JP2010079173A - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging method by which delay in imaging caused by the reaction time of muscles is eliminated even if measurement of the reaction time is not performed. <P>SOLUTION: Imaging operation by an imaging part is controlled based on a myoelectric signal related to photographing operation by a photographer while detecting that a release button is depressed. When the myoelectric signal related to the photographing operation by the photographer is changed to be larger than a predetermined value in a period that is half depressing operation of the release button, the imaging operation is performed, or when detecting the half depressing operation, the imaging part is made to start the imaging operation, and when the myoelectric signal related to the photographing operation by the photographer is changed to be larger than the predetermined value in the period that is half depressing operation of the release button, marking as representative image is performed to an imaging frame at such a time, or when detecting fully depressing operation, the imaging part is made to start the imaging operation, and an imaging parameter is changed based on a level of the myoelectric signal related to the photographing operation by the photographer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method using myoelectric potential detection.

  The photographer observes the subject and presses the release button at the moment when he / she wants to record the state of the subject at this moment as an image. However, in practice, there is a time lag until the finger reacts and the push-down operation is completed, so an image different from the image intended by the photographer may be captured.

In order to cope with this problem, a measurement mode that measures the time of the release time lag of the operator is provided, the value is stored, and the latest image data from the camera is continuously stored for a certain time from the buffer. There is an imaging apparatus that displays image data that is earlier than the release time lag time from the point in time when a person issues a shooting instruction as shooting data on a monitor or stores in an external storage device. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 09-205605 A

  However, it was not easy to use the camera unless it was used in the reaction time measurement mode in order to press the release button on the camera.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging method capable of eliminating a shooting delay due to muscle reaction time without performing reaction time measurement.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the imaging unit, the first detection means for detecting the pressed state of the release button, the second detection means for detecting the myoelectric signal related to the photographing operation of the photographer,
An imaging operation of the imaging unit based on a myoelectric signal related to an imaging operation of the photographer detected by the second detection unit while the first detection unit detects that the release button is pressed. There is provided an imaging apparatus including an imaging control unit that controls the imaging.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the imaging controller detects the photographer detected by the second detector during a period when the pressed state detected by the first detector is a half-press operation of the release button. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is caused to perform an imaging operation when a myoelectric signal related to the imaging operation changes more than a predetermined value.

  In the invention according to claim 3, the imaging control unit causes the imaging unit to start an imaging operation when the first detection unit detects a half-press operation, and the pressing state detected by the first detection unit is When the myoelectric signal related to the photographing operation of the photographer detected by the second detection means changes more than a predetermined value during the half-press operation of the release button, the image frame at that time is displayed as a representative image. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein marking is performed.

  In the invention according to claim 4, the imaging control unit causes the imaging unit to start an imaging operation when the first detection unit detects a full-pressing operation, and the imaging unit detected by the second detection unit The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an imaging parameter is changed based on a magnitude of a myoelectric signal related to an imaging operation.

The invention according to claim 5 further includes a storage device for storing an image,
5. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein when the first detection unit detects a full-press operation, the captured image is stored in the storage device.

  In the invention described in claim 6, an imaging step, a first detection step for detecting a pressed state of the release button, a second detection step for detecting a myoelectric signal related to the photographing operation of the photographer, and a release button The imaging operation of the imaging process is controlled based on the myoelectric signal related to the imaging operation of the photographer detected by the second detection process while the first detection process detects that the button is pressed. An imaging method including an imaging control step is provided.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to take a picture without a delay time due to the time until the muscle operates without performing a troublesome operation such as reaction time measurement.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Note that the constituent elements in the present embodiment can be appropriately replaced with existing constituent elements and the like, and various variations including combinations with other existing constituent elements are possible. Therefore, the description of the present embodiment does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

<First Embodiment>
1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the camera of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a partial view of a release button / myoelectric potential sensor of the camera, and FIG. Is a block diagram of the electric system, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart.

  An imaging apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a digital camera, and includes a camera housing 2 and a release button / myoelectric potential sensor 3 as shown in FIG.

  The camera housing 2 includes various components for functioning as an imaging device. In other words, although not shown in the drawings, a strobe that emits light to obtain an appropriate amount of exposure light, a viewfinder window for viewing the subject, a release button (shutter switch) that is pressed during shooting, and other functional parts Provided in the camera housing 2. In addition, an external memory such as an SD memory card can be freely attached to and detached from the camera housing 2, and captured image data can be recorded in the external memory.

  The release button / myoelectric potential sensor 3 is provided with a surface electrode A on the surface of the release button and a surface electrode B on the peripheral bezel to detect a change in myoelectric potential of the photographer's finger. The contact of the release button is actually turned on or off by detecting the change in the myoelectric potential of the finger when the photographer tries to press the release button or the finger is released. It is possible to make an early determination before the photographer starts the button pressing operation after the finger muscles move.

<Electrical configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the imaging apparatus 1.
The lens block 21 has an optical system such as a zoom lens and a focus lens. In this embodiment, the lens barrel 3 described above is configured. The lens block 21 is driven in the optical axis direction by a motor 22 as a lens barrel driving unit. Accordingly, the lens block 21 (lens barrel 3) is driven so as to protrude from the camera housing 2 or to be housed inside the camera housing 2.

  The motor 22 is connected to a motor driver 24, and the motor driver 24 drives the motor 22 according to a command from the CPU 40. The CPU 40 controls the entire imaging apparatus 1. The strobe 26 emits light according to a command from the CPU 40.

  The CCD 27 is an image sensor, and is disposed on the optical axis of the lens block 21, and the subject forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 27 via the optical system of the lens block 21. The CCD 27 is driven by a vertical and horizontal driver 29 based on a timing signal generated by a timing generator (TG) 28 in accordance with a command from the CPU 40, and outputs an analog imaging signal corresponding to the optical image of the subject to the signal processing circuit 30. The signal processing circuit 30 is configured by a CDS circuit, an AD converter, and the like, and outputs a digitally captured image signal to the image processing unit 31.

  The image processing unit 31 performs predetermined digital signal processing on the input image signal. Data processed by the image processing unit 31 is sequentially stored in the SDRAM 32. In the recording mode (REC mode), every time image data is accumulated, it is converted into a video signal, and the LCD 33 provided with a backlight (BL) 33a displays the screen as a through image. The external memory 34 records the compressed image after the image data stored in the SDRAM 32 is compressed by the CPU 40. The flash memory 35 stores various programs for the CPU 40 for control and various data used by the CPU 40. These are connected by BUS41.

  The CPU 40 is connected to a key input unit 36 including the above-described release button / myoelectric potential sensor, zoom button, and the like, a battery 37, and a power supply control circuit 38 that supplies the power of the battery 37 to each unit. The CPU 40 controls these drives.

  Further, the CPU 40 is connected to a myoelectric potential detection unit 39 that detects a change in the myoelectric potential of the photographer when the release button included in the key input unit 36 is pressed, and the myoelectric potential detected by the myoelectric potential detection unit 39 is input. Then, based on the input myoelectric potential, it is determined whether or not the photographer tried to press the release button.

<Processing flow>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of this embodiment, which is stored in the flash memory 35 as a myoelectric potential detection imaging program. An interrupt to the CPU 40 occurs every 1/30 seconds of image capture timing of the image sensor, and this flow is activated.

  In step S101, it is detected whether or not the release button is half-pressed. If half-press is not detected, the process returns to this step and the operation is repeated.

  When the half-press of the release button is detected in step S101, the CPU 40 performs automatic focusing adjustment (AF) and automatic exposure adjustment (AE), and sets the imaging apparatus 1 in a shooting preparation state (step S102). Subsequently, the CPU 40 performs myoelectric potential measurement (step S103) and confirms whether or not half-pressing is continued (step S104). If the half-press is not continued (N in step S104), the photographing preparation state is canceled and the process returns to step S101 to perform the half-press detection operation.

  If half-pressing is continued (Y in step S104), it is determined whether or not the myoelectric potential measured this time is higher than a predetermined value compared to the previous myoelectric potential (step S105). If not higher than the predetermined value (N in step S105), the process returns to step S103. If it is higher than the predetermined value (Y in step S105), it is determined that the photographer tried to perform a photographing operation, and the current frame image is stored in the buffer (step S106).

  In the next step, it is detected whether or not the release button has been fully pressed (step S107). If the release button is not fully pressed (N in step S107), it is checked whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the myoelectric potential is higher than a predetermined value compared to the previous myoelectric potential ( Step S108). If the predetermined time has elapsed (Y in step S108), the photographer determines that the photographing operation has been discontinued, discards the image stored in the buffer, and returns to the myoelectric potential measurement in step S103. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (N in step S108), the process returns to S107 to continue the full press determination.

  If the release button is fully pressed (Y in step S107), it is determined that the photographer has completed the photographing operation and the image stored in the buffer is recorded as a photographed image (step S109). Complete.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, an image at the time when a large change in myoelectric potential when the release button is pressed is detected as a captured image, so that it is possible to capture without delay time due to the time until the muscle operates. . At this time, since the determination is based on myoelectric potential detection, there is no need to provide a reaction time measurement mode and perform troublesome operations such as reaction time measurement. Further, by taking an image at the time when a large change in myoelectric potential is detected after detecting the half-press of the release button as a captured image, it is possible to take an image without a delay time due to the time until the muscle operates. Also, after detecting the half-press of the release button, it detects the time when the myoelectric potential has changed significantly compared to the previous value, so erroneous detection due to careless operations other than pressing the release button before half-press In addition, even if the myoelectric potential gradually rises due to the half-pressing, the detection is not erroneous. Further, the full press detection can make the determination of the photographer's intention to photograph more reliable.

  In the present embodiment, the release button / myoelectric potential sensor 3 is provided with the surface electrode A on the surface of the release button and the surface electrode B on the peripheral bezel. The electrode A and the surface electrode B may be used.

  If the increase in the number of shots is not particularly noticed, an image stored in the buffer may be recorded as a shot image without waiting for the full press operation determination.

  Further, in detecting the change in the myoelectric potential, the comparison with the previous detection value is performed, but the comparison may be made with the moving average value for the past several times.

<Modification>
FIG. 5 is an external view of a modified example of the first embodiment. In this modification, the myoelectric potential sensor is an external band-shaped object. The photographer uses the myoelectric potential sensor by wrapping it around the upper arm. The control operation is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In this modification, myoelectric potential measurement can be performed near the muscle, and there is an advantage that resistance to electrical noise is enhanced.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, continuous shooting (continuous shooting) is performed.

  In step S201, it is detected whether or not the release button is half-pressed. If half-press is not detected, the process returns to this step and the operation is repeated.

  When the half-press of the release button is detected in step S201, the CPU 40 performs automatic focusing adjustment (AF) and automatic exposure adjustment (AE), and starts continuous shooting (step S202). During continuous shooting, images are taken at regular intervals, and images are stored in a buffer. Subsequently, the CPU 40 performs myoelectric potential measurement (step S203), and confirms whether or not half-pressing is continued (step S204). If the half-press is not continued (N in step S204), the photographing preparation state is canceled and the process returns to step S201 to perform the half-press detection operation.

  If half-pressing is continued (Y in step S204), it is determined whether or not the myoelectric potential measured this time is higher than a predetermined value compared to the previous myoelectric potential (step S205). If not higher than the predetermined value (N in step S205), the process returns to step S203. If it is higher than the predetermined value (Y in step S205), it is determined that the photographer tried to perform a photographing operation, and the current frame image is marked as a heading image (step S206).

  In the next step, it is detected whether or not the release button has been fully pressed (step S207). If the release button has not been fully pressed (N in step S207), it waits for the release button to be fully pressed.

  If the release button has been fully pressed (Y in step S207), the process proceeds to the next step to determine whether or not the after record time has elapsed (step S208). If the after record time has not elapsed (N in step S208), the process waits for the after record time to elapse. If the after-record time has elapsed (Y in step S208), pre-recording starts when it is determined that the myoelectric potential is higher than a predetermined value compared to the previous myoelectric potential in the image stored in the buffer. A series of images up to the point when it is determined that the after record time has elapsed from the image going back by time is recorded as a continuous image (step S209), and the marked image is displayed on the LCD 33 as a preview image (step S210). ) Complete this flow.

  FIG. 7 illustrates the relationship between the captured image and the recorded image according to this embodiment. Continuous shooting starts after half-pressing of the release button is detected, a mark for the preview image is made at the point of change of myoelectric potential, and imaging is terminated when the full-press of the release button is detected and after-recording time has elapsed. A series of images from the image going back by the pre-record time from the change point of the myoelectric potential to the time point when it is determined that the after-record time has passed are recorded as continuous shot images.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, an image at the time when a large change in myoelectric potential when the release button is pressed is detected as a preview image, and captured images that are continuously shot at high speed before and after this are taken as a reference. By recording with the photographed image and displaying the marked image on the LCD 33 as a preview image, the continuous photographed image intended by the photographer can be recorded in a more easily understandable form. If the marked image is displayed first at the time of reproduction, the photographer can easily find the recorded image.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the imaging control parameter is adjusted based on a change in myoelectric potential during full pressing.

  In step S301, it is detected whether or not the release button has been fully pressed. If no full press is detected, the process returns to this step and the operation is repeated.

  When the full press of the release button is detected in step S301, the CPU 40 performs automatic focusing adjustment (AF) and automatic exposure adjustment (AE), and starts continuous shooting (step S302). Subsequently, the CPU 40 performs myoelectric potential measurement (step S303), and confirms whether or not full pressing continues (step S304). If full-pressing has not been continued (N in step S304), a continuous shot image is recorded as the end of continuous shooting (step S307), and this flow is completed.

  If full pressing is continued (Y in step S304), it is determined whether or not the myoelectric potential measured this time is higher than a predetermined value compared to the previous myoelectric potential (step S305). If not higher than the predetermined value (N in step S305), the process returns to step S303. If it is higher than the predetermined value (Y in step S305), it is determined that there is a high possibility of the desired scene or subject that the photographer is strongly aware of, and the continuous shooting speed is switched to a high speed, for example, 60 fps. Returning to the myoelectric potential measurement in step S303. Thereafter, when the myoelectric potential becomes small and returns to the steady state, control is performed so as to return to a normal continuous shooting speed, for example, 10 fps.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since a large change in myoelectric potential is detected while the release button is fully pressed and the continuous shooting speed is switched, the force applied to the release button is slightly increased even during continuous shooting. Thus, while taking advantage of high-speed continuous shooting, an image at a desired timing can be taken at high speed without missing the number of shots.

  Although the continuous shooting speed is switched by detecting a large change in myoelectric potential while the release button is fully pressed, AF bracketing that continuously shoots at a high continuous shooting speed while sequentially switching the focus position. Continuous shooting may be performed. By doing so, it is possible to continuously record a plurality of images in which the position of the focus lens, that is, the focus state is slightly different from the subject at the moment when the photographer tried to shoot. In addition, after the continuous shooting operation, when the high-speed AF bracketing continuous shooting is performed at each timing of the low-speed continuous shooting, the image with the best focus state is automatically selected from the multiple images subjected to the high-speed AF bracketing. It is also possible to control so as to discriminate and select, and save and record. Alternatively, the image that is determined to be in the best focus state is first displayed as a preview (candidate for storage record), and in the preview display, the previous and next images are selected according to the operation and displayed as a preview. It may be specified to store and record the timing image. The photographer concentrates on aiming at the subject, and even if it is not particularly conscious, the scene switches to high-speed AF bracketing naturally, and the scene will be shot finely, so the operability is improved. Without losing, in a desired scene, a plurality of images with different focus (focus state) can be automatically captured, and a desired image in focus can be selected automatically or manually and recorded.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention. For example, the camera may be integrated with a mobile phone, and the release button may also be used as a dial key.

1 is a perspective view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial view of a release button and myoelectric potential sensor of the camera of the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a camera. It is a flowchart explaining control of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the camera in the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining control of 2nd Embodiment. It is a time chart of imaging operation in a 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining control of 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Camera 2 EMG sensor

Claims (6)

An imaging unit;
First detecting means for detecting a pressed state of the release button;
A second detection means for detecting a myoelectric signal related to the photographing operation of the photographer;
An imaging operation of the imaging unit based on a myoelectric signal related to an imaging operation of the photographer detected by the second detection unit while the first detection unit detects that the release button is pressed. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging control unit that controls   The imaging control unit is configured to output a myoelectric signal related to a photographing operation of the photographer detected by the second detection unit during a period when the pressed state detected by the first detection unit is a half-press operation of the release button. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup unit is caused to perform an image pickup operation when the change is greater than a predetermined value.   The imaging control unit causes the imaging unit to start an imaging operation when the first detection unit detects a half-press operation, and a period in which the pressed state detected by the first detection unit is a half-press operation of a release button When a myoelectric signal related to the photographing operation of the photographer detected by the second detecting means changes more than a predetermined value, a mark as a representative image is marked on the imaging frame at that time. Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1.   The imaging control unit causes the imaging unit to start an imaging operation when the first detection unit detects a full press operation, and the magnitude of the myoelectric signal related to the imaging operation of the photographer detected by the second detection unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an imaging parameter is changed based on the image quality. A storage device for storing images;
5. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein when the first detection unit detects a full-press operation, the captured image is stored in the storage device. Imaging process;
A first detection step for detecting a pressed state of the release button;
A second detection step for detecting a myoelectric signal related to the photographing operation of the photographer;
The imaging operation of the imaging process based on the myoelectric signal related to the imaging operation of the photographer detected by the second detection process while the first detection process detects that the release button is pressed An imaging method comprising: an imaging control step for controlling the image.

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