JP2010093451A - Imaging apparatus and program for imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus that enables a photographer to take a blur free photograph without missing any photo opportunity and also to provide a program for the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus is provided with: a movement detection unit which detects a movement of the imaging apparatus; a pattern determination unit that determines whether a pattern of the movement detected by the movement detection unit matches a predetermined reference pattern having periodicity; and a mode setting unit which sets a photographic mode to a synchronous photographic mode which has the same periodicity with the reference pattern and in which a photograph is taken in timing to a stop of the movement when the pattern determination unit determines that the pattern of the movement matches the reference pattern. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging apparatus program for imaging a subject and generating image data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique capable of shooting without missing a photo opportunity in an image pickup apparatus, a technique related to an image pickup apparatus that allows a photographer to wear an image pickup apparatus on his / her body and always take a picture is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this technique, an imaging device is worn near the photographer's head or chest, and the image data of the photographed image is temporarily recorded in a memory and updated at predetermined time intervals. The image data is stored according to an instruction from the photographer.

JP 2003-204464 A

  However, the above-described prior art has a problem that an image taken during the walking motion of the photographer is blurred due to the walking motion, so that a large amount of unclear images due to the blurring are shot.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup apparatus program that can take an image without missing a photo opportunity and can take an image without blurring. Objective.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject and generates image data, and a motion detection unit that detects a motion of the imaging apparatus. A pattern determining unit that determines whether the motion pattern detected by the motion detecting unit matches a predetermined reference pattern having periodicity; and the pattern determining unit determines that the motion pattern is A mode setting unit configured to set the shooting mode to the synchronous shooting mode in which the shooting mode has the same periodicity as the reference pattern and the motion is stationary when the reference pattern matches. .

  In the imaging device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the motion detection unit detects a motion in at least two directions, and the reference pattern has a pattern component corresponding to the direction detected by the motion detection unit. It is characterized by that.

  Moreover, the imaging device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the reference pattern corresponds to a human walking motion, and the period of the pattern in the vertical direction is twice the period of the pattern in the horizontal direction. To do.

  Moreover, the imaging device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the motion detection unit includes an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

  Moreover, the imaging device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the motion detection unit detects a motion of the imaging device by image recognition.

  In addition, an imaging apparatus program according to the present invention is provided in an imaging apparatus that includes an imaging unit that captures a subject and generates image data, and a storage unit that stores at least a predetermined reference pattern having periodicity. A motion detection step for detecting a motion of the apparatus, a pattern determination step for determining whether or not the motion pattern detected in the motion detection step matches the reference pattern read from the storage unit, and the pattern determination step. As a result of the determination, if the movement pattern matches the reference pattern, the mode setting step for setting the shooting mode to the synchronous shooting mode that has the same periodicity as the reference pattern and captures the motion at a stationary timing , Is executed.

  According to the imaging device and the imaging device program according to the present invention, the motion detection unit that detects the motion of the imaging device and whether the motion pattern detected by the motion detection unit matches a predetermined reference pattern having periodicity If the movement pattern matches the reference pattern as a result of the determination by the pattern determination unit and the pattern determination unit, the shooting mode has the same periodicity as the reference pattern and is shot at a timing when the motion is stationary And a mode setting unit that sets the synchronous shooting mode to be performed, so that it is possible to shoot without missing a photo opportunity and to shoot a blur-free image.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The imaging apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an imaging unit 2 that captures an image of a subject and generates image data, an image processing unit 3 that performs image processing on the image data generated by the imaging unit 2, and an acceleration sensor. A motion detection unit 4 for detecting movements in a plurality of directions of the device 1; a display unit 5 for displaying information including image data output by the image processing unit 3; an input unit 6 for receiving an operation instruction signal for the imaging device 1; A control unit 7 that controls the operation of the imaging apparatus 1 and a storage unit 8 that stores various types of information related to the operation of the imaging apparatus 1 are provided.

  The imaging device 1 has an aspect that a photographer can wear. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific aspect of the imaging apparatus 1. In FIG. 2, the photographing unit 1 </ b> A including the imaging unit 2 is attached to the side surface of the vine of the glasses 201 worn by the photographer 200. A main body 1B including components other than the photographing unit 1A in the imaging device 1 is connected to the photographing unit 1A via a cable 1C. Instead of providing the sensor included in the motion detection unit 4 in the main body unit 1B, it is mounted on the photographer's body (hand, arm, leg, etc.), and the sensor signal is transmitted to the imaging device 1 by wireless or wired communication means. It may be.

  Hereinafter, a more detailed configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 will be described. The imaging unit 2 receives a photographing lens 21 that collects light from a subject in a predetermined field of view, a diaphragm 22 that adjusts an incident amount of light collected by the photographing lens 21, and incident light that has passed through the diaphragm 22. The image sensor 23 such as a CCD that converts the signal into an electrical signal, the analog signal processor 24 that performs various processes including sensitivity correction and white balance on the analog signal output from the image sensor 23, and the analog signal processor 24 output the signal. An A / D conversion unit 25 that generates digital image data from the signal is included. Among these, the taking lens 21 is an optical system including one or a plurality of lenses, and is driven by the lens driving unit 9. The diaphragm 22 is driven by the diaphragm drive unit 10. The imaging unit 2 can be driven at a high speed and has a function of continuously photographing a subject at a constant cycle.

  The input unit 6 includes a power button of the imaging apparatus 1, a shutter button that gives an imaging instruction, a control button that includes an instruction to reproduce and edit image data, and the like. It is also possible to realize at least a part of various buttons constituting the input unit 6 using a cross key or a touch panel.

  The control unit 7 calculates a speed of the imaging device 1 based on the detection result (acceleration data) of the motion detection unit 4, and the speed change pattern calculated by the speed calculation unit 71 matches a predetermined reference pattern. A pattern determination unit 72 that determines whether or not to perform, a mode setting unit 73 that sets a shooting mode based on the determination result of the pattern determination unit 72, an operation counter 74 that measures the duration of the state in which the imaging device 1 is moving, It has a stationary counter 75 that measures the duration of the state in which the imaging apparatus 1 is stationary. The control unit 7 is realized by using an MPU or the like, and is connected to each unit to be controlled through a bus line. The pattern determination process performed by the pattern determination unit 72 may be performed using analog data output from the motion detection unit 4 or may be performed using digital data obtained by A / D conversion of the analog data. Good.

  When the storage unit 8 determines the image data storage unit 81 that stores the image data generated by the imaging unit 2, the speed storage unit 82 that stores the speed of the imaging device 1 calculated by the speed calculation unit 71, and the pattern determination unit 72 A pattern storage unit 83 that stores a reference pattern to be referred to, and a program storage unit 84 that stores a program for the imaging apparatus 1 including the imaging apparatus program according to the first embodiment. The storage unit 8 is realized using a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a RAM fixedly provided inside the imaging apparatus 1. The storage unit 8 may have a function as a recording medium interface that records information on a recording medium such as a memory card mounted from the outside and reads information recorded on the recording medium.

  The pattern storage unit 83 stores, as a reference pattern, a pattern that indicates temporal changes in vertical and horizontal speeds in a human walking motion. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a reference pattern stored in the pattern storage unit 83. As shown in FIG. 3, both the vertical component and the horizontal component of the reference pattern have periodicity. The period T of the vertical speed change with time is ½ times the period of the horizontal speed change with time. When the time t is t = nT (n is a natural number), the vertical and horizontal velocities are both zero.

  In the imaging apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration, synchronous imaging is performed in which the image is synchronized with the pattern stored in the pattern storage unit 83 in addition to the normal imaging mode, and is periodically imaged at a timing when the vertical and horizontal velocities become zero. The mode can be set. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing temporal changes in the vertical and horizontal positions of the imaging apparatus 1 corresponding to the reference pattern shown in FIG. 3, and is a diagram obtained by integrating FIG. 3 with time. In FIG. 4, the position in the vertical direction is the reference height when it is most displaced in the horizontal direction. In the case shown in FIG. 4, t = T and 3T are moments when the left foot is grounded, while t = 2T and 4T are moments when the right foot is grounded. At these contact points, the vertical direction is at the lowest position (reference height). Further, as is apparent from FIG. 3, the velocity at the contact point is zero for both the vertical component and the horizontal component.

  FIG. 5 is an image captured by the imaging unit 2 at t = 0. Hereinafter, this image is referred to as a reference image 101. At t = T / 2, the imaging unit 2 captures an image 102 that is blurred obliquely in the lower right direction from the reference image 101 as shown in FIG. Further, the imaging unit 2 captures an image 103 blurred in the horizontal direction rightward as illustrated in FIG. 7 at t = T. Among these, since the image 102 is imaged at a position where the speed of the imaging apparatus 1 is not zero, there is a high possibility that the image is greatly blurred. In order to prevent the imaging apparatus 1 set to the synchronous imaging mode from capturing an image such as the image 102, the imaging apparatus 1 may be captured at a position where the speed is zero. That is, if the imaging apparatus 1 captures images with a period of 2T at timings of t = 0, 2T, and 4T, an image having a composition similar to that of the reference image 101 and without blur can be captured. If priority is given to increasing the photo opportunity over some compositional change, the imaging apparatus 1 may shoot at timings of t = 0, T, 2T, 3T, and 4T. The change of the photographing timing cycle may be performed by an input from the input unit 6.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of the shooting mode setting process performed by the imaging apparatus 1. It is assumed that the shooting mode setting process is set to the normal shooting mode at the initial setting immediately after the power is input, and is always performed as long as shooting is possible.

  In FIG. 8, the motion detection unit 4 first detects the motion of the imaging device 1 (step S1). Thereafter, the speed calculation unit 71 calculates the speed of the imaging apparatus 1 by integrating the acceleration data detected by the motion detection unit 4 with time, and writes and stores the calculated speed in the speed storage unit 82 (Step S1). S2).

  When the magnitude (speed) of the speed of the imaging apparatus 1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (step S3, Yes), the control unit 7 counts up the operation counter 74 and resets the stationary counter 75 (step S4). Subsequently, when the count value of the operation counter 74 becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined value (step S5, Yes), the pattern determination unit 72 shows the time change of the speed of the imaging device 1 during the period corresponding to the predetermined value as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not it matches the reference pattern. This predetermined value needs to be a value that can at least determine whether or not there is periodicity. In the case shown in FIG. 3, for example, it can be set to 2T, which is the period of the speed in the horizontal direction. On the other hand, when the operation counter is less than the predetermined value (step S5, No), the imaging apparatus 1 returns to step S1.

  As a result of the determination by the pattern determination unit 72, when the speed temporal change pattern, which is the movement pattern, matches the reference pattern (Yes in step S6), the mode setting unit 73 sets the shooting mode to the synchronous shooting mode ( Step S7) and return to Step S1. In the synchronous shooting mode, as described above, the imaging unit 2 captures images at the timing when the speed of the imaging device 1 becomes zero (for example, t = 2T, 4T,... In FIG. 3). On the other hand, as a result of the determination by the pattern determination unit 72, when the speed change pattern does not match the reference pattern (No in step S6), the process returns to step S1 without changing the shooting mode.

  Next, the case where the speed of the imaging device 1 is less than the threshold value in step S3 (step S3, No) will be described. In this case, the control unit 7 counts up the operation counter 74 and the stationary counter 75 (step S8). Thereafter, when the count value of the stationary counter 75 becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined value (step S9, Yes), the control unit 7 resets the operation counter 74 (step S10) and sets the photographing mode to the normal mode (step S11). Then, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, when the count value of the stationary counter 75 is less than the predetermined value in step S9 (No in step S9), the process returns to step S1 without resetting the operation counter. The predetermined value referred to in step S9 is a time during which the imaging apparatus 1 can be considered to be stationary, and can take a value that is about the period T of the speed change in the vertical direction in FIG.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the motion detection unit that detects the motion of the imaging apparatus and whether the motion pattern detected by the motion detection unit matches a predetermined reference pattern having periodicity. If the movement pattern matches the reference pattern as a result of the determination by the pattern determination unit and the pattern determination unit, the shooting mode is shot with the same periodicity as the reference pattern and the motion is stationary. Since a mode setting unit for setting to the synchronous shooting mode is provided, it is possible to shoot without missing a photo opportunity and to shoot a blur-free image. Further, it is possible to prevent the entire screen from moving greatly for each frame, and it is possible to prevent the entire image from being blurred even at a low shutter speed.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the power consumption and the memory capacity by limiting the shooting timing so as not to shoot a wasteful image, and the operating time of the camera can be extended. . In particular, when the photographer is in a walking motion, the photographing operation is performed in a state where the speed is zero (vibration end point), so that it is possible to prevent the photographed image from being shaken up and down and left and right.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the power consumption can be reduced and the storage capacity necessary for the storage unit can be reduced, so that the image pickup apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.

  In the first embodiment, a gyro sensor may be applied instead of applying an acceleration sensor to the motion detection unit. In this case, the speed calculation unit 71 calculates the speed of the imaging device 1 based on the angular speed data detected by the gyro sensor.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The image pickup apparatus 11 shown in the figure is characterized by performing motion detection of the image pickup apparatus 11 by image recognition.

  The image processing unit 12 of the imaging device 11 includes a motion detection unit 121 that detects the motion of the imaging device 11 by detecting feature points in the image data generated by the imaging unit 2. The control unit 13 of the imaging device 11 reads the latest image data generated by the imaging unit 2 and the previous image data generated from the image data storage unit 81, and the motion vector of the feature point corresponding to the two image data. A vector calculation unit 131 for calculating. The speed calculation unit 71 calculates the speed of the imaging device based on the motion vector calculated by the vector calculation unit 131. The imaging device 11 does not have the motion detection unit 4 configured using an acceleration sensor, unlike the imaging device 1 described above.

  The configuration of the imaging device 11 excluding the above points is the same as the configuration of the imaging device 1. In addition, the shooting mode setting process performed by the imaging device 11 is performed in the same processing procedure as described in the first embodiment except for the difference between the motion detection of the imaging device 11 and the speed calculation method based on the detection result. (See FIG. 8).

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, as in the first embodiment described above, it is possible to shoot without missing a photo opportunity and to shoot a blur-free image.

  The image processing unit 12 may be provided with means for converting the resolution of the image data to a low resolution. Accordingly, since the low-resolution image data can be used when the motion detection unit 121 detects the feature point, it is possible to realize speeding up of the process from the motion detection process to the speed calculation process.

  Up to this point, the first and second embodiments have been described in detail as the best mode for carrying out the present invention. However, the present invention should not be limited to the above two embodiments. For example, when determining the movement of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the determination may be made by a combination of detection by an acceleration sensor and detection by image recognition.

  Further, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention may have a housing shape like a normal digital camera.

  Thus, the present invention can include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the technical idea specified by the claims. It is possible to apply.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific aspect of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the reference pattern which a pattern memory | storage part memorize | stores. It is a figure which shows the change of the position of the vertical direction of the imaging device 1 corresponding to a reference | standard pattern, and a horizontal direction. It is a figure which shows the image imaged at t = 0. It is a figure which shows the image imaged at t = T / 2. It is a figure which shows the image imaged at t = T. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the imaging | photography mode setting process which the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows the structure of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,11 Imaging device 1A Imaging unit 1B Main body part 1C Cable 2 Imaging part 3, 12 Image processing part 4, 121 Motion detection part 5 Display part 6 Input part 7, 13 Control part 8 Storage part 9 Lens drive part 10 Aperture drive part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Shooting lens 22 Aperture 23 Image pick-up element 24 Analog signal processing part 25 A / D conversion part 71 Speed calculation part 72 Pattern determination part 73 Mode setting part 74 Operation | movement counter 75 Still counter 81 Image data storage part 82 Speed storage part 83 Pattern storage part 84 Program storage unit 101 Reference image 102, 103 image 131 Vector calculation unit 200 Photographer 201 Glasses

Claims (6)

An imaging device that images a subject and generates image data,
A motion detector for detecting the motion of the imaging device;
A pattern determination unit that determines whether or not the motion pattern detected by the motion detection unit matches a predetermined reference pattern having periodicity;
As a result of the determination by the pattern determination unit, when the movement pattern matches the reference pattern, the shooting mode has the same periodicity as the reference pattern and is set to a synchronous shooting mode for shooting at a timing when the movement is stationary. A mode setting section to be set;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The motion detector detects motion in at least two directions;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference pattern includes a component of a pattern corresponding to a direction detected by the motion detection unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reference pattern corresponds to a human walking action, and a period of the pattern in the vertical direction is twice that of the pattern in the horizontal direction. The motion detector is
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor. The motion detector is
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the imaging apparatus is detected by image recognition. An imaging apparatus including an imaging unit that shoots a subject and generates image data, and a storage unit that stores at least a predetermined reference pattern having periodicity,
A motion detection step for detecting the motion of the imaging device;
A pattern determination step for determining whether or not the movement pattern detected in the movement detection step matches the reference pattern read from the storage unit;
As a result of the determination in the pattern determination step, when the movement pattern matches the reference pattern, the shooting mode has the same periodicity as the reference pattern and is set to a synchronous shooting mode for shooting at a timing when the movement is stationary. Mode setting step to set,
A program for an imaging apparatus, characterized in that

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