JP2012138658A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus having a security function for allowing only the owner or an authorized user to take a picture.SOLUTION: A digital camera 10 includes a main imaging part 31 and a sub imaging part 32, and when a power button 15 is pressed and power is turned on, a face of a photographer is taken by the sub imaging part 32. A face matching circuit 64 determines whether the face image of the photographer detected by a face detection circuit 63 matches a face image of an authorized user by matching the face image of the photographer with the face image of the authorized user preliminarily registered in EEPROM 67. In the case where the both matches with each other, all operations are permitted based on an instruction of CPU 45 and taking picture is allowed. In the case where the both do not match each other, a warning message is displayed on LCD 24 and thereafter power is forcibly turned off based on an instruction of CPU 45.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of simultaneously photographing a photographer's own face in addition to a general subject.

  A camera-integrated video recorder (Patent Document 1) and an image recording device (Patent Document 2) that include a main imaging unit and a sub-imaging unit and capture two images simultaneously are known. The main image generated by the main image pickup means is image data obtained by shooting a shooting target arbitrarily selected by the photographer. On the other hand, the sub-imaging unit is attached with the photographing lens facing the rear of the main body, and the sub-image generated by the sub-imaging unit images the photographer's appearance (for example, facial expression is also included). It becomes image data. Each image data is recorded on a separate medium (video tape and memory card). Since the same time code is attached to each image data, image composition is performed in which a sub-image is inserted into one corner of the main image after the imaging is completed.

  On the other hand, in recent years, “FaceTime” (registered trademark) and “SKYPE” (registered trademark) have appeared, and it is possible to synthesize images by simultaneously capturing the main and sub images as described above. It becomes possible by telephone and shows signs of widespread use.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-244587 JP 2006-203334 A

  If a mobile phone is lost, there is a risk that it will be easily used by others. In particular, in the mobile phone capable of taking the main and sub images as described above, since the face image of the owner or the like is recorded, there is a disadvantage that the risk of being lost is higher than that of a general mobile phone.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus having a security function that allows only the owner or an authorized person to photograph.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a first imaging lens provided toward the front of the apparatus main body, and is provided so as to be directed at least to the rear of the apparatus main body and a main imaging unit that images the front of the apparatus main body. A second imaging lens that captures at least the back of the apparatus main body, storage means in which at least a face image of the photographer is registered in advance, and the face of the photographer captured by the sub-imaging unit Control means for comparing the image with the face image of the photographer registered in advance in the storage means, and permitting photographing by the main imaging unit only when they match each other.

  The control means compares the photographer's face image captured by the sub-imaging unit with the photographer's face image registered in advance in the storage means, and if both do not match, the apparatus is turned off. It is preferable.

  The face images registered in advance in the storage means are face images of a plurality of different photographers, and the photographer's unique information is attached to the registered photographer's face images, and the control means includes: Preferably, the unique information of the photographer permitted to perform the imaging operation of the main imaging unit is stored in the storage unit together with the permitted date and time.

  When the specific information includes custom setting data of shooting conditions set by the photographer, the control unit sets shooting conditions based on the custom setting data of the photographer permitted to perform the imaging operation. Is preferably performed.

  When the specific information includes the specific motion data of the photographer, the control unit is configured to determine when the motion of the photographer imaged by the sub-imaging unit coincides with the motion of the specific motion data. Therefore, it is preferable to execute a predetermined sequence corresponding to the specific operation data.

  It is preferable that the second photographing lens is provided so as to be rotatable between a position directed to the front and a position directed to the rear of the apparatus main body.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the photographer's face image captured by the sub-imaging unit is compared with the photographer's face image registered in advance in the storage means, and only when the two match, Since the control means for permitting the imaging operation is provided, only the owner or an authorized person can take an image.

  The photographer's face image captured by the sub-imaging unit is compared with the photographer's face image registered in advance in the storage means, and if they do not match, the apparatus is turned off. It can be prevented from being used by suspicious persons other than those who are not.

  Since the unique information of the photographer who is permitted to perform the imaging operation of the main imaging unit is stored in the storage unit together with the permitted date and time, the usage history of the apparatus is left and it is possible to know who used when. As a result, the photographed image can be identified by the photographer, which is useful for organizing images.

  Shooting conditions are set based on the photographer's custom setting data, so you don't have to set your favorite shooting conditions every time the photographer changes. You can shoot quickly.

  When the photographer's specific information includes the photographer's specific motion data, a predetermined sequence corresponding to the specific motion data is executed at the timing when the photographer's motion matches the motion of the specific motion data. Therefore, it is possible to execute a predetermined sequence of the digital camera without directly operating by hand. For example, when specific action data of a face image is included in the photographer's unique information, at least the image pickup operation of the main image pickup unit is automatically performed at the timing when the action of the photographer's face image matches the specific action. Because it is executed, you can shoot even in situations where you cannot use your hands. Therefore, even a handicapped person with a handicap can take a picture. Also, “hand movement” can be used as the specific movement. For example, if the focus is set to go and the shutter is released with par, or the number of fingers is changed to 3, 2, 1, or the like, the shutter is released at the next moment. When they match, the corresponding sequence registered in advance can be executed.

  Since the second imaging lens of the sub-imaging unit is provided so as to be rotatable between a position directed to the front of the apparatus body and a position directed to the rear, the second imaging lens is directed to the front of the apparatus body. The front of the apparatus main body can be photographed by the sub imaging unit at the same time as the main imaging unit. If the first photographing lens of the main imaging unit and the second photographing lens of the sub-imaging unit are set to different angles of view, the same subject in front of the apparatus main body can be simultaneously photographed at different angles of view.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the digital camera which is embodiment of this invention from the front side. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the digital camera by which the lens barrel of the sub imaging unit was orient | assigned ahead of the camera main body from the front side. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a digital camera from the back side. It is a block diagram which shows the main electrical structures of a digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the main sequences of a digital camera. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the operation | movement data of a photographer's face image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the synthesized image which synthesize | combined the photographer's face image with the main subject image.

  The digital camera 10 which is an embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a main imaging unit 31 and a sub imaging unit 32 (see FIG. 4) which are two imaging units, and can display and record two images by combining them. Whether the photographer is a person who is permitted to use by the owner or owner of the digital camera 10 (hereinafter referred to as an authorized person including the owner) by photographing the photographer by the sub-imaging unit 32. It is determined whether the digital camera 10 is a person who intends to use it without permission by illegally obtaining it (hereinafter referred to as a use-permitted person). In the case of a use-disabled person, a warning is displayed, A security function for forcibly turning off the power of the digital camera 10 is provided so that it cannot be operated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the lens barrel 12 in which the imaging optical system of the main imaging unit 31 is incorporated, a flash light emitting unit 14 is provided on the front surface of the camera body 11 of the digital camera 10. On the upper part of the camera body 11, a power button 15 for turning on / off the power of the digital camera 10, a shutter button 16 used for a shutter release operation, and a quadratic prism-shaped sub-imaging unit 17 incorporating a sub-imaging unit 32 are provided. Is provided.

  The sub imaging unit 17 is attached to a rotation axis (not shown) provided in the longitudinal direction of the camera body 11 so as to be rotatable within an angle range of 180 degrees. A lens barrel 18 in which the imaging optical system of the sub-imaging unit 32 is incorporated slightly protrudes from one end surface of the sub-imaging unit 17, and the lens barrel 18 is photographed by the rotation angle of the sub-imaging unit 17. Or the same main subject side as the lens barrel 12 (see FIG. 2).

  In order for the security function of the digital camera 10 to function effectively, at least immediately before the power button 15 is pressed to turn on the power, the lens barrel 18 of the sub-imaging unit 17 is moved to the photographer side. Need to face. For this reason, when the power button 15 is pressed to turn the power of the digital camera 10 from on to off, the power is not immediately turned off, but whether the lens barrel 18 is facing the photographer side or the sub imaging. When the position of the unit 17 is checked by a sensor, a micro switch or the like (not shown) and the lens barrel 18 is not facing the photographer side, a warning is displayed on the LCD 24 which will be described later to correct the orientation of the imaging unit 17. Will not turn off.

  The main subject means a subject other than the photographer himself / herself, which is present in front of the camera body 11 and is mainly photographed by the main imaging unit 31, and is not a word indicating a specific person, object or landscape. As shown in FIG. 2, when the lens barrel 18 of the sub imaging unit 17 is directed to the front of the camera body 11, the main subject is also photographed by the sub imaging unit 17.

  The lens barrel 12 is retractable, and is stored in a lens barrel storage portion 19 provided on the front surface of the digital camera 10 when the digital camera 10 is in a power-off state. Projects from the front and stops at the wide-angle end. Further, by operating the zoom operation button 20 (see FIG. 3) provided on the back surface of the camera body 11, the lens barrel 12 moves forward and backward to change the zoom magnification.

  In FIG. 3 showing the back side of the camera body 11, a mode setting button 22 is disposed between the zoom operation button 20 and the sub imaging unit 17. The mode setting button 22 switches whether to shoot with the sub-imaging unit 17 (whether to shoot using the sub-imaging unit 32) by moving the convex knob left and right. That is, the mode setting button 22 creates a composite image by shooting in the normal shooting mode in which only the main imaging unit 31 is used without using the sub imaging unit 32 or in the sub imaging unit 32 in synchronization with the main imaging unit 31. Select one of the composite shooting modes. Although a mode in which only the sub imaging unit 32 is used without using the main imaging unit 31 is theoretically possible, it is not prepared in the present embodiment because it is unlikely to be used practically.

  On the side opposite to the mode setting button 22 of the sub imaging unit 17, a white LED 23 that emits auxiliary light when the photographer takes a picture with the sub imaging unit 17 is disposed. A touch panel type LCD (liquid crystal display) 24 is provided below the white LED 23, and a moving image button 25, a menu button 26, a playback button 27, and a controller wheel 28 are disposed on the side thereof from above. . When the controller wheel 28 is turned, menu items can be selected and images can be switched. In the shooting mode and the playback mode, the function assigned to the position of the wheel on which the finger is placed is displayed. The controller wheel 28 is also used to change the position of an image to be inserted when images are combined, which will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the main imaging unit 31 includes a lens barrel 12, a feeding motor 33, a focus motor 34, a motor driver 35, a CMOS image sensor 36 that is an imaging element, a timing generator (hereinafter abbreviated as TG) 37, A digital signal processing circuit (hereinafter referred to as DSP) 38 and a digital image processing circuit (hereinafter referred to as DIP) 39 are included.

  The lens barrel 12 incorporates a zoom lens 41, a focus lens 42, and an aperture 43 as an imaging optical system (first photographing lens). The feeding of the lens barrel 12 to the photographing position and the retracting to the storage position are performed by driving the feeding motor 33. The zoom lens 41 and the focus lens 42 are moved forward and backward in the optical axis direction by driving the focus motor 34. Each motor 33, 34 is connected to a motor driver 35. The motor driver 35 is connected to a CPU 45 that controls the digital camera 10 in an integrated manner, and drives the motors 33 and 34 in accordance with a control signal from the CPU 45.

  A CMOS image sensor 36 is disposed behind the lens barrel 12. The imaging optical system of the lens barrel 12 forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the CMOS image sensor 36. The CMOS image sensor 36 is connected to the TG 37. The TG 37 is connected to the CPU 45 and inputs a timing signal (clock pulse) to the CMOS image sensor 36 under the control of the CPU 45. The CMOS image sensor 36 captures the subject image formed on the light receiving surface in accordance with the timing signal, and outputs an imaging signal corresponding to the subject image.

  The imaging signal output from the CMOS image sensor 36 is input to the DSP 38. The DSP 38 performs various signal processing such as color separation, color interpolation, gain correction, white balance adjustment, and gamma correction on the imaging signal input from the CMOS image sensor 36 to generate image data. The image data generated by the DSP 38 is input to the working memory of the DIP 39. The DIP 39 performs various types of image processing such as electronic scaling, color enhancement processing, and edge enhancement processing on the image data generated by the DSP 38. Image data that has been subjected to various image processing by the DIP 39 is temporarily stored in the image memory 46 as main image data.

  The sub-imaging unit 32 includes the lens barrel 18 and CMOS image sensors 47, TG48, DSP49, and DIP50, which are imaging elements. The photographing optical system (second photographing lens) of the lens barrel 18 is a wide-angle fixed-focus photographing lens 51 having a deep depth of field. The focal length of the photographic lens 51 is determined so that the photographer's face is in focus even if the photographer's face moves slightly back and forth with the photographer holding the camera body 11. Image data captured by the CMOS image sensor 47 and output from the DSP 49 or DIP 50 is temporarily stored in the image memory 52 as sub-image data.

  The image memories 46 and 52 are connected to the CPU 45 via the data bus 53. Similarly, the CPU 45 receives an image composition circuit 54, SDRAM 55, liquid crystal driver 56, media controller 57, AE / AWB detection circuit 61, AF detection circuit 62, face detection circuit 63, face collation circuit 64 via the data bus 53. , And a cutting pattern memory 66 are connected.

  Connected to the CPU 45 are operation members such as a power button 15, a shutter button 16, a zoom operation button 20, a mode setting button 22, a moving image button 25, a menu button 26, a playback button 27, and a controller wheel 28. Each of these operation members detects an operation by the user and inputs the detection result to the CPU 45.

  An EEPROM 67, a flash driver 68, and an LED driver 69 are connected to the CPU 45. A flash light emitting unit 12 is connected to the flash driver 68, and a white LED 23 is connected to the LED driver 69. In many cases, the white LED 23 directed toward the photographer always emits light because the photographer's face is backlit. The amount of light emitted from the white LED 23 is changed as needed by the LED driver 69 according to the brightness of the image captured by the sub-imaging unit 32.

  The EEPROM 67 stores various programs and data for controlling the digital camera 10. The CPU 45 reads various programs and data and executes various processes. Further, in the EEPROM 67, face images of authorized users who are permitted to use the digital camera 10 are registered in advance.

  The liquid crystal driver 56 reads image data for a predetermined screen from the SDRAM 55 in response to an instruction from the CPU 45. Then, the liquid crystal driver 56 causes the LCD 24 disposed on the back side of the digital camera to display a through image based on the image data for one screen read from the SDRAM 55.

  The media controller 57 accesses a recording medium 59 that is detachably attached to the media slot in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 45, and writes image data for one screen on the recording medium 59. At the time of writing, the image data is compressed by a preset compression format. Note that the image data may be written to the recording medium 59 without being compressed. As the recording medium 59, various memory cards are used.

  The AE / AWB detection circuit 61 detects the subject brightness in the AE detection area set in the image data for each screen, and outputs the detected subject brightness to the CPU 45. The CPU 45 determines whether the exposure amount and white balance are appropriate based on the subject brightness, and determines the shutter speed of the CMOS image sensors 36 and 47 and the aperture value of the aperture 43. Since the aperture on the CMOS image sensor 47 side is a fixed aperture determined by the lens barrel 18, exposure control is adjusted only by the shutter speed. As described above, the AE / AWB detection circuit 61 and the CPU 45 control the automatic exposure function and the auto white balance function.

  The AF detection circuit 62 extracts a high frequency component from the AF detection area set in the image data for each screen, and outputs an AF evaluation value obtained by integrating the high frequency component to the CPU 45. The CPU 45 drives the focus motor 34 by the motor driver 35 and moves the focus lens 42 to a focus position where the AF evaluation value is maximum, that is, the contrast in the AF detection area is maximum. Thereby, the focal point is matched with the subject in the AF detection area. As described above, the AF detection circuit 62 and the CPU 45 control the autofocus function.

  The face detection circuit 63 detects the face image of the subject from the captured images based on the image data for each screen. For detection of a face image, a method using a histogram of hue values and saturation values created from photometric values (disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-158164) or a method using skin color detection (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-306483). Etc.). Further, a technique using pattern matching may be used.

  The face images detected by the face detection circuit 63 are assigned to the AE detection area and the AF detection area, respectively. When a face image is not detected, a preset initial detection area having an appropriate size, for example, at the center of the image is assigned to the AE detection area and the AF detection area.

  The face matching circuit 64 compares the face image detected from the image data captured by the sub-imaging unit 32 and stored in the image memory 52 with the face image of the authorized person registered in advance in the EEPROM 67 and detected. It is determined whether or not the face image matches the face image of the authorized person.

  The cut pattern memory 66 stores data related to the cut pattern used when cutting the area image of the photographer's face detected by the face detection circuit 63. Examples of the cut pattern include a rectangle, an ellipse, and a star, and the user can select a desired pattern by operating the menu button 26 and the controller wheel 28.

  When the power button 15 is pressed, battery power (not shown) is supplied to each unit, and the digital camera 10 is activated. When the power button 15 is pressed again, power supply is stopped and the digital camera 10 is stopped. When the CPU 45 detects the operation of the power button 15, the CPU 45 drives the feeding motor 33 in accordance with the operation and causes the lens barrel 12 to be fed or retracted.

  The shutter button 16 is pressed in two stages. When the shutter button 16 is lightly pressed (half pressed), the main imaging unit 31 performs various shooting preparation processes such as an AE process and an AF process. When the shutter button 16 is strongly pressed (fully pressed) from the half-pressed state, the image data output from the imaging units 31 and 32 is stored in the image memories 46 and 52.

  The operation of the digital camera 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, st (meaning of step) 1 in the parenthesis corresponds to st1 etc. shown in FIG. The sub-imaging unit 17 is usually set at a position where the photographing lens 51 of the lens barrel 18 is directed to the photographer side, as shown in FIGS. When the power button 15 is pressed and the power is turned on to the digital camera 10 (st1), the sub-imaging unit 32 built in the sub-imaging unit 17 is first driven regardless of the position of the mode setting button 22 (st2). ). In synchronization with the driving of the sub-imaging unit 32, the white LED 23 emits light.

  The photographer's image data captured by the CMOS image sensor 47 is temporarily stored as sub-image data in the image memory 52 and then sent to the face detection circuit 63 via the data bus 53 to detect the photographer's face image. (St3).

  The face image detected by the face detection circuit 63 is sent to the face matching circuit 64. The face collation circuit 64 collates with the face image of the authorized person registered in advance in the EEPROM 67, and determines whether or not the face image detected by the face detection circuit 63 matches the face image of the authorized person (st4). ).

  If the face image detected by the face detection circuit 63 does not match any face image of the authorized person, a warning message such as “Operation not permitted” is displayed on the display surface of the LCD 24 according to a command from the CPU 45 (st6 ), For example, after 1 second has elapsed, the power of the digital camera 10 is forcibly turned off (st7). If the forcible power-off is repeated up to two times, the power is turned on by pressing the power button 15 again. When the number of forced power-offs reaches three consecutive times (st5), not only the power of the digital camera 10 is forcibly turned off (st8) by the command of the CPU 45, but also the power button 15 is pressed again. Even if the power is not turned on, the locked state is set (st9).

  When the photographer's face image detected by the face detection circuit 63 matches the face image registered in the EEPROM 67, a word such as “Operation permitted” is displayed on the display surface of the LCD 24 according to a command from the CPU 45. After that, all operations are permitted (st10). The feeding motor 33 is driven, and the lens barrel 12 is fed from the storage position to the photographing position. Immediately after the operation is permitted, the normal shooting mode is set, and driving of the main imaging unit 31 is started. As a result, the image captured by the CMOS image sensor 36 is displayed on the LCD 24 as a through image.

  The unique information of the photographer permitted to operate is read into the SDRAM 55 (st11). Subsequently, at least the unique information that can identify the photographer and the permitted date and time information among the unique information of the photographer are stored in the EEPROM 67 as a record (st12). Thereby, the use history of the apparatus is left, and it can be understood who used the device when. It is useful for organizing images because it is possible to know who was photographed. Specific information of the photographer includes, in addition to the photographer's name and affiliation, custom setting data for setting a desired photographing condition, specific operation data of a face image that triggers a shutter release operation, and the like.

  When custom setting data of shooting conditions is included in the unique information read into the SDRAM 55 (st13), the CPU 45 performs, for example, a photographer's favorite color and white balance based on the photographer's custom setting data. , Sensitivity, etc. are set as shooting conditions (st14). Thus, it is not necessary to re-set the favorite shooting conditions every time the photographer changes, and even if the photographer changes, it is possible to quickly shoot with the shooting conditions preferred by the photographer.

  When specific operation data of a photographer's face image is included in the unique information read into the SDRAM 55 (st15), the photographer's face image photographed by the sub-imaging unit 32 is, for example, FIG. When the photographer 71 matches the image indicating the specific action (bow) of the face image registered in advance in the unique information (st16), such as the “bow” of the photographer 71 shown in A) and (B), the CPU 45 Even if the shutter button 15 is not pressed, a shutter release operation is automatically executed (st17), and photographing by the main imaging unit 31 is performed. For this reason, it is possible to take a picture even in a situation where the hand cannot be used. If the digital camera 10 is fixed in advance, a handicapped person with a handicapped hand can also take a picture.

  Since the face of the photographer 71 is usually facing the front, the specific operation data of the face image of the photographer 71 is the face of the photographer 71 as shown in FIG. It is the data of the image which shows the state (state which bowed) which the head part turned to the front.

  The image data output from the main imaging unit 31 is temporarily stored in the image memory 46, read into the SDRAM 55, read out from here, compressed by the media controller 57, and written into the recording medium 59. As an example of the specific operation of the face image, “bow” has been mentioned. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is performed at the time of normal shooting such as opening the mouth wide and shaking the face left and right. May be a face image with extremely rare motion. Although the shutter release operation is performed by a specific operation of the face image, the present invention is not limited to this, and a focus operation, a self-timer start operation, and the like may be performed.

  When the photographer wants to photograph himself and leave his face image on the same screen, the mode setting button 22 is operated to set the composite photographing mode. As a result, the sub-imaging unit 32 starts driving, and the CMOS image sensor 47 shoots the photographer himself at the same imaging timing in synchronization with the CMOS image sensor 36 of the main imaging unit 31. The same time code is assigned to each image data simultaneously output from the main imaging unit 31 and the sub imaging unit 32 and stored in the image memories 46 and 52.

  The CPU 45 reads out each image data assigned with the same time code from the image memories 46 and 52 and temporarily stores it in the SDRAM 55. The face detection circuit 63 detects a face from the photographer's image data and cuts it according to the selected cut pattern. The image data of the cut face area image and the image data of the main subject image are sent to the image composition circuit 54 by the CPU 45.

  In the image composition circuit 54, as shown in FIG. 7, the image data of the cut face area image 72 is synthesized with the peripheral area of the image data of the main subject image 73 to generate composite image data. The composite image data is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 55 and then sent to the liquid crystal driver 56 by the CPU 45, whereby the composite image is displayed on the LCD 24.

  Since the LCD 24 is a touch panel, the region image 72 can be freely moved within the display screen (main subject image 73) of the LCD 24 by dragging the region image 72 with a finger. Further, when the region image 72 is opened or closed obliquely while being touched with two fingers, the size of the region image 72, that is, the size of the photographer 71 can be changed. When the area image 72 is enlarged to the entire display screen of the LCD 24, the main subject image 73 is reduced so as to be replaced with the area image 72 and is displayed at the corner of the area image 72.

  When the position and size of the area image 72 are determined, the main subject image 73 is observed on the LCD 24, and the shutter button 16 is deeply depressed at a desired framing and timing. As a result, the imaging units 31 and 32 are simultaneously driven, and the respective image data assigned with the same time code are stored in the image memories 46 and 52.

  After the photographer's face is detected by the face detection circuit 63 and cut according to the selected cut pattern, the image data of the photographer's face image and the image data of the main subject image are imaged. The image data of the face image is combined with the image data of the main subject image at a predetermined position and size on the LCD 24, and the combined image data is generated. The composite image data is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 55, then sent to the media controller 57, compressed, and written to the recording medium 59.

  If the moving image button 25 is pressed to set the moving image mode and then the shutter button 16 is depressed, moving image shooting within a predetermined time can be performed. The possible shooting time for moving image shooting depends on the capacity of the image memories 46 and 52. In this case as well, as with the still image shooting described above, the actual moving image shooting can be performed after the position and size of the photographer's face area are determined on the LCD 24. The captured moving image is recorded on the recording medium 59 in the MP4 file format, for example.

  In order to reproduce and display still images and moving images written in the recording medium 59, the reproduction button 27 is pressed. When the playback button 27 is pressed, thumbnail images of each image recorded on the recording medium 59 are displayed in a list on the LCD 24. By touching the thumbnail image to be reproduced and displayed, the still image or moving image that is the original image is touched. The image is reproduced and displayed on the full display screen of the LCD 24.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lens barrel 18 can be directed to the front of the camera body 11 by rotating the sub-imaging unit 17. Thereby, the photographing lens 51 of the lens barrel 18 is a wide-angle fixed focus lens, and the photographing optical system of the lens barrel 12 is a zoom lens having a variable focal length. Unless the focal length is purposely the same as the focal length of the photographing lens 51, the same subject can be photographed simultaneously at different angles of view.

  When the power button 15 is pressed while the lens barrel 18 is directed to the front of the camera body 11, whether the lens barrel 18 faces the photographer or the position of the sub-imaging unit 17 is a sensor, a micro switch, or the like (not shown). )). If the lens barrel 18 is not facing the photographer, a warning message such as “Please return the orientation of the sub-imaging unit to its original position” is displayed on the LCD 24 according to a command from the CPU 45, and the sub-imaging is performed. The power is not turned off until the unit 17 is reoriented. When the direction of the sub imaging unit 17 is corrected, the power is turned off. When the orientation of the sub-imaging unit 17 is corrected, the wording “The power can be turned off. Please press the power button again.” Is displayed on the LCD 24 according to a command from the CPU 45. You may make it press-operate.

  When the camera body 11 is provided with a mechanism for rotationally driving the sub-imaging unit 17 and the lens barrel 18 does not face the photographer in response to the pressing operation of the power button 15 when the power is turned off. In other words, the sub imaging unit 17 may be automatically rotated so that the lens barrel 18 faces the photographer.

  In the embodiment described above, when it is determined that the photographer is different from the unauthorized person, the digital camera is turned off, and the power is turned off in the same determination three times in a locked state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the power may be turned off and the locked state may be entered after two consecutive times or from the first time.

  In the above embodiment, the example of “face motion” is given as the specific motion, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, “hand motion” can also be used. In this case, if you focus with goo and release shutter with par, or change the number of fingers to 3, 2, 1, shutter release at the next moment etc. When a par hand image or the like is detected and matched by the sub-imaging unit, a corresponding sequence (focus, shutter release, etc.) registered in advance may be executed.

  In the above-described embodiment, a CMOS image sensor is used as the image sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a CCD image sensor may be used, for example. When a CCD image sensor is used, a circuit (amplifier circuit or the like) corresponding to the CCD image sensor is used because a method for extracting signal charges obtained by photoelectric conversion is different from that of the CMOS image sensor.

  In the above embodiment, the sub-imaging unit is rotatably disposed on the upper part of the camera body. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the sub-imaging unit is always mounted on the rear side of the camera body. You may fix to the back side of a camera main body so that it may face.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to, for example, a digital video camera or a mobile phone. When the present invention is applied to a digital video camera, the sub-imaging unit 17 may be provided in a rotatable manner with a smaller size at the end of an openable LCD panel provided on the side of the camera body. The operation is the same as that of the moving image mode of the digital camera 10, but a long-time (for example, several hours) shooting can be performed by using a large-capacity small hard disk or memory card as a recording medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital camera 12, 18 Lens barrel 17 Sub imaging unit 22 Mode setting button 24 LCD
31 Main imaging unit 32 Sub imaging unit 36, 47 CMOS image sensor 45 CPU
46,52 Image memory 54 Image composition circuit 63 Face detection circuit 64 Face collation circuit 66 Memory for cut pattern 67 EEPROM
71 Photographer 72 Area Image 73 Main Subject Image

Claims (6)

A main imaging unit that includes a first photographic lens provided toward the front of the apparatus main body, and that images the front of the apparatus main body;
A second imaging lens provided so as to be directed at least to the rear of the apparatus main body, and a sub-imaging unit for photographing at least the rear of the apparatus main body;
Storage means in which at least a face image of the photographer is registered in advance;
A control unit that compares the photographer's face image captured by the sub-imaging unit with a photographer's face image registered in advance in the storage unit, and permits the photographing by the main imaging unit only when they match. An imaging apparatus comprising:   The control means compares the photographer's face image captured by the sub-imaging unit with the photographer's face image registered in advance in the storage means, and if both do not match, the apparatus is turned off. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   The face images registered in advance in the storage means are face images of a plurality of different photographers, and the photographer's unique information is attached to the registered photographer's face images, and the control means includes: The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein unique information of a photographer permitted to perform an imaging operation of the main imaging unit is stored in a storage unit together with a permitted date and time.   When the specific information includes custom setting data of shooting conditions set by the photographer, the control unit sets shooting conditions based on the custom setting data of the photographer permitted to perform the imaging operation. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:   When the specific information includes the specific motion data of the photographer, the control unit is configured to determine when the motion of the photographer imaged by the sub-imaging unit coincides with the motion of the specific motion data. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a predetermined sequence corresponding to the specific operation data is executed.   6. The second photographing lens is provided so as to be rotatable between a position directed to the front and a position directed to the rear of the apparatus main body. The imaging device described.

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