JP2009253367A - Imaging device and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect stroboscopic light emission (another person's light emission) from another person's camera in an imaging device with a rolling shutter system image sensor. <P>SOLUTION: In a frame, the integrated value of luminance components per horizontal line is acquired to decide whether the integrated value has transited from a state of luminance lower than a predetermined value I1 to a state of luminance higher than a predetermined value I2 (I2>I1) with respect to a scanning direction. When transition from the low luminance state to the high luminance state has been detected, a transition detected horizontal line position P1 is stored. In the next frame, the integrated value of luminance components per horizontal line is acquired to decide whether the integrated value has transited from the high luminance state to the low luminance state. When transition from the high luminance state to the low luminance state has been detected, a transition detected horizontal line position P2 is stored. When the detected transition positions P1, P2 are almost equal and the high luminance state is of the amount almost corresponding to one frame, the high luminance state is decided to be brought about by the another person's light emission. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus including a rolling shutter type image sensor and a control method thereof.

  Some photographing apparatuses such as a digital camera and a camera-equipped mobile phone include a CMOS image sensor. Unlike a CCD image sensor, the exposure method of a CMOS image sensor is a rolling shutter (focal plane shutter) that outputs and resets an imaging signal while scanning an imaging region in which pixels are arranged two-dimensionally for each pixel row. (Also referred to as a system), the exposure period is different for each pixel row.

When performing strobe light emission at the time of shooting, there is a problem that uneven exposure occurs in the column direction (scanning direction) in the shooting screen due to the rolling shutter. Various techniques for reducing exposure unevenness due to the rolling shutter have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).
JP-A-10-206940 JP-A-11-212136 Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-347928

  However, all of the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are techniques for reducing exposure unevenness due to strobe light emission (self-light emission) of the photographing apparatus itself, and strobe light emission from another camera or the like (other person light emission). ) Exposure unevenness cannot be reduced. Therefore, in order to cope with uneven exposure due to light emission from other people, a technique for detecting light emission from other people is desired.

  The present invention has been made for such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus and a control method thereof capable of detecting light emission from another person.

  The imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus including a rolling shutter type image sensor that outputs and resets an imaging signal while sequentially scanning an imaging region in which pixels are arranged two-dimensionally for each pixel row. There is a luminance change calculating means for calculating the luminance change of the image pickup signal in the scanning direction, and a high luminance period for almost one frame across two consecutive frames based on the luminance change calculated by the luminance change calculating means. And other person light emission detecting means for detecting whether or not the high luminance period is a period caused by other person light emission.

  The luminance change calculation means preferably integrates the luminance component of the imaging signal for each pixel row.

  A batch reset unit that collectively resets all the pixel rows in the imaging region; a mechanical shutter disposed on a light incident side of the imaging region; and the image sensor and the mechanical shutter after the other person's light emission is detected. After the scanning is stopped at the last pixel row with the mechanical shutter open, the exposure is started by collectively resetting all the pixel rows, and the mechanical shutter is closed after a predetermined time has elapsed. It is preferable that the image forming apparatus further includes exposure control means for starting the scan from the first pixel row after the exposure is finished. Thereby, the synchronism of exposure is ensured and the occurrence of exposure unevenness is prevented.

  In addition, after the other person's light emission is detected, the image sensor is controlled, and after the scanning is stopped at the last pixel row, the scanning is started from the first pixel row after a predetermined time has elapsed, thereby reducing the frame rate. It is also preferable that an exposure control means is provided. As a result, the exposure time becomes longer and the occurrence of exposure unevenness is reduced.

  In the case of having a continuous shooting function, it is preferable that the other person's light emission detection means and the exposure control means operate during continuous shooting.

  Further, in the case of having a through image display function and a single shooting or continuous shooting shooting function that operates according to a shooting instruction during the through image display, the other person emission detection means performs a detection operation during the through image display, The exposure control means is preferably operated at the time of photographing after the photographing instruction when the other person's light emission is detected.

  In addition, when the other person's light emission is detected by the other person's light emission detecting means, a user selectively activates a notifying means for informing a message notifying that the other person's light emission has been detected, and the exposure control means. It is also preferable to include selection operation means that can be made to operate.

  Further, in the case of including a shooting scene setting unit for setting a shooting scene and a shooting condition changing unit for changing a shooting condition including an exposure value based on the set shooting scene, the other person's light emission detection unit includes the shooting scene. It is also preferable to operate when is set to a predetermined shooting scene.

  Further, in the case of including subject brightness detection means for detecting subject brightness and exposure determination means for determining whether or not the subject is exposed based on the detection result of the subject brightness detection means, the other person light emission detection means However, it is also preferable to operate when the subject is not sufficiently exposed.

  In addition, the control method of the imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a rolling shutter type image sensor that outputs and resets an imaging signal while sequentially scanning an imaging region in which pixels are arranged two-dimensionally for each pixel row. In the control method of the photographing apparatus, the luminance change of the imaging signal in the scanning direction is calculated, and whether or not there is a high luminance period of approximately one frame across two consecutive frames based on the calculated luminance change. The high luminance period is determined and detected as a period caused by other person's light emission.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily detect strobe light emission (other party light emission) from another person's camera or the like without adding a special device, and to prevent or prevent luminance unevenness due to other person light emission. Reduction can be achieved.

  In FIG. 1, a collapsible lens unit 16 that houses a photographic lens 14 that is a zoom lens, a strobe light emitting unit 18, and an object-side finder window 20 are provided on the front surface of a camera body 12 of the digital camera 10. The strobe light emitting unit 18 emits strobe light in accordance with subject brightness when performing shooting. The objective-side finder window 20 constitutes an optical finder.

  In FIG. 2, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22 as a display device, a finder eyepiece window 24 constituting an optical finder, and an operation unit 26 including a plurality of operation members are provided on the back surface of the camera body 12. The LCD 22 functions as an electronic viewfinder in the shooting mode (still image shooting mode or continuous shooting mode) and displays a through image in real time (through image display). In the reproduction mode, an image is reproduced and displayed on the LCD 22 based on the image data recorded on the memory card 44.

  The operation unit 26 includes a zoom operation button 28, a menu button 30, a cross key 32, an execution key 34, a mode switch 36, and the like. The zoom operation button 28 is operated when zooming the zoom lens of the imaging lens 14. The menu button 30 is operated when a menu screen is displayed on the LCD 22 or when a selection content is determined.

  By operating the cross key 32, the cursor displayed in the menu screen moves. The execution key 34 is provided at the center of the cross key 32, and the operation of the camera is confirmed when pressed. The mode switch 36 is operated when switching the operation mode of the digital camera 10. The operation mode includes a still image (single shooting) shooting mode in which shooting is performed once, a continuous shooting mode in which a plurality of shootings are continuously performed, and a playback mode in which an image obtained by shooting is displayed on the LCD 22 for playback. is there.

  Further, by operating the menu button 30, the cross key 32, and the execution key 34, a desired shooting scene can be set from various shooting scenes (indoors, people, night views, etc.). The shooting scene function is a function for automatically setting various shooting conditions according to the set shooting scene. The CPU 50 (see FIG. 3) in the digital camera 10 is suitable for the shooting scene according to the set shooting scene, such as an exposure value, shooting sensitivity, white balance control parameters, and whether or not to emit strobe light. Automatically set to value. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 26 corresponds to the shooting scene setting unit described in the claims, and the CPU 50 corresponds to the shooting condition change unit described in the claims.

  A release button 38 and a power button 40 are provided on the upper surface of the camera body 12. Various shooting preparation processes are executed when the release button 38 is pressed halfway, and in this state, the shooting process is executed by a full press operation in which the release button 38 is further pressed. The power button 40 is operated when turning on / off the power of the digital camera 10.

  A card loading lid 42 that can be freely opened and closed is provided on the side surface of the camera body 12. When the card loading lid 42 is opened, the memory card slot 46 into which the memory card 44 is detachably loaded is exposed.

  In FIG. 3 showing the electrical configuration of the digital camera 10, the CPU 50 functions as a control unit that controls the operation of the digital camera 10, and controls each part of the digital camera 10 based on input signals from the operation unit 26 and the release button 38. Control. In the ROM 52 connected to the CPU 50, a control program and various setting information for operating the digital camera 10 are written, and the CPU 50 controls each unit according to this program.

  The RAM 54 and the VRAM 56 are, for example, SDRAMs that can read and write data at high speed. The RAM 54 is used as a calculation work area by the CPU 50. The VRAM 56 temporarily stores image data for through image display sequentially.

  The lens unit 16 incorporates a zoom mechanism and a focus mechanism (not shown). The zoom mechanism performs zooming by moving the photographing lens 14 in response to the operation of the zoom operation button 28. The focus mechanism moves the focus lens incorporated in the photographic lens 14 to perform focusing. The lens unit 16 includes a diaphragm device 58. The aperture device 58 adjusts the amount of subject light incident on the CMOS image sensor 60 (hereinafter referred to as the CMOS sensor 60) by adjusting the aperture opening. The operation of the aperture device 58 is controlled by the CPU 50 via the motor 62.

  A mechanical shutter 64 that physically blocks subject light incident on the CMOS sensor 60 is provided between the aperture device 58 and the CMOS sensor 60. The operation of the mechanical shutter 64 is controlled by the CPU 50 via the motor 66. As will be described in detail later, the CMOS sensor 60 has a rolling shutter type electronic shutter mechanism, and this electronic shutter is used during normal exposure operation. The mechanical shutter 64 is used during a predetermined operation described later.

  The CMOS sensor 60 performs an imaging operation based on a timing signal input from a timing generator (TG) 68, photoelectrically converts subject light that has passed through the mechanical shutter 64, generates signal charges, and generates the generated signal charges for each pixel. Are converted into imaging signals and output. The CPU 50 controls the TG 68 to change the frame rate (the number of frames output from the CMOS sensor 60 per unit time) and the signal charge resetting method in the pixel during a predetermined operation described later.

  In FIG. 4, the CMOS sensor 60 includes an imaging area 91 in which unit pixels 90 are arranged in a matrix, a vertical scanning circuit 92 that scans in the vertical direction (Y direction) of the imaging area 91, and an imaging read from the imaging area 91. A horizontal scanning that scans the horizontal direction (X direction) of a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit 93 that holds a signal in units of rows and performs noise suppression processing, and a column selection transistor 94 connected to the CDS circuit 93 for each column. The circuit 95 includes an output circuit 96 that outputs an imaging signal after impedance conversion.

  The unit pixel 90 includes a photodiode D1 that generates and accumulates signal charges by photoelectric conversion, a drive (amplification) transistor M1 that amplifies the signal charges accumulated in the photodiode D as an imaging signal, and an imaging signal as a unit. The pixel selection transistor M2 for outputting to the outside of the pixel 90 and the resetting transistor M3 for discarding (resetting) the signal charge of the photodiode D1. In the imaging region 91, a row selection line L1 and a row reset line L2 are wired from the vertical scanning circuit 92 in the horizontal direction, and a column signal line L3 is wired from the CDS circuit 93 in the vertical direction.

  The row selection line L1 is connected to the gate of the pixel selection transistor M2. The row reset line L2 is connected to the gate of the reset transistor M3. The column signal line L3 is connected to the source of the pixel selection transistor M2. The column signal line L3 is connected to the column selection transistor 94 of the corresponding column via the CDS circuit 93.

  The vertical scanning circuit 92 generates a vertical scanning signal based on the timing signal input from the TG 68, and as shown in FIG. 5, selects the row selection line L1 one by one in order, and selects the imaging signal as the column signal line L3. Change the pixel row (hereinafter referred to as the horizontal line) to be output to the horizontal line, select the row reset line L2 of the horizontal line for which the output of the imaging signal has been completed, one by one in order, and select the horizontal line for discarding the signal charge change. When the selected row of the row selection line L1 and the row reset line L2 reaches the final horizontal line, the vertical scanning circuit 92 next selects the top horizontal line. By the scanning method of the vertical scanning circuit 92, a rolling shutter having a charge accumulation time (exposure time) of one frame period is configured.

  Further, the vertical scanning circuit 92 can select all the row reset lines L2 in the imaging region 91 based on the timing signal input from the TG 68, and when all the row reset lines L2 are selected. In this case, signal charges in all unit pixels 90 are collectively reset. This collective reset operation is executed during a predetermined operation described later. In the present embodiment, the TG 68 and the vertical scanning circuit 92 correspond to collective resetting means described in the claims.

  The CDS circuit 93 holds the imaging signal of each unit pixel 92 connected to the row selection line L1 selected by the vertical scanning circuit 92 based on the timing signal input from the TG 68, and performs noise removal. The column selection transistor 94 is provided between the CDS circuit 93 and the output bus line 97 connected to the output circuit 96.

  The horizontal scanning circuit 95 generates a horizontal scanning signal based on the timing signal input from the TG 68, and performs on / off control of the column selection transistor 94. The output circuit 96 impedance-converts and outputs an imaging signal sequentially transferred from the CDS circuit 93 to the output bus line 97.

  Although illustration is omitted, a color filter (for example, a primary color filter with a Bayer array) including a plurality of color segments is disposed on the light incident side of the imaging region 91.

  In FIG. 3, the imaging signal output from the CCD 62 is input to an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) circuit 70, and the imaging signal output from the AGC circuit 70 is input to the A / D converter 71. The AGC circuit 70 and the A / D converter 71 operate in synchronization with the signal output operation of the CMOS sensor 60 when the timing signal is input from the TG 68. The AGC circuit 70 amplifies the imaging signal with a gain corresponding to the imaging sensitivity set by the CPU 50. The A / D converter 71 converts the analog imaging signal from the AGC circuit 70 into, for example, a 12-bit digital image signal.

  The image signal output from the A / D converter 71 is input to the image signal processing circuit 74, the AE / WB detection circuit 76, and the line integration circuit 78 through the bus line 72, respectively. The image signal processing circuit 74 generates image data corresponding to an image of one frame by performing various image processing such as gradation conversion, white balance correction, γ correction processing, and YC conversion processing on the input image signal. This is stored in the VRAM 56.

  The AE / WB detection circuit 76 calculates a subject luminance value by extracting a luminance component from the input image signal, and calculates a color balance value by extracting a color component from the input image signal. The CPU 50 calculates an optimum exposure value for photographing based on the subject luminance value detected by the AE / WB detection circuit 76, and performs setting of the aperture device 58 and on / off control of the strobe light emitting unit 18. Specifically, when the subject brightness value is lower than a predetermined value or when the subject is determined to be backlit, the CPU 50 directs illumination light from the strobe light emitting unit 18 to the subject in accordance with the still image shooting operation. To emit light. Further, the image signal processing circuit 74 performs white balance correction based on the color balance value detected by the AE / WB detection circuit 76.

  The line integration circuit 78 extracts a luminance component from the input image signal, integrates it for each horizontal line described above, and inputs this to the CPU 50. The CPU 50 detects strobe light emission (other person's light emission) from another person's camera or the like based on the integrated value of luminance components for each horizontal line (brightness change information regarding the vertical scanning direction). In the present embodiment, the line integration circuit 78 corresponds to the luminance change calculation means described in the claims, and the CPU 50 corresponds to the other person light emission detection means described in the claims.

  Specifically, the CPU 50 performs another person's light emission detection processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in the image signal of the Kth frame, the integrated value of the luminance component for each horizontal line is acquired from the line integrating circuit 78, and the integrated value is lower than the predetermined value I1 in the scanning direction as shown in FIG. When it is determined whether or not the state (low luminance state) has changed to a state (high luminance state) higher than a predetermined value I2 (where I2> I1), and a transition from the low luminance state to the high luminance state is detected Stores the position P1 of the horizontal line at which the transition is detected. Next, in the subsequent K + 1th frame, the integrated value of the luminance component for each horizontal line is acquired from the line integrating circuit 78, and the integrated value is changed from the high luminance state to the low luminance state in the scanning direction as shown in FIG. When the transition from the high luminance state to the low luminance state is detected, the position P2 of the horizontal line at which the transition is detected is stored. When the detected transition positions P1 and P2 are substantially equal (for example, within one horizontal line before and after), it is determined that the above-described high luminance state is due to other person's light emission. That is, the CPU 50 determines whether or not there is a high-luminance period for approximately one frame across two consecutive frames, and detects the high-luminance period as light emission from the other person. The CPU 50 performs this other person's light emission detection operation during continuous shooting.

  This other person's light emission detection is based on the fact that the flash time of strobe light emission is usually much shorter than one frame period. For example, one frame period is 1/60 seconds, and the flash time of strobe light emission is 1/1000 seconds. In the rolling shutter, the exposure time of each horizontal line is one frame period. Therefore, if the flashing flash time is shorter than one scanning time of the horizontal line, the duration of the above high luminance state (high luminance period: P1 to P2). Scanning time) is one frame period. If the flash time of the strobe light emission is longer than one scanning time, the high luminance period becomes longer than the one frame period accordingly.

  In FIG. 3, the compression / decompression processing circuit 80 performs compression processing on the non-compressed image data read from the VRAM 56 in response to the shooting instruction from the release button 38 in the still image shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. Compressed image data in a predetermined file format is generated. In the reproduction mode, the compression / decompression processing circuit 80 performs decompression processing on the compressed image data recorded on the memory card 44 to generate uncompressed image data. The media controller 82 controls recording and reading of image data with respect to the memory card 44.

  The LCD driver 84 performs predetermined signal processing on the image data from the VRAM 56 to generate an image display signal, and outputs it to the LCD 22 at a fixed timing. As a result, the image captured by the CMOS sensor 60 is displayed on the LCD 22 in real time (through image display). The LCD driver 84 outputs the uncompressed image data expanded by the compression / expansion processing circuit 80 to the LCD 22. As a result, the image read from the memory card 44 is reproduced and displayed on the LCD 22.

  Next, the continuous shooting operation will be described. The CPU 50 controls each part in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 to execute a continuous shooting operation. In the continuous shooting mode, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 50 executes the first continuous shooting operation with the rolling shutter while the mechanical shutter 64 is opened, and operates the line integration circuit 78 to perform the above-described other operations. A person light emission detection process is executed. If another person's light is emitted during the first continuous shooting, a high-luminance area (exposure unevenness) for one frame occurs over a period of two frames. The CPU 50 controls the CMOS sensor 60 and the mechanical shutter 64 when this other person's light emission is detected, starts exposure by a batch reset operation, and ends the exposure by closing the mechanical shutter 64. Run the action.

  In the second continuous shooting, the vertical scanning is performed after outputting the imaging signal for one frame by the first continuous shooting with the mechanical shutter 64 opened (after the signal output of the final horizontal line (line number N)). And the above-described batch reset operation is executed to simultaneously discard signal charges of all horizontal lines. By this collective reset operation, exposure is started simultaneously on all horizontal lines. Next, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the mechanical shutter 64 is closed, and vertical scanning is started from the top horizontal line (line number 1). The period from the collective reset operation until the mechanical shutter 64 is closed is the exposure period, and all horizontal lines are exposed simultaneously during this exposure period (that is, the synchronization of exposure is maintained). Then, after outputting the imaging signal for one frame, the mechanical shutter 64 is opened to execute a batch reset operation, and the same exposure operation is repeated. The frame period T2 at the time of the second continuous shooting is longer than the frame period T1 at the time of the first continuous shooting by at least the exposure period. In the present embodiment, the CPU 50 corresponds to the exposure control means described in the claims.

  In this way, during the second continuous shooting that is switched by detection of the other person's light emission, the synchronization of exposure is maintained, so even if another person emits light again during the exposure period, the entire image for one frame As a result, the luminance level is increased, and the occurrence of luminance unevenness as in the rolling shutter is prevented.

  The operation of the digital camera 10 configured as described above will be described. When the power of the digital camera 10 is turned on by operating the power button 40, the CPU 50 loads a control program from the ROM 52 and starts operation control of each unit.

  When continuous shooting is performed, the mode switch 36 is set to the continuous shooting mode. In the continuous shooting mode, first, a through image is displayed, and when the release button 38 is fully pressed during the through image display, continuous shooting is executed and a still image shooting operation is continuously performed. The obtained image data is sequentially taken into the VRAM 56 and subjected to data compression processing for each frame in the compression / decompression processing circuit 80, and then the compressed image data is sequentially recorded on the memory card 44.

  Immediately after the release button 38 is fully pressed, the first continuous shooting operation using the rolling shutter is executed. During the first continuous shooting operation, when the other person's light emission detection process is executed and the other person's light emission is detected, the exposure is started by the batch reset operation and the exposure is performed by the closing operation of the mechanical shutter 64. The operation is switched to the second continuous shooting operation of the end method, and the occurrence of uneven brightness is prevented.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that only the frame rate is changed without performing the batch reset operation and the closing operation of the mechanical shutter 64 when other party's light emission is detected during continuous shooting.

  In the present embodiment, during continuous shooting, the CPU 50 controls each unit according to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 50 executes the first continuous shooting operation by the rolling shutter with the mechanical shutter 64 opened, operates the line integration circuit 78, and executes the above-described other person's light emission detection processing. To do. If the other party's light emission is detected during the first continuous shooting, the CPU 50 executes the second continuous shooting operation at a low frame rate. In this second continuous shooting, the frame rate is lowered by stopping the vertical scanning for a predetermined period after outputting and resetting the imaging signal for one frame (from the first frame period T1 to the second frame period T2). To change).

  Even if the other party's light is emitted during the second continuous shooting operation, as shown in FIG. 11, if the other person's light is emitted within the period in which the vertical scanning is stopped, the occurrence of luminance unevenness is caused. Is prevented.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that another person's light emission detection process is performed when a through image is displayed in the still image shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 50 controls each unit according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Similarly to the first continuous shooting operation shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 50 causes the rolling shutter to execute an imaging operation with the mechanical shutter 64 open, displays the captured image on the LCD 22, and performs line integration. The circuit 78 is activated to execute the above-described other person's light emission detection processing. When the release button 38 is fully pressed and a shooting instruction is issued, the CPU 50 performs a normal shooting operation (continuous shooting or still image shooting) using a rolling shutter when no other party's light emission is detected during live view display. Is executed. On the other hand, when the other person's light emission is detected during the live view display, the CMOS sensor 60 and the mechanical shutter 64 are controlled and exposure is started by the collective reset operation as in the second continuous shooting operation shown in FIG. Then, a shooting operation (continuous shooting or still image shooting) is executed in which the exposure is ended by closing the mechanical shutter 64.

  As described above, when the other party's light emission is detected during the live view display, shooting is performed in a state where the synchronization of the exposure is maintained. The occurrence of uneven brightness as in the shutter is prevented. In the present embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, when the other party's light emission is detected, only the frame rate may be changed without performing the batch reset operation and the mechanical shutter 64 closing operation.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, when other person's light emission is detected during live view display, the user selects whether to perform shooting in the luminance unevenness prevention mode for preventing luminance unevenness, and is selected when the luminance unevenness prevention mode is performed. In this case, the point that the batch reset operation and the shooting operation using the mechanical shutter 64 or the shooting operation at a low frame rate are executed is different from the third embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 50 controls each unit according to the flowchart shown in FIG. As in the third embodiment, the CPU 50 displays a through image on the LCD 22 and activates the line integration circuit 78 to execute the above-described other person's light emission detection process. When the CPU 50 detects the other person's light emission during the through image display, the CPU 50 controls the LCD driver 84 to display a message such as “Other person's light emission has been detected. Switch to the luminance unevenness prevention mode”. . The user can select and set whether or not to switch to the luminance unevenness prevention mode by operating the operation unit 26 during live view display.

  When the release button 38 is fully pressed and a shooting instruction is issued, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the luminance unevenness prevention mode is set. If the luminance unevenness prevention mode is not set, the CPU 50 determines whether the luminance unevenness prevention mode is set. The normal photographing operation by the rolling shutter similar to that at the time of imaging is executed. On the other hand, when the luminance unevenness prevention mode is set, the photographing operation in the luminance unevenness prevention mode (the collective reset operation described in the first embodiment and the photographing operation using the mechanical shutter 64 or the second embodiment is described). Shooting operation at a low frame rate). In the present embodiment, the operation unit 26 corresponds to the selection operation unit described in the claims, and the LCD driver 84 and the LCD 22 correspond to the notification unit described in the claims.

  According to the present embodiment, the user determines the surrounding situation, and when the frequency of other party's light emission is considered to be high, the brightness unevenness prevention mode is set to ON, and when the frequency of other person's light emission is considered to be low. Can take measures according to the surrounding situation, such as turning off the luminance unevenness prevention mode.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the other person's light emission detection process is not executed when the through image is displayed, and the photographing operation in the luminance unevenness prevention mode is performed based on whether or not the photographing scene set by the user is a predetermined photographing scene. The point of switching whether to perform the normal photographing operation is different from the third embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 50 controls each unit according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 50 displays a through image on the LCD 22 as in the third embodiment. The CPU 50 does not execute the above-mentioned other person's light emission detection process during the through image display. When the release button 38 is fully pressed and a shooting instruction is issued, the CPU 50 determines that the shooting scene preset by the user by operating the operation unit 26 is “indoor” or “night view” (shooting scene in which other person's light emission is likely to occur). ), And if the shooting scene is not set, the normal shooting operation using the rolling shutter similar to that for shooting through images is performed. On the other hand, when the shooting scene is set, the shooting operation in the luminance unevenness prevention mode (the batch reset operation described in the first embodiment and the shooting operation using the mechanical shutter 64, or described in the second embodiment). Shooting operation at a low frame rate).

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the other person's light emission detection process is selectively executed in accordance with the shooting scene set by the user when the through image is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 50 controls each unit according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 50 displays a through image on the LCD 22 as in the third embodiment. During the live view display, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the shooting scene set in advance by the user by the operation of the operation unit 26 is “indoor” or “night view” (shooting scene in which other person's light is easily emitted). When the shooting scene is set, the above-mentioned other person's light emission detection process is executed. When the shooting scene is not set, the above-mentioned other person's light emission detection process is not executed. Thereafter, when the release button 38 is fully pressed and a shooting instruction is given, the CPU 50 executes the same processing as in the third embodiment.

  According to this embodiment, since the other person's light emission detection process operates only when other person's light emission is likely to be performed, the efficiency of the photographing operation can be improved and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the other person's light emission detection process is selectively executed based on whether or not the shooting conditions require strobe light emission when displaying a through image.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 50 controls each unit according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 50 displays a through image on the LCD 22 as in the third embodiment. During this live view display, the CPU 50 determines the shooting conditions that require strobe light emission based on the subject brightness value detected by the AE / WB detection circuit 76 (when the subject is insufficiently exposed such as when the illumination is dark or when the backlight is backlit). If the shooting conditions require flash emission, the other person's flash detection process is executed. If the shooting conditions do not require flash emission, the other person The light emission detection process is not executed. Thereafter, when the release button 38 is fully pressed and a shooting instruction is given, the CPU 50 executes the same processing as in the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the AE / WB detection circuit 76 corresponds to the subject luminance detection means described in the claims, and the CPU 50 corresponds to the exposure determination means described in the claims.

  According to the present embodiment, as in the sixth embodiment, since the other person's light emission detection process operates only when the other person's light emission is likely to be performed, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the photographing operation and reduce the power consumption. .

  Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the other person's light emission detection process is not executed when the through image is displayed, and the photographing operation is performed in the luminance unevenness prevention mode or the normal photographing operation is performed based on whether or not the photographing condition requires the strobe light emission. The point which switches is different from the said 3rd Embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 50 controls each unit according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 50 displays a through image on the LCD 22 as in the third embodiment. The CPU 50 does not execute the above-mentioned other person's light emission detection process during the through image display, and the CPU 50 performs shooting conditions (illumination) that require strobe light emission based on the subject luminance value detected by the AE / WB detection circuit 76. Whether the subject is insufficiently exposed, such as when the subject is dark or when the subject is backlit. When the release button 38 is fully pressed and a shooting instruction is issued, the CPU 50 executes a normal shooting operation using a rolling shutter similar to that for shooting a through image when shooting conditions that do not require strobe light emission are met. On the other hand, if the shooting conditions require strobe light emission, the shooting operation in the luminance unevenness prevention mode (the batch reset operation described in the first embodiment and the shooting operation using the mechanical shutter 64 or the second embodiment will be described). Shooting operation at a low frame rate).

  In the above embodiment, the CPU 50 uses the integrated value of the luminance component for each horizontal line integrated by the line integrating circuit 78 as a reference with the predetermined value I1 and the predetermined value I2 (where I2> I1) as a low luminance state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the horizontal line is changed and the entire horizontal line on the upstream side in the scanning direction of the horizontal line is detected. The average value of the integrated values of the lines is compared with the integrated values of all the horizontal lines on the downstream side in the scanning direction, and the above transition is detected by specifying a horizontal line whose difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. May be.

  In the above embodiment, the line integration circuit 78 integrates the luminance component for all horizontal lines for one frame. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the horizontal line for integrating the luminance component is used. The luminance component may be integrated for one horizontal line for each of a plurality of horizontal lines. Thereby, it is possible to speed up the other person's light emission detection processing. In order to increase the speed of the other person's light emission detection process, the luminance component may be integrated for each of a plurality of horizontal lines. Further, the luminance component may be integrated only for the unit pixel 90 of a specific color component. That is, the line integration circuit 78 may have any configuration as long as it can calculate the luminance change of the imaging signal in the vertical scanning direction.

  In the above embodiment, a digital camera has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and can be applied to various photographing apparatuses such as a camera-equipped mobile phone.

It is a front side perspective view of the digital camera which is 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a back side perspective view of a digital camera. It is a block which shows the electrical constitution of a digital camera. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of a CMOS type image sensor. It is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of a vertical scanning circuit. It is a flowchart explaining the detection process of others emission. It is explanatory drawing explaining the transition of the integrated value of the luminance component for every horizontal line by others light emission, (A) is a transition from a low-brightness state to a high-brightness state, (B) is from a high-brightness state to a low-brightness state. The transition of. It is a flowchart explaining a continuous shooting operation. It is explanatory drawing explaining the exposure control at the time of continuous shooting operation | movement. It is a flowchart explaining 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the exposure control in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining 8th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital Camera 22 Liquid Crystal Display 26 Operation Unit 50 CPU
60 CMOS image sensor 64 Mechanical shutter 68 Timing generator 74 Image signal processing circuit 76 AE / WB detection circuit 78 Line integration circuit 84 LCD driver 90 Unit pixel 91 Imaging area 92 Vertical scanning circuit 95 Horizontal scanning circuit L1 Row selection line L2 Row reset line L3 column signal line

Claims (10)

In an imaging apparatus including a rolling shutter type image sensor that outputs and resets an imaging signal while sequentially scanning an imaging region in which pixels are arranged two-dimensionally for each pixel row,
A luminance change calculating means for calculating a luminance change of the imaging signal with respect to the scanning direction;
Based on the luminance change calculated by the luminance change calculating means, it is determined whether or not there is a high luminance period for approximately one frame across two consecutive frames, and the high luminance period is set as a period due to other person's light emission. Other person emission detection means for detecting,
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the luminance change calculating unit integrates luminance components of the imaging signal for each pixel row. Batch reset means for collectively resetting all pixel rows in the imaging region;
A mechanical shutter disposed on the light incident side of the imaging region;
After the other person's light emission is detected, the image sensor and the mechanical shutter are controlled, the scanning is stopped at the last pixel row in a state where the mechanical shutter is opened, and then all the pixel rows are collectively reset. Exposure control means for starting the scanning, starting the scanning from the first pixel row after the exposure is ended by closing the mechanical shutter after a predetermined time,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   After the other person's light emission is detected, the image sensor is controlled, the scanning is stopped at the last pixel row, and then the scanning is started from the first pixel row after a predetermined time, thereby reducing the frame rate. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means. Has a continuous shooting function,
5. The photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the other person light emission detection unit and the exposure control unit operate during continuous shooting. It has a through image display function and a single or continuous shooting function that operates according to the shooting instruction during the through image display.
4. The third-party light emission detection unit performs a detection operation when displaying a through image, and the exposure control unit operates at the time of photographing after a photographing instruction when the third-party light emission is detected. Or the imaging device of 4.   When the other person's light emission is detected by the other person's light emission detection means, the user selectively activates the notifying means for notifying that the other person's light emission has been detected and the exposure control means. The photographing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a selection operation unit that enables the operation. A shooting scene setting means for setting a shooting scene; and a shooting condition changing means for changing a shooting condition including an exposure value based on the set shooting scene;
The photographing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the other person's light emission detecting unit operates when a photographing scene is set to a predetermined photographing scene. Subject brightness detection means for detecting subject brightness, and exposure determination means for determining whether or not the subject is insufficiently exposed based on the detection result of the subject brightness detection means,
The photographing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the other person's light emission detecting unit operates when the subject is not sufficiently exposed. In a control method of an imaging apparatus including a rolling shutter type image sensor that outputs and resets an imaging signal while sequentially scanning an imaging region in which pixels are arranged two-dimensionally for each pixel row,
Calculating a luminance change of the imaging signal with respect to the scanning direction;
Based on the calculated luminance change, it is determined whether or not there is a high-luminance period for almost one frame across two consecutive frames, and the high-luminance period is detected as a period caused by other person's light emission. Control method of photographing apparatus.

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