JP2009116053A - Camera with projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera with a projector that suitably control projection using information acquired before the projection. <P>SOLUTION: The camera 10 with the projector is provided with an imaging unit 70, a projection unit 60, an arithmetic means 101 of computing the intensity of projection light of the projection unit 60 and a contrast adjustment value for a projection image using image data picked up by the imaging unit 70, and a control means 101 controlling the imaging unit 70 and projection unit 60 respectively so that the imaging unit 70 may pick up a surface on which the projection unit 60 projects the image and that the projection unit 60 may start projecting the image with the intensity of the projection light and the contrast adjustment value computed by the arithmetic means 101. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera with a projector.

  There is known a projector that detects the amount of light around the projector and adjusts the brightness by adjusting the light source lamp in accordance with a detection signal (see Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique for performing distance measurement for photographing using image data obtained by capturing a pattern projected from a projector is known (Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-131668 A JP 2006-91091 A

  In the prior art, since projection is controlled using information obtained during projection, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform before projection.

(1) A camera with a projector according to the present invention includes an imaging unit, a projection unit, and a calculation unit that calculates the intensity of projection light of the projection unit and the contrast adjustment value of the projection image using image data captured by the imaging unit. The imaging unit and the projection unit are controlled so that the surface projected by the projection unit is imaged by the imaging unit before projection, and the projection unit starts projection with the intensity of the projection light and the contrast adjustment value calculated by the calculation means. And a control means for performing the above.
(2) In the camera with a projector according to claim 1, the calculation means can also perform calculation so as to increase the projection light when the brightness information acquired using the image data exceeds a predetermined value.
(3) In the camera with a projector according to (2), the calculation means is configured so that when the distance information acquired using the image data exceeds a predetermined range and when the acquired distance information is less than the predetermined range, It can also be a projection failure.
(4) In the camera with a projector according to claim 2, the calculation means can perform calculation so that the contrast adjustment value varies according to the brightness information acquired using the image data.
(5) The camera with a projector according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying that when the calculation unit calculates that the intensity of the projection light exceeding the upper limit by the projection unit is necessary.
(6) In the camera with a projector according to claim 5, the notifying unit further includes a case where the distance information acquired using the image data exceeds a predetermined range and a case where the acquired distance information is less than the predetermined range, respectively. Can be informed.
(7) In the camera with a projector according to claim 5 or 6, it is preferable that the notifying means is constituted by a liquid crystal display member, and the display luminance is controlled according to the brightness information acquired using the image data.
(8) In the camera with a projector according to claim 7, it is preferable that the liquid crystal display member has a higher display luminance as brightness information is brighter with reference to the minimum display luminance.

  With the camera with a projector according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control projection using information acquired before projection.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic camera 10 with a projector according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a photographing lens 71, a projector projection lens 61, and a flash light source unit 21 are disposed on the front surface of the electronic camera 10. On the top surface of the electronic camera 10, a zoom switch 11, a release button 12, and a projector button 14 are disposed. The release button 12 is an operation member for instructing the electronic camera 10 to take a picture. The zoom switch 11 is an operation member for instructing the electronic camera 10 to zoom down or zoom up. The projector button 14 is an operation member for instructing the electronic camera 10 to switch to the projection mode and to turn on / off the projection in the projection mode.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view of the electronic camera of FIG. In FIG. 2, a liquid crystal monitor 108, a switch button 15, a mode button 16, a menu button 17, a delete button 18, an OK button 20 and a dial 19 are provided on the back of the electronic camera 10. The dial 19 configured in a ring shape generates a rotation operation signal corresponding to the rotation operation and a pressing position signal corresponding to the pressing operation. The OK button 20 is disposed at the center of the dial 19. The dial 19 and the OK button 20 are operation members for instructing the electronic camera 10 to make various settings.

  The switch button 15 is an operation member for instructing the electronic camera 10 to switch between a shooting mode for shooting and a playback mode for playing back and displaying a shot image. The mode button 16 is an operation member for displaying a mode selection screen on the liquid crystal monitor 108. The menu button 17 is an operation member for causing the liquid crystal monitor 108 to display a menu selection screen. The delete button 18 is an operation member for instructing the electronic camera 10 to delete an image file.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the electronic camera 10 of FIG. 3, the electronic camera 10 includes a CPU 101, a memory 102, a microphone 105, an external interface circuit 106, a power supply circuit 107, a liquid crystal monitor 108, an operation member 109, a speaker 110, a projector module 60, A detachable battery 103 and a memory card 104 are mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the projector module 60 and the camera module 70 have the projection optical system (projection lens 61) and the photographing optical system (photographing lens 71) provided on a common surface.

  Based on the control program, the CPU 101 performs a predetermined calculation using signals input from each unit constituting the electronic camera 10 and sends a control signal to each unit of the electronic camera 10 to perform camera operation and Each projector operation is controlled. The control program is stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) in the CPU 101.

  The memory 102 is used as a working memory for the CPU 101. The memory card 104 is configured by a nonvolatile memory. The memory card 104 can write, store, and read data such as image data output from the camera module 70 and video / audio data input from an external device via the external interface circuit 106 according to instructions from the CPU 101. Is possible.

  The microphone 105 converts the collected sound into an electrical signal and sends it to the CPU 101. The audio signal is recorded on the memory card 104 during recording. The external interface circuit 106 transmits / receives data to / from a cradle (not shown) or an external device connected to the cradle according to an instruction from the CPU 101. Data to be transmitted / received is video / audio data or a control signal for the electronic camera 10. The external interface circuit 106 also includes a power supply line.

  The speaker 110 reproduces sound based on the sound signal output from the CPU 101. The operation member 109 includes the operation buttons described above, and sends operation signals corresponding to the operation buttons to the CPU 101.

  The battery 103 is constituted by a rechargeable secondary battery. The power supply circuit 107 includes a DC / DC conversion circuit, a charging circuit, and a voltage detection circuit, and converts the voltage of the battery 103 into a voltage necessary for each part in the electronic camera 10. The power supply circuit 107 further charges the battery 103 with a charging current supplied via the external interface circuit 106 when the voltage of the battery 103 is low and the remaining capacity is low.

  The liquid crystal monitor 108 displays information such as images and texts according to instructions from the CPU 101. The flash light source unit 21 emits a predetermined amount of light in response to an instruction from the CPU 101 in the shooting mode.

(The camera module)
The camera module 70 includes a shooting lens (shooting optical system) 71, an image sensor 72, a lens driving circuit 73, and a shooting control circuit 74. For the image sensor 72, a CCD, a CMOS image sensor or the like is used. The imaging control circuit 74 controls driving of the image sensor 72 and the lens driving circuit 73 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 101 and performs predetermined image processing on the imaging signal (accumulated charge signal) output from the image sensor 72. Image processing includes white balance processing and gamma processing.

  The photographing lens 71 forms a subject image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 72. The imaging control circuit 74 causes the image sensor 72 to start imaging in response to the imaging start instruction, reads the accumulated charge signal from the image sensor 72 after the imaging is completed, sends the image processing to the CPU 101 as image data.

  The lens driving circuit 73 drives a focus lens (not shown) constituting the photographing lens 71 forward and backward in the optical axis direction based on the focus adjustment signal output from the photographing control circuit 74. The lens driving circuit 73 drives the zoom lens (not shown) constituting the photographing lens 71 to advance and retreat in the optical axis direction (tele side or wide side) based on the zoom adjustment signal output from the photographing control circuit 74. . The focus adjustment amount and the zoom adjustment amount are instructed from the CPU 101 to the photographing control circuit 74.

(Projector module)
The projector module 60 includes a projection lens (projection optical system) 61, a liquid crystal panel 62, an LED light source 63, a projection control circuit 64, and a lens drive circuit 65. The projection control circuit 64 supplies a drive current to the LED light source 63 in accordance with a projection instruction output from the CPU 101. The LED light source 63 illuminates the liquid crystal panel 62 with brightness according to the supplied current.

  The projection control circuit 64 further generates a liquid crystal panel drive signal in accordance with the image data sent from the CPU 101, and drives the liquid crystal panel 62 with the generated drive signal. Specifically, a voltage corresponding to the image signal is applied to the liquid crystal layer for each pixel. In the liquid crystal layer to which a voltage is applied, the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules changes, and the light transmittance of the liquid crystal layer changes. Thus, the liquid crystal panel 62 generates an optical image by modulating the light from the LED light source 63 in accordance with the image signal. The projection lens 61 projects a light image emitted from the liquid crystal panel 62 toward a screen or the like.

  The lens drive circuit 65 drives a focus lens (not shown) constituting the projection lens 61 to advance and retreat in the optical axis direction based on the focus adjustment signal output from the projection control circuit 64. The lens driving circuit 65 further drives a zoom lens (not shown) constituting the projection lens 61 forward and backward in the optical axis direction based on the zoom adjustment signal output from the projection control circuit 64. The focus adjustment amount and zoom adjustment amount are instructed from the CPU 101 to the projection control circuit 64.

(Projection source: source)
In the playback mode, the projector module 60 receives the following source 1. Or source 2. Project and play back content based on either Whenever the source switching operation signal is input from the operation member 109, the CPU 101 converts the projection image into the source 1. → 2. → 1. Image data corresponding to each image is sent to the projector module 60 so as to be switched in this order.

Source 1. 1. Reproduced image source based on data read from the memory card 104 Reproduced image by data input from external interface circuit 106

  The CPU 101 uses the source 1. When the image corresponding to is projected, the image data with the newest recording date and time (the last recorded image data taken) is read sequentially from the memory card 104, and the read image data is sent to the projector module 60. Send it out. When text data is selected as the content data, data for projecting the text screen is sent to the projector module 60.

(Projection mode main processing)
Since the present embodiment is characterized by the operation performed in the projection mode, the following description will be focused on this point. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the CPU 101. When an operation signal is input from the projector button 14 constituting the operation member in the photographing mode or the reproduction mode, the CPU 101 activates the projector module 60 and activates a program for performing the processing in FIG. The user places the electronic camera 10 on a desk or the like with the projection lens 61 of the electronic camera 10 facing the screen side.

  In step S11 of FIG. 4, the CPU 101 causes the camera module 70 to calculate the distance to the projection point and proceeds to step S12. More specifically, an instruction is sent to the imaging control circuit 74 to cause, for example, contrast detection type autofocus (AF) adjustment using a screen (not shown) as a subject. The imaging control circuit 74 obtains contrast information from image data corresponding to, for example, a screen edge or a frame. The position of the focus lens that maximizes the integrated value (so-called focus evaluation value) of the high-frequency components of the image data captured by the image sensor 72 (the in-focus position that eliminates blurring of the edge of the subject image and maximizes the contrast of the image) ) Corresponds to the subject distance from the electronic camera 10 to the screen. When the ambient light that illuminates the screen is small and the focus evaluation value cannot be calculated, the CPU 101 causes the flash light source unit 21 to emit light as AF auxiliary light.

  In step S <b> 12, the CPU 101 acquires light amount information and color information from the image data captured by the image sensor 72 without causing the flash light source unit 21 to emit light. Specifically, the brightness (light quantity information) of the screen is calculated from the data value corresponding to the screen (not shown) in the image data, and the color information on the screen is acquired from the RGB ratio of the pixel data. The image sensor 72 is provided with any one of R, G, and B color filters corresponding to the pixel position, and is configured to obtain any RGB color component data from each pixel. Screen brightness and color information vary depending on the ambient light that illuminates the screen.

In step S13, the CPU 101 calculates a projection condition based on the acquired brightness information and color information. The CPU 101 classifies the brightness into five levels and determines the projection conditions as follows.
[1] If the brightness exceeds the first predetermined value, it is determined whether or not to project. This is because even if the LED light source 63 emits light with the maximum light amount, a projection image that can be observed by the user cannot be obtained on the screen.

[2] When the brightness exceeds the second predetermined value and is equal to or less than the first predetermined value, the light emission amount of the LED light source 63 is maximized, and the contrast when driving the liquid crystal panel 62 is projected to be emphasized more than usual. Determine the conditions.

[3] When the brightness exceeds the third predetermined value and is equal to or less than the second predetermined value, the projection condition is such that the light emission amount of the LED light source 63 is maximized and the contrast when driving the liquid crystal panel 62 is set to the normal setting. Decide.

[4] When the brightness exceeds the fourth predetermined value and is equal to or less than the third predetermined value, the light emission amount of the LED light source 63 is reduced by a predetermined amount (for example, half the intensity of the maximum light amount) and the liquid crystal panel 62 is driven. Projection conditions are determined so as to enhance the contrast of the image from the normal time.

[5] When the brightness exceeds the fifth predetermined value and is equal to or less than the fourth predetermined value, the light emission amount of the LED light source 63 is reduced by a predetermined amount (for example, half the intensity of the maximum light amount) and the liquid crystal panel 62 is driven. The projection condition is determined so that the contrast of the image is set to the normal setting.

  In the case of [2] to [5], the CPU 101 further corrects the color balance when driving the liquid crystal panel 62 according to the color information acquired in step S12. Specifically, when the acquired color information is reddish (the R component is strong), the R component signal when driving the liquid crystal panel 62 is weakened. If the acquired color information is bluish (the B component is strong), the B component signal when driving the liquid crystal panel 62 is weakened. In addition to correction for weakening the color component signal, other color components may be strongly corrected.

  In step S <b> 14, the CPU 101 determines whether the distance and brightness are within allowable ranges. When the distance acquired in step S11 is within a predetermined distance range (for example, 0.5 m to 3 m) and the projection condition determined in step S13 corresponds to any of [2] to [5], An affirmative decision is made in step S14 and the process proceeds to step S15. The process proceeds to step S15 when projection is permitted.

  If the distance acquired in step S11 is outside a predetermined distance range (for example, 0.5 m to 3 m), or if the projection condition determined in step S13 corresponds to [1], the CPU 101 makes a negative determination in step S14. Then, the process proceeds to step S21. The process proceeds to step S21 when projection is not permitted.

  In step S15, the CPU 101 adjusts the focus of the projector module 60 and proceeds to step S16. Specifically, a focus adjustment instruction is sent to the projection control circuit 64 together with the distance information acquired in step S11, and the projection lens 61 is driven so that the projected image is focused on the screen. The relationship between the distance information and the driving amount of the focus lens (not shown) is stored in advance in a memory (not shown) in the projection control circuit 64.

  In step S16, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a projection on operation has been performed. When the CPU 101 receives an operation signal from the projector button 14 constituting the operation member in the projection mode, the CPU 101 makes an affirmative decision in step S16 and proceeds to step S17. If the CPU 101 does not receive an operation signal from the projector button 14, the CPU 101 makes a negative determination in step S16 and proceeds to step S23.

  In step S17, the CPU 101 sends a projection start instruction together with the projection conditions determined in step S13 to the projection control circuit 64, starts projection of the projector module 60, and proceeds to step S18. Thereby, the projector module 60 performs projection under the projection conditions. In step S18, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a projection off operation has been performed. When receiving an operation signal from the projector button 14 constituting the operation member during projection, the CPU 101 makes an affirmative decision in step S18 and proceeds to step S19. If the CPU 101 does not receive an operation signal from the projector button 14, the CPU 101 makes a negative determination in step S18 and repeats the determination process.

  In step S19, the CPU 101 sends a projection stop instruction to the projection control circuit 64, stops the projection of the projector module 60, and proceeds to step S23.

  In step S21 that proceeds with a negative determination in step S14, the CPU 101 calculates the display brightness of the liquid crystal monitor 108, sets the calculated display brightness in the liquid crystal monitor 108, and proceeds to step S22. Specifically, using the brightness information acquired in step S12, the display brightness is determined so that the user can visually recognize the display content under the brightness. The display brightness of the liquid crystal monitor 108 is normally limited to the darkest state, and is controlled to increase the display brightness according to the acquired brightness information. Note that the relationship between the brightness information and the display brightness of the liquid crystal monitor suitable for the brightness is stored in advance in a memory (not shown) in the CPU 101.

  In step S22, the CPU 101 performs LCD display processing and proceeds to step S23. Details of the LCD display process will be described later. In step S23, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a mode change operation has been performed. When the operation signal from the switching button 15 is input, the CPU 101 makes an affirmative determination in step S23 and ends the process of FIG. When the operation signal from the switching button 15 is not input, the CPU 101 makes a negative determination in step S23 and returns to step S11. When returning to step S11, the above-described processing is repeated.

(LCD display processing)
Details of the LCD display processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S221 in FIG. 5, the CPU 101 determines whether the intensity of the projection light from the projector module 60 (the light emission amount of the LED light source 63) is a limit. When the CPU 101 determines [1] in step S13 in FIG. 4, the CPU 101 makes an affirmative determination in step S221 and proceeds to step S222.

  If the CPU 101 determines any of the above [2] to [5] in step S13 of FIG. 4, the CPU 101 makes a negative determination in step S221 and proceeds to step S223. In step S222, the CPU 101 sends an instruction to the liquid crystal monitor 108 to display the message “too bright” and terminates the process in FIG.

  In step S223, the CPU 101 determines whether the screen is too far. If the distance obtained in step S11 is far from the upper limit (3 m) of the distance range described above, the CPU 101 makes a positive determination in step S223 and proceeds to step S224. If the distance obtained in step S11 is not far from the upper limit of the distance range described above, the CPU 101 makes a negative determination in step S223 and proceeds to step S225. In step S224, the CPU 101 sends an instruction to the liquid crystal monitor 108 to display the message “too far”, and the processing in FIG.

  In step S225, the CPU 101 determines whether the screen is too close. If the distance obtained in step S11 is closer than the lower limit (0.5 m) of the distance range described above, CPU 101 makes an affirmative decision in step S225 and proceeds to step S226. If the distance obtained in step S11 is not near the lower limit of the distance range described above, the CPU 101 makes a negative determination in step S225 and ends the process of FIG. In step S226, the CPU 101 sends an instruction to the liquid crystal monitor 108 to display a message “too close”, and the processing in FIG.

According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) Before starting projection from the projector module 60, the camera module 70 captures an image including the screen, and the projection conditions (the light emission amount of the LED light source 63 and the contrast adjustment value) are calculated using the acquired image data. When starting projection from the projector module 60, the LED light source 63 is caused to emit light with the light emission amount determined by calculation, and the liquid crystal panel 62 is driven using the determined contrast adjustment value. .

(2) Since the brightness information of the projection plane (screen) is obtained from the acquired image data, and the brightness information exceeds a predetermined value, the projection light is strengthened (the amount of light emission is increased). Projection can be started with an appropriate amount of projection light even if the brightness of the projection surface is different.

(3) The distance information to the projection plane is obtained from the acquired image data. When the distance is longer than the predetermined range, and when the distance is shorter than the predetermined range, the projector module 60 rejects the projection. It is possible to avoid performing unnecessary projection in an unsuitable state.

(4) When the above-mentioned distance is longer than the predetermined range and when the distance is shorter than the predetermined range, the messages “too far” and “too close” are displayed on the LCD monitor 108. The user can be notified of the reason for the projection failure.

(5) If it is calculated that the projection light with the intensity exceeding the maximum light emission amount of the LED light source 63 is required, the projector module 60 rejects the projection and displays the message “too bright” on the liquid crystal monitor 108. Therefore, it is possible to avoid performing unnecessary projection in a state unsuitable for projection, and to inform the user of the reason for projection failure.

(6) Since the brightness information of the projection plane (screen) is obtained from the acquired image data and the display brightness of the liquid crystal monitor 108 is controlled according to the brightness information, the reason for the projection failure with the appropriate light emission brightness is given to the user. I can inform you.

(7) Since the display luminance is increased when the brightness information is bright with reference to the minimum light emission luminance, the power consumption can be reduced compared with the case where the maximum light emission luminance is used as a reference.

(Modification)
In the above description, the example in which the brightness information is acquired from the image data captured by the image sensor 72 has been described. However, the brightness information is acquired using a detection signal from a photometric sensor different from the image sensor 72. May be.

  The above description is merely an example, and is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment.

It is a front view of the electronic camera with a projector by one embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the electronic camera of FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the circuit structure of the electronic camera of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the process which CPU performs. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of a LCD display process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electronic camera 60 with a projector ... Projector module 70 ... Camera module 101 ... CPU
108 ... LCD monitor

Claims (8)

An imaging unit;
A projection unit;
A calculation means for calculating the intensity of projection light of the projection unit and the contrast adjustment value of the projection image using image data captured by the imaging unit;
The imaging unit and the imaging unit are imaged so that the surface projected by the projection unit is imaged by the imaging unit before projection, and the projection unit starts projection with the intensity and contrast adjustment value of the projection light calculated by the calculation unit. A camera with a projector, characterized by comprising control means for controlling each of the projection units. The camera with a projector according to claim 1,
The camera with a projector, wherein the calculating means calculates so as to increase the projection light when brightness information acquired using the image data exceeds a predetermined value. The camera with a projector according to claim 2,
With the projector, the calculation means rejects projection when the distance information acquired using the image data exceeds a predetermined range and when the acquired distance information is less than the predetermined range, respectively. camera. The camera with a projector according to claim 2,
The camera with a projector, characterized in that the calculation means calculates the contrast adjustment value in accordance with brightness information acquired using the image data. The camera with a projector according to claim 1,
A camera with a projector, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying that the calculation unit calculates that the intensity of projection light exceeding the upper limit by the projection unit is necessary. The camera with a projector according to claim 5,
The camera with a projector is further characterized in that when the distance information acquired using the image data exceeds a predetermined range and when the acquired distance information is less than the predetermined range, the notification means notifies each of them. The camera with a projector according to claim 5 or 6,
The camera with a projector, characterized in that the notification means is formed of a liquid crystal display member, and display luminance is controlled in accordance with brightness information acquired using the image data. The camera with a projector according to claim 7,
The camera with a projector, wherein the liquid crystal display member has a higher display brightness as the brightness information is brighter with a minimum display brightness as a reference.

Images