JP2011013243A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which can recognize an atmosphere around a subject in an image and the whole image of the subject even when reproducing the image.SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes a first imaging mechanism 1 having a zoom lens 11, and a second imaging mechanism 2 having a single focus lens 21 whose angle of view is the same as or larger than the angle of view at the wide end of the zoom lens 11. The imaging apparatus further includes: a memory 6 which can record two images obtained by the first imaging mechanism 1 and the second imaging mechanism 2; an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 55 functioning as a recording control means for recording the two images in the memory 6 in relation to each other; and a display control means 7 which can perform a two-screen display of reading the two related images from the memory 6 and displaying them on the same liquid crystal display 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device including a plurality of imaging mechanisms.

  In a digital camera, it is possible to display an image on an image display unit and take a picture while checking the screen of the image display unit. Among these types of digital cameras, in a digital camera equipped with a variable magnification lens such as a zoom lens, the subject or a part thereof can be enlarged and photographed by reducing (zooming in) the angle of view of the variable lens. Is possible. However, when the angle of view is reduced, if the subject or part of the subject is out of the shooting range, it is difficult to capture the subject or its position within the shooting range again while checking the screen of the image display unit.

  Therefore, a digital camera comprising a first imaging mechanism having a variable magnification lens and a second imaging mechanism having a wide angle lens having an angle of view that is the same as or larger than the angle of view at the wide end of the variable magnification lens. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the digital camera, two images acquired by the first imaging mechanism and the second imaging mechanism can be displayed on two screens on the image display unit, and shooting can be performed while checking the two images. Since the image acquired by the second imaging mechanism using the wide-angle lens includes the surroundings of the subject or the entire image of the subject, the subject or the subject outside the shooting range can be checked while checking the screen of the image display unit. Part of it can be easily captured within the shooting range again.

JP-A-5-145818

  However, as shown in Patent Document 1, in an imaging apparatus, two images obtained from two imaging elements are displayed on the image display unit in two screens only at the time of shooting, and at the time of image reproduction, either one of them is displayed. Only the image was displayed on the image display unit. In the image acquired by the first imaging mechanism on the telephoto end side of the zoom lens, it is difficult to capture the periphery of the subject or the whole image of the subject, so when the image is reproduced on the image display unit, from the image, It was difficult to recognize the periphery of the subject or the whole image of the subject.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of recognizing the atmosphere around the subject in the image and the overall image of the subject even during image reproduction.

  A first imaging device according to the present invention includes a first imaging mechanism having a variable power lens, and a first wide angle lens having a field angle equal to or larger than the field angle at the wide end of the variable power lens. A memory capable of recording two images acquired by the first imaging mechanism and the second imaging mechanism, and a recording for recording the two images in association with each other. Control means and display control means capable of executing two-screen display in which two associated images are read from the memory and displayed on the same image display unit.

  In the first image pickup device, the image acquired by the first image pickup mechanism on the telephoto end side of the variable power lens is difficult to capture the periphery of the subject or the entire image of the subject, but the second image is obtained using a wide-angle lens. In the image acquired by the imaging mechanism, the periphery of the subject or the entire image of the subject is captured. According to the first imaging device, when an image is reproduced, two related images are read from the memory, and these images are combined and displayed on the same image display unit as two screens. Thus, it is possible to recognize the atmosphere around the subject that is difficult to recognize from the image acquired by the above or the entire image of the subject from the image acquired by the second imaging mechanism.

  In the specific configuration of the first imaging device, the display control unit can further execute a one-screen display in which only one of two associated images is read from the memory and displayed on the image display unit. is there.

  A second imaging device according to the present invention includes a first imaging mechanism having a zoom lens, and a first wide angle lens having a field angle equal to or larger than the field angle at the wide end of the zoom lens. An adjusting means for adjusting the tilt of the optical axis of the wide-angle lens by changing the attitude of the second imaging mechanism, and distance information that changes according to the distance between the zoom lens and the subject. The information acquisition means to acquire is provided. The information acquisition unit performs an operation of acquiring distance information when the zoom lens is focused on the subject, and the adjustment unit is configured to perform the first imaging mechanism based on the distance information acquired by the information acquisition unit. The adjustment operation of the tilt of the optical axis is executed so that the imaging range of the second imaging mechanism overlaps the imaging range of

  According to the second imaging device, the image acquired by the second imaging mechanism includes the image acquired by the first imaging mechanism regardless of the distance between the zoom lens and the subject. Therefore, the image acquired by the first imaging mechanism on the telephoto end side of the zoom lens is difficult to capture the surroundings of the subject or the entire image of the subject, but the image acquired by the second imaging mechanism using the wide-angle lens. Shows a surrounding of the subject or an entire image of the subject. Therefore, by confirming the image acquired by the second imaging mechanism, it is possible to confirm the periphery of the subject or the entire image of the subject.

  As a result, even when the subject or part of the subject is out of the shooting range of the first imaging mechanism, the subject or part of the subject outside the shooting range can be easily re-entered in the shooting range while checking the screen of the image display unit. I can catch it.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to recognize the atmosphere around the subject in the image and the overall image of the subject even during image reproduction.

It is a front view which shows the digital camera which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the digital camera. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the said digital camera. In the digital camera, an image acquired at a wide end by a first imaging mechanism is displayed on a liquid crystal display. In the digital camera, an image acquired at a tele end by a first imaging mechanism is displayed on a liquid crystal display. In the digital camera, two images acquired by the first imaging mechanism and the second imaging mechanism are displayed on the liquid crystal display in two screens. In the digital camera, an image acquired by a second imaging mechanism is displayed on a liquid crystal display. It is a flowchart which shows the optical axis adjustment procedure which adjusts the inclination of the optical axis of a 2nd imaging mechanism. It is a flowchart which shows the recording control procedure which records on the memory the image acquired by the 1st imaging mechanism as a file. It is a flowchart which shows the recording control procedure which records on the memory the image acquired by the 2nd imaging mechanism as a file. It is a flowchart which shows the recording control procedure which makes two files acquired by a 1st imaging mechanism and a 2nd imaging mechanism into a file, and links | relates these and records on memory. It is a figure which shows the recording form of the image to memory. It is a flowchart which shows the reproduction | regeneration control procedure of the image file currently recorded on memory. It is a flowchart which shows the reproduction | regeneration control procedure of two related image files currently recorded on memory.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention applied to a digital camera will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
A digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a first imaging mechanism (1) and a second imaging mechanism (2) on the front surface of a housing (10) as shown in FIG. 1, and as shown in FIG. A liquid crystal display (LCD) (3) is provided on the back surface of the housing (10).
In addition, the housing (10) is provided with a flash lamp (101) that emits light to illuminate the subject during shooting, and a shooting operation unit (41) for operating the digital camera during shooting. The photographing operation unit (41) includes a shutter button (411), a zoom-out button (412), and a zoom-in button (413).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a mode switching operation unit (42) and a display switching operation unit (43) are arranged in the housing (10). The mode switching operation unit (42) is for performing a switching operation between the shooting mode and the playback mode, and the display switching operation unit (43) is the first imaging mechanism (1) and the second imaging in the shooting mode. Two-screen display for displaying two images acquired by the mechanism (2) on the same liquid crystal display (3), and one screen for displaying only the image acquired by the first imaging mechanism (1) on the liquid-crystal display (3) This is for performing a switching operation between the display A and the one-screen display B in which only the image acquired by the second imaging mechanism (2) is displayed on the liquid crystal display (3).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first imaging mechanism (1) converts the image light of the subject incident from the zoom lens (11) and the zoom lens (11) into an electrical signal (analog signal) for output. And an image sensor (12). The second image pickup mechanism (2) includes a single focus lens (21) and a second image pickup device that converts the image light of the subject incident from the single focus lens (21) into an electric signal (analog signal) and outputs the electric signal. (22).

The zoom lens (11) of the first imaging mechanism (1) moves to the wide end side by pressing the zoom-out button (42), thereby increasing the angle of view of the zoom lens (11). As shown, the imaging range of the first imaging mechanism (1) is expanded.
On the other hand, when the zoom-in button (43) is pressed, the zoom lens (11) of the first imaging mechanism (1) is moved to the tele end side, thereby reducing the angle of view of the zoom lens (11). As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging range of the first imaging mechanism (1) is narrowed.

  The angle of view of the single focus lens (21) of the second imaging mechanism (2) is the same as or larger than the angle of view at the wide end of the zoom lens (11) of the first imaging mechanism (1). ing. Accordingly, the shooting range of the second imaging mechanism (2) is the same as or wider than the shooting range at the wide end of the first imaging mechanism (1).

  Inside the housing (10), as shown in FIG. 3, the attitude of the second imaging mechanism (2) is changed to change the optical axis (92) of the second imaging mechanism (2) to the first imaging mechanism (1). Is provided with a drive mechanism (7) for tilting with respect to the optical axis (91). The drive mechanism (7) is configured to drive the drive motor (71) and the rotational force of the drive motor (71). 2 It is comprised from the transmission mechanism (72) which transmits to an imaging mechanism (2).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the housing (10) has a focus lens (111) (see FIG. 3) for moving the zoom lens (11) back and forth along the optical axis (91). The focus motor (51), a focus control means (52) for adjusting the focus of the zoom lens (11) by controlling the operation of the focus motor (51), and the distance between the zoom lens (11) and the subject Based on the distance information acquired by the information acquisition means (81) for acquiring the changing distance information and the information acquisition means (81), the operation of the drive motor (71) of the drive mechanism (7) is controlled. Adjustment means (82) for adjusting the inclination of the optical axis (92) of the second imaging mechanism (2) is provided.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an optical axis adjustment procedure for adjusting the inclination of the optical axis (92) of the second imaging mechanism (2). The optical axis adjustment procedure is started after the focus of the zoom lens (11) is focused on the subject by the focus control means (52). The focus of the zoom lens (11) is adjusted by executing an autofocus (AF) process in the focus control means (52).

  When the optical axis adjustment procedure is started, first, in step S11, the information acquisition means (81) acquires distance information that changes according to the distance between the zoom lens (11) and the subject. Since the distance between the zoom lens (11) and the subject can be calculated from the rotation amount of the focus motor (51) at the time of focus adjustment, specifically, at step S11, the focus motor (at the time of focus adjustment by the pulse encoder) 51) is measured, and the rotation amount is acquired by the information acquisition means (81) as the distance information.

  Next, in step S12, based on the distance information acquired by the information acquisition means (81), the adjustment means (72) controls the operation of the drive motor (71) of the drive mechanism (7). Specifically, the imaging range of the first imaging mechanism (1) is the imaging range of the second imaging mechanism (2) so that the imaging range of the second imaging mechanism (2) overlaps the imaging range of the first imaging mechanism (1). The inclination of the optical axis (92) of the second imaging mechanism (2) is adjusted so as to be arranged at the center position of the range or the vicinity thereof.

  In step S13, the focus of the single focus lens (21) is adjusted by executing the autofocus process, thereby completing the optical axis adjustment procedure. Thereafter, an image is taken by pressing the shutter button (411).

  As shown in FIG. 4, a first A / D conversion circuit that converts an analog signal output from the image pickup device 12 of the first image pickup mechanism 1 into a digital signal is further provided inside the housing 10. 53), a second A / D conversion circuit (54) for converting an analog signal output from the image sensor (22) of the second imaging mechanism (2) into a digital signal, and an integrated circuit for performing image processing and the like. ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) (55) including a CPU (551) and an SD-RAM (552), and ASIC (based on operation commands from the photographing operation unit (41) and the mode switching operation unit (42)). 55), a memory (6) capable of recording two images acquired by the first imaging mechanism (1) and the second imaging mechanism (2), and a liquid crystal display (3). ) Is provided with display control means (7) for displaying an image.

  When the mode switching operation unit (42) is set to the photographing mode and the display switching operation unit (43) is set to the single screen display A, the ASIC (55) outputs from the first A / D conversion circuit (53). Only the first digital signal to be transmitted is transmitted to the display control means (7). The display control means (7) has a display control circuit (71), and the display control circuit (71) displays an image composed of the first digital signal on the liquid crystal display (3) on one screen.

  In the above setting, when an image is shot by pressing the shutter button (411), a recording control procedure is executed as shown in FIG. In the recording control procedure, first, in step S21, the first digital signal is taken into the SD-RAM (552) of the ASIC (55). Next, in step S22, the CPU (551) of the ASIC (55) creates a thumbnail of an image composed of the first digital signal. In step S23, the CPU (551) of the ASIC (55) encodes the first digital signal to create a first image file, and the first image file as a thumbnail created in step S22. Is attached and recorded in the memory (6).

  When the mode switching operation unit (42) is set to the photographing mode and the display switching operation unit (43) is set to the single screen display B, the ASIC (55) is connected to the second A / D conversion circuit (54). Only the second digital signal output from is transmitted to the display control means (7). Then, the display control circuit (71) of the display control means (7) displays an image composed of the second digital signal on the liquid crystal display (3) on one screen.

  In the above setting, when an image is shot by pressing the shutter button (411), a recording control procedure is executed as shown in FIG. In the recording control procedure, first, in step S31, the second digital signal is taken into the SD-RAM (552) of the ASIC (55). Next, in step S32, the CPU (551) of the ASIC (55) creates a thumbnail of an image composed of the second digital signal. In step S33, the CPU (551) of the ASIC (55) encodes the second digital signal to create a second image file, and the second image file is created as a thumbnail created in step S32. Is attached and recorded in the memory (6).

On the other hand, when the mode switching operation unit (42) is set to the photographing mode and the display switching operation unit (43) is set to the two-screen display, the ASIC (55) is connected to the first A / D conversion circuit (53). ) And two digital signals (first digital signal and second digital signal) output from the second A / D conversion circuit (54) are transmitted to the display control means (7). The display control means (7) has an image composition circuit (72), and the image composition circuit (72) reduces the image composed of the first digital signal to the image composed of the second digital signal. Thus, a composite image of the two images is created. As shown in FIG. 7, the composite image created by the image composition circuit (72) is displayed on the liquid crystal display (3) by the display control circuit (71).
Thus, two images acquired by the first imaging mechanism (1) and the second imaging mechanism (2) are displayed on the liquid crystal display (3) in two screens.

  In the above setting, when an image is shot by pressing the shutter button (411), a recording control procedure is executed as shown in FIG. In the recording control procedure, first, in step S41, the first digital signal and the second digital signal are taken into the SD-RAM (552) of the ASIC (55). Next, in step S42, the CPU (551) of the ASIC (55) creates an image thumbnail composed of the first digital signal and an image thumbnail composed of the second digital signal. In step S43, the CPU (551) of the ASIC (55) encodes the first digital signal to create a first image file, and encodes the second digital signal to create a second image file. These two image files are recorded in the memory (6) with the thumbnails created in step S42 attached thereto.

Next, in step S44, the CPU (551) of the ASIC (55) reduces and superimposes the image configured by the first digital signal on the image configured by the second digital signal to create a composite image. Then, a thumbnail of the composite image is created. In step S45, the CPU (551) of the ASIC (55) creates an association file that associates the two image files created in step S43 with each other, and the association file is created in step S44. Attached thumbnails are recorded in the memory (6).
Thus, the two images acquired by the first imaging mechanism (1) and the second imaging mechanism (2) are associated with each other by the ASIC (55) and recorded in the memory (6).

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the related first image file A1 and second image file B1 are recorded in the image folder in the memory (6), an association file C1 ( A1 / B1) is created and recorded in the image folder in the memory (6). Similarly, when the related first image file A4 and second image file B2 are recorded in the image folder in the memory (6), an association file C2 (A4 / B2) for associating these two image files A4 and B2 is obtained. It is created and recorded in the image folder in the memory (6).
The first image files A2 and A3 are image files recorded in the memory (6) by executing the recording control procedure shown in FIG.

When the mode switching operation unit (42) is set to the reproduction mode, the thumbnails attached to the first image file, the second image file, and the association file are displayed on the liquid crystal display in a selectable state. .
When a thumbnail attached to the first image file or the second image file is selected, a playback control procedure is executed as shown in FIG. In the reproduction control procedure, first, in step S51, the display control means (7) reads the first image file or the second image file corresponding to the selected thumbnail from the memory (6).

  At this time, even if the first image file and the second image file are associated with each other by the association file, these image files are separately recorded in the memory (6) as described above. Only one of the image file and the second image file can be read from the memory (6).

  Next, the first image file or the second image file read by the display control means (7) is combined by the display control means (7) in step S52, and in step S53, the display control means (7 ) Is displayed on the liquid crystal display (3) as an image by the display control circuit (71).

  On the other hand, when a thumbnail attached to the association file is selected, a playback control procedure is executed as shown in FIG. In the reproduction control procedure, first, in step S61, the display control means (7) reads the association file corresponding to the selected thumbnail from the memory (6). Next, in step S62, the display control means (7) reads the related first image file and second image file from the memory (6) based on the association file read in step S61.

In step S63, the image composition circuit (72) of the display control means (7) performs a composition process on the first image file and the second image file read by the display control means (7) in step S62. . Then, the image composition circuit (72) reduces and superimposes the image of the first image file on the image of the second image file, thereby creating a composite image of the two images. Next, in step S64, the display control circuit (71) of the display control means (7) displays the composite image created in step S63 on the liquid crystal display (3).
Thus, the two related image files (the first image file and the second image file) are displayed in two screens on the liquid crystal display (3) as shown in FIG.

  According to the digital camera described above, even when the distance between the zoom lens (11) and the subject changes, the adjustment means (82) causes the shooting range of the first imaging mechanism (1) to be the same as that of the second imaging mechanism (2). The inclination of the optical axis (92) of the second imaging mechanism (2) is adjusted so that the optical axis (92) of the second imaging mechanism (2) is arranged at or near the center position of the imaging range. As a result, regardless of the distance between the zoom lens (11) and the subject, as shown in FIG. 8, the image acquired by the second imaging mechanism (2) has a center position or a position near it (a broken line in FIG. 8). (The range surrounded by) includes the image (FIG. 6) acquired by the first imaging mechanism (1).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, it is difficult for the image acquired by the first imaging mechanism (1) on the telephoto end side of the zoom lens (11) to capture the surroundings of the subject or the whole image of the subject. As shown, the image obtained by the second imaging mechanism (2) using the single focus lens (21) shows the periphery of the subject or the whole image of the subject. Accordingly, by confirming the image acquired by the second imaging mechanism (2) with the image displayed on the two screens as shown in FIG. 7 or the image displayed on the one screen as shown in FIG. The overall image of the subject can be confirmed.

  As a result, even if the subject or part of the subject is out of the shooting range of the first imaging mechanism (1), the subject or part of the subject outside the shooting range is taken again while checking the screen of the liquid crystal display (3). It can be easily captured within the range.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a broken line indicating a region that is an imaging range of the first imaging mechanism may be displayed on the image acquired by the second imaging mechanism (2). As a result, even when the subject or a part of the subject is out of the shooting range of the first imaging mechanism (1), the image shown in FIG. By moving the subject or a part thereof, it is possible to easily capture the subject or a part of the subject that is out of the shooting range again within the shooting range.

  Furthermore, according to the above digital camera, at the time of image reproduction, two related images can be read from the memory (6), and these images can be combined and displayed on the same liquid crystal display (3) on two screens. The atmosphere around the subject that is difficult to recognize from the image acquired by the first imaging mechanism (1) or the entire image of the subject can be recognized from the image acquired by the second imaging mechanism (2). Therefore, a sense of reality can be obtained from the two images.

  In addition, each part structure of this invention is not restricted to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the technical scope as described in a claim. In the above embodiment, the two images acquired by the first imaging mechanism (1) and the second imaging mechanism (2) are recorded in the memory (6) as separate files, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something that can be done. For example, two images may be recorded as a single file in the memory (6). However, the two images are recorded in a form that can be read out separately from the one file.

  In the above embodiment, the image recorded in the memory (6) is reproduced on the liquid crystal display (3) of the digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, an output terminal (57) for an external display device may be provided in the digital camera, an external display device may be connected to the output terminal (57), and an image may be reproduced on the external display device. .

  Further, in the above embodiment, the digital camera has a configuration in which two images acquired by the first imaging mechanism (1) and the second imaging mechanism (2) are associated with each other and recorded in the memory (6), Although the configuration of adjusting the tilt of the optical axis (92) of the imaging mechanism (2) is provided, a digital camera including only one of the configurations may be used.

  Furthermore, the various configurations of the digital camera can be applied not only to the digital camera but also to various imaging devices. The various configurations of the digital camera can be applied not only to capturing and reproducing still images but also to capturing and reproducing moving images.

(1) First imaging mechanism
(11) Zoom lens
(12) First image sensor
(2) Second imaging mechanism
(21) Single focus lens (wide angle lens)
(22) Second image sensor
(3) Liquid crystal display (image display part)
(6) Memory
(55) ASIC (recording control means)
(7) Display control means
(71) Image composition circuit
(72) Display control circuit
(81) Information acquisition means
(82) Adjustment means

Claims (3)

  An imaging apparatus comprising: a first imaging mechanism having a zoom lens; and a second imaging mechanism having a wide angle lens having an angle of view that is the same as or larger than the angle of view at the wide end of the zoom lens. Furthermore, a memory capable of recording two images acquired by the first imaging mechanism and the second imaging mechanism, and a recording control means for associating the two images with each other and recording them in the memory are associated with each other. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a display control unit capable of executing a two-screen display for reading two images from the memory and displaying them on the same image display unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit is further capable of executing a one-screen display that reads only one of the two associated images from the memory and displays the image on the image display unit. An imaging apparatus comprising: a first imaging mechanism having a zoom lens; and a second imaging mechanism having a wide angle lens having an angle of view that is the same as or larger than the angle of view at the wide end of the zoom lens. And adjusting means for adjusting the inclination of the optical axis of the wide-angle lens by changing the attitude of the second imaging mechanism, and information acquiring means for acquiring distance information that changes in accordance with the distance between the zoom lens and the subject. The information acquiring unit executes an operation of acquiring distance information when the variable power lens is focused on the subject, and the adjusting unit is configured to perform a first operation based on the distance information acquired by the information acquiring unit. An image pickup apparatus that performs an adjustment operation of an inclination of an optical axis so that a shooting range of a second imaging mechanism overlaps with a shooting range of an imaging mechanism.

Images