JP2009071467A - Photography apparatus and synchronous photography method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve synchronous photography with simple configuration and setting. <P>SOLUTION: A signal output part 31 having a transistor with a pulled-up open collector output or an open drain output wired-OR-connected through a signal line to other photography apparatus outputs Low-level photography control signals SC1-SC3 for controlling the synchronous photography when the preparation of photography is started and outputs the High-level photography control signals SC1-SC3 when the preparation of photography is completed. In the meantime, a signal detection part 32 detects the wired-OR-connected logical output from the signal output part 31 of the respective photography apparatuses 10A-10C as a synchronization control signal SS. Then, photography timing is determined on the basis of the timing at which the synchronization control signal SS becomes the High level. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus in which a plurality of imaging apparatuses perform imaging in synchronization and a synchronized imaging method using the same.

  One subject is photographed at different angles at the same time. At this time, it is preferable to perform imaging by synchronizing the imaging timings of the plurality of imaging apparatuses. Conventionally, various methods for performing synchronous imaging using the plurality of imaging apparatuses have been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Patent Document 1 proposes a method of synchronizing shooting timing by receiving shooting parameters of another imaging device or knowing a flash emitted by another imaging device. Patent Document 2 proposes a method in which, when an instruction to set a strobe timer is received, a plurality of photographing devices perform photographing in synchronization with the set strobe emission timing.
JP 2004-297414 A JP-A-2005-191960

  However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, the other photographing device (slave) performs photographing in synchronization with the master photographing device with reference to any one photographing device (master). However, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to set a master / slave in a plurality of photographing apparatuses.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging system that can easily perform synchronous imaging without the need for setting for performing synchronous imaging.

  The imaging device of the present invention is a transistor in which an object is imaged by synchronizing imaging timing, and a transistor in which a pulled-up open collector output or open drain output is wired-ORed to another imaging device via a signal line A signal output unit that outputs a shooting control signal for controlling synchronous shooting to the signal line, and when the preparation for shooting starts, the signal output unit outputs a shooting control signal at a low level to prepare for shooting. An output control unit that controls the signal output unit to output a shooting control signal of a high level when completed, a signal detection unit that detects a logical output of the signal output unit connected by wired OR as a synchronization control signal, and a signal When the preparation for photographing is completed in all the photographing devices connected by the line, the high level of the signal detecting unit is set. It is characterized in that the control signal and a timing controller for determining a photographing timing based on the detection timing.

  The synchronized shooting method of the present invention is a synchronized shooting method in which shooting timing is synchronized in a plurality of shooting apparatuses, and an open collector output or an open drain output that is pulled up is sent to another shooting apparatus via a signal line. When the preparation for shooting is started, the signal output unit having a transistor connected by wired OR connection outputs a shooting control signal for controlling low-level synchronous shooting. When the preparation for shooting is completed, the signal output unit has a high level. Output a shooting control signal, detect the logical output of the wired OR connection of the output from the signal output unit of each shooting device as a synchronization control signal, and complete shooting preparation in all the shooting devices connected by the signal line To determine the shooting timing based on the timing when the synchronization control signal becomes high level. It is an feature.

  Here, the timing control unit may be any unit that determines the shooting timing based on the timing at which the synchronization control signal is detected. For example, the timing at which the synchronization control signal is detected may be set as the shooting timing. The time when a predetermined period elapses after detecting the control signal may be set as the photographing timing.

  The imaging control signal and the synchronization control signal may be composed of, for example, a 1-bit pulse signal, or output or detected as field data in a communication command output in synchronization from each imaging device. It may be.

  Furthermore, the timing control unit may control the shooting timing so that shooting is performed when a communication command whose synchronization control signal is at a high level is detected, or shooting is performed when the number of set communication commands is detected. It is also possible to control the shooting timing so as to be performed.

  The signal output unit may output a synchronization pulse signal for synchronously outputting the communication command before outputting the communication command. At this time, the synchronization pulse signal may have a Low level period longer than the length of the communication command and a High level period after the Low level period. The timing control unit may control to start outputting and detecting a communication command when the high-level synchronization pulse signal is detected by the signal detection unit.

  Furthermore, the communication command only needs to include a shooting control signal and a synchronization control signal. For example, the communication command includes information indicating shooting conditions of the shooting apparatus such as exposure time, zoom position, aperture value, and shutter speed in the field. There may be.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention and the synchronous photographing method using the same, when the photographing timing is synchronized in a plurality of photographing apparatuses, the open collector output or the open drain output that is pulled up is used for other photographing. When the preparation for shooting is started, a shooting control signal for controlling low-level synchronous shooting is output from the signal output unit having a transistor that is wired-OR connected to the apparatus via a signal line, and preparation for shooting is completed. When this happens, a high level shooting control signal is output, and the logical output of the wired OR connection of the output from the signal output unit of each shooting device is detected as a synchronization control signal, and shooting is performed in all shooting devices connected by the signal line. Shooting timing based on the timing when the synchronization control signal becomes High level after the preparation of Since the synchronized shooting by the plurality of photographing devices is performed in accordance with the photographing start timing of the photographing device that has completed the latest preparation of photographing among the photographing devices, the master / There is no need for slave settings, and synchronized shooting can be performed with a simple procedure.

  Note that the shooting control signal and the synchronization control signal are output or detected as field data in a communication command output synchronously from each shooting device, and in particular, the communication command sets the shooting conditions of the shooting device. When this condition is included, it is possible to transmit not only the photographing timing but also various photographing conditions to each photographing apparatus at a synchronized timing.

  Further, the signal output unit outputs a synchronization pulse signal for synchronously outputting the communication command before outputting the communication command. The synchronization pulse signal has a low level period longer than the length of the communication command, and a low level. A high-level period after the period, and the timing control unit controls to start outputting and detecting a communication command when a high-level synchronization pulse signal is detected by the signal detection unit. At this time, the communication command can be output and detected in a state in which the photographing apparatuses are reliably synchronized.

  Furthermore, when the shooting timing is controlled so that shooting is performed when the number of communication commands for which the synchronization control signal is at the high level is detected for the set number of communication commands, the communication commands are reliably synchronized in each shooting device. Since the synchronous control signal can be detected in the state and the synchronous imaging can be performed, the certainty of the synchronous imaging can be improved.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a photographing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a synchronous photographing system using the photographing apparatus of the present invention. The synchronous photographing system 1 in FIG. 1 performs photographing of a subject in synchronization with a plurality of photographing devices 10A to 10C, and has a configuration in which a plurality of photographing devices 10A to 10C are connected to a personal computer 2. . Then, for example, the personal computer 2 gives an instruction to start photographing to the photographing devices 10A to 10C, and images acquired by the plurality of photographing devices 10A to 10C are transferred to the personal computer 2 side. The operation and control in each of the photographing apparatuses 10A to 10C is performed by the CPU 11 executing a program stored in the ROM 12, the memory 13, or the like. It can be transferred.

  Each of the photographing apparatuses 10A to 10C includes a lens 14, an imaging device 15, an A / D converter (ADC) 16, a signal processing unit 17, and the like. The lens 14 forms a subject image on the image sensor 15, and AF control, AE control, and the like are performed by the shooting control unit 40. The image sensor 15 is composed of a CCD or a CMOS, photoelectrically converts the subject image formed by the lens 14 and outputs image information. The A / D converter 16 performs A / D conversion on the image information output from the image sensor 15, and the signal processing unit 17 performs various image processes on the A / D converted image information. Then, the compression processing unit 18 performs compression encoding processing such as JPEG on the image information subjected to the image processing, and the media processing unit 19 stores the compression encoded image information in a memory or personally via a USB port. Send to computer 2. The acquired image can be displayed on the display unit 20.

  Here, each of the photographing devices 10A to 10C is provided with a synchronization control unit 30 for synchronizing the photographing timing when, for example, one subject is synchronously photographed at different angles. The synchronization control units 30 of the photographing apparatuses 10A to 10C are connected in parallel using the signal lines 3, respectively, and serial data can be transferred between the photographing apparatuses 10A to 10C.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the synchronization control unit 30. The synchronization control unit 30 includes a signal output unit 31, a signal detection unit 32, and a timing control unit 34. The signal output unit 31 includes, for example, a transistor having an open collector output or an open drain output, and is wired-OR connected to the signal output unit 31 of another imaging apparatus via the signal line 3. The signal output unit 31 outputs shooting control signals SC1 to SC3 for controlling synchronous shooting to the signal line 3, and the output from the signal output unit 31 is controlled by a timing control unit (output control unit) 34. ing. Note that the signal output unit 31 is pulled up by the resistor 33, and outputs high-level imaging control signals SC1 to SC3 in a steady state.

  The signal detection unit 32 detects a logical output of wired OR connection as a synchronization control signal SS. The timing control unit 34 shoots based on the timing at which the high-level synchronization control signal SS is detected in the signal detection unit 32 by completing the preparation for shooting in all the imaging devices 10A to 10C connected by the signal line 3. The timing is determined.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when an instruction for photographing is given from the personal computer 2 to each of the photographing devices 10 </ b> A to 10 </ b> C, the photographing control unit 40 in each of the photographing devices 10 </ b> A to 10 </ b> C has the lens 14 and the imaging. Preparation is started so that the element 15 and the like can be photographed. At the same time, the shooting control unit 40 outputs to the timing control unit 34 that the preparation for shooting has started, and the timing control unit 34 outputs the shooting control signals SC1 to SC3 whose signal output unit 31 is at the low level. Control to do. Note that the low-level shooting control signals SC1 to SC3 are output at timings t1, t2, and t3 at which the shooting apparatuses 10A to 10C start preparation for shooting, respectively. At this time, a synchronization control signal detected by the signal detection unit 32 of each of the imaging devices 10A to 10C at timing t1 when any one of the imaging devices 10A to 10C starts preparation for imaging. SS becomes Low level.

  Next, when shooting preparations are completed in each of the imaging devices 10A to 10C, the signal output unit 31 outputs high-level shooting control signals SC1 to SC3 at timings t4, t5, and t6 when the shooting preparations are completed. Since each signal output unit 31 is connected by wired OR, if all of the imaging control signals SC1 to SC3 output from the imaging apparatuses 10A to 10C do not become the High level, the synchronization is a logical output of wired OR. The control signal SS does not become High level but remains Low level.

  When the imaging control signals SC1 to SC3 output from all the imaging apparatuses 10A to 10C are at the high level, the signal detection unit 32 detects the synchronization control signal SS at the high level. Then, an imaging timing signal is output from the timing control unit 34 to the imaging control unit 40, and exposure (imaging) by the imaging device 15 is started. That is, shooting is started at the timing when the shooting control signal is the latest high level.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a preferred embodiment of the synchronous photographing method of the present invention. The synchronous photographing method will be described with reference to FIGS. When the personal computer 2 gives a photographing instruction to each of the photographing devices 10A to 10C (step ST1), preparations for photographing such as AF / AE control of the lens are started in each of the photographing devices 10A to 10C (step ST2). The high level photographing control signals SC1 to SC3 are driven to the low level at timings t1 to t3 in FIG.

  Thereafter, when preparation for shooting is completed in each of the imaging apparatuses 10A to 10C (step ST3), high-level imaging control signals SC1 to SC3 are output via the signal line 3 (step ST4, timing t4 to FIG. 3). t6). When the shooting control signals output from the signal output units 31 of all the shooting apparatuses 10A to 10C are at a high level (step ST5), the synchronization control signal SS detected by the signal detection unit 32 is at a high level. . Then, a shooting timing signal is output from the timing control unit 34 to the shooting control unit 40, and under the control of the shooting control unit 40, synchronized shooting of the subject is performed by the shooting devices 10A to 10C (step ST6).

  In this way, by connecting the imaging devices 10A to 10C with wired OR connection using a signal line as an open collector output (open drain output), and performing timing control of synchronous imaging using the logical output, the configuration can be simplified. Synchronous shooting can be performed. That is, conventionally, it is necessary to set a master and a slave for a plurality of photographing devices, but in the photographing devices 10A to 10C described above, synchronization is performed in accordance with the photographing timing of the photographing device that is in the latest photographing state. Since shooting is performed, synchronized shooting can be performed by a simple procedure without setting.

  In addition, as in the past, when performing synchronous shooting by detecting the flash or when performing synchronous shooting using a strobe signal, the strobe must be used. There is a problem that synchronous shooting fails when it is not used. On the other hand, in the above-described photographing apparatuses 10A to 10C, when all the photographing apparatuses 10A to 10C are ready for photographing, the photographing control signal is set to the High level, and synchronous photographing is performed using the logical output of the wired OR connection. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the failure of the synchronous shooting.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. In the imaging apparatus 100A (100B, 100C) in FIG. 5, parts having the same configurations as those in the imaging apparatuses 10A to 10C in FIG. The imaging devices 100A to 100C in FIG. 5 are different from the imaging devices 10A to 10C in FIG. 1 in that the imaging control signals SC1 to SC3 and the synchronization control signal SS are fields in communication commands that are output in synchronization from each imaging device. It is a point that is output or detected as data.

  5 generates a communication command to be output from the signal output unit 31 to the other imaging devices 100A to 100C in addition to the signal output unit 31 and the signal detection unit 32 that are wired OR connected as described above. Command generation unit 131, command detection unit 132 that detects communication commands output by other imaging devices, and timing control unit that controls output from the command generation unit 131 and signal output unit 31 and decodes the detected commands 134. Communication commands are transmitted / received by serial data transfer via the signal line 3 in the plurality of imaging apparatuses 100A to 100C.

  As shown in FIG. 6, this communication command includes a start field (period 4T), data fields D3 to D0 (period 3T), a parity field (period 3T), an error field (period 3T), and a synchronization field SY (period 3T). It is composed of When a communication command is output from the signal output unit 31, the synchronization field SY becomes the shooting control signals SC1 to SC3. On the other hand, when the detected communication command is decoded, the synchronization field SY is recognized as the synchronization control signal SS.

  Here, the timing control unit 134 controls the signal output unit 31 so that a synchronization pulse signal for synchronizing the output of the communication command is output before the communication command is output when the start of imaging is instructed. To do. The synchronization pulse signal SP has a Low level period longer than the length of the communication command and a High level period after the Low level period. For example, as described above, when the communication command has a length of 25T, the low level period of the synchronization pulse signal SP is set to 26T, for example.

  Since the signal output unit 31 of each of the imaging devices 100A to 100C is wired-OR connected, when the synchronization pulse signal SP becomes High level in all of the imaging devices 100A to 100C, the signal detection unit 32 sets the High level. A synchronization pulse signal SP is detected. Therefore, even when a time difference occurs due to a difference in the cable length of the signal line 3, the timing at which the high level is detected by the signal detection unit 32 is synchronized. Therefore, it is possible to perform transmission / reception of synchronized communication commands in each of the imaging devices 100A to 100C.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the synchronous photographing method of the present invention. In FIG. 7, when the signal detection unit 32 detects a rising edge when the synchronization pulse signal SP has become high level (steps ST11 and ST12), the command generation unit 131 starts generating and detecting a communication command (step ST13). The command generation unit 131 generates a communication command by controlling the signal output unit 31 so as to output a high level signal or a low level signal in each field period. When preparations for photographing are completed in each of the photographing apparatuses 100A to 100C (step ST14), a communication command in which the synchronization field SY is driven to a high level is generated (step ST15). On the other hand, the command detection unit 132 detects a communication command output as a logical output of wired OR connection. In particular, a communication command is decoded by detecting a level after a predetermined period from the rising edge (trigger) in each field (for example, a level after 1.5T has elapsed from each field start edge). Thereby, it is possible to prevent a detection error of each bit from occurring. If the decoding result is an error, the error field in the communication command to be output is set to the Low level, and the photographing devices 100A to 100C are notified that the communication command is in error.

  Then, the timing control unit 134 determines whether or not the synchronization field SY (synchronization control signal SS) of the communication command is at a high level (step ST16). When the synchronization field SY is at the low level, it is determined that the plurality of photographing apparatuses 100A to 100C are not ready for photographing. When the synchronization field SY is set to the high level, photographing is performed at all the photographing apparatuses 100A to 100C. Determine that preparation is complete.

It should be noted that from the output of the above-described synchronization pulse signal SP to the output of the communication command until preparation of shooting is completed in all of the imaging apparatuses 100A to 100C, that is, until the synchronization field SY (synchronization control signal SS) becomes High level. The operation is repeated (steps ST11 to ST16).

  When it is determined that the synchronization field SY of the communication commands transmitted from all the imaging devices 100B and 100C is in a high level state, the command detection unit 132 requests the command counter to count the command (step ST17). Then, when the count number by the command counter reaches a predetermined value (for example, count number = 2), shooting (exposure) is started, and issuance of the communication command is ended. That is, the timing control unit 134 of all of the connected imaging devices 100A to 100C performs imaging when the communication field SY (synchronization control signal SS) detects a communication command having a high level for the set number of communication commands. Control the shooting timing to be performed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the photographing apparatus 100A completes preparation for photographing at timing t11, the photographing apparatus 100B completes preparation for photographing at timing t12, and the photographing apparatus 100C completes preparation for photographing at timing t13. At this time, the synchronization control signal SS is set to the high level in the communication command transmitted / received after the timing t13. Then, the timing control unit 134 performs synchronous imaging when the communication command having the synchronization control signal SS at the high level is detected by the number of set communication commands (= 2). At this time, since the output and detection of each communication command are synchronized by the synchronization pulse signal SP, the photographing timing is also synchronized reliably, and complete broadcast communication can be realized.

  According to each of the above embodiments, when photographing a subject with a plurality of photographing devices 10A to 10C (100A to 100C) in synchronism with photographing timing, the pulled-up open collector output or open drain output is used for other photographing. Shooting control signals SC1 to SC3 for controlling low-level synchronous shooting are output from a signal output unit 31 having a transistor wired-OR-connected to the apparatus via a signal line, when shooting preparation is started. When the preparation is completed, high-level imaging control signals SC1 to SC3 are output, and the logical output of the wired OR connection of the output from the signal output unit 31 of each of the imaging apparatuses 10A to 10C (100A to 100C) is a synchronization control signal. Detected as SS, and all the imaging devices connected by the signal line 3 are ready for shooting. Thus, by determining the shooting timing based on the timing at which the synchronization control signal SS becomes the high level, the shooting of the shooting apparatus that has completed the latest shooting preparation among the shooting apparatuses 10A to 10C (100A to 100C) is started. Synchronous shooting is performed by a plurality of imaging apparatuses 10A to 10C (100A to 100C) in accordance with timing, and therefore, the synchronization shooting is performed with a simple procedure without setting master / slave in a plurality of imaging apparatuses as in the past. Can do.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the shooting control signals SC1 to SC3 and the synchronization control signal SS are output or detected as field data in communication commands output in synchronization from the shooting devices 100A to 100C. In particular, when the communication command includes a condition for setting the photographing condition of the photographing device, it can be transmitted to each of the photographing devices 100A to 100C not only at the photographing timing but also at a timing in which various photographing conditions are synchronized.

  Further, the signal output unit 31 outputs a synchronization pulse signal SP for synchronously outputting the communication command before outputting the communication command, and the synchronization pulse signal SP has a low level period longer than the length of the communication command. The timing control unit 134 starts outputting and detecting a communication command when the signal detection unit 32 detects a high-level synchronization pulse signal SP. When the control is performed, the communication command can be output and detected in a state of being surely synchronized between the photographing apparatuses 100A to 100C.

  Furthermore, when the shooting timing is controlled so that shooting is performed when the number of communication commands for which the synchronization control signal is at the high level is detected for the set number of communication commands, the communication commands are reliably synchronized in each shooting device. Since the synchronization control signal SS can be detected in the state and synchronized imaging can be performed, complete broadcast communication can be realized and the reliability of synchronized imaging can be improved.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the photographing timings of a plurality of photographing apparatuses are synchronized is illustrated, but the present invention can also be applied to a case where common operations are performed in synchronization.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where an instruction to start photographing is given from the personal computer 2 is illustrated, but the operation unit (release switch) of any one of the plurality of photographing devices 10A to 10C. An instruction for synchronous shooting may be issued by pressing the SW. At this time, a photographing instruction is given to the other photographing devices 10B and 10C via the personal computer 2.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a synchronized photographing system using a photographing device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a synchronization control unit in the imaging apparatus of FIG. FIG. 1 is a timing chart illustrating an example of shooting control signals and synchronization control signals input and output in the shooting apparatus of FIG. The flowchart which shows preferable embodiment of the synchronous imaging | photography method of this invention. The block diagram which shows another embodiment of the imaging device of this invention FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of a synchronization pulse signal and a communication command input / output to / from the photographing apparatus of FIG. The flowchart which shows another embodiment of the synchronous imaging | photography method of this invention. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of shooting control signals and synchronization control signals input / output in the shooting apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Synchronous imaging system 10A-10C, 100A-100C Imaging device 30, 130 Synchronization control part 31 Signal output part 32 Signal detection part 34, 134 Timing control part 40 Imaging | photography control part

Claims (7)

In a photographing device that shoots a subject by synchronizing the photographing timing,
A signal for outputting a shooting control signal for controlling synchronous shooting to the signal line, wherein the pulled-up open collector output or open drain output has a transistor connected to the other shooting device by a wired OR connection via a signal line. An output section;
Control is performed so that the signal output unit outputs the shooting control signal at a low level when preparation for shooting starts, and the signal output unit outputs the shooting control signal at a high level when preparation for shooting is completed. An output control unit,
A signal detection unit for detecting a logic output of the signal output unit connected by wired OR as a synchronization control signal;
A timing control unit that determines a shooting timing based on a timing at which the high-level synchronization control signal is detected in the signal detection unit when preparation for shooting is completed in all of the shooting devices connected by the signal line An imaging apparatus comprising: and.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing control signal and the synchronization control signal are output or detected as field data in a communication command outputted in synchronization with each photographing apparatus. The signal output unit outputs a synchronization pulse signal for synchronously outputting the communication command before outputting the communication command, and the synchronization pulse signal has a low level period longer than the length of the communication command; And a high level period after the low level period,
3. The timing control unit controls to start output and detection of the communication command when the high-level synchronization pulse signal is detected in the signal detection unit. Shooting device.   The timing control unit controls the shooting timing so that shooting is performed when the communication command in which the synchronization control signal is at a high level is detected by the number of set communication commands. Or the imaging device of 3.   5. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication command includes a condition for setting a photographing condition of the photographing apparatus. In a synchronized shooting method of shooting a subject by synchronizing shooting timings in a plurality of shooting devices,
When the preparation for shooting is started from the signal output unit having a transistor in which the pulled-up open collector output or the open drain output is wired-OR connected to the other imaging device via the signal line, the low level synchronous shooting is performed. Outputs a shooting control signal for control, and outputs the shooting control signal at a high level when preparation for shooting is completed.
Detecting the logical output of the wired OR connection of the output from the signal output unit of each imaging device as a synchronization control signal;
A synchronized photographing method, wherein a photographing timing is determined based on a timing when the synchronization control signal becomes a high level when preparation for photographing is completed in all the photographing devices connected by the signal line. The shooting control signal and the synchronization control signal are output or detected as field data in a communication command output synchronously from each of the shooting devices,
7. The synchronous photographing method according to claim 6, wherein the photographing timing is controlled so that photographing is performed when the communication command in which the synchronization control signal is at a high level is detected by the number of set communication commands.

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