JP2010045587A - Camera apparatus, image photography support device, image photography support method, and image photography support program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain support for easily and quickly photographing a plurality of images of which parts of photography ranges are overlapped with one another. <P>SOLUTION: A photographed image which is photographed immediately before is considered as a reference image (31), and relative positional relation between a photography range of the reference image (31) and a photography range of the next image (32) before photography is calculated. Then, an auxiliary line 41 expressing the relative location relation is displayed on a view finder picture 30 with the image (32) before photography. Furthermore, an overlap condition of both photography ranges of the reference image (31) and the image (32) before photography is calculated, when the overlap condition becomes within a predetermined threshold range, a message, for example, a text is displayed on the view finder picture 30. Then, when the overlap condition is within the predetermined threshold range and there is no camera shake, photography of the image (32) before photography is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera device such as a so-called digital still camera and an image shooting support device, an image shooting support method, and an image shooting support program suitable for supporting shooting of a plurality of images in which a part of shooting ranges overlap each other. About.

  Conventionally, as one of the methods for generating an image of a wider range than the shooting angle of view of the camera lens, for example, a plurality of images in which a part of the shooting range is overlapped in the horizontal direction is shot, and these overlapping portions are A technique is known in which a panoramic image that is wide in the horizontal direction is generated by combining and connecting the images. The panoramic image includes a composite of a plurality of images in which a part of the shooting range is overlapped in the vertical direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction. Of course, an image in a range wider than the shooting angle of view of the camera lens is not limited to the horizontal or vertical direction described above, but a plurality of images in which a part of the shooting range overlaps each other in an arbitrary direction are shot. It may be generated by combining overlapping parts and combining the images. Hereinafter, taking a plurality of images in which a part of the shooting range overlaps each other in any direction including the horizontal or vertical direction described above is referred to as generation of a collage image, and the generated The image is referred to as a collage image.

  When generating a collage image as described above, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of images in which parts of the shooting range overlap each other. In other words, when a collage image is generated using a photographed image of a digital camera or the like, it is necessary to photograph a plurality of images in which parts of the photographing range overlap each other when photographing with the digital camera.

  Note that, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-128588 (Patent Document 1), for example, in a digital still camera with a viewfinder screen, particularly when each image that forms a panoramic image is captured, And a technique for supporting shooting by displaying a positional relationship between the current image and the current image before shooting on a viewfinder screen. Specifically, by displaying the previous captured image transparently on the viewfinder or displaying the subject edge of the previous captured image, the photographer can determine the positional relationship between the previous captured image and the current pre-photographed image. It is made to inform.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-174301 (Patent Document 2), the shooting direction of the previously shot image is fixed on the viewfinder screen, and the shot image is transparently displayed, so that the camera is parallel. A technique has been disclosed in which when the image is moved, the photographed image is shifted according to the moving direction and the moving distance to inform the photographer of the positional relationship between the photographed image and the pre-photographed image.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-8947 (Patent Document 3) discloses that in an electronic camera, a previously captured image and a previously captured image are overlapped in order to overlap each other. A technique for displaying an image captured this time together with a part of the captured image on a viewfinder in real time is disclosed.

  Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-188705 (Patent Document 4), the outline of an image captured in advance is extracted, and the outline image is made transparent and superimposed on a monitor screen to synthesize the screen. For this reason, a technique for facilitating confirmation of an overlapped portion is disclosed.

  In addition, Japanese Patent No. 383895 Patent Publication (Patent Document 5) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-90232 (Patent Document 6) disclose a technique that enables photographing support by combining and displaying images. It is disclosed.

JP 2004-128588 A (FIG. 1) JP 2007-174301 A (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-8947 (FIG. 1) JP 2000-188705 A (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent No. 3832895 (FIG. 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-90232 (FIG. 1)

  As described above, when the photographed image is displayed transparently or when the subject edge portion of the photographed image is displayed, the photographer has taken the image by referring to the transparent display, the edge portion display, etc. It can be determined to some extent whether or not the shooting range of the image and the image to be shot will overlap.

  Here, for example, in the case of an application in which it is only required that the shooting ranges overlap and it is not necessary to accurately match the overlap, the photographer can freely shoot as long as the shooting ranges overlap.

  However, for example, in a case where the overlap is within a desired range and shooting is performed within the overlap, the photographer adjusts the shooting range (positioning) of the shot image and the image to be shot in the future. You have to do it yourself. Such a work for adjusting the photographing range is a heavy burden for the photographer. Also, the shooting range cannot always be adjusted well depending on the skill of the photographer.

  Further, it is difficult to say that the viewfinder provided in a digital still camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone terminal has a sufficiently large screen size. Therefore, in the case where the degree of overlap is within a desired range as described above, it is difficult for the photographer to determine when to press the shutter button only by referring to the display image of the viewfinder having a small screen size. .

  In addition, when the processing is performed to synthesize and compare the captured image and the image displayed in the viewfinder one by one, it is possible to accurately match the overlap, but depending on the capabilities of the device, this processing may be It may take time and real-time processing may be difficult.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and a camera device, an image capturing support device, and an image capturing support device capable of easily and quickly capturing a plurality of images in which a part of the capturing range overlaps each other, An object is to provide an image shooting support method and an image shooting support program.

  The camera device of the present invention includes an image shooting unit, an image display unit, a shake detection unit, an image recording unit, a relative relationship calculation unit, a display control unit, a duplication calculation unit, a notification unit, and a shooting control unit. The image capturing unit captures an image. The image display unit includes at least a screen for displaying an image. The shake detection unit detects a device shake at the time of image shooting in the image shooting unit. The image recording unit records information on the image captured by the image capturing unit. The relative relation calculation unit includes a shooting range of the first image shot immediately before by the image shooting unit and recorded in the image recording unit, and a shooting range of the second image shot by the image shooting unit after the first image. A relative relationship parameter representing at least a relative positional relationship between the two is obtained. The display control unit generates an image for clearly indicating the relative positional relationship between the imaging ranges from the relative relationship parameter obtained by the relative relationship calculation unit, and displays the image together with the second image on the screen of the image display unit. Display. The overlap calculation unit obtains an overlap parameter indicating the degree of overlap between the shooting range of the first image and the shooting range of the second image. The notification unit performs a predetermined notification to the photographer according to the redundancy parameter obtained by the overlap calculation unit. The imaging control unit causes the image capturing unit to capture an image when the overlapping degree parameter obtained by the overlap calculating unit is within a predetermined threshold range and there is almost no apparatus shake detected by the shake detecting unit. Thereby, this invention solves the subject mentioned above.

  In the image capturing support device, the image capturing support method, and the image capturing support program of the present invention, first, between the capturing range of the first image captured immediately before and the capturing range of the second image captured next. Is obtained, and an image for clearly indicating the relative positional relationship between the photographing ranges is displayed on the screen together with the second image. In the image capturing support device, the image capturing support method, and the image capturing support program of the present invention, a predetermined notification is given to the photographer according to the degree of overlap between the capturing range of the first image and the capturing range of the second image. Furthermore, when the overlap of the shooting ranges is within a predetermined threshold range and there is almost no device shake, the image is automatically shot. Thereby, this invention solves the subject mentioned above.

  That is, according to the present invention, when the first image and the second image are overlapped and the overlapping degree is within a predetermined threshold range and there is no apparatus shake, the second image is automatically captured. As a result, a plurality of series of images in which a part of the imaging range overlaps each other can be taken.

  In the present invention, when the overlapping state of the first image and the second image is within the predetermined threshold range and there is no apparatus shake, the second image is automatically captured, so that a part of the capturing range overlaps each other. A plurality of images can be taken easily and quickly.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the following description, a digital still camera is taken as an example of application of the present invention, but of course it is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a mobile phone terminal with a camera function, etc. It is applicable to other devices.

[Schematic configuration of digital still camera]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic internal configuration example of a digital still camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the camera photographing unit 2 captures, as main components, a camera lens including an autofocus mechanism, a zoom mechanism, a diaphragm mechanism, and the like, and a subject image incident through the camera lens by photoelectric conversion. It has an image sensor for converting data and its peripheral circuits. Note that the CPU unit 5 controls imaging in the camera photographing unit 2, autofocusing of the camera lens, and the like.

  The viewfinder unit 6 includes a display device including a screen for displaying an image before the shutter button of the operation unit 7 is pressed, an image already captured by pressing the operation button, and the like, and its peripheral circuits. Become. In the present embodiment, an image before the shutter button is pressed, that is, an image formed on the image sensor by the lens of the camera photographing unit 2 at the present time and captured by the image sensor. Is denoted as an image before photographing. In addition, an image that has already been captured by pressing the shutter button is referred to as a captured image. The CPU 5 controls the image display in the viewfinder 6. The illustration and explanation of the shutter button and other operation input devices provided in the operation unit 7 are omitted.

  The image processing unit 4 generates image data to be displayed on the screen of the viewfinder unit 6 from the imaging data of the camera photographing unit 2. The image processing unit 4 also performs a composite image generation process, which will be described later. Further, the image processing unit 4 also stores and reads image data with respect to the memory unit 3. Note that the CPU unit 5 performs control of image data generation processing and composite image generation processing.

  The CPU unit 5 performs control of each unit of the digital still camera 1, various data processing, calculation processing, and the like. That is, the CPU unit 5 performs control of the camera photographing unit 2, the image processing unit 4, the viewfinder unit 6, the acceleration sensor unit 8, the tilt sensor unit 9, the azimuth sensor unit 10 described later, and various data processing. Although details will be described later, the CPU unit 5 executes various controls and calculations related to the present invention for photographing a plurality of series of images in which a part of the photographing range overlaps each other.

  The memory unit 3 records data such as a photographed image and a composite image, which will be described later, temporarily stores image data of the pre-photographing image, and between the photographing ranges of the photographed image and the pre-photographing image. It consists of a storage medium for temporarily storing information used for obtaining the relative positional relationship and the overlapping state of both shooting ranges, and its peripheral circuits. In the present embodiment, the memory unit 3 includes both a semiconductor memory built in the digital still camera 1 and a removable external semiconductor memory. The CPU unit 5 controls the storage and reading of various data such as images in the memory unit 3. The memory unit 3 also stores various programs including an image shooting support program of the present invention (a program for a collage image shooting mode described later). Various programs such as the image photographing support program according to the present invention stored in the memory unit 3 are transferred and stored from a disk-shaped recording medium, an external semiconductor memory, or the like, or transferred by a cable or wirelessly through an external interface. It may be stored.

  The acceleration sensor unit 8 includes an acceleration sensor element that detects acceleration applied to the digital still camera 1 and its peripheral circuit. In the present embodiment, it is possible to detect at least vibrations applied to the digital still camera 1 at the time of image capturing, that is, for example, vibrations due to camera shake (apparatus shake) using the acceleration data detected by the acceleration sensor unit 8. In the present embodiment, processing such as control of acceleration detection operation in the acceleration sensor unit 8, camera shake detection using acceleration data of the acceleration sensor unit 8, and shooting control using the result of camera shake detection is performed by the CPU unit. 5 is going.

  The tilt sensor unit 9 includes a tilt sensor that detects the tilt of the digital still camera 1 at the time of shooting and its peripheral circuit. The azimuth sensor unit 10 includes an azimuth sensor that detects the shooting direction of the digital still camera 1 at the time of shooting and its peripheral circuits. The inclination sensor unit 9 and the azimuth sensor unit 10 are provided as necessary. Details of the tilt sensor unit 9 and the orientation sensor unit 10 will be described later.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, the digital still camera 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a speaker for outputting shutter sound and guidance sound, an external cable connector, a strobe light unit, and a battery for supplying power. And each control element provided in a general digital still camera, such as a control IC thereof, a short-range wireless communication unit, a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit, and the like.

[Example of viewfinder display in collage image shooting mode]
In the digital still camera 1 of the present embodiment, refer to the viewfinder display examples in FIGS. 2 to 4 for the operation in the shooting mode in which a plurality of images whose shooting ranges partially overlap each other are combined and combined. While explaining.

  Here, the digital still camera 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to so-called panoramic photography that captures a plurality of series of images in which a part of the photographing range overlaps in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, and one of the photographing ranges in any direction. A plurality of series of images in which the parts overlap each other can be taken. In the present embodiment, a collation image is set as a shooting mode in which a plurality of images in which shooting ranges partially overlap each other in any direction (any direction) including the horizontal direction and the vertical direction are combined and these images are combined. It will be described as a shooting mode.

  FIG. 2 shows a display example of the screen 30 of the viewfinder unit 6 when the first image is captured in the collage image capturing mode.

  When the first image is shot in the collage image shooting mode, as shown in FIG. 2, an image 31 currently captured by the camera shooting unit 2 is substantially the entire surface on the viewfinder screen 30. Is displayed. Note that an instruction code 20 in FIG. 2 indicates a landscape or the like including a subject (subjects A, B, C, etc.).

  In the collage image shooting mode, when the photographer (camera user) presses the shutter button and the first image is shot, the image data is recorded in the memory unit 3. The memory unit 3 at this time also stores zoom magnification data of the camera lens of the camera photographing unit 2, that is, angle-of-view data corresponding to the zoom magnification. The angle of view corresponding to the zoom magnification is obtained by the CPU 5 by calculation. Regarding the calculation of the angle of view according to the zoom magnification, since the existing technology can be used, the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 3 shows a display example of the screen 30 of the viewfinder unit 6 when shooting the second image in the collage image shooting mode.

  When capturing the second image, the digital still camera 1 uses the first captured image as a reference image (first image of the present invention), and the shooting range when the reference image is captured and the A relative relationship parameter, which will be described later, is obtained that represents the relative positional relationship and the size of the second pre-shooting image (second image of the present invention) with the shooting range.

  Note that a specific example of a method for calculating a relative relationship parameter indicating the relative positional relationship and the size of both shooting ranges will be described later.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the digital still camera 1 represents the shooting range of the reference image while maintaining the relative positional relationship and size of the shooting ranges of both the reference image and the pre-shooting image. An image of the auxiliary line 41 (frame image) is generated, and the image of the auxiliary line 41 is displayed so as to overlap the pre-photographing image displayed on the viewfinder screen 30.

  FIG. 3 shows a display example of the viewfinder screen 30 when the angle of view (that is, the zoom magnification) at the time of photographing the first and second images is the same. For example, the first and second images are displayed. When the zoom magnification is changed and the angle of view is changed at the time of eye image shooting, the relative sizes of both the shooting ranges of the reference image and the pre-shooting image are also changed.

  That is, in this case, the digital still camera 1 sets the shooting range of the reference image in a state where the relative size between the shooting ranges is maintained according to the angle of view at the time of shooting both the reference image and the pre-shooting image. Generate an image of the auxiliary line to represent. The digital still camera 1 displays the auxiliary line image on the viewfinder screen 30.

  In addition to the auxiliary lines shown in FIG. 3, for example, the reference image is displayed on the viewfinder screen 30 so as to be superimposed on the pre-photographing image, the translucent image generated from the reference image, or the subject in the reference image A translucent contour image generated from an image or the like may be displayed.

  According to the present embodiment, by viewing the viewfinder screen 30 in FIG. 3, the photographer can determine which shooting range of the first image that has been shot first with respect to the second pre-shooting image. It is possible to easily know whether the relative positional relationship and size are as described above.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows a display example of the viewfinder screen 30 when the third image is captured in the collage image capturing mode.

  When taking the third image, the digital still camera 1 uses the image (the second taken image) taken immediately before taking the third image as a reference image, and the reference image is A relative degree parameter indicating the relative positional relationship and size between the shooting range when the image was shot and the shooting range of the third pre-shooting image is obtained.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the digital still camera 1 sets the shooting range of the reference image while maintaining the relative positional relationship and size of the shooting range of both the reference image and the pre-shooting image. An image of the auxiliary line 42 to be expressed is generated, and the image of the auxiliary line 42 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the pre-photographing image displayed on the viewfinder screen 30.

  At this time, there is an image that has been shot and saved before shooting the reference image (in this example, the first image), and represents the relative positional relationship between the shooting range of the saved image and the reference image. If the auxiliary line 41 has been generated, the auxiliary line 41 is also displayed on the viewfinder screen 30 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows a display example of the viewfinder screen 30 when the angle of view (zoom magnification) at the time of photographing the first to third images is the same. When the zoom magnification is changed and the angle of view is changed, the relative size of the shooting range of each image is also changed as described above.

  That is, in this case, the digital still camera 1 generates an image of an auxiliary line representing each shooting range in a state where the relative size between the shooting ranges is maintained according to the angle of view at the time of shooting each image. These auxiliary line images are displayed on the viewfinder screen 30.

  In addition, in the case of the example of FIG. 4, as described above, in addition to the auxiliary lines, the reference image is displayed on the viewfinder screen 30 by being superimposed on the pre-photographing image, or translucent generated from the reference image and the saved image. You may display the image or the semi-transparent outline image produced | generated from the object image etc. in a reference | standard image and a preservation | save image.

  Therefore, when viewing the viewfinder screen 30 of FIG. 4, the photographer can see how the shooting ranges of the first and second images taken earlier are compared to the third pre-shooting image. It is possible to easily know whether or not the relative positional relationship and size were satisfied.

[Message notification and automatic shutter control in collage image shooting mode]
In the collage image shooting mode, the digital still camera 1 according to the present embodiment performs viewfinder display control as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and determines the overlapping state of both shooting ranges of the reference image and the pre-shooting image. .

  A specific method for determining the overlap between the two shooting ranges will be described later.

  Then, the digital still camera 1 according to the present embodiment notifies the photographer of a predetermined message, for example, according to the overlapping state of the shooting ranges of the reference image and the pre-shooting image, and automatically releases the camera shutter. Execute control.

  That is, the digital still camera 1 according to the present embodiment obtains a parameter indicating the degree of overlap between the two shooting ranges (hereinafter referred to as a multiplicity parameter), and compares the multiplicity parameter with a preset multiplicity threshold value. To do. For example, when the overlap parameter falls within the overlap threshold range, the digital still camera 1 notifies the photographer of a predetermined message and automatically performs control to release the camera shutter.

  Here, as the predetermined message, for example, a text message such as “Please stop the camera” is displayed on the viewfinder, or a voice guidance such as “Please stop the camera” is output from the speaker. Can be mentioned.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the overlap parameter falls within the overlap threshold range, the predetermined message is notified from the digital still camera 1 so that the photographer can It is possible to know that the shooting range overlaps a part of the reference image.

  Further, the digital still camera 1 according to the present embodiment performs control to automatically release the camera shutter when the overlap parameter falls within the overlap threshold range. However, at this time, the digital still camera 1 measures the amount of camera shake based on the acceleration data of the acceleration sensor unit 8, and the amount of camera shake is less than a predetermined camera shake threshold amount, so that it can be determined that the camera shake is almost absent or very small. The camera shutter is automatically released when

  Thus, in the digital still camera 1 of the present embodiment, the camera shutter is automatically released when it is determined that the overlap parameter falls within the overlap threshold range and there is no camera shake. Can prevent the camera from being shaken by pressing the shutter button.

  Note that the digital still camera 1 determines whether there is substantially or very little camera shake after the overlap parameter falls within the threshold range, and when it can be determined that there is no or only less camera shake, for example, It is also possible to notify the photographer of a predetermined message such as “I will shoot”. As a result, the photographer can know that the camera shutter is automatically released.

  In addition, the digital still camera 1 according to the present embodiment also determines whether or not there is a blur in the image after the automatic shooting, and determines that the shot image itself has a blur. In this case, the camera shutter can be automatically released again. For example, the presence or absence of blur in the captured image is obtained by calculating the relative luminance change amount of the edge portion of the subject image or the like in the captured image. It can be determined by detecting whether or not a luminance change threshold value corresponding to image blur within a predetermined allowable range is exceeded.

[Example of relative position and size calculation method of shooting range]
The digital still camera 1 according to the present embodiment obtains the relative positional relationship between the shooting ranges of the reference image and the pre-shooting image as described above by using one of the following several methods as an example.

  In the first calculation method for obtaining the relative positional relationship of the shooting range, first, the same plurality of feature points are extracted from both the reference image and the pre-shooting image. Note that examples of the feature point include a pixel or a pixel group having the same luminance or the like.

  Next, the distance between the feature point groups of both images of the reference image and the pre-shooting image, which are composed of the same feature points, is obtained by the least square method. Further, the rotation angle and the amount of translation are calculated so that the sum of the distances between the feature point groups of these two images is minimized. That is, in the first calculation method, the rotation angle and the parallel movement amount are calculated as a relative relationship parameter representing the relative positional relationship of the imaging range.

  In the first calculation method, the relative positional relationship between the shooting range of the reference image and the shooting range of the pre-shooting image is obtained using the calculated rotation angle and parallel movement amount.

  That is, the pre-photographing image can be considered as an image that is relatively moved from the reference image by the rotation angle and the amount of parallel movement. Therefore, the photographing range of the pre-photographing image is also the same as that of the reference image. It can be considered as a range moved relative to the imaging range by the rotation angle and the parallel movement amount.

  In the second calculation method for obtaining the relative positional relationship of the shooting range, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, in each local region obtained by dividing the image shot by the camera shooting unit 2 into a plurality of parts. Some predetermined local regions 51 are determined, and changes in the positions of the predetermined local regions 51 are tracked in each image sequentially captured by the camera photographing unit 2.

  That is, in the second calculation method, by obtaining a motion vector of each predetermined local region 51 in each image sequentially captured by the camera photographing unit 2, any image including the predetermined local region 51 can be obtained. Track the amount of rotation that has been translated in the direction and rotated.

  And the relative positional relationship of the said imaging | photography range is calculated | required by the rotation angle and parallel displacement amount of the image which were calculated | required by tracking each said predetermined local area | region. That is, in the second calculation method, the rotation angle and the parallel movement amount are calculated as a relative relationship parameter representing the relative positional relationship of the imaging range.

  In the third calculation method for obtaining the relative positional relationship of the shooting range, the relative positional relationship between the shooting range of the reference image and the pre-shooting image is expressed as a rotation angle θ and an elevation angle when the reference image is shot. Using φ and azimuth ζ as reference values, respectively, the difference between the rotation angle θ, elevation angle φ, azimuth angle ζ and the reference values when the pre-photographing image is taken is calculated.

  Here, for example, when the elevation angle φ at the time of capturing the reference image is set as the reference elevation angle, the digital still camera 1 of the present embodiment uses the difference between the elevation angle φ at the time of capturing the pre-photographing image and the above-described reference elevation angle as the both capturing ranges. It is calculated as a relative positional relationship between the elevation angles.

  In addition, when the azimuth angle ζ at the time of shooting the reference image is set as the reference azimuth angle, the digital still camera 1 of the present embodiment calculates the difference between the azimuth angle ζ at the time of shooting the pre-photographing image and the reference azimuth angle. It is obtained as a relative positional relationship regarding the azimuth angle between the photographing ranges.

  Similarly, when the rotation angle θ at the time of shooting the reference image is set as the reference rotation angle, the digital still camera 1 of the present embodiment calculates the difference between the rotation angle θ at the time of shooting the image before shooting and the reference rotation angle, It is obtained as a relative positional relationship regarding the rotation angle between the two shooting ranges.

  That is, in the third calculation method, each of the above differences with respect to the rotation angle θ, the elevation angle φ, and the azimuth angle ζ is calculated as a relative relationship parameter. As a result, the relative positional relationship between the shooting ranges of the reference image and the pre-shooting image is obtained.

  When the third calculation method is employed, the digital still camera 1 of the present embodiment includes the tilt sensor unit 9 and the orientation sensor unit 10.

  Here, in the case of the third calculation method, the tilt sensor unit 9 detects the tilt of the digital still camera 1 as the rotation angle θ and the elevation angle φ. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the rotation angle θ is obtained as the rotation angle that the still image SI captured by the image sensor has with respect to the gravitational horizontal plane HF. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the elevation angle φ is an elevation angle at which the optical axis AL of the camera lens (line perpendicular to the focal plane FF) is directed with respect to the gravitational horizontal plane HF at the time of photographing. Desired. The CPU 5 performs control of the tilt detection operation in the tilt sensor unit 9 and the calculation of the rotation angle θ and the elevation angle φ based on the detection data of the tilt sensor unit 9.

  Furthermore, in the case of the third calculation method, the azimuth sensor unit 10 indicates the shooting direction of the digital still camera 1 at the time of shooting, as shown in FIG. It is determined as an angle between an orientation in which a line perpendicular to the surface FF is directed and a certain reference orientation BO (0 °), that is, an orientation angle ζ. The CPU 5 performs control of the direction detection operation in the direction sensor unit 10 and calculation of the direction angle ζ by the detection data of the direction sensor unit 10.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the relative size between the shooting ranges of the reference image and the pre-shooting image is based on the angle of view ε when the reference image is shot as a reference value. It can be obtained by calculating the difference between the angle of view ε and the reference value.

  For example, when the angle of view ε at the time of shooting the reference image is set as the reference angle of view, the difference between the angle of view ε at the time of shooting the pre-shooting image and the reference angle of view is a relative size between the two images. Desired. That is, in the present embodiment, the difference in the angle of view ε is calculated as one of the relative relationship parameters representing the relative size of the shooting range.

[Examples of specific methods for determining the overlap of shooting ranges]
The digital still camera 1 according to the present embodiment obtains the degree of overlap between the shooting ranges of the reference image and the pre-shooting image as described above by using one of the following several methods as an example.

  In the first determination method for determining the degree of overlap between the two shooting ranges, an area of the overlapping portion of the reference image and the pre-shooting image is obtained as the overlap parameter, and a predetermined threshold value is set in advance as the overlap threshold value. An area range is set in advance.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the overlapping area of the reference image and the pre-photographing image is within the predetermined threshold area range. When the overlapping area falls within a predetermined threshold area range, a predetermined message is notified to the photographer as described above, and control for automatically releasing the camera shutter is executed.

  Further, in the second determination method for obtaining the degree of overlap between the two photographing ranges, the same plurality of feature points are extracted from both the reference image and the pre-photographing image, and the reference image and the pre-photographing image overlap. The number of feature points inside the part is used as the redundancy parameter, and a predetermined threshold number range is set in advance as the redundancy threshold.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the number of feature points inside the overlapping portion of the reference image and the pre-photographing image is within the predetermined threshold number range. When the number of feature points inside the overlapping portion falls within a predetermined threshold number range, a predetermined message is notified to the photographer as described above, or control to automatically release the camera shutter is executed.

  In the third determination method for determining the degree of overlap between the two shooting ranges, the same plurality of feature points are extracted from both the reference image and the pre-shooting image, and the inside of the overlapping portion of the reference image and the pre-shooting image The matching result obtained by determining the matching (that is, the degree of harmony) of the same feature points is used as the above-described redundancy parameter, and a predetermined threshold harmony degree range is set in advance as the redundancy threshold.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the matching result of the feature point inside the overlapping portion of the reference image and the pre-photographing image is within the predetermined threshold harmonymity range. When the matching result of the feature points inside the overlapping part falls within the predetermined threshold harmonymity range, as described above, a predetermined message is notified to the photographer, or the camera shutter is automatically controlled. Execute.

  If there is no overlapping area between the shooting range of the reference image and the pre-shooting image, inform the photographer of this by, for example, a display or sound on the viewfinder screen. Also good. Similarly, when the overlap area between the shooting range of the reference image and the pre-shooting image exceeds the overlap threshold, this is indicated by, for example, a display or sound on the viewfinder screen. You may make it inform.

[Flowchart in collage image shooting mode]
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of processing performed by the CPU unit 5 of the digital still camera 1 executing the image shooting support program of the present invention that realizes the operation of the collage image shooting mode described above.

  In FIG. 7, when the image photographing support program is started in step S1 and the collage image photographing mode is started, the CPU unit 5 first displays an image obtained by the camera photographing unit 2 as a process in step S2 in the viewfinder unit 6. Is displayed on the screen. At this time, for example, the image as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed.

  Next, the CPU unit 5 determines whether or not the shutter button has been pressed for photographing the first image as a process of step S3. If it is determined in step S3 that the shutter button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the CPU unit 5 causes the camera photographing unit 2 to perform photographing. Then, the CPU unit 5 records the image photographed by the camera photographing unit 2 in the memory unit 3 as the process of step S5. At this time, the CPU unit 5 displays the photographed image on the viewfinder screen for a predetermined time as the process of step S6.

  Next, after erasing the captured image displayed on the viewfinder screen in step S6, the CPU unit 5 performs processing in step S7 as an image (image before photographing) currently obtained by the camera photographing unit 2. ) Is displayed on the screen of the viewfinder unit 6, and the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the CPU unit 5 temporarily stores the output image of the camera photographing unit 2 displayed on the screen of the viewfinder unit 6, that is, the pre-photographing image, in the memory unit 3 in step S7. Let

  Next, in step S9, the CPU unit 5 uses the captured image recorded in step S5 as the reference image described above and the image temporarily stored in step S8 as the pre-photographing image described above. The relative relationship parameter is calculated using any one of the third calculation methods, and the relative positional relationship and the size between the shooting ranges of the reference image and the pre-shooting image are obtained. Further, the CPU unit 5 generates an auxiliary line as described above based on the relative positional relationship and size, and displays the auxiliary line on the viewfinder screen on which the pre-photographing image is displayed.

  Further, the CPU unit 5 obtains the redundancy parameter using any one of the first to third determination methods described above as the process of step S10.

  Furthermore, as a process of step S11, the CPU unit 5 compares the redundancy parameter obtained in step S10 with a predetermined redundancy threshold set in advance. Then, as a result of the comparison in step S11, if it can be determined that both shooting ranges of the reference image and the pre-shooting image are within the overlap threshold range, the process proceeds to step S12. If it is determined that the degree is out of the threshold range, the process returns to step S7.

  In step S12, the CPU unit 5 performs a process for notifying the photographer of the predetermined message as described above, and then proceeds to step S13.

  When the processing proceeds to step S13, the CPU unit 5 detects a camera shake based on the acceleration data of the acceleration sensor unit 8 as described above, and determines whether or not the digital still camera 1 is substantially stationary. Then, the CPU unit 5 returns the process to step S12 when determining that it is not stationary, and advances the process to step S14 when determining that it is stationary.

  In step S14, the CPU unit 5 controls the camera photographing unit 2 to automatically release the camera shutter. As a result, the digital still camera 1 performs automatic shooting.

  Then, the CPU unit 5 advances the processing to step S15, and records the image captured in step S14 in the memory unit 3 as a captured image.

  Next, in step S16, the CPU unit 5 determines whether or not the image shooting for generating the collage image is completed, that is, for example, the operation unit 7 is operated by the photographer and the collage image is changed from the image shooting mode. It is determined whether or not an instruction to shift to the composite mode is input. If it is determined in step S16 that the image capturing has not ended, the CPU unit 5 returns the process to step S7. When the process returns to step S7 in this way, the process proceeds to the next image capturing process. That is, according to the digital still camera 1 of the present embodiment, by repeating the processing from step S7 to step S16, an auxiliary line indicating the shooting range of an image shot in the past is displayed on the viewfinder screen. It will be displayed one after the other.

  In step S <b> 16, the CPU unit 5 also determines whether or not there is a blur in the image captured in step S <b> 14. If it is determined that there is a blur in the image itself, the CPU unit 5 discards the image recorded in the memory unit 3 in step S15, and returns the process to step S7 to perform photographing again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the image shooting has ended, the CPU unit 5 advances the process to step S17. When the processing proceeds to step S17, the CPU unit 5 reads out all recorded images that have been photographed and recorded in the memory unit 3 for generating the collage image.

  Next, the CPU unit 5 sends the plurality of read-out images to the image processing unit 4 as a process of step S18, and synthesizes these images. That is, the plurality of images read out from the memory unit 3 in step S17 is a series of images in which parts of the shooting range overlap each other in an arbitrary direction, and the image processing unit 4 selects the overlapping parts. A combined image is generated by combining the images.

  Thereafter, the image file synthesized in step S <b> 18 is recorded in the memory unit 3 by the image processing unit 4.

  Note that the image composition processing in step S18 may be performed separately by a personal computer or the like without being performed in the digital still camera 1.

[Summary]
As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when shooting images in the collage image shooting mode, a series of images in which a part of shooting ranges overlap each other in an arbitrary direction can be easily and quickly performed without blurring. It can be taken and a collage image can be generated. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the photographer only needs to take an image in consideration of maintaining a positional relationship such that the pre-photographed image exists in the viewfinder with respect to the photographed image. The person can shoot a series of images in which the shooting ranges overlap in a desired direction without feeling burdened.

  The above description of the embodiment of the present invention is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made according to the design or the like as long as the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated.

  In the above-described embodiment, a digital still camera including all the components for executing the image capturing support process is described. For example, images before and after capturing are displayed on another monitor screen or the like. The present invention can also be applied to a system that performs only the calculation of the positional relationship and size, the calculation of the degree of overlap, and automatic photographing only. Further, the processing of the image photographing support program of the present invention can be executed by, for example, a personal computer. In this case, the personal computer acquires image data and acceleration data (such as azimuth and tilt data as necessary) from the camera side, and uses these data to obtain an image similar to the screen display example of the viewfinder unit 6 described above. Performs display processing and camera automatic shutter control.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which image shooting is performed when the overlap of shooting ranges is within a predetermined overlap threshold range. For example, the overlap threshold may be changed each time shooting is performed. . In other words, for example, switching between different predetermined overlap thresholds is performed at the time of shooting a certain image and at the time of the next image shooting, or each time the photographer takes a picture via the operation unit 7, the overlap threshold value is set. May be made to change. In this case, it is possible to synthesize a collage image composed of a series of a plurality of images having different shooting ranges.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic internal configuration example of a digital still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of a viewfinder part when the 1st image is image | photographed in collage image shooting mode. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of a viewfinder part when a 2nd image is image | photographed in collage image shooting mode. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of a viewfinder part when a 3rd image is image | photographed in collage image shooting mode. It is a figure used for description of a mode that the change of the position of a local field is tracked in the 2nd calculation method which calculates the relative position relation of an imaging range. In the 3rd calculation method which calculates | requires the relative positional relationship of an imaging | photography range, it is a figure used for description of the rotation angle and elevation angle detected by an inclination sensor part, and the azimuth angle detected by an azimuth | direction sensor part. It is a flowchart of a process when the CPU part is running the image photography assistance program of this invention which implement | achieves a collage image photography mode.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital still camera, 2 Camera photographing part, 3 Memory part, 4 Image processing part, 5 CPU part, 6 Viewfinder part, 7 Operation part, 8 Acceleration sensor part, 9 Direction sensor part, 10 Tilt sensor part, 20 Photographing object 30 viewfinder screen, 31 Viewfinder display image when shooting the first image, 32 Viewfinder display image when shooting the second image, 33 Viewfinder display when shooting the third image 41, auxiliary line indicating the shooting range of the first captured image, 42 auxiliary line indicating the shooting range of the second captured image

Claims (18)

An image capturing unit for capturing images;
An image display unit having at least a screen for displaying an image;
A shake detection unit for detecting device shake during image shooting by the image shooting unit;
An image recording unit for recording information of an image captured by the image capturing unit;
The shooting range of the first image shot immediately before by the image shooting unit and recorded in the image recording unit, and the shooting range of the second image shot by the image shooting unit next to the first image A relative relationship calculation unit for obtaining a relative relationship parameter representing at least a relative positional relationship between,
An image for clearly indicating the relative positional relationship between the shooting ranges is generated from the relative relationship parameter obtained by the relative relationship calculation unit, and the image is displayed on the screen of the image display unit together with the second image. A display control unit to display;
A duplication calculation unit for obtaining a degree of overlap parameter representing the degree of overlap between the shooting range of the first image and the shooting range of the second image;
A notification unit that performs a predetermined notification to the photographer in accordance with the redundancy parameter obtained by the overlap calculation unit;
When the overlap parameter obtained by the overlap calculation unit is within a predetermined threshold range, and it can be determined from the detection output of the shake detection unit that there is substantially no device shake during image capture in the image capture unit, the image capture unit A shooting control unit that causes the camera to take images,
A camera device.   The relative relationship calculation unit calculates the rotation angle and the parallel movement amount that minimize the sum of the distances between the feature points of the same plurality of feature points in both the first image and the second image. The camera device according to claim 1, which is obtained as a degree parameter.   2. The relative relationship calculation unit obtains a translation amount and a rotation angle calculated from a motion vector obtained by tracking the same local area in both the first image and the second image as the relative relationship parameter. Camera device.   The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relative relationship calculation unit obtains a difference between a rotation angle, an elevation angle, and an azimuth angle at the time of photographing both the first image and the second image as the relative relationship parameter.   The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the overlap calculation unit obtains an area of an overlap portion between the first image and the second image as the overlap parameter.   The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the overlap calculation unit obtains the same plurality of feature points in both the first image and the second image as the overlap parameter.   The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the overlap calculation unit obtains the harmony of the same plurality of feature points in both the first image and the second image as the overlap parameter.   The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing unit causes the image capturing unit to capture an image again when the image captured by the image capturing unit is shaken. An image recording unit for recording information of an image captured by the image capturing device;
A shake detection information acquisition unit for acquiring device shake detection information at the time of image shooting by the image shooting device;
The shooting range of the first image that was shot immediately before by the image shooting device and recorded in the image recording unit, and the shooting range of the second image shot by the image shooting device next to the first image A relative relationship calculation unit for obtaining a relative relationship parameter representing at least a relative positional relationship between,
An image for clearly indicating the relative positional relationship between the imaging ranges is generated from the relative relationship parameter obtained by the relative relationship calculation unit, and the image is displayed on the screen of the image display device together with the second image. A display control unit
A duplication calculation unit for obtaining a degree of overlap parameter representing the degree of overlap between the shooting range of the first image and the shooting range of the second image;
A notification unit that performs a predetermined notification to the user of the image capturing device according to the redundancy parameter obtained by the overlap calculation unit;
The overlap parameter obtained by the overlap calculation unit falls within a predetermined threshold range, and it can be determined from the device shake detection information acquired by the shake detection information acquisition unit that there is almost no device shake during image shooting in the image shooting device. Sometimes, a photographing control unit that causes the image photographing device to photograph an image,
An image photographing support device.   The relative relationship calculation unit calculates the rotation angle and the parallel movement amount that minimize the sum of the distances between the feature points of the same plurality of feature points in both the first image and the second image. The image capturing support device according to claim 9, which is obtained as a degree parameter.   10. The relative relationship calculation unit obtains a translation amount and a rotation angle calculated from a motion vector obtained by tracking the same local area in both the first image and the second image as the relative relationship parameter. Image capture support device.   The relative relationship calculation unit obtains information on the rotation angle, elevation angle, and azimuth angle at the time of image capture from the image capturing device, and rotates, elevation angle, and azimuth angle at the time of capturing both the first image and the second image. The image capturing support device according to claim 9, wherein the difference is calculated as the relative relationship parameter.   The image photographing support device according to claim 9, wherein the overlap calculation unit obtains an area of an overlap portion between the first image and the second image as the overlap parameter.   The image photographing support device according to claim 9, wherein the overlap calculation unit obtains the same plurality of feature points in both the first image and the second image as the overlap parameter.   The image photographing support device according to claim 9, wherein the overlap calculation unit obtains the degree of harmony of the same plurality of feature points in both the first image and the second image as the overlap parameter.   The image capturing support device according to claim 9, wherein the image capturing control unit causes the image capturing device to capture an image again when the image captured by the image capturing device is shaken. Storing information of an image captured by the image capturing device in an image storage unit;
A shake detection information acquisition unit acquiring device shake detection information at the time of image shooting by the image shooting device;
The shooting range of the first image that was shot immediately before by the image shooting device and recorded in the image recording unit, and the shooting range of the second image shot by the image shooting device next to the first image A relative relationship calculation unit for obtaining a relative relationship parameter representing at least a relative positional relationship between,
A display control unit generates an image for clearly indicating a relative positional relationship between the imaging ranges from the relative degree parameter obtained by the relative relationship calculation unit, and the image display device displays the image together with the second image. Steps to be displayed on the screen,
A step in which a duplication calculation unit obtains a duplication degree parameter representing an overlap degree between the photographing range of the first image and the photographing range of the second image;
A step of notifying a predetermined notification to a user of the image capturing apparatus according to the redundancy parameter obtained by the overlap calculator;
The duplication degree parameter obtained by the duplication calculation unit falls within a predetermined threshold range, and it is determined from the apparatus shake detection information acquired by the shake detection information acquisition unit that there is substantially no apparatus shake at the time of image capturing in the image capturing apparatus. A step of causing the image capturing device to capture an image when the image capturing control unit can capture the image;
An image capturing support method comprising: A shake detection information acquisition unit that acquires device shake detection information during image shooting by the image shooting unit;
Between the shooting range of the first image shot immediately before by the image shooting unit and recorded in the image recording unit, and the shooting range of the second image shot by the image shooting unit next to the first image A relative relationship calculation unit for obtaining a relative relationship parameter representing at least a relative positional relationship;
An image for clearly indicating the relative positional relationship between the imaging ranges is generated from the relative relationship parameter obtained by the relative relationship calculation unit, and the image is displayed on the screen of the image display unit together with the second image. A display control unit
A duplication calculation unit for obtaining a degree of overlap parameter representing the degree of overlap between the shooting range of the first image and the shooting range of the second image;
A notification control unit that controls a predetermined notification unit to perform a predetermined notification to the photographer according to the redundancy parameter obtained by the overlap calculation unit,
The overlap parameter obtained by the overlap calculation unit is within a predetermined threshold range, and the apparatus shake detection information acquired by the shake detection information acquisition unit is substantially free from device shake during image shooting in the image shooting unit. As a shooting control unit that allows the image shooting unit to take an image when it can be determined,
An image capture support program that allows a computer to function.

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