to a spectacle frame. At this time, the imaging direction of the imaging device 410 substantially matches the line-of-sight direction of the user wearing the spectacle frame.

  The imaging device 410 generates image data continuously in time based on an instruction from the image processing device 420. Then, the image processing device 420 wirelessly receives a plurality of image data generated by the imaging device 410 and analyzes them so that the image data captured when the subject moves fastest or the acceleration of the subject motion is detected. The image data picked up at the maximum is selected. Then, the selected image data is stored in a storage recording medium.

  Therefore, according to the imaging system 400, for example, it is possible to obtain an image that is viewed from the viewpoint of a person who is playing sports and that has the fastest movement of a subject such as a ball.

  FIG. 9 is a front view of the imaging device 410. The imaging device 410 has an attachment portion 412 for attaching the imaging device 410 to the spectacle frame. The attachment portion 412 has a substantially C-shaped cross section, and attaches the imaging device 410 by fitting a spectacle frame.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the imaging device 410. The imaging device 410 includes an imaging unit 220 and a communication unit 414. The configuration of the imaging unit 220 is the same as that in FIG. The communication unit 414 receives an instruction from the image processing apparatus 420 and outputs the received instruction to the imaging unit 220. In addition, the communication unit 414 transmits the image data generated by the imaging unit 220 to the image processing device 420 by wireless communication.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the image processing apparatus 420. The image processing apparatus 420 includes a communication unit 422, an operation unit 210, a temporary storage unit 240, an image analysis selection unit 260, a display unit 280, and a storage unit for storage 300. That is, the image processing apparatus 420 has substantially the same configuration as that of the imaging apparatus 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, but includes a communication unit 422 instead of the imaging unit 220. The communication unit 422 transmits an instruction input from the operation unit 210 to the imaging device 410. In addition, the communication unit 422 receives the image data transmitted from the imaging device 410 and stores it in the temporary storage unit 240. In other respects, the configuration and operation are the same, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, the processing shown in FIG. 12 may be executed in S80 of the flowchart of FIG. By executing this processing, the imaging apparatus 200 can select and store the image data when the camera shake is smallest when the image data includes a stationary subject.
That is, in FIG. 12, the image analysis selection unit 260 performs one of the two subject images used when calculating the difference indicating the smallest value after executing the processing from S300 to S340 shown in FIG. Is selected (S370).

  When the subject is stationary, the difference between two subject images that are temporally continuous is caused by camera shake. Therefore, the image analysis unit 260 can select the image data when the camera shake is the smallest by executing the processing shown in FIG.

  Further, the storage unit 300 for storage may be provided in a separate hardware device. In this case, the imaging apparatus 200 may transmit the image selected by the image analysis selection unit 260 to the storage unit 300 for storage via, for example, a mobile communication network and the Internet.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to select an image captured at a timing desired by the user without imposing a load on the user.

It is a figure explaining the usage example of the imaging device 200 which is one Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus 200. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation at the time of imaging of the imaging apparatus 200. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example when the image analysis selection part 260 analyzes and selects image data. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of operation when the image analysis selection unit 260 analyzes and selects image data. It is a flowchart which shows the further another operation example when the image analysis selection part 260 analyzes and selects image data. It is a flowchart which shows the further another operation example when the image analysis selection part 260 analyzes and selects image data. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an imaging system 400 that is a modification of the imaging apparatus 200. 2 is a front view of an imaging device 410. FIG. FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the imaging apparatus 410. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of an image processing device 420. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example when the image analysis selection unit 260 analyzes and selects image data in a modification of the imaging apparatus 200.

Explanation of symbols

200 imaging device 240 temporary storage unit 260 image analysis selection unit 300 storage unit 400 imaging system 410 imaging device 412 mounting unit 420 image analysis device

Claims (5)

  A temporary storage unit that temporarily stores a plurality of pieces of image data that are temporally continuous and each includes a subject;
  The subject image is cut out from the plurality of image data stored in the temporary storage unit, two pieces of the image data that are temporally continuous are selected, and the subject included in the two selected pieces of the image data An image analysis selection unit that calculates a difference in position of the image in the image data and selects at least one of the two pieces of image data used when the difference indicating the smallest value is calculated;
  A storage unit for storing the image data selected by the image analysis selection unit as imaging data;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The image analysis selection unit uses a distance distribution from the imaging device in the imaging region of the image data as an image of the subject as an area where the distance continuously changes from a focused part. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which is cut out from image data.   The image analysis selection unit detects a body part from the image data using a pre-stored person's body template, and defines an area from the body part to a part where the color or distance is continuous from the subject. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the image data is cut out from the image data as an image of the image.   A step of temporarily storing a plurality of pieces of image data that are temporally continuous and each include a subject;
  The subject image is cut out from the plurality of temporarily stored image data, two temporally continuous image data are selected, and the subject image included in the two selected image data is selected. Calculating a difference in position in the image data, and selecting at least one of the two image data used when the difference indicating the smallest value was calculated;
  Storing the selected image data as imaging data; and
An imaging method comprising:   A temporary storage unit that temporarily stores a plurality of pieces of image data that are temporally continuous and each includes a subject;
  The subject image is cut out from the plurality of image data stored in the temporary storage unit, the two pieces of image data that are temporally continuous are selected, and the subject included in the selected two pieces of the image data An image analysis selection unit that calculates a difference in position of the image in the image data and selects at least one of the two pieces of image data used when the difference indicating the smallest value is calculated;
  A storage unit for storing the image data selected by the image analysis selection unit as imaging data;
An image processing apparatus comprising:

Images