JP2012141475A - Image pickup apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup apparatus and an imaging method capable of performing flash photography in a further simple configuration.SOLUTION: An image pickup apparatus 1 includes: an imaging section 102 that captures an image by an optical system and generates image data; a liquid crystal display 103 that is disposed facing an imaging direction of the imaging section 102 and displays the image data captured by the imaging section 102; an operation section 104 that instructs the imaging by the imaging section 102; and a control section 101 that, in response to the instruction of the imaging, performs a control for enhancing the luminance of the liquid crystal display 103, thereby causing the liquid crystal display 103 to emit flash, in synchronization with the emission of the flash, retains the image data captured by the imaging section 102, and can change the color of the flash to be emitted by the liquid crystal display 103.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method.

  In recent years, mobile phones in which a camera and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) are installed on the same surface are widely used so that the imager can easily image the imager himself (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a mobile phone, an image captured by the camera is displayed on the LDC so that the imager can capture the image of the imager himself while confirming the image of the image captured by the camera on the LCD. It has become.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-165943

  However, the portable electronic device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that a flashlight must be separately provided on the surface on which the camera and the LCD are installed in order to perform flash photography.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging method capable of performing flash photography with a simpler configuration.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that an imaging unit that captures an image by an optical system and generates image data is disposed in a direction in which the imaging unit captures an image. A liquid crystal display for displaying image data captured by the imaging unit, an imaging instruction unit for instructing imaging by the imaging unit, and the liquid crystal display according to an imaging instruction from the imaging instruction unit The flash is emitted to the liquid crystal display by controlling to increase the brightness of the image, and the image data captured by the imaging unit is held in synchronization with the emission of the flash, and the flash of light emitted from the liquid crystal display is retained. And a control unit capable of changing a color.

  According to the present invention, flash photography can be performed with a simple configuration.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an external configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the imaging device by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the imaging process by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the imaging process by 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the function structure of the imaging device by 3rd this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the imaging process by 3rd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an external configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
The imaging device 1 is an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smartphone, a game device, or a digital camera. As shown in this figure, in the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the imaging unit 102, the liquid crystal display 103, and the operation unit 104 are installed on the same surface.

  The imaging unit 102 captures an image (subject) by the optical system and generates image data. The liquid crystal display 103 is composed of an LCD and displays image data captured by the imaging unit 102. Here, the liquid crystal display 103 is arranged in the imaging direction by the imaging unit 102. The operation unit 104 includes a shutter button (imaging instruction unit) for instructing imaging by the imaging unit 102, a touch panel installed on the liquid crystal display 103, and the like, and receives input from the user.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
The imaging device 1 includes a control unit 101, an imaging unit 102, a liquid crystal display 103, an operation unit 104, and a storage unit 105. In this figure, the same elements as those shown in FIG.

The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the imaging apparatus 1 in an integrated manner, and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that controls imaging by the imaging unit 102. The control unit 101 performs control to increase the luminance of the liquid crystal display 103 in accordance with an imaging instruction from the shutter button provided in the operation unit 104 and causes the liquid crystal display 103 to emit flash (flash light). The image data captured by the imaging unit 102 is written in the storage unit 105 in synchronization with the emission of the image data and held.
The storage unit 105 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, and the like, and stores image data generated by the imaging unit 102.

Next, imaging processing by the imaging apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the imaging process according to the present embodiment.
When an imaging mode for imaging an imaging target is selected by the user via the operation unit 104, the control unit 101 starts imaging by the imaging unit 102 in step S101, and image data generated by the imaging unit 102 is generated. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 103 as a through image.
Next, in step S102, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the shutter button has been pressed. When the shutter button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S103, and when the shutter button is not pressed, the process returns to step S101.

Next, in step S <b> 103, the control unit 101 performs control to increase the luminance of the liquid crystal display 103 and causes the liquid crystal display 103 to emit flash light (flash light). At this time, the illuminance of the light emitted from the liquid crystal display 103 is brighter than normal, and is, for example, about the same as the illuminance of light emitted from a flashlight normally mounted on a mobile phone or a digital camera. In addition, the color of the flash in this embodiment is white.
Next, in step S <b> 104, the control unit 101 acquires image data captured by the imaging unit 102 in synchronization with emission of flash light (flash light) from the liquid crystal display 103, and uses the acquired image data as captured image data. Write and save in the storage unit 105.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the imaging device 1 causes the liquid crystal display 103 to emit flash light (flash light) when the shutter button is pressed. Thus, flash photography can be performed without separately providing a flashlight. Further, until the shutter button is pressed, an image captured by the image capturing unit 102 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 103. Therefore, the imager determines an angle or the like while confirming the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 103, The photographer himself can be imaged.

Next, the moving image imaging process according to the present embodiment will be described.
When a moving image imaging instruction is input from the operation unit 104, the control unit 101 of the imaging apparatus 1 continuously holds the image data generated by the imaging unit 102 and generates moving image data. In addition, when the normal mode in which the flash light is always lit is set, the control unit 101 controls the brightness of the liquid crystal screen while capturing a moving image (while generating moving image data). Lights continuously according to the ambient brightness. On the other hand, when the energy saving mode in which flash light is turned on as necessary is set, the control unit 101 emits flash light to the liquid crystal display 103 in synchronization with the shutter speed (imaging speed) during moving image imaging. Let The normal mode and the energy saving mode can be set by the user via the operation unit 104.
Thus, since the imaging device 1 controls lighting / non-lighting of the flash light during moving image capturing according to the shutter speed in the energy saving mode, the energy consumption is suppressed as compared with the case of continuous lighting. be able to.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an imaging apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The control unit 101 according to the present embodiment can change the color of the flash (flash light) emitted from the liquid crystal display 103. Specifically, the control unit 101 detects the face of a person from the image data generated by the imaging unit 102 when the skin beautifying mode for changing the color of the emitted flash light is set, and the detection is performed. Based on the face, the color of the flash (flash light) emitted from the liquid crystal display 103 is determined. Here, the control unit 101 performs face recognition processing using pattern recognition, and detects an image area corresponding to a human face included in the image data. Note that the skin beautification mode can be set by the user via the operation unit 104 during the imaging mode.

The storage unit 105 stores in advance a table indicating the color of the flash corresponding to the color of the person's face and the distance between the imaging device 1 and the person. The flash color stored in the storage unit 105 is red with higher intensity as the face color is darker and red with lower intensity as the face color is brighter. Further, the flash color stored in the storage unit 105 is red with lower intensity as the distance between the imaging device 1 and the person is shorter, and red with higher intensity as the distance between the imaging device 1 and the person is longer. is there.
Since other configurations are the same as those of the imaging device 1 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, imaging processing by the imaging apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the imaging process according to the present embodiment.
When an imaging mode for imaging an imaging target is selected by the user via the operation unit 104, the control unit 101 starts imaging by the imaging unit 102 in step S201, and image data generated by the imaging unit 102 is generated. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 103 as a through image.
Next, in step S202, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the shutter button has been pressed. When the shutter button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S203, and when the shutter button is not pressed, the process returns to step S201.

Next, in step S203, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the skin beautification mode is set. If the beautiful skin mode is set, the process proceeds to step S205, and if the beautiful skin mode is not set, the process proceeds to step 204.
In step S <b> 204, the control unit 101 performs control to increase the luminance of the liquid crystal display 103 and causes the liquid crystal display 103 to emit white flash (flash light).

On the other hand, in step S205, the control unit 101 changes the color of the emitted flash light. Specifically, the control unit 101 acquires the image data generated by the imaging unit 102, detects a human face from the acquired image data, and determines the color of the flash based on the detected face.
Specifically, first, the control unit 101 calculates an average value of pixel values in the face area as a face color. Further, the control unit 101 calculates the distance between the imaging device 1 and a person based on the size of the face area. Then, the control unit 101 determines the flash color by reading the flash color corresponding to the calculated face color and distance from the storage unit 105.

Next, in step S206, the control unit 101 performs control to increase the luminance of the liquid crystal display 103, and causes the liquid crystal display 103 to emit flash light (flash light) with the color changed in step S205.
Following step S204 or step S206, in step S207, the control unit 101 acquires image data captured by the imaging unit 102 in synchronization with the emission of flash light (flash light) from the liquid crystal display 103, and acquires the acquired image. Data is written and stored in the storage unit 105 as captured image data.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the imaging apparatus 1 can change the color of the flash emitted from the liquid crystal display 103.
In the conventional imaging device, since the color of the flash could not be changed, when trying to acquire a captured image in which a person's face appears bright, for example, image correction processing such as adding redness is added to the captured image. I had to do it. In the present embodiment, a human face is detected from the image data generated by the imaging unit 102, and a flash is emitted in a color (for example, red) based on the detected face to capture an image. Therefore, it is possible to acquire a captured image in which a person's face is brightly displayed without performing image correction processing.

Next, the moving image imaging process according to the present embodiment will be described.
The imaging device 1 changes the color of the flash emitted by the liquid crystal display 103 during moving image imaging when the skin beautification mode is set during imaging of a moving image. For example, when the face color of the person being imaged or the distance between the image capturing apparatus 1 and the person changes during moving image capturing, the control unit 101 changes the color of the flash in accordance with the change.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 101 automatically determines the flash color. However, for example, the user may be able to manually change the flash color. Thereby, the user can select and image the color of the flash according to the situation and preference.
Further, in the present embodiment, the skin beautifying mode has been described as an example, but other modes such as a “ghost mode” that emits a blue flash may be provided.

[Third Embodiment]
Next explained is an imaging device 3 according to the third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the imaging apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment.
The imaging apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment includes an optical sensor 306 in addition to the configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
The optical sensor 306 is a sensor that detects the color temperature (type of light source) around the imaging device 3. In addition, the storage unit 305 according to the present embodiment stores in advance a table 305A indicating the color of the flash corresponding to the color temperature (type of light source). For example, the table 305A stores that the color of the flash corresponding to the fluorescent lamp (color temperature) is red. In addition, the control unit 301 according to the present embodiment reads the flash color corresponding to the ambient color temperature detected by the optical sensor 306 from the table 305A, and causes the liquid crystal display 303 to emit the read color flash.

Next, imaging processing by the imaging device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the imaging process according to the present embodiment.
When an imaging mode for imaging an imaging target is selected by the user via the operation unit 304, the control unit 301 starts imaging by the imaging unit 302 in step S301, and image data generated by the imaging unit 302 is generated. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 303 as a through image.
Next, in step S302, the optical sensor 306 detects the color temperature (type of light source) around the imaging device 3.
Next, in step S303, the control unit 301 determines whether or not the shutter button has been pressed. When the shutter button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S304, and when the shutter button is not pressed, the process returns to step S301.

  Next, in step S304, the control unit 301 reads the flash color corresponding to the color temperature (type of light source) detected by the optical sensor 306 in step S302 from the table 305A, thereby determining the flash color.

Next, in step S305, the control unit 301 performs control to increase the luminance of the liquid crystal display 303, and causes the liquid crystal display 303 to emit flash light (flash light) with the color determined in step S304.
Finally, in step S306, the control unit 301 acquires image data captured by the imaging unit 302 in synchronization with the emission of flash light (flash light) from the liquid crystal display 303, and uses the acquired image data as captured image data. Write and save in the storage unit 305.

  Depending on the light source (color temperature) around the image pickup device 3, when an image is emitted by emitting a flash, the atmosphere of the surrounding light source may not be utilized by the flash and the color may become unnatural. According to the present embodiment, since the imaging device 3 changes the color of the flash according to the type of the light source, it can relieve the unnatural color caused by the flash and capture an image of a natural color according to the light source. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the type of the light source is detected using the optical sensor 306. However, for example, the type of the light source may be detected based on image data generated by the imaging unit 302.

As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is possible to
For example, when the imaging unit 102 is a rotary type and can be directed to the back of the surface on which the liquid crystal displays 103 and 303 are installed, a flash light composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is provided on the back, and the liquid crystal display In addition to driving 103 and 303, the light emission control of the flash light may be performed, and the LED is installed on the same surface as the surface on which the liquid crystal displays 103 and 303 are installed, or as a rotary type, and the liquid crystal The flash light emission control may be performed simultaneously with the driving of the display devices 103 and 303 or separately.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 3 ... Imaging device 101, 301 ... Control part 102, 302 ... Imaging part 103, 303 ... Liquid crystal display 104, 304 ... Operation part 105,305 ... Memory | storage part 306 ... Optical sensor

Claims (5)

An imaging unit that captures an image by an optical system and generates image data;
A liquid crystal display that is arranged in the imaging direction of the imaging unit and displays image data captured by the imaging unit;
An imaging instruction unit for instructing imaging by the imaging unit;
In response to an imaging instruction from the imaging instruction unit, control is performed to increase the brightness of the liquid crystal display to cause the liquid crystal display to emit flash light, and the imaging unit captures images in synchronization with the emission of the flash light. Holding the image data, and a control unit capable of changing the color of the flash emitted from the liquid crystal display,
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging device according to claim 1,
The control unit detects a human face from the image data generated by the imaging unit, and determines the color of the flash based on the detected face. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
A sensor for detecting the ambient color temperature;
A storage unit for storing the color of the flash corresponding to the color temperature;
With
The image pickup apparatus, wherein the control unit reads a flash color corresponding to a color temperature detected by the sensor from the storage unit, and causes the liquid crystal display to emit a flash with the read color. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When an instruction to capture a moving image is input from the imaging instruction unit, the control unit holds image data generated by the imaging unit and flashes the liquid crystal display according to the imaging speed of the imaging unit. An image pickup apparatus that emits light. An imaging unit that captures an image by an optical system and generates image data;
A liquid crystal display that is arranged in the imaging direction of the imaging unit and displays image data captured by the imaging unit;
An imaging instruction unit for instructing imaging by the imaging unit;
In accordance with an imaging instruction from the imaging instruction unit, the imaging apparatus performs control to increase the luminance of the liquid crystal display to emit a flash of a color set in the liquid crystal display, and the flash An image capturing method comprising: holding image data captured by the image capturing unit in synchronization with the emission of

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