JP2009159575A - Automatic photographing device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic photographing device in which setting of a photographing condition for automatically photographing an object to be photographed is easy and of low costs and to provide a photographing method. <P>SOLUTION: In a setting registration mode, a photographing condition original pattern is extracted from a photographed object image, and a plurality of photographing condition patterns of the object are generated from the photographing condition original patterns, and set and registered. In a photographing mode, a photographer selects at least one among the plurality of photographing condition patterns which are set and registered, an object extracted image is generated from the photographed object image after a shutter button is pressed down, and when the object extracted image coincides with at least the one selected photographed condition pattern, an object image corresponding to the coincident object extracted image is automatically stored as a photographed image. Thus, the shape and color information of the object to be photographed is set in advance, and when the object comes to be its shape and color information during photographing, photographing can be automatically performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic photographing apparatus and an automatic photographing method for automatically photographing a subject.

Conventionally, various methods have been proposed for automatically photographing a moving subject when the subject matches a preset condition, and the photographing device is also disclosed. By using these methods, a photographer can photograph an intended condition even with a moving subject. For example, the methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-333420 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-157604 (Patent Document 2) are based on a comparison signal for detecting a change in the movement of a subject. It will automatically shoot after time. In addition, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-279954 (Patent Document 3) automatically shoots with the focus and exposure adjusted when the movement of the subject stops. Furthermore, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-286394 (Patent Document 4) automatically captures an image of a specific scene of a subject, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-224761 (Patent Document 5). The method shown in (2) automatically shoots when the subject's face is in a desired direction.
JP 2005-333420 A JP 2006-157604 A JP-A-8-279954 JP 2005-286394 A JP2003-224761

  However, in the methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since an image is captured after a predetermined time from a comparison signal for detecting a change in the motion of a captured image, an intended subject cannot always be captured. Further, since the method described in Patent Document 3 automatically captures an image with the focus and exposure adjusted when the movement of the subject stops, it cannot always capture the intended subject.

  The method described in Patent Document 4 automatically captures an image of a specific scene of a subject, but setting of a specific scene is not easy. Moreover, a position information acquisition device and an information transmission device possessed by the subject are necessary, and are not suitable for general photographing. The method disclosed in Patent Document 5 automatically shoots when the subject's face is in a desired direction, but is shot only when the face orientation changes, It is not easy to detect the orientation, and it is expensive even if it is realized. Thus, various unsolved problems remain in the currently disclosed method.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-operate automatic photographing apparatus and method for performing automatic photographing when a moving subject meets a predetermined condition.

  In view of such a problem, the automatic photographing apparatus and method according to the present invention is configured in the case where photographing conditions such as the shape and color information of a subject to be photographed are set in advance and the subject satisfies the shape and color information. Shooting automatically. Thereby, it is possible to provide a low-cost automatic photographing apparatus and photographing method with easy setting of photographing conditions.

  More specifically, according to the present invention, an automatic photographing apparatus that performs photographing when a subject image matches photographing conditions, a display unit that visually displays images and information data, and a setting registration mode or a setting registration mode that sets photographing conditions. Corresponding to the shooting conditions from the first captured subject image in the mode selection means for selecting the shooting mode for executing shooting, the imaging means for shooting the subject and outputting the image data representing the subject image Shooting condition original pattern extracting means for extracting the shooting condition original pattern to be performed, shooting condition pattern generating means for generating a plurality of shooting condition patterns from the shooting condition original pattern, and shooting conditions for setting and registering the plurality of generated shooting condition patterns In pattern setting registration means and shooting mode, a plurality of shooting condition patterns that have been set and registered are displayed on the display means for shooting. Shooting condition pattern selection means for allowing the user to select at least one shooting condition pattern; subject image extraction means for extracting a subject from the second shot subject image in the shooting mode and generating a subject extraction image; and subject extraction A photographed image identifying means for collating the image with the selected at least one shooting condition pattern and specifying a second subject image corresponding to the subject extraction image as a photographed image when the two match; Photographic image holding means for holding a photographic image, thereby extracting a shooting condition original pattern from the first photographed subject image in the setting registration mode, and a plurality of shooting condition patterns of the subject from the shooting condition original pattern , Create and register these multiple shooting condition patterns, and in shooting mode, set and register the multiple shooting conditions When the photographer selects at least one of the turns and generates a subject extraction image from the captured second subject image, and the subject extraction image matches the at least one selected photographing condition pattern, A second subject image corresponding to the matching subject extraction image is held as a captured image.

  The automatic photographing apparatus further includes storage means for holding the photographed subject image, and displays the first subject image on the display means, and also holds the second subject image on the display means. In addition, it may be configured to be held in the storage means.

  Further, the photographing condition may be a subject shape and / or color information.

  Further, according to the present invention, the automatic photographing method for photographing when the captured subject image matches the photographing condition is performed by photographing either the setting registration mode for setting the photographing condition or the photographing mode for performing photographing. The first step to be selected by the user, the second step of shooting the subject in the setting registration mode, and outputting the image data representing the first subject image, and the shooting conditions from the first subject image that has been shot. A third step of extracting the corresponding shooting condition original pattern, a fourth step of generating a plurality of shooting condition patterns from the shooting condition original pattern, and a fifth step of setting and registering the generated plurality of shooting condition patterns A sixth step in which the photographer selects at least one shooting condition pattern among the plurality of shooting condition patterns registered in the shooting mode, and a subject in the shooting mode. A seventh step of photographing and outputting image data representing the second subject image; an eighth step of extracting a subject from the photographed second subject image and generating a subject extraction image; and a subject extraction image And the at least one selected shooting condition pattern, and if both match, the ninth step of specifying the second subject image corresponding to the subject extraction image as the shot image, and the specified shooting A tenth step of holding the image, thereby extracting a shooting condition original pattern from the first photographed subject image and generating a plurality of shooting condition patterns from the shooting condition original pattern in the setting registration mode. The shooting condition pattern is set and registered, and in the shooting mode, the photographer selects at least one of the plurality of shooting condition patterns that have been set and registered. Generates Utsushitai extracted image, if it meets at least one of imaging condition pattern object extracted image is the selected, holding the second object image corresponding to the matching object extracted image as a photographic image.

  The automatic photographing apparatus and method according to the present invention presets the shape and color information of a subject to be photographed, and automatically performs photographing when the subject satisfies the shape and color information. As a result, even a fast-moving subject can easily shoot a subject whose shape or color information is intended by the photographer. In addition, an automatic photographing apparatus and method that can easily set the shape and color information and that are low in cost are provided.

  The present invention determines, for example, when the shape of the subject becomes a specific instantaneous shape or color intended by the photographer, for example, the moment of the fireworks explosion intended by the photographer or the moment when the fish jumps to the surface of the water. The present invention is advantageously applied to the field of an image capturing apparatus that automatically captures an image at a target moment.

  Next, an embodiment of an automatic photographing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the automatic photographing apparatus 1 of the embodiment described here, the photographing condition defining the trigger for automatic photographing can selectively designate the shape and color information of the subject.

  Reference is first made to FIG. 2, which is a block diagram of the configuration of an embodiment of such an automatic photographing apparatus 1 of the present invention. The automatic photographing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes a lens unit 2, a photographing unit 3, a main control unit (CPU) 4, a storage unit 5, an operation unit 6, and a display unit 7, which are connected as illustrated by an internal bus 8. Has been. The lens unit 2 includes a lens and an exposure mechanism (not shown) such as a diaphragm and a mechanical shutter. The photographing unit 3 is a functional unit that includes a solid-state imaging device (not shown), generates an analog signal representing an image formed by the lens unit 2, and converts the analog signal into a corresponding digital signal, that is, image data. . The image data is sent to the storage unit 5 and to the display unit 7.

  The main control unit 4 is configured by a processing system including, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), and includes a control unit 41, an image extraction unit 42, a shooting condition generation unit 43, a shooting condition pattern generation unit 44, a setting registration unit 45, a subject image It includes an extraction unit 46, a shooting condition pattern selection unit 47, a shot image specifying unit 48, and a shot image holding processing unit 49, which are connected as shown in the figure.

  The control unit 41 is a control circuit that controls each unit in the main control unit 4 and also controls the entire photographing apparatus 1.

  The image extraction unit 42 is a functional unit that extracts shooting conditions from the image data generated by the shooting unit 3. In the case of a setting registration mode 71 (FIG. 1) described later, the shooting condition generation unit 43 activates the image extraction unit 42, extracts shooting conditions from image data generated by the shooting unit 3, and generates a shooting condition pattern. It is a functional part. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, an outline shape 61 is extracted from the image illustrated in FIG. 5A as a shooting condition, and is generated as a shooting condition original pattern. Since this extraction generation method may be a conventional technique, it will not be described in detail here.

  The shooting condition pattern generation unit 44 automatically generates shape patterns 62, 63, and 64 including various shooting condition patterns as shown in FIG. 6 from the shape 61 that is the shooting condition original pattern generated by the shooting condition generation unit 43. To generate. In this example, the shape pattern is generated by changing the orientation of the original shape 61 in the shape of a fish (62) and changing the size (63, 64). Of course, the direction may have an angle (0 to 360 degrees). The setting registration unit 45 is a functional unit that registers and registers the shape patterns 61 to 64 generated by the imaging condition pattern generation unit 44 in the setting registration memory unit 52 in the five storage units.

  When the apparatus is in the shooting mode 73, the subject image extraction unit 46 has a function of starting the image extraction unit 42, extracting shooting conditions from the image data generated by the shooting unit 3, and generating an extracted subject image. The shooting condition pattern selection unit 47 cooperates with the operation unit 6 and the display unit 7, and from a plurality of shape patterns already registered on the display screen (not shown) of the display unit 7, for example, 61 to 64, It has a function of holding at least one shape pattern selected by the photographer as a selected photographing condition pattern.

  The photographed image specifying unit 48 is a functional unit that compares and compares the extracted subject image extracted by the subject image extraction unit 42 with the above-described selected photographing condition pattern and determines whether or not they match. If the two match, the subject image corresponding to the extracted shooting condition is specified as the shot image. The captured image holding processing unit 49 has a function of saving the captured image specified by the captured image specifying unit 47 in the captured image holding memory unit 53 of the storage unit 5.

  The operation unit 6 has an operation function for designating the mode of the photographing apparatus 1 as the setting registration mode 71 or the photographing mode 73 by the photographer. In the case of the setting registration mode 71, the operation unit 6 also has a function of allowing the photographer to perform shape registration and color information registration operations according to a screen displayed on the display of the display unit 6. Further, in the case of the shooting mode 73, there is also an operation function for the photographer to select at least one shape pattern from a plurality of registered shape patterns displayed on the display.

  The display unit 7 is a display function unit that has a display screen (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display element and displays the subject image generated by the photographing unit 3 on the display. In the case of the setting registration mode 71, the display unit 7 also displays a registration processing screen for shape registration and color information registration on the display. In the case of the shooting mode 73, a plurality of shape patterns that have been set and registered are displayed on the display, and an operation screen for the photographer to select at least one shape pattern is displayed.

  Next, the operation of the automatic photographing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail. In this embodiment, a shooting condition pattern is extracted from subject image data generated by shooting, a plurality of shooting condition patterns, in other words, outline shapes are generated from the shooting condition pattern, and this shooting condition pattern (shape) is set. Register and in shooting mode 73, the photographer selects at least one of a plurality of registered shooting condition patterns, and after pressing the shutter button, generates an extracted subject image from subject image data representing the photographed subject When the extracted subject image matches at least one selected shooting condition pattern, the subject image corresponding to the matching subject extraction image is automatically held as a shot image.

  First, the case of the setting registration mode 71 will be described with reference to the shape setting registration flow of FIG. After the photographing apparatus 1 is turned on (ON), the photographer performs a selection operation in the setting registration mode 71. This is performed by pressing a setting registration button (not shown) on the operation unit 6 of the photographing apparatus 1.

  Next, a selection screen for selecting date setting 81, shape registration 83, or color information registration 85 is displayed on the display of display unit 7 (FIG. 1). FIG. 1 illustrates such a menu selection tree structure. The photographer performs a selection operation of date input 81, shape registration 83, or color information registration 85. This selection operation is performed by instructing the corresponding item on the screen with the cursor. Alternatively, a method of giving a unique display such as a number to the corresponding item and instructing to input this display may be used.

  When the shape registration 83 is selected, the photographing unit 3 images the subject through the lens unit 2 and outputs the image as a through image (step S1). This subject image is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal, The image is sent to the storage unit 5 as a subject image (still image). The storage unit 5 temporarily stores this in the subject image memory unit 51, and the subject image is displayed on the monitor of the display unit 7 (S2). In the setting registration mode 71, the subject may be, for example, a picture or a photo posted on a printed matter such as a book or a magazine, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

  Next, when the shutter button of the operation unit 6 is pressed (S3), the shooting condition generation unit 43 of the main control unit 4 displays an image of the subject (for example, FIG. 5A) stored in the subject image memory unit 51. The data is read (S4), the image extraction unit 42 is further activated to extract a characteristic subject from the subject image (S5), and this is generated as a photographing condition original pattern, for example 61 (S6), and the display unit Display on 7 display. The extraction of the characteristic subject may be the same process as the extraction of the pattern 61 illustrated in FIG. 5B, for example. If the photographing condition original pattern matches the photographer's intention, the photographer performs an OK operation.

  Next, the shooting condition pattern generation unit 44 determines whether or not the operation state of the apparatus 1 is the setting registration mode 71 (S7), and if it is the setting registration mode 71, the shooting condition source generated by the shooting condition generation unit 42 is determined. A plurality of photographing condition patterns, that is, shape patterns 62 to 64 as exemplified in FIG. 6 are automatically generated from the patterns (S8). Thereafter, the setting registration unit 45 sends the plurality of shape patterns 61 to 64 to the storage unit 5. The storage unit 5 stores this in the setting registration memory unit 52 (S9).

  Next, the case of the shooting mode 73 will be described with reference to the flow of shape comparison shooting in FIG. When the photographer selects the shooting mode 73 on the operation unit 6, that is, when the shooting mode button (not shown) is pressed, a screen for selecting the automatic mode 75 or the manual mode 77 is displayed on the display of the display unit 7. (Figure 1).

  When the photographer selects the automatic mode 75, the photographing unit 3 images the subject through the lens unit 2 (S10) and generates image data representing the subject image. This image data is temporarily stored in the subject image memory unit 51 of the storage unit 5 and displayed on the display of the display unit 7 (S11).

  Next, when the shutter is pressed (S12), the subject image extraction unit 46 of the main control unit 4 reads the subject image stored in the subject image memory unit 51 (S13), and the subject image is characteristic. The subject is extracted by a process according to the above-described example of FIG. 5B (S14), and an extracted subject image is generated.

  Next, the imaging condition pattern selection unit 47 displays a plurality of shape patterns, for example, 61 to 64 registered from the setting registration memory unit 52 of the storage unit 5 on the display of the display unit 7. Thereafter, the photographer selects at least one shape pattern from a plurality of shape patterns on the display by the operation unit 6. The photographing condition pattern selection unit 47 temporarily holds the selected at least one shape pattern.

  Therefore, the photographed image specifying unit 48 compares and collates at least one shape pattern selected by the photographing condition pattern selecting unit 47 with the extracted subject image generated by the subject image extracting unit 46 (S15). If the two match (S16), the subject image (still image) corresponding to the extracted subject image is specified as the captured image. If they do not match (S16), they are compared with the extracted subject image corresponding to the next subject image (still image) (S17, S18).

  Next, the captured image retention processing unit 49 retains the subject image (still image) specified as the captured image in the captured image retention memory unit 53 of the storage unit 5 (S19).

  Incidentally, the shooting condition that triggers automatic shooting, that is, that defines automatic shooting may be color information of the subject. An example of such an operation will be described next. In such an operation example, in the main control unit 4, in the setting registration mode 71, the image extraction unit 42, as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, capture conditions from the still image generated by the capturing unit 3. As a function of extracting color information.

  For example, in the case of the anemone fish illustrated in FIG. 9A, a portion 91 surrounded by a square is extracted as subject color information. The imaging condition generation unit 43 calculates an analysis value of color information as shown in FIG. 10 from the color information conditions extracted by the image extraction unit 42, and generates a color information analysis list 93. Since this extraction generation method may be a conventional technique, it will not be described in detail here.

  This FIG. 10 will be described. In the example of the anemone fish shown in FIG. 9A, assuming that the color components are color 1, color 2, and color 3, the ratios are 70%, 25%, and 5%, respectively. The chromaticity levels of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) are 165, 101, and 9 for color 1, and 175, 164, and 165 for color 2, respectively. Yes, for color 3, 90, 49 and 65 respectively. Similarly, the example of the Shimadai shown in FIG. 9B is also shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the shooting condition pattern generation unit 44 uses the color information (FIG. 10) generated by the shooting condition generation unit 43 as it is as the output of the shooting condition pattern generation unit 43.

  The setting registration unit 44 has a function of storing the color information generated by the shooting condition generation unit 43 in the setting registration memory unit 52. Also, it is registered in the color information registration list 93. This color information registration list 93 is a data table for managing registered color information.

  The subject image extraction unit 46 causes the photographer to specify the extraction range (including the extraction position) of the still image on the subject image (still image) generated by the imaging unit 3, and then the image is extracted from the specified extraction range. The extraction unit 42 is activated to generate the extracted color information as shown in FIG. The extracted image at this time becomes an extracted subject image.

  The shooting condition pattern selection unit 47 displays the color information registration list 93 registered in the setting registration memory unit 52 of the storage unit 5 on the display, requests the photographer to select the intended color information, In accordance with the selection input, at least one color information is selected as the selected color information and has a function of temporarily holding it.

  The captured image specifying unit 47 has a function of comparing and collating selected color information held by the imaging condition pattern selecting unit 46 and extracted color information of the extracted subject image generated by the subject image extracting unit 45. If they match, a subject image (still image) corresponding to the extracted subject image is specified as a captured image. If they do not match, a comparison is made with the extracted subject image corresponding to the next subject image (still image).

  In summary, in this operation example, color information is generated as a shooting condition pattern of a subject from the shot subject image, the shooting condition pattern (color information) is set and registered, and after the shutter button is pressed, the shot subject image is captured. The extracted subject image is generated from the image, and when the color information of the extracted subject image matches the registered shooting condition pattern, the subject image corresponding to the extracted extracted subject image is automatically stored as a captured image. To do.

  First, the case of the setting registration mode 71 will be described with reference to the color information setting registration flow of FIG. After turning on the power of the photographing apparatus 1, the photographer performs the selection operation of the setting registration mode 71 by the same operation as described above. Thus, when the selection screen for selecting the date input 81, the shape registration 83, or the color information registration 85 is displayed on the display (FIG. 1), the photographer performs the selection operation of the color information registration 85. This selection operation is performed by pointing the corresponding item on the screen with the cursor.

  When the color information registration 85 is selected, the subject image (still image) is stored in the subject image memory unit 51 of the storage unit 5 and displayed on the display of the display unit 7 through steps S1 to S4 described above, The stored subject image is read in response to pressing of the shutter (S4). Therefore, the imaging condition generation unit 43 performs a trimming process for extracting color information as conceptually shown by a frame 91 in FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, or FIG. 9C (S24), and generates color information 93 shown in FIG. (S25). The setting registration unit 44 determines whether or not it is the setting registration mode 71 (S26). If it is the setting registration mode 71, this color information 93 is sent to the storage unit 5. The storage unit 5 stores this in the setting registration memory unit 52 (S27).

  Next, the case of the shooting mode 73 will be described. First, when the photographer selects the automatic mode 75, the subject is imaged and the image data is stored in the subject image memory unit 51 and displayed on the display of the display unit 7. Next, when the shutter button is pressed, Until the image extraction unit 46 reads the subject image (in this case, the image exemplified in FIG. 9A) from the subject image memory unit 51, the process is the same as the above-described steps S10 to S13 (FIG. 4).

  Therefore, this subject image is displayed on the display of the display unit 7 so as to designate the extraction region. The photographer designates the extraction area 91 (FIG. 8) of the subject image 93 on the display. This area designation is performed, for example, by operating the cursor displayed on the display screen with the cross key of the operation unit 6 or the like. The image of the designated extraction area becomes the extracted subject image.

  Here, referring to the flow of color information comparison shooting in FIG. 11, the subject image extraction unit 46 performs trimming processing on the extracted subject image, and subject color information that is extracted color information as shown in FIG. Is generated (S44). The shooting condition pattern selection unit 47 displays the color information registration list 93 stored in the setting registration memory unit 52 on the storage unit 5 on the display, and prompts the photographer to select color information. The photographer selects at least one piece of intended color information. The selected color information is temporarily stored.

  Next, the captured image specifying unit 48 reads the selected color information held by the shooting condition pattern selecting unit 47, and compares and compares this selected color information with the subject color information generated by the subject image extracting unit 45 (S45). ). If the two match, the subject image (still image) corresponding to the selected color information is specified as a captured image. If they do not match, the subject color information corresponding to the next subject image (still image) is taken in (S13 to S45) and compared with this (S46). When the photographed image is specified in this way, the subject image (still image) is held in the photographed image holding memory unit 53 of the storage unit 5 (S47).

  Here, the processing step S45 for comparing and comparing the selected color information with the subject color information generated by the subject image extraction unit 45 will be described in detail with reference to the color information comparison flow of FIG. The captured image specifying unit 48 acquires the subject color information generated by the subject image extracting unit 46 (S30), reads the selected color information held by the shooting condition pattern selecting unit 47, and the color and subject of the selected color information The color information is compared with the color (S31). If they match (S32), the color ratio of the selected color information is compared with the color ratio of the subject color information (S33). If the two match (S34), it is determined whether the processing steps S31 to S35 have been completed for the number of colors of the subject color information (S35). If the number of colors of the subject color information has not ended, the process returns to step S31 in which the color of the selected color information and the color of the subject color information are compared with the next color of the subject color information. When the processing is completed for the number of colors, the comparison / collation between the selected color information and the subject color information is completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the shape and color information of the subject to be photographed is set in advance, and after the shutter button is pressed, the photographing is automatically performed when the subject has the shape and color information. Do. Accordingly, it is possible to easily shoot a subject having shape and color information intended by a photographer, and to easily set the shape and color information and to provide a low-cost automatic photographing apparatus and method. be able to.

  Also according to the present embodiment, for example, when the shape of the subject becomes a specific instantaneous shape or color intended by the photographer, for example, the moment of fireworks explosion intended by the photographer, or the moment when the fish jumps to the water surface For example, it can automatically shoot a subject that is difficult to capture.

It is a figure which shows the operation input mode system of the Example of the automatic imaging device by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the Example of the automatic imaging device by this invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a shape setting registration operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the imaging | photography operation | movement at the time of the shape comparison in the Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the to-be-photographed object used for the shape extraction in the Example. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a specific shape extraction pattern extracted from the subject illustrated in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a subject that matches the shape extraction pattern shown in FIG. 5B. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing examples of various shape patterns generated from the pattern extracted in FIG. 5B. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the color information setting registration operation | movement in the Example. It is explanatory drawing of the color information trimming range in the Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a to-be-photographed image and the extracted color information explaining the extraction of the color information pattern in the Example. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the subject image similar to FIG. 9A and the extracted color information. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the subject image similar to FIG. 9A and the extracted color information. It is a figure which shows the example of the color information analysis list of the analysis value of the color information calculated in the Example. It is a flowchart of the example of imaging | photography operation | movement at the time of the color information comparison in the Example. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of color information comparison operation in the photographing operation shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Shooting device
2 Lens section
3 Shooting section
4 Main control unit
5 Memory
6 Operation unit
7 Display
8 Internal bus
41 Control unit
42 Image extractor
43 Shooting condition generator
44 Shooting condition pattern generator
45 Settings registration section
46 Subject image extraction unit
47 Shooting condition pattern selection section
48 Captured image identification part
49 Captured image retention processing section
51 Subject image memory
52 Setting registration memory
53 Captured image memory

Claims (12)

In an automatic photographing apparatus that performs photographing when a subject image matches photographing conditions, the apparatus includes:
Display means for visual display of images and information data;
Mode selection means for selecting a setting registration mode for setting shooting conditions or a shooting mode for executing shooting;
Imaging means for photographing a subject and outputting image data representing the subject image;
In the setting registration mode, shooting condition original pattern extraction means for extracting a shooting condition original pattern corresponding to the shooting condition from the first photographed subject image;
Shooting condition pattern generation means for generating a plurality of shooting condition patterns from the shooting condition original pattern;
Shooting condition pattern setting registration means for setting and registering the plurality of generated shooting condition patterns;
In the shooting mode, a plurality of shooting condition patterns registered for setting are displayed on the display means, and shooting condition pattern selection means for allowing a photographer to select at least one shooting condition pattern;
Subject image extraction means for extracting a subject from the photographed second subject image and generating a subject extraction image in the photographing mode;
A photographed image specifying means for collating the subject extracted image with the selected at least one shooting condition pattern and specifying a second subject image corresponding to the subject extracted image as a photographed image when they match. ,
Captured image holding means for holding the specified captured image,
Thereby, in the setting registration mode, a shooting condition original pattern is extracted from the shot first subject image, a plurality of shooting condition patterns of the subject are generated from the shooting condition original pattern, and the plurality of shooting condition patterns Set and register
In the photographing mode, the photographer selects at least one of the plurality of photographing condition patterns registered and registered, generates the subject extraction image from the photographed second subject image, and extracts the subject extraction image. An image capturing apparatus that holds a second subject image corresponding to the matched subject extraction image as a photographed image when the image matches the at least one selected photographing condition pattern.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for holding the photographed subject image, displaying the first subject image on the display means, and holding it in the storage means, An automatic photographing apparatus, wherein a second subject image is displayed on the display means and held in the storage means.   3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shooting condition pattern generation unit automatically generates a plurality of shooting condition patterns from the shooting condition original pattern generated by the shooting condition pattern extraction unit. Shooting device.   4. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing condition is a shape of the subject.   4. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing condition is color information of the subject.   4. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing condition is shape and color information of the subject. In an automatic shooting method for shooting when a captured subject image meets shooting conditions, the method includes:
A first step for allowing a photographer to select either a setting registration mode for setting shooting conditions or a shooting mode for performing shooting;
In the setting registration mode, a second step of photographing a subject and outputting image data representing a first subject image;
A third step of extracting a photographing condition original pattern corresponding to a photographing condition from the photographed first subject image;
A fourth step of generating a plurality of shooting condition patterns from the shooting condition original pattern;
A fifth step of setting and registering the plurality of generated shooting condition patterns;
A sixth step of causing the photographer to select at least one shooting condition pattern among the plurality of shooting condition patterns registered in the setting in the shooting mode;
In the shooting mode, a seventh step of shooting a subject and outputting image data representing a second subject image;
An eighth step of extracting a subject from the photographed second subject image and generating a subject extraction image;
A ninth step of collating the subject extracted image with the selected at least one photographing condition pattern and specifying the second subject image corresponding to the subject extracted image as a photographed image when they match. ,
A tenth step of holding the identified captured image,
Thereby, in the setting registration mode, an imaging condition original pattern is extracted from the captured first subject image, a plurality of imaging condition patterns are generated from the imaging condition original pattern, and the imaging condition pattern is set and registered. ,
In the photographing mode, the photographer selects at least one of the plurality of photographing condition patterns registered and registered, generates the subject extracted image from the photographed second subject image, and the subject extracted image is An automatic photographing method, wherein when the selected at least one photographing condition pattern is matched, a second subject image corresponding to the matching subject extraction image is held as a photographed image.   The method according to claim 7, wherein the second step further visually displays and temporarily stores the first subject image, and the seventh step further visually displays the second subject image and temporarily stores the second subject image. An automatic photographing method characterized by memorizing.   9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the fourth step automatically generates a plurality of shooting condition patterns from the shooting condition original pattern extracted in the third step.   10. The automatic photographing method according to claim 7, wherein the photographing condition is a shape of the subject.   10. The automatic photographing method according to claim 7, wherein the photographing condition is color information of the subject.   10. The automatic photographing method according to claim 7, wherein the photographing condition is shape and color information of the subject.

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